Chapter 756 - 562: For the New Year, Dumplings Are a Must-Have Traditional Delicacy

Chapter 756: Chapter 562: For the New Year, Dumplings Are a Must-Have Traditional Delicacy

"Daddy, you’ve got it wrong, this ’Fu’ character is pasted upside down..."

Weiwei pointed at the upside-down "Fu" character at the door, furrowing her eyebrows with a puzzled expression.

Qingqing also came over and agreed, saying, "Yes, why is this character upside down?"

Huang Jun was momentarily stunned, then immediately understood. He slowly squatted down and patiently explained to them, "Qingqing, Weiwei, do you know? Pasting the ’Fu’ character upside down actually holds deep cultural significance. In our long-standing tradition, it signifies ’Fu Dao Le’—that fortune has arrived, symbolizing that our family will welcome happiness and good fortune in the new year."

After hearing this, Weiwei and Qingqing’s eyes lit up, and they quickly exchanged a knowing glance, then cheered in unison, "Oh, so that’s what it means! ’Fu Dao Le,’ ’Fu’ has really arrived!"

Huang Jun’s lips curled into a gentle smile as he softly stroked their delicate hair, "That’s right, Qingqing, Weiwei, this is our shared aspiration and wish for a beautiful future. May you carry this ’Fu’ with you, grow strongly, and bask in sunshine and laughter every day."

"Mm, Daddy, you must always be happy too~"

Qingqing snuggled up to Huang Jun, her eyes bent into crescent moons, her smile as warm as the sun in spring.

Weiwei, not to be outdone, nodded vigorously, holding tightly onto Huang Jun’s neck, and promised in her childish voice, "Yes, our whole family should stay healthy, happy, and never be apart!"

"Alright, we will never be apart..."

Huang Jun’s heart was filled with pure happiness. Smiling, he ruffled the heads of the two little ones again, his tone even softer, "Qingqing, Weiwei, after so much talking, what do you want for lunch? Anything particular you’re craving?"

Qingqing blinked her bright eyes, thought for a moment, then looked up at him, saying in her childish voice, "Daddy, I’ll follow you, whatever you eat, I’ll eat, whatever you make, I like it."

Weiwei also gave a playful smile, nodding repeatedly, "Yes, whatever Daddy makes, I love to eat because you’re our super chef!"

Oh~

So, they’re so unpicky?

Oh~

Is his image in their hearts quite high?

Huang Jun chuckled, looking at them with a face full of affection, and shared his plan, "In that case, why don’t we make dumplings? After all, it’s Chinese New Year, and dumplings are an essential traditional delicacy."

"Great idea! I fully support it!"

Qingqing responded excitedly, raising her small hands high.

Weiwei, not wanting to be left behind, nodded repeatedly, "I agree too, let’s make dumplings together, it’ll surely be fun!"

"Alright, then you two go play for a while. Daddy will go to the kitchen to knead the dough and prepare the dumpling filling. Once the dough is ready, and the filling is mixed, you can come help Daddy make the dumplings, okay?"

Huang Jun gave the instruction, and seeing the two kids nodding obediently, he turned and went into the kitchen to wash his hands.

Next, it was time for kneading the dough.

The dough needed for making dumplings is notably different from that used for making hand-rolled noodles.

To make dumplings with a chewy and unbreakable outer skin, the dough needs to be a bit firmer.

During the kneading process, in addition to adding some salt to enhance the dough’s elasticity, it’s also helpful to mix in some eggs, which not only make the dough more elastic but also improve the taste of the dumplings once cooked.

If striving for higher quality, using only egg whites while omitting yolks during kneading can yield even better results.

Based on experience, using six egg whites for every pound of flour usually achieves the best results.

Though food prepared for the family should preferably be as simple as possible, Huang Jun, always pursuing perfection, opted for the higher standard method of using only egg whites without yolks.

As for the leftover yolks, they certainly wouldn’t go to waste; they would be used to make delicious scrambled eggs later.

He then slowly poured cold water into the mixing bowl.

When kneading the dough, it’s important not to use warm water, as dough made with warm water tends to be too soft and sticky, making it difficult to wrap the filling and prone to breaking when cooked.

He began to knead the dough with his hands.

Just at that moment...

The doorbell suddenly chimed "ding-ling-ling," interrupting his ongoing activity.

"Huh? Who could be coming over at this time?"

