Chapter 110 - 108 — The Harvest Fair, the Missing Recipe, and a Very Hungry Dragon

Chapter 110: Chapter 108 — The Harvest Fair, the Missing Recipe, and a Very Hungry Dragon

The first sign of trouble appeared at breakfast.

It was not a broken teapot.

It was not a runaway chicken.

It was not even the giant pumpkin collapsing under its own weight.

It was a dragon.

A very small, very distressed dragon.

"MY RECIPE!"

Lin Yue nearly dropped her spoon.

Across the table, Shen Rui slowly put down his tea.

Lumi stood in the doorway, wings spread, eyes wide, and a little flour covering its nose.

"My recipe has disappeared!"

Lin Yue blinked.

"Good morning to you too."

"THIS IS NOT A GOOD MORNING!"

Shen Rui glanced at the little dragon.

"Which recipe?"

"The peach-honey cake recipe!"

Lumi clutched its head dramatically.

"My masterpiece! My secret formula! My future fortune!"

Lin Yue tried not to smile.

"Where did you last see it?"

"On the kitchen table!"

"And when was that?"

"Last night!"

"Did you leave it there?"

Lumi hesitated.

"Possibly."

"Did you put anything on top of it?"

"Possibly."

"Did you eat anything near it?"

Lumi looked offended.

"I am a professional pastry chef. I would never eat beside my precious recipe."

Shen Rui glanced at the crumbs on its chest.

Lumi followed his gaze.

"Those are unrelated crumbs."

Lin Yue finally laughed.

"All right, little pastry chef. We will help you find it."

Lumi’s eyes immediately brightened.

"Really?"

"Of course."

Shen Rui sighed.

"Apparently, our peaceful breakfast has become an investigation."

Lin Yue leaned toward him.

"Think of it as an adventure."

He looked at her.

"Does the adventure involve breakfast?"

"Yes."

"Then I am willing to participate."

Within half an hour, Open Garden had become a detective headquarters.

Lumi had appointed itself chief investigator.

Aster was the official record keeper.

Mei was responsible for taking notes.

Jun and his younger sister were assigned to search the kitchen.

The other apprentices were sent to inspect the courtyard and storage room.

Moss refused to participate.

"I am a scarecrow," he grumbled. "My responsibility is to scare birds, not investigate missing pastries."

Lumi marched up to him.

"But you are standing right beside the kitchen!"

"I stand wherever I please."

"Did you see anyone take my recipe?"

Moss looked down.

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"I have no eyes that can read."

Lumi stared.

Then turned toward Aster.

"Suspect number one."

Aster recorded the statement.

"Reason for suspicion?"

"He looks grumpy."

Moss’s straw arms rose.

"I am always grumpy!"

Lin Yue laughed.

"Lumi, we should look for evidence rather than accuse everyone."

The little dragon nodded solemnly.

"Understood. We shall conduct a proper investigation."

It turned toward Jun.

"Did you take my recipe?"

Jun shook his head.

"No."

"Did you eat it?"

Jun frowned.

"Why would I eat paper?"

Lumi looked thoughtful.

"Some paper smells delicious."

His younger sister rolled her eyes.

"That’s because you spilled honey on it."

Lumi froze.

Lin Yue slowly turned toward the dragon.

"You spilled honey on the recipe?"

"Only a little."

Shen Rui raised an eyebrow.

"How much is a little?"

Lumi held up its claws.

"This much."

Lin Yue stared at the tiny gap between them.

"That’s hardly anything."

Lumi widened the gap.

"This much?"

"Lumi."

"Fine. This much."

It spread both wings.

Shen Rui rubbed his forehead.

"I see."

The investigation began in the kitchen.

The table had been cleaned, but several small clues remained.

A sticky honey jar.

A wooden spoon.

A torn piece of paper.

And a trail of flour leading toward the back door.

Mei crouched beside the trail.

"Someone walked through here."

Jun immediately pointed at his sister.

"She was in the kitchen yesterday!"

His sister glared at him.

"So were you!"

"I was helping!"

"You were eating!"

"I was helping the cakes disappear!"

Lin Yue covered her mouth.

Shen Rui examined the torn paper.

"This may be part of the missing recipe."

He picked it up carefully.

There were a few words written on it.

Two spoons of honey...

Lumi gasped.

"My recipe!"

Then it leaned closer.

"Wait. Where are the other words?"

Shen Rui turned the paper over.

Nothing.

Aster projected a small image of the kitchen from its observation records.

"I have a possible explanation."

Everyone gathered around.

The image showed Lumi standing at the kitchen table the previous evening.

It was stirring a bowl of batter.

Then it reached for the honey jar.

