Genshin Impact: The Road to Reversal

Chapter 558 Let's Make a Cake Together

Clementine's voice was light and energetic, as if the fierce confrontation had never happened. She skillfully picked up the whisk and began to demonstrate how to whip the egg whites to stiff peaks, her movements elegant and fluid.

"First of all, the basics are very important, just like training." She explained gently as she demonstrated, "The proportions of the ingredients, the strength of the mixing, and the time all determine the final taste of the cake."

Zixuan and Zhao Heng stood aside, picked up the materials and tools, and carefully followed the instructions.

Under Clover's meticulous guidance, the two gradually became immersed in the rhythm of baking. Their initial clumsiness was replaced by focus; stirring, mixing, sifting…

The kitchen was filled with the sweet aroma of flour, sugar, and eggs. Sirius had somehow appeared by the counter, watching with interest and occasionally offering mischievous "suggestions," which Claire laughed off.

When the mixed batter was poured into the mold and placed in the preheated oven, a subtle emotion mixed with anticipation and a sense of accomplishment filled the three of them.

“Very good. When making a cake, you need to control the heat. Too high or too low won’t work. It’s best to bake it slowly over low heat. This will make the cake fluffier and more delicate. Just like controlling elemental forces, the heat is the ‘lifeblood’ of the cake. Too much and it will burn, too little and it will be raw.” Claire pointed to the markings on the oven and explained patiently.

"Yes, the timing is fine. Next, we just need to wait patiently, then unmold and decorate." She straightened up and smiled.

"I must say, as expected of Miss Clementine, she's really skilled."

Zi Xuan scratched her cheek, but the next second, Zhao Heng burst out laughing.

"What are you laughing at?" she asked, hands on her hips.

Zhao Heng forced a laugh and said, "The dough and cream got on my face."

Zixuan was stunned for a moment, and subconsciously raised her hand to touch her face, but ended up smearing flour all over her face, making her look like a little kitten.

Even Claire couldn't help but chuckle, and instantly, the kitchen was filled with a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere. The tension and fatigue from the training session seemed to have been dispelled by the flour and laughter.

Sirius watched from the side, a smile playing on his lips.

Ding~

The oven beeped softly; the cake was done.

Clementine put on thick, heat-resistant gloves and carefully removed the baking tray. Instantly, the room was filled with the aroma of cake. The golden color and soft, fluffy texture made Zixuan eagerly anticipate her own creation.

Ding~

With another soft click, the other two batches of cakes were also baked. Zixuan couldn't wait to put on gloves, take them out, and carefully set them aside to cool.

“Well then, let me see what you two have accomplished.” Claire crouched down to look at the cake bases the two of them had made.

Zixuan's work is practically perfect; both the aroma and the fluffiness are almost identical to mine, making it hard to believe that she's just a beginner.

"Not bad. For a first attempt, that's quite impressive." She nodded in praise.

"Could this be the talent of a medical student?" Zhao Heng thought to himself, arms crossed.

Zixuan put her hands on her hips and said smugly, "Of course, as a medical profession, the control of proportions is quite strict, so this is nothing."

"Um... I hope nothing goes wrong later," Zhao Heng stammered.

Upon hearing this, Zixuan put her hands on her hips and looked at him, saying, "Are you asking for a beating?"

"Hmph~ Well then, let me take a look at Mr. Zhao Heng's." Claire chuckled and then walked to Zhao Heng's baking pan.

This time, the shape is quite regular, and the color... well, it can't be called a failure, but there are quite a few out-of-focus areas on the surface and edges.

"It can't be called a success, but it shouldn't be called a failure either," Zhao Heng said calmly, arms crossed.

Clementine nodded: "Indeed, it's quite good for a first time." Clementine carefully examined Zhao Heng's cake base and gave him a gentle yet professional evaluation: "The edges are a bit burnt, which may be because the oven temperature was a little too high, or the cake was placed too close to the heating element. However, the internal texture looks fairly even."

She picked up a bamboo skewer, gently inserted it into the center of the cake, and pulled it out clean.

"It's ripe enough. Often, a little imperfection can actually make the finished product feel more 'handmade' and more interesting."

She smiled and looked at Zhao Heng: "Moreover, the joy of baking lies not only in the final perfect product, but also in the process of trying and experiencing it."

Zhao Heng nodded, his face expressionless, but a faint smile seemed to flash in his eyes.

"Now for the final step, please decorate your cakes according to your own preferences."

She pointed to the remaining ingredients on the table, which included whipped cream, melted chocolate sauce, slices of various fresh fruits, and some edible frosting and colorful candies.

Zixuan was eager to try. She picked up the purple piping bag and tried to pipe out patterns, outlining simple yet beautiful spiral patterns on the surface of the cake, and garnished it with fresh berry slices.

Zhao Heng, on the other hand, appeared more cautious. After observing for a moment, he picked up a small knife and evenly spread the cooled chocolate sauce onto the surface of the cake with steady and precise movements. Soon, a dragon-shaped pattern appeared faintly on the dark brown chocolate coating. He didn't use too many fancy decorations, only sprinkling some golden icing, like stars adorning the night sky.

Sirius had somehow come over again, raising an eyebrow: "Wow, not bad."

Zhao Heng did not answer, but simply put the cake base aside.

Soon after, the three people's work was neatly arranged on a long table covered with a clean tablecloth.

Clementine's cake is undoubtedly a textbook example. The snow-white cream is evenly covered, the delicate rose decorations are lifelike, and it is decorated with icing and bright red strawberry slices. The edge is also carefully decorated with a delicate lace edge made of almond slices. Just looking at it makes you want to swallow your saliva.

Zixuan's berry spiral cake followed closely behind, with pale purple cream patterns winding and intertwining, and fresh blueberries and raspberries piled on top. If you take a bite, the sweet and sour fruity aroma will surely explode in your mouth instantly.

Zhao Heng's chocolate dragon-patterned cake, while lacking elaborate decorations, exudes an understated elegance. The smooth, glossy brown chocolate coating and the golden icing outlining the dragon pattern shimmer in the light, simple yet powerfully impressive.

“They all look amazing!” Clementine clasped her hands together, her eyes crinkling into crescents. “Now, it’s time for the most anticipated part: the tasting!”

She picked up the cake knife and divided her cake into several equal portions. She first handed one portion to Tianlang, and then gave one piece each to Zixuan and Zhao Heng.

Then, she cut off a portion of Zixuan's and Zhao Heng's cake and placed it on her own plate and on both of their plates.

"Come on, let's taste each other's creations. It's an important part of baking exchange," she said with a smile.

"Great! I can't wait!"