The reborn of paranoid boss cannon fodder wife(116-120)

Chapter 116: The Emergence of the Big Shot's Reverse Scale

Distinguishing the costs of painting the interior walls separately is mentioned below.

The purchase date, buyer's name, and details of the materials bought are all meticulously recorded.

Initially unaware, Yu Fugui and Wu Xiuyun learned that the construction team led by Xiao Cheng not only built houses but also painted the interior walls. Therefore, the cost of painting the interior walls is included below.

The labor cost for painting the interior walls is also calculated separately.

The content is simple and clear, organized, making it easy for anyone literate to understand.

"To build a three-story brick house requires over eighty thousand. Including the cost of painting the interior walls, door and window installation, and banquet expenses, it would easily be over a hundred thousand. Every material is listed so clearly..."

"The reinforcement bars were indeed bought from my family. I sold them to Xiao Cheng at the price of 1.5 yuan per kilogram, and the quantity and date are correct. I told you, Xiao Cheng doesn't take kickbacks; those rumors are baseless!"

Several material suppliers who sold materials to Xiao Cheng spoke up upon seeing identical prices, refuting the rumors.

"The iron nails were sold to Xiaocheng by me. The price and quantity are exactly the same as written on the red paper. If anyone doubts it, they can come to my shop and ask."

"The cement was bought from my shop, matching the details above. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask me."

"What else is unclear? Yu Fugui has posted the detailed list. Xiao Cheng's quotation and labor costs are all the same. Who was spreading baseless rumors just now? Let me think, which gossipmonger started this..."

After the homeowner's certified detailed list was revealed, the truth emerged, shattering all the gossip and rumors.

Those who hesitated to speak up for Xiao Cheng and Bai Lu moments ago now confidently expressed their opinions.

Sharp glances were directed at those responsible for spreading rumors.

"What are you looking at? I didn't spread the rumors. I just heard it from the next table!"

"Regardless of who spread it, enjoy the joyful time before Xiao Cheng arrives. Once he's here and finds out who was causing trouble behind his back, you'll regret it."

Chen Chunli, exposed in her retaliatory actions, realized the severe consequences. Not only did her tablemates stop talking to her, but the surrounding tables also began gossiping about her jealousy and pettiness.

Many knew that the rumors originated from her table, and discussions about her narrow-mindedness and inability to see others succeed were rampant.

With evidence before them, Chen Chunli had no rebuttal. Unconcerned, she thought it wasn't a big deal, confident that being pregnant would shield her from any consequences.

On the other side, Bai Lu resumed discussing new sales channels and other trivial topics, completely disregarding the evidence on the big red paper. It was as if nothing had happened.

Compliments were given for the meticulous and well-written details, praising the person's intelligence.

In the world, all are for profit; in the world, all are for gain. Merchants engage in transactions solely for profit.

A bad reputation for business partners jeopardizes normal product sales. Fair distribution and avoiding harm are instinctive. Protecting one's maximum interests is the true nature of a merchant. Talks of friendship are just empty words.

For the first meeting, not family or close friends, nor sworn life-and-death companions, there's little genuine friendship. Cooperation in business is solely for making money, as no one wants to be at a disadvantage.

If someone expresses trust but harbors doubts about cooperation, it's essential to consider whether they're being manipulated.

Bai Lu understood the rules of the business world; hence, she didn't dwell on the matter. With a standard smile, she continued negotiating cooperation.

Xiao Wei obediently sat beside her, waiting for the meal.

Not engaging in adult discussions, he felt a small excitement, a tiny admiration for his sister.

Indeed, Bai Lu is as clever as Big Brother!

Without saying much, she sent him with a big red paper to Yu Fugui, controlling the entire situation.

Bai Lu wasn't predicting the future but being prepared for unexpected circumstances. Plans lag behind changes, and changes lag behind surprises; thus, the situation must always be under control.

This way, one can stand firm and undefeated at all times.

