"Oh, Yan's Pastry Shop? I really like their flower cakes and peach shortbread. I heard they recently launched a new product, I think it's called... Oh right, it's called cookies. My dear daughter, didn't you eat those cookies yesterday? You even praised their exquisite appearance. Since everything sold at Yan's Pastry Shop is delicious, their cakes must be just as good."

Madam Lu happened to arrive in the garden, and her maidservant brought a plate of candied fruit and pastries.

The flower cake is placed right in the center.

Zuo Li recognized him at a glance.

Madam Lu felt sorry for her daughter and worried that she would be sad without her father's company. She tried to find ways to make her daughter happy. When she saw that Zuo Li had brought food that she had never heard of before, Madam Lu was very supportive and wanted to help her daughter get rid of her longing for her father.

"I am acquainted with Manager Yan, so I specially asked her to make this. I heard that cakes can only be eaten on birthdays. This is also the magistrate's way of showing his love for you, Miss. I hope it will make you happy. The magistrate is busy with the bridge construction, but he thinks of you every day."

Zuo Li did not take credit for the work; instead, he repeatedly praised the county magistrate.

As soon as she finished speaking, Lu Baozhu's eyes reddened.

“I know my father loves me, but I haven’t seen him for several days, so I miss him very much.”

Mrs. Lu was heartbroken and quickly went to her daughter's side.

He stroked her head to comfort her.

He then gave Zuo Li a look, signaling him to open the box quickly.

Zuo Li realized he had said the wrong thing and immediately untied the bow.

"Oh, there are words on it too. Happy birthday! The handwriting is very beautiful, but what kind of font is it? I've never seen it before."

"What were these characters written with? They're all pinkish-red, are they edible?"

"This is a cake? Is it made with eggs? I can't see any eggs, and why is it white?"

"There are flowers on it, peach blossoms, they're so beautiful, what a clever idea."

"What's this candle for? Do we need to light candles in broad daylight?"

"What is the white thing made of? Is it a big steamed bun? But it doesn't look like it. I've never eaten anything like this before. How amazing is Yan's Pastry Shop? Everything they make is unique. Baozhu, I envy you so much. Your father is so good to you, unlike my parents, who only love my younger brother."

“.......

Lu Baozhu's girlfriends were chattering excitedly around the cake.

This instantly ignited Lu Baozhu's vanity.

A smile spread across her face, and Madam Lu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"How do you eat this cake?"

Lu Baozhu asked.

Zuo Li did not answer. Instead, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he picked up a candle, stuck it in the middle of the cake, and lit it with a tinderbox.

"Miss, you can't eat yet. Please do as I do, clasp your hands together, close your eyes and make a wish, but don't say it out loud, otherwise it won't come true. Then blow out the candles. Manager Yan said that people celebrating their birthdays have the deepest blessings of the year. As long as you are sincere, the chances of your wish coming true are very high."

Zuo Li imitated Yan Xia's movements.

He gestured for Lu Baozhu to see.

This line of reasoning was also taught to me by Yan Xia.

If the person who makes a wish has it come true, they will think it's because of the cake and will definitely boast about it to others. Conversely, if it doesn't come true, they will think it's because their heart wasn't sincere and won't blame anyone else.

Once it's linked to faith, the cake is destined to become a hit.

Lu Baozhu looked at Zuo Li with curiosity.

Imitate his movements.

Silently make a wish in your heart.

I hope my father can come back to celebrate my birthday with me today.

After silently reciting the mantra, Lu Baozhu opened her eyes.

The candle was blown out.

She glanced in the direction of the gate, but there was no one there, and sighed softly.

However, he was quickly drawn to what Zuo Li was saying.

"Alright, Miss, now I'll help you cut the cake. You can't eat the peach blossoms though."

Zuo Li took out his wooden knife and carefully pulled out the candle.

Arrange everything according to the flowers' layout.

There's a peach blossom on each piece of cake.

The cake's cross-section has several colors: pink, red, green, and white.

These girls had never seen food like this before.

I couldn't wait to take the cake.

However, their good upbringing prevented them from eating first.

They all stared wide-eyed at Lu Baozhu, waiting for her to take the first bite.

Lu Baozhu couldn't handle that intense gaze. She quickly scooped up a small piece with a wooden fork and put it in her mouth. The cream melted instantly, and the faint milky aroma mixed with the sweetness of the cake made her unconsciously squint her eyes.

Only after Lu Baozhu started eating did the girls touch their wooden forks.

"Wow, this tastes so strange, but it's so delicious."

"I'm also going to order a birthday cake from Yan's Pastry Shop this year."

"What is this white thing? It melted before I even took a bite. I thought it was a steamed bun."

"Look, there are several colors here. The green one looks like plum, which is sweet and sour. And this pink one should be peach, which tastes the same as peach-flavored shortbread. I love the peach shortbread from Yan's Pastry Shop the most."

"Baozhu, I'm so envious of you! It's so delicious!"

"How is this pink color made? It's so beautiful."

Everyone was praising the cake.

It seems they all like to eat.

"It's so delicious, Mom! You should try some."

Lu Baozhu liked it very much, and she scooped out a big piece for Madam Lu. Luckily, Madam Lu had a big mouth.

Wrap it up in one bite.

"Hmm—"

"Delicious! Even better than peach shortbread and flower cakes! Yan's Pastry Shop truly lives up to its reputation as the most successful shop in Shuangqiao Town. If there's a reward, then a reward is a must. Yu'er, give five taels of silver to the constable Zuo for tea, and another five taels to the manager of Yan's Pastry Shop. Constable Zuo, please give these to her as a thank you for the cake!"

"Yes, madam."

The maid whose name was called took out ten taels of silver from her pocket and placed it in Zuo Li's palm.

"Thank you for your generosity, Madam. These were all arranged by the magistrate and have nothing to do with me."

"Haha, no need to be so polite, I know. You can go and get busy, I'll take care of things here."

Zuo Li had no choice but to put away the silver and take his leave.

He had just turned around.

The county magistrate has actually returned.

"father--"

When Lu Baozhu saw her father, she was overjoyed. She put down the cake in her hand and rushed into the arms of Magistrate Lu.

She almost failed to be promoted to the magistrate, but luckily she was light-footed.

Men and women should not have physical contact. Girls should not have contact with men after the age of seven, not even their own fathers. Moreover, Lu Baozhu was already ten and fifteen years old. But Magistrate Lu, who was a doting father to his daughter, did not care about such things. He stroked the back of his daughter's head, his eyes filled with tears.

"My dear daughter, I'm late. Don't blame me. I'll make up for it and celebrate your birthday next year."

"Father, what are you saying? Your daughter loves the cake you sent! It's sweet, soft, and melts in your mouth. And I even made a wish, asking you to come home today to celebrate my birthday with me, and it actually came true! Father, I'm so happy! Father, I missed you so much—"

Magistrate Lu was completely bewildered.