“So a friend is celebrating his birthday, and you want to make a cake for him?” Chu Qianze learned the situation and concluded, “There are so many kinds of cakes, so think about which one you want.”
“Well, I saw many kinds on the Internet, and I personally prefer the fruit cake.” Yun Zhoujie said.
Chu Qianze looked at the chiffon cake on the table, and said, “Can I try it?”
“Of course, but it doesn’t taste very good.” Yun Zhoujie said, taking out a knife and fork from the kitchen and handing them to Chu Qianze.
Chu Qianze tasted it and was silent for a few seconds before saying, “Actually, it’s not bad.”
It reached the level of being edible.
“It’s too average.” Yun Zhoujie also followed and tasted. He frowned, not too satisfied with the taste.
After he had tasted Yangshengzhai’s craftsmanship, his standards for dessert were getting higher and higher, and this was obviously not enough.
“You’re planning to give it to someone?” Chu Qianze asked casually.
“Yes, so I want to make it better. But it still feels a lot worse. I have limited experience alone and can’t think of any other way, so I can only ask you for help.” Yun Zhoujie said, seeing that Chu Qianze didn’t speak, his hand stopped.
Speaking of which, he was also too embarrassed. No one really knocks their neighbor’s door in the middle of the night and asks for help in making a cake. He put down the fork in his hand, and said, “Otherwise, I’ll just do it myself.”
Feeling a little embarrassed, he took out a fruit platter out of the bag, and said, “I bought a lot of this. Try it, it tastes pretty good.”
“Hmm? I was just a little lost in thought, thinking about how to make this cake.” Chu Qianze laughed and tasted the cake again. “I’m already here, so there’s no reason to just quit in the middle of the process. Since it’s a gift for a friend, we have to prepare it properly and surprise them.”
Yun Zhoujie froze, then smiled. “Well.”
“You prepare the cream first, do you know that person’s taste preference?” Chu Qianze asked.
“He likes sweets very much and doesn’t seem to have any taboos, but he has a high standard for the word ‘delicious’. I think it should at least meet that standard.” Yun Zhoujie said, while washing the egg beater.
“Then we’ll just follow your ideas.” Chu Qianze said, “The standard of deliciousness is too vague. No matter how you say it, it should make him feel that he can’t stop eating, and he won’t be able to forget it for about a week.”
Hearing this, Yun Zhoujie paused, feeling that the words were too arrogant. He glanced to the side. As soon as he was about to speak, he saw the man dealing with the things at hand very seriously.
Yun Zhoujie came back to his senses and lowered his head to deal with the things on his own, and said, “Then please do so.”
“Of course, you’ve found the right partner.”
The two worked on the cake together, using several portions of the ingredients, and when the finished product came out, they both looked at each other.
Chu Qianze isn’t too worried. He knows what level he is on in his heart. Although this one is mainly Yun Zhoujie and assisted by himself, it shouldn’t be that worse than he imagined.
“Taste it?” He said.
Yun Zhoujie picked up the spoon, took a bite, then stayed in place for a long time without any follow-up. After a while, he continued to take another bite. He ate about half of the cake, and stopped relying on his self-control, but was still a little reluctant.
“How is it?” Chu Qianze asked, although he already knew the answer from the man’s actions.
“It was delicious.” Yun Zhoujie said, with an unconcealed admiration in his eyes. Then he seemed to feel that this sentence wasn’t enough, and continued, “Really delicious. The cream’s sweetness is very appropriate; it doesn’t feel greasy. The combination of the cream, chiffon cake, and fruit is just right. Uhm, I don’t seem to know how to describe it. But if you let me taste it, I can definitely eat it all in one go.”
Even if his stomach couldn’t hold it until it hurt.
Chu Qianze heard this, and said, “That’s good, that should be about right.”
“However, when are you going to deliver it? The time will affect the taste if it sits for too long.” He reminded Yun Zhoujie.
“Actually, there’s still some time left and I’m going to make another one.” Yun Zhoujie said, holding up the notebook next to him for Chu Qianze to see. “So I’ve written down all the dosages. I can just follow the things here.”
