Chapter 161: Chapter 154: Technology and Shady Tricks

Clearly, I remembered putting the peony pastries on the kitchen counter, so why are they not there now?

Yang Yuxi frowned unwittingly, starting to wonder if there was something wrong with her memory.

Could it be that I worried the peony pastries weren’t suitable to be left out for too long, so I hurriedly put them in the fridge when I returned?

With this small doubt, she instinctively opened the fridge.

However.

Aside from a few bottles of milk and some fresh fruit, there was absolutely no trace of the peony pastries in the fridge.

This result left her greatly disappointed, unable to keep from anxiously muttering to herself, “Where on earth did they go? Could they have collectively sprouted legs and run away?”

As soon as she said “ran away,” the hurried backs of her parents suddenly flashed in her mind.

Thinking back now…

Their behavior at the time was indeed somewhat unusual…

Could it be…

This bizarre disappearance of the peony pastries is really related to Dad and Mom?

What shocked her even more was discovering the trash bag in the trash can had also vanished.

This detail convinced her it’s not just a simple disappearance, but a nefarious family internal theft case.

The suspects not only ate her peony pastries, but also took the trash bag from the trash can, trying to cover up the crime, even attempting to flee in fear…

She truly never anticipated…

She had guarded against those colleagues fiercely eyeing her in kindergarten, but couldn’t guard against her own Dad and Mom at home!

This truly proves the saying, “Day and night guard, but a family thief is hard to guard against.”

This result…

Made her feel extremely frustrated and crazy inside…

After all, the peony pastries personally made by Huang Jun are hard to buy even with money…

Missing this opportunity might mean waiting for a year, and there’s no guarantee she can taste them again…

Because she’s unsure if next year’s Teacher’s Day, Huang Jun will still make pastries for the three of them, or if he does, they may not be peony pastries…

“Boohoo… I haven’t even tasted one, you guys should at least leave me some to try…”

“So unfair, so unfair… Is this how you act as parents?”

Thinking of her parents’ actions, her heart felt cold.

Thus…

Unable to hold back her anger, she immediately went to the living room, picked up her phone, and dialed her mom.

The phone’s ringtone echoed in the empty room, sounding particularly piercing.

Finally.

The call was answered!

From the other end, Shu Meiling’s familiar and affectionate voice came through: “Xiaoxi, what’s up? Anything you need?”

Yang Yuxi took a deep breath, trying to keep her tone calm: “Mom, I just want to ask you about the gift box in the black bag I left on the kitchen counter. Did you see it?”

After a brief silence.

Shu Meiling’s voice came through again, but this time it was somewhat hesitant: “What black bag? I didn’t see it…”

Liar!

Outright liar!

Listening to her mom’s tone, Yang Yuxi was completely sure, but she tried to stay calm and continued asking: “The black bag, with very important items inside.”

However, just then.

Her mom’s vague voice came through: “Hello, hello, Xiaoxi, the signal here isn’t great, I can barely hear you…”

The next second…

The call was cut off, leaving only the “beep beep beep” disconnection tone echoing in her ear.

Covering up, equals truth!

Alright!

Using this trick with me now!

Yang Yuxi was so mad she could feel her teeth itching, wishing she could immediately grab a forty-centimeter knife and confront her mom to force a confession.

She didn’t believe that with the knife at her mom’s neck, her mom would still refuse to confess?

Of course.

This was just a momentary impulsive thought, not something she’d act on!

“If you don’t confess, someone else will!”

She tapped a few buttons on the phone, dialing her dad instead.

The ringtone only rang a few times before the call was answered.

This time she chose a different strategy, speaking in a sobbing voice: “Dad, my peony pastries in the kitchen disappeared, I searched the whole kitchen but can’t find them. I remember clearly putting them on the stove, so how did they suddenly vanish?”

Yang Deyi, a doting father, softened instantly upon hearing his daughter’s sobs, quickly admitting: “Xiaoxi, don’t be sad, and stop looking. Actually, this is how it happened—your box of peony pastries was simply too delicious, and your mom and I couldn’t resist, so we ate them all.”

He originally wanted to add: “You don’t know how my mom and I nearly fought over that box of peony pastries,” but knowing such words would only make his daughter angrier, he quickly stopped.

Hmph!

You guys sure enjoyed them!

But did you ever think about your daughter?

Just as she was about to criticize Yang Deyi for a bit, she heard his apologetic voice from the other end of the call: “Xiaoxi, it was my fault. To make up for your loss, I’ll buy you a bag!”

After all, a bag cures all ills!

Yang Yuxi refused without a second thought, “No way!”

Yang Deyi was at a loss for words: “…”

Don’t panic, it’s not a big deal…

There’s nothing a handbag can’t solve, if there is, then two…

“Then I’ll buy you two…”

“No! I just want my peony pastry.”

Yang Deyi: “…”

Why isn’t this trick working?

Why doesn’t the handbag appeal anymore?

