Since there wasn't enough time to make cheesecake, Yun Manman had prepared a regular strawberry cream cake, but it was still delicious enough.
The cake base was fluffy and rich with egg aroma. The cream was smooth and sweet without being cloying. Even the strawberries were freshly picked of the best variety, juicy and delightfully sweet. Together, they formed a perfect strawberry cake.
The Marguerite cookies were especially small and adorable, just the right size for one bite. Even before they reached one's mouth, they were already crumbling delicately in hand.
The Yunzheng beast-people buried their faces in the treats, eating voraciously. Their mouths were rimmed with white cream, and their faces beamed with happiness and contentment.
"This is so delicious!"
"As expected of our little sister! She's so talented!"
"I've seen posts online about how good the desserts from 'Perfect Sweets Shop' are, but never had the chance to try them. I can't believe it was our Manman who opened it. It's really so delicious!"
The big cats couldn't stop praising Yun Manman even as they ate. Yun Manman's tail perked up high from all the compliments from her "praise squad".
She humbly said, "I only provided the recipe. It was actually Chef Lin from the Singing Snake Mansion who made it. His skills are amazing! He's super talented!"
"But it's still thanks to our Manman's guidance!"
"That's right!"
"I can't even imagine how happy I'd be if I could eat this every day!"
Yan Xi stroked the little cat's fluffy head, smiling as he said, "Manman, why don't you open a dessert shop in the Imperial Capital too?"
"I have a building facing the main street in the city center that's currently empty. Why don't you use it to open a dessert shop?"
In truth, Yan Xi was hoping Manman would move to the Imperial Capital so they could see each other more often.
Yun Manman hesitated, "But I still have my dessert shop in Lili Town..."
The Perfect Sweets Shop in Lili Town was Yun Manman's first dream when she came to this world. She certainly couldn't let it go.
But her family was in the Imperial Capital.
Yan Xi continued, "It's alright, we can send people to manage it."
Yan Jiao also chimed in, "That's right, that's right. If you stay in the Imperial Capital, we can see each other often."
"Just open a branch in the Imperial Capital! I'll invest 50,000 Cloth Currency first!"
Xiao Xiao: "Then I'll invest 60,000!"
"I'll take care of the interior design of Manman's dessert shop! I'll contact my classmate who's an interior designer."
"I'll be responsible for the equipment in the shop. I guarantee to buy the best, absolutely bulletproof and explosion-proof!"
Another big cat scoffed, "Do you think it's a weapon? Why does it need to be bulletproof and explosion-proof?"
That big cat jumped up, "Why not! It's for maximum safety!"
Yun Manman sat in Yan Xi's arms, listening to her brothers and sisters arrange the dessert shop in just a few words. Her heart felt warm and fuzzy.
"Okay then, Manman thanks all the big brothers and sisters!"
"Oh, don't mention it, don't mention it..."
Yan Xi looked at these boisterous rascals with satisfaction, thinking to himself that these troublemakers were actually quite useful at crucial moments.
He then seized the opportunity to suggest, "Why don't you move to the Yunzheng Mansion to live?"
Yun Manman thought for a moment. She had pretty much finished the mental guidance for Lu Qi, and as for the experimental institute, Yan Ye could also take her there.
So she might as well go home to live!
Home! Just thinking about it made the cat happy!
The little orange cat nodded vigorously, "Okay, I'll live with Mom!"
Yan Xi had never smiled so happily before. Even the small scar under his eye seemed to bloom like a flower. "Mm-hmm, let these rascals help you move your things."
The atmosphere at the Imperial Capital's Military Affairs Office had been tense and cold these past two days. Even though the temperature control system showed normal readings, a chill seemed to radiate from the General's office to the surrounding areas.
The office staff in the military building didn't dare to speak loudly.
Even Lu Xi didn't dare to chatter anymore. He would report to Lu Qi and then run, afraid that the grim-faced general would catch him and start lecturing.
Being lectured was one thing, but the general's words were like knives. After a day, his heart would be full of wounds.
After a day's work, it wasn't his body that was tired, but his spirit.
Lu Qi couldn't understand how he had just gone to the military camp for a while, and when he returned home, the cat had packed up and left.
All that remained was a message on the communicator: "General, I've gone back home to live! Thank you for taking care of me during this time!"
She even sent a cute sticker of a little cat saying thanks at the end.
Lu Qi glared at this sticker, wishing he could burn a hole through the electronic screen with his eyes.
Damn it!
He had no reason to bring Yun Manman out of the Yunzheng Mansion.
The Singing Snake was so dejected that even the scales on his tail lost their luster.
In the office, after Lu Xi finished reporting the progress of the investigation to Lu Qi, he looked at the listless Lu Qi and hesitated for a moment before finally asking:
"General, I heard that Miss Yun has returned to the Yunzheng Mansion? How are you going to pursue her now?"
Lu Qi didn't even want to speak. He just lay dejectedly in his chair.
Oh no, the general didn't even scold him today.
It seems the general was truly depressed.
Lu Xi thought for a moment and began to offer advice to Lu Qi: "General, when pursuing a female, you need to have thick skin. Otherwise, you won't be able to win a mate. We need to create opportunities..."
"I see that Miss Yun really likes fluffy things. Although you're not a mammal, you have a beautiful pair of wings, and your figure is top-notch. Look, if worse comes to worst, we could sacrifice a bit of your sex appeal..."
Lu Qi's ears were turning red.
What did he mean by sacrificing sex appeal!
He threw the electronic pen in his hand at Lu Xi. "Keep your mind out of the gutter!"
"I see your whole chameleon self has turned yellow!"
"To prevent you from getting beaten up on the battlefield, go take your men and search the forests around the Imperial Capital right now. It'll clear your head!"
The forests around the Imperial Capital weren't particularly deep, but they were vast. Searching them during the rainy season would be quite a challenge.
Lu Xi, having been scolded, actually felt better.
He happily accepted the order: "Yes, sir."
After Lu Xi left, the office became quiet again.
After being riled up like that, Lu Qi actually felt a bit more energetic.
He thought about what Lu Xi had said, scratched his head, and pursed his lips as he sent a message to Director Xu.
"Old Xu, is it not possible to do the next experiment yet?"
Far away at the research institute, Old Xu felt an inexplicable sense of urgency. He pushed his students: "Hurry up! The general must be rushing for progress!"
After a full day of rain, it finally stopped for a while in the evening.
The moon, unseen for a long time, finally peeked out from behind the thick clouds, casting down its silvery light.
The garden after the rain was filled with a fresh scent, and the moonlight added a touch of mystery to it.
Yun Manman, wearing a light yellow nightgown with lace trim, leaned against the floor-to-ceiling window, admiring the scenery outside.
A gentle breeze blew by, lifting the still slightly damp ends of her hair that fell on her shoulders.
The wound on her hand had healed mostly. As long as she didn't lift heavy objects, it wouldn't hurt, so Yun Manman had transformed back into her human form.
Human form was indeed more convenient.
These past two days, her brothers and sisters had been taking her around the Yunzheng Mansion and the Imperial Capital, having fun. She was living a life of warmth and excitement that she had never imagined before.
Yun Manman closed the window, preparing to turn back to bed and sleep.
Suddenly, there was a light sound of fluttering wings from the balcony. Yun Manman's ears perked up, and she looked over vigilantly.
"Who's there?"