Because in a little while, she would be meeting Alice's appointment and traveling to Lanqi Country with Yan Ye.
So she was still thinking about calling the apprentices over first, teaching them the basics like baking cake bases and spreading cream, so that the apprentices could practice on their own while she was away in Lanqi Country.
By the time she returned from Lanqi Country, they would be ready to officially open for business.
"Yes, the egg whites should be beaten until they form stiff peaks that can stand up straight..."
Sisi, true to her cooking experience, was picking things up very quickly.
Under Yun Manman's guidance, she was gradually adapting to using the baking equipment.
Plus, Sisi was excellent at making vegetarian dishes!
Yesterday, Yun Manman had eaten a dish of "earth three fresh" made by Sisi, and it was simply out of this world!
In Kashida, where meat dishes were everywhere, this was incredibly precious.
Sisi somewhat clumsily poured the egg whites into the egg yolk batter and stirred, marveling, "So making desserts is different from cooking meals. Cooking is all about appropriate amounts, but with desserts, it can't be too much or too little."
"But why can't we stir in circles, and only fold from bottom to top?"
Yun Manman was delighted that Sisi had developed curiosity about dessert-making and was asking questions proactively.
Previously, Sisi had seemed to have lost her enthusiasm for life and was timid.
The cat explained, "Because folding prevents gluten formation and keeps the air bubbles intact. Gluten formation and losing air bubbles would prevent the cake from rising during baking..."
This was also why many people would get "frustrated" by chiffon cakes.
Just then, the wind chime at the door rang, and a familiar loud voice called out, "Is Manman here? I've come to apply for the apprentice position!"
Yun Manman poked her head out from the preparation area, and seeing it was Uncle Lin, she quickly washed her hands and came out.
"Oh, Uncle Lin, what brings you here?"
Mr. White-eared Bulbul's eyebrows twitched, "Is Manman still hiring apprentices?"
He turned in a circle in front of Yun Manman, his grayish-blue bird tail tracing a graceful arc.
"Do you think I'll do?"
Yun Manman nodded vigorously, "Of course you will!"
"But aren't you still the chef at the mansion?"
Uncle Lin waved his hand, "Oh, you're not at the mansion anymore, and the General rarely comes back, so I'm just sitting idle."
"So I came out to look for some part-time work, haha."
"I was even considering resigning from the mansion job, but the General said there was no need. If guests come to the house, I can just go back."
Yun Manman was stunned for a moment.
Then what does Qi Qi eat usually?
That day, Xiao Xiao drove Yun Manman to the research institute. As she got out of the car, Xiao Xiao reminded her, "If anything happens, remember to contact me. I'll be in the military building next door."
Yun Manman obediently nodded, "Okay, thank you, Sister Xiao Xiao."
Xiao Xiao smiled gently, "No need to thank me. You're the one working hard."
At the time when they learned that Yun Manman's spiritual power purity was ninety-nine percent, the whole family was stunned.
Then, when they heard she had been invited by General Lu Qi to assist with research at the institute, they felt proud of her again.
They all knew Yun Manman had the right to refuse, and understood the complications involved, but Yun Manman still chose to join the experimental plan, which was truly admirable.
Look, this is our Cloud Zheng's cub!
How excellent and selfless!
Yun Manman scratched her head embarrassedly, "I haven't really done much."
She bid farewell to Xiao Xiao and walked alone into the research institute.
Previously, Lu Qi had always brought her here. This was the first time she came to the institute by herself.
Moreover, the beast people coming and going here were all wearing white lab coats, looking every bit like elites, with a strong academic atmosphere. It reminded Yun Manman of her undergraduate dormitory mate from her previous life who did experiments, always returning with the look of a wrung-out ghost.
Yun Manman suddenly felt a bit of pressure, feeling a little timid.
It's okay, brave kitty, charge forward!
The institute was truly large, and Yun Manman had to ask for directions several times before finding Director Xu's laboratory.
Yun Manman stood in front of the lab door, took a deep breath, and raised her hand to press the visitor's bell beside the door.
A cute and pretty female experimenter wearing black-framed glasses opened the door.
She was remarkably tall, about 1.7 meters, with grayish-brown rabbit ears on her head, the tips of which were rimmed in black. Her eyes lit up when she saw Yun Manman, and she welcomed her in.
At this moment, Director Xu's voice rang out, "Cheng Beibei, is that Miss Yun who's arrived?"
The female beast person named Cheng Beibei nodded, "Yes, Director."
She then eagerly led Yun Manman inside.
Turning the corner, Yun Manman saw Lu Qi sitting beside Director Xu.
Lu Qi was wearing a white tank top, layered with a high-quality, loose dark green shirt. The shirt tails were tucked into black casual pants, the well-tailored trousers showcasing his long legs, while the belt subtly outlined his slim yet powerful waist.
He was sitting lazily in the chair, and upon hearing Yun Manman arrive, he turned his head to make eye contact with her, raising an eyebrow, "Finally here."
Yun Manman's gaze fell on the snake-shaped pendant glinting on his neck in the light and the nearby collarbone, thinking to herself that she rarely saw Qi Qi wear accessories.
She walked up to Lu Qi's side with light steps, "Why are you here?"
Strangely enough, the moment she saw Lu Qi, her slightly raised heart seemed to finally settle, and her mood lightened.
Lu Qi brushed the hair from his forehead, "Just checking on the progress of the experiment."
This experiment was initiated by Lu Qi, so it was only natural for him to come and inspect.
Director Xu beside them scratched his head, thinking to himself that he knew the General was here to hurry the progress!
He laughed it off, "Now that Miss Yun is here, shall we begin?"
Yun Manman changed into sterile clothing and entered the laboratory, releasing her spiritual power and starting operations under the guidance of the experimenter.
Lu Qi, standing outside the one-way glass, watched the girl inside with her focused and serious expression, feeling quite satisfied with his outfit today.
Not bad, the kitten's gaze lingered on him longer than before.
After the experiment, Yun Manman sat nearby waiting for Director Xu to analyze the results.
The kitten glanced repeatedly at Lu Qi, who was engaged in an in-depth discussion with Director Xu, then slowly inched her way to Cheng Beibei, who was observing data changes on an electronic screen: "Sister, are you Director Xu's student?"
Cheng Beibei took off her glasses, "Yes, if all goes well, I should graduate with my PhD this year."
Yun Manman sincerely said, "Wow, that's amazing."
Without her glasses, Cheng Beibei's eyes were large and bright, her features beautiful.
She really did look like a rabbit.
As Yun Manman was thinking this, she saw Cheng Beibei mysteriously beckon to her, indicating for her to come closer.
The kitten happily leaned in towards the pretty older sister, but heard Cheng Beibei whisper in her ear, "Boss, is it really not possible to draw rabbit head designs on the cupcakes?"
This question was so familiar that Yun Manman was shocked into petrification on the spot.
Wait, had they tracked down the actual owner to make this request?!
Cheng Beibei tempted further, "I'll let you pet my rabbit ears."
Yun Manman swallowed hard, her gaze wandering, "Well, it's not impossible..."
Before she could finish, she was picked up by the collar of her clothes and carried away from Cheng Beibei like a kitten.
Lu Qi draped his arm over Yun Manman's thin shoulders, his phoenix eyes narrowing dangerously, "What did you say was possible or impossible?!"