Chapter 1512: Chapter 1512: So There Was a Reason

“Sorry, Xiaoxin, it’s all because you inherited more from Mom that you can’t cook,” Jian Dan looked at Xiaoxin with a bit of guilt.

“What’s there to feel sorry about? I think it’s actually pretty great! I may not be able to cook, but I sure know how to eat! It’s under my critical tastebuds that their cooking skills improve day by day! So I’m a very important presence too!”

“We think so too!” The trio chimed in simultaneously.

“See, I told you so!” Xiaoxin said proudly, lifting her chin.

“Yes, yes, you’re absolutely right!”

“It’s exactly because Xiaoxin resembles Mom the most that Chu Liyuan likes Xiaoxin the best,” Jian Xiaokai said, glancing at Chu Liyuan.

“Indeed~ It’s because you’re too much like me that you love Mom even more.”

After hearing their conversation, Jian Dan thought for a moment and realized it might actually be true.

Xiaoxin resembles Jian Dan more, so she loves Dad more, and Dad loves her more. Meanwhile, the other three kids resemble Dad more, so they love Mom more.

“Uncle, did you figure this out a long time ago?”

“Hmm.”

“And you don’t get jealous about it?”

“Jealous?”

“Yeah! Four kids, and three of them prefer me.”

“I don’t get jealous, because I only get jealous of Jian Jian.” That last line was whispered by Chu Liyuan close to Jian Dan’s ear.

“Eww~ You two are enough already! We haven’t even started eating yet, and I’m about to throw up.” Jian Xiaokai rolled his eyes at Chu Liyuan, placed the dish he was holding on the table, and sat down as well.

“Mom, Dad, hurry up and sit down to eat! I just tried every dish–they’re all especially delicious,” Xiaoxin urged the two still standing.

As soon as Jian Dan sat down, her bowl in front of her was already nearly overflowing, as the trio kept piling their dishes into her bowl.

The stark contrast between Jian Dan’s bowl, stacked high like a small mountain, and Chu Liyuan’s completely empty bowl was glaring.

Jian Dan glanced at Xiaoxin across from her; Xiaoxin was happily focused on eating by herself, totally unaware. Meanwhile, the trio completely pretended not to notice, continuing to add to Jian Dan’s bowl.

Seeing Chu Liyuan’s face growing darker, Jian Dan quickly picked up her chopsticks and placed a shrimp into his bowl. “Uncle, hurry up and try this out!”

The face that had just turned dark instantly brightened, and he eagerly opened his mouth, waiting for Jian Jian to feed him.

Looking at Uncle’s childish behavior, Jian Dan had no choice but to pick the shrimp back up from her bowl and feed it to him directly.

After eating the shrimp personally fed by Jian Dan, Chu Liyuan’s face was full of satisfaction, unable to hide his glee. He even subtly showed off to the trio.

The trio exchanged simultaneous eye rolls, their faces clearly reading “How utterly childish.”

Chu Liyuan paid no mind to their expressions, sporting a look that said “I’m happy, and that’s all that matters.”

“What are you all doing? Faced with this table full of delicious food, how can you restrain yourselves? If you don’t start eating soon, I’ll eat everything myself!” Xiaoxin declared as she kept eating without stopping.

“Exactly, exactly! Xiaoxin’s got it right. Food is life, hurry up and eat! Once it gets cold, the taste won’t be the same.” Jian Dan said, picking up her chopsticks and digging into the mountain of food in front of her.

“Mmm, this is so delicious! You all are seriously amazing!” Jian Dan commented honestly.

“Of course~ But Mom, do you think our cooking is tastier, or Dad’s cooking is tastier?”

Jian Dan almost spat out the food in her mouth. This question was as timeless and unsolvable as “If Dad and we fell into the river, who would you save first?”

“I… I think… maybe this…”

Chu Liyuan immediately noticed Jian Dan’s embarrassment and calmly spoke up, “Your excellent cooking skills all come from my genes. You’re really trying to compete with me? The only way you’ll beat me is if you’re reborn and come back as my dad.” Chu Liyuan’s words implied that in this lifetime, they shouldn’t even think about surpassing him. Even if their cooking was somehow better than his, it would still be thanks to his genetics.