Chapter 114: The Mission

Professor Cao specializes in foreign literature research but also undertakes the mission of promoting his own country's culture. He has an agreement with the Hanban, responsible not only for disseminating his native culture but also for teaching students who are passionate about Chinese proper cultural knowledge, including language, script, imagery, and art appreciation.

Senior Brother Han mentioned that their current assignment is quite demanding. Several textbooks need to be finalized in translation by the end of the year. Besides the task taken on by their team at C University, translation groups from B University and Jin University have also been commissioned for the same work.

“Previously, this work was handled solely by Jin University, but now that it’s partially assigned to C University as well, it’s like sharing Jin University’s prestige. So, Jin University is not too thrilled about us. If we fail to complete the work on time and to standard, it's quite possible that next time they will take the entire task for themselves. Their translation team is indeed very strong, and several members have overseas study experience. Little Junior Sister, you must stay steady.”

Chen Xin smiled quietly at Senior Brother Han’s meaningful gaze and did not respond. Perhaps what he said was true, but whether a project succeeds depends not on her individual effort alone but on the combined strength of the whole team. Was Senior Brother Han setting a trap for her or offering a subtle warning? Chen Xin couldn’t tell and didn’t care to argue.

Yet, no one knew that Chen Xin had complete confidence in accomplishing this task well. The reason was simple: when she was abroad, she earned enough money to travel the world as a Chinese language teacher. She hadn’t taught in just one place but had been to several countries, becoming quite familiar with the accompanying Chinese language textbooks from those countries. Now, she only needed to draw on her memory to refine and polish them.

What troubled her a bit was that, among the fifteen articles to be translated, two were particularly difficult. When she taught before, those articles hadn’t been part of the curriculum, so she now had to translate them carefully herself, scrutinizing every word and sentence, and then adapt them to match the style of the other thirteen articles.

She had already prepared a draft for one piece, plus three simpler translations, intending to take them to school in the afternoon for Professor Cao’s review.

Unexpectedly, before Chen Xin could go, Professor Cao arrived first—accompanied by a middle-aged woman.

“Let me introduce you—this is my new graduate student, Chen Xin,” Professor Cao said with his usual gentle and refined manner, which still carried a certain imposing charm. Turning to Chen Xin, he smiled, “This is Professor Jin, head of the Foreign Languages Department at Jin University. She came over for a meeting and, since it just finished, we thought we might as well have her sample your skills.”

Chen Xin poured two cups of freshly brewed coffee and briskly replied that she would go right away.

Professor Jin’s manner and speech revealed her as a person of discerning taste. Her eyes swept over the café with a slightly critical gaze. Yet, it was clear this was simply her nature, not disdain toward others.

Chen Xin hadn’t cooked herself in quite some time. The shop had hired two chefs—one for desserts, another for simple Chinese dishes—and with Song Yi, their impromptu and unpredictable unofficial chef, the kitchen was well-equipped to handle orders. So when Chen Xin changed into her work clothes and said she wanted to make some afternoon tea snacks, the dessert chef, who had been resting in the back kitchen, came out to see just how good the boss’s skills really were—enough to make so many people keep talking about her.

This time, Chen Xin chose some relatively quick snacks to prepare. She took out pre-made cookie dough, which only needed to be cut and baked. She also decided to make scones, a staple of English afternoon tea.

The scone recipe was simple, easy to make, and tasted quite good—perfect with coffee or English black tea.

She sifted low-gluten flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt together, then mixed in powdered sugar and softened butter. Once the mixture became crumbly, she added egg and milk, kneading the dough. She folded in some cranberries soaked in rum, then rolled the dough into a two-centimeter-thick sheet with a rolling pin.

Scones are usually triangular, but since this was a refined café, Chen Xin used molds to press the dough into various beautiful shapes before baking them in the oven. When the tops turned golden brown, she took them out to cool.

While waiting for the scones, Chen Xin made a batch of cupcakes. These small, simple cakes are common at afternoon tea, and because they are individually portioned, they require no cutting or utensils. Chen Xin made low-fat, low-sugar mini cupcakes, about two bites each—delicate and appealing, especially to ladies.

Along with some coconut milk squares and crème brûlée she had prepared at noon, Chen Xin arranged the treats on an English-style tiered stand and carried the tray upstairs.

Passing through the lobby, several white-collar workers noticed the elegant three-tiered stand and immediately called a waitress over to inquire about it. By the time Chen Xin finished and went upstairs, five of these dessert stands had already been sold.

“Not bad,” Professor Jin said, though she wasn’t particularly interested in sweets and rarely ate pastries outside. But since Professor Cao had invited her, she had to show courtesy. After tasting a piece, she found it sweet but not cloying, perfectly crisp where it should be, tender where it needed to be, with a flavor balance that was just right—so much so that even someone indifferent to culinary pleasures like her couldn’t resist reaching for seconds.

Professor Cao was different. His devoted apprentice often brought him desserts, but most ended up in the mouths of his wife and children because he had high cholesterol and blood sugar. His family carefully controlled his diet, so the little apprentice usually made diabetic-friendly treats to satisfy his cravings.

Among the dessert tower was a bran cookie made especially for him.

“You have a good student,” Professor Jin said, her expression softening unusually as she nodded at Chen Xin. “Your teacher mentioned you’re also involved in the translation work. If you encounter any problems you can’t solve, feel free to come to me.”

Chen Xin glanced at her own teacher. Seeing Professor Cao holding his black coffee with the sly smile of a seasoned fox, she knew there was more to this invitation.

“I just finished four draft translations. There’s one that I find quite challenging and would like your guidance on,” she said.

She took out a file folder she had prepared, marked the four drafts with digital labels, handing the two simpler ones to Professor Jin and the other two to Professor Cao. Of course, she didn’t dare give the difficult one to Professor Jin right away—if the translation was poor, it would reflect badly on her own teacher. It was better to have Professor Cao review it first, and then show it to Professor Jin; even if it wasn’t perfect, it wouldn’t be too embarrassing.