The jar slipped.

A golden splash covered the table.

The recipe paper became sticky.

Lumi tried to lift it.

The paper tore.

Then the little dragon looked around, panicked, and quickly swept the pieces into a cloth.

The image ended.

There was silence.

Lin Yue slowly turned toward Lumi.

Lumi looked at the floor.

Shen Rui folded his arms.

"So the recipe was not stolen."

Lumi whispered, "It was..."

"Destroyed?" Mei suggested.

"Temporarily misplaced," Lumi corrected.

Jun burst out laughing.

His younger sister shook her head.

"You lost your own recipe."

Lumi puffed up.

"I was conducting an experiment!"

Lin Yue smiled.

"Then where did you put the pieces?"

Lumi’s eyes widened.

"I don’t remember."

Shen Rui closed his eyes.

"Of course you don’t."

Lumi refused to give up.

It insisted that the missing recipe must still be somewhere in Open Garden.

The group searched the kitchen again.

They checked beneath the table, behind the shelves, inside the flour container, and even under Moss’s straw hat.

Moss was not pleased.

"Why is everyone looking at my head?"

"Because we are searching for evidence," Lumi explained.

"You have found nothing."

"Your hat is suspicious."

"My hat is innocent."

Aster recorded another statement.

"Suspect number two: Moss’s hat."

Moss groaned.

Lin Yue eventually discovered another clue.

A tiny piece of paper had been stuck to the bottom of Lumi’s favourite wooden mixing bowl.

She peeled it away.

It contained the words:

One spoon of peach juice.

Lumi gasped.

"That’s it!"

Shen Rui looked at the bowl.

"Was the recipe stuck underneath?"

Lumi nodded.

"Perhaps."

"Perhaps?"

"I might have used the paper to wipe the honey."

Lin Yue stared.

Then she laughed.

"You used your precious recipe as a cleaning cloth?"

Lumi’s ears drooped.

"It was an emergency."

Jun was laughing so hard that he had to hold the table.

His younger sister patted his back.

"Stop laughing. You’re making it worse."

"It’s already terrible!"

Lumi looked close to tears.

Lin Yue crouched and gently rubbed its head.

"Don’t worry. We can make another one."

"But it was my secret recipe."

"Then let’s reconstruct it together."

Lumi sniffed.

"Really?"

"Really."

Shen Rui pulled over a chair.

"I can help with the measurements."

Mei opened her notebook.

"I will record everything."

Jun raised his hand.

"I can taste-test!"

His sister immediately said, "You can help wash the bowls."

Jun lowered his hand.

"That seems unfair."

The kitchen soon became a laboratory.

Lin Yue gathered the ingredients.

Fresh peach pulp.

Honey.

Flour.

Eggs.

A little butter.

And a pinch of dried flower petals for fragrance.

Lumi stood on a small stool, wearing an apron that was much too large.

It looked extremely serious.

"First, two spoons of honey."

Lin Yue measured carefully.

"Correct."

"One spoon of peach juice."

"Correct."

"Then..."

Lumi paused.

It looked toward the ceiling.

Then toward the flour jar.

Then toward Shen Rui.

"Something magical?"

Shen Rui chuckled.

"Perhaps a little patience."

Lumi looked disappointed.

"Patience is not an ingredient."

"It is when you are baking."

Lin Yue laughed.

They mixed the batter together.

Lumi stirred with both claws, occasionally sneezing tiny golden sparks into the air.

Aster immediately projected a warning.

"Please avoid igniting the flour."

"I am not igniting anything!"

A tiny spark landed on the wooden spoon.

Lumi froze.

Shen Rui calmly extinguished it with a damp cloth.

"Perhaps you should supervise rather than stir."

Lumi gasped.

"I am the chief chef!"

"Then the chief chef should stay away from open flames."

Lin Yue leaned toward her husband and whispered, "You sound like a very strict kitchen manager."

Shen Rui whispered back, "Someone has to keep the bakery from burning down."

"I thought we were supporting its dream."

"We are supporting its survival."

Lin Yue burst out laughing.

When the batter was ready, they placed it into the oven.

Lumi sat in front of it, watching the little cake rise.

It did not blink.

It did not move.

It barely breathed.

After several minutes, Lin Yue gently touched its shoulder.

"Lumi?"

"Shhh."

"Your cake is not going anywhere."

"I am watching it."

"Would you like some tea?"

"No."

"Some fruit?"

"No."

"Another peach cake?"

Lumi turned.

"Where?"

Shen Rui laughed.

"You are very easy to distract."

The cake emerged from the oven with a golden surface and a sweet peach fragrance.

Lumi stared at it.

