CHAPTER 436: CHAPTER 245: VACATION LIFE IS SO WONDERFUL!

Side quest complete, and even gained the title [Gong Liang’s Affirmation], Qin Huai made a swift exit to the bathroom to check it out.

By the way, the bathroom on the first floor of Zheng Da’s house is quite spacious.

[Gong Liang’s Affirmation]: Affirmation from Mr. Gong, a top-tier salesman. With this title, there’s a high chance of receiving Gong Liang’s assistance and getting bigger red envelopes than others during the New Year. After all, Mr. Gong is well-known for his love of giving out red envelopes everywhere during the holidays.

Qin Huai: !

Such a practical title!

Qin Huai is willing to call it the most practical title awarded by the game system!

Qin Huai knew that Gong Liang liked giving out red envelopes during the holidays, a habit even passed on to Zheng Da and Dong Shi, so much so that as direct disciples of Huang Shengli, they could collect several red envelopes during the New Year. However, Qin Huai didn’t realize this was actually Gong Liang’s hobby.

Such a big spender’s hobby, he likes it!

After checking out the title, Qin Huai glimpsed at [A Memory of Gong Liang], deciding not to view it today.

Though the last memory of Gong Liang was relatively short, there’s no guarantee this one will be as well.

If it’s like Qu Jing’s memory, spanning several years, even if the unimportant parts can be fast-forwarded like watching a movie, there’s still a lot of information. Qin Huai was worried he’d forget everything after watching it, his mind filled with the memory’s plot, even forgetting he had to pick up Qin Luo at the high-speed rail station tonight.

Even though Qin Luo is now an independent high school student, commuting by bus every day, and during past years often entrusted by Granny Qin to take money and ride the minibus to town to buy roast goose, Qin Luo is still just a teenager.

The most crucial part is if he, as the big brother, forgets to pick up his sister at the high-speed rail station, he might really become the second brother after today.

When tutoring starts tomorrow, Qin Luo might even cry and use it as leverage to ask for tutoring in two fewer subjects.

Absolutely must not let that happen!

After checking the title details, Qin Huai returned to eat and found that Gong Liang’s Qianhua Gongdeng Bun was already finished, and was now devouring Four Happiness glutinous rice.

Eating with an imposing aura like a lone warrior defending a pass.

Qin Huai had eaten enough already, but after sitting down, he began munching on a Qianhua Gongdeng Bun.

This bun was both beautiful and delicious. Initially, he was a little reluctant to take a bite, feeling it was a shame to eat such a pretty bun. But once the first bite was chewed, there were no random thoughts left, only the idea to eat, enjoy, love to eat, and eat more.

What’s reluctance to eat beautiful things? It doesn’t exist. What’s eaten is what really counts!

Zheng Siyuan had already finished eating and started chatting with Qin Huai.

"Got time this afternoon?" Zheng Siyuan asked.

"Why?" Qin Huai mumbled while munching on the bun.

"I’ve got a bit of new insight into big spoon stir-frying. Haven’t you been practicing fire control? I saw you flipping the pan while stir-frying meat yesterday. Want to stay at my place for some exchange this afternoon?" Zheng Siyuan offered a learning opportunity to Qin Huai.

Qin Huai was amazed. He didn’t expect Zheng Siyuan hadn’t given up on big spoon stir-frying. How passionate is he? A pastry chef practicing a meat cooking skill.

"Does this big spoon stir-frying have anything to do with my pan flipping yesterday?" Qin Huai was puzzled.

Honestly, yesterday he had been too absorbed in gossip and carelessly flipped a piece of carrot out of the pan—a pure technical blunder, a major fail, quite different from a stir-fry blunder flipping food out of the pan.

What’s there to exchange? Isn’t this like a grad student discussing quantum physics with a primary school student?

"I saw your flipping isn’t that good either. I can’t do big spoon stir-frying well either. I wanted to ask how you manage to stick with it," Zheng Siyuan admitted.

Qin Huai: ...

Qin Huai felt lately, after arguing with Zheng Da, Zheng Siyuan’s little mouth had been quite sharp.

