After returning home, Jiang Yao tied on an apron and stood in front of the stove. Su Jingyang and Su Muzhe stood at the kitchen doorway. The two of them exchanged a glance, both seeing concern in each other’s eyes.
“Mom,” Su Muzhe asked carefully, “do you need help?”
Without even turning around, Jiang Yao said, “No.”
“Then do you need technical guidance?”
“No.”
“Then do you need…” Su Muzhe thought for a moment, “an ambulance?”
Jiang Yao turned her head and glared at him. “Get lost immediately!”
Su Jingyang coughed lightly and pulled his son aside, lowering his voice. “Don’t provoke her.”
“Dad, you’ve never seen her cook,” Su Muzhe whispered. “Last time she said she’d cook me noodles, she almost set the kitchen on fire.”
Su Jingyang fell silent for two seconds. “Then go prepare a fire extinguisher.”
Su Muzhe: “……”
The bullet comments were already going crazy:
【Hahahahaha prepare a fire extinguisher! Father really understands Mother!】【Su Muzhe: Why do I have a Mom like this】【Jiang Yao: What are you two muttering about?】【This father and son pair are already preparing for the worst LOL】【Just how bad is Mother at cooking that they’re this nervous】
In the kitchen, Jiang Yao began her work.
She first boiled a pot of water and blanched the ribs. Her movements were skilled, heat perfectly controlled. After blanching, she removed the ribs, heated oil in the wok, and added rock sugar to caramelize it.
Everything flowed smoothly and effortlessly.
Su Jingyang slightly raised his brows.
Su Muzhe was completely stunned.
“Mom,” he couldn’t help but lean closer, “are you… actually good at this or not?”
Without turning her head, Jiang Yao said, “I told you I can cook.”
“Then last time…”
“That was an accident.”
Su Muzhe fell silent.
The bullet comments went wild again:
【Holy crap! Mother’s technique—this looks like she can’t cook???】【Blanching! Caramelizing sugar! This is professional level!】【Mother’s been hiding her skills!】【Su Muzhe’s expression: who am I where am I why can my Mom suddenly cook】【LOL father and son just standing there stunned】【Jiang Yao: Let me show you what real skill looks like】
Jiang Yao finished the caramel color, added the ribs to stir-fry, then poured in cooking wine, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, star anise, and cinnamon, before adding hot water and covering the pot to simmer on low heat.
She then began preparing other ingredients. Cutting, chopping, seasoning—every movement was clean and precise, with an almost pleasing elegance.
Watching her back, Su Jingyang’s eyes slowly shifted from surprise to a faint smile.
Su Muzhe leaned toward his dad and whispered, “Dad, is Mom possessed or something?”
“Don’t talk nonsense,” Su Jingyang replied calmly.
“But she really couldn’t cook before.”
“Your Mom knows a lot of things,” Su Jingyang said lightly. “You just don’t know.”
Su Muzhe looked thoughtfully at the busy figure in the kitchen, the confusion in his heart growing stronger. But he didn’t ask further.
Half an hour later, three dishes and one soup were completed.
Red-braised ribs were glossy and richly colored, sweet-and-sour ribs were perfectly balanced, stir-fried vegetables were fresh and green, and tomato egg soup was golden.
Finally, Jiang Yao brought out a clay pot, lifted the lid, and revealed yam and rib soup. The broth was clear and fragrant.
She served a bowl and placed it in front of Su Jingyang. “Yours.”
Su Jingyang looked down at the bowl in silence for a few seconds, then said softly, “Thank you.”
“Try it,” Jiang Yao said, waving her hand.
He picked up a spoon, scooped a bit of soup, blew on it lightly, and drank it.
The temperature was perfect. The sweetness of yam and the richness of ribs blended beautifully, warmth spreading from his tongue all the way to his stomach.
He looked up at Jiang Yao, his expression complex and hard to read.
“How is it?” she asked.
“It’s good,” he paused, “very good.”
The bullet comments exploded again:
【I’m shipping this! Mother specially made nourishing soup for Father!】【Father’s eyes are so gentle!】【This couple is killing it today!】【While Ye Qing is still cooking alone over there, this couple is already sweet-talking】【Su Muzhe: I feel like a lightbulb LOL】
Su Muzhe indeed felt like a lightbulb. He silently picked up a piece of braised rib and took a bite, his eyes lighting up.
“Mom, it’s delicious!”
