While Lei Junshan felt that he had been slapped on his face, Huang Ling was way more positive. She smiled happily and said, "Today, I have been taught a new lesson by the universe that bigger places don't always mean better taste.
"Grandma, I want this cake only and I don't care where it came from."
Lei Junshan interrupted at this time, "Xiao Ling, you are working continuously from the morning. So, you should take some rest now. I will do this for you. I will call the bakery and order this cake."
"Not a call, Brother Junshan," Huang Ling requested, "Can you please visit the bakery personally? I don't want any last-minute trouble because of the cake."
"Okay, I will personally visit the bakery," Lei Junshan agreed.
"Thank you, Brother Junshan."
"I will also go with you," Grandma Lei said to Lei Junshan before both of them left the house.
…
As Lei Junshan and Grandma Lei drove into the suburbs of the capital city from the main city, the atmosphere changed. The air, once scented with the fragrance of expensive perfumes and the bustling city life, now carried a different aroma - a mixture of earthiness, exhaust fumes, and the distant echoes of rural existence. The streets were narrower, lined with weathered buildings that bore the marks of time and neglect. Faint traces of smog lingered overhead, muting the once vibrant colors of the surroundings.
"Why are the roads so narrow here?" Lei Junshan frowned as the driver was having difficulty in driving their car.
Grandma Lei smiled, "When the size of your car increases, the roads tend to become narrower."
"Junshan," Grandma Lei advised her eldest grandson, "Just because god has given you more, it does not mean that you look down upon people who are not favored."
Lei Junshan rebuked his grandmother, "Grandma, God gives more only to people who deserve it. These people do not deserve god's favor."
While the grandson-grandmother duo was conversing with each other, the car stopped and the driver informed, "Sir, we are here."
As soon as he heard this, Lei Junshan took a moment to assess the surroundings — the worn-out facades of nearby buildings, the hustle and bustle of everyday life in the suburbs, and the undeniable presence of a community struggling against the currents of urban development.
He felt like the world outside didn't match his wealthy lifestyle. He hesitated to step out, showing in his face that he wasn't comfortable being in such a different place. He thought about what it meant for him to be there, contemplating the contrast between his usual life and this new environment.
Despite the vibrant array of cakes that filled the bakery's window, Lei Junshan couldn't shake off the disdain that crept into his expression. And his expression was noticed by his grandmother who nudged him, "What's up with your expression? Why are you looking at the bakery with disdain? Didn't you eat the cake that was prepared here? Do you have any problem with your health after eating that cake? No, right? So, drop that expression of yours and let's go inside."
Reluctantly stepping out of the car, Lei Junshan and Grandma Lei walked into the bakery. Grandma Lei addressed the owner of the bakery directly, "We had ordered a cake in Lei mansion…"
The owner immediately apologized, "I am very sorry ma'am, we delivered you the wrong cake by mistake."
"No, no," Grandma Lei smiled, "We are not here to complain. It's just that we want to order the same cake for my grandson's engagement. So, we are here to place the order."
"Oh, that cake!" The owner told Grandma Lei, "Ma'am that cake was sent to our bakery just for baking. It was not prepared by our chef. Instead, it was prepared by a girl who lives in the street behind."
"Okay thanks," Lei Junshan had already given up on getting the cake, "Grandma, let's go."
"Wait," Grandma Lei stopped Lei Junshan, "Xiao Ling liked that cake so much, at least we can ask for the recipe from that girl."
She then turned to the bakery owner again, "Can you please give me the address of that girl?"
The owner nodded, "Ma'am she lives in the street behind. It is the second building from the right."
Lei Junshan was just about to urge Grandma Lei to return to the Lei mansion when he got a call from Huang Ling.
"Brother Junshan, have you ordered the cake yet? I want a five-layer cake with our photograph on the top. I finally got the cake I liked. I am so excited!"
"The order will be placed soon, don't worry."
Lei Junshan sighed after hanging up the call. He didn't believe that he had to go to such lengths for just a cake.
After getting the address, the grandmother-grandson duo proceeded towards the house of the said girl. Lei Junshan asked Grandma Lei to wait in the car while he descended to get the recipe from the unknown girl.
This street was a stark contrast to even the modest surroundings he had encountered before. The narrow alley was flanked by aged buildings, their weary appearance accentuated by peeling paint and weathered structures. Trash bins overflowed with refuse, and stray dogs roamed freely in search of scraps.
Pedestrians shuffled along the cracked pavement, their faces telling stories of resilience in the face of adversity. Worn-out clothing and calloused hands spoke of hard work and meager means. Children played in the dusty corners, their laughter echoing against the aging brick walls.
The discomfort etched on Lei Junshan's face deepened as he proceeded towards the girl's house.