Cub's Dad Chapter 41

 Chapter 41

Xie Yishu was well aware of his culinary skills.

When he first started living with Gu Yanzhi, he once had a sudden urge to buy a fish from the supermarket and make fish soup.

Even though the fish was fresh and he followed the recipe step by step, when he lifted the lid, the smell of fishiness was overwhelming.

It was so bad that it was hard to even stand the smell, let alone drink it. He decisively put the lid back on, went downstairs to get some fresh air, and bought some ready-made food for dinner for him and Gu Yanzhi.

When he came back and opened the door, he was hit by a suffocating fishy smell.

Turning his head, he saw Gu Yanzhi sitting at the dining table, frowning as he drank the fish soup.

One bowl after another, the pot of soup was almost empty. When he saw Xie Yishu return, he even sped up, not giving him a chance to taste it. After finishing the last bowl, he put it down and confidently told him it was delicious and that he wanted to have it again next time.

Xie Yishu knew how it tasted even without drinking it.

It wasn't just the fish soup. He later tried other home-cooked dishes like braised shrimp, fried chicken wings, and sweet and sour ribs... all of which ended in failure.

But no matter how bad his cooking was, Gu Yanzhi would always finish it all by himself.

【Xie Yishu: When you come back, I'll make you some noodles.】

The only dish he could make well was plain noodles with a bit of sesame oil, which he wouldn't overcook.

The "typing" indicator in the top left corner flashed twice, and Gu Yanzhi quickly replied.

【Gu Yanzhi: Okay.】

【Gu Yanzhi: And add an egg.】

The egg was cooked using a sous-vide machine*, with the temperature and time set just right to avoid any mistakes.

*For those that are unfamiliar with it, it’s a machine specifically used for sous vide cooking also known as low temperature, long time cooking. It refers to the process of vacuum-sealing food and cooking it in a temperature controlled water bath. 

Xie Yishu's eyes softened, and he smiled gently as he replied: 【Okay.】 

After sending the message, Xie Yishu put away his light brain.

He had just arrived at the nap room of the Little Mushroom Class, gently pushed open the back door, and took over from Ge Qing.

The children in the Little Mushroom Class didn't need much attention during nap time. Several of them could fall asleep quickly, snoring and even passing gas.

Occasionally, one or two who couldn't sleep would squint their eyes into slits, secretly observing the outside world. When they noticed Xie Yishu looking their way, they would immediately shut their eyes tightly, their little eyelashes trembling as they pretended to be asleep.

Ge Qing didn't return until it was time to wake up.

She and Xie Yishu called the little ones to wake up together, helping them get dressed while relaying the content of the recent meeting to Xie Yishu: "The principal wants each class to organize an activity to cultivate the children's sense of responsibility. It's best if it's a long-term activity, like raising small animals, growing flowers and plants, or taking turns being on duty..."

Xie Yishu had never attended kindergarten, but in elementary school, he had been on duty and his class had also raised flowers and plants.

He thought that whether it was raising animals and plants or taking turns being on duty, both were excellent methods. However, Ge Qing sighed, "It's difficult."

Difficult? In what way?

Xie Yishu was a bit puzzled.

Ge Qing noticed his confusion and explained, "We organize such activities every year. The older classes upstairs raise flowers, plants, little turtles, and goldfish every year... But for our younger classes, the children are too small. They can't even take care of themselves yet, so we just let them take turns being on duty."

"But this year, the principal said they hope we can organize something different."

"I asked the Little Broccoli Class, and they plan to have a 'turn off the lights' helper, where the children take turns reminding the teacher to turn off the lights when they go outside for activities."

"The Little Cabbage Class has a 'close the door' helper. The Little Carrot Class has a 'open and close the windows' helper..."

So, they had broken down the duties of the on-duty student into specific reminder roles.

Xie Yishu couldn't help but laugh, understanding why Ge Qing found it difficult.

The children in their Little Mushroom Class were only five years old, and many tasks were still challenging for them.

There were only a few things they could safely let the little ones do, and those had already been chosen by the other classes' teachers.

