Chapter 173 Conan Little Detective, Solve the Case Yourself!
At Kaile Hotel, three VIP guests had just finished eating Persian honey pastries and were still craving more. On the table, three bowls of white fungus and lotus seed soup were left half-eaten. It was unclear whether the taste was lacking, or the three had picky palates.
“These pastries are really something — crispy on the outside, soft and glutinous inside, sweet and fragrant. I’ve had quite a few and still want more!”
“Old Zhu here has lived for over half a lifetime, and this is the first time I’ve eaten this good!”
“Bros, shall we order another round?”
“Absolutely!”
They called for a server. The elder surnamed Zhu said, “Hello, could you please call out your pastry chef from the hotel kitchen?”
Soon, the pastry chef came. When he looked at the plates in front of the guests, he froze. He looked around for the Persian honey pastries but couldn’t find them — turns out the three VIP guests had eaten them all.
“Chef, what kind of pastry is this?”
“Persian honey pastry, a sweet snack from Sichuan.”
“It tastes amazing, we’d like another round!”
The pastry chef looked a bit awkward.
“That wasn’t made by me — it was made by a guest staying at the hotel for his daughter…”
After explaining, the three VIP guests didn’t push further.
“What a shame we don’t know that young man. We really wanted to try the pastries again!”
The chef said, “Guests, how about I prepare you some other desserts? If you’ve finished the white fungus soup, I can bring more.”
“No need. That’ll be all.”
The three guests returned to their rooms.
No wonder the soup didn’t taste as good — it wasn’t made by the same person. So, they figured the chef’s other desserts probably weren’t worth trying either. While waiting for the elevator, Mr. Zhu got a phone call from Ouyang Peng.
“Old Zhu, you three just got off the plane. I know airplane food’s terrible, so I had something prepared for you. I’ll send someone over to pick you up?”
“No need, we’ve already eaten at your Kaile Hotel. We’re heading back to the room for a nap.”
“Oh? Then rest well. I’ll make arrangements for tonight.”
After hanging up, Ouyang Peng called Manager Xu at Kaile Hotel to check in. Hearing that the three guests from Beijing were satisfied with the food, he was relieved — he had been worried the hotel kitchen wouldn’t meet their standards.
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At Kaile Hotel, Room 8032, 8th Floor, Shen Muyan and Lu Siyao were enjoying Persian honey pastries, in a great mood.
“These pastries are delicious! So different from crystal cakes, but equally tasty!”
Shen Muyan’s eyes sparkled. Leisurely moments and tasty food made life feel perfect. Even though she was a CEO, and this wasn’t a real vacation — after the birthday banquet, she’d have to discuss investment details with Ouyang Lin. She snapped a photo of the pastries and sent it to Fang Ya.
“What’s that? Looks so yummy!!” Fang Ya said.
“Persian honey pastries,” Shen Muyan said.
“What the hell! Your Lu chef made another new treat? But Shen Muyan!! Why would you send a picture? I could forgive you for sneaking a bite, but this level of temptation is just cruel!”
“I like seeing you drooling but unable to eat it.”
“You’re the worst! We’re done. Deleted, friendship over!”
Shen Muyan curved her lips into a smile, glanced at Lu Qin sitting across from her, and felt even more joyful.
Lu Xiyao licked the crumbs off her fingers and eyed the last pastry on the plate, torn between wanting it and holding back.
She looked so adorably hesitant, anyone watching would shout, “Give it to her already!”
“Yao Yao, have you heard the story of Kong Rong letting others have the bigger pear?”
Shen Muyan narrowed her eyes at the little one, thinking stealing it from her would make it taste better. Both Lu Qin and Shen Muyan had told the child the story — teaching that generosity is a virtue.
Lu Xiyao nodded, picked up the last pastry, and handed it to Lu Qin.
“Daddy, you ate the least. This one’s for you!”
Shen Muyan was stunned. Her plan failed.
She underestimated her daughter’s loyalty—clearly Lu Qin ranked higher in Yao Yao’s heart, so she gave the last pastry to him.
“Thank you, Yao Yao.”
Lu Qin took it and pinched her cheek lovingly. He was about to eat it, but the little girl stared at it longingly. Though she gave it away, her eyes and the gulping showed she really wanted it.
“Yao Yao, you eat it. Daddy’s full,” Lu Qin said with a helpless smile.
“But Daddy, you can’t be full. I counted — you only had six. Mommy and I had nine each! You eat it~!”
Yao Yao cared about her dad. She was tempted, but insisted he eat it. Lu Qin wasn’t hungry anyway—he’d had a good lunch. He took a small bite, then pretended to shake his head.
“Yao Yao, Daddy’s really full. I can’t eat more. You have it.”
Yao Yao blinked and looked at him for a moment, then believed he was really full. She swallowed a bit of drool.
“Really? Okay then, I’ll eat it~!”
The little girl opened her mouth and leaned in to take a bite.
“Yao Yao, look outside! There’s a plane!” Shen Muyan called out, pointing at the window.
“A plane?”
The little one’s attention was momentarily stolen. She turned to look out the window. Shen Muyan immediately braced herself on the coffee table, leaning forward—her stunning face only inches from Lu Qin. He caught a whiff of her soft, delicate scent.
She lowered her head and quickly popped the entire pastry into her mouth—the one Lu Qin had just bitten. Her tongue even accidentally touched his finger. Then she swiftly sat back down. She knew she’d brushed against his hand but kept a cool expression, cheeks slightly pink, and quickly chewed and swallowed the pastry.
“Where’s the plane~?”
Lu Xiyao turned back, but the pastry in Lu Qin’s hand had vanished. Lu Qin had a strange look on his face. The little girl stared at him, then turned to Shen Muyan.
“Mommy, was it you?”
Shen Muyan shook her head.
“No.”
Yao Yao’s expression slowly turned into a pout.
“It must have been you~ humph!”
“Do you have any proof?”
She turned to ask Lu Qin, “Daddy, was it Mommy?”
Lu Qin laughed and said, “Detective Conan, solve it yourself.”
The little girl jumped off the sofa and ran to Shen Muyan. She studied her face carefully. Suddenly she shouted, “Mommy, it was you! You’ve still got crumbs on your mouth!”