Shen Hongda and Chen Dahai had been close friends for many years.
They were never polite with each other.
When Chen Dahai asked for a favor, Shen Hongda casually tossed a few boxes of unknown pastries from the coffee table over to him to brush him off.
Those boxes of pastries had apparently been brought down from the car by the driver.
They were from the little one.
Judging by the packaging, they looked like something bought from a street vendor—probably snacks that kids liked.
Chen Dahai picked up a box of Ice Crystal Cakes with disdain, glanced at it, and glared at Shen Hongda:
"You old Shen, you trying to send me off with just these two lousy boxes of pastries?"
"You're claiming these were brought from abr Who are you trying to fool, a kid?"
"This crap is clearly street food."
"Cut the nonsense. Hand over one of your prized bottles of Moutai, I'm taking it with me."
As soon as Shen Hongda heard that his treasured Moutai was being targeted, he immediately snapped,
"Nonsense! What do you mean street food? These are delicate pastries made by a renowned pastry chef from abr"
"That chef's even been featured on overseas TV and magazines. I wouldn't just give them to anyone! Try one if you don't believe me!"
Chen Dahai was stunned and looked at Shen Hongda suspiciously.
"Really? Then I'll try one."
Shen Hongda felt a little guilty, but forced a smile:
"Er… maybe try it at home later. It's getting late. You should head home—I'll treat you to a meal another day."
But Chen Dahai could tell from his expression that he was being scammed.
With a cold sneer, he said, "No, I'm trying it now."
"I'd like to see just how good that so-called pastry made by your famous foreign pastry chef really is."
"Fine, try it then."
Shen Hongda kept a straight face, but inwardly he was nervous.
Chen Dahai opened the plastic box. Five translucent Ice Crystal Cakes lay neatly inside.
"Hm… they do look pretty delicate."
"But these kinds of pastries often look good but taste mediocre—sickeningly sweet and nothing special."
He gave Shen Hongda another look and asked,
"Old Shen, are you sure this is a Western pastry?"
"Why does it look more like a Chinese one? Kinda resembles Osmanthus Cake to me."
Shen Hongda glanced at the cakes and said impatiently,
"Who cares if it's Western or Chinese? As long as it tastes good, that's what matters."
"Alright then, I'll try one. If it doesn't taste good, I'm definitely taking a bottle of your Moutai."
With that, Chen Dahai picked up a piece of Ice Crystal Cake and took a bite.
Shen Hongda had no intention of handing over his precious Moutai.
If Chen Dahai said it wasn't good, he'd just argue that everyone has different tastes and that it was his picky tongue at fault.
Those people abrabsolutely love it.
Yes, that's what he'd say.
Chen Dahai chewed, swallowed—
Then a look of pleasant surprise appeared in his eyes.
"Mmm, it is delicious!"
Chen Dahai praised sincerely.
"Old Shen, you really have an eye for things. This pastry is truly a rare delicacy."
"I've never eaten anything this good in my life!"
"Old Shen, what's this called?"
"Uh? This pastry is called…"
Shen Hongda couldn't come up with an answer, so he deflected, "It's really that good?"
Chen Dahai took another bite, his face full of joy and satisfaction.
"What? You haven't tried it yourself?"
"I hadn't gotten the chance before giving it to you."
"Let me try a piece."
Chen Dahai quickly pulled the boxes closer.
"You gave them to me—why are you trying to eat now?"
Shen Hongda was stunned, his brow twitching:
"You're so stingy! I gave them to you!"
"Given means they're mine now!"
"Well, I'm taking them back!"
"You're taking them back? Then I'm not helping you with that favor!"
…
Two old men with a combined age of over a hundred were now bickering over two boxes of Ice Crystal Cakes.
Hearing the commotion, Jiang Qin came downstairs.
"Could you two keep it down? Yaoyao fell asleep watching cartoons."
Shen Hongda took a bite of Ice Crystal Cake and waved to Jiang Qin:
"Wife, come try this pastry. It's really good."
Chen Dahai quickly tucked one of the boxes into his coat with a guarded look:
"This one's mine. Old Shen, you promised to give me two more boxes tomorrow."
Shen Hongda ignored him and let Jiang Qin taste one.
She took a bite, and her eyes lit up. She nodded:
"What is this? It's honestly better than any pastry I've ever had!"
Chen Dahai raised an eyebrow.
"What? Neither of you know what this is? Then where did these two boxes come from?"
"Old Shen, you said you'd get me two more tomorrow. I only agreed to split one box because of that!"
"So you actually don't know what they are? You're bluffing, aren't you?"
Shen Hongda said, "Who's bluffing? Just wait and see tomorrow."
"I'm holding you to that. We're men of status—we can't go back on our word."
"Enough talking."
After sending Chen Dahai off, Shen Hongda called over the driver.
"Old Zhong, those two boxes of pastries you brought in from the car—where did they come from?"
Shen Hongda thought they were probably bought on the ride when Old Zhong picked up Yaoyao.
"Oh, Chairman, when I picked up your granddaughter this morning, your son-in-law asked me to bring them over."
"Lu Qin?" Shen Hongda was stunned.
"Yes. I think he made them himself. Said they're called Ice Crystal Cakes. Four boxes in total—two for you, one for President Shen, and one for your granddaughter to snack on during the ride."
Jiang Qin exclaimed, "I didn't know Lu Qin had such skills!"
Shen Hongda was equally surprised. In his long life, he had tasted countless delicacies—
Including pastries made by renowned chefs.
But none of them could compare to these Ice Crystal Cakes.
Their flavor and uniqueness were unmatched.
To make something like this—this wasn't ordinary skill.
Shen Hongda sighed, "That young Lu really put his heart into it."
At first glance, the plain packaging made it seem like a ride purchase.
But it turned out Lu Qin had made them himself.
It was a heartfelt gesture.
Never mind the packaging—with taste like this, these could be proudly served anywhere.
Chen Dahai even gave up a bottle of Moutai just for them—wasn't that telling enough?
"Alright, Old Zhong, go get some rest."
After the driver left, Shen Hongda and Jiang Qin sat on the sofa.
The plastic boxes in front of them were already empty.
The couple had only eaten one piece each.
How could that be enough?
They savored the lingering taste of the Ice Crystal Cakes.
Sweet but not cloying, soft and chewy.
Chewed thoroughly, they released a rich and unique fragrance.
Such quality couldn't be found just anywhere.
Jiang Qin said, "Does Xiaoyan know Lu Qin has this kind of talent?"
Shen Hongda shook his head. "Definitely not. That brat only cares about work, no attention to her husband or daughter."
"Even before the divorce, I scolded her more than once, but it was useless."
"Now look—such a good son-in-law is gone. Where's she going to find a man like that again?"
Jiang Qin wholeheartedly agreed.
"Exactly. Lu Qin quit his job to take care of Yaoyao at home.
The reason Yaoyao is so well-behaved and sensible is all thanks to his care and guidance."
Shen Hongda sighed. "We really let Lu Qin down."
The couple fell silent for a moment.
Then Shen Hongda suddenly said,
"Wife, do you want more Ice Crystal Cakes?"
"Of course! I only had one earlier, and I'm still craving it."
"I'll ask Xiaoyan to talk to Lu Qin and ask him to make a few more boxes."
"I also promised Old Chen two more boxes…"
Jiang Qin said worriedly, "Now that both of them are divorced, it's hard for Yan to bring it up."
"Let her figure it out herself. That's an order!"
With that, Shen Hongda dialed Shen Muyan's number.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]