Chapter 131: Slight Cleanliness Obsession Is Still an Obsession

Her thoughts reached out of the space, the sky outside was about to brighten, she felt a lingering sense of incompleteness, stretched lazily, and on the Trading Platform chose another hair accessory and a pair of small boots for Ling'er, then reluctantly emerged from the space.

She didn't rest, left the house and headed straight to Lianwuchang, where her three sons were waiting.

Every day at this hour, she brings them to spar, practicing attacks and dodges, honing bodily agility and reaction speed.

Chuan'er, like his father, isn't cut out for Martial Arts; for him, practicing Martial Arts is just physical exercise.

The Fengyun brothers are decent, and once they're a bit older she will teach them the internal Mind Technique.

The sky brightened, Yuehong came holding Ling'er.

Ling'er broke free from her embrace and ran toward mother and brothers.

She stood aside, watching mother and brothers spar while gesturing with her little hands; Qiao Mai saw the cute sight of her daughter.

Just as she was about to step forward and hug her, she turned and ran toward Yuehong, letting out a giggle as if teasing Qiao Mai.

"Why should I give you a guarantee??"

"Stay here and watch the children, let them enjoy the cake."

Qiao Mai refused to sit in the main seat, and the elderly gentleman and lady sat behind her.

"Hmph, since you left on the second day, you're no longer my disciple."

"Mother bought you a beautiful set of clothes; go, put them on and show Mother."

Mr. Wang and Mrs. Wang saw Qiao Mai's displeased expression, stood up, and said.

"What you have isn't a cake; make an embroidered cake."

"Mother will definitely make you an extra‑large, tasty one, but for the early breakfast you must eat noodles?"

"Yes, Mother!"

"Do you have business here?" Qiao Mai asked.

"Well, it's a bit embarrassing—since Xin'er's Liangpi Puzi opened, business has been booming. After the New Year another Liangpi Puzi opened opposite hers, cheaper and tasting almost the same as ours, so we came to ask."

After changing into a pretty little dress, styling a nice hairdo, attaching a cute hair accessory, and putting on small boots, Qiao Mai was finally satisfied.

The Feng'er three brothers raised a request: "Sure, whatever you want that day, tell Mother, and Mother will make it for you."

Ling'er smiled with a little grin, showing her tiny upper and lower teeth—so cute—she especially loved the clothes Mother bought for her.

Qiao Mai raised an eyebrow, "Daughter, what do you want for lunch? Mother will make it for you?"

Qiao Mai shook her head helplessly; the four of them sparred for half an hour before stopping.

"What are you celebrating? That your mother crossed the ghost gate again?"

"I'm your disciple, right? You must not harm your disciple."

"Yes, Master!"

First bake the cake then make the buttercream; this time several colors of buttercream were made.

However, after breakfast Mrs. Wang personally gave the child a pair of gold bracelets; they're not huge, but the gift cannot be omitted.

Arriving at Qiao Mai's house, Yuehong and Yuexia stood behind her, ready to obey the Master's orders.

In the Keting, the Feng Family saw Mrs. Wang and the elderly gentleman had followed, hurriedly stood and bowed to them.

"That goes without saying; my daughter must be beautiful."

"Beautiful, flower, wear!"

Lu Ruxin swayed, "What? Master, you?"

Qiao Mai saw Yuan Jiaqi about to get up and go together, and hurriedly said.

She originally wanted to order a cake online, but thinking of her daughter's birthday, as a mother she must show something; besides, she doesn't trust others' cakes—a slight cleanliness obsession is still an obsession—so she'll labor herself.

Of course other families are other families; this is a rule Qiao Mai set for her own household.

"Alright, go wash up; after eating you still have classes."

So, the elder… just a birthday.

"Embroidered, otherwise it couldn't be made like this."

"I don't have a disciple like you; from now on you are merely Sister Lu's daughter, I owe you nothing, and your whole family need not muster forces to question me."

