Chapter 13: What an Imperial Feast!

Then came the prized coral trout. He employed the most technically demanding method: steaming. With the heat controlled to perfection, he drizzled sizzling oil over the fish the moment it left the steamer, instantly awakening the fresh, savory aroma of the meat.

Finally, there was the most complex dish of all—Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.

Although it was a simplified home version, it lacked nothing: abalone, sea cucumber, fish maw, dried scallops—every ingredient was present. He prepared them all meticulously, placed them into an antique-style stewing pot, added a pre-prepared rich broth, and left it to simmer over low heat.

When the lid of the pot was lifted, a fragrance so rich and intense that it defied description instantly filled the air.

Four dishes and one soup.

Stir-fried beef with chili, shredded potatoes in sour and spicy sauce, steamed coral trout, cola chicken wings (made especially for Niannian), and a pot of richly fragrant Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.

Each dish was like a work of art.

The entire livestream broadcast had gone completely wild.

[A god! Is this a god descending to earth to cook?!]

[I take back everything bad I said about him this morning! Daddy! Are you looking for a son? I’m in my twenties and I can really eat!]

[Whose husband is this?! He can raise a child! He can write songs! And he can cook state-level banquets?! How lucky is his wife? Did she save the galaxy in her past life?]

[I strongly suspect now that he ordered takeout this morning not because he was lazy, but because... he simply looked down on the trivial task of making breakfast...]

[To the person above, you’ve opened up my perspective! Experts don't waste time on trifles!]

Listening to the praise shifting from shock to fanaticism, and feeling the gazes—some envious, some jealous—fixed upon her, Jiang Zhiyun sat upright, her face remaining expressionless.

However, her hands, resting on her knees, were quietly clenched tight.

Deep inside, a tiny, unexpected sense of pride began to surge.

...

Lunchtime turned into Niannian’s personal food show.

The little girl ate until her mouth was covered in oil and her little belly was rounded, yet she still refused to put down her chopsticks.

"Daddy, this is so delicious! A thousand times better than yesterday’s egg fried rice!"

Chen Yu smiled and wiped her mouth. "Eat slowly, no one is going to snatch it from you."

After the meal, Chen Yu conscientiously began to clear the table and headed to the kitchen to wash the dishes.

In the living room, Niannian patted her round belly and let out a satisfied burp. Then, she habitually stood up, preparing to walk back to her small desk.

"I'm full, time to study." The little girl told herself with solemn seriousness.

However, the moment she took a step, she was held back by a hand. It was Chen Yu, just coming out of the kitchen.

"Wait a second," Chen Yu said, wiping his hands as he looked at his daughter. "You just finished eating; why are you studying? It's not good for your digestion."

Niannian tilted her head in confusion. "But... Mommy said I must persist in my studies every day and never be lazy."

In her world, her mother’s words were divine decrees.

Chen Yu chuckled upon hearing this, his voice laced with unconcealed disdain. He crouched down to look his daughter in the eye and, as if performing a magic trick, pulled his phone from his pocket.

"Don't listen to her," Chen Yu said, thrusting the phone into Niannian’s hands.

"What does she know about raising kids? Children need a balance of work and play. If you only study and never play, you’ll end up a bookworm."

"Here, Daddy’s letting you play on my phone. I’ve downloaded 'Candy Crush' on it; it’s really fun. Take a break and play for half an hour before you go back to your books."

Niannian’s eyes widened, her little face etched with hesitation and bewilderment.

Play... play on the phone?

Mommy never allowed that! Mommy said phones were "electronic opium," and that if children touched them, they would become stupid and ruin their eyes.

Niannian clutched the phone, which still held the warmth of his hand, as if it were a scorching hot potato. Her small palms began to sweat.

In the VIP lounge, Jiang Zhiyun watched the father and daughter with a complicated expression, yet she did not utter a single word. Inside, however, she was screaming internally.

He’s letting Niannian play on a phone? And right after he displayed god-tier culinary skills and won the admiration of the entire internet? What exactly is Chen Yu trying to do?

Doesn't he realize how much damage this behavior will cause the child? Doesn't he know this will destroy the "perfect dad" image he just established?

Jiang Zhiyun’s nails dug deep into her palms, sending a sharp sting through her.

At this moment, the comments in the livestream confirmed her fears.

[?? Did I see that right? He’s letting the kid play on a phone?]

[Damn! Did his image collapse just after we praised him? Does this dad even know how to raise a child? How can a three-year-old play mobile games!]

[The perfect image from before must have been fake! I knew it, how could such a perfect man exist? He turns out to be a deadbeat dad who only cares about his own pleasure and ignores his child's education!]

[Why isn't Jiang Zhiyun doing something? Is she just going to watch? Is this how a diva educates her daughter?]

[No, are you people sick? They just finished eating, so what’s wrong with letting the child relax? Haven't you heard of work-life balance? You're allowed to scroll on your phones all day, but a kid can't play for ten minutes? Double standards!]

[Exactly! And didn't you hear him? He said half an hour! It's not like she's playing forever! I actually think this dad is quite authentic; he's much better than those parents who only know how to lecture!]

[Authentic my foot! Kids have such poor self-control; once they start, they won't be able to stop! This is absolutely a wrong example!]

The comments section was in total chaos, split into two clearly defined factions. One side labeled Chen Yu a "degenerate dad" who was irresponsible, while the other felt he had a "refreshing parenting philosophy" that advocated for relaxation.

But Chen Yu and Niannian, at the center of the storm, were oblivious to it all.

Seeing his daughter’s face twisted in conflict, Chen Yu impatiently clicked his tongue.

"What are you dilly-dallying for? If I tell you to play, then play."

He reached out and tapped the colorful icon, and the cheerful background music immediately blared.

"Look, just swipe like this. Three of the same ones together and they disappear."

Chen Yu swiped haphazardly, and cool special effects and the sound of falling coins immediately filled the screen.

He shoved the phone back into Niannian’s hands. "Go ahead, you try. Once you clear this level, you can go back to your books."

Dizzy from the upbeat music and flashing images, Niannian timidly extended a small finger and poked the screen cautiously. A purple bear moved, but nothing happened.

"Wrong!" Chen Yu’s brow furrowed immediately. "Can't you see there are two purple ones next to it? Swipe that way!"

"You little dummy, you don't even know how to play a game!"

"Has your mother turned you into a complete bookworm!!!"

[Hahaha! I’m dying! Is this mysterious husband’s patience only fully charged when he’s cooking?]