Chu Qianze went over and looked at the dosage that was so accurate to the number of grams and the time in seconds. He suddenly remembered the miniature electronic scale and stopwatch, and he realized something.
“Did you use these for cooking before?”
Yun Zhoujie replied, “Not often, when there’s a requirement for accuracy, then I’ll take it out. Preparing the ingredients in advance and determining the ratios can save a lot of work.”
This is indeed a good method. Although it was a bit unimaginable for someone like Chu Qianze, who relied entirely on his guts.
“It’s quite good.”
“Then when you’re ready to officially make the cake, come and tell me about it. I can help you and watch from the side.” Chu Qianze said.
Yun Zhoujie’s hand stopped, and he raised his eyes to look at Chu Qianze, his tone sincere. “Thank you.”
“Of course, I’ll help you to the end.” Chu Qianze’s tone was a little lazy, but he wondered who could be so lucky to eat this improved cake.
His line of sight fell on the extra cakes on the table, all overturned in the making. In fact, they taste very good; it just doesn’t look good. “These leftover cakes, what are you going to do with them?”
Yun Zhoujie was silent, he really didn’t think about it. “You take some, as for the rest of them…”
“I don’t need it. You can leave a few to yourself, and the rest can be given to those upstairs and downstairs.” Chu Qianze suggested that he usually does this.
“Upstairs? Downstairs?” Yun Zhoujie was a little hesitant. He had never met with people in the building before. “That’s certainly no problem, but I don’t know them very well.”
“We’re all unfamiliar at first, but later we can be familiar with them. If you feel it’s inconvenient, we’ll go together.” Chu Qianze said and looked at the time. “It’s fine now, not too late. The grandmother is upstairs. I don’t know if she’s sleeping or not. We can go see her later. She can’t eat a lot of these things, but she can get more fruit. The others are still awake, and the little kid downstairs likes cakes very much.”
Yun Zhoujie looked at the table, and said, “Let’s go together.”
“Okay, let’s pack it up first. Do you have a box or disposable plate here? They can just throw it away when they’re done eating, saving them from having to send things back.” Chu Qianze saw the man’s somewhat dumbfounded expression, and he knew the truth of the matter. “I seem to have some at home. Wait, I’ll go and get it.”
He walked towards home by himself.
Chu Qianze was very fast and nimble, and in a short time, he got several pieces. He put them in front of Yun Zhoujie, and said, “Let’s go.”
Yun Zhoujie followed behind Chu Qianze with one hand and walked upstairs.
Chu Qianze looked at the door and found that the light was still on, it looked like grandma wasn’t sleeping yet.
He knocked on the door, and after a while, it opened.
“Grandma, just now my neighbor made some cake with some fruit, just in time for you to try it.” With a good-natured smile, he handed over the box in his hand.
“Thank you, it’s hard for you to come and bring something.” Grandma took the box, and told Chu Qianze to wait for a moment. She went inside and took out a box of eggs from the room. “These are my relatives’ own local eggs. I can’t finish them alone, so I thought I’d give them to you. You arrived just in time, saving me from having to make a trip.” She turned her gaze to Yun Zhoujie, and said, “Young man, you should also try it.”
Yun Zhoujie didn’t expect to be suddenly called, and was stunned for a moment before saying, “I will. Thank you, grandma.”
“Then you rest early. It’s not too late now; your health is important.” Chu Qianze said.
“I’ll go to sleep later.” The two said a few more words, and Grandma closed the door.
Chu Qianze put away his good-natured smile and noticed Yun Zhoujie looking at him. He titled his head, and asked, “What are you looking at me for?”
“Nothing.”
Next, Yun Zhoujie knocked on another door. A man opened it, the two children heard the sound and rushed out from inside, jumping on Chu Qianze.
“Is this a cake?” A child asked.
“Yes, this brother made it, it’s delicious.” Chu Qianze pointed to Yun Zhoujie.
“Thank you, brother!”
Yun Zhoujie pushed down his glasses, and gave a soft hum.
