Chapter 113: The Fragrant and Sweet Little Sugar Cookie

After finally calming her sister down, Du Yun took the opportunity to slip into their vegetable garden under the pretense of picking vegetables.

It was midsummer, the time of year when the garden was at its most bountiful. Leaves in varying shades of green appeared delicate under the sunlight, exuding a faint, refreshing scent that lifted Du Yun’s spirits.

The trellises were heavy with string beans and cowpeas; tender cucumbers bore tiny thorns near their blossoms; low-lying eggplants of different sizes hung from the vines; and bright red tomatoes and peppers of various hues added vibrant splashes of color. All of this filled Du Yun with joy.

Dragonflies flitted past her, their thin, translucent wings shimmering before they suddenly accelerated and vanished into the distance. Smiling, Du Yun placed the ripe vegetables into her basket, feeling her heart swell warmly. Even the blazing sun beating down on her back no longer felt unbearably hot.

“To live on a peaceful planet is truly a blessing,” Du Yun said cheerfully, chatting with Dou Zhi as she gathered vegetables. Being able to relax so completely in her own yard, picking vegetables and cooking meals without fear for her life, was a sensation beyond words.

“Yes, absolutely!” Though Dou Zhi lacked a physical body, he could see the whole world through Du Yun’s eyes. Life without constant fear, coupled with their recent major breakthroughs against the zombies, lifted his spirits immensely.

“Let’s store some vegetables!” Du Yun said with a grin. Part of the vegetables in the basket suddenly disappeared, but since the garden was overflowing with produce in summer, it was hardly noticeable.

“Sis, I have to go to town tomorrow to deliver some pastries people ordered,” Du Yun said as she returned indoors with the vegetables. She intended to play the part fully—making pastries today to sell in town tomorrow. She would sell as many as she could, and store the unsold ones in her storage compartment to feed the hungry crew aboard the New Haimer.

Of course, selling pastries wasn’t Du Yun’s primary goal. The main reason for going to town was to find those two rascals and exchange the valuable items in her storage compartment for cash.

With nimble hands, Du Yun prepared two large plates of colorful soft cakes. Seeing she still had plenty of oil and flour in her storage, an idea struck her—why not make some crispy sugar cakes?

Sweet and crispy little cakes filled with sticky, sweet syrup that oozed out with every bite—just thinking of them made her mouth water with longing.

Since there was still plenty of time and she was craving a treat, Du Yun pulled out some white flour, oil, and sugar from her storage and eagerly began making the sugar cakes.

The sugar cakes Du Yun envisioned were actually quite simple to make. After kneading the dough and rolling it out into a large sheet, she brushed a thin layer of oil on top. Then, like folding a blanket, she rolled the dough into a long strip, layering it as she went.

With swift movements, Du Yun tore the oiled dough strip into small pieces, each just slightly larger than a walnut. Because of the oil brushed on the surface, the dough pieces glistened golden and felt smooth to the touch.

She arranged the dough pieces on a plate, sealed the oil-dripping ends, sprinkled a little flour on top, and flattened each piece with a rolling pin. Thus, the dough skins were ready.

The filling for the sugar cakes was a mixture of white sugar and flour. Pure sugar filling would be too runny when cooked, while too much flour would make it stiff and unappetizing. Du Yun preferred a one-to-one ratio, quickly mixing the filling before wrapping it into the small cakes.

Her hands worked deftly, wrapping the filling as she let her mind wander to her thoughts.

She recalled when she first received these supplies, secretly tempted to keep them all but too shy to just take what wasn’t hers. One night, unable to sleep, she went to the starship’s kitchen to make herself a midnight snack—and her commander suddenly appeared behind her.

“Ah! You scared me!” Du Yun thought about the supplies, mountains of them, far too much for just their small group. Seeing them right there was almost unbearable temptation.

“What are you making?” The commander wrapped his arms around Du Yun’s waist, inhaling deeply at the nape of her neck, causing her to squirm.

“Midnight snack. I can’t sleep,” Du Yun pouted. She wanted to ask the commander for some of the leftover supplies but felt embarrassed and lowered her head to mumble.

“I’ll keep you company,” the commander said, holding her close as he watched her swiftly prepare the food, finding her utterly captivating.

Du Yun soon finished making the snack. With the commander’s help, she cooked two bowls of noodles topped with eggs, ham slices, and garnished with vegetables and carrots, making the dish look beautiful.

“Can I ask you something?” Du Yun took a bite but suddenly lost her appetite, thinking about her starving family back home.

“Hm?” The commander looked up at Du Yun, his dark eyes deep and luminous like a tranquil pool.

“We’ve collected so many supplies—enough for six months—and the extras, could I have some?” Du Yun felt her face flush red, as if all the blood in her body rushed to her cheeks.

Previously, at the grocery warehouse, she could take leftover items without guilt because they were unclaimed. But now, knowing these belonged to the commander, taking them made her feel shy.

“Sure,” the commander replied decisively, secretly relieved, then lowered his head to take a big mouthful of noodles.

Du Yun had rehearsed plenty of excuses to persuade him but was left speechless by his immediate agreement, feeling as if a fist had hit a cotton pillow—powerless to resist.

“You’d just give it to me if I ask?” she asked cautiously, staring at him.

“Yeah, I’d give it to you.” The commander chewed his noodles without hesitation, making Du Yun’s heart race uncontrollably.

Even now, back on Bluewater Planet, recalling the commander’s earnest and resolute gaze still made her heart flutter. She hugged her face, smiling sweetly.

The sugar cakes sizzled in the pan, each palm-sized cake turning golden and puffed, looking irresistibly fragrant and delicious.

“Sis, what are you making? It smells so good!” The children’s voices rang out from outside, drawn back by the enticing aroma.