When Xiao Cheng returned, the banquet had just begun. Table 16 had reserved a seat for him.

Throughout his journey, Xiao Cheng heard various rumors and saw the big red paper in the living room.

Covered in dense writing, each stroke conveyed Bai Lu's defense and the injustices she suffered.

Xiao Cheng coldly scanned Wang Hao, giving a final warning, "Manage your people well."

Wang Hao's heart sank, a sense of dread seizing him. Quickly bowing, he admitted, "I understand."

Knowing each other for many years, facing knives and enduring gunfire together, sharing joys and sorrows throughout the years, Xiao Cheng had never given him such a stern warning, let alone a final ultimatum.

Xiao Cheng, inherently cold and emotionless, reserved his harsh words only for outsiders. Now, for the first time, he withdrew even his tolerance, revealing an unprecedented severity.

A table of people fell into silence.

The dishes were served—fragrant and steaming—yet failed to dispel the chilling atmosphere.

Amidst the banquet, after moments of silence came laughter and cheers. Following the silent estrangement was enthusiastic toasting. Unpleasant matters were left unsaid, allowing the host and guests to enjoy the festivities.

When Wu Xiuyun returned with her natal family, she learned about the detailed list and felt regret, self-blame, and guilt.

Carrying the detailed list with her seemed essential today, given the numerous guests and potential chaos. Little did she expect it to be unnecessary, almost causing trouble for Bai Lu and Xiao Cheng.

The banquet continued, and Wu Xiuyun packed many untouched delicacies for Bai Lu from the kitchen.

Despite Bai Lu's refusal, Xiao Wei's small arms were laden with packages, and red envelopes were stuffed into them.

In such a joyous moment, it wasn't wise to reject goodwill frequently. Bai Lu expressed gratitude and blessings to the Wu family.

With everyone's gaze bidding them farewell, Bai Lu, Xiao Cheng, and Xiao Wei returned home.

Bai Lu went to her room to organize the accounts for the candied chestnuts.

Xiao Cheng and Xiao Wei went to the kitchen, transferring each dish to separate plates and covering them with woven bamboo lids.

Wanting to give the red envelopes from Wu Xiuyun to Bai Lu, Xiao Wei asked Xiao Cheng if he could find her. However, Xiao Cheng instructed him to keep them himself.

The little guy, brimming with excitement, looked forward to the warmth from his big brother.

However, a simple statement shattered his expectations: "Don't disturb her."

Xiao Wei: "..."

Did he misunderstand something?

A bright moon illuminated the sky, with stars scattered everywhere.

Bai Lu sat on the bed reading a book. Hearing footsteps, she looked up to see the man entering the room while drying his hair.

Curious, she asked, "Did something happen with the logging?"


















Chapter 117: Unexpected Kiss

Recently, Xiao Cheng's crew cut had grown slightly longer, to be precise, his short hair had grown a bit, not exceeding a finger's length, and it didn't dry as quickly after washing.

As a habit, he didn't bother drying his hair after a shower. After washing his clothes, he casually wiped his hair with a towel, leaving it on the chair near the bed after walking a few steady steps.

"Little issue, already resolved."

"Oh..." No need to elaborate.

Bai Lu picked up her book again, half-lying down, using it to shield her face. The bed sank beside her, but she didn't react.

It wasn't until she heard a low laugh from the man beside her that she nonchalantly turned a page, letting the sound of the book cover the laughter.

Xiao Cheng leaned against the head of the bed, his gaze fixed on the thick book. Speaking through the pages, he said, "The aged fir trees on the mountain are large in volume. When the workers cut them, they sometimes roll down the mountain unintentionally. This time, one hit a tomb halfway down the mountain, and Grandpa asked Xiao Guofu to inform me to go back and burn incense for the ancestors."

In the future, Bai Lu had only paid respects at the cemetery and hadn't seen the graves on the mountain. Going up the mountain to worship the ancestors during the Qingming Festival was her first experience with the folk graves.

Curiosity about unfamiliar folk customs easily aroused her desire to learn more.

