Su Niannian glanced at Nannan and patiently explained, "How can the birthday girl not have a birthday cake? No, there must be a birthday cake."
Don't worry, little one! Auntie made this birthday cake herself, so we won't buy it and won't spend any money!
Her intentions were good; she wanted to help Nannan have an unforgettable birthday while also protecting her self-esteem.
Still uneasy, Nannan blinked her big eyes and asked curiously, "Auntie, what ingredients do you need to make a cake?"
She first needs to confirm whether she has enough ingredients at home. If not, she will still refuse Su Niannian's suggestion.
As far as Nannan is concerned, as long as Su Niannian doesn't have to spend money, everything is negotiable.
"To make a birthday cake, you need milk, eggs, flour, and cream," Su Niannian listed out the ingredients needed to make the cake.
Nannan turned around and ran back to the kitchen, rummaging through drawers and cupboards to find flour, eggs, and milk.
She took all these things in her hands, walked to Su Niannian's side, and persistently asked, "Auntie, are these things okay?"
Su Niannian understood Nannan's little thoughts perfectly and answered confidently, "Okay!"
Nannan's face first lit up with joy, but then she seemed to remember something, and her eyes filled with disappointment. Her little head drooped instantly, and she whispered, "But my grandma doesn't have any cream."
To avoid disappointing her, Su Niannian smiled and said, "It's okay, Xibao's grandma has cream at her house. We can have Xibao go to his grandma's house to get it later."
When Nannan heard that she was going to get ready-made things from Xibao's maternal grandmother's house without having to spend money on them, she was overjoyed and immediately agreed to the suggestion.
Without hesitation, she answered loudly, "Okay!" Her voice was clear and resonant, like a cheerful little bird singing.
Immediately afterwards, a bright smile returned to her rosy cheeks, and she said excitedly to Su Niannian, "Auntie, I'll put these things in the kitchen first!"
Before Su Niannian could respond, he turned around impatiently, clutching the items tightly in his hands, and ran briskly towards the kitchen.
As Su Niannian watched Nannan's small figure disappear into the living room, she was worried about leaving her alone in the kitchen. She lifted her foot to follow, but Xibao tugged at her clothes.
She turned her head and looked down at the little figure beside her. She saw Xibao raising her little head, looking at her with surprise and confusion on her face.
She asked softly, "What's wrong, Xibao?"
Xi Bao voiced her doubts: "Mom, didn't you just say you were going to take me and my older sister out to eat? Why did you suddenly change your mind and eat at home? And are you sure you can make a birthday cake?" Her eyes showed considerable skepticism about Su Niannian's cooking skills.
In all his life, he had never seen his mother make a cake herself, and even the dishes she cooked were hardly delicious to Xibao.
From childhood to adulthood, in his mind, the dishes Su Niannian cooked were either too salty or cooked improperly, resulting in food that was either undercooked or burnt.
He felt it was a miracle that he had grown up, and he was really worried that his mother would ruin the cake. He thought the girl would be so disappointed and sad, and probably cry again.
"Oh dear, didn't you realize? Your girlfriend doesn't want me to spend any money. So, we have to fully respect her decision."
Su Niannian was completely oblivious to the doubtful look on Xibao's face. She saw Xibao pat her chest with great pride and then confidently make a boast.
"Don't worry, I can tell you with absolute certainty that making cakes is a piece of cake for me. You just need to wait patiently for my magnificent masterpiece to be unveiled!"
"Mom, your cooking skills are so-so, and you've never made a birthday cake before. I suggest you go to a cake shop and buy one, otherwise, the little girl will really be disappointed."
Xi Bao ruthlessly exposed her mother's lie, realizing that she couldn't let her mother do whatever she wanted and ruin her older sister's annual birthday party.
Su Niannian didn't take it to heart and scolded her son beside her, "You brat, you still complain about my cooking skills? If I really couldn't cook, would I have been able to raise you all this time?"
Besides, even if you've never eaten pork, haven't you at least seen a pig run?
"It's okay if I can't bake a birthday cake. Just search online, there are tons of tutorial videos. Just pick one and follow the steps. I might not make a perfect one, but it will be something my daughter will never forget."
Seeing her mother's confident face, Xi Bao sighed helplessly, "Sigh! I think it's more like being frightened."
He could picture what his mother's birthday cake would look like—either flat or square, but definitely not round.
Su Niannian looked at Xibao's disdainful expression with surprise, and scolded him lightly with dissatisfaction: "You brat, you don't trust your old mother at all? My ability to accept things is quite remarkable."
She thought to herself, whether it's a shock or a surprise, it will be something that Nannan will never forget.
Xi Bao had originally convinced her mother to go out for dinner, but the older girl changed her mind at the last minute and wanted to cook noodles at home. Her mother actually agreed, and now she's making a birthday cake.
And Nannan is the same. Wouldn't it be better to go out for a nice meal? Why eat noodles at home and make a birthday cake?
If his mother knew how to cook, that would be fine, but his mother doesn't know how to cook at all!
He suddenly couldn't understand what the two women in front of him were doing or what they were thinking.
Uncle Lin Fei once said that a woman's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea; men like them can never truly understand a woman's thoughts.
Xi Bao now finally understands the helplessness that Uncle Lin Fei felt when he said those words.
Before Xi Bao could finish his reflection, Su Niannian's voice rang in his ears again: "Good son, go to Grandma's house and get the cream for the cake. Nannan and I will go prepare the other ingredients first."
Xi Bao couldn't resist his mother calling him "good son," so even though he was unwilling, he had no choice but to reluctantly run to his maternal grandmother's house.
He thought that if his great-uncle were home, he would invite him over to cook, so that at least his stomach wouldn't be harmed.
Su Niannian and Nannan were busy in the kitchen, cracking eggs and making dough, having a great time.
A moment later, Xi Bao and Su Niannian's uncle came over with cream and some side dishes for cooking. Su Niannian's uncle was in charge of cooking, while Su Niannian, along with Xi Bao and Nannan, were in charge of making the cake.
The house of Grandma Nannan was originally quiet and deserted, but now the whole room is filled with a warm and touching atmosphere.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com