Chapter 75: Section One of the Father’s Parenting Guide

Chapter 75

High school students truly have boundless energy. Despite it being Saturday, Gu Zhijing didn't stay home to sleep in. Instead, he got up early to play basketball with his friends. Before leaving, Gu Zhijing made sure to mention that he'd be bringing his friends over to play video games in the afternoon.

Basketball in the morning, video games in the afternoon, and homework on Sunday - he had his weekend all planned out.

"Nanny Zhang, could you make that cake from last time? Zhijing's friends are coming over this afternoon," Nian Suian thought it would be perfect to treat the kids with cake, and she was quite keen on having some herself.

Hearing that Zhijing had friends coming over, Nanny Zhang happily agreed, "I can make a few different flavors." Then she asked Nian Suian, "Are any girls coming over?"

Nian Suian chuckled, "Nanny Zhang, aren't you getting ahead of yourself? Zhijing's only in his first year of high school." Although Nian Suian might not have been in a position to worry about such things, she didn't want Gu Zhijing to be like his father. She didn't know exactly what had happened with Gu Junxing back then, but it certainly wasn't responsible behavior, especially considering the country's legal marriage age wasn't set as a joke.

Changing the subject, she continued talking about making the cake, "I'll help you make it later. Let's get Gu Junxing to join us too."

"But... the boss has never done anything like this before."

Nian Suian didn't care, "If he's never done it, he can learn. We can't be the only ones entertaining his son's friends while he, the father, sits idle."

With that, she ran upstairs to find Gu Junxing. Recently, when he was at home, he either exercised or stayed in his study reading books or handling work matters, essentially becoming a homebody.

Reaching the study door, Nian Suian knocked, "Mr. Gu, may I come in?"

Hearing a "Come in" from inside, Nian Suian pushed open the door and entered.

After entering, Nian Suian didn't rush to speak. Instead, she wandered around the study with her hands behind her back. To the left of the entrance, an entire wall was covered with bookshelves. Nian Suian approached to take a closer look, noticing books ranging from literature to history, and even technology-related topics.

Nian Suian remained silent, and so did Gu Junxing, quietly watching her circle around the bookshelves.

"Are you busy?" Nian Suian finally asked after circling the bookshelves three times.

"Not at the moment. What's the matter?"

"Perfect, come make a cake with me." Nian Suian spoke casually, not thinking that asking Gu Junxing to make a cake was anything out of the ordinary.

Gu Junxing, however, was stunned. It seemed he had never associated himself with cake-making before.

She herself started beating eggs for the cake base. The proportions of ingredients had all been prepared by Nanny Zhang, so she didn't have to worry about using too much or too little.

After putting the cake base in the oven, Nian Suian took a moment to check on Gu Junxing's progress with the fruit. She had prepared herself for the fruit to be cut messily, thinking it wouldn't matter since it was just for the filling anyway.

To her surprise, Gu Junxing's cutting was unexpectedly good. Apart from being a bit slow, it was almost flawless.

Nian Suian, well-versed in the art of flattery, immediately applauded and exclaimed, "Wow! That's amazing! Could you be the legendary culinary genius?"

Although Gu Junxing didn't think dicing fruit was something particularly praiseworthy, faced with Nian Suian's straightforward compliment, he couldn't help but curl up the corners of his mouth. However, he still said smugly, "It's just cutting fruit, what's so difficult about that?"

"Wrong! The seemingly simplest tasks are often the hardest to perfect. Look at how you've managed to cut the strawberries and mangoes into pieces of the same size. You're incredible! I'll leave the job of spreading cream on the cake base to you as well."

"No problem."

Under Nian Suian's praise, Gu Junxing ended up completing all the work of frosting the cake, piping decorations, and adding finishing touches by himself.

"You planned this all along, didn't you?" Gu Junxing said, not pausing in his task of adding a border to the cake.

Nian Suian just smiled without saying a word.

Shortly after they finished making the cake, Gu Zhijing returned home with three friends.

Nian Suian took their things and greeted each of them.

These kids were indeed quite intimidated by Gu Junxing, even though he was trying his best to maintain a gentle expression.

"Why don't you all go upstairs to play?" Nian Suian smiled at them, then said to Gu Zhijing, "There's cake in the kitchen. Take it upstairs to eat. Your dad made it."

Hearing this, Gu Zhijing could hardly believe it. He immediately looked at his father.

Gu Junxing cleared his throat lightly before saying to his son, "Go on and play."

Gu Zhijing was half-believing, half-doubting. It wasn't until he saw the cake that he started to believe what Nian Suian had said was true. After all, no one else in the family could make such an ugly cake.