Lu Xinyi washed her hands clean and wiped it dry with a clean cloth. She found then Lan Xiaoli drooling over the macarons they just finished making.
“So Miss Lan? Do you think you can make a better macaron now?” she asked, breaking the spell of the macarons to the young woman.
Lan Xiaoli nodded her head and beamed up. “Yes, Miss Lu. I think what you showed me tonight was very straightforward. I might need to practice more tonight. I’m really sorry for disturbing you and Presiden Shen. Thank you for helping me today!” she bowed several times to show her appreciation.
Lu Xinyi blushed a little and looked away. She wasn’t still being regarded as Shen Yi’s partner. She was glad though that Lan Xiaoli didn’t persist her with questions about the real nature of their relations.h.i.+p.
“It’s alright. Don’t mention it. I’m glad I can help someone in need. Though I’m really curious…”
“About what Miss Lu?”
“Why are you letting Wen Shufen bully you? As I can see you are capable. You just need to practice and take time to understand what you’ve learned but you aren’t that bad.”
Lan Xiaoli scratched her nape and blushed.
“That’s because I’m too nervous when we’re having cla.s.ses, and I don’t want to argue with Miss Wen, not when she could easily persuade Han Yixin to kick me out from the academy.”
That was the opening Lu Xinyi was waiting for. She sat near the counter and cupped her chin with one hand.
“Han Yixin? I’ve been hearing her name. I know she’s the current rank number ten but who is she anyway?”
Lan Xiaoli gasped and covered her mouth with one hand. She couldn’t believe that Lu Xinyi had no idea who Han Yixin was. Because of Wen Shufen, Han Yixin was popular for making the previous students leave Silver Leaf.
“Miss Lu, Han Yixin is Silver Leaf’s best patissier chef. No one has beat her on this theme before. She specializes in confectionery, particularly in creating western sweets and cakes. Because of her reputation, most confectionery and patisserie here seek her advice. ”
Lu Xinyi’s eyes glint with amus.e.m.e.nt which Lan Xiaoli missed.
‘Western sweets? Hehe, this will be interesting,’ Lu Xinyi thought.
“What about Wen Shufen? Has she been attending Silver Leaf for some time?”
Lan Xiaoli shook her head.
“No, Miss Lu. Wen Shufen has been here even before I started a year ago. I heard this was already her third year in this academy.”
Now, that narrative fit to what Qiao He had given her. This Wen Shufen was something else. She wasn’t a small fry that she initially thought she was. Lu Xinyi’s impression of her changed once she received the report from Qiao He.
Did Wen Shufen really though she can play with a devil without getting burned? Lu Xinyi will make sure she’ll never survive another semester in this academy.
“Miss Lu, I’m afraid that they might target you after this…” Lan Xiaoli said worriedly. She had heard the commotion between the two at the cafeteria but never thought she would be dragged on the issue.
“Don’t worry about me, Miss Lan. You only have to focus on what’s in your hands. Let them come after me, I’m sure they will not be disappointed with the outcome.”
“Why don’t you take a taste of those macarons? I’m sure you’re eager to compare the flavor and taste.” Lu Xinyi offered and opened the cover of the macarons.
“Really, Miss Lu? I’ll stay not say no to that.” Lan Xiaoli eagerly replied and took a macaron and gave it a good look.
The top of a macaron was smooth and well rounded, this exhibits just how much expertise the maker of the cookie wields. It had a crispy eggsh.e.l.l like top that was smooth and perfect with clean, small unbroken feet. The ratio between the sh.e.l.ls and the filling was also appropriate.
Lan Xiaoli then took a bite, trying to suppress her growing hunger but failed. With a first bite, she noticed it’s chewiness and softness without any air s.p.a.ces in-between unlike the previous macarons she made earlier.
The cookie was whole and didn’t splinter into many pieces when bitten. The filling was smooth, firm, light, and not sticky. Aside from a few wayward crumbs that fell, eating Lu Xinyi’s macaron was clean. The filling didn’t squish out of the cookie nor leave a residue on Lan Xiaoli’s teeth.
