Because Chen Huihong wasn’t familiar with the roads and took the wrong route more than once, Qin Huai and his group were seriously late, arriving at the orphanage close to 11 a.m.
Child Welfare Institute.
The environment of the orphanage was as simple as its name, a small building. It looked decent, probably having its exterior repainted in the last couple of years. The yard had a cement road and the weeds were simply managed. The playground equipment, though, you could tell had been repaired many times over the years.
It was much like the Sanmalu Children’s Welfare Institute where Qin Huai grew up—just your ordinary, cash-strapped orphanage.
Qu Jing and Dean Qu of the orphanage were waiting for the trio at the entrance.
As soon as Chen Huihong parked the car and got out, Dean Qu warmly approached, "Ms. Chen, long time no see. Jingjing called me last night to say you were coming today, and I was so happy! Without your sponsorship all these years, Jingjing wouldn’t have been able to go all the way through to her Ph.D. graduation and now have such a good job—all thanks to you!"
After exchanging pleasantries with Chen Huihong, Dean Qu turned his gaze to Qin Huai: "You’re Master Qin, right? I’m particularly happy you’re willing to come as a volunteer. You rarely see young people with such warm hearts these days."
"Jingjing told me last night, so this morning, I went to buy some flour. You see, our staff at the orphanage aren’t very good at making pastries; throughout the year, at most, we gather to make dumplings a few times. It’s wonderful you can come; the kids will definitely be thrilled to eat buns today!"
After speaking, Dean Qu wanted to turn the conversation to Luo Jun. He opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say, hesitated, then suddenly realized.
Hey, who’s this old gentleman in front of me?
There was no mention on the phone yesterday about an older gentleman coming over.
"Mr. Luo, it looks like you got up very early today. How come you have time to visit?" Dean Qu was stumped, then Qu Jing stepped up to continue the small talk.
Luo Jun wasn’t thrilled because after hearing long exchanges with both Chen Huihong and Qin Huai, nothing came his way, so he grumbled, "It’s because Chen Huihong is fussy. She said you’ve been working overtime lately helping me with physical therapy and wanted me to come support your volunteer efforts."
Qu Jing was genuinely surprised: "You want to volunteer?"
"Who said I want to volunteer?" Luo Jun glanced around the orphanage, "I’m just here to take a look and maybe some money."
Right then, Dean Qu knew exactly what to say.
Dean Qu immediately became more enthusiastic, barely stopping short of shouting at the gatekeeper to serve tea to the esteemed guest, showering him with flattery like it cost nothing.
"Mr. Luo, I can tell right away you’re one of our dear Jingjing’s patients. You must have been quite the charming young man back in the day, and your compassionate nature is evident from your kind features. Our orphanage needs gentlemen like you who have warm hearts!"
"Let’s have you tour the orphanage. Currently, we have... Excuse me, I walk fast, take your time looking around. These children’s play facilities are..."
Dean Qu directly started the grand tour for a potential benefactor.
Qu Jing said nonchalantly, "The Dean has always been . Our orphanage is in a remote area with few donations, so over the years, it’s mostly been us kids who grew up here who provide financial support. The Dean always manages to coax at least one donor."
Qin Huai thought Dean Qu would have a lot to talk about with Director Qin of the Sanmalu Orphanage.
"Master Qin, let me take you to the kitchen. Sister Hong, what are you planning to do today?"
"I’m going to the kitchen too!" Chen Huihong was full of confidence, "Last time Master Qin taught me to make some snacks, I felt like my governor and conception vessels had been opened. Recently, I’ve been making snacks at home every now and then, and Huihui said they were delicious. Plus, I practiced cold dishes for the culinary day and my cold dish skills got pretty good too."
Isn’t it possible that maybe Huihui is just tolerating what her mom makes?
Qin Huai thought, given Chen Huixi’s tolerance of Chen Huihong, as long as Chen Huihong doesn’t injure herself while cooking, Huihui can accept any dish.
Unaware of the situation, Qu Jing marveled, "Wow, Sister Hong, your cooking skills have improved so much?"
"Of course, I think I really have a talent for pastry-making!" Chen Huihong said confidently, lifting her chin.
Qu Jing led them to the kitchen, where two orphanage staff were busy, one chopping vegetables and the other frying them.
Qin Huai glanced briefly. The dishes were simple: cabbage, long beans, eggplant, carrots—basically, whatever was cheapest.
The cooking skills weren’t impressive; the food in the pan didn’t look fresh, and there was too much oil. But too much oil doesn’t spoil food. From Qin Huai’s years of kitchen mishaps, he judged the food might not taste great, but wouldn’t be inedible either.
Still better than Director Qin’s culinary skills.
"Master Qin, should I help you knead the dough?" Chen Huihong was eager to start.
Qin Huai hesitated between letting Chen Huihong knead dough or using a knife to cut vegetables. Ultimately, for the sake of her safety, he chose to let her knead the dough.
Let her knead a small piece of dough. If worst comes to worst, it can be used to make pancakes, sprinkle some green onions, and it should be edible.
Qu Jing was self-aware, standing to the side chopping fillings.
Admittedly, Qu Jing’s knife skills were decent, clearly someone who regularly chopped vegetables, better than Qin Huai.
Even when working, Qu Jing was fully decked out, wearing layered disposable gloves over his existing pair; no one in the kitchen was surprised.
Qin Huai and Chen Huihong started kneading.
In meat cooking, you can determine a chef’s basic skill from how they cut vegetables. Experienced chefs don’t need to see how a dish is cooked; they can judge how solid a chef’s basic skills are just by watching them cut.
Similarly, when it comes to pastry-making, you can tell a lot from how someone kneads dough.
Moreover, kneading dough is a fundamental skill that’s, in some ways, harder than knife skills in meat cooking.
The entry barrier for kneading dough is quite high.
The beginner’s threshold is the Three Lights, and this alone can stop 99% of newcomers at the door.
Chen Huihong was stopped thoroughly.
Qu Jing looked at the dough that Chen Huihong and Qin Huai had kneaded with some confusion. How should one put it? Although both looked like dough, the one in Chen Huihong’s hand seemed to be in trouble.
The dough seemed to be groaning in her hand, crying, "Help me! Help me!"
"Sister Hong, maybe you’d be better off chopping vegetables?" Qu Jing gently suggested.
Qin Huai hurried to stop her, "No, no, Sister Hong, after you finish kneading this dough... go help mix the fillings. Looks like we have a lot; it might take eight big bowls to mix. Once I adjust the fillings’ flavors, you can help mix, and we’ll need your help wrapping later. After you finish kneading, take a break. There’s plenty of work ahead."
Chen Huihong nodded, "How about I slice a couple of plates of cucumber?"