Chapter 7

Clean up the bathroom, Meg glanced at Amy, who was still sound asleep, and placed the little dress, tights, and white shoes by the bed. She mentally pictured the little one in the dress, imagining how adorable she would look, and couldn't help but smile. She then grabbed a set of small toiletries and quietly went downstairs.

Meg was already very familiar with this kitchen. The stove, which had no utensils last night, now had everything needed to make Yangzhou fried rice. Opening the refrigerator, she found all the ingredients she needed. In the glass sink next to the fridge, the large shrimps were swimming happily.

"It's time to show my true culinary skills and make a loving breakfast for Xiao Mi." Meg washed her hands and started washing the rice to cook it.

"Father?" Not long after, in the second-floor room, Amy turned over in her sleep, but didn't feel the familiar presence. She opened her eyes groggily, sat up, and stared at the somewhat unfamiliar room for a while before remembering that this was the new house her father had created last night. However, her father was nowhere to be found on the big bed, which made her a bit anxious. She held onto the small railing and tried to get up.

However, just as she got halfway up, her attention was drawn to the black little dress by the bed. Her eyes lit up, and she picked up the dress, rubbing it against her face. The soft and smooth texture made her happy, and she murmured, "This must be the little dress Father made for me. It's so beautiful, Xiao Mi loves it."

Meg didn't know the little one was already awake. She put the rice in the cooker, which had an extremely high power, and the rice was quickly cooked. The rice, though freshly cooked, was distinct, shiny, and fragrant.

"I wonder what kind of rice this is. I could eat two large bowls of plain rice," Meg muttered. The shrimp, too, would be incredibly delicious even if cooked in water.

She washed the ingredients needed for the Yangzhou fried rice and, the moment she held the knife, her expression became extremely serious. This was the experience she had gained in the culinary god's space—cooking required full dedication, a chef's attitude.

A Chinese cleaver in Meg's hands moved skillfully, turning even the hard-shelled shrimps and crisp winter bamboo shoots into uniformly sized ingredients. After countless hours of practice, her knife skills were now very proficient.

Of course, no chef could be as extravagant as she was in using these ingredients for practice.

She poured oil into the pan and added the ingredients in order. A rich aroma filled the kitchen, wafting through the open door and up the stairs to the room where a small gap was left open.

Sitting on the bed, Amy giggled as she put on the new dress. It was the first time she had worn such a beautiful dress, which was so comfortable and soft, like wearing a cloud, light and warm.

Then Amy smelled the aroma. Her drowsy, deep blue eyes immediately brightened, and she sniffed the air. "So fragrant! Could Father be making something delicious?"

Ignoring the long tights, which seemed too long for her, Amy quickly climbed down from the bed, put on her white shoes, and ran to the door with her short legs.

When she pushed the door open, the aroma became even stronger. Amy swallowed, and her stomach growled. This was a fragrance she had never smelled before, even the roasted goose from the shop near the square couldn't compare. Her steps became even quicker, and she wished she could fly to the kitchen to see what her father was making.

"Such a fragrant smell, what is Father making..." Amy walked into the kitchen, but her words trailed off when she saw Meg's back, dressed in a simple black and white chef's uniform, with her long curly hair cut short and her beard gone. Her eyes widened in disbelief. Is this really Father?

"Hmm? Xiao Mi, are you awake?" Meg turned to the door, surprised.

The little one had already changed into the black lolita dress, a Gothic-style dress with a pink butterfly on the white shoes. Her silver hair, now straight, had a small tuft sticking up, and she stood at the door, mouth slightly open, looking very cute and surprised. Meg smiled and said, "What, can't recognize Father after a good sleep?"

"It's really Father!" Amy blinked, delighted. His long curly hair was now a more attractive short cut, his beard was gone, and his clothes were clean and neat. His smile looked bright and comfortable, and most importantly, Father looked much taller and more handsome, like a giant who had just stood up, with a straight body like a tree.

"Father looks taller today, as tall as a tree, and so handsome and good-looking." Xiao Mi happily came closer.

"Taller?" Meg looked down, thinking that her previously hunched body was now straight, and the well-fitted clothes made her look taller. Of course, looking handsome was even more delightful; it seemed that little girls still preferred a clean and tidy uncle.

The little one's attention was soon drawn back to the pan Meg was stirring. She stood on tiptoe, looking curiously and asked, "But Father, what's in the pan? Why does it smell so good, even better than roasted goose? Xiao Mi is hungry..."

"This is Yangzhou fried rice. It's our breakfast today. There's a pink toothbrush and cup over there. After Xiao Mi brushes her teeth and washes her face, she can come and eat breakfast. Okay?" Meg smiled, trying to make his voice as gentle as possible. In his previous life, he was rather cold, never smiling when talking to people. Now, he was trying to adapt to the role of a kind father, wanting to give Amy warmth from the world.

"Okay." Amy nodded obediently, glancing at the pan a couple more times before reluctantly walking to the side to pick up the toothbrush and cup. Under Meg's guidance, she began brushing her teeth for the first time.

Meg carefully stir-fried the rice, turned off the heat, and served it. A bowl of colorful Yangzhou fried rice was complete.

"Wow, such beautiful fried rice! Father is so awesome." Amy, having just brushed her teeth, ran over, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the colorful fried rice, and praised earnestly.

"Yes, I think so too." Meg nodded, unable to hide his smile, feeling a great sense of accomplishment.

Amy leaned in to smell it, couldn't help but swallow, and pouted, looking up at Meg, "So fragrant, Father, Xiao Mi wants to eat Yang... Yangzhou fried rice."

"All of it is yours!" Meg, seeing the little one's pouting, felt his heart melt. A voice in his head was shouting, but he held back, wiping a bit of foam from the corner of her mouth and shaking his head, "Not now, you need to wash your hands before eating."

"Then Father, please be quick." Amy pulled Meg's hand towards the sink.

Meg raised an eyebrow, feeling something was a bit off. He was actually being criticized by the little one.

After the little one washed her hands, Meg brought the plate of Yangzhou fried rice to the table where they had eaten yesterday. Amy was already sitting in her seat, holding a small spoon, her eyes fixed on the fried rice in Meg's hands with anticipation.

"Eat up." Meg put the plate down and smiled, patting the little one's head.