After the cakes were delivered, Yun Zhoujie discovered that Chu Qianze was very famous in this building. Facing several people’s friendly gazes, Yun Zhoujie was overwhelmed for a moment.
Yun Zhoujie generally lived his own life and worked every day. Visiting others is completely out of the question. Therefore, he has never had the experience of delivering things up and down the stairs before.
“You seem very familiar with the people here?” Going back, Yun Zhoujie couldn’t resist asking.
“Not really. Everyone knows each other here.” Chu Qianze responded casually, and suddenly noticed that Yun Zhoujie seemed off. When he turned to look at him, he saw the man looking at him with an inexplicable expression, like a touched emotion.
“You’re quite amazing.” Yun Zhoujie said.
Who visits their neighbors these days? Everyone is busy with their own business. When they’re free, they’re on their phones. A neighbor across from you may be fine, but between up and down the stairs, they’re basically strangers.
Yun Zhoujie felt that every time they met, this person always had something new for him.
“Really?” Chu Qianze answered, “Maybe because I’m usually idle.”
“Then I’ll go back first, you rest early.” Chu Qianze said goodbye to the man first, and went back to his house.
Yun Zhoujie looked at the closed door. He returned home, sat in front of the computer for a long time without moving, and finally, he stroked his heart to suppress that throbbing feeling.
The next day.
Jie: [About the meeting, have you thought about it? If it’s convenient, give me a reply by Saturday.]
Yangshengzhai: [What if I refuse?]
After sending this message, Chu Qianze waited for the man’s answer. After a few seconds, the man replied.
Jie: [Then just continue to communicate online, just like usual.] Although it’s a pity.
Chu Qianze looked at the date on Saturday and wondered if Saturday had any special meaning.
Chu Qianze looked at the calendar, then realized that Sunday is his birthday. A fan asked him on the live broadcast, and he answered.
He doesn’t have any birthday parties; he just does it very casually, and he’s used to being alone. Every day is almost the same, and he doesn’t really care when his birthday comes.
That cake…
Chu Qianze stared at the screen, his heart emerging with some speculation.
“So a friend is celebrating his birthday, and you want to make a cake for him?” Chu Qianze learned the situation and concluded, “There are so many kinds of cakes, so think about which one you want.”
“Well, I saw many kinds on the Internet, and I personally prefer the fruit cake.” Yun Zhoujie said.
Chu Qianze looked at the chiffon cake on the table, and said, “Can I try it?”
“Of course, but it doesn’t taste very good.” Yun Zhoujie said, taking out a knife and fork from the kitchen and handing them to Chu Qianze.
Chu Qianze tasted it and was silent for a few seconds before saying, “Actually, it’s not bad.”
It reached the level of being edible.
“It’s too average.” Yun Zhoujie also followed and tasted. He frowned, not too satisfied with the taste.
After he had tasted Yangshengzhai’s craftsmanship, his standards for dessert were getting higher and higher, and this was obviously not enough.
“You’re planning to give it to someone?” Chu Qianze asked casually.
“Yes, so I want to make it better. But it still feels a lot worse. I have limited experience alone and can’t think of any other way, so I can only ask you for help.” Yun Zhoujie said, seeing that Chu Qianze didn’t speak, his hand stopped.
Speaking of which, he was also too embarrassed. No one really knocks their neighbor’s door in the middle of the night and asks for help in making a cake. He put down the fork in his hand, and said, “Otherwise, I’ll just do it myself.”
Feeling a little embarrassed, he took out a fruit platter out of the bag, and said, “I bought a lot of this. Try it, it tastes pretty good.”
“Hmm? I was just a little lost in thought, thinking about how to make this cake.” Chu Qianze laughed and tasted the cake again. “I’m already here, so there’s no reason to just quit in the middle of the process. Since it’s a gift for a friend, we have to prepare it properly and surprise them.”
Yun Zhoujie froze, then smiled. “Well.”
“You prepare the cream first, do you know that person’s taste preference?” Chu Qianze asked.
“He likes sweets very much and doesn’t seem to have any taboos, but he has a high standard for the word ‘delicious’. I think it should at least meet that standard.” Yun Zhoujie said, while washing the egg beater.