Expanding her knowledge: "Was the collision severe? Or do you have to burn incense just because it hit something?"

The book on her face fell down.

Xiao Cheng didn't shift his gaze, meeting the curious and clear eyes of the girl. After a moment of contemplation, he calmly spoke, "During the Qingming Festival, the villagers of Xiao Village go up the mountain to worship their ancestors. They clear the weeds around the tomb, and a few days ago, there was heavy rain. The soil around the tomb loosened. When the fir tree fell from a height after being cut, it scattered the soil around the tomb. Grandpa said it disturbed the ancestors, so I need to go back and burn incense for them."

He didn't mention the fact that the fir tree scattered the loose soil around the tomb, exposing the urn.

Listening to Xiao Cheng's calm and unruffled explanation, Bailu not only felt no fear but became even more curious. "When you burn incense, does Grandpa say anything beside you? Is it like what he says during the Qingming Festival?"

Xiao Cheng nodded slightly, "Yes."

"What does he say?" Bai Lu continued to inquire.

After a moment of contemplation, Xiao Cheng, lying down now, closed his eyes.

Softly, he said, "He said the same things he says during the Qingming Festival."

Bai Lu: "..."

"What does he say during the Qingming Festival?"

She had to dig deeper and wouldn't give up.

After a moment of thought, Xiao Cheng, who was now lying down, turned over, facing away from her, and answered in a nonchalant manner, "Nice words."

Bai Lu decisively put down her book, forcefully turned him back, and unexpectedly met a pair of eyes that seemed to smile but not quite. His lips were...

They met, up close, unexpectedly close.

Their noses touched, and their breaths intertwined in confusion. It was hard to distinguish whose was whose, and warm breaths filled the small space, lingering between the motionless lips.

Bai Lu, still covered by the blanket and lying in the large cocoon, turned abruptly, not expecting him to be so close. Her face went straight into...

She thought Xiao Cheng was still sitting, the position she assumed when she turned.

However, Xiao Cheng had already lowered himself without her noticing, so close that their faces met...

Her upturned face automatically met the kiss.

Bai Lu's mind went blank, momentarily losing her ability to think. When she reacted, she quickly moved back, retreating to the innermost part of the bed with the blanket.

Behind the blanket, against the wall, her head tucked into the cocoon. In a not-so-natural muffled voice, she said, "It's late, go to sleep. If you have something to say, let's talk about it tomorrow."

When Xiao Cheng returned to his senses, he was already facing a tightly rolled cocoon blanket. The warmth from his lips lingered. He licked his lips, and a faint, satisfying color flashed in his deep eyes.

Under the dim light, with moonlight filtering through the window crack, the two figures on the bed, who had not slept for a long time, seemed to have a starry reunion.

The stars returned home.

The horizon showed a hint of dawn.

Xiao Wei felt that he had woken up quite early today, but his older brother and sister-in-law had woken up even earlier.

Before he approached the kitchen, the sweet and fragrant smell of sugar-fried chestnuts permeated the air, sweetening his entire face. The sound of manually and electrically flipping chestnuts layered on top of each other, seemingly chaotic but with a quick rhythm, reached his ears.

Upon entering, as expected, he saw two familiar figures standing at the stove, each holding a spatula to fry chestnuts.

The electric chestnut flipping machine hummed on the side.

Despite how loudly it hummed, the two people standing at the head and tail of the stove, on both ends, seemed as if they hadn't heard anything.

Apart from regularly adding sugar syrup to the pot, their faces showed no expression, and they didn't say a word.

The atmosphere...

Seemed a bit strange.

With a belly full of doubts, Xiao Wei brushed his teeth, washed his face, finished breakfast, washed the dishes, grabbed his school bag, and headed to school.

Three batches of sugar-fried chestnuts meant double the amount of chestnuts to be fried. If they didn't get up early, it would definitely not be enough. Fortunately, they had agreed to take the supplies in batches during the negotiation.

