Gourmet Kindergarten

"Hey, little director! The delivery truck for kitchenware has arrived! Come down and take a look!" Grandpa Li's strong voice came through the phone.

Pei Qian was taken aback.

It was supposed to be 4 o'clock, but it's only a little past 3:30.

Arriving early is even better, so you can put things away before the mythical beasts get out of school.

He perked up, hung up the phone, and rushed downstairs.

As soon as I turned out of the office building, I saw a medium-sized van parked outside the large iron gate.

Grandpa Li was talking to the driver with his hands behind his back when Aunt Zhao and Grandma Zhang, who had heard the commotion, also came over to watch the excitement.

"Master, thank you for your hard work."

Pei Qian quickly went to meet him.

The driver jumped out of the car and handed over the form: "Principal Pei, right? 20 sets of children's kitchen utensils, please check."

Pei Qian glanced at the list and nodded: "Open two boxes first, and bring up a stove and an induction cooker as well."

"Okay!"

The driver opened the tailgate and, together with his partner, unloaded three large items.

The cardboard box was placed on the ground, next to which stood a low stainless steel stove, a small induction cooker, and a large wooden footrest.

Pei Qian crouched down, used the tip of his key to cut through the tape, and peeled away the shock-absorbing foam.

The box was packed full of mini kitchen utensils, in bright pink, blue and white.

He casually picked up a small iron pot, the size of which was just right for a child's palm, heavy but not cumbersome; he touched the small wooden cutting board, the edges of which were all rounded, and when he ran his fingertip over it, there were no burrs; finally, he picked up the small kitchen knife, lifted the protective sleeve, and touched the blade, which was very dull and not sharp at all.

Safety specifications are maxed out.

He got up and walked to the low stove.

This thing only reaches his upper thigh, just right for a kid to operate while standing.

The stainless steel tabletop and four thick legs were shaken vigorously by Pei Qian, but they didn't budge.

Then, picking up the small induction cooker, you'll see that the control panel is made of a single piece of microcrystalline glass without any seams.

Turning it over, you can see that the ventilation holes are so small that a child's finger cannot fit inside.

This is crucial; it's to prevent children from being too curious and poking things indiscriminately.

Plug it in and turn it on.

The fan hummed twice, but there was no other noise.

It jumps directly from the lowest setting to the highest setting, heats up extremely quickly, and the indicator lights on the panel remain as steady as ever, without the slightest flicker.

Unplug the device, pass the test.

"Oh my, this stove is so small, it's like a stool." Aunt Zhao and Aunt Zhang had already crowded around, heads close together, looking at it with curiosity. Aunt Zhang touched the countertop and clicked her tongue in amazement.

Aunt Zhao gestured: "It's just the right size for a child to stand and use. But to be honest, this induction cooker looks pretty professional, not like something you'd find at a street stall."

Aunt Zhang squatted back down beside the box, examining the pink pot from all angles. Suddenly, she reached under the box and pulled out a lump of metal with difficulty.

A large iron plate connected to a thick pillar stands out among a pile of miniature kitchen utensils.

"Hey? What is this thing? It's so big!" Aunt Zhang held it up and looked at it from left to right.

Aunt Zhao squinted and stared for a long time: "Looks like... a pancake vendor?"

"Yes, a pancake griddle."

Pei Qian casually chimed in, then picked up a small pot from the side and tapped the bottom of it with his knuckles.

"Zheng—"

The sound is crisp and solid, definitely not the kind of cheap sheet metal that dents easily when pressed.

Aunt Zhao froze, then turned her head and stared wide-eyed: "Young director, you can even make pancakes?"

"nonsense."

"My goodness, you know so many things! They must taste delicious!"

Pei Qian put the small pot back into the box, looking completely matter-of-fact: "Of course. Once I've taught these kids how to make one, I'll have them make one for you."

Aunt Zhao: "..."

It wasn't that she didn't trust the kindergarten principal's cooking skills, but mainly... she could already picture those naughty kids throwing batter in her face.