“Then we’ll just follow your ideas.” Chu Qianze said, “The standard of deliciousness is too vague. No matter how you say it, it should make him feel that he can’t stop eating, and he won’t be able to forget it for about a week.”
Hearing this, Yun Zhoujie paused, feeling that the words were too arrogant. He glanced to the side. As soon as he was about to speak, he saw the man dealing with the things at hand very seriously.
Yun Zhoujie came back to his senses and lowered his head to deal with the things on his own, and said, “Then please do so.”
“Of course, you’ve found the right partner.”
The two worked on the cake together, using several portions of the ingredients, and when the finished product came out, they both looked at each other.
Chu Qianze isn’t too worried. He knows what level he is on in his heart. Although this one is mainly Yun Zhoujie and assisted by himself, it shouldn’t be that worse than he imagined.
“Taste it?” He said.
Yun Zhoujie picked up the spoon, took a bite, then stayed in place for a long time without any follow-up. After a while, he continued to take another bite. He ate about half of the cake, and stopped relying on his self-control, but was still a little reluctant.
“How is it?” Chu Qianze asked, although he already knew the answer from the man’s actions.
“It was delicious.” Yun Zhoujie said, with an unconcealed admiration in his eyes. Then he seemed to feel that this sentence wasn’t enough, and continued, “Really delicious. The cream’s sweetness is very appropriate; it doesn’t feel greasy. The combination of the cream, chiffon cake, and fruit is just right. Uhm, I don’t seem to know how to describe it. But if you let me taste it, I can definitely eat it all in one go.”
Even if his stomach couldn’t hold it until it hurt.
Chu Qianze heard this, and said, “That’s good, that should be about right.”
“However, when are you going to deliver it? The time will affect the taste if it sits for too long.” He reminded Yun Zhoujie.
“Actually, there’s still some time left and I’m going to make another one.” Yun Zhoujie said, holding up the notebook next to him for Chu Qianze to see. “So I’ve written down all the dosages. I can just follow the things here.”
Chu Qianze went over and looked at the dosage that was so accurate to the number of grams and the time in seconds. He suddenly remembered the miniature electronic scale and stopwatch, and he realized something.
“Did you use these for cooking before?”
Yun Zhoujie replied, “Not often, when there’s a requirement for accuracy, then I’ll take it out. Preparing the ingredients in advance and determining the ratios can save a lot of work.”
This is indeed a good method. Although it was a bit unimaginable for someone like Chu Qianze, who relied entirely on his guts.
“It’s quite good.”
“Then when you’re ready to officially make the cake, come and tell me about it. I can help you and watch from the side.” Chu Qianze said.
Yun Zhoujie’s hand stopped, and he raised his eyes to look at Chu Qianze, his tone sincere. “Thank you.”
“Of course, I’ll help you to the end.” Chu Qianze’s tone was a little lazy, but he wondered who could be so lucky to eat this improved cake.
His line of sight fell on the extra cakes on the table, all overturned in the making. In fact, they taste very good; it just doesn’t look good. “These leftover cakes, what are you going to do with them?”
Yun Zhoujie was silent, he really didn’t think about it. “You take some, as for the rest of them…”
“I don’t need it. You can leave a few to yourself, and the rest can be given to those upstairs and downstairs.” Chu Qianze suggested that he usually does this.
“Upstairs? Downstairs?” Yun Zhoujie was a little hesitant. He had never met with people in the building before. “That’s certainly no problem, but I don’t know them very well.”
“We’re all unfamiliar at first, but later we can be familiar with them. If you feel it’s inconvenient, we’ll go together.” Chu Qianze said and looked at the time. “It’s fine now, not too late. The grandmother is upstairs. I don’t know if she’s sleeping or not. We can go see her later. She can’t eat a lot of these things, but she can get more fruit. The others are still awake, and the little kid downstairs likes cakes very much.”
Yun Zhoujie looked at the table, and said, “Let’s go together.”
