Chapter 64: Pigs Are Coming Up the Mountain

After finishing their first bowl, the two each went for a second.

For the second round, Feng Xiao chose the sour soup noodles.

Xu Ming went with shredded pork in garlic sauce over noodles.

The hand-pulled noodles had an incredible texture—springy and chewy, absolutely top-notch.

And that sour soup was just amazing.

It wasn’t just tangy and spicy in the best way, it was also topped with tiny dried shrimp, chopped scallions, and bits of scrambled egg pancake.

There was even a chunk of pig trotter stewed by Master Zhao thrown in.

It almost knocked Feng Xiao out with how good it smelled.

You have to understand, Feng Xiao used to hate pig trotters.

He thought they were a hassle.

But after this meal, he completely fell in love with them.

So fragrant.

Xu Ming also thought his bowl of noodles with shredded pork in garlic sauce was incredible.

He liked sweet flavors, and also enjoyed sweet-and-spicy, sweet-and-sour, all kinds of combinations.

But ever since his dad married his stepmother, all the meals at home followed her preferences.

She liked things light and bland.

And to show how much he doted on her, his dad went along with it too.

Xu Ming couldn’t get used to it and voiced his complaints.

His stepmother responded gently, saying she was only thinking of Xu Ming’s father’s health.

Older people needed to watch their diet, or they’d risk high blood pressure or diabetes.

On the surface, she said Xu Ming was still young and could afford to indulge a little, and that she’d ask the maid to prepare separate meals for him.

But behind the scenes, she subtly accused him of being selfish and inconsiderate of his elders.

Over time, not only did the food he liked disappear from the table, but even his own father started treating him more coldly.

So when Master Zhao came over with a warm smile and served them steaming bowls of noodle soup, asking if they wanted more and whether the food suited their tastes, Xu Ming felt a pang in his heart.

He realized that this stranger cared more about him than his own father ever did.

He made up his mind!

That Xu family? Whoever wants to go back can go back!

He was staying at the orphanage to work!

So what if it meant digging holes and planting trees?

He could handle it.

After finishing their meal, the two young masters followed the orphanage rules and washed their bowls by hand. Then they headed out for a walk.

Brother Shen had said he would show them around the orphanage.

But instead, he roped them into hauling wood.

They hadn’t had a chance to explore before, so after eating, they rushed out.

Who would’ve thought they’d be back so soon?

Wow.

They hadn’t realized how big the orphanage really was until they started walking around.

There was a library, dorms, exercise area, recreation zone, classrooms, media room, planting area, pond, greenhouses—you name it.

Wait, greenhouses?

The orphanage even had greenhouses?

What, Shen’s little sister wasn’t satisfied with just planting trees on a mountain, now she wanted to grow vegetables too?

That was… pretty wild.

But honestly, walking around the orphanage felt like strolling through a park.

It was actually kind of fun.

＊＊＊＊＊＊

Up on the mountain, when Lu Jianshen and Huang He led a group of people to transport all the animals they had bought—chicks, ducklings, goslings, piglets, lambs, and calves—the kids who were planting trees erupted in cheers and excitement.

“Look, it’s a little yellow duck! So soft and cute!” said Su Zhiyu.

“That one’s a goose! I know it! It’s all white and looks so well-behaved!” said Pang Jiajia.

“Grandpa Zhao said braised goose in an iron pot is super tasty!” said Su Tao.

“Pigs! Pigs, pigs, pigs!” Li Xiang shouted dramatically, pointing into the distance.

“You’re the pig!” muttered Wu Feng, who was digging a hole nearby.

“No, I mean, pigs are coming up the mountain!” Li Xiang clarified.

“???” Lu Jianshen and Huang He exchanged confused looks.

He must be talking about the piglets in the cages, right?

So why did it feel like they were being insulted?

No, must be their imagination.

“Look, a lamb! Mama Lu, look! That little lamb looks just like Shaun the Sheep from the cartoon!”

“They both have black faces!” Xiao Hui shouted excitedly.

“You’ve got a good eye, kid. That’s a Blacknose sheep. I picked that one out on purpose,” Lu Jianshen said lazily.

“Wow, it’s got curly wool too, and even its ears are black. So cute,” Liu Yu said, reaching out to pet it.

“You can’t even see its face. Cute? I think the calf is cuter,” Liu Miaomiao said, glancing at the lamb before turning her attention to the young cow.

“Second Brother, Young Master Huang, thank you for your hard work,” said Lu Qingqiang as he walked over.

“No, no, you guys are the ones working hard planting trees,” Huang He replied quickly.

“Oh right, Sis, all these animals were donated by Young Master Huang,” Lu Jianshen added, pointing at Huang He.

“On behalf of everyone at the orphanage, thank you, Young Master Huang.”

“Come on, kids, thank your Brother Huang!”

“With these animals he gave us, all we have to do is raise them, and soon we’ll have all the meat we could want!”

Lu Qingqiang called the children over as he spoke.

Gratitude should be taught from a young age, after all.

“Thank you, Brother Huang! You’re the best!”

The kids immediately gathered around Huang He, showering him with thanks.

Among them, Taozi’s voice was the loudest and most enthusiastic. Her eyes sparkled with admiration and excitement.

“Oh come on, it’s nothing. Just a few animals, not worth much,” Huang He said with a warm and polite smile.

To him, the cost of all these animals combined was nothing.

Not even enough to cover a night out at the bar.

But seeing the pure joy on these kids’ faces made him feel like this was the best decision he’d ever made.

Money couldn’t buy this kind of happiness.

Right now, he felt genuinely happy and proud.

So this is what it feels like to do the right thing and be praised for it?

Nice.

From now on, he was definitely sticking with Brother Shen and doing good work.

With help from the staff at the livestock farm, the 400 chickens, 400 ducks, 400 geese, 300 sheep, 20 pigs, and 10 cows were quickly settled into their respective enclosures.

With all the animal sounds filling the air, the entire mountain suddenly felt vibrant and alive.

The pens had all been prepared in advance by professionals.

Each one had washing stations, feeding troughs, water dispensers, lighting, music, fans, ventilation, and more.

The water supply was drawn from the mountain.

Even the animal waste was channeled through specially designed systems into a biogas pit at the back.

Once enough waste accumulated, it could be composted and used as fertilizer.

Of course, according to Lu Qingqiang’s plan, the animals would be kept in pens for now.

Once they adjusted, they’d be gradually released for free-range grazing.

Free-range chickens from the bamboo forest tasted way better than those kept in pens.

Cows and sheep would also be let out to roam when possible.

As for the piglets, they were better off staying in their pens for now.

The first time Lu Qingqiang came up the mountain, she had scattered alfalfa seeds provided by the system in many areas.

Not only would this nourish the soil, but the animals loved eating it too.

Once the alfalfa grew a bit more, they could start letting the animals out to graze.

Of course, even free-range animals would be kept within designated areas.

They couldn’t be allowed to run wild.

Otherwise, anyone hiking up the mountain would be stepping in animal droppings everywhere.

That would be nasty.

“Second Brother, Mom said when you come up the mountain, make sure you help us plant trees.”

“Otherwise, your allowance is getting cut off.”

“???” Lu Jianshen had just sat down on a boulder and pulled out his lighter to play with.

“!!!!” Huang He.

Maybe he should run while he still could?