The things that are made are most likely not of the same species as those made by Pei Qian himself.

Pei Qian, oblivious to Aunt Zhao's inner turmoil, glanced through the contents of the box one by one, then smiled and nodded, "Okay, the quality is fine."

Take out your phone, scan the code, and pay the remaining balance.

"Please help me carry this inside, gentlemen."

The driver's partner stood in the back of the carriage and handed the items down one by one, which were then received by the driver below.

Grandpa Li lends a hand, and Aunt Zhao and Grandma Zhang also help move small items. In a flurry of activity, they are extremely efficient.

Before long, in the office building's storage room, cardboard boxes were stacked one on top of another, covering most of the wall.

Pei Qian looked at the "equipment wall," dusted off his hands, and felt much more at ease.

The equipment is in place, and we'll start teaching tomorrow.

He turned and went back to his office; it was time to properly review the tutorial.

……

"School's out! Kids, pack your bags, grab your water bottles, and line up!"

Teacher Yu clapped her hands, her voice clear and bright.

On their first day of kindergarten, the eight little ones were still completely bewildered by everything.

But under her control, they actually cooperated, and somehow they ended up forming a line of short-legged people.

Tangtang stood quietly at the back of the line, being exceptionally well-behaved.

Teacher Yu nodded in satisfaction, and the next second...

Her smile froze in mid-air.

That's not right!

There aren't enough people!

Another scan of the seats—

Good guy!

Zhuangzhuang, Huzi, Doudou, Xiaoyu, and Duoduo, the five senior students, sat motionless on their small chairs.

Normally, after she shouts, these "old hands" can spring off to their feet and snatch the schoolbags, running faster than rabbits.

Today, it's like my five buttocks are welded to the chair.

Teacher Yu's heart skipped a beat.

Oh no, are we all going to get sick?

Freshmen are already overwhelmed on their first day, so upperclassmen must be careful not to cause any trouble!

"Tangtang, please keep an eye on your younger siblings for the teacher. Stand here and don't run around."

Tangtang nodded vigorously, her little hands gripping her backpack straps tightly, and promised in her sweet, childish voice, "Okay! Don't worry, Teacher, Tangtang will keep an eye on them!"

"Good boy/girl, your teacher believes in you."

After giving his instructions, Teacher Yu rushed over, bent down, and touched each of their foreheads.

It's cold.

No fever.

While I breathed a sigh of relief, I was even more puzzled.

"Zhuangzhuang, Huzi, Doudou, Xiaoyu, Duoduo," she said, propping herself up on her knee, "it's time to go home. Why are you still sitting there?"

The five little heads all lowered their heads, staring at the tips of their shoes, none of them making eye contact with her.

Zhuangzhuang's lips moved, but his voice was barely audible, like a mosquito's buzz: "I...I don't want to go home."

Teacher Yu was both amused and exasperated: "If you're not going home after school, are you planning to stay at the kindergarten and sleep on the floor tonight?"

Thinking it was just a kid's whim, Teacher Yu took direct action.

Like pulling radishes, I yanked them off the chairs one by one and headed straight for the backpack rack.

Under Teacher Yu's absolute authority, the little ones, though unwilling, dared not misbehave.

They could only pout and hang their heads, like five wilted eggplants, slowly sling their schoolbags and water bottles over their shoulders, and shuffle into the line, heading towards the park gate.

They were getting closer and closer to the iron fence.

Outside the park gate, parents picking up their children huddled together in twos and threes, craning their necks to peer inside.

At the back of the group, the five little ones' steps grew heavier and heavier.

They secretly glanced up at Teacher Yu, then at the parents outside the gate, their faces turning pale with anxiety.

What should I do?

They were about to be picked up as soon as the gate opened; they really, really didn't want to go home!

What to do? What to do?

Stop being so dense, think faster!

cry?

No, no, I can't cry. It would be too embarrassing in front of my younger siblings...

Suddenly, Xiaoyu's eyes lit up.

Yes, I've got it!