You should know, whenever Yang Yuxi was upset in the past, all he had to do was offer to buy a bag, and it would work instantly. But today, even two bags can’t ease her anger.

Sigh!

Indulging for a moment is satisfying, but coaxing a daughter is a whole different story…

Then, he used all his tricks, persuading his daughter for half the day…

…

Rewinding a bit, Xie Jianing was riding her little scooter, humming a tune as she headed home.

She rode at a particularly slow pace, almost like she was walking.

The reason was simple.

She was afraid that riding too fast would shatter the peony pastries in the gift box.

Finally home, Xie Jianing carefully placed the gift box on the coffee table in the living room, then hurried to wash her hands. Upon returning, she immediately took out her phone and opened the camera app.

Let the camera feast first!

Cough, cough, after all, there are only three pieces of peony pastry, and she’s got one all to herself, so she just had to commemorate the occasion!

With the “click, click” sounds of the shutter, the beauty of the peony pastry was perfectly captured on her phone screen.

Xie Jianing admired her work with satisfaction, then shared the photos in a small group chat of seven, letting her friends envy and be jealous…

Then, she picked up a peony pastry lightly, lay back leisurely on the sofa, and took a bite.

Just one bite…

She was amazed by its crispy texture.

The outer layer was crispy, melting in the mouth!

The sweetness was perfectly balanced, not too sweet to be cloying, nor too bland to be tasteless.

In short, every bite was filled with a rich sweetness.

“Delicious, as expected, anything from Qingqing’s dad is bound to be tasty!” Xie Jianing exclaimed with satisfaction.

Just then.

There was a sudden sound from outside the door.

It was her mom, Liu Fengxia, returning.

As soon as Liu Fengxia entered, she saw her daughter, who was now a teacher, laying on the sofa like a sloth, one hand supporting her chin, the other holding a seemingly tempting pastry.

The aroma of the pastry had already reached her nose, but she couldn’t help but frown and start nagging, “Jianing, you’re so grown up, why do you still indulge in these sweets like a child? Don’t you know eating too many sweets is bad for your health? Especially these so-called internet-famous pastries, they say they’re made with technology and extreme methods. Eating too many can’t be good!”

“Oh mom, you’re so tired from playing mahjong, why start nagging as soon as you get back? Mom, listen, today’s pastry is not just any pastry. This was personally made by Chef Huang from our kindergarten, even cleaner and more hygienic than homemade. If you don’t believe me, give it a try.” Hearing her mom’s nagging gave Xie Jianing a headache, so she quickly sat up and pulled her mom over to the table, pushing the box of peony pastries in front of her mom.

“Here, these are the peony pastries made by Chef Huang from our kindergarten. Look, aren’t they beautifully crafted? Don’t they look like blooming peony flowers? Mom, I’m telling you, these peonies aren’t just pretty, they taste great too. I guarantee you’ll want more after trying one,” Xie Jianing said without blinking as she pointed at the box of peony pastries.

Liu Fengxia wasn’t unfamiliar with the name Chef Huang.

The reason was simple.

At every meal, her daughter couldn’t help but compare their food with the kindergarten chef’s, bluntly saying Chef Huang’s cooking was better, to the point where her ears were constantly buzzing with it.

Though she felt a bit helpless with her daughter’s words, she developed a strong interest in Chef Huang because of it.

At this moment!

Liu Fengxia walked closer to the table, the aroma of the pastry even stronger, she looked at the remaining peony pastries in the box, each one as exquisite as a blooming peony flower.

“You really know how to say nice things,” Liu Fengxia smirked with amused disdain, but sat down and said, “Alright, I’ll try this peony pastry then!”

Actually, she couldn’t resist the temptation of the pastry.

Xie Jianing quickly picked one up and handed it to her mom.

Liu Fengxia took it and gently took a bite.

The crispy outer layer and the sweet yet not cloying filling blended perfectly!

A flicker of surprise and satisfaction flashed in her eyes, “Hmm, this is really good. Not only is this peony pastry beautiful, but it also tastes great. It seems your kindergarten’s Chef Huang does have some skill.”

“See, I told you our kindergarten’s Chef Huang cooks delicious food. This peony pastry is his first time making it, but there are only three of them. I got one because I’m his daughters’ teacher.” Xie Jianing wasn’t surprised at her mom’s approval, because no one could resist Chef Huang’s cooking.

She felt a little proud of getting to taste this peony pastry!

But Liu Fengxia didn’t respond to Xie Jianing’s words, she kept eating one bite after another, getting more addicted, and unknowingly had already eaten two…

Seeing her mom reaching for two more, Xie Jianing quickly stopped her, “Mom, that’s enough, don’t overdo it…”

She hadn’t even finished speaking before her mom interrupted, “I’m your mom, I raised you with all my heart, what’s wrong with me eating a few of your peony pastries?”

Xie Jianing: “…”

How did this turn into moral coercion?

Had I known, I should have snuck into my room and eaten them alone!

Great, now…

It’s too late for regrets!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep