Sweet Heart in Honeyed Desire Chapter 16
Chapter 16: New product – Just one bite.
Though dissatisfied with Yu Yis att.i.tude, Yus father remained silent and gestured Bai Xiao towards the dining room.
The table was filled with dishes that Yu Yis parents believed were his favourite. Yus mother picked up a piece of steamed cod with her chopsticks and placed it into Yu Yis bowl. "This is your favourite dish. Todays cod is very fresh."
Yu Yi nodded silently. Father Yu glanced over at him. "Old Xie gifted two orchestra tickets to us but your mother and I are busy and dont have time to attend. Why dont you take Xiao Xiao and go together this afternoon?"
Bai Xiao paused with a bowl in her hand. She subconsciously looked over at Yu Yi, who swallowed his food before replying, "Ive got an appointment this afternoon."
Yu Yis father furrowed his brows. "Who did you make an appointment with? Cant you cancel it? Its so rare for Xiao Xiao to visit."
"This afternoon I need to taste test a new pastry product. If I dont go, then the chefs efforts would go to waste."
Before Yu Yis father could say anymore, Bai Xiao intervened. "Uncle Yu, I also have an appointment so I wouldnt be able to go to the orchestra anyway."
With her words, Father Yu could only keep his mouth shut. He spent the rest of the meal in silence, while Mother Yu tried her best to ease the atmosphere by placing food into everyones bowls.
Bai Xiao stood up and bid her farewells after lunch. Yu Yis parents didnt keep her any longer but the moment she left, their expressions did not seem well.
Yu Yi, lacking social cues as usual, stood up to bid his own farewell. "Father, mother, Im returning to the company first."
Father Yu finally couldnt hold it in any longer. "All you ever think about is going back to work. Youre already of age, its about time you thought about your own personal relationships. Do you want to be single for the rest of your life?"
Yu Yi turned around, looking at him apathetically as he said, "Its not as if you dont know my situation. Do you really think Bai Xiao could handle it?"
His parents quietened at that comment. After a moment, Yu Yis mother opened her mouth and said, "Xiao Xiao has a kind personality and a strong character. I believe she can accept you for who you are; she might even be able to help handle some of your work responsibilities."
"I will consider this myself, theres no need for you to worry."
Yu Yi was about to leave when his mother scowled and hysterically shouted, "If I dont worry about you, then who do I worry about? Youre my only son!"
Yu Yi paused for a moment, but still stepped out of the main gate.
Luo Hao was waiting for him outside and had noticed Bai Xiao leaving just moments before. Yu Yi stepped into the car and told the chauffeur, "back to the office."
The car slowly started. Luo Hao looked at Yu Yi in the reflection of the rearview mirror, Originally, he intended to ask about Bai Xiaos situation, but stayed quiet once he saw Yu Yis dark expression.
Though, since when did CEO Yu have expressions?
His thoughts drifted to Tang Mi, and the corner of his lips lifted subtly.
By the time Tang Mi carried the cake over to Yu Zhi, it was 5 minutes to three. The secretary, Sang Lan, was seated at the office when Tang Mi walked over and greeted her.
Seeing her, Sang Lan stood up from her seat and asked, "Miss Tang, is that the new product for CEO Yu to taste?"
Tang Mi nodded. "Yes."
"CEO Yu is already inside and has been notified. You may enter."
"Thank you."
She walked two steps before Sang Lan called her out from behind. "Miss Tang."
"What is it?" She unconsciously stopped walking and looked back.
Sang Lan leaned forward and whispered, "I think CEO Yu isnt in a good mood right now."
Tang Mi widened her eyes in surprise. CEO Yu could also have a troubled heart?
Sang Lan noticed her doubt and laughingly said "Its true that CEO Yu has always been emotionless like a robot, but recently we noticed that he has been showing some emotion. Although it is rather subtle, those of us that have been with him for years have grown aware of this small change."
Tang Mi froze for a bit before nodding her head. "Thank you."
She walked to the office door and knocked. Yu Yis voice resonated from the other side. "Please enter."
With just these two simple words, Tang Mis heart started racing.
She pushed the door open. Yu Yi sat at the study, lifting his head to look up at her. She stared back, suddenly remembering Yu Xins words last night. That is, to let her kiss him.
Fortunately for her, Yu Yi had no memories of Yu Xin; otherwise she wouldnt have known how to face Yu Yi right this moment.
"Please take a seat."
Tang Mi obediently sat down in front of him and smiled. "Im so sorry about yesterday, suddenly announcing a new product&h.e.l.lip;" Would CEO Yu think it was weird?
Yu Yi said, "I heard about what had happened from Luo Hao. It should be me who apologises for all the trouble weve given you."
Tang Mi recalled the phone call Yu Xin had picked up the day before. Perhaps that was Luo Hao? She shook her head and took the dessert out. "This is a strawberry parfait, something Ive wanted to make for a long time, but was always too lazy. I decided to take advantage of this opportunity to try it out." 。
Yu Yi glanced at the cake. Indeed, its outside appearance was so beautiful and exquisite, one couldnt help but feel an urge to bite into it.