As Wang Cuihua left after receiving the goods, she was unexpectedly singled out by Bai Lu, with a face full of excitement, waiting for her score to rise.

However, Bai Lu shattered her expectations with her first words: "Has Luo Shiliu returned the ladder to you?"

Wang Cuihua had a complicated expression on her face. "Not yet."

Bailu frowned slightly. "Did he mention when he would return it?"
















Chapter 118: Really Like It

Wang Cuifang's mind was solely occupied by the profit-sharing issue, oblivious to everything else. "He didn't mention it."

Bai Lu waved her hand, signaling her to leave. Wang Cuifang hesitated, wanting to negotiate a raise, but upon seeing the stern-faced man emerge from the kitchen, she promptly made her exit.

The matter of a pay raise could wait for another time.

Bai Lu successfully secured more selling points for the chestnuts and left contact information for future collaborations with others who lived farther away.

After the last person came to pick up their chestnuts, Bai Lu grabbed a basket of fresh seasonal fruits and headed to the market to buy vegetables. On the way back, she stopped by Xiao Dashuang's house.

With Xiao Dashuang absent, his mother explained that the roof had been repaired, but strong winds had blown away the new tiles. Xiao Dashuang had gone to buy new ones and planned to return to fix the roof. If Bai Lu urgently needed the ladder, he would bring it over when he returned.

Bai Lu couldn't possibly interrupt the family's repairs, so she politely declined their offer to have a meal together and went on her way.

At the market, Bai Lu ran into Zhang Sao again. This time, she borrowed a ladder from her, but it turned out that the ladder was being used as a perch for a makeshift chicken coop.

Amused and slightly bewildered, Bai Lu chatted briefly with Zhang Sao and went home, her arms loaded with vegetables.

As she passed the well, she noticed a man washing vegetables—Xiao Cheng. His eyes held a complex mix of emotions as he glanced at her.

Remaining composed, Xiao Cheng continued washing vegetables, and soon, a large pile of chili peppers fell into the basin.

Bai Lu chuckled, "Xiao Wei's mouth isn't blistered anymore."

Xiao Cheng replied casually, "If you like it, that's good."

"Really like it," Bai Lu affirmed.


He then added, "On the day after tomorrow, they—Luo Shiliu, Xiao Dashuang, Wang Hao—will come over for a meal."

"Who?" Bai Lu suddenly turned back.

In her memory, no one had dared to form a gang, gather together, and have a meal at the tyrant's house, except for a few times...

"Luo Shiliu, Xiao Dashuang, Wang Hao."

Indeed, the three names spoken by Xiao Cheng overlapped with a certain memory in Bai Lu's mind.

It was Xiao Cheng's memory.

On the day after tomorrow, the twelfth day of the fourth month in the lunar calendar, equivalent to May 18 in the Gregorian calendar, was Xiao Cheng's birthday. It was also the day Xiao Cheng's mother left home.

Xiao Cheng paid no attention to his birthday.

Luo Shiliu, Xiao Dashuang, and Wang Hao also dared not mention anything about birthdays on this day.

However, every year on this day, they would buy good wine and food, sneakily come to Xiao Cheng's house, and cook together. They dared only on this day, enduring a banquet of their own cooking, before getting kicked out by Xiao Cheng, their stomachs full of the terrible feast.

Xiao Wei was subjected to this gastric cleansing every year.

Xiao Cheng had only mentioned this to Bai Lu and she didn't quite understand the significance. If he meant that they were coming to celebrate his birthday, it wasn't her birthday, so why would she be concerned?

Did Xiao Cheng mean that women were not allowed to join the table during this kind of celebration due to some old customs? Bai Lu had learned about various aspects of Chinese culture and traditions, including folk customs, from her grandmother. Although she knew that certain regions still held onto outdated gender norms, she couldn't accept such inequality.

If that was the case, she would simply go out for a nice meal and let them enjoy their cooking at home. The house belonged to Xiao Cheng, and she had no right to intervene.

Sensing Bai Lu's misunderstanding, Xiao Cheng felt her subtle pride and distance, which only lasted a moment. She quickly regained her calm and graceful demeanor, smiling politely with a nonchalant expression.

She inquired, "Is it inconvenient for me to join the table?"

Her way of speaking was clever, avoiding any direct impoliteness. Even if someone misunderstood her, she wouldn't argue or lose her temper. Instead, she'd just lock them in a dark room and reward them with peppers.

Still, Xiao Cheng sensed the hidden arrogance within her for a moment before it retreated. She replied, pursing his lips, "No."

Before the conversation concluded, Xiao Cheng added, "Are you accustomed to it?"

"Accustomed to what?" Bai Lu was still trying to comprehend his words.

Xiao Cheng gazed at her clear eyes for a long while, where only astonishment and confusion could be found. There was no trace of arrogance or distance that didn't belong to this place.

Finally, he calmly said, "Eating together."

"Oh... If it makes you happy, I'm fine with it," Bai Lu nodded. "There's nothing to get used to. If I can cook, it would be even better."

A devilish feast, huh? That was something she definitely didn't want to experience!























Chapter 119: Cute to Swelling

Xiao Cheng glimpsed a fleeting disdainful look in the girl's eyes, chuckled softly, and said, "As you wish."

Bai Lu happily carried the vegetable basket back to the kitchen.

Xiao Cheng looked at the basket of chili peppers with a helpless raised eyebrow, then picked up a smaller basket filled with vegetables and followed suit.

A moment later, a small "creak" sound came from the courtyard gate.

The gap between the fingers widened slowly. Carrying a school bag on his back, a small figure cautiously peeked inside, checking if the courtyard was empty before quietly stepping in.

After entering, the small figure gently closed the door.

Looking towards the kitchen, carefully identifying the route, the small figure exhaled a breath, tightly gripping something sweet-smelling in his hand. Lowering his head to the lowest point, he quickly ran towards the kitchen.

Upon entering the kitchen, the small figure followed the memorized route to the bowl cabinet, opened the door, swiftly took out a large chicken bowl, placed the sweet-smelling thing inside, put the bowl on the table, and immediately turned around to run out.

The entire time, his head never lifted.

Moreover, he failed to notice that there was a person at the stove.

The other person, holding bundles of firewood in both hands, walked back to the kitchen from the newly built small firewood room behind the house.

A big and a small figure collided at the doorway.

To be precise, the small figure with a school bag collided with the tall and sturdy man's long legs.

Bounced backward step by step, on the verge of falling, a pair of seemingly boneless hands reached out from behind to catch the small school bag, stabilizing the small figure in place.

"Why run so fast? Did you hurt yourself?" Bai Lu wanted to turn Xiao Wei around to take a look, but when the little one turned around, they immediately covered his mouth and the corner of their right eye, eyes watering as if knocked out.

"Did you get hurt?" Bai Lu inquired.

The response was a somewhat dazed, "I'm fine."

Xiao Cheng, who got hit on the thigh, paused only briefly, casting a faint glance at the small figure supported by Bai Lu.

Maintaining his composure, he walked into the kitchen, placed the bundles of firewood on the ground in front of the stove, and used a knife to cut the ropes binding them.

Picking up the firewood, he stuffed it into the stove, covering the existing flames. In no time, a larger fire was burning.

He completely ignored the incident that had just occurred.

Bai Lu gently patted the small one's head. "Did it hurt? Lift your head, let me see."

"It's okay." Xiao Wei lowered his head even further, wanting to leave, but the small school bag was caught again, preventing their escape.

Seeing that the small one didn't lift his head, Bai Lu didn't insist, shifting her gaze to the table. "You rushed in so quickly. What did you put on the table?"

"Honeycomb." Xiao Wei's head lowered again, wishing they could bury his head in his neck.