Then it gasped.

"IT IS BEAUTIFUL!"

The cake was not perfectly round.

One side had risen slightly higher than the other.

A small crack ran across the top.

But it smelled wonderful.

Lin Yue cut a slice.

The inside was soft, moist, and filled with peach flavour.

She tasted it.

Then smiled.

"Delicious."

Mei tried a piece.

"It’s lovely."

Jun took a large bite.

"Mmm!"

His younger sister tasted it too.

"I think this is better than the previous one."

Lumi’s eyes widened.

"Better?"

Lin Yue nodded.

"Much better."

The little dragon puffed up proudly.

Then it looked at Shen Rui.

"What do you think?"

He took a bite.

"Very good."

Lumi waited.

"Only very good?"

Shen Rui pretended to think.

"Perhaps excellent."

Lumi cheered.

Lin Yue laughed.

"Congratulations, Chief Chef."

Aster projected a small golden sign.

THE GOLDEN DRAGON BAKERY — OFFICIAL HARVEST FAIR DEBUT.

Lumi nearly fell off the stool.

"MY BAKERY!"

Jun clapped.

"Will you sell cakes?"

"Yes!"

"Can I have one for free?"

"No."

Jun’s face fell.

Lumi added, "You can have a discount."

His younger sister sighed.

"You have become a proper shopkeeper already."

Lumi nodded proudly.

"Business is business."

Lin Yue smiled.

"Then we should prepare enough cakes for the fair."

Lumi spread its wings.

"I shall make twenty!"

Shen Rui looked at the little dragon.

"Start with five."

"Fifteen?"

"Five."

"Ten?"

"Five."

"Eight and a half?"

Lin Yue laughed.

"Five first. We can make more if they turn out well."

Lumi considered this.

"Fine. But I want a very large sign."

By late afternoon, the kitchen was finally clean.

The recipe had been rewritten.

The new cake had been recorded in Mei’s notebook.

And Lumi had fallen asleep beside the remaining peach-honey cakes.

Lin Yue stepped outside with Shen Rui.

The sun was beginning to set, spreading warm golden light over the garden.

She carried two cups of tea.

He carried a small plate of the freshly baked cakes.

They sat beneath the peach tree.

Lin Yue handed him a cup.

"Today was unexpectedly busy."

Shen Rui smiled.

"Because a dragon lost a piece of paper?"

"Because a dragon lost a piece of paper, accused a scarecrow, and nearly turned a pumpkin into a bakery."

He chuckled.

"When you say it like that, it sounds rather ridiculous."

"It was ridiculous."

She leaned against his shoulder.

"But fun."

Shen Rui placed the plate between them.

"Would you like the last piece?"

Lin Yue looked at it.

"You want to give it to me?"

"Yes."

She smiled.

"Then I shall accept."

She took the cake and broke it into two pieces.

He looked at her.

"What are you doing?"

"Sharing."

"I was giving it to you."

"And I am giving half back."

Shen Rui smiled.

"You always do that."

"Do what?"

"Share everything."

Lin Yue looked at him.

"Not everything."

His eyebrows lifted.

"Oh?"

She leaned closer.

"Some things are only mine."

"Such as?"

"My husband."

Shen Rui laughed softly.

"Then I am fortunate."

"Very."

He brushed a crumb from the corner of her mouth.

"Although I believe I should receive a little more affection as compensation."

Lin Yue tilted her head.

"Compensation for what?"

"For helping solve the missing recipe."

"You were only measuring honey."

"And providing emotional support."

She laughed.

"Is that what you call it?"

"It was essential."

Lin Yue put down her cup and kissed him.

"Then consider yourself compensated."

Shen Rui smiled against her lips.

"I may have to solve another mystery tomorrow."

She laughed.

"Don’t you dare encourage Lumi."

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

For a few peaceful moments, they sat together beneath the peach tree, sharing tea and cake.

Then Lin Yue noticed something.

"Shen Rui."

"Hmm?"

"Where is the remaining recipe paper?"

He looked toward the kitchen.

"Mei recorded it."

"No, I mean the original pieces."

Shen Rui paused.

Then he looked at her.

"You want to keep them?"

"Perhaps. It is part of Lumi’s first bakery adventure."

He smiled.

"Then we should collect them."

Lin Yue nodded.

"Tomorrow."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes. Today is our evening."

Shen Rui chuckled.

"Very well. I shall obey."

The following morning, Lumi was awake before everyone else.

It had decorated the kitchen with peach blossoms, hung a little sign above the door, and placed five cakes neatly on a wooden tray.

