Chapter 34: Can’t You Read the Room?

【Aaaaah, this is killing me with cravings!】

【Who can relate? I’m in the office covering my mouth so I don’t cry from hunger, and my coworkers think I’m sneaking snacks.】

【That’s nothing! I was browsing online for inspiration and accidentally stumbled across this. Just as I was drooling over dumplings, my boss suddenly asked me about my project topic. I blurted out “dumplings,” and he said I look like one.】

【Hahaha, you’re hilarious. Good thing I’m a freelancer. I’ve already ordered dumplings on Meituan. Just waiting to dig in, hehe~】

【Takeout dumplings are all frozen and taste terrible. I texted my mom and asked her to make fresh ones for lunch. Her dumplings are amazing (*^▽^*).】

【Hey, do you need a sibling? How about me? I’m super easy to take care of. Just feed me dumplings and I’ll call you big brother or sister with all my heart.】

【I don’t get why you’re all so obsessed with dumplings. I’m different. I crave chicken drumsticks!】

【Look, it’s fried chicken drumsticks!】

【So that’s how the batter is made!】

【Wait, they fry it twice?】

【Of course. Double-fried drumsticks are crispy on the outside, tender inside, and super flavorful!】

【……】

The chat on the screen was flying by, and the more everyone talked, the hungrier they got.

A glance at the time—ugh, it was only 11:32 AM.

Still twenty-eight minutes until lunch.

Agonizing!

Meanwhile, the Little Radish Heads in front of the screen were happily munching away, completely satisfied.

All kinds of dumplings, each with their own unique flavor.

In the left hand, a freshly fried chicken drumstick—one bite, crispy and delicious.

In the right hand, a dumpling—two bites, absolutely scrumptious.

Sniff sniff. What is happiness? This is happiness.

Su Tao ate with a smile, but as she smiled, she suddenly felt like crying.

If only Mama Wu, the former director, hadn’t passed away. If only she could sit here with them now, enjoying a hearty meal of dumplings. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?

Mama Wu had given up her own life and interests for their sake.

She raised them all with tireless effort, without a single complaint.

She never even bought herself a new outfit, pouring all her love into them.

In the end, she worked herself sick and died from exhaustion.

Mama Wu was a benefactor to all of them.

Mama Lu once said, death isn’t the end—being forgotten is.

Su Tao would never forget Mama Wu for the rest of her life.

And she would always be grateful to Mama Lu.

Without Mama Lu, how could they be eating such good food now?

She wanted to grow up fast, study hard, and become an outstanding person.

When she grew up, she would repay Mama Lu and become someone just like her.

Just as Su Tao was thinking about Lu Qingqiang, Lu Qingqiang showed up…

She came along with Madam Lu, Lu Jianshen, and a few others to join them for lunch.

Having just gotten her driver’s license, Madam Lu had immediately arranged for all the cars she had prepared for Lu Qingqiang to be delivered.

There was a Maserati, a Mercedes, a Volkswagen with lettering, a tractor, an excavator, a cargo truck, a van, and a little electric scooter.

Originally, there was no need for Madam Lu to come in person to deliver the vehicles.

She could’ve just given instructions and left it at that.

But how could she pass up a rare chance to see Lu Qingqiang in person?

So, here she was.

And not just her—she even called Lu Jianshen to come along.

Since they were coming, they couldn’t show up empty-handed.

So Lu Jianshen went through his garage and picked out a black-and-red motorcycle to bring along too.

Lu Qingqiang had to direct the delivery team to park the vehicles in the new lot, which took up quite a bit of time.

Seeing it was almost noon, she suggested inviting Madam Lu and Lu Jianshen to have a simple meal at the orphanage canteen.

As soon as Lu Jianshen heard that, he immediately said, “What’s so great about canteen food?”

“Lu Qingqiang, are you really that stingy? Can’t even treat us to a meal at a nearby hotel?”

He had barely finished speaking when Madam Lu smacked the back of his head.

“What’s wrong with the canteen? I want to eat there.”

“If Qingqing can eat at the canteen, why can’t you?”

“What, you think you’ve got more mouths to feed than me and Qingqing?”

“…Mom!” Lu Jianshen clutched the back of his head, looking aggrieved.

He was only saying that out of concern—for his own mother!

Madam Lu had a sensitive stomach and was usually very careful with food. She rarely ate out.

Even when she did, it was only at highly reputable places they had invested in and trusted.

A single misstep could leave her feeling unwell.

That’s why Lu Jianshen was so particular about it.

But now, his mom was willing to eat at the canteen just to spend more time with Lu Qingqiang?

From what he remembered, canteen food was nothing to write home about.

That thought sparked a trace of resentment toward Lu Qingqiang.

“Second Brother, what’s wrong with your eyes? Are they bothering you?”

Lu Qingqiang looked at him, puzzled, after catching his exaggerated winks.

“Can’t you read the room?”

“Mom’s got a sensitive stomach. Couldn’t you have picked a nicer hotel to treat her to a proper meal? Why insist on the canteen?” Lu Jianshen said outright.

“Second Brother, our canteen food is definitely cleaner than most places outside, and it tastes really good.”

“You don’t need to worry about food safety at all.”

“If you don’t like it after trying, I’ll take you out somewhere else,” Lu Qingqiang explained.

“Not worry? With what, my head?”

Before he could go on, Madam Lu shut him down again.

“Enough, Shenshen. I know you’re worried about me, but today I want to eat at the canteen.”

“If you don’t like it, then go. I’ll go with Qingqing and the others.” Madam Lu gave him a sideways glance.

“…Fine. I want to see just how ‘safe’ this canteen food really is.” Lu Jianshen pouted.

“…………” The group following behind them fell silent.

These were the folks who had driven the large vehicles to deliver the cars for Lu Qingqiang.

After finishing the delivery, she invited them to join her for lunch at the canteen.

They politely declined at first, but ended up tagging along.

And now they were hearing all this.

Truly, rich people were something else.

It’s just a meal—why make such a fuss over whether it’s at a hotel or not?

For them, just getting a full belly was enough.

What was there to be picky about?

Soon, the group arrived at the canteen.

“Director, you’re back? Come sit down, I’ll go boil some dumplings for you right away.”

“Mama Lu, you’re back! We made the dumplings together today. So many different kinds!”

“Grandma Lu, you came too!”

“Ooh, the handsome guy came too.”

“Director…”

“Everyone, sit down and keep eating.”

“My mom, my brother, and these folks just arrived. I brought them over for a meal.”

“Master Zhao, do we have enough dumplings?”

“Plenty, plenty! We made a whole bunch this morning,” Master Zhao quickly replied.

They had made thousands of dumplings.

Originally, the plan was to freeze any leftovers for later, so anyone who got hungry could just cook a few.

But now, it looked like they might finish them all in one go. Hehe.

Fresh dumplings are always the best. Once they’re gone, they can just make more next time!

“Does anyone have any dietary restrictions?”

“Nope.”

“Great. The crescent-shaped ones are Spanish mackerel, the ingot-shaped ones are lamb and carrot, the triangle ones are three-flavor mix, and the pinwheel-shaped ones are fennel and pork…”

— Translator’s Notes —

– Meituan: Meituan is a popular Chinese food delivery and lifestyle services app, similar to Uber Eats or DoorDash.