Her eyes closed and hummed in delight once the sweet pastry reached her taste buds. The filling didn’t overwhelm the overall construction of the macaron by being overstuffed or under stuffed. It had a balance of sweetness and all the other flavors in it. The taste was even and moderate both inside and out.
Lan Xiaoli felt like crying once again. She wanted to throw her arms at Lu Xinyi for helping her and giving her a chance to taste the most delicious pastry she just had in her entire life.
“How is it?” Lu Xinyi’s voice brought Lan Xiaoli back to reality. She opened her eyes and saw the half-eaten macaron in her hand.
“Perfection. Simply perfect.” She gave Lu Xinyi a bright smile. She decided right then that she’ll follow and support Lu Xinyi during her stay at Silver Leaf. She knew she could learn more from this woman than anyone else.
Lu Xinyi made it look like it was easy to make a macaron when everyone knows how extremely tricky and difficult to do it. Lan Xiaoli didn’t mind selling herself to the devil (Lu Xinyi), if she’ll have a chance to eat delicious meals and pastries like this macaron.
“I’m glad you like it.”
After discussing more about the macarons and her exams tomorrow, Lan Xiaoli bid goodbye and say her thanks to the woman who just extended an olive branch to save her. Now, her eyes were clear and didn’t believe the public’s opinion about Lu Xinyi.
The woman was capable in the kitchen, alright, but her relations.h.i.+p with President Shen was something personal that others have no say on. Lan Xiaoli wished people would stop talking bad about Lu Xinyi, not aware that she was also being used by the devil herself.
“Are you sure you want to help her?” Shen Yi’s voice startled Lu Xinyi once Lan Xiaoli was out of sight. She grinned when she saw his clothes changed into a casual one.
“President Shen might as well live here if you’re going to be like this,” she teased, gripping the sleeve of his s.h.i.+rt. “As for Miss Lan, I’m not really helping her.”
Shen Yi had seen the mischief on her tone.
“Good idea, Xinxin. Maybe I can convince headmistress Han to move here with you.” he nodded to himself as if pleased with the idea he came up with.
“I’m just joking, Yi!”
“You are letting her do your dirty work? I didn’t know you can be this lazy, Xinxin.”
Lu Xinyi laughed at that and slapped his arm.
“If someone can do it for me, why would I tire myself?”
Her husband nodded before crossing his arms on his chest.
“Dear, you know as the young madam of our family. You can simply tell those idiots to f.u.c.k off and mind their own businesses. You are my wife and anything that belongs to me, belongs to you. So as long as you wish to, no one will dare to obstruct your way. It’s just you don’t want to handle things that way.”
“It’s not that I’m ashamed of being your wife.” Lu Xinyi explained, “If you only know how I want to tell the world that you are mine but not yet… I’m content as long as I have you. People can a.s.sume what they want. I am not responsible for what they understand and actions.”
“But for you to use Miss Lan than seeking me for help?”
“Then surely President Shen needs to know more about me,” she replied with a wink.
Shen Yi stared at his wife for a moment before mumbling something to himself.
“I think it’s time for me to eat.” He said seductively, but Lu Xinyi took it as he would like to join her for dinner.
“Ah? Are you hungry let me check if I can…” but her words were cut off when Shen Yi picked her up and throw her over his shoulder. “Yi! What do you think you’re doing?! Bring me down!”
“Stop struggling!” His hand came down to spank her b.u.t.t, surprising Lu Xinyi. Did he just spank her?!
“President Shen! You pervert!” she yelled as she hit his back trying to get his attention. Shen Yi then headed to her bedroom and closed the door with his heel.
“Me? Pervert? Only to you, wife. Now let me show you what pervert really means.” he countered.
Lu Xinyi covered her blus.h.i.+ng face with both of her hands. She sighed to herself when Shen Yi started peeling off her clothes from her body. Another long night indeed.