The sign read:

THE GOLDEN DRAGON BAKERY

GRAND OPENING — HARVEST FAIR

Below it, in smaller writing:

FIRST FIVE CUSTOMERS RECEIVE A SPECIAL SURPRISE!

Lin Yue stopped at the doorway.

"Lumi?"

The little dragon turned proudly.

"Welcome to my bakery!"

Shen Rui looked at the sign.

"What is the special surprise?"

Lumi smiled mysteriously.

"A secret."

A moment later, Moss appeared.

He examined the cakes.

Then the sign.

Then Lumi.

"I came to collect my seed cakes."

Lumi immediately bowed.

"Welcome, respected customer!"

Moss grumbled.

"Do not call me that."

"Would you like a peach-honey cake?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Would you like two?"

Moss paused.

Then slowly pointed at the tray.

"Perhaps one."

Lin Yue covered her mouth.

Shen Rui whispered, "The bakery has its first customer."

Lumi beamed.

"MY BUSINESS IS SUCCESSFUL!"

Aster appeared.

"Correction: one customer has expressed interest."

"SUCCESSFUL!"

By midday, the bakery had received three more customers.

Mei bought one cake.

Jun bought two.

His younger sister bought one and immediately warned him not to eat both of his at once.

Lumi recorded every purchase with great seriousness.

Then, just as Lin Yue and Shen Rui were preparing to leave for the eastern garden, a familiar voice came from the gate.

"Is this the place selling peach-honey cakes?"

Auntie Feng entered, carrying a large basket.

Behind her stood Madam He and the elderly Willowbank orchard keeper.

Lumi’s eyes widened.

"CUSTOMERS!"

Auntie Feng examined the cakes.

"I heard there was a new bakery."

Lumi bowed.

"Welcome! Everything is freshly made!"

The old orchard keeper picked up one cake.

"Did you make these yourself?"

"With help," Lumi admitted.

Shen Rui coughed softly.

"Quite a lot of help."

Lumi pretended not to hear.

Madam He tasted a piece.

Then her eyes brightened.

"These are delicious!"

Auntie Feng nodded.

"Very good. You should bring some to the Harvest Fair."

Lumi’s wings trembled with excitement.

"Really?"

"Of course."

The little dragon looked at Lin Yue.

Then at Shen Rui.

Then at its customers.

"I SHALL MAKE THIRTY!"

Shen Rui immediately replied, "Start with ten."

"Twenty!"

"Ten."

"Fifteen?"

Lin Yue laughed.

"Ten first, Lumi."

The dragon sighed dramatically.

"Being a business owner is difficult."

That evening, as the Harvest Fair preparations continued, Lin Yue and Shen Rui walked through the garden together.

The giant pumpkin was stable.

The stalls were nearly ready.

The apprentices had finished their decorations.

And Lumi’s bakery had officially become the most popular corner of Open Garden.

Lin Yue looked around with a smile.

"Do you think the fair will go well?"

Shen Rui squeezed her hand.

"I think it will be wonderful."

"What if it rains?"

"Then we move everything beneath the shelter."

"What if the pumpkin falls?"

"I will build a stronger frame."

"What if Lumi sells all the cakes before the fair even begins?"

He looked toward the kitchen.

"That seems the most likely problem."

Lin Yue laughed.

They continued walking until they reached the Moonveil peach tree.

Its young leaves moved gently in the evening breeze.

Shen Rui stopped.

"Lin Yue."

She turned.

"Yes?"

"After the Harvest Fair, I want to take you somewhere."

Her eyes brightened.

"Somewhere?"

"Somewhere quiet."

"Will there be tea?"

"Yes."

"Cakes?"

"Certainly."

"Work?"

"Absolutely not."

She smiled.

"Then I accept."

He gently brushed her hair away from her face.

"Good. I have something planned."

Lin Yue looked at him suspiciously.

"Should I be worried?"

"Why?"

"Because whenever you say you have something planned, it usually involves wood, nails, or a very ambitious construction project."

Shen Rui laughed.

"This time, it involves none of those."

She narrowed her eyes.

"I shall believe you when I see it."

He leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

"Then you will have to wait."

From the kitchen came a sudden shout.

"MASTER! I HAVE A PROBLEM!"

Lin Yue closed her eyes.

Shen Rui sighed.

"What now?"

Lumi appeared at the doorway.

Its wings were spread.

Its expression was desperate.

"THE BAKERY HAS TOO MANY CUSTOMERS!"

Lin Yue blinked.

"What?"

"I HAVE RUN OUT OF CAKES!"

Shen Rui looked at his wife.

She looked at him.

Then both began laughing.

The Harvest Fair had not even started.

And already, Open Garden had a bakery with more customers than cakes.

To be continued...