Because Chen Huihong wasn’t familiar with the roads and took the wrong route more than once, Qin Huai and his group were seriously late, arriving at the orphanage close to 11 a.m.
Child Welfare Institute.
A very honest na.
The environnt of the orphanage was as simple as its na, a small building. It looked decent, probably having its exterior repainted in the last couple of years. The yard had a cent road and the weeds were simply managed. The playground equipnt, though, you could tell had been repaired many tis over the years.
It was much like the Sanmalu Children’s Welfare Institute where Qin Huai grew up—just your ordinary, cash-strapped orphanage.
Qu Jing and Dean Qu of the orphanage were waiting for the trio at the entrance.
As soon as Chen Huihong parked the car and got out, Dean Qu warmly approached, "Ms. Chen, long ti no see. Jingjing called last night to say you were coming today, and I was so happy! Without your sponsorship all these years, Jingjing wouldn’t have been able to go all the way through to her Ph.D. graduation and now have such a good job—all thanks to you!"
After exchanging pleasantries with Chen Huihong, Dean Qu turned his gaze to Qin Huai: "You’re Master Qin, right? I’m particularly happy you’re willing to co as a volunteer. You rarely see young people with such warm hearts these days."
"Jingjing told last night, so this morning, I went to buy so flour. You see, our staff at the orphanage aren’t very good at making pastries; throughout the year, at most, we gather to make dumplings a few tis. It’s wonderful you can co; the kids will definitely be thrilled to eat buns today!"
After speaking, Dean Qu wanted to turn the conversation to Luo Jun. He opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say, hesitated, then suddenly realized.
Hey, who’s this old gentleman in front of ?
There was no ntion on the phone yesterday about an older gentleman coming over.
"Mr. Luo, it looks like you got up very early today. How co you have ti to visit?" Dean Qu was stumped, then Qu Jing stepped up to continue the small talk.
Luo Jun wasn’t thrilled because after hearing long exchanges with both Chen Huihong and Qin Huai, nothing ca his way, so he grumbled, "It’s because Chen Huihong is fussy. She said you’ve been working overti lately helping with physical therapy and wanted to co support your volunteer efforts."
Qu Jing was genuinely surprised: "You want to volunteer?"
"Who said I want to volunteer?" Luo Jun glanced around the orphanage, "I’m just here to take a look and maybe donate so money."
Dean Qu: !
Right then, Dean Qu knew exactly what to say.
Dean Qu imdiately beca more enthusiastic, barely stopping short of shouting at the gatekeeper to serve tea to the esteed guest, showering him with flattery like it cost nothing.
"Mr. Luo, I can tell right away you’re one of our dear Jingjing’s patients. You must have been quite the charming young man back in the day, and your compassionate nature is evident from your kind features. Our orphanage needs gentlen like you who have warm hearts!"
"Let’s have you tour the orphanage. Currently, we have... Excuse , I walk fast, take your ti looking around. These children’s play facilities are..."
Dean Qu directly started the grand tour for a potential benefactor.
Qu Jing said nonchalantly, "The Dean has always been like this. Our orphanage is in a remote area with few donations, so over the years, it’s mostly been us kids who grew up here who provide financial support. The Dean always manages to coax at least one donor."
Qin Huai: 6
Qin Huai thought Dean Qu would have a lot to talk about with Director Qin of the Sanmalu Orphanage.
"Master Qin, let take you to the kitchen. Sister Hong, what are you planning to do today?"
"I’m going to the kitchen too!" Chen Huihong was full of confidence, "Last ti Master Qin taught to make so snacks, I felt like my governor and conception vessels had been opened. Recently, I’ve been making snacks at ho every now and then, and Huihui said they were delicious. Plus, I practiced cold dishes for the culinary day and my cold dish skills got pretty good too."
Qin Huai: ...
Isn’t it possible that maybe Huihui is just tolerating what her mom makes?
Qin Huai thought, given Chen Huixi’s tolerance of Chen Huihong, as long as Chen Huihong doesn’t injure herself while cooking, Huihui can accept any dish.
Unaware of the situation, Qu Jing marveled, "Wow, Sister Hong, your cooking skills have improved so much?"
"Of course, I think I really have a talent for pastry-making!" Chen Huihong said confidently, lifting her chin.
Qu Jing led them to the kitchen, where two orphanage staff were busy, one chopping vegetables and the other frying them.
Qin Huai glanced briefly. The dishes were simple: cabbage, long beans, eggplant, carrots—basically, whatever was cheapest.
The cooking skills weren’t impressive; the food in the pan didn’t look fresh, and there was too much oil. But too much oil doesn’t spoil food. From Qin Huai’s years of kitchen mishaps, he judged the food might not taste great, but wouldn’t be inedible either.
Just average.
Still better than Director Qin’s culinary skills.
"Master Qin, should I help you knead the dough?" Chen Huihong was eager to start.
Qin Huai hesitated between letting Chen Huihong knead dough or using a knife to cut vegetables. Ultimately, for the sake of her safety, he chose to let her knead the dough.
Let her knead a small piece of dough. If worst cos to worst, it can be used to make pancakes, sprinkle so green onions, and it should be edible.
Qu Jing was self-aware, standing to the side chopping fillings.
Admittedly, Qu Jing’s knife skills were decent, clearly soone who regularly chopped vegetables, better than Qin Huai.
Even when working, Qu Jing was fully decked out, wearing layered disposable gloves over his existing pair; no one in the kitchen was surprised.
Qin Huai and Chen Huihong started kneading.
In at cooking, you can determine a chef’s basic skill from how they cut vegetables. Experienced chefs don’t need to see how a dish is cooked; they can judge how solid a chef’s basic skills are just by watching them cut.
Similarly, when it cos to pastry-making, you can tell a lot from how soone kneads dough.
Moreover, kneading dough is a fundantal skill that’s, in so ways, harder than knife skills in at cooking.
The entry barrier for kneading dough is quite high.
The beginner’s threshold is the Three Lights, and this alone can stop 99% of newcors at the door.
Chen Huihong was stopped thoroughly.
Qu Jing looked at the dough that Chen Huihong and Qin Huai had kneaded with so confusion. How should one put it? Although both looked like dough, the one in Chen Huihong’s hand seed to be in trouble.
The dough seed to be groaning in her hand, crying, "Help ! Help !"
"Sister Hong, maybe you’d be better off chopping vegetables?" Qu Jing gently suggested.
Qin Huai hurried to stop her, "No, no, Sister Hong, after you finish kneading this dough... go help mix the fillings. Looks like we have a lot; it might take eight big bowls to mix. Once I adjust the fillings’ flavors, you can help mix, and we’ll need your help wrapping later. After you finish kneading, take a break. There’s plenty of work ahead."
Chen Huihong nodded, "How about I slice a couple of plates of cucumber?"
"No, no!"
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