Bai Lu withdrew her gaze, indeed smelling a strong and sweet fragrance. Looking at the bowl on the table with brownish-black wild honeycomb, she raised her eyebrows slightly. "How did you get such a big piece of honeycomb? Did you buy it on the street?"

"No, it seems there's no honeycomb for sale on the street..."

"Picked it up."

Xiao Wei answered with his head still lowered. "When I came back from school, I saw some senior students poking a beehive. After they poked it down, a swarm of bees chased them away, and they didn't want the honeycomb. So, I brought it back."

"What luck! Honeycomb has many benefits—it can soothe the lungs, relieve coughs, beautify the skin, alleviate fatigue, aid in sleep, and can even be used to make honey water for drinking..."

Bai Lu's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Your luck is really extraordinary. Encountering such a great thing falling from the sky, you'd surely win the jackpot if you bought a lottery ticket!"

Xiao Wei had no idea what a lottery ticket was and remained silent.

Xiao Cheng, hearing the conversation, glanced over, paused for half a second, and then withdrew his gaze, seeming to smile without smiling.

The small stool in front of the stove was low, and the angle of vision from that direction happened to cover Xiao Wei's face.

But Xiao Cheng didn't say anything.

After the meal was cooked and the fire transferred to the frying pan, Bai Lu suddenly remembered that she had to consider the swelling injury of Xiao Wei's Mouth and decided to eat later.

After dinner.

Xiao Wei went to the backyard to feed the old mother chicken. The old mother chicken kept staring at his face, seemingly rolling her eyes.

The little chicks also didn't want to be touched by him.

Frowning with an angry little face, Xiao Wei was about to turn around when a breeze blew, and flowers fell from above.

He paused, looked up, and saw a string of pure white and beautiful chestnut blossoms blooming on the tree, and the petals fluttered down with the wind.

At the same time, in the corner diagonally across from the chestnut tree, on the hidden eaves of the wall, a ladder was hanging.

Wasn't Bai Lu looking for a ladder these days?

Xiao Wei immediately turned and ran back.




















Chapter 120: Making a Cake for the Big Bro

"Big Sister..."

The soft voice vanished around the corner.

Staring at the hand covering his sausage-like mouth, Xiao Wei was stunned, lost in a mix of pain and joy.

It was his big brother's hand!
His big brother had grabbed him... pulled him into the corner!

Moreover, the hand stayed behind him, so close, so clear, and it wasn't taken away!

This kind of closeness had never happened before, but indeed, there was a place for him in his big brother's heart.

While Xiao Wei was filled with joy, four cold words descended from above: "Don't tell her."

"Why?" He didn't understand.

The soft voice struggled to squeeze through the gap between the fingers.

Xiao Cheng released his hand, lowered his gaze to the furry little head, and stated without a doubt, "No reason."

With that, he walked from the shadows into the light.

Passing through the corner, he quickly disappeared from the small and narrow field of view, as if the encounter had been a fleeting illusion. Xiao Wei touched his sausage-like mouth that still felt the pain. It wasn't an illusion!

His big brother did touch him!

His big brother said not to tell Big Sister, so he wouldn't.

On Xiao Cheng's birthday, Bai Lu planned to make him a cake to thank him for taking care of her during this time. With the electric chestnut roaster and increased sales, the roasted chestnut business was thriving.

They were close to the target of thirty thousand yuan. Xiao Cheng would probably reach it on his birthday, and she planned to return the money to him then. She wouldn't need to stay at his place or borrow things anymore. He would surely be pleased with this birthday gift.

On April 12th, Bai Lu finished selling roasted chestnuts and recorded her accounts. She then went to the street to buy milk and low-gluten flour. Eggs and fruits were already at home, so there was no need to buy them.

There were no cake shops in the town, and no one knew what butter was. After searching every street and alley, Bai Lu found nothing to buy. Luckily, she had learned to make cakes in her previous life. She could use yam mashed into a paste as a substitute for butter, making the cake taste sweet and healthy.