Are you polite?

Fine, his pan flipping indeed wasn’t great.

But he felt it wasn’t entirely his fault. Fire control is a fundamental skill, which means no shortcuts, no laziness, only hard practice. Within these months, having practiced fire control to this extent was already quite good, at least according to Huang Shengli.

Can you hexagonal warriors be a bit more tolerant of those with unorthodox talents?

"No time," Qin Huai honestly refused, "I have to go home and nap this afternoon."

Zheng Siyuan: ?

Zheng Siyuan seemed surprised that Qin Huai was the type to sleep in during the holidays.

But the next second, Zheng Siyuan understood. Qin Huai wanting to sleep in during break was understandable; he had been working long hours lately, quite different from his dad, who was purely lazy.

"Luoluo’s school released them early," Qin Huai explained. "They weren’t supposed to release until the 19th, but the final exams were moved up, and they finished today. This girl can’t sit still, and probably hasn’t eaten well these months, so insisted on coming over today. My mom bought her a night ticket, arriving at the high-speed rail at 11, so I have to pick her up."

Zheng Siyuan suddenly realized: "Luoluo is coming, huh? Then I’ll make some flaky pastries and fresh meat mooncakes to have Huang An Yao bring over."

Qin Huai: ?

Do you really want to be Luoluo’s big brother?

You’re making flaky pastries and fresh meat mooncakes, making me look like a brother who doesn’t care for his sister with just cheese sticks from the fridge and four tutoring teachers tomorrow.

What was that? Qin Luo just finished her finals today; her grades aren’t out yet, unknown which subjects might have not scored well?

Qin Huai, with his understanding of Qin Luo, had confidence that certain subjects would definitely need tutoring. Even if Qin Luo had been diligent and studious these past few months while he wasn’t in Shan City, certain subjects’ grades were unlikely to improve significantly.

He had faith in his sister.

After eating, everyone chatted for a while, mainly Zheng Da boasting about finally dedicating effort to make a batch of Qianhua Gongdeng Buns, feeling he needed to gloat over his morning’s efforts.

Everyone cooperated and was supportive, switching to praise mode, giving utmost compliments. Even Zheng Siyuan, who had been at odds with Zheng Da recently, praised his dad’s Qianhua Gongdeng Buns.

After all, Zheng Da seldom had a chance to boast, and everyone was willing to let him have his moment.

After over an hour of chatting, Qin Huai once again became Driver Xiao Qin and drove back.

Gong Liang was in high spirits the whole journey, nostalgically recounting past events to Guo Mingzhu, like sealing a big deal at a conference, conquering Jinling, grabbing a piece from Shanghai’s jaws, and fulfilling an impossible mission in Beiping.

It was more exciting than a feel-good novel.

Sounded like a protagonist with maxed-out business skills, triumphantly cutting through obstacles and vanquishing foes.

With Gong Liang’s eloquence and lack of superfluous words, he told the tale with twists and turns, making it engaging and vivid, even exciting Gong Baozhu in the backseat, who continuously asked: Then what happened? Did the protagonist seal the deal?

Gong Baozhu forgot the story’s protagonist was her dad.

By the time the car reached the base of the community, Gong Liang was narrating how he astonishingly overpowered adversaries in Beiping, shocking factory directors, causing one to attempt poaching on the spot.

Qin Huai wanted to hear the conclusion but it was getting late.

Lunchtime had already been late, with lunch starting past 12:40 and finishing after 2; chatting an hour took it past 3, and now it was nearing 4.

Qin Huai still needed to squeeze in two to three hours of sleep, eat something, chat on WeChat a bit, join the [Loving Family All As One] group call to catch up with estranged family members, before heading to pick up Qin Luo at the high-speed rail.

Such exhilarating stories had better wait for another time.

Based on Qin Huai’s experience listening to Uncle Wang’s reminiscences, once someone starts reminiscing, they can’t stop, and you’ll eventually hear the same story from them.

Qin Huai went upstairs for a nap.

