Chapter 29 (Xiao Long Bao (Part 1)…)

Madam Xiao glared at her in annoyance: “Have another piece!”

Nanny Huang shook her head firmly: “You can have two more when you’re better, but not now.”

“Just one last piece!” Mrs. Xiao urged, but Nanny Huang stood her ground, following the chef’s orders.

Madam Xiao felt a knot in her throat, suffocating with frustration. “The older you get, the less you understand how to adapt!”

This feeling of frustration was even greater than the time she couldn’t eat more chicken steak because she wanted the delicious food.

The spicy diced chicken she made in the morning was tasty, but her teeth weren’t up to it, so she had only eaten two pieces before stopping.

Yet this dish required some chewing but was just right, with flavors that brought her dulled taste buds back to life.

Nanny Huang remained unfazed: “I’m just an old servant who doesn’t know how to adapt. If Madam is unhappy, then just scold me a bit to make me feel better.”

Madam Xiao turned away angrily, catching her grandson smiling at her, which made her cheeks flush. It felt childish to argue with Nanny Huang at her age. She cleared her throat and said, “Pingyu, you should try it too. It’s really good.”

Shen Pingyu had been eager to taste it, so he nodded and began eating with chopsticks.

In his mind, Yan Qiushu was an excellent cook, known for her quirky and unusual dishes that he found novel and delicious.

However, as the food approached his mouth, he still felt it was greasy.

Would it really taste good???

It wasn’t until he bit into it that the slight repulsion faded.

It was extremely spicy!

Having grown up eating mild foods, he had never encountered anything so fiery.

What surprised him was that it was not just spicy; it had a numbing quality that made his lips, tongue, and even teeth tingle!

He might have resisted a bit, but then he noticed a sweetness in the spicy strips. This sweetness was like a refreshing oasis in the desert, incredibly enticing. He suddenly understood why his grandmother enjoyed it so much.

It wasn’t until he had finished the spicy strips that he realized what he had done.

Looking down, he saw that only a small pile remained on the plate.

Shen Pingyu: “……?”

Wait… had he actually eaten it all?!

“Cough cough…” He was astonished by his own actions, but what shocked him more was how his mouth felt—it was hot and slightly swollen from the spiciness.

But he still wanted to keep going!

Even more frustrating.

The young boy, who had never been so captivated by food, was taken aback and gasped. The spiciness surged into his throat, making him cough deeply.

Mrs. Xiao was alarmed and quickly got out of bed to check on him.

Seeing this, Madam Huang hurried to fetch some milk tea and handed it to him: “Miss Yan mentioned that she felt the spice, and milk tea can help ease it. Drink some quickly.”

Shen Pingyu took it and had a big sip. After a satisfying gulp, the spiciness faded quickly. His face flushed as he apologized, “Thank you for your kindness, grandma. Please lie down.”

Madam Xiao, following his lead, returned to the bed and asked with concern, “Is anything else bothering you?”

“No, I’m fine.” Shen Pingyu blushed and shook his head. He glanced at the spicy strips and sighed, “They’re just too delicious. I didn’t mean to eat so much.”

Madam Xiao’s face brightened with a warm, loving smile: “You’re still a child. If you enjoy it, eat more. It’s not like your family can’t afford it, right?”

But there should still be some restraint!

If this were at the Shen family, his uncles, aunts, and grandparents would have reminded him long ago.

Shen Pingyu felt embarrassed about losing control in front of the spicy strips. Just as he was about to scold himself, he realized that this wasn’t the Shen family.

The Xiao family’s expectations for children were entirely different. They welcomed indulgence, just like Dongdong, who was allowed to enjoy himself.

Otherwise, how could Dongdong have gained so much weight in just a year?

“Have I really gained a lot of weight?” Dongdong wiped chili oil off his mouth, looking down at his round waist, bulging belly, and chubby arms, feeling both defiant and insecure.

Zhou Zhaoheng munched on a chicken leg and nodded eagerly: “Yeah!”

Dongdong felt as if struck by lightning, terrified, but his hands kept shoveling food into his mouth.

The last class was horseback riding and archery, and they had to change into their uniforms. Recently, Dongdong noticed his clothes were getting tighter. He thought it was because he wore too many layers, so sometimes he took off a piece or two to make sure his riding and archery outfit fit.

Until, during class, he exerted too much force, and his clothes… “sizzled” and tore apart!

He froze in place, too scared to move.

The other children’s horses galloped past him, leaving him in last place for the archery competition. When a palace servant tidying up noticed his torn clothes, he exclaimed in shock, “Master, you’ve gained so much weight! I’ll sew you a bigger one later…”

Dongdong was even more stunned. He didn’t catch the rest of what was said; he just followed the crowd to the cafeteria. Upon seeing Zhou Zhaoheng, he asked a question.

He didn’t expect such a direct answer.

He wanted to pinch his cheeks with his chubby hands, but since they were covered in chili oil, he had to give up. Pouting his round face, he sighed, “Okay, I’ll eat less next time.”

Zhou Zhaoheng grinned innocently and said, “Then just give me whatever you don’t want to eat. I’ll finish it all!”

Dongdong glanced at him. In the two months since they met, the boy in front of him had clearly gained weight because of him. He ate meat every day at lunch and could take leftovers home. The once skinny boy had transformed into a chubby one.

But Zhou Zhaoheng’s weight gain suited him well!

He was fair and clean, with bright eyes and plump cheeks, making him look healthier.

Dongdong felt envious!

He glared at his lunch box and reluctantly took two chicken wings, pushing the rest toward Zhou Zhaoheng: “Here you go!”

“Thanks, Dongdong!” Zhou Zhaoheng beamed with happiness.

Zhou Zhaoqin, a boy sitting two seats away, watched the friendly exchange, and his already gloomy mood worsened. He huffed in dissatisfaction and pursed his lips. The food in front of him lost its appeal. They were all classmates in the same enlightenment class—why did Xiao Pingzhou give Zhou Zhaoheng so much food while only offering him two pieces of spicy noodles?!

Zhou Zhaoqin had been eating well lately but was thinner than before Dongdong’s birthday. His eyes lacked their former confidence and pride, as if he was hiding many grievances.

Noticing this, his two followers reluctantly offered him a piece of spicy strips: “Your Highness, would you like to eat it?”

Zhou Zhaoqin snapped angrily, “No! I don’t want it!”

“Oh.” Seeing this, the little follower quickly took it back and popped the spicy strips into his own mouth.

Delicious!

“Sister Shu from Xiao Pingzhou’s family is amazing!”

“Yeah, Xiao Pingzhou is so lucky!”

“That kid is quite fortunate to enjoy so much! I counted—ten pieces…”

The spicy strips were small, only about two centimeters long and wide, and each was thin. They served three pieces, but their flavor vanished as soon as they tasted it. Meanwhile, Dongdong had pushed a small plate full of what looked like a lot toward Zhou Zhaoheng.