Chapter 92: Radish Cake
Director Pan had asked to meet in his tent. Mi Hongdou figured it was about filming, so Ji Junxin tagging along wasn’t a problem. The scissors request was strange, but the props department had everything. After a quick detour, Mi Hongdou now held a small, gold-plated pair of scissors.
The scissors were small, gold, and looked delicate and cute. Ji Junxin, waiting outside, couldn’t resist examining them on their way to the tent.
“Don’t play with sharp objects while walking.” Mi Hongdou stopped, looked around, and guided Ji Junxin to the side of the path. “Look here, be careful not to cut yourself.”
I’m not a child… Ji Junxin mentally complained about Mi Hongdou’s overprotectiveness, but she appreciated it. The small scissors were sharp and functional, their only unique qualities being their size, color, and delicate craftsmanship.
Seeing Ji Junxin’s fascination with the scissors, Mi Hongdou smiled. “You like them that much? Do you know which scene they’re for?”
“…” Ji Junxin thought for a moment, confused. “It shouldn’t be… my scene, right?” She should remember if it was.
Seeing Ji Junxin’s confusion, Mi Hongdou’s smile widened. “It is your scene. They’re essential props for… delivering your baby!”
“…” Ji Junxin suddenly remembered. In that scene, she just had to lie down, no wonder she didn’t know about the scissors. Thinking about the birthing scene, she paused, then said slowly, “You’re the one delivering my baby in that scene.”
It was a statement, although a strange one, but Mi Hongdou nodded. “Yes, the props department asked me to be careful with them and return them after use, or there will be no birthing props left. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing…” Ji Junxin recalled the scene description in the script. It hadn’t seemed unusual before, but now, she felt a little uncomfortable.
Fortunately, that scene was still far off… Ji Junxin took a few deep breaths, composed herself, and said they could continue to Director Pan’s tent.
So, the little gold scissors were confiscated by Mi Hongdou again, using the “no sharp objects while walking” rule.
Ji Junxin followed, glancing at the scissors. So, some rules only applied to her? It was… a little sweet…
As they approached the tent, they ran into Jiang Lingling and Pan Xiang, also heading there.
Mi Hongdou figured that Pan Xiang, as Director Pan’s granddaughter, was naturally allowed, and as for Jiang Lingling, who could stop her? And she wasn’t the one who brought her, so she didn’t mention Director Pan’s message. She figured it was just about filming, and with everyone here, it couldn’t be anything serious.
So, the four of them went to the tent together.
Director Pan was regretting his decision. The prosthetic belly was incredibly uncomfortable. Standing made his legs and back ache, sitting made his stomach ache… he could only shift between sitting and standing, pacing back and forth, it was pure torture. He had called Pan Xiang countless times, but she hadn’t answered. He was exhausted and worried about being seen like this by the crew, what would happen to his authority as a director? … So, he decided to call Mi Hongdou instead. He had a good impression of her.
Of course, this good impression only lasted until the moment she entered.
Director Pan, slumped in his chair, holding the prosthetic belly, looking utterly defeated, saw Mi Hongdou enter, his eyes lighting up. But before he could ask for her help, Ji Junxin also entered. He felt a pang of frustration. He should have known, those two were inseparable… well, Ji Junxin was sensible, and it was for her sake that he was suffering like this.
“Xiaomi…” he said weakly, then stopped abruptly as he saw Jiang Lingling following behind Ji Junxin.
No! Why Jiang Lingling too! Ganging up for meals was one thing, but ganging up to watch him suffer? Director Pan’s heart broke, and he pointed at Jiang Lingling with a trembling finger. “Jiang Lingling, close the door, now!” He didn’t want to know how many more were coming, three was already enough.
Jiang Lingling, startled by his angry tone before she could even see him clearly, instinctively closed the flimsy door. She was used to obeying Director Pan.
Before Director Pan could even relax, there was a knocking sound.
The makeshift tent wasn’t exactly soundproof.
Pan Xiang’s surprised voice came from outside: “Why is the door closed? What’s wrong? Open the door! Grandpa? Grandpa? Grandpa?”
Mi Hongdou, Ji Junxin, and Jiang Lingling had already seen Director Pan’s predicament. A grandpa with a pregnant belly… it was strangely cute.
They weren’t particularly surprised. After all, it was Jiang Lingling who had suggested it during dinner. They just hadn’t expected to witness it firsthand. But judging by Director Pan’s expression, he didn’t seem to welcome their presence… They wanted to continue watching, but for the sake of their own safety, they looked away.
The three stood by the door, trying to suppress their laughter. Director Pan, sitting opposite them, his head throbbing from his granddaughter’s increasingly loud calls, felt like his soul was about to leave his body.
“Is there anyone else out there besides Pan Xiang?” he asked weakly, his voice almost drowned out by the shouting.
The three shook their heads.
“Let her in, then close the door.” He had already been seen by three people, one more wouldn’t make a difference.
Jiang Lingling opened the door. Director Pan, ignoring his foolish granddaughter, said to Mi Hongdou, “Xiaomi, give me the scissors.”
