After a week of intensive training, Sunflower Class at Meicun Kindergarten held its first parent-child cooking competition.

Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi each held Mei Xiaoyuan and Mei Zhixi’s hands as they entered the kindergarten—marking their first classroom visit since enrollment day.

Though some mothers present were fair-skinned beauties, they paled beside the transcendent elegance of CStation’s two madams.

The moment Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi appeared, all parental gazes locked onto these rare maternal figures.

Wearing only light makeup yet radiating youthfulness surpassing even celebrities—their well-maintained, blissful lives leaving no trace of time—they could pass for women in their early twenties.

Of course, Xia Yuan was a nationally beloved idol, while Lin Youxi’s refined demeanor from attending elite business events with Mei Fang set her apart.

Yet watching them each guide a child, with Mei Fang chatting amiably between them before taking his spectator seat, they seemed disarmingly approachable.

Whispers persisted among the parents:

“Are those Yuanbao and Xixi’s mothers? Wait—two moms? Not sisters?”

“Maybe an aunt or cousin…?”

“But Yuanbao’s mom looks familiar… almost like that celebrity.”

“What if… she is the celebrity? Then her husband would be—”

Though Meicun’s parents were socially established, a billionaire CEO among them felt too surreal to verify.

Mei Fang himself focused on photographing this milestone—the mothers’ first kindergarten activity with their daughters.

Despite her notorious kitchen struggles (inherited from her mother Yu), Xia Yuan had trained relentlessly with Mei Xiaoyuan, now brimming with confidence.

“Hmph…”

Watching Xia Yuan and Mei Xiaoyuan don chef hats determinedly, Lin Youxi chuckled. “You two seem very prepared.”

“Naturally!”

“Of course!”

Xia Yuan struck a proud pose. “While no match for Youxi’s skills, we’ve prepared a secret weapon!”

Mei Xiaoyuan mimicked her stance. “Secret weapon!”

“Do your best then.”

Lin Youxi turned to Mei Zhixi. “Shall we begin too, Little Xixi?”

“Mhm… What are we making, Xi Mama?”

“Do you want to win?”

“Not really…”

Mei Zhixi pouted. “Winners have to give speeches… I’m bad at that…”

She then reconsidered. “But doing poorly might disappoint Teacher Liu—”

“Then let’s aim for middle rank. Sound good?”

“Mhm! Okay!”

“Just a little effort is enough.”

Lin Youxi smiled.

As the competition began, three-year-olds’ contributions were predictably limited—focusing more on participation than skill.

Xia Yuan and Mei Xiaoyuan, however, operated with rare synergy:

“Yuanbao—eggs!”

“Cracked and ready, Yuan Mama!”

“Flour!”

“Here!”

“Mixer!”

“I’ll stir!”

“Your turn! I’ll chop the ham!”

“Yuan Mama, don’t cut your fingers!”

“Hey! I’m not that clumsy!”

Their fiery efficiency contrasted sharply with Lin Youxi and Mei Zhixi’s leisurely pace:

“Let’s shuck corn first.”

“Okay.”

“Now we’ll dice cucumbers—want me to guide your hands?”

“Xi Mama, hold me… I’m scared.”

“No rush… We’ll go slow.”

“Next, carrots. Time to peel.”

Having only introduced kitchen tools days prior, Lin Youxi let Mei Zhixi savor the novelty under her reassuring supervision.

“It’s fine to take your time… Daddy’s watching too.”

“Ah—”

Spotting Mei Fang filming with a DV camera, Mei Zhixi blushed and turned away—until Lin Youxi waved at the lens and whispered:

“Don’t want Daddy filming? I can ask him to stop.”

“Um…”

After a pause, Mei Zhixi faced the camera and waved shyly.

“Wow, so brave today!”

Lin Youxi nuzzled her ear. “Why the change?”

“Because… I like Daddy.”

“So you’ll do things you normally avoid… just for someone you love?”

Mei Zhixi nodded. “Is… that weird?”

“Not at all…”

Lin Youxi guided her hands to scoop boiled corn. “It just means you love Daddy very much.”

“Love?”

“Yes—a feeling deeper than ‘like.’”

“How… deep?”

“Let’s finish cooking first…”

Meanwhile, Xia Yuan and Mei Xiaoyuan’s culinary spectacle reached its climax—employing gadgets from automatic egg beaters to pancake molds, dazzling other parents.