“Okay, let’s pack it up first. Do you have a box or disposable plate here? They can just throw it away when they’re done eating, saving them from having to send things back.” Chu Qianze saw the man’s somewhat dumbfounded expression, and he knew the truth of the matter. “I seem to have some at home. Wait, I’ll go and get it.”
He walked towards home by himself.
Chu Qianze was very fast and nimble, and in a short time, he got several pieces. He put them in front of Yun Zhoujie, and said, “Let’s go.”
Yun Zhoujie followed behind Chu Qianze with one hand and walked upstairs.
Chu Qianze looked at the door and found that the light was still on, it looked like grandma wasn’t sleeping yet.
He knocked on the door, and after a while, it opened.
“Grandma, just now my neighbor made some cake with some fruit, just in time for you to try it.” With a good-natured smile, he handed over the box in his hand.
“Thank you, it’s hard for you to come and bring something.” Grandma took the box, and told Chu Qianze to wait for a moment. She went inside and took out a box of eggs from the room. “These are my relatives’ own local eggs. I can’t finish them alone, so I thought I’d give them to you. You arrived just in time, saving me from having to make a trip.” She turned her gaze to Yun Zhoujie, and said, “Young man, you should also try it.”
Yun Zhoujie didn’t expect to be suddenly called, and was stunned for a moment before saying, “I will. Thank you, grandma.”
“Then you rest early. It’s not too late now; your health is important.” Chu Qianze said.
“I’ll go to sleep later.” The two said a few more words, and Grandma closed the door.
Chu Qianze put away his good-natured smile and noticed Yun Zhoujie looking at him. He titled his head, and asked, “What are you looking at me for?”
“Nothing.”
Next, Yun Zhoujie knocked on another door. A man opened it, the two children heard the sound and rushed out from inside, jumping on Chu Qianze.
“Is this a cake?” A child asked.
“Yes, this brother made it, it’s delicious.” Chu Qianze pointed to Yun Zhoujie.
“Thank you, brother!”
Yun Zhoujie pushed down his glasses, and gave a soft hum.
After the cakes were delivered, Yun Zhoujie discovered that Chu Qianze was very famous in this building. Facing several people’s friendly gazes, Yun Zhoujie was overwhelmed for a moment.
Yun Zhoujie generally lived his own life and worked every day. Visiting others is completely out of the question. Therefore, he has never had the experience of delivering things up and down the stairs before.
“You seem very familiar with the people here?” Going back, Yun Zhoujie couldn’t resist asking.
“Not really. Everyone knows each other here.” Chu Qianze responded casually, and suddenly noticed that Yun Zhoujie seemed off. When he turned to look at him, he saw the man looking at him with an inexplicable expression, like a touched emotion.
“You’re quite amazing.” Yun Zhoujie said.
Who visits their neighbors these days? Everyone is busy with their own business. When they’re free, they’re on their phones. A neighbor across from you may be fine, but between up and down the stairs, they’re basically strangers.
Yun Zhoujie felt that every time they met, this person always had something new for him.
“Really?” Chu Qianze answered, “Maybe because I’m usually idle.”
“Then I’ll go back first, you rest early.” Chu Qianze said goodbye to the man first, and went back to his house.
Yun Zhoujie looked at the closed door. He returned home, sat in front of the computer for a long time without moving, and finally, he stroked his heart to suppress that throbbing feeling.
The next day.
Jie: [About the meeting, have you thought about it? If it’s convenient, give me a reply by Saturday.]
Yangshengzhai: [What if I refuse?]
After sending this message, Chu Qianze waited for the man’s answer. After a few seconds, the man replied.
Jie: [Then just continue to communicate online, just like usual.] Although it’s a pity.
Chu Qianze looked at the date on Saturday and wondered if Saturday had any special meaning.
Chu Qianze looked at the calendar, then realized that Sunday is his birthday. A fan asked him on the live broadcast, and he answered.
He doesn’t have any birthday parties; he just does it very casually, and he’s used to being alone. Every day is almost the same, and he doesn’t really care when his birthday comes.
That cake…
Chu Qianze stared at the screen, his heart emerging with some speculation.
