Yu An Tong pushed Xin Li Xuan out, bringing Jiang Yu Xiu in to work. All three operated smoothly, like an assembly line, making the pancakes faster and faster.

"3, 2, 1! Time's up! Contestants, please halt!" called out the man in black. "Bring your finished products to the head of the food street."

"Whew!" Exhaling deeply, Yu An Tong put down the unfinished pancake in his hand, asking anxiously, "Yu Xiu, did we make it to twenty?"

In the final minutes, he had been all-out, completely focused on the pancakes. Unsure of their count but not daring to stop, he kept working.

Jiang Yu Xiu, tasked with managing the coal and ensuring perfect baking, was equally engrossed. Finally counting, she announced, "5, 10, 15, 20, 22! We made 22, surpassing the target!"

Relieved, Lin Hao Ning dusted his hands, saying with mixed feelings, "It's a shame the few pancakes still cooking couldn't be counted."

Jiang Yu Xiu whimsically added, "Wish we had a few more. I really want to savor one made by my own hands."

This challenge had been more demanding than previous ones, making the success all the sweeter, even if they couldn't savor the fruits of their labor.

"Judges, can we get two more minutes?" Yu An Tong eyed the baking pancakes, then turned to Xin Li Xuan, "We want to take these when they're done. Not for the count, just for us."

Xin Li Xuan handed him a cup of water, "Alright, come sit. We'll move in a bit."

Before drinking, Yu An Tong planted a kiss on Xin Li Xuan's cheek, "Mwah! Thanks, judge!"

Their married status was no secret, so there was no need for pretense.

Yu An Tong sat next to Xin Li Xuan, sipping his water leisurely.

"Judge, where do you think I'll rank this time?" Yu An Tong asked after finishing his drink.

Without hesitation, Xin Li Xuan replied, "You're the best."

Regardless of others' opinions, to him, Yu An Tong's culinary skills were unparalleled.

Seeing Yu An Tong finish the water, likely from thirst, Xin Li Xuan inquired, "More?"

Yu An Tong shook his head, "No thanks." Drinking too much might bloat him.

A few minutes later, they headed to the gathering spot to receive feedback from the culinary volunteers.

...

By the time the show finished recording, it was already 1 pm. Yu Antong had a piece of Guokui during the evaluation, but it hardly satiated his hunger. Xing Lixuan took him to a nearby upscale restaurant for lunch.

"My legs are sore." On the way home after eating, Yu Antong massaged his legs, feeling discomfort.

Xing Lixuan looked concerned, "Rest when we get home, I'll massage your legs for you."

Standing all morning would wear out anyone, let alone Yu Antong, who was pregnant.

"Mmm," Yu Antong sighed, "There's a graduation party tonight, but I really don't feel like going out again."

Xing Lixuan replied, "Then skip tonight's graduation party."

"I'm just venting," Yu Antong clarified, "I definitely have to attend. I promised the instructor that I'd join the other class representatives to give a speech as an outstanding graduate."

As Yu Antong spoke, he caught a glimpse of Xing Lixuan's reflection in the rearview mirror and noticed his displeased expression.

Although Xing Lixuan often wore a stern face, Yu Antong could always discern his mood shifts.

"Are you upset?" Yu Antong inquired.

Suppressing a frown, Xing Lixuan replied, "No."

"Don't deny it, I can tell," Yu Antong said, "Don't worry, I'm not that tired. You know I'm quite delicate and not one to push my limits. I only need to make a brief speech at the start of the evening, so it won't be long."

As they reached their house and alighted from the car, Yu Antong playfully embraced Xing Lixuan, "Husband, please don't be upset."

Xing Lixuan sighed, "I'm not upset, I just feel like I haven't taken care of you properly."

"Nonsense, you've been taking perfect care of me," Yu Antong quickly countered, "Even Dr. Smith said I'm an exemplary expectant father, and that's all thanks to you."

Xing Lixuan pinched Yu Antong's slightly chubbier cheek, "Always sweet-talking, yet never obedient."

"Hey, I'm always obedient!"

As they walked towards their home, Yu Antong, feigning innocence, cheerfully asked, "Would you like to hear more sweet words, husband?"

[Author's website]

Playing along, Xing Lixuan replied, "Hmm, go on."

"It's not flattery, but the truth," Yu Antong started showering Xing Lixuan with extravagant praise, "Husband, you're the best. Although I'm the kindest, most handsome, and best chef in the world, I'm only just worthy of you, the best husband on Earth. Where else in the world could someone find another person as impeccable as you?"

For the first time, Xing Lixuan heard such lavish compliments and laughed, "Are you praising me or yourself?"

Yu Antong responded, "It's a rhetorical technique. You're a graduate from a prestigious university and don't get it? On the surface, I seem to be praising myself, but in reality, I'm extolling you at an even higher level. Your marrying someone as outstanding as me is proof of your impeccable taste. The more I praise myself, the more it emphasizes how exceptional you are!"

"Any literature teacher would applaud these words! My compliments have depth and underlying layers of meaning!"

With puckered lips, Yu Antong earnestly rambled on, "Think about it, am I right?"

Xing Lixuan remarked, “All you're saying is nonsense.”

Upon entering the house, Xing's mother saw them and inquired, “You're back. Have you eaten? If not, I can have the maid prepare something.”

Xing Lixuan responded, “We've eaten, Mom. Continue with your show; An Tong and I will head upstairs to rest a bit.”

“Alright, you two go rest,” Mrs. Xing told Yu Antong, “There’s some soup in the kitchen for you to have later.”

“Understood, thank you, Mom.”

Once upstairs, Yu Antong continued, “How am I spouting nonsense? Everything I said made perfect sense!”

“Yes, yes, you're always right,” Xing Lixuan said with a chuckle. “Now, quickly change into your pajamas and rest.”

As Yu Antong changed into his nightwear, Xing Lixuan massaged his legs. Although not particularly sleepy, Yu Antong chatted intermittently with Xing Lixuan.

Out of the blue, Yu Antong proposed, “How about naming our son ‘Jing Xing’? It’s grand and refined.”

Xing Lixuan dryly remarked, “Remember our surname.”

“It’s Xing, obviously. Wait...” Yu Antong caught onto Xing Lixuan’s implication and burst into laughter, “Xing Jing Xing!”

Laughing uncontrollably, Yu Antong said, “Now our son can confidently bet and say, ‘If this happens, you can call me by my name backward!’”

“He’d steal the spotlight!”

All jokes aside, it's not wise to jest about a child’s name. A name significantly impacts one's future, so it shouldn't be whimsical or weird.

Regretfully ready to abandon the fun name, Yu Antong complained, “It's all because of your surname. If he had mine, ‘Yu Jingxing’ would sound great.”

Xing Lixuan earnestly replied, “He can carry your surname.”

“After he's born, you'll handle his education, so let him have your surname.” The irresponsible Mr. Yu, aware of his own whimsical nature, conceded his son's educational responsibilities in advance.

Most importantly, he recently saw a parenting post on Weibo showing how mischievous kids can drive adults mad when doing homework.

Not wanting to go insane educating his son, he'd let Xing Lixuan take charge. Surely, Xing Lixuan's stern face would keep their son in line.

Then, after their son's studies, Yu Antong would serve a gourmet meal as a reward. What child could resist such a sweet incentive?

He'd be the kindest and best dad! Their father-son relationship would be impeccable!

Oh, the depth of his scheming!

Lost in his daydream, Yu Antong felt like a cunning villain.

Watching Yu Antong’s shifting expressions, Xing Lixuan laughed, “What are you thinking about now?”

Grinning mischievously, Yu Antong replied, “Oh, nothing!”

Xing Lixuan didn't argue with him. After some contemplation, he suggested, "How about changing a character? Call him Jingyi."

Yu Antong extended his hand, asking, "Which character?"

Xing Lixuan wrote the character on his hand and explained, "It's the character for 'stand' combined with 'feather'. Originally, it depicts a bird preparing to take flight. As a name, it implies quick-wittedness and profound knowledge."

Xing Lixuan's recent dictionary browsing has been put to good use.

"Jingyi, Xing Jingyi," Yu Antong repeated the name, nodding in approval. "I like this name."

Yu Antong decided, "Let's tentatively go with this name. If we don't think of a better one before our son's birth, we'll use this."

After some casual chit-chat and a relaxing leg massage, Yu Antong grew sleepy and mumbled, "Honey, are your hands tired? Stop massaging and come sleep with me."

"I'm not tired," Xing Lixuan responded, pulling Yu Antong close. "Go to sleep."

Enveloped in Xing Lixuan's familiar embrace, Yu Antong felt secure and soon dozed off. He awoke just in time to savor a delicious rib soup that had been simmering in the kitchen.

After a sip of the richly flavored soup, Yu Antong exclaimed, "Life is truly blissful like this! Honey, have some too."

He filled two bowls, serving one to Xing Lixuan.

Xing's mother teased, "Lixuan, you've been enjoying the perks of being with Antong, haven't you?"

Yu Antong sweetly responded, "Mom, have some too!"

Xing's mother declined, "Dear, you enjoy it. At my age, eating such rich food too often can lead to weight gain."

Mentioning weight gain reminded Yu Antong of something, and he playfully poked Xing Lixuan's belly.

Xing Lixuan choked on his soup, quickly glanced towards his mother, and then shot Yu Antong a warning look.

What are you doing? Not in front of our elders!

Author's note: Xing: What are you doing?!

Antong: I swear! Just a touch, nothing more! If not, may our son's name be read backward!

Their son: ...

A big thank you to those who supported me between 2020-02-24 23:55:09 and 2020-02-25 23:46:18~

Special thanks to the generous supporters: [List of names].

Thanks for the nutrient solution donations from: [List of names].

Thank you so much for your support. I will keep working hard!

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