### Chapter 379: Let’s Go for It!
Because she was filled with anticipation, Xia Yu felt that today was zooming by especially fast. School was one thing, but going to Master Chen’s place after school was another. Today, Master Chen gave Xia Yu the same task as yesterday: practice making dishes according to recipes and try to memorize them all.
This way, Xia Yu could improve her basic skills while attempting to create her own new dishes—something her master wouldn’t be able to teach her entirely. Luckily, Xia Yu was quite clever; anything she cooked once, she would almost instantly remember in full detail. It seemed almost magical! Thus, Xia Yu happily wrapped up her day of learning to cook.
As for Master Chen, this old man had probably grown tired. After his last time skipping out on cooking due to being busy, he didn’t feel like it today either. He simply instructed Xia Yu, “Go ahead and make tonight’s dinner at home, take those ingredients with you. Review the dishes from yesterday and today to get more familiar with them. Practicing more will help you improve.”
Xia Yu had no argument since the reason was so valid. So, she collected the ingredients and decided to head home with Little Ning.
Suddenly, Xia Yu remembered that they were planning a spring outing, and she would be spending the night there. This meant she wouldn’t be able to come back tomorrow to learn how to cook, which made her hesitant.
Just as Xia Yu left the kitchen under the stare of the other chefs, she turned around and returned to Master Chen’s side to request a day off: “Master, I’m going on a school trip tomorrow, so I can’t come.”
“To that place? Well, take the day off, and make up for it the next day,” replied Master Chen, looking at her with an unreadable expression.
Xia Yu: “…Fine.”
She thought her master might finally treat her better now that she had demonstrated such progress. At least a few days off wouldn’t hurt him. She certainly didn’t expect this.
Back home, the Husky Xiao Erha Jiang Hanhang ordered online had already arrived. Xiao Erha and Xiao Jinmao were about the same size. Jiang Hanhan, being a motherly figure, also bought a bunch of dog-related equipment, making their already small living room even cozier…
Jiang Hanhan’s purchases were even more extravagant than Lin Jie’s, leaving Xia Yu thinking they were competing. Drying machines and all sorts of comforts for the dogs. Xia Yu thought the equipment was so complete that they should open a pet shop.
Jiang Kekai, the first to give in to chaos, said: “Hanhan, move the stuff you don’t use often to the neighboring house. Use it from there.”
“Alright, alright. I’ll move them right away,” Hanhan responded quickly before shoving the puppy towards Xiao Ling, who had been playing with Xiao Erha with Xia Ling.
With a mischievous grin, Jiang Hanhan then playfully prodded Xia Yu’s ear, making a scene. Xia Yu: “…”
Jiang Hanhan was like this in front of her but so timid when her older sister was around. What was Xia Yu supposed to say about this?
Since Xiao Jinmao wasn’t around, Xia Yu guessed that her older brother must have come home and was playing with Xiao Jinmao in his room. Still, it was nice to not worry about stepping on little things. Tonight, she was making dinner, so she wouldn’t bathe first but prepared the meal directly.
Xia Yu couldn’t shake this feeling that she had become very domestic. But no, no, she just enjoyed cooking. Meanwhile, Jiang Kekai also postponed her bath until Xia Ling held onto Xiao Erha.
Xia Ling examined the puppy: “Hmm, blue eyes, pretty handsome, also quite active.” She lifted its two front paws, and the puppy started barking.
“Playtime’s over!” Xia Ling then handed the puppy back to Jiang Hanhan, saying, “Be sure to look after it. If it ruins anything, warn me.”
Xia Ling smiled sarcastically. “Uncle and Aunt, I’m afraid Xia Yu and Xin Xin will get bored without us, so I brought it back to keep you company!”
“I see,” Uncle Xia said, visibly relieved.
Aunt Wang chimed in, “We’ll be taking it with you to the capital!”
Seeing through Hanhan’s attempt to be cute, Xia Ling quickly reassured her parents, “Don’t worry folks, they’ll bring it with them.”
Dinner came, and Xia Hong and Wang Wenjuan were horrified to find a dog in the house, especially when they heard Xiao Erha liked to bark at nighttime. Xia Yu announced, “Mum, Dad, we’re going on a trip tomorrow and won’t be back until the day after, so we won’t be around tonight.”
“Isn’t Little Ning joining you?” asked Wang Wenjuan.
“Oh, no. She’s busy with higher-grade tasks and doesn’t have the free time,” Jiang Kekai explained with a mouthful of food.
“That’s too bad. Be careful, when will you be back?”
“In the morning, probably in the afternoon.”
“Do you need any preparations?”
“Not much, just some extra clothes.” “Got it.”
As Xia Yu spoke, she wondered why talking to her parents always made her nervous. The excitement of going on her first school trip kept her tossing and turning that night.
In frustration, Jiang Hanhan noted how much Xia Yu liked to move around in bed—something she hadn’t done before. Though she didn’t mind, Xia Yu’s hyperactive nature was starting to affect her. Eventually, Jiang Hanhan held Xia Yu close, trapping her in a tight embrace.
She slept soundly through the night after that.
The next day, the trio left for the outing, but without the girls’ company, Jiang Kekai found herself less motivated and stayed in, wearing her pajamas straight after breakfast to return to work.
Xia Yu remembered her promise to Gao Xiaotian. She wanted to bring him some snacks to share. But these were treats given by her Little Ning sister; Xia Yu felt obligated to ask.
Before they left, Xia Yu hesitantly approached Jiang Kekai: “Little Ning Sister, can I bring some snacks for the trip?”
This made Jiang Kekai wonder whether scolding Xia Yu over snacks had been a good idea or not. In truth, she did not want Xia Yu to be overly polite to her as she did. This was tricky.
“Just take them. They won’t stay fresh forever. I’ll send a new batch over later,” Jiang Kekai said.
“Really?”
Xia Yu felt like she might become the most popular kid at school if she showed up with such a massive bag of snacks. It felt like fulfilling Gao Xiaotian’s wish for more snacks in his life.
“And… come here.” Jiang Kekai pointed to her cheek with a mischievous smile.
“Okay, okay.” Xia Yu closed her eyes and kissed Jiang Kekai on the cheek.
“There, problem solved!” said Jiang Kekai, with a hint of amusement. “Now remember to come back early, and call me if there’s something wrong.”
With the bag of snacks, Xia Yu made a quick exit back to her room.
At that moment, Jiang Hanhan and Xia Ling had already waited in the living room for Xia Yu. Xia Yu, blushing with a large bag of snacks tucked under her arm, looked sheepish.
“Mingmei, why’s your face so red?” Xia Ling asked, surprised.
“It’s nothing, probably because I stood under the hot sun,” Jiang Hanhan teased.
Then, focusing on the snack bag, they questioned: “How many snacks do you plan to eat? Are you hosting a party?”
Xia Ling joined in, adding, “Yeah, too many snacks aren’t good!”
Seeing Xia Yu’s calm response, “Little Ning said the snacks would go stale if left too long, so she wants me to bring these to everyone else.” The two sisters were taken aback, then excitedly planned to order new snacks.
