Chapter 86: Couldn’t Think of a Title, So Whatever Works

But before anything else, he needed to run a test.

With that in mind, Wang Yong spoke up. “Wife, go lie down for a bit.”

“I’ll finish up the rest of the dough.”

“I can help,” Zhang Yongxia offered.

“No, no, you still have to work this afternoon. Go take a nap, I’ve got this.”

He gently ushered Zhang Yongxia into the bedroom, closed the window for her, pulled the curtains shut, then returned to the kitchen to continue making pancakes.

This time, he deliberately used the scallions they had bought themselves to make a scallion pancake.

Then he used the leftover spinach from their own kitchen to make a spinach and egg pancake.

He set both pancakes aside once they were done.

Next, he used the scallions and spinach he had pulled from the orphanage’s backyard to make another batch.

Hmm, maybe it wasn’t just his imagination…

The pancakes made with the vegetables from the orphanage really did smell more fragrant and appetizing.

Once they were cooked, he cut them up and plated them separately.

He first tried a bite of the pancake made with their own vegetables.

Not bad—crispy on the outside, soft and chewy inside, with a fresh, pleasant aroma.

Then he tasted the control batch—the ones made with the orphanage’s vegetables. Wow. The difference in flavor and texture was immediately obvious.

They weren’t the same at all. Not even close.

The test proved it: the vegetables grown in the orphanage’s backyard were genuinely high quality.

The pancakes made with them were incredibly fragrant and mouthwatering.

If he remembered correctly, Director Lu had once mentioned that all the vegetables grown in the orphanage’s backyard were completely organic.

Planted by the children themselves.

And they grew a lot—far more than they could ever eat.

Maybe, once his wife woke up, he could talk to her about buying organic vegetables from the orphanage and selling pancakes at a street stall?

He happened to have Director Lu’s phone number.

******

When Lu Qingqiang received Wang Yong’s call, she was driving home.

She’d been busy all morning and was actually feeling quite tired.

But she had already promised Madam Lu that she would attend her flower viewing party.

So Lu Qingqiang had gulped down two big mouthfuls of warm water infused with Spirit Spring Water.

And it really worked.

Now she felt refreshed and full of energy, like she could run ten laps around the orphanage.

“Hello, who’s this?”

“Hello, Director Lu, this is Wang Yong. I’m not sure if you remember me?”

“Ah, yes, I know who you are. What’s the matter?”

“Director Lu, is this a good time to talk?”

“Go ahead.” Lu Qingqiang glanced at the time. Still early. She pulled over into the nearest parking spot and focused on the call.

“It’s like this. I heard that the vegetables grown in the orphanage’s backyard are produced in large quantities and usually used for your own meals.”

“And if there’s too much to finish, you sell the surplus.”

“I was wondering… would it be possible for me to buy some?” Wang Yong asked, feeling a bit nervous for no reason.

“As per our original plan, yes, we do sell the excess vegetables when we can’t finish them ourselves,” Lu Qingqiang replied.

“But the prices are relatively high.”

“At least several times more expensive than what you’d find in the market.”

“Given that, are you still interested?”

“Could I ask what the prices are like? For example, scallions?”

“Scallions in the market are currently a little over 4 yuan per jin. Ours are 19.9 yuan per jin.”

“About five times more expensive,” Lu Qingqiang said.

“Well… that is a bit pricey.” Wang Yong’s heart sank a little.

Good stuff really doesn’t come cheap.

He needed to think this through. If the vegetables were that expensive, would they still be able to turn a profit selling pancakes?

“Yes, the original intention behind growing vegetables at the orphanage was self-sufficiency.”

“It’s only because we accidentally grew too much that we considered selling some.”

“The price is high, but we put a lot of care into growing them, and I can guarantee they’re completely organic.”

“If you’re calling me, it must be because you think the vegetables from our orphanage taste great.”

“Good quality is something people can taste.”

“So later on, we may even set some purchase limits.”

Hearing that, Wang Yong immediately panicked.

“Director Lu, I want to buy!”

The vegetables from the orphanage might be expensive, but they were undeniably delicious.

Totally worth the price.

More importantly, there would be limited quantities in the future!

If he didn’t seize this opportunity now, he might not be able to buy any later.

Worst case, if pancakes didn’t work out, they could switch to selling scallion noodles or something!

“Alright, add me on WeChat later and we’ll discuss the details there.”

“Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention.”

“Employees of the orphanage can pick vegetables for free.”

“And if you want to buy in bulk, there’s a 50% employee discount.”

“So about that offer I made earlier, inviting you to work part-time at the orphanage helping with the farming—you might want to consider it.”

“I’m still driving, so we’ll talk more later.”

“Sure, sure, Director Lu, take care and drive safe.”

“Alright, goodbye.”

(Everyone, please remember: do not make or take phone calls while driving!!)

After hanging up, Lu Qingqiang started the car and continued home.

She arrived before 2 p.m.

When Madam Lu saw her, she immediately greeted her with a warm smile and hurried over.

“Qingqing, you’re back? Are you tired? Want some water? Should I have someone get you something to eat?”

“No need, Mom. If I get thirsty, I’ll help myself.”

“Ah yes, of course. It’s your home, feel free to do whatever you like.”

“Oh right, Qingqing, it’s still early. A few days ago, I ordered some of this season’s new clothes and handbags. I had them placed in your room. Want to go take a look?”

“Sure, Mom, I’ll go check them out.” Lu Qingqiang smiled and nodded.

Since Madam Lu was staying downstairs to wait for guests, Lu Qingqiang didn’t invite her to go upstairs together.

She went up alone.

Soon, she realized that it wasn’t just Madam Lu who was treating her kindly.

Even all the Lu Family’s servants were smiling at her with genuine warmth.

No judgment, no disdain, no secret eye-rolls—none of that.

At least on the surface, not a single person showed even the slightest disrespect.

As soon as she stepped into the walk-in closet, Lu Qingqiang was stunned.

The shelves were packed with clothes, dresses, shoes, handbags, and jewelry…

It was dazzling.

Madam Lu had called this “a few items”?

More like a few hundred.

“Qingqing, may I come in?” Madam Lu knocked on the door.

“Come in, Mom. It’s not locked.”

Madam Lu entered and helped her pick out two outfits, holding them up in front of her to compare.

After a moment of hesitation, she finally spoke.

“Qingqing, there’s something I’d like to talk to you about.”

“Okay, Mom, go ahead~” Lu Qingqiang nodded and looked at her.