The next day.
Just as she’d promise, Lu Xinyi came to watch Lan Xiaoli’s macaron exam that afternoon. She was taking a sip from her milkshake as she watched the exam outside the window of the classroom. Behind her and Tang Lilou, Ye Xieren and Tang Liang were making a bet if Lan Xiaoli could pass or not.
“She’ll pass this exam. I’m sure of that. I trust Xin jijie’s ability to make miracles,” Tang Liang said confidently. His boyish looks gathering the attention of some girls that were watching them from afar.
Ye Xieren snorted. He didn’t believe one bit that Lan Xiaoli’s macarons can pass today.
“Why are you here anyway? I thought you said you are not interested with Miss Lan?”
“Heh, you think making and improving macarons can be done overnight? Maybe you are overestimating your Xin jiejie and I’m not here for that woman, ” Ye Xieren retorted.
His eyes then landed at Lu Xinyi who was busy watching the students making their own macarons. The light breeze gently touched Lu Xinyi’s tresses, pushing it out of her face.
Following his gaze, Tang Liang touched his chin with a contemplative expression in his face. He was able to read Ye Xieren like an open book. So beneath this face of arrogance was something else, huh?
“My condolence, Brother Ye. It seemed you are bewitched.” Tang Liang said and pat Ye Xieren’s shoulder.
“What the hell are you talking about?” Ye Xieren slapped Tang Lian’s hand away while the latter laughed at his reaction.
‘So he isn’t aware yet. Poor guy. He hasn’t realized it yet.’ Tang Liang thought.
“Anyway, where’s Brother Rathore? It’s weird not seeing him with you and Xin jiejie.” He looked around but didn’t see the foreign student tagging along with them. He was usually the loud one, taking everyone’s attention to their small group.
“Why should I know?” Ye Xieren groaned. Surya Rathore and Tang Liang had taken a liking on invading his apartment at Spring Residences where male students for the special class were staying.
The two had raided his fridge which he painstakingly filled with food for three days and disappeared in just a day.
“Maybe he’s still out. Didn’t he say he was meeting someone?”
Surya Rathore had left in a hurry that morning that he even missed breakfast and skipped their morning classes.
“That idiot will show himself once he’s ready.” Ye Xieren scoffed and moved to sit beside Lu Xinyi. “What do you think? Were you able to at least taught her the basics?”
Lu Xinyi lifted a brow on his way.
“I thought you said you don’t care if she loses or not?”
Ye Xieren threw his hands up in exasperation. Why was everyone asking him stupid questions?
“Again. I’m not here for Lan Xiaoli. I’m just curious how were you able to help her?” he defended.
“Just wait for it. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.” The corner of her lips curled into a smile. Their afternoon classes were canceled so they would have enough time to waste today.
“Lu Xinyi and disappointment? You haven’t disappointed me so far.”
“Oh, my. Brother Ye, is that a compliment?” Tang Liang grinned when he heard what Ye Xieren said. He sat beside his sister while Lu Xinyi was sandwiched between Y Xieren and Tang Lilou.
“Shut your mouth, you idiot. Is Surya rubbing his brash attitude to Young Master Tang?”
“Young Master Tang?” Lu Xinyi blinked. She didn’t know about Tang Liang and Tang Lilou coming from the main family of the Tang’s.
“Hey! I’m the fourth young master!” Tang Liang corrected him, “And Surya didn’t do anything to influence me.”
“Ya, sure. Whatever you say, fourth master.” Ye Xieren rolled his eyes and leaned on his back at the fence. Thankfully, the weather was colder today or else he would hate the fact that he needed to stay for two hours under the sun.
Lu Xinyi then turned her attention to Tang Lilou, “So you are…”
“Second Miss,” Tang Liou pointed a finger to herself.
“Ohh…”
“What Second Miss? You are the only Miss!” Ye Xieren furrowed his brows. Everyone in the social circle knew that Tang Lilou was precious to the Tang family for she was the only girl born from them after generations of having sons.
“No! Lilou is the Second Miss, you fool!” Tang Lilou snapped back at Ye Xieren.
Ye Xieren and Lu Xinyi were taken aback from Tang Lilou’s expression. Her face reddened with her lips pouting. Looking at her, Lu Xinyi was reminded of a little tiger that was growling for stealing her food. Tang Lilou was extremely cute when angry.
“There. There,” Lu Xinyi patted the younger woman’s hair. “If Sister Tang says she’s the second miss, then let her be. Don’t bully her, Brother Ye.”
And just like that Tang Lilou calmed down and rubbed her head to Lu Xinyi’s palm. Ye Xieren’s jaws dropped. What the hell was wrong with these women.
—
After two hours of waiting, the pastry class finally finished their exams. The students laid down their batches of macarons on their counters, waiting for their proctor to grade it.
There were different kinds of macarons presented. Some were colorful and vibrant, do others had one simple color. There were also good and fluffy macarons and the bumpy ones. Some were puffy and flat.
Checking what Lan Xiaoli made for today, Lu Xinyi was impressed with the improvement of her macarons. It had a clean vertical rise and ruffled feet. Unlike her first macarons, Lan Xiaoli’s new batch was very promising. ρꪖꪕᦔꪖꪕꪫꪣꫀꪶ
“Look at what Wen Shufen’s macarons. I think she messed up big this time.” Tang Liang had made Lu Xinyi aware of her other concern.
