Chapter 20: Fried Dough Cakes
With Mi Yang’s grandma visiting, the small house felt even more crowded with an extra person, but Cheng Qing was noticeably more relaxed. She had free time to focus on studying and reviewing. After all, she was still young and always wanted to do her job better.
The old Mrs. Cheng was an excellent cook. Mi Yang ate very well at home, and his little face grew a bit chubbier. The snacks he brought out to play with the other children also became more and more varied. Things like peanut brittle, fried dough cakes, baked egg rolls, red bean shortcakes… they were much more sophisticated than the simple egg pancakes Cheng Qing used to whip up for Mi Yang. The old lady made something new every day to keep things fresh, and she would beam with joy just to coax him into taking one more bite.
These were all things Mi Yang was used to eating as a child. In his previous life, he had been raised by the old Mrs. Cheng, and he would say that everything she made was delicious, eating with great relish.
The old Mrs. Cheng not only made a portion for Mi Yang but also made extra for him to share with the other children.
Many of the children of the officers lived here. Some families were well-off and would share imported chocolate candies with Mi Yang. When the old lady saw this, she thought Mi Yang should also share with his friends.
Although her snacks weren’t as fancy as what the others gave, it was the thought that counted.
Mi Yang didn’t actually like playing with children that much. Usually, when his parents were at work, he would spend most of his time reading or watching TV at home alone. But with the old Mrs. Cheng around, he had to do his best to act like a child, packing some pastries in a box and taking them out to share with the other kids.
Bai Luochuan had always been a little tyrant among this group of little kids. Whether it was the children who lived in the military compound year-round or those who came to visit during winter and summer breaks, he had more or less conquered them all with his fists, quickly establishing his status in the compound. Because Mi Yang was always with Bai Luochuan, everyone subconsciously saw him as an authority figure as well. Especially since Mi Yang always had a good-natured, even-tempered demeanor and was capable and willing to help, the children preferred playing with Mi Yang over Bai Luochuan.
In reality, Mi Yang was playing with them with the mindset of a babysitter. When he saw someone crying or fighting, he would call them over and give them both a slap on the wrist. But in the children’s minds, this created an impression of “fairness.”
Especially now that he brought out snacks every day, the little kids he coaxed into playing with him all loved to flock around Mi Yang. A “Mi Yang’s family’s snacks” trend even became popular in the compound. Many children went home and clamored for the kind of little pastries made at Mi Yang’s house. Store-bought ones wouldn’t do. Even “Big Big Roll” bubble gum was no longer effective. It had to be that kind of glistening, golden-red fried dough cake, with slightly crispy edges, that would release a stream of brown sugar syrup with a single bite—the kind that the very capable Mi Yang ate!
After being asked several times, Cheng Qing finally realized that her family’s fried dough cakes had become famous. She didn’t know how to make the edges of the cakes crispy, so she went back and asked. The old Mrs. Cheng chuckled and waved her hand. “Aiyo, there’s no secret recipe. I was just a bit slow, so I fried them for too long!”
Cheng Qing also started to laugh.
Regardless, this little trend of homemade snacks remained popular for several months. Basically, every family with children in the compound had made countless fried dough cakes.
Sometimes, when Mi Yang was at home practicing writing and arithmetic and didn’t come out to play, the group of little kids would stand on their tiptoes and knock on the window, calling out to him, “Mi Yang, come out and play! We’re just waiting for you!”
Bai Luochuan had some complaints about this, but the portion of snacks Mi Yang saved for him was always packed separately and was the most complete and sweetest. So, the young master Bai reluctantly allowed these people to get close to Mi Yang.
Bai Luochuan was quite proud.
He leaned close to Mi Yang and asked, “Want to come to my house to play later? We have chocolate beans and Jianlibao. I’ll open two bottles for you to drink.”
Mi Yang tilted his head and looked at him, smiling without a word.
Bai Luochuan thought for a moment, then quickly added, “Do you want to go? Let’s go play, okay?”
Only then did Mi Yang nod. “Okay.”
This was one thing Mi Yang insisted on. In his previous life, Bai Luochuan had been very domineering, often doing things he didn’t like. Now that he was young, he took the opportunity to cultivate some good habits. The first was to ask for someone’s opinion and get their approval before acting.
However, this was just Mi Yang’s own perception. From the little young master Bai’s perspective, he was already happily gesturing and telling him how much candy he had at home.
The little young master Bai sat on the edge of the playground, chattering away with Mi Yang. He was at an age where he loved to talk, and he would go on about everything for a long time. Much of it was things only children would understand. Mi Yang could react to most of it, and for the few things he didn’t understand, as long as he maintained an expression of “Wow, that’s so amazing,” the little young master Bai would continue to talk proudly.
After another round of war games, Bai Luochuan was still the commander. But this time, after Commander Bai captured the “bunker,” he didn’t dare to leave Mi Yang behind to guard it. He led the charge to the final position together. After sitting on the highest mound of dirt and putting on hats made of branches for himself and Mi Yang, he waved his hand, declaring himself king of the mountain.
The losers on the other side were taken behind the mound of dirt and “executed.” They would aim their little wooden guns, shout “ah” themselves, and that was it.
Mi Yang watched as the little drama kings collapsed, each one more professional than the last, acting out the words “I don’t want to die” from the tips of their hair to their fingertips. He was holding his small water bottle and almost spat out a mouthful of water, finding it hilarious.
Bai Luochuan glanced at him, then suddenly turned back to the losing children. “Die again.”
The children: “?? ”
Bai Luochuan said, “New rule today. Losers die twice.”
