Chapter 59 Choosing Between Sweet and Savory… He Chose Bitter

Ou Yang was already close to breaking down, and Old Luo’s attacks had only just begun.

Under Qu Jing’s instructions, Old Luo loosened his fist and began raising his arms. While doing so, he adjusted into a more comfortable position, leaning back on the sofa and glancing sideways at Xiao Luo, who was hiding at the back with the camera.

“That photographer—I remember you were the one who took the pictures last time. Is there no one else in the neighborhood committee who knows how to use a camera? The photos taken by that young man in Shanghai eighty years ago were better than yours. Chen Huihong, it’s not like your committee is short on money—why not spend a bit and hire a professional? How much trouble could that be?”

“Professionals should do professional work. How many of you are actually qualified in your committee? Everyone’s just going through the motions. What did that official account article make me look like last time? A lonely elderly person? Do I look like some pitiful creature?”

“And who wrote that article? ‘Caring for lonely elderly people starts from those around us’—how much are apartments in this neighborhood per square meter? I’m lonely? I need care? If you really have no one to write articles, just spend 20 yuan online to hire a ghostwriter. It’d be better than what you posted.”

Qu Jing patted Luo Jun, signaling him to stop talking, then put on her stethoscope. “Come on, take a deep breath.”

Luo Jun began breathing deeply.

Xiao Qian, who was responsible for writing articles, also started taking deep breaths.

“Every time so many people come, I can’t tell what all of you are here for. The photos are bad, the writing is bad—every time you send a few clueless ones. Especially that young man at the back, I’ve seen him here several times.”

“Not good-looking, and not very sharp either. Always standing at the door holding two bags of fruit—it looks like a delivery guy.”

Ou Yang, holding the fruit: …

Hadn’t he already been scolded? How could he still get scolded again?!

“Also you,” Luo Jun glanced at Qu Jing. “You’re thirty-two and still haven’t found a partner. Planning to follow my path and stay single for life?”

“I chose to be single back then. Being alone was my choice. You’re single by circumstance—you don’t even have a choice.”

Qu Jing smiled. “I’ve just been busy with work.”

Luo Jun sneered. “If you put even one-tenth of the effort you spend on work into finding a partner, your kids would already be as old as Chen Huihui.”

Then he glanced at Chen Huihong. “And you—adopting a child is fine, but what’s with letting the kid eat buns at the cafeteria every day?”

Hearing this, Qin Huai was slightly surprised. Even though Luo Jun didn’t go out, his information network was quite up to date—he even knew Chen Huihui had been eating buns at the Yunzhong Cafeteria recently.

“The one making buns is even more outrageous,” Luo Jun turned his attention to Qin Huai. “With such good skills, you spend every afternoon making buns. There are so many good pastries you could make, yet you only make buns—what’s so great about buns? Only your fermented rice bun is slightly decent. Can’t you make something with fillings?”

Ou Yang, who had been eagerly waiting to see how Luo Jun would roast Qin Huai: ??

Wait—Old Luo, why are you treating him differently?!

Is this even an insult? Not a single personal attack! Where’s your sharp tongue? Your condescending attitude? Your smooth combo of sarcasm?

Bring it out! Show Qin Huai what you used on me!

After venting his morning grumpiness, Luo Jun felt much better. He ignored the neighborhood committee members and told them to do whatever they needed, as long as they didn’t damage anything in his home.

Xiao Luo and Xiao Qian, both on assignment, followed the housekeeper to other rooms to take photos and record daily life.

Although Luo Jun didn’t go out, his daily life was quite rich. His home had a studio, a media room, and a butterfly specimen display converted from a walk-in closet. He enjoyed admiring his specimens, watching movies in the media room, and occasionally painting oils—he was known as a model “lonely elder” within the neighborhood and a key figure for promotion.

This was also why, despite being notoriously difficult, the neighborhood committee still made regular visits.

Ou Yang and another member followed to the studio. Qin Huai originally wanted to take a look as well, but Luo Jun stopped him.

“Speak. Xiao Qin, what did you come to see me for?” Luo Jun asked, resting his hand on the table while Qu Jing drew his blood.

