Chapter 109: Are We Really Going to Post This?

Probably because the orphanage had appeared on the trending list a few days earlier, it had been receiving quite a few phone calls over the past few days.

Some people wanted to know where the orphanage sourced its vegetables.

Others thought it was strange that the orphanage had suddenly popped up on the trending list and assumed they must have paid for it, so they called specifically to scold them for not focusing on their actual duties.

Some were simply curious about how delicious the orphanage’s food really was and called to ask if they could come by for a trial meal—if it turned out to be good, they’d be happy to pay to eat there.

In particular, the Sour Soup Noodles from the orphanage had suddenly gone viral.

Everyone was wondering just how incredibly tasty these Sour Soup Noodles must be to make someone eat twelve bowls in one sitting.

It had to be a flavor beyond imagination, right?

As a result, the food-loving gourmets of Jiang City couldn’t sit still anymore.

They started making all kinds of inquiries, eager to visit the orphanage just to taste a bite of those Sour Soup Noodles.

There were also people who called to say they found the children at the orphanage well-behaved and sensible, and wanted to come by during their free time to pick out one or two kids for adoption.

…

In short, ever since the orphanage last appeared on the trending list, it was no longer being ignored.

The orphanage’s official social media account had already surpassed fifty thousand followers.

One of the videos Yuan Yuan had previously posted on Douyin had gone mildly viral.

That single video instantly boosted the views and comments on her other videos as well.

In the comment section of every video, people kept asking when Teacher Yuan would go live.

Others asked under what circumstances they could come to the orphanage to volunteer.

They didn’t want any payment—they were willing to work for free. Their only request was to get a meal at the orphanage.

Some even drove all the way to the orphanage, claiming they wanted to pay a visit or conduct an interview.

In response to all this, Lu Qingqiang instructed the security guard to turn all those people away.

After all, they were an orphanage, not a zoo.

There was no need for people to come gawk at them, was there?

Of course, the official reason they gave to the public was that the children at the orphanage were still young and needed a quiet, suitable living environment.

If people kept coming by every day to disturb them, it would cause unnecessary stress for the children.

That said, Lu Qingqiang also expressed her understanding of everyone’s curiosity and desire to visit.

She announced that the orphanage would soon establish a formal system to allow appropriate visitors to come at designated times for visits or tours.

The core principle of any such system would be to avoid disrupting the normal daily life of the orphanage’s residents.

As for those who wanted to adopt children, Lu Qingqiang didn’t immediately accept or reject their requests.

She took some time to gather everyone together and shared the news with them.

She asked if anyone was willing to go live with a new family.

If they did, they’d finally have a mom and dad.

Of course, before any adoption could happen, as the director, she would thoroughly investigate the background of anyone applying to adopt.

If their character was questionable, their temperament poor, or their family environment unsuitable, she wouldn’t approve the adoption.

But to everyone’s surprise, none of the eighteen children in the orphanage wanted to leave.

Even Little Jingsi shook his head when Lu Qingqiang asked him directly.

Fine then. Lu Qingqiang didn’t force anyone.

She had already clearly explained the pros and cons of adoption to everyone.

Since no one wanted to go for now, she naturally wouldn’t push the matter further.

“Director, are we really going to post this?” Yuan Yuan, who had just finished talking with Lu Qingqiang, handed her the message she’d drafted and asked hesitantly.

Lu Qingqiang glanced at it and nodded. “Go ahead and post it.”

“Okay, I’ll send it right now~”

With a tap of her finger, Yuan Yuan sent out the announcement seeking part-time volunteer teachers.

The message roughly stated that Jiang City Orphanage was now hiring part-time volunteer teachers for positions including dance instructor, fencing coach, music teacher, voice acting instructor, physical education teacher, calligraphy teacher, and more.

Anyone with relevant talents or skills was welcome to submit their resume.

However, applicants had to either be professionals in the relevant field or possess verifiable professional-level skills.

If selected, they could come to the orphanage as part-time volunteers to teach the children.

Since it was volunteer work, there would be no salary.

But the orphanage would provide meals.

Additionally, if someone accumulated one full month of volunteer hours within a year, they would receive a bonus allowance.

The exact amount of the bonus was not disclosed for now.

Not long after the post went up, the comment section quickly filled with replies.

“Are you kidding me? In this day and age, someone actually expects free labor?”

“You want volunteers? Fine, go ahead—nobody’s stopping you.”

“But you go straight for highly skilled professionals with specialized talents? What do you think you’re eating over there at that orphanage—pie in the sky?”

“Do you think people with these kinds of skills are cheap cabbages, just sitting around with nothing better to do?”

“Seriously! Who in their right mind would waste their time teaching for free at your place?”

“Wouldn’t they be better off just sleeping at home?”

“Exactly! Do you really think your orphanage meals are on par with a state banquet? Are they going to grant immortality or something?”

“Just offering meals and expecting people to work themselves to the bone? Man, capitalists these days are ruthless!”

“I’m definitely not going. Even if you paid me two hundred bucks a day to lose, I still wouldn’t go.”

“…Wait, what? Volunteers get free meals? Is that for real? I’ve been craving those Sour Soup Noodles for ages! If I go, can I have Sour Soup Noodles?”

“OP must be a paid shill! Shills, get out!”

“Am I the only one noticing something weird here? Why does a simple orphanage need so many highly specialized professionals?”

“Could it be that the director actually wants to train all these orphans into well-rounded talents?”

“Hah! Classic case of trying to get something for nothing. I give it a solid 6.”

“Genuine question—what’s the deal with this orphanage? It seems really odd. Is it even legit?”

“I think it’s perfectly reasonable for them to post it like this, right?”

“As a welfare-oriented institution, what’s wrong with them recruiting volunteers?”

“If they want to hire volunteers, they can go ahead—nobody’s forcing you to go…”

“Back when I used to volunteer at nursing homes and welfare centers, not only did they not provide meals, but I also had to spend my own money to buy things to bring along, and then work for free, even putting on performances.”

“This orphanage has explained everything quite clearly and straightforwardly, hasn’t it?”

“Hello, I’m a student from the College of Arts. I’d like to ask—if I get hired, will you provide an official internship stamp?”

“…………”

The comment section was bustling with activity, but Lu Qingqiang didn’t have time to check it just yet.

After asking Yuan Yuan to send out that message, she took everyone to the greenhouse in the backyard to plant vegetables.

Her second brother, Lu Jianshen, had previously told her that once they started planting in the backyard greenhouse, she absolutely must call him right away.

He’d bring his buddies over to help out.

Madam Mo, Mo Chenjing’s mother, had also repeatedly reminded Lu Qingqiang over WeChat, urging her to make sure to bring her son Mo Mo along whenever they did any work.

And every time she gave this reminder, she’d immediately follow it up with a transfer—always 6,666 yuan¹.

This left Lu Qingqiang feeling utterly helpless ╮(╯＿╰)╭.

When Madam Mo first mentioned this idea, Lu Qingqiang thought she was just joking.

Who would have guessed she was actually serious—and really went through with it?

She was literally paying out of her own pocket to send her son out to do hard labor for free…

Well, that’s definitely a real mom alright ( 3).

Translator’s Notes