“Cherry tomatoes!”

“Here!”

“Cheese slices!”

“Got ’em!”

“Heart skewers!”

“My turn!”

Their creation—”Yuan-style Egglet Burgers”—used mini pancake buns stacked with ham, tomatoes, mayo, lettuce, and cheese, speared with decorative skewers.

“Hmph… Perfection.”

Xia Yuan admired their work.

“So perfect.”

Mei Xiaoyuan mirrored her pose. “I want Daddy to try one!”

“Judges first. We’ll make more for Daddy later.”

“Next time I’ll use that mold to make takoyaki for him!”

She whispered conspiratorially: “I peeked at Xi Mama’s recipes—I know how now!”

“My, what a clever girl!”

“Shh! Don’t let Xi Mama hear! I’ll surprise her!”

“Deal!”

Surveying simpler dishes nearby, their confidence soared—until an intoxicating aroma wafted from Lin Youxi’s station.

“Oh no, Yuan Mama—cover your nose!”

But Xia Yuan was already entranced. “It’s… heavenly!”

Even a humble stir-fry became sublime under Lin Youxi’s hands, drawing awed stares from all present.

“Xi Mama… wasn’t this supposed to be simple?”

“Ah, my apologies.”

Lin Youxi smiled sheepishly. “This is me being casual…”

Eventually, all entries were presented, with every child receiving encouragement and “Best” awards in various categories:

Xia Yuan & Mei Xiaoyuan won “Most Creative” for their egglet burgers, while Lin Youxi & Mei Zhixi claimed “Best Flavor” for their pine nut corn—all celebrating together onstage for photos.

“Yay! Everyone got awards!”

Mei Xiaoyuan sighed in relief, though Xia Yuan pouted.

“If there’s no real ranking, I should’ve just made cola chicken wings—my one reliable dish!”

“Yuan Mama! That attitude won’t beat Xi Mama’s cooking!”

“Oh? So you do prefer her food?”

“Eep! No! I didn’t mean—giggle—”

Mei Zhixi loved the inclusive outcome—no speech required—though the journey had been unexpectedly intense.

Post-event, the family piled into Mei Fang’s car, each receiving a sweet kiss as they boarded.

“Everyone was amazing today! I’m so lucky to have such wives and daughters.”

“Daddy, who was most amazing?”

Mei Xiaoyuan peered over the seat.

“Haha, isn’t it obvious?”

Mei Fang laughed. “You were all equally wonderful!”

“You sound just like Teacher Liu… never picking favorites…”

“Isn’t that nice?”

“Daddy…”

Mei Xiaoyuan’s excitement dimmed. “After all our training… we got the same award as kids who just tossed a salad. It feels… unfair.”

“You feel cheated?”

Lin Youxi inquired.

“Mhm…”

She rubbed her nose. “Xi Mama and Xixi deserved ‘Best Flavor.’ Yuan Mama and I earned ‘Most Creative.’ But Jiajia’s dad just sliced cucumbers and got ‘Best’ too…”

Wow.

My child is philosophizing at three.

Pride swelled in Mei Fang even as he pondered his response:

[ “Life isn’t fair—effort rarely outweighs privilege…” ]

No! Not giving my toddler existential dread!

[ “Awards don’t matter—you’ll always be our best!” ]

That dodges the question!

Exchanging helpless looks with Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi, Mei Fang stalled—until Mei Zhixi suddenly patted her sister’s arm.

“Jiejie… Maybe Teacher Liu wasn’t judging the food.”

“Huh?”

“Maybe… it was about ‘love.’”

She whispered. “All parents came to make their kids happy… so everyone got ‘Best’…”

As the adults applauded her insight, Mei Zhixi shyly rubbed her nose.

“Well said, Xixi!”

“Exactly—the criterion was love.”

However fleeting, these shared moments would become cherished childhood treasures.

“My brilliant girl… articulating such wisdom.”

Mei Fang leaned back to kiss Mei Zhixi’s forehead—the rare paternal respect (not just doting) filling her with quiet pride.

“But… if it’s about love, why call it a ‘cooking contest’?”

Mei Xiaoyuan’s follow-up gave the adults collective headaches.

“D-Don’t overthink, Yuanbao! You’ll ruin your childhood!”

Meanwhile, event photos/videos uploaded online began circulating—until a CStation user commented:

[Aren’t those the station chief,Young Miss, and Yuanbao? Spitting images!]