True to Tang Liang’s first impression, Wen Shufen’s macarons failed in comparison to Lan Xiaoli’s. It didn’t have the perfect roundness and feet. Lu Xinyi tried to gauge Wen Shufen’s reaction but instead of being disappointed with her failure, she smiled instead.
“It didn’t rise properly,” Ye Xieren commented.
“No. She overmixed her batter. It may be too runny before piping it out, or maybe her meringue wasn’t stiff enough.”
There was something so suspicious about Wen Shufen. It was like she was purposely trying to lose on purpose against Lan Xiaoli.
Ye Xieren’s face darkened.
“You know, I hope we wouldn’t be doing the same activity soon. Making macarons is such a pain.”
Tang Liang nodded in agreement. “Yes, yes. You’ll surely get beaten by Xin jiejie. Her macarons were so perfect, I felt bad eating them earlier.”
“What? She made macarons?”
Upon Ye Xieren’s question, Tang Lilou took a small airtight container from her bag and revealed perfect macarons in different colors and flavors. He extended an arm to reach out to those delicious pastries but Tang Lilou was quick to shut the lid close.
“Brother Ye, you dare?” Tang Lilou hissed in a low tone. Her eyes glaring dangerously at Ye Xieren. “Are you asking for a swift death?”
Ye Xieren ignored her and chose to bug Lu Xinyi instead. Lu Xinyi’s loli was too scary.
“Hey, that’s unfair. You’ve given them some? Where’s mine?!”
“Hmm, I remember someone saying he doesn’t like sweets. Who did waste those macarons last time?” Lu Xinyi replied nonchalantly.
Ye Xieren’s face blanched. Is this how Lu Xinyi want to teach him a lesson?
Lu Xinyi sighed before accepting a macaron Tang Lilou offered to him.
“I didn’t bother to give you one since you said you don’t like sweets,” she said before taking a bite from her macaron.
After thirty minutes of waiting, the class was dismissed. Lan Xiaoli stepped out with a big smile on her face. She even smiled brighter when she saw Lu Xinyi leaning against a tree and her group waiting outside.
“Xin jiejie! I did it! I really did it!” She ran towards them excitedly.
“You sure did.” Lu Xinyi smiled back. “Now, you can give it properly to Brother Ye.”
Lan Xiaoli shook her head. “I want you to take a look and good taste of my macarons. Can you please try one?”
Tang Liang couldn’t suppress his laughter knowing that Ye Xieren has not only shot down twice but thrice! Poor guy, maybe this time he will learn not to waste food unless it’s spoiled and inedible.
“Sure.” She then took another macaron to eat. “This is way better than your last attempt. What method did you use?”
“The french method. I have a short time practicing the Italian so I stick to what I know and familiar with.”
Lu Xinyi nodded.
“Your macarons are a little underbaked but I will not blame your technique for this failure. It did have the ruffled feet we’re looking for but as I bit to your macaron, the inside wasn’t fully cooked. It cannot fully reach their full potential because the oven temperature wasn’t high enough.”
Tang Liang tapped his chin.
“Then Miss Lan has to learn to adjust the temperatures in your oven. To compensate for adjusted temperatures, she will also need to readjust the baking time and vice versa. For temperature increases, baking time should be decreased. For temperature decreases, baking time should be increased.”
“Right,” Ye Xieren agreed, “However, baking at lower temperatures may sometimes result in an undercooked shell and baking at higher temperatures may cause shells to brown. If that is the case, try adjusting the rack position next time.” he suggested.
“How so?” Lan Xiaoli asked. She felt grateful that the three top chefs of the special class were willing to give her tips to improve her baking.
“As you know the middle position is the default position we, bakers, used. It’s ideal since it allows the hot air to circulate evenly around, resulting in balanced heat distribution. Most of the time we bake macarons on the middle shelf. However, you may need to adjust this depending on where your heat source is coming from.”
“So should I put the tray far from the heat source?” Lan Xiaoli was a little confused.
“Ideally, yes. If the heat source is coming at the top of your oven, you may move it down and then place an empty tray on the rack above the shells to shield them from the heat.” Lu Xinyi explained, “Vice versa if the heat source is in the bottom.”
They were busy talking about the macarons when Wen Shufen stepped outside with her friends. Seeing Lan Xiaoli talking and being friendly with the students from special class, Wen Shufen inwardly sneered.
“Shufen, I can’t believe that ugly duckling got a higher score than you. I’m sure that Lu Xinyi thought her some tricks!” One of her friends said. They glared at Lu Xinyi’s way but the little devil only arched a brow before turning her attention back to her companions.
Wen Shufen faked a cry and sniffed, making sure taking other student’s attention.
“Don’t say that. Maybe she isn’t really that bad but too bad I think I cannot stay here any longer.” she cried and covered her face.
“No! I’m sure we can do something! We wouldn’t allow this to happen! Lu Xinyi and Lan Xiaoli collaborated to shame you. Han Yixin wouldn’t be pleased with this.”