He was puzzled, murmuring to himself, and suddenly a light bulb went off in his head: "Could it be that Brother Liu’s family arrived early?"

It wasn’t strange to think so, because he had specially invited Liu Shiwei’s family of three to have dinner together tonight, and since it was New Year’s Eve, everyone was busy with their own family affairs, and rarely did anyone go out to visit friends.

"Daddy, the doorbell rang, should we go open the door?"

Qingqing and Weiwei, who were playing with meat buns and pumpkin cakes, instinctively ran towards the kitchen upon hearing the bell, asking curiously as they ran.

Huang Jun turned his head, looked at the kids outside the kitchen, and said, "You can open the door, but remember to check who it is before doing so."

"Okay, I know~"

Upon hearing this, Qingqing and Weiwei immediately halted as if the pause button had been pressed, exchanged a smile, then happily skipped towards the door like joyful little deer.

They cooperatively moved a small stool to the door. Weiwei leaped lightly onto the stool, stood steadily, tiptoeing like a curious little detective, cautiously peeking through the peephole at the outside world.

Outside, Liu Shiwei’s family was standing with wide smiles, Liu Shiwei holding several beautifully wrapped, heavy gift boxes in his hands.

Next to him, Wen Xueqian held Liu Ruihan’s little hand, eagerly looking at the door.

"Oh, it’s Uncle Liu’s family!"

Weiwei exclaimed excitedly, and before she finished speaking, she couldn’t wait to jump off the small stool. She ran to Huang Jun with a voice full of joy: "Daddy, it’s Uncle Liu and his family. Can we open the door and invite them in?"

Oh!

It really is Brother Liu’s family...

Huang Jun smiled and nodded, gently advising, "Of course you can open the door, remember to greet them politely."

"Got it~"

As soon as Weiwei heard this, she immediately ran to the door like a happy little bird, ready to open it, only to be beaten to it by Qingqing at the door.

Qingqing’s small hand turned the lock with effort, with a "creak," the door slowly opened.

Qingqing sweetly waved to Liu Shiwei’s family in greeting: "Hello Uncle Liu! Hello Aunt Wen! Hello Hanhan!"

Weiwei was not to be outdone and followed up with a sweet greeting: "Uncle Liu, Aunt Wen, and Hanhan, hello! Please come in!"

Liu Shiwei and Wen Xueqian responded with smiles: "Oh, such good kids, Qingqing and Weiwei are becoming more considerate, wonderful!"

"Qingqing, Weiwei..."

As soon as Liu Ruihan saw the two little friends, she eagerly rushed over.

The three embraced tightly!

At that moment...

Laughter and cheers intertwined.

Huang Jun put the kneaded dough into the basin, covered it with plastic wrap, then came out of the kitchen to warmly welcome Liu Shiwei’s family: "Brother Liu, sister-in-law, you came just in time, the dumpling dough is just ready, we’re about to start making dumplings, let’s have dumplings for lunch, and I’ll stir-fry a few simple dishes too, how about it?"

"Brother Huang, you’re too polite, really, there’s no need to go to such trouble. Dumplings for lunch are just fine, you can show off your cooking skills tonight."

Liu Shiwei waved his hand quickly, his face full of smiles as he continued, "Actually, we planned to come in the afternoon, but Hanhan kept insisting on seeing Qingqing and Weiwei, so as her father, I had to bring her to this ’New Year’s Eve appointment’ early..."

"Haha, speaking of which, my Qingqing and Weiwei have been talking about Hanhan since morning! It seems these three little ones really have a deep friendship!"

Huang Jun’s smile grew wider, and he warmly invited, "Brother Liu, sister-in-law, don’t just stand there, come inside, have a seat in the living room."

Liu Shiwei handed the exquisite gift boxes to Huang Jun: "Brother Huang, these are seafood airlifted this morning, along with some fresh fruits, brought them especially for you to try, hope you like them."

A look of surprise flashed across Huang Jun’s face, and he replied courteously, "Brother Liu, you’re being too kind, coming here is more than enough, bringing such precious things really overwhelms me!"

Liu Shiwei heartily patted Huang Jun on the shoulder, saying with a smile, "With our friendship, is there a need for such politeness? Besides, the kids love seafood, please just accept them!"

"Alright then, it would be rude to refuse, I’ll accept them with gratitude."

Huang Jun smiled as he took the gift boxes, inviting Liu Shiwei and his wife to sit down on the living room sofa...