Win My Husband Over to Find My Child
Chapter 111: Cooking Together in the Kitchen

Chapter 111: Cooking Together in the Kitchen

While Calix was napping, Leslie checked the kitchen for her dumpling-making. Thankfully, she found some homemade dumpling wrappers made by Aunt Wendy, stored in the freezer.

Leslie didn’t feel the need to take a nap. Not doing anything much from the morning, her energy was well reserved.

’I should start making them.’

Bored, Leslie decided that it would have been better if she started preparing the dumplings and storing them in the fridge. Once Calix was ready, they could either fry or steam the dumplings.

"Scallions, carrots, cabbage, ground chicken, soy sauce, sesame, oil, peppers..."

After wearing the apron, Leslie tied up her long hair into a messy bun. She also made sure she had everything needed. Thankfully, Aunt Wendy had always kept the kitchen well-stocked.

The most important part was the fillings. After making those, Leslie could begin folding the dumplings.

"Aunt Wendy’s vegetable plot comes in handy," Leslie murmured to herself while chopping the scallions, "It’s small but has everything necessary."

Uncle Raymond built a small vegetable patch for Aunt Wendy outside the kitchen. One just had to open the backdoor to see it. Scallions, chives, celery, corianders and chilies were among the vegetables grown there.

"Done," Leslie pushed the bowl containing the fillings away, "Let’s get the wrappers."

Leslie found a two-tiered rectangular plastic container. She lay a piece of parchment paper each on its bottom, planning to place the uncooked dumplings there. Before that, she coated the paper lightly with flour.

Sitting on the chair in front of the kitchen island, Leslie began filling and folding the dumplings. There were only her and Calix thus, she didn’t need to make too much. They needed to return to the Xu family’s ancestral home this evening.

"I can’t believe CEO Xu can’t fold dumplings," Leslie smiled faintly, her voice lacing with giggles, "Like him."

Her deceased lover Axel was skilled in cooking but, folding dumplings and rolling spring rolls were not his expertise. He often backed away from doing them, much to Leslie’s amusement.

"Here, you do it like this."

"Honey, I can’t ah. Look, the wrapper gets torn again."

Leslie had tried teaching Axel but, none of it worked. In the end, she simply made peace with the funny yet adorable fact about her boyfriend.

It was fine. Axel had many good qualities that charmed Leslie’s heart. Unable to make dumplings and spring rolls was not a big problem.

Smiling to herself, Leslie focused back on folding the dumplings. She couldn’t wait to pan-fry these cute and tasty dishes. Aunt Wendy’s homemade garlic chili oil was luring her.

"Ha? Why are you here? Starting so early?"

A yawning Calix appeared at the kitchen door. He rubbed his eyes, trying to chase his lingering sleepiness away. Comfortable and clean casual clothes replaced the outfit he wore to the cemetery this morning.

"Better to make them earlier," Leslie gestured at the two-tiered container, "I wanna pan-fry them. Do you want to steam some?"

Both were delicious but, Leslie preferred having fried dumplings. She loved the crispiness of the fried skin before the juicy fillings burst flavors in her mouth.

"Fry them all," Calix peeked into the containers. Exhaling a sigh, he lamented, "No matter how I do it, I’ll end up ruining the dumplings ah."

Calix remembered how Evelyn loved making fun of his inability to wrap the dumplings and spring rolls properly. He ended up chasing his little sister before tying her to the couch.

"Didn’t you say you’re not omnipotent?" Leslie chuckled while putting a dumpling into the container, "Show me the rest of your cooking skills ah. I’m hungry."

Calix snickered. Walking away from the kitchen island, he headed to the sink, "Later when we’re in Italy, I’ll make pizza from scratch for you. My friend taught me. He learned from Italian chefs."

Raising her brows, Leslie thought of something, "Is he one of your close friends? With Xander and Davin?"

Calix’s close group of friends was made of him, Xander, Davin and one more. But, until now Leslie didn’t know that person’s name or had any information of his background.

Would he be an important character later on? Or, was it because the author was too lazy to come up with a name and his character setting?

After washing his face to freshen himself, Cralix grabbed a tissue. While wiping the droplets away, he replied, "Yeah. Ryken Xia. He’s currently in South East Asia, doing God knows what. He loves painting and photography so, maybe that’s what he’s doing now. He also learns to cook from the locals."

Leslie nodded, finally learning the name of Calix’s childhood friend. She couldn’t help but think whether this person named Ryken was weirder than CEO Xu or not.

When would he appear?

"I’m done with the dumplings," Leslie rose to her feet, stepping away from the chair. She put on the lid before holding the container with one hand, "Let me make the steamed egg custard. Then, I’ll fry these."

"Alright," Calix nodded, didn’t mind Leslie’s arrangement, "I’ll make chicken noodle salad and sweet potato pancakes."

Thus, CEO Xu began his actions. While Leslie was making the simple steamed egg custard, Calix swiftly did what he needed. He began by prepping for both dishes before cooking the chicken noodle salad.

The clock pointed at ten minutes after noon. They still had time to enjoy these dishes by the lake. Edward, Aunt Wendy and Uncle Raymond wouldn’t come back until the evening.

The newlyweds worked in harmony inside the huge kitchen. Soon, the alluring fragrance of dishes rose from the wok and pan, enticing their appetites.

"The custard looks so silky," Calix was tempted to try the steamed egg custard Leslie had just taken out of the bamboo steamer, "Sometimes, mine has cracks on the surface."

"As long as they’re tasty, it’s fine," Leslie chuckled. She put the small ceramic bowl of the steamed egg custard on the kitchen island, "We’re not opening a restaurant, aren’t we?"

"No."

Calix and Leslie shared some laughter before continuing with their tasks. She started frying the dumplings in the pan while he finished the rest of his cooking.

Soon, Calix put everything inside a rattan picnic basket. Leslie laughed seeing how well-prepared he was for their picnic. She held the light picnic mat in her hands.

"All ready! Let’s go!" announced Calix merrily, "Wow~ I’m famished. Hurry ah."

"Hahaha, yeah, yeah."

Calix and Leslie made their way to the lake. The bright sunlight warmed the chilly spring air. Today was definitely a good one to have an outdoor picnic.

Leslie spread the mat under the tree where she used to take a nap before. Then, she helped Calix serve each dish on the mat. The thermal containers assisted in retaining their warmth.

"Haa~ It’s nice eating without the annoying relatives," muttered Calix while picking some dumplings into his plate, "Mom texted me when I napped. She said some of them had returned home."

"That’s good news for you," replied Leslie teasingly. She took some chicken noodle salad from its bowl, "Your relatives will stop annoying you tomorrow but, don’t forget about your beloved grandmother-in-law. She’ll join our family dinner."

"Hahaha! Instead of me, it’s my grandma who needs to be patient."

Leslie watched the laughing Calix in helplessness. She couldn’t help but wonder what would happen during the two families’ dinner tomorrow night.