Chapter 91 Volunteer Work

On the second day’s volunteer activity at the welfare home, Qin Huai made extensive preparations.

He went to bed early, and for the first time ever got up at 2:50 a.m. and started work at 3:00 a.m., almost shocking Qin Congwen, who had just begun chopping meat filling, so much that his jaw nearly dropped.

By managing his time wisely, he ensured that the first batch of pastries, along with the first batch of San Ding buns, Wu Ding buns, and fermented rice buns, all came out of the steamer at the same time—almost moved the early-morning joggers, the uncles and aunties, to tears.

He skillfully applied his “balancing” technique: the first batch of pastries included date paste yam cakes, glutinous rice cakes, and even crab shell pastries, allowing Uncle Wang and Xu Tuqiang to enjoy a harmonious breakfast, shake hands, reconcile, and happily share the moment.

He also properly arranged the staff’s work, smoothly handing over a large portion of the supporting tasks to Chen An, who, while moved that his boss was personally willing to teach him skills, also worked diligently.

After completing all this, Qin Huai arrived at the underground parking garage promptly at 9:20 a.m.

Chen Huihong was already waiting in the driver’s seat.

Luo Jun sat in the front passenger seat, looking visibly displeased.

Qin Huai: ?

He understood the logic—but why was Luo Jun awake at this hour and sitting in a car heading to the welfare home as a volunteer?

Luo Jun—waking up at 9:20 a.m. and already out the door, going to volunteer.

Which part of that made any sense?

Seeing Qin Huai frozen by the car door, Chen Huihong poked her head out and greeted warmly, “Xiao Qin, get in the car!”

Qin Huai, carrying two large bags of pastries, got into the car in a daze.

Yes, Qin Huai had also prepared pastries.

Years of volunteer experience at the Sanma Road Children’s Welfare Home had taught him how important it was to bring pastries when visiting.

Things like cleaning, teaching kids to read, draw, do crafts, playing games like “eagle catches chicks,” or feeding them meals—all of that was superficial. None of it could compare to filling their stomachs with good food.

Feeding meals?

Not really necessary. Even the chubby kids at the Sanma Road Children’s Welfare Home—abandoned due to cerebral palsy, barely able to speak or walk properly—would recognize Qin Huai and call him “Brother Bao Bao” the moment they saw him, because whenever Qin Huai came, there would definitely be delicious buns.

As soon as he got in and sat down, Luo Jun turned his head and asked, “What did you bring?”

Qin Huai immediately understood—Luo Jun had smelled the food and wanted a taste. He quickly handed over the pastries.

“I brought a bit of everything I made this morning. There are also two cups of dried tangerine peel tea and some ingredients for making it.”

“Dried tangerine peel tea?” Luo Jun became interested and rummaged through the bag. Finding it was just ordinary dried tangerine peel tea, he quickly lost interest, taking only a piece of date paste yam cake to slowly nibble on.

“Sister Chen, have you had breakfast? Do you want some to fill your stomach?” Qin Huai asked.

“I’ve already eaten. I even bought some glutinous rice cakes from the cafeteria this morning, but you were talking with Master Chen at the time and probably didn’t notice me,” Chen Huihong replied with a smile, continuing to focus on the navigation while driving.

The children’s welfare home where Qu Jing volunteered was located in the suburbs, and Chen Huihong wasn’t very familiar with the route.

“Mr. Luo, why are you here today as well? Are you planning to volunteer too?” Qin Huai asked Luo Jun.

It wasn’t that he doubted Luo Jun’s ability—rather, Luo Jun’s temperament, behavior, and age didn’t seem suited for volunteer work.

Setting aside everything else, Luo Jun’s legs and mobility weren’t great. If he went to volunteer and had to sweep the floor, would the welfare home director even dare hand him a broom?

He looked more like someone who needed volunteers to take care of him.

“Who said I’m here to volunteer?” Luo Jun said slowly while chewing his date paste yam cake. “Yesterday Chen Huihong told me your side quest wasn’t going smoothly—Qu Jing isn’t familiar with you and doesn’t trust you, so you can’t establish yourself as a long-term pastry provider. I’m here to check things out for you.”

