Yin Qian sensed he was being watched and quickly turned his head towards Lu Qi's direction.
He was momentarily stunned when he realized it was a pet snake.
Suddenly, he remembered Deputy Lu's instructions: to protect the pet snake raised by the Feline Beastman.
Recalling these words, Yin Qian carefully observed the small snake, committing its appearance to memory.
Yin Qian's personality was as bland as a piece of wood; he would diligently complete tasks assigned from above without questioning why.
In Yun Manman's words, he was simple-minded and pure.
The kind that capitalists both love and hate.
It would be easier to pique his curiosity by giving him a machine to study its structure than anything else.
Lu Qi noticed that Yin Qian had caught his gaze and inwardly praised him.
Not bad, so young yet so perceptive.
Usually, Lu Qi kept his spiritual power concealed. With his strength, avoiding detection of spiritual power fluctuations was child's play.
Now, in the eyes of all Beastmen, he was just a peculiar-looking pet snake.
After his interview, Yin Qian didn't leave. Instead, after checking with Yun Manman, he started his trial work immediately.
Yun Manman carefully explained to him how to take orders when customers arrive, how to store desserts, how to package them, and other related tasks.
After finishing her instructions, she began preparing today's desserts.
She asked Yin Qian to assist her.
In recent days, many customers had expressed their love for cheese flavors and hoped for more cheese-flavored cakes.
Yun Manman hadn't expected cheese to be so popular in the Beastmen world as well.
Indeed, cheese is power!
So, after much consideration, she chose to make a light cheesecake within the limited range of available ingredients.
Light cheesecake is an entry-level cheesecake, perfect for those trying cheese flavors for the first time.
Simple in appearance but with a taste that can make one fall in love at first bite.
Softened cream cheese was mixed with melted butter and kept warm for later use.
Sugar and cornstarch were added to egg yolks and mixed well. Milk was heated until it just began to bubble, then slowly poured into the egg yolk mixture while stirring. This mixture was then poured back into the pot and heated while stirring until it thickened, then removed from heat.
The butter and cream cheese mixture was then combined with the egg yolk and milk mixture.
The separated egg whites were beaten with sugar until soft peaks formed, then folded into the earlier mixture. Finally, it was baked in a water bath for half an hour.
After turning off the heat, it was left to steam for another half hour before being refrigerated for an hour.
The key to a light cheesecake lies in beating the egg whites properly and controlling the temperature.
The resulting cake has a rich cheese flavor, soft and light, melting on the lips like a delicate cloud.
During the mixing process, Lu Qi instinctively moved forward to take over the mixer and help, but was refused by Yun Manman.
"Little one, we're now a household that can afford to hire help. You don't need to work so hard anymore," she said.
She then handed the mixer to Yin Qian, carefully teaching him the proper mixing technique.
Lu Qi, his snake tail frozen in mid-air, stared intently at the back of the young man who had taken over his job.
He looked as if he might bore holes through him with his gaze.
The small snake angrily withdrew his tail, coiling back into the bamboo basket Yun Manman had specially prepared for him on the counter.
Hmph, if he wasn't needed, so be it.
He was happy to take it easy anyway.
He, a mighty general, didn't want to work for her in the first place. If it weren't for repaying a debt of gratitude...
Though he thought this way, the small snake's vertical pupils indicated he was somewhat displeased.
The tip of his tail behind him was still tracing circles in sync with Yin Qian's mixer.
As noon approached, several more people came for interviews, including the sugar glider lady who hadn't been seen for a while.
Yun Manman carefully questioned all the interviewees and arranged trial work times for them, asking them to return when it was time for their trials.
These Beastmen eagerly bought several pieces of dessert before leaving.
Only the rejected sugar glider lady, Mimi, continued to throw a tantrum.
"Ah, ah, ah, Boss, just take me on as an apprentice! I'll only come on weekends as a part-timer!"
"I can work for less pay too! Please let me come, wuwuwu..."
The phrase "less pay" almost made Yun Manman give in.
Fortunately, she controlled herself with her sense of morality: "...No, you're still in school."
Mimi was truly a high school student, currently in her second year, with a not-so-light academic workload.
Yun Manman didn't want her to neglect her studies by commuting back and forth for a part-time job at the dessert shop.
That would make her feel extremely guilty.
Hearing her words, Mimi stopped rolling on the floor. With a swift move, she sprang up from the ground and pointed straight at Yin Qian, who was wiping the counter.
"Isn't he a high school student too?!"
Before Yun Manman could speak, Yin Qian answered matter-of-factly: "I've already graduated from university."
Mimi: "!!!"
She widened her bright, round eyes in disbelief as she looked at Yin Qian.
His tall, slender figure and youthful, naive face made him look incredibly young.
Mimi turned to Yun Manman, seeking confirmation.
Yun Manman covered her mouth with her hand and coughed lightly twice: "Ahem, yes, Yin Qian has already graduated from university."
Mimi's face instantly turned ashen.
With a "poof," she transformed back into a sugar glider and collapsed on the chair, covering her eyes with her tiny pink paws, crying "yingwu yingwu."
Outside the dessert shop, filled with the aroma of sweet treats, the sun was shining brightly. But Yun Manman could almost see the dark clouds looming over the sugar glider's head.
She crouched down beside the chair, torn between laughter and sympathy, and stroked Mimi's fluffy head, comforting her: "There, there. When you graduate, if you still want to come, I'll welcome you anytime."
If my shop is still open then, Yun Manman added in her heart.
She continued, "Don't be sad. How about I give you a piece of light cheesecake? It's today's new product!"
The foodie Mimi removed her paws, revealing teary black eyes: "Really?"
Actually, she knew that being a high school student, Sister Yun would definitely not hire her.
But she was just so upset!
She also wanted to work at the dessert shop, surrounded by happiness every day, and learn how to make desserts.
After being sad for a few minutes and gently comforted by Sister Yun, she wasn't as heartbroken anymore.
Now hearing that Sister Yun wanted to give her food, she couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed.
Yun Manman scratched the soft fur under the sugar glider's chin and her bouncy ears, saying with satisfaction: "Yes! The new product is delicious. Want to try it?"
Mmm... so this is what a sugar glider feels like. The fur is soft and smooth, so nice to stroke~
Mimi, feeling comfortable from the petting, let out a sweet "hmm" sound. Her mother at home stroked her the same way.
"Then I want to try it too! But I'll pay for it, okay? I'm too embarrassed to freeload again, hehe."
Seeing that Mimi had cheered up, Yun Manman smiled too, revealing dimples on both cheeks: "Hmm... how about I give you a discount? The cheaper price can be my treat..."
The two girls, their moods now sunny after the rain, happily discussed what was delicious, creating a lively, harmonious, and joyful atmosphere.
Yin Qian, who had witnessed everything, looked on with confusion.
Huh? Why did that sugar glider who hadn't graduated want to work part-time?
Why did the boss want to give her food?
Wouldn't that lead to a loss?
The single-minded long-tailed tit couldn't understand the friendship and thought processes between girls, and simply couldn't comprehend their time-wasting communication and behavior.
Meanwhile, Lu Qi, coiled in his basket, stared for a few seconds at Yun Manman's hand as she stroked the sugar glider's fur.
Then he averted his gaze, lying limply in the basket like a dead snake.
Ah! He couldn't stand this impolite Feline Beastman anymore, always petting cats, teasing dogs, and now stroking mice.
Let the world be destroyed!