Feeding Bibi Dong Cream (Please Subscribe First)

As he spoke, he poured the milk into the egg yolk mixture.

Bibi Dong continued stirring, watching the milk slowly blend with the paste until it became a smoother, finer batter.

For some reason, the process made her feel soothed and happy.

Next came sifting in the flour.

Qian Xunji held the sieve while Bibi Dong scooped flour into it with a small spoon and gently shook the sieve.

Half an hour later...

"Perfect."

Qian Xunji let go and looked at the batter in the bowl with satisfaction.

Bibi Dong breathed a sigh of relief, then poured the batter into the prepared mold as Qian Xunji opened the oven door.

"All right, put it in. Now we wait."

Bibi Dong placed the mold on the middle rack of the oven and closed the door.

"Teacher, about how long will it take?"

"About... hmm, half a shichen or so."

While they waited, they began preparing the cream and fruit.

Qian Xunji took out the whipping cream he had prepared earlier and added granulated sugar.

"Leave this to me. It takes a bit of skill."

Qian Xunji picked up a larger mixing bowl and a whisk, then began turning the handle quickly and steadily.

The cream in the bowl visibly changed from liquid to thick, expanding in volume until it formed firm, smooth, delicate white whipped cream.

"Wow..."

Bibi Dong stood by the counter, watching without blinking.

Qian Xunji stopped, scooped up a small dollop of whipped cream, and held it to Bibi Dong's lips.

"Give it a taste. Is it sweet enough?"

Bibi Dong froze for a moment. Looking at the cream so close to her, she slightly opened her mouth and took the dollop between her lips.

Cool, delicate, and melting on contact, the rich milky fragrance spread across her tongue. It was more wonderful than any pastry she had ever eaten.

"Mmm! So sweet, so delicious!" She nodded excitedly, her eyes narrowing happily.

"Is that so? Let me try some."

As Qian Xunji spoke, he naturally turned the spoon he had just used to feed Bibi Dong around and put the remaining cream on it into his own mouth, savoring it carefully.

"Mmm, it really is good."

Bibi Dong looked at him and secretly thought, Teacher and I indirectly... kissed again and again and again...

But Teacher doesn't mind me. I'm so happy.

Seeing Bibi Dong staring at him, Qian Xunji smiled. "Do you want another taste?"

"Yes, it's so good."

"Then I'll wash the spoon first."

Just as Qian Xunji was about to wash the spoon, Bibi Xi suddenly grabbed his hand.

"Tea... Teacher, it's actually fine if you don't wash it."

"Hm? You really don't mind?"

Bibi Dong looked away and said softly, "Teacher doesn't mind me, so how could I mind Teacher?"

Hearing that, Qian Xunji smiled and nodded. "All right."

He then fed Bibi Dong two more spoonfuls, adding a piece of strawberry to the final one.

After the simple feeding session, Qian Xunji began washing the spatula and preparing a piping bag. He filled part of it with cream and fitted it with a star-shaped piping tip.

"The cake should be ready soon. Once it cools, we can decorate it."

After a while, the oven gave a soft ding.

Qian Xunji directly took the baked cake out with his bare hands.

The golden cake had risen beautifully. Its surface was smooth, and it gave off an enticing aroma.

He inverted the cake onto a cooling rack.

While waiting for it to cool, the two washed the tools and prepared strawberries and cherries that had been washed and dried.

Finally, the cake had cooled completely.

Qian Xunji removed it from the mold and placed it on an exquisite porcelain plate.

The cake was fluffy, soft, and wonderfully springy.

"Now for the final step: decorating."

Qian Xunji handed the piping bag filled with cream to Bibi Dong. "Want to try? Start by piping a ring of flowers around the top edge."

Bibi Dong nervously took the piping bag. She had never used one before.

She gripped the back of the piping bag, held the tip over the edge of the cake, and squeezed hard—

Pfft!

A huge, shapeless blob of cream burst out and smeared against the side of the cake instead of forming the intended border.

"Ah!" Bibi Dong cried softly, a little frustrated.

"Apply even pressure, and keep your wrist steady."

Qian Xunji stepped behind her again. This time, he directly reached out and completely covered both of her hands holding the piping bag with his own.

His chest pressed tightly against her back, his chin nearly resting atop her head, enveloping her entirely.

"Like this. Feel how I apply the pressure."

His hands steadily guided Bibi Dong's. Under his control, the piping bag moved evenly around the edge of the cake's top, squeezing out a neat, beautiful ring of cream flowers.

Bibi Dong was entirely wrapped in his scent and body heat, her hands completely covered by his palms.

At that moment, her heartbeat raced so fast it lost its rhythm.

She could not focus on the piping at all. Every one of her senses was occupied by the person behind her.

"Do you understand now? How the wrist movement works together with the pressure." Qian Xunji guided her through the final little flower and asked softly.

"Mhm... I-I understand..."

Bibi Dong's mind was actually completely blank.

"Then try the ring on the other side yourself?"

Qian Xunji released her hands, but he remained very close behind her, poised to offer guidance again at any moment.

After recalling the feeling from before, Bibi Dong tried again.

This time, although the border she piped was not as perfect or even as the one Teacher had made with her, it still looked decent. At the very least, it was a continuous border.

"Very good. You're improving quickly."

Next, they spread a simple layer of cream over the center of the cake's surface, then decorated it with the washed strawberries and cherries...

When the final cherry was placed, a cream fruit cake appeared before them.

"It's finished!"

Bibi Dong looked at their masterpiece, her heart filled with accomplishment.

This was a cake she had made together with Teacher.

From beating the eggs and mixing the batter to baking it... she had taken part in every step.

Qian Xunji also looked at the cake with satisfaction. Then he lowered his head and looked at Bibi Dong beside him, whose cheeks were flushed from excitement and shyness.

"You worked hard."

"Mhm!"

"Shall we eat it now?"

Bibi Dong looked at the cake, thought for a moment, and suggested, "Here? Or... should we find somewhere else?"

"This is... a kitchen, after all."

Although everyone had already been cleared out, eating cake beside the work counter still felt a little strange.

"Fair enough."

The two quickly put away the tools they had used and washed their hands.

Then Qian Xunji carried the cake while Bibi Dong helped carry the cutlery and plates as they left the kitchen.

They did not go to the formal dining hall in the Pope Palace. Instead, they went to the Small Dining Hall that Bibi Dong usually used with younger Soul Masters such as Ling Yuan.

They placed the cake on the long table covered with a tablecloth. The candlelight happened to shine upon it, making it look even more enticing.

"Teacher, should we call Ling Yuan and Elder Yue Guan over to try some too? It'd be livelier with more people."

Qian Xunji's movements paused, his little calculations clattering away in his heart.

I worked so hard to clear out the kitchen and teach her hand in hand just for this moment alone together, didn't I?

How could I let them come now?

Yet his expression remained calm as he said, "Them... there's no rush."

"This cake has just been made, so it tastes best now."

"Let's try it first. If it's good, we can cut a few slices and send them some later."

As he spoke, he cut two corners of the cake, each with a whole strawberry and cherry, placed them onto two small porcelain plates, and pushed the fruitier portion toward Bibi Dong.