"How about we set up a 'remind to wash hands' helper, or a 'remind to drink water' helper..." The more Ge Qing thought about it, the more her head hurt. She looked at Xie Yishu, who was deep in thought, seeking his opinion, "Teacher Xie, what do you think? Which one would be better?"

Xie Yishu came back to his senses, first tying little Xia Weiwei's hair into pigtails, patting her and letting her go play with Tang Tang and the others. Then he shared his idea: "How about setting up a 'remind to turn over' helper?"

He paused for a moment, realizing he had gone off track: "Not exactly reminding to turn over... Teacher Ge, I have a friend who once taught me how to make something called 'handmade soap.' It's similar to the soap oil produced in District 7, but it's a beautiful solid form that can be used for handwashing."

The first time he saw various shapes and colorful handmade soaps on Gulan Star, it was hard for him to imagine that they were similar to the "soap oil" he was familiar with.

The soap oil from District 7 was a pure black oil extracted from soap trees.

Gulan Star didn't have soap trees, but they could use alkali and other oils to create "soap" with similar ingredients and effects to soap oil. This was the ingenuity of the people of Gulan Star.

And it must be said, the "handmade soap" from Gulan Star looks much more elegant than the pitch-black "soap oil" from Atlantis.

"Handmade soap" was originally what Xie Yishu planned to livestream tonight.

But with Gu Yanzhi away for training in District 16 these days, if he livestreamed, there would be no one to accompany their little chubby boy in the evening. So he decided to edit an announcement on his personal page and take a three-day break.

"Handmade soap needs to go through a curing process of up to six weeks after being unmolded, to evaporate the excess water. This way, when used, it will have a finer, softer texture and produce richer foam."

Xie Yishu explained, "During the curing process, the soap needs to be turned over from time to time to ensure it cures evenly."

Ge Qing: "...Handmade soap? Curing?"

As an Atlantean who had never experienced the charm of handmade soap, Ge Qing found it hard to imagine what exactly this "handmade soap" her partner was talking about was, or what it looked like.

But these details weren't important. What mattered was whether it was safe and if it posed any danger to the children.

From the young man's description, it sounded very safe, but to be sure, Ge Qing confirmed again, "Is it safe for the little ones?"

"Handmade soap is not edible," Xie Yishu cautioned, "We need to make it clear to them that, like toys and cleaning liquids, it should not be put in their mouths."

He added, "I will handle the initial steps. We just need to let them take turns being the 'turning helper.' On the day they are the helper, they just need to remember to turn the soaps over when they arrive at the kindergarten."

Just like watering the flowers and plants every morning.

"Once the curing period is over, each little one can receive their own piece of handmade soap."

It sounded great!

Ge Qing was quite tempted, but remembering that the activity plan had to be submitted by the end of school tomorrow, she was a bit worried: "Will it be too troublesome? The activity plan needs to be submitted to the principal by the end of school tomorrow."

She remembered something she had forgotten to tell Xie Yishu: "This is actually a selection process for kindergartens across the entire star system. The principal will choose three activity plans from what we submit, record documentary videos, and submit them for the selection."

However, Ge Qing felt that compared to those expensive private kindergartens, their little Yunshan Kindergarten would likely be eliminated quickly in the preliminary rounds, so she didn't take the selection too seriously.

The key point was the deadline: "Because the recording will start on Monday if selected, the latest we can submit the plan is by the end of school tomorrow."

Xie Yishu nodded, "I'll have it written up tonight."

Ge Qing relaxed and smiled, "Then I'll leave it to you."

She originally wanted to tell Xie Yishu that although the plan was for the principal to review, he shouldn't feel too pressured.

After all, their goal wasn't to be selected for any competition. They just wanted the little ones in their class to be healthy, happy, and grow through the activity.

But seeing how at ease Xie Yishu was, she swallowed those words.

At that moment, Ge Qing had no idea that their Yunshan Kindergarten would become the biggest dark horse in this selection. Not only did they pass the preliminary rounds, but they also achieved results beyond their wildest dreams.

And it was all thanks to the young man beside her.

Xie Yishu also had no idea how many unexpected surprises this activity would bring him in the future.

At this moment, he hadn't even started writing the plan.

With Gu Yanzhi not at home, Xie Yishu thought about taking their little chubby boy out for some fun.

