Osmanthus cake
“Xu Feifei, do you even believe what you’re saying? Last time you ate a ton of snacks before dinner, but your appetite didn’t diminish at all during the meal, and you ate two big bowls of food.” Nangong Ye exposed her without hesitation.
“Well, my appetite depends on the right time, place, and people; it’s unpredictable. You can’t define my appetite based on just one meal,” Xu Feifei argued.
Nangong Ye glanced at her, wondering what other stories she could come up with.
Lin Yuan got up and walked out of the living room.
"Lin Yuan, where are you going?" Xu Feifei quickly called out to her.
"I'm going to get something. You wait here."
Zhang Jia also said, "I remember there are desserts too. Feifei, if you're not full, eat more desserts later."
Xu Feifei nodded.
After a while, Lin Yuan pushed a small food cart up and placed the desserts on the table.
"Osmanthus cake!" Zhang Jiayi exclaimed happily.
The osmanthus cake served is different from the traditional osmanthus cake, which is made with pure glutinous rice. This osmanthus cake is more like a layered cake, with a layer of amber-colored jelly, a layer of coconut jelly, and topped with osmanthus sauce.
"Feifei, try it! This is really delicious," Zhang Jiayi excitedly introduced.
Xu Feifei scooped out a corner with a spoon. The texture was chewy and refreshing, with a subtle osmanthus flavor combined with a rich coconut aroma, topped with just the right amount of osmanthus sauce—the sweetness was perfect. After taking a bite, she couldn't help but exclaim, "It's really delicious!"
After saying that, he took another big bite, proving his point with his actions.
Lin Yuan smiled and watched her eat.
Zhang Jiayi picked up her dessert and said, "Yes, it was amazing when I ate it. It's a pity that I couldn't find it here again. Today I can finally eat it."
Hearing their comments, Nangong Ye's curiosity was piqued. He asked, "Is it really that delicious?"
"You should try it! I think it's delicious!" Xu Feifei said.
Nangong Ye looked at the osmanthus cake on the spoon, took a bite. He didn't comment, but his eyebrows rose slightly.
After Xu Feifei finished eating all the desserts on her plate, she asked, "Lin Yuan, is there any more?"
"There's none left, you can have mine!" Lin Yuan handed her her dessert.
"Ah! Just two pieces. I don't want them, you haven't eaten any!" Xu Feifei said, pushing the dessert back. As she did so, she inadvertently glanced at Grandma Xu wiping the frame of the traditional Chinese painting.
So she stood up and said, "I'll go check on Granny Xu. You all enjoy your meal."
Xu Feifei slowly walked to Grandma Xu's side, watching Grandma Xu carefully wipe the paintings, and asked curiously, "Hello Grandma Xu, are these two paintings newly hung up? I didn't see them when I came last time."
Grandma Xu chuckled and said, "Yes! My granddaughter brought it for me last week when she came. Isn't it pretty?"
"It's beautiful; I noticed it as soon as I came in. It just feels a little out of place with the rest of the room's decor."
Grandma Xu smiled kindly at her and said, "That's what I thought at first too. I originally planned to put it in my own bedroom. But my granddaughter said that displaying it here would allow more people to see the good painting. And it has been waiting for its destined owner. After seeing it so many times, I no longer find it out of place."
Xu Feifei stared at the two paintings with a puzzled look and asked, "What is the meaning behind these two paintings? Is this one about the Peach Blossom Spring?"
Grandma Xu turned her gaze back to the painting and said, "I don't know. I've been abroad for too long and don't have a deep understanding of traditional Chinese painting. I can see the surface meaning, but I don't understand the symbolism."
Then, she said with a smile, "If you're interested, you can come and take a look."
Xu Feifei shook her head and said, "I don't know much about traditional Chinese painting. I just think it's very beautiful and I like it very much."
"Feifei, would you like some dessert?" Lin Yuan walked over.
"Wasn't it gone?"
"I went to the kitchen just now and found there's still one left. Do you want some?"
"Eat! There's still some left. I thought it was all gone," Xu Feifei exclaimed in surprise.
Lin Yuan nodded and smiled at Granny Xu, glancing at the two paintings. Then, she followed Xu Feifei back to the dining table.
After wiping the picture frames, Grandma Xu rubbed her hands. She smiled and sighed, "I'm getting old; even a little work makes me tired." She slowly walked back to the kitchen.
At this moment, no one noticed that the two paintings seemed to move; a peach blossom slowly drifted down, and ripples on the water beside it spread outwards.
After finishing all the desserts, Xu Feifei patted her little belly and let out a satisfied burp.
Lin Yuan smiled and glanced at her, then got up to clear the plates off the table.
Seeing Lin Yuan's actions, Nangong Ye asked, "Lin Yuan, why are you working here? Are you short of money?"
Lin Yuan paused for a moment, without answering his question.
Upon hearing this, Xu Feifei and Zhang Jiayi couldn't help but look at Lin Yuan. She hadn't paid much attention to these things before, but now that the male lead had mentioned it, she noticed it too.
"Lin Yuan, come and tutor me. You decide the salary. How about it? It'll definitely be more than what you get working here," Nangong Ye said.
Upon hearing this, Xu Feifei frowned and looked at the male lead.
Just as she was thinking of what to say, Lin Yuan spoke up, "No need, thank you."
