Chapter 35: Let Me Dig Some for You

After Master Zhao finished explaining, Lu Qingqiang nodded, then took a bowl from the sterilizer and walked over to help Madam Lu get some food.

“Mom, what kind of filling do you like?”

“I’m not picky. As long as it’s made by Qingqing, I’ll eat it,” Madam Lu replied, looking at her with gentle eyes.

“Mom likes shrimp and cilantro,” Lu Jianshen reminded her.

“Got it.”

After serving dumplings for Madam Lu, she handed a bowl to Lu Jianshen and gestured for him to help himself.

“What? Why are you treating people differently?”

“I don’t know what kind of filling Second Brother likes, so I’ll have to trouble you to do it yourself.”

“Fine.” Lu Jianshen couldn’t be bothered to argue. He scooped a few dumplings into his bowl and went to sit beside Madam Lu.

The steaming hot dumplings in sour soup were topped with a generous amount of cilantro, making them look especially appetizing.

No surprise there—he’d inherited Madam Lu’s love for cilantro.

He picked up a dumpling, blew on it, and took a bite like he was venting frustration.

Hah, it’s just a dumpling. What’s the big deal?

It’s not like it can be anything special… Wait, damn, this dumpling is actually shaped like a flower!

And the most important part—it actually tastes amazing. Like, ridiculously good.

Okay, maybe not ridiculously, but at least a tiny bit good. Just a tiny bit!

After scarfing down the few dumplings he had randomly scooped, Lu Jianshen realized… he wasn’t full.

But he was too embarrassed to go back for more.

After all, he’d just been complaining about how bad the canteen food was.

He glanced up and noticed Madam Lu’s bowl was still quite full.

“Mom, how do you think the dumplings taste? Maybe there are too many for you to finish?”

“Why don’t I help you out and eat a few?”

As soon as he said that, Madam Lu quickly pulled the bowl closer to herself, looking defensive.

“These were served by Qingqing. If you want more, get them yourself.”

“These dumplings are delicious. They’re the best I’ve ever had!”

“Even if I can’t finish them, I’m not giving you any. I’m taking them home for your dad.”

“…,” Lu Qingqiang muttered from the side.

Just what kind of bizarre food repository was her so-called father?

A big-shot CEO, and he still had to eat his wife’s leftovers at home?

“My dad’s really pitiful,” Lu Jianshen mumbled.

“Say that to his face if you’ve got the guts,” Madam Lu shot back.

“I mean, having such a virtuous wife like you is truly his blessing.”

“You little brat, what’s that supposed to mean?”

“Mom, hurry and eat before it gets cold.”

“Second Brother, give me your bowl. I’ll get you some more,” Lu Qingqiang offered.

“Thanks, but I’ll go get it myself.”

Lu Jianshen got up and went to scoop more dumplings.

This time, he took way more than before.

After eating nearly forty dumplings in one go, he finally felt full.

Well, his stomach was full, but his mouth still wanted more.

He honestly didn’t get it…

How could a humble orphanage canteen make dumplings this good?

Could this be what they call the taste of everyday warmth and human kindness?

Only Lu Qingqiang knew the answer.

The dumplings tasted so good not just because the ingredients were fresh and high-quality, but also thanks to Master Zhao’s excellent cooking skills.

Most importantly, when no one was looking, she had added a few drops of Spirit Spring Water to the canteen’s water bucket.

The little radish heads were all so frail. If she could help improve their health through small daily adjustments, it was worth it.

Of course, she wasn’t about to tell anyone that.

After finishing the meal and washing the dishes, Lu Qingqiang took Madam Lu out for a walk to help digest.

Lu Jianshen followed behind, fiddling with his lighter, looking bored.

Yuan Yuan was leading the little radish heads to clean up and get ready for their afternoon nap.

As they were leaving, she once again forgot her phone propped up on the stand.

By the time she remembered and went back to get it, the screen had already gone black.

Oh well, the livestream must’ve gone on too long and the phone shut off automatically.

As for when it shut off, she had no idea.

Ahem.

******

“Qingqing, you said before that when you had time, you’d take everyone up the mountain behind us for a walk and to plant some trees. Take me with you too,” Madam Lu said as they strolled.

“Hiking is pretty tiring…”

“So what? Those little kids aren’t afraid of getting tired. I’m a grown woman, and I can’t be the one to complain, can I?”

“Don’t worry, I won’t slow you down,” Madam Lu promised.

“Mom, let me finish.”

“What I meant was, hiking is tiring, so I’ll buy you a pair of hiking shoes. Once you change into those, we can go. The ones you’re wearing now with heels aren’t good for your feet.”

“See, Qingqing cares about me. Unlike your Second Brother, who’s like a wooden club.”

“???” Lu Jianshen.

“Second Brother, are you coming to plant trees too?”

“Sure. Let’s bring Dad along too. We’ll all go together!” Lu Jianshen said, meeting Madam Lu’s gaze.

Since he couldn’t get out of it, might as well drag dear old dad into it too.

Heh.

“That works. I’ll let you know when we’re going.”

The mountain had already been cleared. It was time to plant some fruit trees, cultivate some log-grown white fungus and black fungus, maybe even some medicinal herbs.

Can’t just leave the mountain sitting there empty.

She had also arranged for a bamboo house to be built up there. No idea how far along they were. She needed to go check.

And the hot spring—wonder if it was ready to use yet.

“Great,” Madam Lu said with a cheerful smile.

As they walked, they arrived at the vegetable garden.

Lu Qingqiang pointed proudly at the neatly arranged rows of vegetables and said to Madam Lu, “Mom, these are the vegetables we planted. Look how tall they’ve grown.”

“Qingqing, you’re amazing. The vegetables look so fresh and vibrant. They’re growing beautifully.”

“Qingqing, you’ve really been through a lot.”

“It’s all our fault…”

At first, Madam Lu was excited as she looked at the lush, tender greens—baby bok choy, Shanghai greens, and more.

But soon, her mood turned somber.

Why was Qingqing so good at growing vegetables? Because she had to be—because they were poor.

She was supposed to be a pampered young lady who never had to lift a finger, yet because of their mistake, Qingqing ended up in the countryside and suffered so much.

If not for that, how could she possibly be this skilled at farming?

“Mom, what’s the point of bringing up the past?”

“That was the hospital’s mistake, not yours. Don’t mention it again.”

“Mom, do you want to learn how to grow vegetables? I can dig some up for you to take home and plant.”

“Let me tell you, these are super easy to grow. You only need to water them once a day, and besides…”

“Yes, yes, I’d love that.”

Madam Lu was moved. She really let Lu Qingqiang dig up a bunch of vegetables for her.

She even got a variety of seeds.

Taking the opportunity, she called the housekeeper and asked them to clear out the greenhouse at home and get it ready for vegetable planting.

Off to the side, Lu Jianshen stood speechless.

A greenhouse worth millions, filled with rare and exotic flowers, was about to be overtaken by one-yuan-per-jin vegetables?

Had his mom forgotten she had a flower exhibition scheduled next month in that very greenhouse?