The children had no objections. Their clothes were already dirty, and they would definitely get a scolding at home anyway, so it didn’t matter how many times they fell. They did it again. Bai Luochuan looked back at Mi Yang and, sure enough, saw his eyes curving with a smile. He was sitting beside him, looking more and more like the little puppy from the guard battalion—obedient and well-behaved. No, much cuter than that!
Bai Luochuan said again, “Die again!”
This time, the children protested. “Why again? Didn’t you say we die twice?”
Bai Luochuan argued, “I didn’t see clearly just now. Do it again!”
The children: “…”
After three consecutive times, it was Mi Yang who called a halt, and the game finally ended.
Bai Luochuan said, “You don’t want to watch anymore?”
Mi Yang found it a bit strange but quickly figured it out and nodded. “No, I have to go home for dinner.”
Hearing him say that, Bai Luochuan grabbed Mi Yang’s arm and started to leave. However, he insisted on taking Mi Yang to his house first for only one reason: he had to have Mi Yang try the new kiwis that had just been delivered.
“They’re different from before. These ones are especially sweet and soft,” Bai Luochuan said, gesturing as they walked. “I ate two in one go yesterday. I saved the biggest one for you.”
Mi Yang figured the young master Bai probably ate a lot of good things. Even though there was only a two-month age difference, his strength was so great that he nearly pulled Mi Yang over. As he struggled to keep up and was about to say something, he heard the sound of a bicycle bell nearby. He looked up and saw Cheng Qing.
Cheng Qing had just gotten off work and was coming back with groceries. She smiled when she saw the two of them. “Out playing again? Yangyang, remember to come home for dinner in a bit. It’ll be ready soon.”
All mothers seemed to have a habit of calling a half-hour or so “soon.” Mi Yang heard her and nodded. “Got it!” The little young master Bai’s hand was gripping his tightly. It seemed he wouldn’t be able to go home without making a trip to his house first.
The little young master Bai was respectful to Cheng Qing as an elder. While Mi Yang was talking, he stood properly and said goodbye, “Goodbye, Auntie.” After saying that, he thought for a moment, then tilted his head up and asked, “Auntie, can I come to your house for dinner? Just one bowl.”
They hadn’t even parted ways, and he was already planning to go to Mi Yang’s house to play that night.
Cheng Qing smiled. “Of course, come on over.”
Their two houses were not far apart. Bai Luochuan led Mi Yang to his house first, picked out the kiwi he had specially saved for Mi Yang, and scooped out the flesh with a small spoon. It looked like he was about to feed it to Mi Yang, but Mi Yang quickly took the spoon and did it himself. After he had a couple of bites, the little young master Bai lay on the small table, resting his head on his arms, and watched him with a smile. “I didn’t lie to you, right? It’s super sweet!”
He said it as if he had eaten it himself.
With every bite Mi Yang took, his gaze would follow the small spoon up and down. Mi Yang himself was amused. When he got to the softest and sweetest yellow core, he scooped out some of the flesh and brought it to his lips. “Want to try?”
Bai Luochuan didn’t hesitate and ate it in one bite.
Mi Yang took the spoon back and continued to eat. As a child, he had shared a bottle with the young master Bai, and they had eaten like this countless times growing up. He was immune to it, and it had become second nature. He didn’t feel there was anything wrong with it.
After he finished eating, Mi Yang cleaned up the peel, wiped his small hands, and was about to leave. Bai Luochuan grabbed a large handful of Werther’s Original candies and stuffed them into Mi Yang’s pocket. When it was full, he said matter-of-factly, “Let’s go, time to go home and eat.”
Mi Yang: “…”
Mi Yang felt that this guy already treated his house as a canteen. He said the word “eat” with more confidence than he did.
Mrs. Bai couldn’t stop him even if she wanted to, so she couldn’t be bothered to manage him. She had the orderly carry a box of fruit and sent both the child and the fruit over.
However, when the orderly came to pick him up after dinner, he had sent over two but was still picking up two.
The little young master Bai’s eyes were red from crying. He clung to the corner of Mi Yang’s shirt, looking as if he had suffered a great injustice, his lower lip trembling, ready to cry again at any moment. Mi Yang, beside him, didn’t say anything, but he was holding his own small pillow, also looking a little unhappy.
It had been a long time since Mrs. Bai had seen him in this crybaby state, and she found it quite amusing. She teased him, “What’s wrong? Didn’t Commander Bai win the battle this afternoon?”
Bai Luochuan sniffled, holding onto Mi Yang. “I want him to sleep with me.”
Before Mi Yang could say anything, he added with a sorrowful tone, “Mi Yang hasn’t slept with me for several days.”
Mi Yang turned to look at the little kid who had cried his face into a mess, and the corner of his mouth twitched.
Mrs. Bai looked at the orderly beside her. The orderly said, “I’ve already spoken with Mi Yang’s mother. You don’t know, he was still smiling during dinner. The moment I arrived, he started wailing. I asked him what was wrong, and he said he didn’t want to go home and wanted to sleep with Mi Yang. Battalion Commander Mi’s place is small, and the old lady and Mi Yang sleep together on that small bed. How could it fit a third person? Battalion Commander Mi tried to coax him, but he cried even harder. So, he quickly had Mi Yang bring his pillow and come over to our place…”
Mrs. Bai said patiently, “Luochuan, Yangyang has his own family. This time, since Yangyang’s parents agreed, we’ll let it go. But you’re not allowed to be so mischievous next time, do you hear me? Crying doesn’t solve all problems. Next time, it won’t work even if you cry, you know.”
Bai Luochuan, with tears in his eyes, sobbed, “I won’t. Mommy, please let Little Good Boy come to our house!”
Mrs. Bai said, “Yangyang has his own family too.”
Bai Luochuan choked out, “Then, then I’ll go be, be a child of his family…”
Mrs. Bai flicked him on the forehead, both angry and amused.
