Chapter 18: Giving Dazhuang Cake

Bai An waited and waited but didn’t see Dazhuang’s figure. Feeling a bit anxious, she looked up at the sky. Well, the sun hadn’t fully come up yet.

She realized she was being a bit too impatient. While thinking this, Bai An began to put the snacks back into her space. Since it was still early, she decided to go find Dazhuang at his house.

Standing before the open door, Bai An stretched her neck, curiously looking inside, just as Dazhuang’s mother was about to head out, their eyes meeting.

The atmosphere suddenly became a bit awkward.

Bai An touched her nose and quietly said, “Hello, Auntie. Is Dazhuang awake?”

Dazhuang’s mother saw Bai An standing at the door, a bit surprised. Upon hearing that she was there to find Dazhuang to play, she smiled brightly. “That little rascal Dazhuang is still sleeping. Bai An, do you usually wake up this early?”

“No, Auntie, I just woke up a little earlier today. Usually, I sleep in.” Bai An said, feeling a bit embarrassed. “Can I go find Dazhuang now?”

“Go ahead, go ahead.” Dazhuang’s mother waved her hand, watching Bai An’s back and thinking to herself.

People from the city really are different. Their children look so lively, especially this Bai An. I heard she was found when they first came here. Why wasn’t she the one I found?

But looking at Bai An, Dazhuang’s mother started to doubt whether Bai An was truly theirs. Who else in the village could have such a pretty daughter?

If only she could marry my silly son…

Dazhuang’s father, carrying a hoe, greeted Bai An as she entered, and then noticed his wife staring at the girl’s back with a smile.

“What are you laughing about?” Dazhuang’s father walked over to his wife and asked, “Why do you keep staring at that girl?”

Dazhuang’s mother glanced at him and slapped his shoulder lightly, leaning closer to his ear to whisper, “Haven’t you always wanted a daughter? Do you think Bai An could be a daughter-in-law for us?”

“Hey, what are you thinking?” Dazhuang’s father said, walking out with his hoe. “She’s from the city, a cultured person. How could we match? Just look at how handsome Bai An is, and then look at our kid.”

“Stop daydreaming and get to work.”

Dazhuang’s mother rolled her eyes at him. “Bai An is pretty, but what’s wrong with Dazhuang?”

Bai An had no idea that Dazhuang’s mother was thinking about her as a potential daughter-in-law. She was currently observing Dazhuang, who was still sleeping in his bed.

He was lying in a strange position, drooling in his sleep. Bai An quietly took a fruit cake from her space and gently waved it under his nose.

In his sleep, Dazhuang smelled a sweet fragrance. In his dream, he seemed to see a cake and couldn’t help but lean forward to take a bite.

It’s so sweet.

Bai An thought Dazhuang had woken up after he took a bite, but when she looked up, his eyes were still closed.

“Dazhuang, Dazhuang.” Bai An gently shook his shoulder. “It’s time to wake up.”

Still groggy from sleep, Dazhuang unconsciously smacked his lips.

Savoring the remaining sweet taste in his mouth, he opened his eyes and saw Bai An in front of him. His mind was still fuzzy, and he thought he was still dreaming. He closed his eyes again, ready to fall back to sleep.

Seeing him like this, Bai An moved the cake closer to his mouth and said, “Dazhuang, don’t sleep anymore. Wake up and eat cake.”

The sensation on his lips felt so real, and the fragrance was so tempting. Dazhuang quickly opened his eyes wide—this time, he was truly awake.

Looking at the cake near his mouth and then at Bai An, Dazhuang’s mind cleared up. “Bai An, where did this cake come from?”

Bai An shook the cake in her hand and smiled. “Do you want to eat it?”

Dazhuang swallowed his saliva and nodded. “I want to eat it.”

“Then hurry and get up. I have lots of other delicious things too.”

“Alright.” As soon as Dazhuang heard there were more delicious things to eat, his eyes lit up like laser beams, and with a loud bang, he bounced off the bed.

Before Bai An had a chance to place the cake on the table, Dazhuang, now fully dressed, stood right in front of her and said, “I’m ready. Let’s go.”

Bai An looked at the cake in her hand, unsure whether to place it down or hold onto it.

Dazhuang stood there, staring straight at the cake. Seeing this, Bai An simply handed it to him.

“Want to eat it?”

“Yes!”

Watching Dazhuang eat the cake with such enjoyment, Bai An suddenly asked, “Did you brush your teeth?”

With cake still in his mouth, Dazhuang mumbled, “I brushed last night.”

Bai An couldn’t help but facepalm and sit down on a small stool. “Then remember to brush your teeth again after finishing the cake.”

“Why?” Dazhuang took another bite of the cake. “I brushed last night and didn’t eat anything. Why do I need to brush again?”

Even if you didn’t eat, there are still bacteria.

“Because my dad says it’s good for your teeth,” Bai An replied. “It’s fine, just brush again. I’ll wait for you here.”

“Alright.” Dazhuang carefully finished the cake, licking the crumbs off his fingers. “I’ll be quick. Wait here.”

It didn’t take long before Dazhuang returned from outside.

Bai An eyed him suspiciously. “Did you really brush your teeth?”

“I did!” Dazhuang opened his mouth wide, showing off his teeth and mumbling, “See? I brushed.”

Bai An quickly waved her hands. “I believe you, I believe you.”

Satisfied, Dazhuang lowered his hand and led Bai An to the kitchen, where he lifted the pot lid and grabbed an egg to give her.

“Hurry up and eat it, or my mom will be back soon.” Dazhuang, looking a little anxious, tried to push the egg toward Bai An’s mouth.

Bai An furrowed her brows and dodged his hand, asking suspiciously, “What will happen if your mom comes back?”

Dazhuang didn’t respond. Instead, he ran to the door to peek outside. Then he put the egg in his pocket and said, “I’ll keep the egg for now. I’ll give it to you later.”

When they were almost at Cuijiu’s house, Dazhuang took the egg back out and handed it to Bai An. “Hurry up and eat it. My mom only gives me a whole egg for myself because my birthday’s coming up.”

“The cake you ate earlier is a rare treat. I’m trading it for this egg.”

Bai An stared at the egg in her hand, lost in thought.

Since she had space, Bai An would occasionally bring out items to share with her family. Now, they didn’t have to worry about food or clothes.

Even the egg that Dazhuang cherished was probably just an ordinary thing in Bai An’s household.

No wonder Lin Zhixia said her family was extravagant.

In this era, especially in rural areas, being able to eat was a blessing. Thinking about being full was something most didn’t dare to imagine.

Bai An glanced at Dazhuang, who still looked as simple-minded as ever.

Looking closer, his arms beneath his clothes were even thinner than hers.