After tidying up the bathroom, Mai Ge glanced at Amy, who was still asleep. He placed the little dress, pantyhose, and white shoes by the bed, imagining how adorable the little one would look in that dress. A smile crept onto his face. He grabbed a small set of toiletries and tiptoed downstairs.
Mai Ge knew this kitchen intimately. The stove, which had been bare last night, now had all the utensils needed for making Yang Zhou Fried Rice. Opening the refrigerator, he found all sorts of ingredients, and large shrimp were swimming happily in the glass sink next to it.
"It's time to show off my real culinary skills and make a loving breakfast for Little Amy." Mai Ge thought, washing his hands and starting to rinse and cook the rice.
"Daddy?" A short while later, in the second floor room, Amy groggily turned over, but didn't find anyone familiar. She opened her eyes, sat up, and stared blankly at the somewhat unfamiliar room for a while before remembering that this was the new house her father had conjured up last night. However, her father was nowhere to be seen on the large bed beside her, and she felt a little anxious. She grabbed the small railing and tried to get up.
But just as she sat up, her gaze was drawn to a little black dress by the bedside. Her eyes lit up instantly, and she excitedly picked up the dress, rubbing it against her face. Feeling its soft, smooth texture, she happily murmured, "This must be a little dress Daddy made for me! It's so pretty, I love it!"
Mai Ge was unaware that the little one was awake. He started cooking the rice. The rice cooker was extremely powerful, and the rice cooked quickly. Although it was freshly cooked, the grains were distinct, translucent, and had a delightful aroma.
"What kind of rice is this? I could easily eat two big bowls of plain white rice." Mai Ge muttered to himself. And those shrimp—even just boiling them in water would probably make them incredibly delicious.
He took the amount of various ingredients needed for a serving of Yang Zhou Fried Rice and washed them thoroughly. The moment he gripped the knife, Mai Ge's expression became extremely serious. This was an experience he had gained in the Chef God Space: cooking requires complete focus—it's a chef's attitude.
A Chinese cleaver twirled deftly in Mai Ge's hands. Whether it was the crisp, tender winter bamboo shoots or the hard-shelled shrimp, everything was transformed into evenly sized pieces. After countless hours of knife practice, his knife skills had become remarkably proficient.
Of course, no chef could afford to practice their knife skills with such luxuries.
Oil was poured into the wok, and various ingredients were added in order. A rich aroma filled the kitchen, wafting out through the door, gently ascending the slightly ajar staircase, and drifting into the room with a crack from the door.
Sitting on the bed, Amy, who had managed to change into her new dress, was giggling. It was the first time she had ever worn such a beautiful dress. It was so comfortable, softly clinging to her skin, like wearing a cloud—light and airy, yet warm.
Then Amy smelled the aroma. Her previously sleepy, bright blue eyes immediately lit up, and she sniffed hard. "It smells so good! Is Daddy making something delicious?"
Forgetting about putting on her socks, which seemed too long to her, Amy scrambled down the ladder from the bed, slipped on her white shoes, and ran towards the door with her short legs.
Pushing open the door, the aroma became even stronger. Amy swallowed hard; her stomach rumbled. This was a scent she had never smelled before. Even the roast goose from the roast goose shop by the square couldn't compare to this. Her steps became lighter as she went downstairs; she wished she could fly to the kitchen to see what delicious food her father was making.
"It smells so good, Daddy, what delicious food are you making..." Amy walked into the kitchen, but before she could finish speaking, she saw Mai Ge's back—dressed in a simple, clean black and white chef's uniform, his long curly hair and beard cut short—and her words trailed off. Her bright blue eyes widened in disbelief. Was this really her father?
"Hmm? Is Little Amy awake already?" Mai Ge heard the voice and turned to look at the doorway in surprise.
The little girl had changed into a black Lolita dress, a gothic-style dress paired with white shoes with pink butterflies. After a nap, a single strand of her soft silver hair stuck up, and she stood there, mouth slightly agape, looking incredibly cute. Judging from her expression, she was surprised by his current appearance and he said with a smile, "What, you can't recognize your Daddy after just one nap?"
"It really is Daddy!" Amy blinked and exclaimed in surprise. His long curly hair had been transformed into a more handsome short haircut, his prickly beard was gone, his clothes were clean and neat, and his smile looked bright and pleasant. Moreover, more importantly, Daddy looked so tall today, like a giant who had suddenly stood up, his upright body like a great tree.
"Daddy seems to have grown taller today, as tall as a tree! And become so handsome, so good looking!" Little Amy excitedly came closer.
"Have grown taller?" Mai Ge glanced down. Perhaps his previously hunched posture had straightened, and he was wearing well-fitting, crisp clothes, making him appear taller. Of course, becoming more handsome was even more cause for celebration; little girls definitely prefer clean cut, mature men.
The little one's gaze was quickly drawn back to the wok Mai Ge was stirring. She stood on tiptoe, peering in, and asked curiously, "But Daddy, what's that delicious food in the wok? Why does it smell so good, even better than roast goose? Little Amy so hungry..."
"This is Yang Zhou Fried Rice. That's what we'll have for breakfast today. There's a pink toothbrush and a cup over there. After Little Amy brush teeth and wash face, then can come and eat breakfast, okay?" Mai Ge said with a smile, trying to soften his voice. In his past life, he was rather aloof and never smiled when speaking to people. Now, he was trying to adapt to the role of a kind father; he wanted to give Amy all the warmth in the world.
"Okay." Amy nodded obediently, glancing at the wok a couple more times before reluctantly walking to the side to pick up the toothbrush and cup. Under Mai Ge's guidance, she began brushing her teeth for the first time.
Mai Ge carefully stirred the fried rice, turned off the heat, and took it out of the wok. A plate of brightly colored Yang Zhou Fried Rice was ready.
"Wow, what beautiful fried rice! Daddy, you're so awesome!" Amy, having just finished brushing her teeth, rushed over. Looking at the Yang Zhou Fried Rice with its various colors mixed together, her eyes lit up, and she praised it earnestly.
"Yes, I think so too." Mai Ge nodded, his smile impossible to hide, radiating a sense of accomplishment.
Amy leaned forward to sniff, swallowing hard, then looked up at Mai Ge, pouting and whining, "It smells so good, Daddy! Little Amy want Yang... Yang Zhou Fried Rice!"
"It's all yours!" Mai Ge's heart melted at the little one's adorable expression. A voice inside him screamed, but he held back, wiping a bit of foam from the corner of her mouth and shaking his head. "Not now. From now on, you have to wash your hands before eating."
"Then hurry up, Daddy!" Amy pulled Mai Ge's hand and walked towards the sink.
Mai Ge raised an eyebrow. Something seemed a little off; he was actually being rejected by the little one.
After the little one washed her hands, Mai Ge carried the plate of Yang Zhou Fried Rice to the table where they had eaten yesterday. Amy was already seated, holding a small spoon, her expectant gaze fixed on the fried rice in Mai Ge's hand ever since he left.
"Eat up." Mai Ge said, putting down the plate and smiling as he patted the little one's head.