During Father's Day and Mother's Day in her previous life, Bai Lu made two cakes using yam paste instead of butter. Her parents liked them, and they finished both cakes.

Xiao Cheng liked to drink malt sugar water, so she added extra sugar to the yam paste to make it sweeter.

Xiao Cheng would surely love the cake.

Today was the weekend, and Xiao Wei didn't have to go to school. He arrived early in the kitchen to help.

The logging project in the Xiao family village had been completed. Xiao Cheng arranged for the large truck to transport the goods to the dock, preparing for an out-of-province trip tomorrow.

Due to various tasks, he was expected to return in the afternoon or evening. Luo Shiliu and Xiao Dashuang also went to help.

Now only Bai Lu and Xiao Wei were at home. They made a simple lunch and then busied themselves in the kitchen making a cake.

Xiao Wei was assigned the task of washing fresh fruits, peeling, and cutting them into small pieces.

On a small table, Bai Lu poured milk into an enamel basin, added a suitable amount of cooking oil, and stirred until emulsified. She then sifted in the low-gluten flour.

Stirring until there were no visible dry particles, she continued adding egg yolks to the mixture. Xiao Wei watched in awe.

Once the yolks were mixed, Bai Lu separated the egg whites from the yolks. She added a few drops of white vinegar to the egg whites and used chopsticks to beat them clockwise until large bubbles formed. She then added sugar for the first time.

Adding sugar for the second time when the egg whites became delicate, and for the third time when the egg whites showed distinct patterns.

Bai Lu's hands didn't stop moving, maintaining a fast and steady rhythm. Xiao Wei, watching in amazement, finished washing the fruits, peeled them, and cut them into small pieces.

Bai Lu encouraged Xiao Wei, "Keep it up! Once the egg whites are successfully beaten, we'll make the cake together. Your big brother will definitely love it when he tastes it!"

"Xiao Wei, keep it up! Learn to beat egg whites and bake cakes now. In the future, you can make cakes for your brother every year, and you won't have to eat the devil's meals made by Luo Shiliu and the others. Your brother will surely appreciate you, clever little one."

Xiao Wei's speed in whipping the egg whites increased.

Bai Lu had to admit, Xiao Wei was a quick learner. In no time, he successfully whipped the egg whites into a stiff peak. Bai Lu praised him and then handed him the task of boiling water and steaming yams on the stove.

The two stoves ignited into a vigorous fire.

Bai Lu poured the mixed batter into a small iron basin and placed it on top of the boiling water to steam. She covered it with a pot lid that had a small vent hole.

After a short while, a soft and fragrant cake emerged, and the yams were mashed and sweetened by Xiao Wei. Bai Lu put the yam paste into a plastic pastry bag she had prepared.

Bai Lu cut the cake into three layers and spread the yam paste evenly on the first layer. Then, she placed fruit chunks on top, added more yam paste, and stacked the second layer on it.

The door to the courtyard was pushed open at some point.

The girl's laughter echoed from the kitchen, and Xiao Cheng closed the door behind him, heading toward the kitchen.

Bai Lu's fruit cake was successfully made and hidden in the bottom layer of the cupboard.

The remaining sweet yam paste was just applied to Xiao Wei's face when the unexpected appearance of the big boss stole her attention. His eyes swept over, filled with a playful smile.

"You're back!"

"We made something delicious, and you'll definitely like it after trying." Bai Lu smiled slyly, playing a little trick.

Xiao Wei quickly wiped off the last bit of yam paste from his face, ate it, and nodded in agreement with Bai Lu's words.

Xiao Cheng walked over, raised his hand slightly, lightly touching Bai Lu's face, and a small something was scraped off by his fingertip.

It was yam paste!

Bai Lu didn't have time to grab a towel, so she directly used her hand to cover Xiao Cheng's fingertip, turning in circles to clean it.

Xiao Cheng's eyes lifted slightly, and the gaze with a hint of ripples moved from the held fingertip to Bai Lu's face.

The reborn of paranoid boss cannon fodder wife(121-125)