After cleaning the classroom and locking the door, he discussed with the little chubby boy where to eat that evening.

"Little Bear House" was the first name that popped into the little chubby boy's mind.

Many of his little friends had eaten at "Little Bear House," and some even went there every week.

He had seen it on the way but had never eaten there.

Thinking of the especially delicious fries and fried chicken wings his friends talked about, Bo Zai clasped his chubby hands together and pleaded in his sweet, childish voice, "Little Dad, can we go to Little Bear House?"

Xie Yishu naturally agreed, "Sure."

"Little Bear House" was a chain fast-food restaurant, similar to "KFC" and "McDonald's" on Gulan Star, and was loved by both children and adults.

Bo Zai cheered immediately upon hearing that they could go to the long-desired Little Bear House, "Great! Great!"

His dad thought it was junk food, unhealthy, and would make him gain weight, so he had never taken him there.

But now, he could finally eat what other kids had eaten!

And it was with his mom!

Xie Yishu didn't expect Bo Zai to be so happy.

Looking at the excited little chubby boy in his arms, he realized something: "Bo Zai, have you never eaten at Little Bear House?"

Bo Zai nodded his chubby face.

He didn't want his mom to misunderstand and think that his dad was neglecting him, so he clumsily added, "Dad said, when Bo Zai gets a little older, he'll take Bo Zai to eat there."

His dad had promised him.

He said that although it wasn't very healthy, it wasn't completely off-limits. Once Bo Zai grew taller and slimmer, and the doctor no longer poked his little belly during check-ups, he would take him to eat there.

Xie Yishu misunderstood the little chubby boy's meaning.

He thought Gu Yanzhi didn't have enough money and wanted to save up before taking Bo Zai to Little Bear House, which made him feel a bit heartbroken.

"Bo Zai, you can order a bit more today. Whatever you want to eat, just order it."

Bo Zai's eyes lit up instantly, and he asked eagerly, "Really?"

Could he really eat whatever he wanted?

Xie Yishu affirmed, "Really."

"Great!" The little chubby boy cheered again.

After the cheering, he thought of another problem and looked at his fingers, a bit troubled, "Little Dad, if I order too much and can't finish it, wouldn't that be a waste?"

And he also couldn't eat too much all at once.

Bo Zai secretly poked his little belly and pursed his lips.

He couldn't afford to gain more weight.

"This is a rare treat." Seeing his son being so considerate, Xie Yishu felt incredibly tender inside, "If we can't finish it, we can pack it up and bring it home for breakfast tomorrow."

So, he could eat Little Bear House again tomorrow morning?

And by splitting one meal into two, eating smaller portions more frequently, he wouldn't have to worry about gaining weight!

The little chubby boy completely relaxed and happily counted on his fingers, "Then Bo Zai wants to order fries, fried chicken wings, orange juice, chicken nuggets..."

Xie Yishu listened to Bo Zai's list, occasionally adding a few items he liked.

True to his word, at Little Bear House, he ordered one of everything they had listed on the way.

If they couldn't finish, they would pack it up. Next to Little Bear House was a convenience store, and Xie Yishu remembered he had promised to buy the little chubby boy some gummy bears last night. So, he went into the store and bought various flavors of gummy bears for him.

The two of them, one big and one small, carried their takeout bags, returning home with their hands full.

They ate a bit too much that evening, so they got off the bus three stops early to walk and digest their food on the way home.

Autumn nights on the main star darkened early. Xie Yishu looked at the stars in the sky and told Bo Zai stories about the stars.

As they approached their neighborhood, they saw a crowd gathered nearby.

Worried that Bo Zai might get lost in the crowd, Xie Yishu carried the takeout bags in one hand and held the little chubby boy's hand with the other.

As they walked towards their community, they overheard the people gathered nearby talking: "Did we come too late?"

"Definitely too late, Actress Ye has already left."

"Sigh, I was hoping to get an autograph..."

"What do you think Actress Ye came to this neighborhood for?"

"Probably to visit someone? Just not sure who..."

Bo Zai followed Xie Yishu into the community, listening to the conversations of the uncles and aunties outside, his little ears perked up.

Just now... Grandma was here?

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