Qin Congwen and Zhao Rong drove to pick up Qin Huai and Qin Luo.
The Qin Family Breakfast Shop’s dedicated second-hand van for stocking supplies, the door had been yanked off twice by Zhao Rong. The whole vehicle looked shabby but was extremely functional, and even the air conditioning was good.
But given Qiu County’s current temperature, there’s really no need for air conditioning. The heater doesn’t work, and the cold air isn’t necessary.
Qin Luo finished eating her burger, placed her suitcase on the van, and hopped into the back seat. She took out a big red envelope from her bag with a triumphant look and handed it to Zhao Rong in the front passenger seat.
"Mom, look, I got lots of red envelopes today. After paying back the money I owed my brother, there’s still a lot left! There’s even a check inside; I’m rich!"
Zhao Rong was stunned by the word ’check’.
After being stunned for two seconds, Zhao Rong took the red envelope and quickly counted it, immediately making plans.
"Luoluo." Zhao Rong’s tone became extremely gentle. Even though Qin Huai couldn’t see her expression from the back seat, he knew Qin Luo’s red envelope was probably not going to last.
Qin Huai didn’t say much. Zhao Rong and Qin Congwen weren’t the type of parents who would take their child’s red envelope and tell her that they were saving it for her future use. Over the years, Qin Luo’s New Year’s money and pocket money from her grandparents were never questioned by Zhao Rong and Qin Congwen. She could spend it however she wanted.
Anyway, in the end, it would most likely end up in Qin Huai’s pocket.
"What do you plan to do with all this money?" Zhao Rong asked.
Qin Luo said happily without noticing anything: "I’ll give Dad 1/10, Mom 1/10, pre-save 10,000 yuan with Brother at his shop for snacks, and spend the rest all!"
Zhao Rong did a quick mental calculation. There was still quite a bit left, so she gently persuaded: "What about Grandpa and Grandma? They usually give you a lot of pocket money. Don’t they deserve anything?"
Qin Luo thought for a moment: "Then I’ll give Grandpa 1/10, and Grandma 1/10 too."
Zhao Rong calculated again and found quite a sum remaining: "Director Qin has been good to you over the years. When your parents were busy and couldn’t take care of you when you were little, they sent you to the orphanage where Director Qin helped look after you. The orphanage has always been short on funds. Doesn’t Director Qin deserve anything?"
Qin Luo readily said: "Then Director Qin also gets 1/10."
Sitting next to them, Qin Huai instantly saw Qin Luo’s advantage of being bad at math. Her mental calculation wasn’t right, or maybe she didn’t think it through as she spoke.
At this rate, half of the red envelope would be gone.
"But Luoluo, is saving 10,000 with your brother enough for snacks? Your dad and I heard that your brother’s snacks are quite expensive now. You surely can’t let your brother make snacks for you at a loss, right?"
Qin Luo was stunned for a moment, then thought and hesitated: "Then maybe save 15,000 with my brother?"
Only then was Zhao Rong satisfied. According to her estimation, the amount left in Qin Luo’s hands would be about two to three thousand, which would be spent on food and drink, with some coaxed away by her brother, ensuring she wouldn’t develop habits of lavish spending.
"Then let mom hold onto the red envelope for now. Tomorrow morning, mom will accompany you to the bank to cash the check, and then prepare a few new red envelopes for you. You will give red envelopes to dad, mom, and your grandparents this year for the New Year."
"Yay!" Qin Luo was a little excited thinking about giving out red envelopes this year for the New Year.
Seeing Zhao Rong had finished her scheme, Qin Huai thought it was time to discuss serious matters: "Dad, Mom, back when Luoluo and I were on the high-speed train, we didn’t know you were back from the countryside today. I already told Director Qin we’d take Luoluo to the orphanage tonight to see her."
"I’ll also make some snacks at the orphanage. We came back late this year, and if I don’t make snacks today, the kids at the orphanage won’t have any on New Year’s Eve."
Upon hearing Qin Huai’s words, Qin Congwen, who had been silently driving, quickly agreed: "We should indeed go to the orphanage. When your mom and I first came back, we made some buns to send to the orphanage. Director Qin always asked about you."
"Once we put our things down at home, I’ll drive you and Luoluo to the orphanage. The stove at home still works. Your mom and I can borrow some noodles next door to cook if needed."
"Dad, Mom, why don’t you come to the orphanage with us? I just learned to make a dessert called Four Happiness glutinous rice balls, and you haven’t tried them yet. Dad, you can help me as I can’t make so many rice balls alone." Qin Huai suggested.
Upon hearing his son needing his help, Congwen felt a warmth in his heart, similar to when his daughter said she would give him 1/10 of the red envelope.
Indeed, no matter how delicious or expensive his son’s snacks were, his dad still needed to help him out!
"Sure!" Qin Congwen agreed heartily.
At 6:17 PM, Qin Congwen’s van slowly drove into Sanmalu District.
The neighbors were all astonished: !
What Qin Congwen and Zhao Rong didn’t know was that the moment they drove to the train station to pick up Qin Huai, they were already seen by their neighbors from the Sanmalu District. Rumors then spread that the Qin Family Breakfast Shop would reopen on New Year’s Eve morning, and Qin Huai would make a limited return.
This rumor was quite wild. There weren’t many neighbors left in Qiu County for the New Year, but everyone chose to believe it.
Who cares, anyway, if the rumor’s false, it’s just like before when there were no buns to eat. Might as well believe a little.
At 6:18 PM, the owner of Unit 1, Apartment 301 of Building 3 took a precious photo of Qin Huai getting out of the car.
The neighbors: My goodness, this outrageous rumor turned out to be true!
Two minutes later, the photo went viral in the neighborhood groups. Qin Huai also saw his own photo in the neighborhood group while replying to Ouyang’s message.
Three minutes later, Qin Congwen received a call from a loyal customer of the Qin Family Breakfast Shop, inquiring if the Shop would open as scheduled tomorrow morning. They needed to arrange to send a family representative to line up downstairs at 5 AM.