Chapter 131: Good Heavens, Why Are There So Many People?

Zhang Yifeng picked up his parents from the train station twenty minutes later.

Because he felt uncertain and was somewhat worried about being scolded by his parents, he had pulled a baseball cap low over his head when he arrived.

Seeing the large and small bags his parents had brought with them, he felt a mix of heartache and helplessness.

“Dad, Mom, I told you it was fine just to come. Why did you bring so many things?”

“Is there anything you can’t buy out here nowadays?”

“Look at how exhausted you both are.”

“Come here, give them to me. I’ll carry them.”

To make it easier to take his parents to the orphanage for the concert, Zhang Yifeng had specifically rented a car before leaving the house.

Otherwise, lugging all those bags through various bus and subway transfers would have been a massive hassle.

“Fengzi, why do you look thinner? Have you not been eating or sleeping well?”

“Before your father and I came, we specifically made your favorite fried meatballs, mushroom meat sauce, fried dough cakes, deep-fried dough twists, and Guokui¹ flatbread.”

“Your dad said you love that Zhang’s Fried Yellow Croaker back in the county seat, so he also brought sixty yuan worth of yellow croaker and forty yuan worth of shrimp for you.”

“It’s just a pity they’ve gone a bit cold.”

“In that bag over there are apples and pears given by the villagers, and some oranges we bought along the way. Remember to put them in the fridge and eat them slowly when you get back.”

“There are also walnuts gathered from the tree at home; I packed some for you too.”

“I was afraid you’d be too lazy to crack them and just leave them there, so your father and I already cracked every single walnut for you in advance.”

“That way, you can eat three to five a day to nourish your brain.”

“In the bag next to that are a few of your winter clothes and two pairs of thicker socks. The weather is about to turn cold, after all…”

“…”

Listening to his mother introduce each item one by one, Zhang Yifeng could only keep nodding.

Fine, fine!

Even though these things weren’t worth much money, they represented his parents’ heartfelt devotion to him.

If he couldn’t finish it all himself, he would set some aside to give to his colleagues so they could have a taste.

As for Zhang’s Fried Yellow Croaker, the smell was truly fragrant.

This yellow croaker dish could be considered a signature street food specialty of their home county.

The way fried yellow croaker was prepared elsewhere was completely different from how it was sold back home.

The texture and everything else were different.

Usually, every time he went home, he would go buy some.

He hadn’t expected his parents to bring such a large portion for him.

And those walnuts, they actually…

“Fengzi, your mom and I just didn’t have much to do these few days, so we thought we’d come see you.”

“If you’re busy, go back to your work. Don’t worry about us. We’ll just wander around on our own and head back this afternoon.”

“Dad, I happen to be off today. I’ll take you two out for a stroll,” Zhang Yifeng said.

“Fengzi, this car…”

“Oh, this car was lent to me by a colleague. It’s a new energy vehicle², it doesn’t burn gas.”

“I just need to fully charge it for him when I’m done and buy him something nice to eat.”

“Fengzi, it sounds like you get along quite well with your colleagues,” Mother Zhang said with a sense of relief.

“Mhm, it’s alright. We’re all colleagues, all just working for a living. There’s no need for anyone to go out of their way to make things difficult for others.”

“By the way, Mom and Dad, your timing today is perfect.”

“There’s a Loving Heart Orphanage here in Jiang City. That orphanage is very unique, especially the food in their canteen. They say it’s incredibly delicious.”

“Today, the Jiang City Loving Heart Orphanage is not only hosting a concert, but they’re also providing free porridge and egg soup to those who attend.”

“I’ll take you there to join in the fun.”

“Alright, your mother and I aren’t familiar with Jiang City anyway. We’ll go wherever you say.”

“Right then!”

When Zhang Yifeng arrived at the entrance of the Jiang City Loving Heart Orphanage with his parents, he discovered…

Under the direction of security personnel, a large number of cars were already parked neatly at the entrance.

Following the orderly flow, he parked the car to the side, led his parents out, and walked toward the orphanage.

Just as they reached the gate, he heard his mother cry out in surprise.

“Good heavens, why are there so many people? It’s like a massive country fair!”

Translator’s Notes