Injured

Li Ziming did not do anything superfluous. He genuinely flipped through the library's books on making fondant, page by page, only glancing at the pigeon on his shoulder from time to time. Then, while it was not paying attention, he secretly pulled a book from the shelf. Just as he was about to open it, the pigeon landed on top of the book.

"What are you trying to do?" Li Ziming could not help marveling. Big Mom's Soul-Soul Fruit was truly extraordinary. He had actually seen a faintly amused expression on a pigeon's face.

"I'm not trying to do anything..." Li Ziming put on a perfect, fake smile.

"Honestly..." Connel preened his feathers. "I knew you weren't up to any good. You said you were going to present your best pastries, but you're not being honest..."

"My lord, you're joking..." Li Ziming took some candies from his robes and quietly offered them to Connel.

"Tsk, tsk. Does this count as bribery?" Connel looked at Li Ziming with an expression that was half-amused and half-suspicious.

"If you're dissatisfied, my lord, I actually have something even better..." Li Ziming smiled lecherously, looking like an utterly fawning corrupt official.

"You should know that Mama brought these recipes from various countries. Letting you look at them just like this wouldn't be appropriate..." Connel looked utterly righteous, but his voice was so low that only Li Ziming standing before him could hear it.

"I'm only borrowing them for reference. If I manage to make pastries that Mama likes, won't that reflect well on you too, my lord?"

"Hmph. How do I know you're not here to do something else?" Connel was already tempted. Everyone knew that Big Mom loved sweets. If this fellow truly managed to develop something novel that could win Big Mom's favor,