The rest of the schedule went as planned: sleeping, waking up, eating something light, video chatting, picking up Qin Luo.

On the way to the high-speed rail, Qin Huai was still video chatting with everyone. At this time, Qu Jing had already gotten off work, and everyone was there.

"This Qianhua Gongdeng Bun sounds delicious just from the name. Too bad you can’t make it yet, Xiao Qin. Otherwise, having such festive buns during the New Year would be perfect," Chen Huihong lamented with slight regret.

"Qianhua Bun symbolizes a new beginning. What does that have to do with New Year’s?" Luo Jun interjected deadpan.

"A new beginning, bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, fits so well with New Year!" Chen Huihong argued.

Luo Jun: ...

"Hey, by the way, Luo Jun, isn’t Zhang Shumei going home for a few days during the New Year? Can you manage alone? Maybe you should celebrate at my place or at Qu Jing’s, where the orphanage is lively," Chen Huihong swiftly switched topics.

"I’m old, not disabled, I can take care of myself, alright? I’ve spent New Year’s like this every year, why didn’t you care before?" Luo Jun retorted in such a way that English erupted.

"The way you put it, how could I have known I wasn’t human and neither were you in previous years?"

Qin Huai couldn’t hold back, laughing out loud.

"Sister Hong, Qu Jing, Mr. Luo, I’m getting off, talk later. Mr. Luo, I think Sister Hong’s suggestion is great, you could celebrate at the orphanage. After donating so much, Dean Qu will surely give you a warm welcome, perhaps even have the kids draw, sing, perform, do crafts, make snacks for you—these are valuable memories," Qin Huai insightfully suggested, then more insightfully hung up the video call before Luo Jun started scolding.

He sent Qin Luo a message, and two minutes later, the siblings reunited at the high-speed rail.

"Brother!" Qin Luo, dragging two large suitcases, rushed excitedly towards Qin Huai, "Brother, I finally get to see you! Do you know what my life’s been like lately? Dad’s buns have become even more inedible. I don’t know how I’d survive if not for Brother Chen An’s buns."

"I’ve recorded what you just said, will send it to Dad later, and your New Year’s allowance for this year is gone," Qin Huai sternly replied.

"Brother!"

"Alright, just kidding. Have you eaten?" Qin Huai took over one suitcase.

"I had airplane food, one portion wasn’t enough so I had two. I was going to have a lunchbox on the high-speed rail but it was too expensive—30 ones were gone, only 50 left—and Mom only gave me 1,000 yuan pocket money when I left. Spending a twentieth of that on a meal seemed way too much."

"Brother, is there still food at this hour? Is there only barbecue left? Do you know any good barbecue places? Can my first barbecue in Gusu be treated by you? Can I keep the 1,000 yuan without repaying you? I want to save it for bubble tea," Qin Luo chattered on incessantly.

Qin Huai said, "Keep it, cover the debt with New Year money. Drink less bubble tea. If you really want, have Brother Ouyang make lemon black tea for you. Remember to have it normal."

"There’s food at home. Brother Siyuan made fresh meat mooncakes and flaky pastries especially for you, and Ouyang bought snacks and drinks. I’ll text you the WiFi password. The first tutor will come to the house at 10 AM tomorrow. Then, I’ll be at work at Huang Ji and can’t watch over you, but I’ve asked Sister Hong to bring Huihui to our place to do homework."

"Don’t stay up too late on your phone at night; make a good impression on the tutor."

"Don’t worry about meals; I’ll bring you dinner tonight, and Sister Hong will take you to Huang Ji for breakfast and lunch. Just you’ll have to stand to eat in the kitchen but the food is great, don’t worry."

"Did you hear me? Nod if you heard."

Qin Luo nodded vigorously.

Qin Luo’s mind was now entirely filled with thoughts of pastries, mooncakes, snacks, drinks, and WiFi.

Completely missing the main point.

The first tutoring session.

Hooray!

A joyful little figure pranced around in Qin Luo’s heart.

With food and fun, holiday life is truly wonderful!