"Briefly introduce it to me."
"Um&h.e.l.lip;" Tang Mi quickly tried to create coherent sentences. "The base of the cake is strawberry parfait. Its thicker than mousse, but with the addition of eggs, its even fluffier and lighter. Instead of using strawberry jam, I directly whipped fresh strawberries and eggs together in a blender to keep the grainy strawberry seed texture. As for the two layers of vanilla chiffon cake within the parfait, I soaked them in strawberry syrup so that it remained moist. Finally, to add to the thickness of the cake, I added a strawberry pudding layer on top."
Tang Mi explained each layer in one big breath. She then continued to describe the decorations. "Since I always felt cream and strawberry compliment each other well, I cut the strawberries in half, hollowed them and piped cream inside. I also used blueberries and crushed pistachios to not only add flavour to the cake, but also enhance the presentation of the dish."
While she spoke, she took out another container from her bag. "If we do end up selling this at the restaurant, Ive also prepared a strawberry sauce to pour over the parfait. Its main ingredients are strawberry, lemon juice, and raspberry wine."
Yu Yi slowly nodded his head. "It sounds very good." He spooned a piece of cake into his mouth, taking his time to taste the flavours.
Tang Mi grew quite nervous as she watched his mouth open and close, his tongue occasionally making an appearance.
Once he finished, he put his fork down. "It tastes quite good. Ill let PR know to publicise our new product."
Tang Mis heart immediately relaxed, ecstatic inside. Didnt CEO Yu used to only say things were okay! How come he praised the taste of my parfait as great! Great!
She shot off the chair and bowed 90 degrees at him. "Thank you so much CEO Yu, I will continue to work hard!"
Yu Yi silently watched her and replied, "Mm."
Tang Mi. "&h.e.l.lip;"
She raised her head, feeling a little stupid.
"Ill ask PR to contact you to discuss the date of release. If theres nothing else, you may return to the restaurant now." After Yu Yi finished his sentence, he pondered for a moment before adding, "Ill send someone to drive you back."
Outside the office, Bai Xiao walked over while carrying a small basket of fruits and vegetables. Sang Lan saw her and immediately stood up to greet her. "Miss Bai, are you here to see CEO Yu?
Bai Xiao smiled at her. "I came here to confirm the next quarters contract and decided to bring some fresh fruits and vegetables over while I was at it."
She handed the basket to Sang Lan. Inside were cuc.u.mbers, tomatoes and strawberries. Sang Lan took it and happily replied, "Thank you Miss Bai. The vegetables and fruits from your produce are absolutely delicious. Last time I cooked some of the vegetables, my mother loved them so much shes became obsessed!"
Bai Xiao smiled. " If you want some, we can retail them in small amounts, but the price might be more expensive. Also, strawberries are almost out of season and soon only greenhouse strawberries will be left. The price of all the strawberry desserts in the restaurant will rise, so you should eat them soon."
"Ah, now that you say that, I should go to Sweet Dream and eat their cakes. Lu Yu from PR and Mr. Luo have praised their newest pastry chef highly. She did so well, even CEO Yu promoted her to permanency within a month."
Bai Xiao raised her brows at that. As if she thought of something, she asked, "I heard a chef was bringing in a new dessert for CEO Yu this afternoon?"
Sang Lan nodded. "Thats right, its the pastry chef from Sweet Dream. Shes currently in CEO Yus office. Oh yeah, her name is Tang Mi; doesnt it sound so sweet?"
Right when she said this, Tang Mi pushed open the office door to see a tall, beautiful lady talking to Sang Lan and greeted both of them.
Sang Lan asked, "Did the new product make it through?"
Tang Mi smiled as she answered, "Yep! CEO Yu said I need to talk to PR about when to release it."
"Congratulations!"
Tang Mi giggled and she bid her farewell, nodding at Bai Xiao when she walked past her. As soon as Tang Mi was at the elevator, Bai Xiao asked Sang Lan, "Is that her?"
"Yes."
"A b.u.t.tery and creamy scent seems to surround her. I would also like to eat one of her cakes."
Sang Lan laughed. "There should still be some of her cake left over in CEO Yus office, do you want to go in?"
Bai Xiao looked over at the big closed door. "Thats okay, Ill come back another day."
Not long after she left, Luo Hao returned. As soon as he saw Sang Lan at her desk, he asked, "Did Tang Mi come by today?"
Sang Lan replied, "She did. The product also made it through."
"Thats great." Luo Hao smiled and walked into Yu Yis office.
The strawberry parfait on the desk was very eye-catching. However, there was only half left. As Luo Hao walked over, he said in surprise, "Is this Tang Mis new dessert? Can I try some?"
Yu Yi replied, "Only one bite."
Luo Hao was shocked. since when did CEO Yu become protective over his food?
His emotions were thrown in a disarray. He cut into the cake and took a bite. "How could you only let me eat one bite! Just one piece makes you want to eat the whole thing!"
Yu Yi was indifferent to his complaints and moved the cake back in front of him before eating it again.
Luo Hao raised his brows. CEO Yus mood seemed to have improved a lot since Tang Mi visited.