Chapter 94: Six Companions

Just like that, Lu Qingqiang somehow ended up with six incredibly handsome guys as companions.

Well, more accurately, they were there to accompany the Little Radish Heads.

With the kids being looked after, Lu Qingqiang told the others to go explore the area instead of just standing around waiting.

They agreed to meet back at a designated spot at noon.

At first, everyone was reluctant to leave.

But after some persistent coaxing from Lu Qingqiang, Liu Xiang was the first to take his uncle to ride the pirate ship nearby.

Then he dragged Zhang Haiping and his wife, along with Doctor Feng, to ride the carousel.

It was the first time the adults had been forced onto a merry-go-round, and they were visibly embarrassed at first.

But as the ride spun on, they started to relax.

They even began to feel a carefree joy and childlike fun they hadn’t experienced in years.

From that point on, everyone truly got into the spirit of the amusement park.

The roller coaster was too intense for some, so Liu Xiang, Zhang Qiang, and Yan Fang—being the younger ones—went on it.

Teacher Yuan was a bit afraid of heights and didn’t dare try it.

The little kids were too young to ride as well.

But the six young men who came as companions were more than capable.

After Liu Xiang and the others finished their turn, Lu Qingqiang led the six companions onto the roller coaster.

The thrilling ups and downs made Lu Qingqiang feel her heartbeat pounding in her chest.

The wind, the sense of freedom, the rush of joy.

It was exhilarating. Absolutely exhilarating.

As soon as they got off the ride, Da Cong’s legs gave out and he clung to a tree, dry heaving.

Feng Xiao’s legs were also a bit wobbly, though he didn’t show it as obviously as Da Cong.

Fatty Huang and Xu Ming, on the other hand, looked eager for more.

Back when Brother Shen first called and told them to come to the amusement park, they hadn’t been the least bit interested.

An amusement park? That’s a place for kids. What were grown men like them going to do there?

They’d rather stay home like couch potatoes.

But Brother Shen had made it clear: if they didn’t go to the amusement park, they’d be sent to work in the greenhouses.

Given the options, and not being fools, the six of them had come running to the amusement park.

Only to be immediately assigned as play companions.

What could they say?

Of course they had to nod and agree.

But it wasn’t so bad. The Little Radish Heads were actually pretty easy to manage.

They didn’t run off or act out on the rides.

All in all, being companions was a fairly easy gig.

The only downside was that they couldn’t really enjoy the rides themselves.

Just as they were grumbling about that, Lu Qingqiang called them over to ride the roller coaster.

The intense thrill of the ride had Xu Ming and Fatty Huang so excited they wanted to go on it five more times.

As for Da Cong and Feng Xiao, they immediately said, “Nope, not doing that again. Not even if you paid us.”

They’d rather go ride the carousel instead.

And so, the two grown men actually went to ride the merry-go-round.

Lu Jianshen and Mo Chenjing were speechless.

Seriously? These four are that childish?

Unlike the two of them, who were calm and steady as old dogs.

Soon, everyone regrouped at the bumper cars.

Each adult sat with a child, and the game began.

The fun of bumper cars was in the chaos—everyone driving around, crashing into each other.

Sometimes it turned into a game of chase and escape.

At first, with so many people, the arena was a mess of random collisions.

By the second round, everyone had naturally split into teams, and it became a battle between two sides.

After the bumper cars, they moved on to the mini airplanes, frog jump, water park, and even rode the Ferris wheel.

By the time the adults were starting to feel tired, the Little Radish Heads were still full of energy.

So Lu Qingqiang gathered up the energetic little ones and took them to the kids’ play area.

There, they could run wild to their hearts’ content.

Those who wanted to fish could fish, those who wanted to climb could climb, those who liked playing in the sand could dig, and those who loved swings could swing.

The children’s area was huge and packed with activities. With seventeen little ones, there was something for everyone.

Meanwhile, Lu Qingqiang let the adults have some free time.

Doctor Feng and Master Zhao, however, said they were tired and needed a break.

They offered to watch the kids so Lu Qingqiang and the others could go off and have fun.

After all, the children’s area had only one entrance and exit. As long as they stayed there, they could keep an eye on everyone.

So Lu Qingqiang took Yuan Yuan to play on the rainbow slide.

Watching the two of them laugh and play, Doctor Feng couldn’t help but say to Master Zhao,

“Back at the orphanage, the director was always busy, managing everything. I always thought of her as a responsible adult.”

“To me, she was the perfect orphanage director.”

“She’s confident, hardworking, strong, full of positive energy, compassionate, and knows how to handle things.”

“But now, seeing her play like a little girl, so carefree and happy, I suddenly realized—she’s not just a director. She’s still just a young girl.”

“When I was her age, I was still all about eating, drinking, and having fun.”

“Not like her. She’s already taken on real responsibilities at such a young age.”

“This little Lu is really something.”

Hearing that, Master Zhao couldn’t help but chime in.

“Isn’t that the truth? Sometimes I think, after all these years, what have I really done?”

“My whole life feels like a blur. Like I’ve had everything and yet nothing at all.”

“But watching the director, watching Xiangzi, and Teacher Yuan grow day by day…”

“Seeing them shine in the fields they love and excel at, I feel a bit overwhelmed.”

“But more than that, I feel happy. Proud. Fulfilled.”

“These young people, they’re way better than I ever was. So driven, so optimistic.”

“They’re really something.”

“And the director’s brother and his friends…”

“At first, I thought they were just rich kids, young masters.”

“I figured they lived in a completely different world from someone like me.”

“But after getting to know them, I realized they’re not so different after all.”

“Sure, they’re second-generation rich, but when they get serious, when they put in the effort, they’re no less capable than anyone else.”

“They’ve got flaws, sure, but even more strengths.”

“And the director, though she’s young, she’s already become the pillar everyone relies on, the heart of the group.”

“Like you said, Doctor Feng, that girl is truly amazing.”

Doctor Feng nodded and continued.

“So when we get back, we older folks really need to find time and ways to take on more responsibilities at the orphanage.”

“We can’t keep letting the younger ones do everything for us, shielding us from the wind and rain.”

“I get paid a decent salary every month. If I don’t do something to earn it, I’d feel guilty.”

“Doctor Feng, don’t say that. You’re the health guardian of our orphanage. Everyone relies on you.”

“Master Zhao, if you ask me, the most important person in the orphanage is you.”

“Your cooking skills are top-notch, I’m telling you…”

And just like that, the two of them slipped into mutual praise mode again.

As they praised each other, the conversation naturally drifted back to the kids.

They were in the middle of a lively discussion when a commotion came from the children’s play area.

They turned to look and—uh-oh—seemed like a fight had broken out.

“What’s going on? How did things turn into a quarrel?”

“If you ask me, kids getting into little scuffles outside is totally normal.”

“Not every child is as well-behaved, sensible, obedient, and adorable as the ones from our Jiang City Loving Heart Orphanage.”

“I’m sure our kids wouldn’t be the ones causing a scene.”

Just as Master Zhao finished speaking, Doctor Feng said,

“Look, isn’t that Gu Cheng?”

“??” Master Zhao.

— Translator’s Notes —

– calm and steady as old dogs: A direct translation of a Chinese idiom meaning someone is extremely calm and collected, often due to experience or maturity.