“If your skills are good enough, even if she’s not familiar with you, Qu Jing will still be willing to come buy. If your level isn’t good enough, then just practice more.”

Qin Huai: …

So it’s a matter of skill?

Fine, he admitted there might indeed be some issues with his craftsmanship.

But could such skills be improved significantly in a short time?

Compared to quickly reaching A-grade level in making date paste yam cakes to win Qu Jing’s taste buds, Qin Huai felt it was more practical to build rapport with her and appeal to her emotions—getting her to come regularly out of friendship.

From the fact that Qu Jing was willing to regularly visit Luo Jun for check-ups, it was clear she simply didn’t like traveling far, not that she wouldn’t travel for certain reasons.

She was willing to go to Luo Jun’s place for medical check-ups, and even go to a suburban welfare home to volunteer during her breaks.

“Then what identity are you visiting the welfare home in today?” Qin Huai asked.

Luo Jun smiled proudly. “As a donor.”

“I have a good relationship with Dr. Qu. I heard this is the welfare home she grew up in, so I decided to go take a look and donate some money. Any problem with that?”

At that moment, Luo Jun seemed to radiate the glow of money.

Qin Huai said there was no problem—and even thought of introducing the WeChat contact of the Sanma Road Children’s Welfare Home director, Qin, to Luo Jun.

He may not have the ability to donate large sums himself, but he could introduce someone who could.

Consider it a small contribution from Qin Huai, an outstanding graduate of the Sanma Road Children’s Welfare Home.

“However, are you sure Qu Jing’s issue is really just that she doesn’t want to travel far, which is why the side quest hasn’t been completed?” Luo Jun asked.

“I’m over 90% certain,” Qin Huai nodded. “I think it’s probably not an issue with the pastries—Dr. Qu really likes the yam and date paste cakes.”

Luo Jun looked down at the half-eaten yam and date paste cake in his hand, still shaped like a rabbit. After examining it, he muttered, “What’s so good about this? No chewiness at all.”

“Does the distance issue really have to be so complicated?” Luo Jun asked. “Why not just have Qu Jing move into our neighborhood? Doesn’t Chen Huihong own several properties in the community? She could just give one to Qu Jing.”

Qin Huai: ?

Chen Huihong replied calmly, “Let me emphasize again—though kindness should be repaid generously, and one should lend a helping hand when seeing injustice, and although people should help each other as much as possible—my entire assets are reserved for Huihui.”

“If Xiao Qu is willing to move into our community, I can rent her a place for free, but giving it away is absolutely impossible. I’ve already said that last night.”

“Money comes and goes,” Luo Jun said casually. “Why care so much? Sell me the house, and I’ll give it to Qu Jing.”

Qin Huai very much wanted to raise his hand weakly—could they give him a house too, since he was working so hard on the task?

He really didn’t want to keep striving.

“I suggest you drop that idea,” Chen Huihong said after glancing at the navigation. “We took a wrong turn.”

She corrected the direction while continuing, “You should understand Qu Jing’s personality. Without a proper reason, she won’t accept a house even if you give it to her.”

“Remember, the first thing she did after saving up her salary from work was to return part of the financial aid money I had given her. Among all the students I’ve supported over the years, she was the first to insist on repaying it—and the only one who, after I refused, donated the entire sum instead.”

“I’m just proposing a simpler method,” Luo Jun muttered. “Qin Huai’s approach to making friends is too slow. By the time he becomes friends with Qu Jing, I’ll be ready for my next life.”

Qin Huai: …

“My social skills aren’t that bad, are they?”

“I think Xiao Qin’s method is pretty good,” Chen Huihong said. “Ah—wrong turn again.”

“First, the three of us build a good relationship with Qu Jing. Then you can use your old specialty—meddling as a doctor—and Xiao Qin and I can find some excuses to get Qu Jing to move into our community. Wouldn’t that complete the task?”

“I’ve noticed Xiao Qin is quite skilled at lying.”

Qin Huai & Luo Jun: …

“What do you mean ‘old specialty—meddling as a doctor’?!” Luo Jun said angrily.

“That’s called a master-level ‘professional skill’!” Qin Huai emphasized.

Chen Huihong just smiled without responding. The car was soon filled with a cheerful atmosphere.