Chapter 21

Bak impatiently urged Liu Changyuan to do something, but when he turned around, he became gentle with the children: "Nan Nan, come over and try it. If you like it, I'll clean it all up for you. I don't like it myself."

When he turned back, his face changed even faster. Though not a smile, at least the expression was genuinely kind. Fang Lingying had been on the phone and only noticed when she hung up, tilting her head in surprise: "Tiramisu? Did you make it yourself?"

Bak tried to be as serious as possible: "I've already registered my residence. Thank you." He felt that expressing gratitude this way was the most genuine.

Fang Lingying's eyes twinkled, as if she was smiling: "How did you know I helped?"

Bak just nodded without explanation: "Eat it now; it won't taste as good later." He then turned back to continue grilling the meat.

Fang Lingying seemed to really enjoy it. Seeing the delicate small spoon, which was clearly meant for tiramisu, she couldn't resist trying a bite. She carefully cut a small piece and rolled her eyes as she put it in her mouth. Her plump lips puckered, and her eyes widened. The corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl, forming a long curve.

To be honest, Fang Lingying's mouth was a bit large, but her pink, plump lips were not at all out of place; they only made her look more lively. As soon as she closed her lips, she quickly opened them again: "Old Bak! Not bad! Really delicious..."

On the other side, Zhao Nan, who was trying to learn how to sprinkle cocoa powder, was constantly swallowing saliva. She and her sister leaned in to look at the sample. Fang Lingying noticed them, and the two little girls were also secretly observing her. The little beggar was whispering in her sister's ear.

Bak nodded at Fang Lingying, and this girl was conflicted. The grilled meat was best eaten hot, and the side dishes were also delicious. The steamed buns were crispy and just right. His eyes kept glancing at the familiar-looking little girls. If he waited a bit longer... well, Bak took a metal bowl from the heated pan, filled it with a red soup, which went perfectly with everything!

Perfect, especially when Fang Lingying couldn't wait to taste the soup with a spoon. It looked greasy but had a fresh, fragrant flavor. She sighed contentedly and gave Bak a thumbs up before indulging herself.

Liu Changyuan watched in amazement, swallowing his saliva. He wasn't sure if he was drooling over the food or the beauty, but when he came to his senses, he urged Bak: "Sell it... sell it...!"

Bak guessed he didn't have the nerve to sell the beauty, so he nodded: "Whatever you want." He had made a large box to ensure the center was at the right temperature and softness. Eastern Europeans, despite being poor, were very particular about these things. After spending a long time in the area, Bak naturally knew how to make such small things to please his lover. He figured the two little girls wouldn't finish it.

Liu Changyuan's face lit up as he negotiated with the little beggar. The two girls immediately held back their saliva, mimicking Bak's actions by sprinkling cocoa powder on the tray, preparing to sell it. Bak couldn't bear to watch and gave them some advice: "First, cut the tiramisu into pieces before sprinkling the cocoa powder. Second, instead of calling out, offer a small sample to each table."

Liu Changyuan nodded vigorously: "Killer move! Killer move!"

Bak saw that he cut the pieces no bigger than a thumbnail!

He even had the nerve to serve them table by table, of course, with the little girls doing the serving. They were skilled at carrying the tray but not at speaking. Their faces turned red as they lowered their heads: "Complimentary, please try..." It made them look like they were selling drugs secretly.

Whether it was the beauty or the delicious food, someone immediately shouted: "One portion! How much?"

Liu Changyuan looked at Bak expectantly, and Bak nonchalantly replied: "Five yuan? Ten yuan? Whatever you want."

Liu Changyuan definitely chose the more expensive option, but the pieces he cut were still smaller than Fang Lingying's. The little girls, who were watching with their necks stretched out, wiggled their eyebrows, and Fang Lingying, busy as she was, also laughed.

That box of special cakes, which Bak had originally planned to throw away or give to the children, sold for over 200 yuan! More importantly, it attracted many customers who, after eating, came over to observe the soup and side dishes on the girls' table.

Fang Lingying laughed uncontrollably, and when she got up to pay, she took advantage of the situation: "I won't pay for the cake..." She glanced at Bak's handsome, new outfit and swayed as she left.

Liu Changyuan watched her go, excited: "Bro? What's this soup? Can we serve it tomorrow? You only made one bowl? What about these side dishes? The steamed buns can also be sold... You're just focused on your girlfriend!"

Bak was too lazy to deal with him and even more reluctant to explain: "Get lost! If you want to do it, do it yourself. I'm not in the mood!"

Liu Changyuan gritted his teeth and tried to get the two little girls to plead for him, but they just shook their heads and didn't speak. The next day, when buying ingredients, he took the initiative to ask: "Bro, if you don't mind, can you teach me how to make it? I'll do it..."

Bak had no qualms about teaching him, and he even bought a whisk. Liu Changyuan's small arms and legs couldn't whip the egg whites into foam: "This tiramisu cake is a bit expensive to make, but it's the simplest and doesn't require an oven. The key is to be crispy inside and soft outside, not greasy or too sweet. The cocoa powder must be dry and must not be soaked in coffee for too long..."

Liu Changyuan admired: "Bro, you know so much. This is high-end stuff, right?"

Bak threw him the flower-shaped mold he made from tin: "Here, use this to cut carrot flowers and pickled radish flowers..." He now thought it might be nice to have a disciple or helper.

Liu Changyuan, excited, blurted out: "Is your wife a teacher at the art college?"

Bak wanted to give this shut-in a slap but restrained himself, muttering "Amen" twice: "Let's talk about the soup. This is a famous red beet soup from Eastern Europe. I used pickled radish and other seasonings to simmer it..."

Liu Changyuan nodded continuously: "Got it... Bro, does your wife have any sisters to introduce?"

Bak felt his patience was almost gone but still couldn't resist giving this chatty guy a slap on the back of the head: "Focus! Look at these seasonings. The decorative vegetable leaves and lettuce should be selected for their appearance."

The shut-in didn't care: "Got it, Bro, you're amazing! How did you get your wife?"

Bak wanted to find a Buddhist or Christian scripture to read!

However, anyone would think his actions were somewhat romantic.

Even Shen Yinan and Shen Zhaonan, after closing the stall and waiting for Liu Changyuan to go home, whispered to him if he was pursuing that big sister.

It's human nature to pursue a beautiful woman.

So, Fang Lingying felt it was necessary to remind him. She wasn't looking down on him or thinking there was a status difference; if she had, she wouldn't have let Bak into her car initially. She just didn't want him to misunderstand and go down the wrong path. It's best to point things out early and stop at the right time. Some differences in perception have nothing to do with wealth or knowledge. Of course, if he was an interesting friend, that would be even better. Fang Lingying always thought she was smart and wise.

She might have been influenced by Bak's attitude of repaying a small favor with a great one. Moreover, Bak's efforts to dress up and make high-end desserts made her feel a bit self-indulgent.

If they didn't have common interests, they couldn't be together. So, it was best not to waste his time or mislead him. Fang Lingying's thinking was actually quite kind.

So, the next evening, she didn't go to the food stall. She waited until they were about to close and called Liu Changyuan: "Find your Bak brother..."

Liu Changyuan, being chatty, whispered: "Bro! It's your wife's call..." Don't you think people on TV always cover the phone when they say this?

So, Fang Lingying heard it. Bak always thought she was a smart girl, so he didn't bother to explain: "Hello? It's me."

Fang Lingying laughed: "I haven't had dinner and am still working. Do you deliver?"

Bak, adhering to the principle of excellent service, thought it wouldn't go to waste: "Sure, where?"

Fang Lingying gave an address inside the art college, quite detailed. Bak, with his clear mind, immediately knew the route. He threw the phone to Liu Changyuan and started packing some items to take over. Liu Changyuan, with his many ideas, handed the phone back: "Bro, take the phone. What if something happens? I don't need it. If you don't come back when we close, we'll take the stuff back. I can ride a motorcycle now." A tricycle, not complicated.

Bak, with his bamboo board in hand, felt the world was so beautiful that he didn't need to be so irritable. He threw the cooking utensils and left without the phone.

Liu Changyuan was still shouting encouragement, and the two little girls tried to cheer him on with their soft voices.

Bak felt he had a generation gap with the new generation of Chinese youth!

Actually, it was just a short walk from the market to the art college, which was tiny compared to other universities. Bak took a shortcut from the back gate, and the guard let him through after he said he was delivering food. His barbecue smell didn't lie.

The small college had few people, and the lighting was sparse, with dense tree shadows, making it a bit eerie.

Bak, of course, wasn't scared. He had picked up a stranger in the wilderness, so he thought Fang Lingying was brave, probably trained to be so.

After several turns and passing through a gate and a guard, he entered a courtyard filled with mud, plaster statues, and metal frames.