"Master, members of the Feng Family have arrived, saying they wish to see you."

When they moved the cake into the Keting, Mr. Wang arrived with four Wang Jiaru's Disciples, all aware that today is Ling'er's birthday.

Today, the second day of the second month, Dragon Raises Its Head, is Ling'er's birthday; she had long hoped to dress her in that beautiful outfit on the child's birthday, and finally her wish was fulfilled.

"Since everyone is here, let's divide the cake; after eating each returns to their own courtyard, and later I'll take my daughter out for a walk."

"What a talented woman, but you, the money‑making 'cai' woman, aren't sincere."

Qiao Mai thought to herself that her craftsmanship could handle ancient people without issue; after they see modern workmanship, they'll know whether her skill is deft.

"Come, let's go see together."

"Your hands are truly deft!"

"Hmm, have a seat!"

Today came the Feng Family elderly couple, as well as Feng Yinshi's young couple.

"Greetings, Sir, Madam."

"Hehe, beautiful clothes, Ling'er likes them."

"Mother, when we celebrate birthdays, can we also have such a cake?"

"Not eating together?"

"Really?"

"Is Sister Lu not there?"

When the Qiao family's adults and children have birthdays, they just have a bowl of Changshou Mian for early breakfast; Qiao Mai told them that having an elder's birthday is just a birthday, because that day is the day Mother crossed the ghost gate.

"Your artistry is amazing; it's on par with painters— which pastry chef can make food look this good?"

Qiao Mai glanced at her, said coldly, "I'm just stating a fact; the County Town's Liangpi Puzi isn't run by me, and I didn't sell the recipe to anyone."

"Ha ha!"

Yuan Jiaqi also bought a pair of pearl flowers for the children, and the small toys that Feng'er bought were gradually handed to Ling'er.

"If you intend to do it, you can do it well; I heard Jiaru say that you were once a talented woman."

Xin'er, upon hearing, said, "Master, how can you do this? You sell it to others—what am I to do?"

"Mm hm!"

"Ha ha"

"Cake, butter‑flavored."

"When a child celebrates a birthday, just eating a bowl of noodles is enough."

The small courtyard was filled with laughter, and at that moment, an old woman appeared at the doorway of the living room.

After the three kids left, Qiao Mai walked to Ling'er's side, bent down and lifted her up.

"You little rascal!"

Behind them, Yuehong and Yuexia exclaimed, "Miss really looks like a little fairy child, so beautiful."

The cake had three tiers, a white base, with houses, flowers, grass, and a little deer; she designed the cake beautifully, and the old lady, looking at it, was extremely impressed, constantly praising Qiao Mai.

"Alright!"

When they saw the cake, no one held back sweet words, praising it enthusiastically.

"Then just eat it."

She gently kissed Ling'er's cheek, "Sweetheart, happy birthday!"

"If you don't eat it, it'll go bad."

Just as Qiao Mai was preparing to make a cake, the old lady stayed in her courtyard.

She's restless, watching her work in the small kitchen.

"No, let them wait a bit; I'm going right now. You go to Xiu Zhuang and call Sister Lu to hurry back."

Qiao Mai immediately understood Mrs. Feng's words, "The recipe given to Xin'er wasn't bought by her; we didn't sign any documents. I can give it to anyone I wish, sell it to anyone I wish."

"So wonderful, wow, this cake is made so beautifully, I can't even bear to eat it."

Qiao Mai stood up, "I've already sent someone to invite Sister, you are her guests, not mine; excuse me!"

After Qiao Mai left, Mr. Wang and the old lady also stood up.

"In the future, don't come to the Wangfu again, Xin'er. You've already crossed the river with your master twice—once you didn't change after his preaching, the second time you didn't lose face out of respect for your master's dignity. This time you even shamelessly question Qiao Niang; aren't you as thick‑skinned as they are? Hmph, truly nonsensical!"

The old lady also left, and Mr. Wang looked at the Feng family.

(End of chapter)