Meanwhile, Chen Huihong carried the pre-made three-ingredient buns, five-ingredient buns, and four-delight dumplings into the kitchen to refrigerate them.

Qin Huai was momentarily stunned and subconsciously blurted, “I just came to support the neighborhood committee’s work and to give back to customers, so I prepared these…”

“Cut the nonsense,” Luo Jun interrupted impatiently. “You definitely have another purpose. Why else would you come to see me? I didn’t even leave a bad review for your cafeteria. Tell the truth.”

Qu Jing gave Luo Jun a suspicious look.

Luo Jun raised his voice. “I really didn’t!”

Being stared at by Luo Jun, Qin Huai felt a strong sense of pressure.

As Chen Huihong had said, Luo Jun did resemble a high-born young master. His gaze carried an imposing pressure that made it hard to breathe.

Was this the so-called “main character aura”?

Qin Huai muttered inwardly—shouldn’t that be his own role?

“I don’t like owing favors. Since you brought so many things today, just say what you need. As long as it’s not too outrageous, I’ll help you. If you don’t say it, I’ll assume you don’t need anything.”

Without hesitation, Qin Huai replied, “I’d like you to help me evaluate the herbal teas from my shop.”

“I’ve brought them all—five-flavor tea, three types of tangerine peel tea, monk fruit tea, liver-clearing eye-brightening tea, and hand-squeezed lemon tea.” He arranged several cups neatly on the table.

Qu Jing even moved her medical kit aside to avoid blocking them.

Looking at the seven cups of herbal tea, Luo Jun showed a rare expression of confusion. He looked at Qin Huai, then down at the teas, then back at Qu Jing. “Can I drink now?”

Qu Jing nodded. “The checkup is done. If the reason you don’t go out is not purely unwillingness but due to physical issues, I recommend you visit the hospital. The rehabilitation department has excellent therapists and massage specialists.”

“My body is fine. I know it well.”

Qu Jing didn’t press further. “Then take care of your daily routine and meals. The detailed report will be ready within three days. You may drink the teas. I recall Chen mentioned that, given your condition, drinking more seven-ingredient dampness-removing tea would be beneficial.”

At this, the others observing from the studio entrance gasped.

“I thought Xiao Qin was already giving us a sigh of relief,” Xiao Qian said, “but it turns out Dr. Qu is the real master.”

“You don’t think Xiao Qin is the cunning one?” Xiao Luo countered. “A tea tasting—doesn’t that imply this won’t be the only time he’s coming?”

“I still don’t get it,” Ou Yang muttered. “Old Luo treats Dr. Qu and Sister Chen politely, but somehow he’s even nicer to Qin Huai. Is good cooking really enough to get special treatment?”

Everyone around him gave him a look that said, “Obviously.”

Ou Yang fell into silent despair.

Luo Jun picked up the five-flavor tea and took a big sip. “Average.”

Monk fruit tea. “Not bad.”

Liver-clearing tea. “So-so.”

Tangerine peel tea No.1. “Just okay.”

Tangerine peel tea No.2. “Any difference from the last one?”

Tangerine peel tea No.3. “Terrible.”

Hand-squeezed lemon tea: “You call this herbal tea?”

After tasting each one, Luo Jun concluded: “Your teas aren’t good. Not as good as your buns.”

Qin Huai remained silent.

He had been carefully listening for any system prompt after each sip of tangerine peel tea—but there was none.

Clearly, none of the three versions matched Luo Jun’s taste.

Not surprising, honestly.

Tangerine peel tea is quite standard and flexible, even usable with just hot water. If Luo Jun had a very specific preference, it was normal that Qin Huai couldn’t get it right immediately.

He decided to ask directly.

He had realized Luo Jun preferred straightforward communication.

“Grandpa Luo, what improvements do you think these teas need? Especially the tangerine peel tea?” Qin Huai asked.

Luo Jun was already eating a pastry, chewing with a crisp crunch.

“Improvements? There’s not much room for improvement,” he said. “Did you add white sugar when making the tea?”

Qin Huai guessed boldly, “Do you prefer it without sugar?”