Seeing that Lin Yuan wouldn't accept, Nangong Ye took out a black card from his wallet and continued, "As long as you tutor me, I'll give you a black card. Unlimited limit, there are only three in the world. Once you miss it, it's gone."
"No need," Lin Yuan ignored Nangong Ye, tidied up the table, and pushed the food cart away.
But Nangong Ye became obsessed with it, taking out the black card from his wallet and trying to stuff it into Lin Yuan's hand.
Lin Yuan pushed him away, patted the spot he had touched, and said solemnly, "Nangong Ye, thank you for your concern. But I really don't need it."
Xu Feifei couldn't stand it anymore. "I have a black card too. If Lin Yuan is going to provide financial assistance, it should be me who does it! Besides, Lin Yuan is actually short of money. She's just here to help Grandma Xu!"
Zhang Jia also chimed in, "Exactly, you should tone down your excessive 'kindness'."
Just then, Granny Xu walked into the dining room and overheard their argument. She came over and stopped them, saying, "Xiao Ye, you've misunderstood. Yuan'er is just here to help me; she's not working for me."
Nangong Ye remained silent, looking at Lin Yuan with a puzzled expression, awaiting her reply.
Lin Yuan nodded and pushed the food cart out.
Seeing this, Xu Feifei also followed.
After a moment, only Nangong Ye and Zhang Jiayi remained in the restaurant, staring at each other blankly.
After a while, Zhang Jiayi couldn't stand it anymore and quickly caught up with Xu Feifei.
After Lin Yuan pushed the food cart into the kitchen, Xu Feifei wanted to help carry the dishes to the sink, but Lin Yuan stopped her, saying, "You can go out first. I can handle this."
"What's the big deal? Two people working together will make things twice as efficient," Xu Feifei said as she tidied up the dishes.
"By the way, Lin Yuan, you..."
"Feifei, let me help you!" Zhang Jiayi stepped forward and said.
Xu Feifei saw Zhang Jiayi coming over and asked, "Why are you here?"
“Me too!” Nangong Ye’s voice came from around the corner.
Xu Feifei was shocked. "The kitchen is so small, how can it accommodate so many people? You two can just wait outside."
Zhang Jia also volunteered, saying, "I've washed dishes before, I have experience! I guarantee I won't make things worse!"
Lin Yuan carefully placed the dishes into the dishwasher one by one. "There's a dishwasher here, so don't wash the dishes yourself."
Upon hearing this, Nangong Ye chuckled and mocked, "Looks like your ability to wash dishes isn't all that great!"
"Then may I ask, young master, what are your skills?" Zhang Jiayi deliberately emphasized the word "young master" and asked in return.
Watching the two of them bickering like elementary school kids, Xu Feifei couldn't help but push them out of the kitchen. "Just don't cause us any trouble. Just wait for us outside."
When they left the villa, the sky was already filled with stars. It was almost the fifteenth of the lunar calendar, and the moon was full and bright tonight.
They walked along the road, heading towards their dormitory.
“Jiayi, I remember you weren’t staying at the dormitory, right?” Xu Feifei asked.
"yes!"
Nangong Ye raised an eyebrow and said, "Then why are you coming with us?"
"I want to take Feifei and the other girl home; it's not safe to walk at night."
"With me here, we don't need you. You should leave now! Go, go, go!" Nangong Ye waved to Zhang Jiayi, signaling him to leave quickly, his tone a little impatient.
Zhang Jiayi snorted and said, "It's precisely because of you that it's not safe."
"What did you say! I've practiced martial arts since I was a child, I have real skills. I even participated in the national competition and won first prize." Nangong Ye felt that he had been underestimated and wanted to prove himself.
"Yes, yes, you're absolutely right!" Zhang Jiayi replied perfunctorily.
"What kind of attitude is this?!" Nangong Ye was instantly furious upon hearing his perfunctory tone.
"Hahaha! You two are arguing like elementary school kids!" Xu Feifei couldn't help but laugh as she listened to their argument.
Lin Yuan tilted her head and looked at her carefully, her eyes full of tenderness.
Hearing Xu Feifei's mockery, Nangong Ye became even angrier and said angrily, "What did you say? Xu Feifei!"
Hearing his tone, Xu Feifei knew something terrible had happened; the male lead was really angry. She suppressed a laugh and shook her head frantically.
Lin Yuan pursed her lips and gave Nangong Ye a dissatisfied look.
Zhang Jia also said to Xu Feifei from the side, "Maybe we both still have a childlike heart. Although I have a handsome and mature appearance, I still retain a childlike innocence in my heart."
After he finished speaking, he winked at her.
Upon hearing this, Xu Feifei couldn't hold back anymore. She laughed even harder than before, laughing so hard she was out of breath, "So, are you still watching Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf? Or Piggy Hero?"
"No, I believe in the light!" After saying this, Zhang Jiayi made a classic gesture.
Xu Feifei burst out laughing, walked over to Zhang Jiayi, and made the same gesture: "I also believe in light. Protecting the world and safeguarding peace is our responsibility."
Then, the two of them laughed together.
Lin Yuan watched their tacit interaction, her fists clenched tightly. She felt completely lost and had no idea what Feifei was saying. For a moment, she felt a surge of anger, along with a touch of helplessness.
Nangong Ye leaned closer to Lin Yuan and asked, "What are they doing?"
Lin Yuan said she didn't know.
Nangong Ye stroked his chin, wondering if they had any serious illnesses.
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