Mi Hongdou looked at the prosthetic belly… so that was what he wanted the scissors for. She quickly handed them over, feeling a little guilty about the three of them coming together like this.
When Pan Xiang entered, Director Pan was cutting the straps with his back turned. Seeing the prosthetic belly, she burst out laughing.
“What’s so funny? Come and help me!” He had intended to just cut the ends of the straps, so it would be easier for the props department to repair them, but cutting with his back turned was difficult.
Pan Xiang wasn’t afraid of him, she wasn’t an actress, heh. Handing her things to Jiang Lingling, she didn’t take the scissors, but stood behind him and quickly untied the knot he had been struggling with.
“See, no need for scissors. You’ll ruin the props department’s hard work.” She held the heavy belly, ignoring Director Pan’s darkening expression. “So, how does it feel? Heavy, isn’t it?”
“Hmph.” Director Pan, freed from the belly, snorted. “Yes, you’re so capable. I called you earlier, why didn’t you answer?”
Pan Xiang put the belly aside, a little embarrassed. “I had my phone on silent, and I was eating, I didn’t notice.” She took back her things from Jiang Lingling and offered them to Director Pan. “Radish cake, want some?”
“No, no!” Director Pan said angrily. “You didn’t even answer my calls, eat it yourself!”
“Aiya, why are you so angry? You didn’t answer my call later either. I thought you were busy, so I came quickly.” Pan Xiang shook the greaseproof paper package. “Really not eating?”
“No!” Although still feigning anger, Director Pan’s expression softened. He casually flipped over his phone, which was on the table. Several missed calls, she still had some filial piety. Radish cake, it did smell good, as an apology, it was acceptable.
Just as he was about to forgive her and accept the apology, Pan Xiang pulled back the radish cake and happily ran back to the peanut gallery.
“Have you had breakfast? The breakfast chef Jiang Lingling hired this time is really good, especially the radish cake, it’s so fragrant. Don’t worry, this isn’t leftover, it’s a fresh one.” Pan Xiang held out the two packages. “Want to try some? Two flavors, original and with a secret sauce.”
She shook the packages, and the aroma of radish cake filled the air.
Mi Hongdou was about to say they had already eaten, but seeing Ji Junxin’s gaze lingering on the packages, she knew she was tempted. Ji Junxin hadn’t accepted earlier, probably because she was embarrassed about having already had breakfast, Mi Hongdou thought, feeling that her assessment was accurate.
“Okay,” she said, taking the two packages from Pan Xiang.
Ji Junxin’s gaze shifted from Pan Xiang’s hand to Mi Hongdou’s.
Food in hand, a happy foodie…
“Original or with sauce?” Mi Hongdou asked gently.
Ji Junxin looked at Mi Hongdou hesitantly. “But… I…”
Her hesitant tone and expression made Mi Hongdou think that she was afraid of being criticized for eating too much after already having a sticky rice roll. It was her fault, she had stopped Ji Junxin from eating the dates last night, and Ji Junxin had been unhappy.
Balancing a healthy diet and a good relationship was difficult…
“It’s okay, you didn’t eat much for breakfast, a little radish cake is fine.” Mi Hongdou couldn’t bear to see Ji Junxin’s conflicted expression and wanted to indulge her. “How about the one with sauce? It’s supposed to be a secret recipe.” She was about to hand it to Ji Junxin.
Ji Junxin took a step back, not taking it, still hesitant, but she finally managed to say what she wanted. “Actually… I was wondering… could we share both, half of each? I want to try both…”
Mi Hongdou, having completely misjudged the little foodie’s intentions, was stunned… In some aspects, she still didn’t understand Ji Junxin well enough!
“They’re all yours…” Mi Hongdou’s lips twitched.
“Let’s share,” Ji Junxin said, her voice slightly coquettish.
Mi Hongdou couldn’t refuse…
It was too cold outside, they might as well eat here. So, they went to a corner and started eating the radish cake.
Jiang Lingling whispered to Pan Xiang, “Those radish cakes are quite big, it’s hard to share, right? Should I get more from the car?” She was so considerate.
“No need.” Pan Xiang glanced at the two sharing the radish cake. “They can just break it with their hands. Or… feed each other. Don’t bother, it’s too much trouble, and eating too much breakfast isn’t good.” The future was uncertain, it was better to cherish the present. And most importantly, Jiang Lingling, look at their loving interaction, stop obsessing over Mi Hongdou! The world-weary Pan Xiang was also worried about Jiang Lingling.
Jiang Lingling paused, those words… this little girl was quite perceptive.
“What about Director Pan? Should we get him some?” Thinking about the suffering Director Pan, Jiang Lingling felt a little guilty. Although she didn’t know why he was wearing the prosthetic belly, it was her idea.
“He probably doesn’t want any, he just firmly refused. Let’s not bother him.” Pan Xiang, unknowingly, had just thrown her grandfather under the bus again.
Their whispered conversation went unnoticed by Mi Hongdou and Ji Junxin.
