In the courtyard, after a series of maneuvers, three maternal uncles were successfully defeated!
Chen Bingyan's smile was undisguised, and the atmosphere in the courtyard was jubilant. Even the three adorable children looked at their father with smiles, as if happy that their father had won against their three grand-uncles. Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Ye Xuan's two aunts were also discussing animatedly.
"I heard from third sister that Xiao Xuan is not only good at chess but also a top-notch cook," said the eldest aunt, Chen Xiaoyan, while preparing ingredients.
"Oh?"
The second aunt, Chen Xiaoying, looked at her elder sister suspiciously. "Eldest sister? Really??"
"Xiao Xuan can cook too!"
"Heh, indeed," the eldest aunt Chen Xiaoyan chuckled. "You don't know, third sister has praised Xiao Xuan's cooking to the skies, saying even a five-star chef can't compare."
"Is that so? It seems... Xiao Xuan is truly a hidden talent. But our grand-nephew knows so much."
"Why don't we take this opportunity to let those kids show off their skills?"
The second aunt Chen Xiaoying's eyes sparkled with interest as she chuckled. Her words also stirred some thoughts in the eldest aunt Chen Xiaoyan.
With that, the two aunts came out of the kitchen into the courtyard and exchanged smiles as they looked at the chatting group.
"Xiao Xuan, I didn't realize you were so good at chess!"
The second aunt Chen Xiaoying spoke first, then sighed, "Our Xiao Xuan can do everything. Not only is his singing top-notch, but he also started a company, and now he's so good at chess."
"Yes, compared to your cousins, you are far, far more outstanding."
Hearing Chen Xiaoyan's words, Ye Xuan's cousins' faces flushed red, clearly feeling inferior. However, they looked at their younger cousin with complex expressions. They understood that even if they tried their best their whole lives, they might not be able to catch up to their cousin! It was a bit cruel, but that was the reality!
After some pleasantries, the two aunts got to the point.
"By the way, Xiao Xuan, I heard from your mother that you're very good at cooking?" The eldest aunt Chen Xiaoyan spoke first, clearly her mother had sold her out again, and for a good price.
"Ahem... it's, just so-so," Ye Xuan said humbly, but it earned him a roll of the eyes from Chen Xiaowan and Luo Tianyi. This guy actually knew how to be modest, but if his cooking was just so-so, then wouldn't five-star chefs be useless?
"So-so?"
The second aunt Chen Xiaoying was not about to let it go easily. "I don't think so. Your mother said that even chefs at five-star hotels can't cook as well as you."
Huh!?
As expected, Chen Xiaoying's words immediately attracted the attention of the little foodies in the courtyard. Among them were Chen Ziyan, Chen Yan'er, and of course, other cousins.
"Really, Cousin Ye Xuan~~" Chen Yan'er couldn't help but say, swallowing her saliva. If her classmates saw this, they would probably be incredibly happy.
"Why don't you show us your skills, Xiao Xuan?" Chen Ziyan also chimed in, clearly wanting to taste her cousin's cooking.
"Yes, Xiao Xuan."
"Show us your skills for a taste~~" The other cousins and nieces and nephews chattered, and the courtyard immediately became lively with loud cheers.
"Okay, then... I'll show you some skills."
Knowing that further refusal was futile, Ye Xuan readily agreed. He had already stolen the spotlight today, so a little more wouldn't hurt. Seeing this, Ye Xuan's mother and Luo Tianyi both smiled, while Ye Pengfei was filled with emotion. Damn, tonight, his son had become the protagonist. But... this feeling was actually quite nice!
Soon, the entire family shifted their "battlefield" to the kitchen to watch. Fortunately, the kitchen was large enough to accommodate so many people, which showed how much effort Chen Xiaowan's six children had put into buying this courtyard.
"Uncle Ye Xuan, what are you going to make for us?" Little Mengru, as the lively character of the family, of course, had the best spot and asked sweetly from the front. This was also what the whole family was most curious about.
"Since my mother has praised me so highly, I'll show you some real skills today." As he spoke, Ye Xuan rolled up his sleeves and looked at the mandarin fish that his eldest aunt had just prepared. "How about this, today I'll make some five-star chef-level dishes for everyone."
"Eldest aunt has prepared mandarin fish, so I'll make Squirrel Mandarin Fish."
Wow~!! Hearing Ye Xuan's words, Chen Yan'er's beautiful eyes widened. "Squirrel Mandarin Fish, this... Cousin, oh my god, do you really know how to make it?"
*Thump*. Ye Xuan tapped Chen Yan'er's smooth and fair forehead. If outsiders saw this, countless people would rush to fight him.
"Don't doubt your cousin's abilities." He then looked at the people around him. "It's Lunar New Year today, and we've all finally gathered. Just say what you want to eat, and as long as I have the ingredients, I'll make it for you all."
"Really~"
"Long live Uncle Ye Xuan!!"
"Uncle Ye Xuan, I love you!!" Instantly, the children from Ye Xuan's cousins' families erupted. When it came to eating, these kids loved it the most.
"Mmm, I want to eat General Crossing the Bridge."
"I want to eat carved melon."
"I want to eat three-delicacy pot pie!"
"Pagoda Meat, I want to eat Pagoda Meat~~"
"......"
"Golden Lion Fish!!" The chattering voices echoed in the courtyard kitchen of their grandfather's house. Ye Xuan's mouth twitched as he heard them. Were these brats trying to wear him out?
"Ahem... okay, I'll make everything you ask for." Ye Xuan coughed dryly. "Later, I'll make a call and have the ingredients delivered."
"Yes!"
"Uncle Ye Xuan, I love you to death!"
"Hee hee~~~" The children were in a frenzy. Their grandfather Chen Bingyan watched this scene with a smile, as there was nothing an old man liked to see more than this.
A few minutes later, Ye Xuan clearly listed the requirements and had the Qianjun Hotel in Yangcheng deliver the ingredients.
"Now, I'll make Squirrel Mandarin Fish for you first." Saying this, he took the mandarin fish prepared by his eldest aunt and began to show off his exquisite knife skills. He cut the bones of the mandarin fish, then sliced the fish, using straight and diagonal cuts, the knife reaching the fish skin, forming rhombus patterns. Every cut was precise. Finally, the entire fish body was cut into 108 pieces resembling garlic cloves, like blooming chrysanthemums, with the slightly upturned fish head and tail complementing each other. From beginning to end, it was a smooth and unhurried operation. Although it wasn't the finished product, based on these knife skills alone, both his eldest and second aunts believed their third sister's words. A five-star chef, this... this was definitely the standard of a five-star chef!
Little Mengru at this moment, looked at her uncle with adoring eyes. The children of other cousins were also the same. Oh my god... Uncle Ye Xuan was actually so amazing!!