Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle

Chapter 1275 613: Friends (2)

"Who's Old Shi? A classmate of Luoluo?" Director Qin asked.

"He's my friend, in his forties, runs a seafood business, and lives in the city. He was supposed to come today, but he had to go out to sea, so he couldn't make it." Qin Huai replied.

Director Qin nodded, indicating he took note of it, thinking Old Shi has the potential to be a future philanthropist.

Chen Huihong and the others were not in the kitchen; they were wandering outside. The orphanage being in a remote location had its perks, as it had plenty of land around for planting. Director Qin could plant as much as he wanted.

However, not much was planted due to a lack of labor. Director Qin and Uncle Qin were too old to farm, so they only planted a few acres of vegetables. The other staff of the orphanage took Chen Huihong and the others to visit the vegetable fields, and they might even bring back some fresh produce later.

"Huaihuai, Happy New Year." Director Qin fished a red envelope out of his pocket and, to Qin Huai's shock and Qin Luo's envy, stuffed it directly into Qin Huai's pocket.

"Mrs. Qin, it's not New Year yet." Qin Huai didn't expect to receive a red envelope so early this year; it was still a few days until the New Year, and yet he already got a red envelope.

"You're going to the countryside for New Year and then to Shan City. There won't be time to come to the orphanage again, so when should I give you the red envelope if not now?" Director Qin said with a smile and then handed a smaller red envelope to Qin Luo.

In the physical sense, the red envelope for Qin Luo was indeed a size smaller than the one for Qin Huai.

Qin Luo was a red envelope enthusiast, so as soon as he received it, he opened it and pulled out a brand new 20-yuan bill with an exclamation, "Wow, 20 yuan, Mrs. Qin, you struck it rich today!"

In previous years, Director Qin usually put two yuan in the red envelopes, two for close relations, one for others.

Seeing the 20-yuan note in Qin Luo's small red envelope, Qin Huai couldn't resist opening his own, and was shocked on the spot.

Two red banknotes!

Exactly two!

Qin Huai blurted out, "Mrs. Qin, did you win the lottery?!"

Director Qin: …

"What lottery? Doesn't buying lottery tickets cost money? With the money for lottery tickets, why not buy two pounds of rice instead." Director Qin retorted, sounding annoyed. "Huaihuai, you've brought so many donations to our orphanage from last year to this year, and I'm not stingy. These two red envelopes are from my salary, given to you privately."

With a hint of pride, Director Qin held up a number: "All the staff in our orphanage got a raise this year, each getting 120 yuan more a month!"

Qin Huai: "…Maybe you should embezzle a bit from the donations I brought you, after all, it's money from me and my friends."

Director Qin pretended to be angry and glared at Qin Huai: "Do I look like that kind of person?"

"When I was young, the orphanage would occasionally give out fruits, but only apples and bananas. I always thought it was because these were cheap and easy to preserve, and discount items wouldn't upset your stomach. Later, I found out that apples were cheap, but bananas were only because you liked them."

"And carrots, we used to eat carrots every day in the orphanage when I was young. You said it was good for eyesight, I always thought you were afraid we might have bad eyes, but later I found out it was just because you loved eating carrots."

"The rare appearance of onions and celery at the orphanage wasn't because they were expensive, but because you didn't like them."

"And every New Year we had dumplings because…"

Director Qin cut Qin Huai off, "That's enough of that. I didn't tell your friends about your embarrassing moments as a child, yet you're here talking about me."

Qin Huai was relieved to hear that Director Qin hadn't started talking about him yet.

"So, what did you tell my friends yesterday?" Qin Huai asked.

"Of course, I was discussing donations." Director Qin said with confidence, "Your friends, just by their clothing and demeanor, it's clear they aren't short on money. Except for that young girl and that young man who might not be very well off, the others clearly are prime philanthropists."

"Usually I have to plead for donors, and maybe I won't even meet one. But yesterday so many came, of course, I had to discuss important matters first!"

Qin Huai: …

Qin Luo nodded in admiration, "Mrs. Qin, you're really something; Aunt Chen and the others are indeed very wealthy!"

Qin Huai: …Luoluo, stop talking, one scammer in the family is enough.

"However," Director Qin changed the subject, looking at Qin Huai, "I was truly happy yesterday."

"Of course you're happy; in one day, you secured more donations than in some entire years." Qin Huai mumbled softly.

"It's not because of that. Is the orphanage lacking money now?" Director Qin waved it off. "Donations are great, but I didn't start asking for them today with my reputation on the line. It's not every day that so many philanthropists would hear me speak, glance at some documents, medical records, and expense lists, without even needing to meet the children, just donate thousands instantly."

"And they all donated on the spot, without a second thought."

"Huaihuai, your friends are so generous with donations, obviously it's because of you."

"Although they're not the friends I imagined you'd have, I'm really happy you made so many friends, Huaihuai."

Qin Huai didn't know what to say.

He was eloquent, lies came effortlessly, and he was sometimes quite persuasive. But for many years, he had fewer words in front of Director Qin, usually listening more than speaking, just like when Director Qin would tell him stories as a child. Qin Huai had grown accustomed to this over the years.

"Qin..."

"Ah, it's already 10:47, and since no one else has come, I guess no one's coming this morning." Director Qin stood up and went to wash dishes, his cheerful tone and demeanor sending a wave of unease through Qin Huai.

Sure enough, the next second, Director Qin, while washing dishes, said, "By now they should be back from the vegetable fields. It's a perfect time to see the artwork in my office."

"I've waited for this day, ever since, Huaihuai, you started high school. I've always hoped you'd bring your good friends to the orphanage, so I could take them to the office to see the pictures you drew as a kid, and tell them what you drew. Unfortunately, after all these years, you've only brought Luoluo, and she's seen the pictures so many times. Some stories I couldn't even tell her."

"If you didn't come today, I would have called you in the afternoon to ask when you're coming to the orphanage."

Qin Huai: !

NO!!!

"Mrs. Qin, I think the pictures I drew as a kid really aren't worth collecting or showcasing..."

Chen Huihong's loud voice interrupted Qin Huai's words.

"Director Qin, the variety of vegetables at your orphanage is impressive! Even more than my mom's in the countryside. There's cabbage, greens, and white radish; just wonderful. Just now, Xiao Xu led us to pick some, even pulled a couple of radishes. I've put the vegetables here." Chen Huihong said, placing the radish by the door, and An Youyou followed closely, holding cabbage in her hands.

"You mentioned yesterday about seeing the artwork, are we going now or later in the afternoon?"

"Of course now. The activity this afternoon is making dumplings. President Chen, making dumplings is also a tradition at our orphanage, it's only done at New Year. Huaihuai and Luoluo know this well."

"Huaihuai, don't just sit there. Come to my office to look at the drawings, I still have the blocks you played with as a child in my office."

"I thought they were long lost, but last year I found them in the storage, the wood is a bit decayed. I dried them in the sun for several months, and your name is carved on the block box with a knife."

Qin Huai: …

Mrs. Qin, just tell me how much to donate to cancel this activity now.

Just give me a number, and I'll write a check.

Chen Huihong had already eagerly gone outside: "Xiao Zhou, help support Mr. Xu!"

Qin Huai followed behind Director Qin with a lifeless look, whispering, "Mrs. Qin, can we skip the introduction?"

"No, we can't." Director Qin said cheerfully, "Huaihuai, do you know how long I've waited for this day?"

"I'm sure there are many things you've forgotten, but I've definitely remembered. Today is not just about introducing your friends, but also reintroducing them to you."