Ji Junxin was captivated by the two packages of radish cake, and Mi Hongdou… her attention was, as always, on Ji Junxin.
As the saying goes, eat radishes in winter and ginger in summer. Winter radishes were considered as nourishing as ginseng.
They tried the original flavor first. Ji Junxin insisted that Mi Hongdou also try some. Mi Hongdou, unable to resist her soft, almost coquettish request, reached out to break off a piece, but Ji Junxin stopped her, saying it would get oily on her fingers, and urged her to just take a bite.
Mi Hongdou remembered their sticky rice roll mishap the day before. Exchanging half-eaten food was embarrassing enough, and now they were feeding each other? The thought made her blush, and she hesitated.
Seeing that Mi Hongdou wouldn’t take a bite, Ji Junxin took one herself, and then Mi Hongdou followed suit.
Ordinary radish cake was made with shredded daikon radish and rice flour, steamed.
The radish cake Jiang Lingling’s chef made was more elaborate. Also made with shredded radish and rice flour, it also contained chopped dried shrimp, minced meat, preserved pork, and preserved sausage, steamed, then pan-fried. With more ingredients and steps, it was naturally more fragrant.
The pan-fried surface was crispy and fragrant. The inside was soft and slightly chewy. The added ingredients were finely chopped, their individual flavors indistinguishable, but together, they created a complex and delicious blend: the sweetness of radish, the fragrance of rice flour, the richness of preserved pork, the savoriness of shrimp, the meaty flavor of minced meat, and the smoky aroma of sausage.
It was truly delicious! Even Mi Hongdou had to admit it. Looking at Ji Junxin’s shining eyes, she felt that the path of a chef was long and arduous, she had to work harder to capture the little foodie’s heart.
The radish cake was delicious, but the portion wasn’t large, and radish aided digestion, so Mi Hongdou, after one bite, stopped, wanting Ji Junxin to have more.
But Ji Junxin, although still a foodie at heart, now cared more about Mi Hongdou. When she encountered something delicious, she naturally wanted to share it with Mi Hongdou.
So, Mi Hongdou, unable to resist Ji Junxin’s persistence, shared the plain radish cake with her, bite for bite.
“Tsk tsk, they’re really feeding each other,” Jiang Lingling said, amused, having secretly observed them. After Pan Xiang’s earlier words, she felt a sense of camaraderie and turned to her, ready to gossip.
Ji Junxin’s feeding motions were a bit… exaggerated. Pan Xiang, who suspected Jiang Lingling had feelings for Mi Hongdou, heard a hint of jealousy in her voice.
This wouldn’t do. Regardless of what might happen between Mi Hongdou and Ji Junxin in the future, right now, there was no room for Jiang Lingling. And Jiang Lingling was still paying so much attention to them, how torturous… Pan Xiang felt she had to intervene and save this lost child.
“Don’t your eyes hurt?” she asked casually.
“Huh?” Jiang Lingling, her gaze torn away from the “feeding each other” live stream, looked at Pan Xiang, confused.
“They say single dogs can’t watch couples showing affection for too long, or even titanium alloy dog eyes will be blinded.” Pan Xiang said calmly, then darted over to Director Pan, who was eating stuffed dates, quickly grabbed two, and returned. “Here, have a date, it’s sweet. Stop watching, your eyes will hurt.” She gave one to Jiang Lingling and popped the other into her own mouth.
Jiang Lingling put the date in her mouth and asked cautiously, “Do your eyes hurt too?”
They don’t… I don’t like Mi Hongdou! Pan Xiang glanced at Jiang Lingling, then, thinking that perhaps miserable people needed company, said, “They do…”
So Pan Xiang was also a fellow yuri enthusiast… or at least, she understood it. Jiang Lingling, who had been constantly blinded and critically hit by Mi Hongdou and Ji Junxin, looked at her as if having found a kindred spirit. “Aiya, my eyes hurt so much! It’s good to have someone share the pain!”
Something seemed off… Pan Xiang’s lips twitched, and she bit into the date. Crunch.
Jiang Lingling’s date was strawberry-stuffed, which should have been slightly sour, but today, it wasn’t sour at all! Just pure sweetness! Usually, when she and her assistant were subjected to a CP’s public display of affection, she would be the one suffering, while her clueless assistant remained unaffected! It wasn’t scientific! Only someone like Pan Xiang, who also felt the pain, could be a true friend!
Jiang Lingling mentally added Pan Xiang to her friend list, a one-sided addition.
In the corner, Ji Junxin and Mi Hongdou were now sharing the second radish cake, the one with the secret sauce. It was made the same way as the plain one, the difference being the sauce, sweet and slightly spicy, similar to sweet chili sauce, but with something extra to enhance the flavor. The plain one highlighted the radish flavor. Both were delicious.
Perhaps because they were sharing, the radish cake today tasted especially good, especially sweet. Ji Junxin repeatedly fed Mi Hongdou, who felt incredibly pampered. A foodie sharing her food, how touching.
Sharing food, chatting happily.
Director Pan, without any radish cake, looked at the bag on the table, from which his granddaughter had taken two dates, and sighed.
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