Chapter 79: Let’s Hurry Over and Pick Some Vegetables

If she couldn’t hear the original female lead Lu Fangyuan’s inner thoughts, Lu Qingqiang would never have known.

So it turns out that the girl who looked so quiet and well-behaved, like a model student, was actually having such intense inner monologues.

Hmm… how to put it? Well, she was definitely a bit of a goofball.

Better keep observing!

Led by Lu Qingqiang, the group headed toward the vegetable garden behind the orphanage.

Of course, some people spoke up to say they had things to take care of and would be leaving early.

Whether it was picking vegetables or having a meal, they didn’t have time today. If there was another chance in the future, they’d come next time.

Lu Qingqiang didn’t say much about it. She simply smiled and had Zhang Qiang and Aunt Liu see them out.

Among those who stayed, the streamer named Qiqi was very cooperative, following closely behind Lu Qingqiang as they made their way to the garden.

She had already told Lu Qingqiang that she was still live streaming.

It was only with Lu Qingqiang’s permission that she continued filming with her phone mounted on a handheld tripod.

To avoid disturbing others while interacting with her viewers, Qiqi deliberately slowed her pace and walked at the back of the group.

She also made sure her camera focused on the orphanage surroundings rather than on Lu Qingqiang’s guests.

For example, just now she passed by the pond inside the orphanage.

She immediately turned her camera toward it and enthusiastically engaged with her audience.

“Wow, the environment here at the orphanage is really nice.”

“Not only is the greenery great, but there’s even a pond over here.”

“I wonder if there are fish in it?”

【Xiyue Yixing】: I bet there are koi in there! A pond this big can’t just be sitting unused, right?

【Divine Martial Army of Daan Forest Park】: A pond this size, if they planted lotus flowers in summer, it would be absolutely beautiful!

【Watching Pear Blossoms Drift in the Wind】: Lotus flowers would be a great idea. Not only would it make for a lovely view, but you could even harvest lotus pods!

【Watching Pear Blossoms Drift in the Wind】: Last summer I bought a lotus pod from an old man carrying a shoulder pole on the street. Peeled the seeds and ate them—so good I almost cried!

【Qingqing Who Loves Hezhou Cuisine】: What do lotus seeds taste like? Honestly, I’ve never had them in my life.

【On a Whim】: Definitely a foodie upstairs, confirmed! Not like me—I only like fish soup. Creamy, tender fish soup~

【Xiyue Yixing】: Guys, weren’t we talking about koi? How did this turn into a conversation about eating fish?

【Divine Martial Army of Daan Forest Park】: Dang it, now I want fish!

【Watching Pear Blossoms Drift in the Wind】: Actually, having koi and lotus in the same pond doesn’t conflict at all! Fish swimming among lotus leaves—that’s such a beautiful scene!

“I think Sister Pear Blossoms makes a great point~”

“In summer, a whole pond of lotus flowers blooming together, surrounded by lush green leaves…”

“It’s like emeralds scattered across the water.”

“A few dewdrops clinging to the curved leaves, catching the morning sunlight, with a few colorful little fish darting through the water.”

“Then a dragonfly lands gently on a lotus flower.”

“Just imagining that scene makes me feel so happy inside.”

【On a Whim】: I know that one! There’s a poem—‘The young lotus just shows its pointed tip, and already a dragonfly has landed on it!’

【Cool and Aloof】: Why did that make me think of Xia Yuhe by Daming Lake? (doge face)

【Qiqi Is My Wife】: Wahaha, that’s my Qiqi! Amazing as always! You guys don’t even come close!

【Annie】: Streamer, streamer, did you see Teacher Yuan earlier?

“Teacher Yuan? I think I did.”

“The one who was pouring hot water for everyone and leading the kids in a group chorus—that should be the Teacher Yuan you’re talking about.”

“She’s been busy this whole time. Once I get a chance to talk to her, I’ll definitely pass along your messages right away.”

“Hmm? Big sister, are you looking for our Teacher Yuan?”

Just then, a little girl with a round, adorable face and two tiny pigtails walked over, looking up at her and asking sweetly.

【Mo Tingting, Easy as Pie】: Oh my god, this little girl is so cute up close! Her face is so soft—I want to squish it!

【Qihe】: That’s Su Tao, the orphanage’s famous little foodie. Champion of the Canteen Sprint!

“Yup, I’m live streaming right now. Someone in the chat wanted me to ask when Teacher Yuan will start her own stream.”

“By the way, who are you, little one?”

“Me? I’m Nicholas… Su Tao!”

“Mama Lu saw you’d fallen behind and was going to ask Teacher Yuan to come look for you.”

“But I volunteered to come instead!”

“Because I can run faster than Teacher Yuan!”

Su Tao’s big, sparkling eyes blinked as she spoke, her whole presence radiating cuteness and energy.

When she mentioned how fast she could run, a hint of pride lit up her expression.

Mama Lu and Teacher Yuan had been super busy earlier, working so hard.

So errands like this? She’d gladly take care of them!

“Alright then, thank you, Su Tao.”

“No problem! Just follow me, big sister.”

“Oh, Su Tao, can I ask you something?”

“Sure! Go ahead.”

“What’s the pond here used for?”

“That? It’s for raising fish, of course!”

“All the little fishies in there were put in by us, with Mama Lu’s help.”

“The pond next to it has little shrimps!”

“Mama Lu said that once the fish and shrimp grow up, we’ll be able to catch them and eat them.”

“Big sister, let me tell you—Grandpa Zhao’s fish and shrimp dishes are super super tasty!”

“And not just that. Grandpa Zhao’s fried meatballs are amazing too.”

“He makes them so fast! I blink and he’s already made five or six!”

“And his apprentice, Brother Xiangzi, can carve flowers from tofu!”

“He can even carve little rabbits and chicks out of white and red radishes. It’s so cool!”

“And the best part is, the little rabbits and chicks he carves—you can eat them!”

“I gobble them up one by one. So delicious!”

Once Su Tao started talking about food, she couldn’t stop. Her eyes sparkled and her hands gestured animatedly.

Qiqi couldn’t help but smile at her like a doting mom, and the chat exploded with comments.

“Oops, sorry big sister, did I talk too much?”

“It’s not my fault! Grandpa Zhao and Brother Xiangzi are just too amazing!”

“Once you have lunch in our canteen, you’ll understand!”

“I promise, you’ll be giving them a big thumbs-up!”

“You’ve got me so curious now. I’m definitely going to try it at lunch.” Qiqi laughed.

“Yup yup, you have to!”

“Big sister, let’s hurry over and pick some vegetables!”

“We grew those ourselves with Mama Lu’s help.”

“They’re growing really well.”

“Not far from the garden, we even have some bunnies we’re raising!”

— Translator’s Notes —

– Xia Yuhe by Daming Lake: A famous Chinese internet meme originating from the TV drama ‘The Peony Pavilion’ (2002), referencing a dramatic romantic reunion scene by Daming Lake in Jinan, Shandong Province. It’s often used humorously to evoke destined or emotional encounters.

– ‘The young lotus just shows its pointed tip, and already a dragonfly has landed on it!’: A famous line from the Song Dynasty poem ‘Dawn at Lingci Temple, Sending Off Zifang’ by Yang Wanli (1127–1206), describing the delicate emergence of lotus buds in early summer, symbolizing subtle beauty and the passage of time.