Jiang Yao raised a proud brow. “Better than yours?”
Su Muzhe paused, then honestly said, “Better than mine.”
Jiang Yao smiled in satisfaction.
Bullet comments:
【LOL he finally admitted Mom’s cooking is good】【This kid must be shocked today】【Mother hiding her strength, father and son completely confused】【This family is too funny】
Meanwhile, in the Lu Family kitchen.
Ye Qing tied on an apron and elegantly flipped the wok. Oil-braised prawns tumbled in the pan, glistening red and fragrant. Lu Sheng stood beside her, helping by passing ingredients and plates.
Ye Qing plated the shrimp beautifully, garnished with cilantro. She then started steaming sea bass, her movements skilled and effortless.
Bullet comments filled with praise:
【Ye Qing is amazing! Her cooking skills are incredible!】【Looks so delicious!】【This is the model of a perfect wife and mother】
At that moment, Ye Qing reached for the steamer lid but accidentally touched the hot edge.
“Hiss—” She quickly pulled her hand back; her finger was already red.
Lu Sheng rushed over nervously. “Mom, are you okay?”
Ye Qing shook her head and smiled. “It’s fine, just a small burn.”
She put her finger in her mouth briefly and continued cooking.
Bullet comments:
【Ye Qing is so strong, burned herself and still kept cooking】【Heartbreaking】【But why isn’t her husband helping?】【President Lu isn’t here】【Cooking alone is really hard】
【Su Family has both father and son helping, even though Mom didn’t ask for it】【The contrast is obvious】
In the Zhou Family kitchen, Madam Zhou stood at the stove with a pot of tomato scrambled eggs. The eggs were already burnt, while the tomatoes were still undercooked.
Zhou Xiaoyu stood silently nearby, not daring to speak.
“This…” Madam Zhou frowned. “Something seems off?”
Zhou Xiaoyu carefully said, “Mom, was the heat too high?”
Madam Zhou lowered the heat and stirred. The eggs were already partially black.
She sighed and poured everything onto a plate.
A black-and-yellow unknown dish was placed on the table.
Zhou Xiaoyu looked at it and swallowed hard.
Madam Zhou looked at him. “Try it?”
Zhou Xiaoyu: “……”
Bullet comments:
【Hahahahaha Zhou Xiaoyu’s expression is priceless】【Tiger Mom cooking = disaster】【This kid is so pitiful, not only studying but also taste-testing poison】【Heart goes out to him for a second】
In the Zhao Family kitchen, Mrs. Zhao was stewing red-braised pork. The pot was bubbling, filling the air with rich aroma.
Zhao Siqi helped wash vegetables, humming a tune.
“Mom, it smells so good!”
“Almost ready,” Mrs. Zhao said.
She lifted the lid, checked the meat, and nodded in satisfaction. “Done.” She plated it—glossy, tender, not greasy.
Bullet comments:
【Looks so good!】【Mrs. Zhao really can cook!】【Siqi is so lucky】【This is normal mother-daughter interaction】
Meanwhile, Qian Duoduo was slumped on the sofa, too tired to move. Mrs. Qian was busy alone in the kitchen.
“Duoduo, come peel garlic!”
Qian Duoduo howled, “Mom, I’m so tired—”
“Hurry up, stop slacking.”
Qian Duoduo reluctantly got up and walked into the kitchen to peel garlic.
【Duoduo is so real, just like me avoiding chores】【But she still went, so obedient】【Mrs. Qian also seems very skilled】【Looking forward to their food】
At the Su Family dining table, three dishes and one soup, plus the yam rib soup, filled the table.
Jiang Yao sat down and looked at the father and son. “Try the others.”
Su Jingyang picked up a braised rib and tasted it carefully, then nodded. “Good.”
Su Muzhe was already eating quickly, mumbling, “Mom, cook more often in the future.”
Jiang Yao raised a brow. “Weren’t you afraid I’d burn down the kitchen?”
Su Muzhe smiled awkwardly. “That was an accident, an accident.”
【LOL instant face slap】【‘Mom cook more’—so real】【Father’s evaluation is simple but his expression says everything】【This meal is perfect】
Su Jingyang slowly drank a bowl of yam rib soup. The warmth spread from his stomach to his entire body.
He looked up and met Jiang Yao’s gaze.
Both of them paused, then looked away at the same time.
But neither could hide the faint smile at the corners of their lips.