He knew some people believed herbal tea shouldn’t have sugar—that bitterness is better. For example, Zhao Rong, who insisted on unsweetened herbal tea.

“Drinking herbal tea without sugar? Then what’s the difference from drinking Chinese medicine?” Luo Jun said. “You’re the one who doesn’t know how to make it.”

“Then could you teach me?” Qin Huai asked sincerely.

After a pause, Luo Jun said slowly, “Rock sugar isn’t suitable for tangerine peel tea.”

“You need to add brown sugar and salt.”

Qin Huai: …???

What??

Say that again—what do you add?!

Brown sugar and salt?!

Who makes tangerine peel tea with brown sugar and salt?!

This is cooking now? Adding salt for seasoning?

Their family’s tradition was clear—tangerine peel tea should only use rock sugar!

At that moment, Qin Huai felt like someone was debating sweet vs. savory tofu pudding, and another person suddenly jumped in saying: neither—it should be bitter!

Unacceptable.

Even Qu Jing couldn’t help but object. “That’s quite unorthodox. Who adds salt to tea?”

“This is how it should be brewed. That’s what makes it taste good,” Luo Jun insisted stubbornly. “You young people don’t understand. This is a secret recipe.”

Qin Huai silently looked at him.

Luo Jun stared back firmly.

“Alright,” Qin Huai said. “If you insist that tangerine peel tea should be made with brown sugar and salt, I’ll make a batch tomorrow afternoon and bring it over for you to try.”

“If you want to drink it, don’t bring it here—I’ll come to your cafeteria!” Luo Jun declared loudly.

Upon hearing this, the housekeeper rushed out. “Mr. Luo, you need to go out tomorrow!”

“Not tomorrow,” Luo Jun said while finishing pastries. “I haven’t finished my drama. I’m watching TV tomorrow.”

“The day after tomorrow—day after tomorrow afternoon, I’ll go to your cafeteria and drink it in front of you.”

“I’ll prove with action that tangerine peel tea must be made with brown sugar and salt!”

Just as he finished speaking, Chen Huihong came out of the kitchen with her phone.

“Inventory’s done. The fridge is full of pork, beef, seafood, and lamb, plus half a chicken. No fruit. Only a small amount of vegetables in the kitchen.”

“You should eat more greens,” Qu Jing said. “Too much meat isn’t good for your digestion.”

Luo Jun glared at Chen Huihong. “When did you check the fridge?”

“I’ve switched to eating at the cafeteria now. The fridge is stocked with ingredients for Xiao Zhang’s soups.”

“You’re still not eating vegetables,” Chen Huihong shot back. “I’ve seen Xiao Zhang at the cafeteria—he always packs three meat dishes and no vegetables, plus seaweed and pork rib soup.”

“Eat more vegetables,” Qu Jing added. “That concludes today’s checkup. If you plan to go out the day after tomorrow, I’ll take time off to witness your first outing in 1 year, 8 months, and 13 days.”

Chen Huihong nodded. “That’s worth celebrating.”

“Many people in the neighborhood are even betting on whether you’ll go out this year.”

Luo Jun: …

He stood up angrily, grabbed his pastries, and went back to his room, shouting, “Xiao Zhang, see them out.”

Qin Huai: …

“So… you normally communicate like this?”

At his age—92—wasn’t this a bit too intense?

“Emotional fluctuations are good for circulation,” Qu Jing explained calmly. “Mr. Luo is too reclusive—his daily step count is under 100. He mostly sits or lies down and often orders takeout. This kind of stimulation is good for his health.”

“I’m usually busy and the hospital is far, so I ask Sister Chen to come chat with him and keep his mood active.”

“Having more people around livens things up. Xiao Qin, I think Mr. Luo quite likes you. If you have time, you can visit more often and chat with him… maybe about herbal tea?”

Then she asked curiously, “Does tangerine peel tea really use salt?”

Qin Huai: …

Qin Huai replied solemnly, “No. Absolutely not.”

“You can skip sugar, but you must never add salt!”

“And sugar must be rock sugar—brown sugar is absolutely not allowed!!”