Chapter 12 The Pastry Shop
After strolling around town at noon, I decided to take action immediately and bought the shop. Squeezing my empty purse, my brows furrowed again. "What's done is done," I thought, "I've always been adaptable." But since I had to stay here, I needed a roof over my head to shelter from the wind and rain; hiding in that thatched hut with a group of beggars wasn't a long-term solution.
Ever since I bought this shop, Gou'er has been in a state of excitement. "Sister, is this house really ours?" He plopped down on the ground, looking completely incredulous.
I laughed and pulled him up. "Yes, ours."
The dog's cheeks were flushed with excitement; it was so happy that even its previous little temper had disappeared.
It's time to light the lamps.
I sat cross-legged on the tatami mat, my brows furrowed, staring intently at the recipe in my hands.
"Sister, is this house really ours now?" The dog walked past me for the nth time, repeating the same question for the nth time.
I raised my hand and pressed my forehead, then repeatedly hummed in agreement.
I, Pei Xiao, am basically strong, brave, and indomitable—almost like an unkillable cockroach. I'm also incredibly capable and can handle anything… The only downside is that nobody's perfect…
"Sister, what are you looking at?" Gou'er came up and looked at me curiously.
"Look at the recipe."
"Is this colorful thing called a recipe?" the dog asked, full of curiosity.
"Um."
"Is my sister a good cook?" Gou'er looked at me, his beautiful eyes filled with admiration.
A taut vein on my forehead snapped open, my lips twitched a few times, and I gritted my teeth.
Nobody's perfect... What hardships haven't I endured since I was a child?
I still remember that time when the auntie in the welfare home's canteen wasn't feeling well, and as the eldest sister, I took the initiative and showed off my skills.
As a result... only Aman attended, and the consequence of her attendance was... Aman suffered from diarrhea for three whole days...
Staring dejectedly at that mouthwatering recipe, I felt utterly frustrated...
I listlessly turned the page. It was the dessert category, and among the densely packed various desserts, one was highlighted with a red pen, making it stand out.
"Rouge Cake?" The book's owner must really like this pastry, given that it's highlighted so prominently. I patiently continued reading, and the recipe was clearly much simpler than the previous ones.
"Rouge Cake, what a lovely name," said the dog.
I looked up and smiled, "Is it nice?"
"Yes!" the dog nodded.
I turned to look at Aman, who had been sitting silently all along, and asked, "Aman, is it nice?"
"Mm." Aman nodded obediently.
"Alright! It's decided! We'll sell rouge cakes!" I stood up, full of pride.
The next day, after buying millet, red beans, honey, and other ingredients, I took the recipe and began to study how to make rouge cake with great concentration.
"Doggy, have a taste..." I smiled and handed a piece of the rouge cake that had taken shape to the dog's mouth.
Despite his less-than-ideal appearance, Gou'er probably remembered the stinky tofu from their first meeting. Although the tofu smelled bad, it tasted amazing, so he didn't hesitate for a second before swallowing it.
"How is it?" I asked, looking at him expectantly.
The dog stretched its neck with difficulty and swallowed, its face turning red from holding it in.
"how?"
The dog looked at me and shook its head heavily.
My heart sank immediately. "Failure is the mother of success!"
"Yeah! Go for it, sister!" Hearing such encouraging words, Gou'er also perked up and then looked at Aman beside her, "You should help out too, don't just stand there."
Aman nodded, looking extremely obedient.
As darkness fell, I was covered in sweat and powder, and turned back again, "Doggy, come and have a taste..."
"Sister..." the dog said with a look of fear, "I've already eaten dozens of pieces, I can't eat anymore..."
Aman stared at the rouge cake in my hand and kept shaking his head.
I'm discouraged; those two heartless bastards.
Sigh, I've spent almost all my money on this room. Could it be that... I should go back to my old job tomorrow?
"Don't miss out, the fragrant and sweet Rouge Cake..." With my long hair tied up high and dressed in simple blood-blue men's clothing, I stood at the entrance of the pastry shop and shouted at the top of my lungs.
Accepting fate? Those two words don't exist in my dictionary!
On a summer morning, before the sun becomes scorching, a gentle breeze blows, making it quite refreshing.
"Come and see, rouge cake..."
I shouted until my voice was hoarse, but not a single person came...
I looked down at my masterpiece. Although the taste was questionable, I had worked hard all day yesterday, so at least the appearance was passable... Why was it so unappealing...?
I glanced back at the dog sweeping the floor and narrowed my eyes.
The dog shivered and looked back at me suspiciously. "What do you want, sister?"
"Why aren't you wearing the clothes I bought for you that day?" I stared at him, noticing his grey cloth robe.
"I……"
"Go change."
"Sister!" the dog said, somewhat annoyed.
"Go change it, immediately, right now." I said softly through gritted teeth, smiling.
A moment later, a pretty little girl emerged from behind the curtain. She was petite with delicate features, and although her face was gloomy, it did not diminish her beauty in the slightest.
"Come, come, come..." I grabbed the dog and pulled it to stand beside me, then shouted at the top of my lungs, "Come and see, come and see... Rouge Cake... Don't miss it if you're passing by..."
"Passing by..." The dog imitated him and also shouted loudly.
I grabbed him and said, "Shut up."
The dog looked at me suspiciously. "What's wrong, sister?"
“I’ll take care of the rough guy, you just need to stand here,” I said with a smile, reaching out to pinch his cheek. “Smile like this…”
The dog immediately blushed and froze on the spot.
"Little girl, how much is this rouge cake?" Look, a customer has come in, but the customer isn't asking me, but the dog whose mouth is twitching.
That night.
"Hahaha," I laughed, my eyes practically disappearing as I looked at the table full of coins. "Doggy, take these and buy some cosmetics," I said, handing out a few coins and pushing them generously in front of Doggy.
The dog had a dark expression on its face and ignored me.
"Look, still throwing a tantrum, hehe..." I was amused and turned to look at Aman. "Don't say I'm biased. Although your contribution wasn't much, everyone gets a share." I handed over a few more coins and said with a smile.
When he saw me smile, Cao Cao just smiled too.
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