In the two days after Yun Manman woke up, she found that everything had returned to normal.
Yuan Qing was sent to the hospital, received effective treatment, and his recovery was going well.
The Beastfiend's corpse was taken away by professional beastmen for disposal.
Since the Beastfiend's attack was confined to the interrogation room, it did not cause much impact.
No one had any objections to Yuan Qing and the Giant Snake's attack and killing of the Beastfiend.
After all, it was a consensus among all beastmen in Kashida that any discovered Beastfiend should be killed without exception.
Regardless of whether it was once someone you knew.
The moment a beastman turns dark and becomes a Beastfiend is the moment they die and return to the embrace of the Beast God.
Yun Manman returned to her dessert shop and resumed normal business. There were still as many customers coming in every day, and her capable employee Yin Qian remained as busy as ever.
However, whenever she saw the empty basket in the corner of the counter, she would stare blankly for a few seconds.
Jin Luo started visiting Yun Manman more frequently.
Although she knew Jin Luo was worried about her, this dairy cat's constant hovering and nagging was really annoying.
"Manman, how did you whip this cream like this?"
"And what's this? It looks like a ball."
Yun Manman swatted away Jin Luo's handsome face that was peering close to her, almost wanting to squeeze the cream in her hand onto his face.
"Jin Luo! You look like a ball!"
"Is the police station very idle? Don't you need to work?"
Jin Luo wasn't upset by Yun Manman pushing him away, still grinning: "It's indeed quite free these past two days."
"I came to see if you needed any help."
"No!" Yun Manman said firmly.
This dairy cat was clumsy, not even a thousandth as good as Yin Qian.
She had just asked him to bring over a plate, and he had flattened one of the cream puff shells she had just made.
It angered Yun Manman so much that she wanted to hit his head hard with a rolling pin.
Cream puffs may seem simple, but they are actually quite intricate to make.
Softened butter is mixed with powdered sugar, then flour is added and mixed until it becomes crumbly. It's then kneaded into a cylinder, wrapped in wax paper, and refrigerated until it reaches the right consistency. Then it's taken out and sliced - this forms the flaky crust of the cream puff.
Butter, milk, and sugar are boiled in a pot, then sifted flour is stirred in to form a dough. Eggs are then added and beaten with a mixer until the batter is smooth. It can then be put into a piping bag and squeezed onto a baking sheet.
Finally, the sliced flaky crust is placed on top of the batter, and it's put into the oven to bake.
Whipped cream is squeezed into the cream puff through a small hole at the bottom, completing the cream puff.
If the batter isn't made properly, or if the baking temperature and time aren't right, the cream puffs might collapse.
Yun Manman bent slightly, carefully squeezing the cream from the piping bag into the cream puffs.
Cream puffs made this way, after being chilled in the refrigerator for a while, will have a crispy, soft, and fragrant exterior, with a filling as smooth and cold as ice cream, full of milky flavor.
You can also cut them in half and add diced mango, strawberries, or even crushed Oreos - all are extremely delicious.
Oh, this world doesn't have Oreo cookies yet.
Oreo cookies should need cocoa powder, right? The cocoa beans she had fermented with Qiqi were still fermenting.
Thinking of Qiqi, Yun Manman was lost in thought for a moment.
Then she shook her head and continued with her work.
Yun Manman's long, smooth light brown hair was braided into a plait that hung over her chest, and the fine hair at her forehead made her look fluffy and cute.
Her long, curled eyelashes were slightly lowered, like the wings of a resting butterfly.
Her slightly chubby, cute cheeks were tense, her face full of seriousness and concentration.
I really want to pinch them.
Jin Luo rested his chin on his hand, watching Yun Manman, his eyes full of affection and tenderness.
"Hey, let me try one," he said.
Yun Manman didn't even look up: "Pay up, nine Cloth Currency each, thank you."
Jin Luo complained: "I've been helping you for so long, you can't even give me one for free? Stingy cat."
"You call this helping? You almost tore down my preparation room! And you want me to give you one for free? Dream on..."
Yun Manman was about to get angry, but then had a thought and changed her words mid-sentence: "I can give you one, only if..."
Jin Luo eagerly asked, his eyes shining: "Only if what?"
Yun Manman quickly said: "Only if you tell me who Qiqi really is! And where Qiqi went!"
Since leaving the police station that day, Yun Manman hadn't seen her little snake again.
Even now, she still thought of Qiqi as her little snake.
It was hard for her to connect that huge snake and the man with her cute and beautiful little white snake.
That day, she had also seen Qiqi lying on the ground motionless, seemingly injured.
Yun Manman was very worried about him and hoped to get an explanation.
Rather than losing a family member in such an unclear manner.
She had asked everyone at the police station, but they all kept quiet about Qiqi, as if they had signed some kind of confidentiality agreement.
The more they refused to talk, the stronger Yun Manman's worry and curiosity became.
Yun Manman's worried cat ears drooped: "They all refuse to tell me. Jin Luo, can you tell me secretly?"
"I promise I won't tell anyone else."
Yin Qian, standing nearby, also pricked up his ears.
When he received the call from the police station to pick up his boss, he had also seen Deputy Officer Lu pacing in the police station with a grave expression, making a phone call. Yin Qian only heard something about a "snake".
Yin Qian was about to step forward and salute Lu Xi, but Lu Xi stopped him with a raised hand.
Lu Xi sent him a message on the communicator: "Don't ask. Don't reveal your identity. Protect Yun Manman well."
Yin Qian had no choice but to take good care of Yun Manman obediently.
In fact, it was also the first time he had seen Deputy Officer Lu with such a serious expression. He guessed it might have something to do with that snake beastman.
To be honest, Yin Qian was also a bit curious.
Just a little bit.
Jin Luo scratched his ear helplessly.
They certainly wouldn't dare tell you! He didn't dare either!
The entire police station had been given strict orders that absolutely nothing about the snake beastman could be leaked.
All beastmen had not only sworn an oath before the Beast God statue, but also signed agreements, and of course, received hush money.
Officially, it was only reported that a darkened Beastfiend had been subdued by police weapons.
Jin Luo was certain that if he dared to speak out, he wouldn't need to come to work tomorrow.
Looking at the pitiful expectation in Yun Manman's eyes, he helplessly spread his hands: "I don't dare to say. If I did, I'd disappear from Lili Town tomorrow."
"Is it that serious?" Yun Manman asked in surprise.
It seems Qiqi's identity must be very high and noble, she deduced.
Unable to get any information from Jin Luo, Yun Manman heartlessly shooed him away: "Go on then, you're of no use now."
"Go back to work."
Jin Luo made a pleading gesture: "No! At least give me one of those round things."
Yun Manman packed two cream puffs for him while complaining: "Go, go, go! What round thing, these are called cream puffs!"
Jin Luo contentedly accepted the desserts made by his love interest, taking out his communicator to transfer money to her.
As he was leaving, he hesitated and said: "Manman, I think you should stop thinking about that snake."
"His identity is not something you and I can touch."
Jin Luo had naturally also seen that giant snake turn into a man.
The rank of the military officer surnamed Lu who rushed over that day made him realize that this snake beastman's identity was extraordinary.
When he thought about how such a male beastman had lived with Yun Manman for so long in the form of a pet snake, his heart ached with jealousy.
Hearing his words, Yun Manman was stunned for a moment.
Then she lowered her head, her fallen hair hiding her expression.
Jin Luo only heard her say softly: "Alright, I understand."