Now that there’s news about Luo Jun, of course, Qin Huai has to investigate thoroughly.
He wouldn’t know without asking, but once he did, Uncle Luo is quite famous in the area.
Luo Jun, male, 92 years old, is a well-known elderly man known for his longevity and fiery temper.
No children, no relatives, no ties, but wealthy, he was among the first residents of Yunzhong District. A few years ago, when his legs were still strong, he’d go out to scold people; in the past couple of years, probably due to his age, he hardly goes out, and his daily supplies are bought by his caretaker.
Qin Huai has never met Luo Jun, but he sees Luo Jun’s caretaker every day. Every morning at 9:00 sharp to buy buns, at 10:00 for snacks, and at 4:00 in the afternoon to squat for buns. In a way, Luo Jun is also a loyal customer of Yunzhong Restaurant.
As for Chen Huihong and Dr. Qu who are relatively familiar with Luo Jun, they aren’t very clear about him either.
Dr. Qu is a neurologist at a famous private hospital, specializing in Alzheimer’s disease.
According to Chen Huihong, although Luo Jun is at an age where he’s constantly ill, he insists on not going to the hospital or seeing a doctor. It was only a couple of years ago, when he suspected he might have Alzheimer’s due to severe forgetfulness issues, that he registered at the hospital.
Dr. Qu was the one who treated him at that time.
After a professional diagnosis by Dr. Qu, the probability of Luo Jun having Alzheimer’s disease wasn’t very high; it might just be pure age-related forgetfulness. Considering Luo Jun’s age, Dr. Qu suggested he have a full physical examination.
Luo Jun obediently went, and then a week later, went back to the hospital to see Dr. Qu, insisting he was sick.
Dr. Qu gently advised him to go home.
The following week, Luo Jun went to the hospital to register again.
"Uncle Luo might really have Alzheimer’s, right?" Qin Huai couldn’t help but ask.
The forgetfulness is just too great, even forgetting he’s seen a doctor.
Chen Huihong sipped her homemade lemon tea to soothe her throat and said, "No way, he’s just playing pranks on Xiao Qu, thinking Xiao Qu’s diagnosis lacks heart; he clearly has a condition but insists he doesn’t."
Qin Huai scratched his head in confusion.
This new side quest’s target’s temperament and personality are truly peculiar. Is the Dried Tangerine Peel Tea he loves really the kind that suits the general taste?
"And then?" Qin Huai asked.
"What can Xiao Qu do? Their hospital is private, expensive, with good service, the main appeal is offering comfort through considerate service. Old Luo insists he is ill and won’t listen to reason, and Xiao Qu can’t refuse to treat him."
"Xiao Qu’s hospital’s rehabilitation center is quite famous, and Old Luo set up a long-term stay there, pays the fees, but doesn’t go. His only requirement is for Xiao Qu to routinely visit him for checkups."
"Isn’t this just using Dr. Qu as a health check doctor," Ouyang couldn’t help but exclaim.
"Yes," Chen Huihong nodded, "But Xiao Qu himself isn’t too bothered by it. Also, although Old Luo has a bad temper, an eccentric personality, and sometimes gets testy and likes to mock people, he isn’t exactly a bad person."
"The impression he gives off is mostly like a young master from a feudal family of earlier times, arrogant, with a deep-seated disdain for many people, and never bothers to hide it."
Ouyang nodded fervently, evidently feeling it deeply.
"So, Xiao Qin, if you really want to come with us to visit, and Old Luo says anything unpleasant, just let it go by your ears, hear it and move on, and immediately forget. Don’t take it to heart; he doesn’t target you alone, that’s just how he is with everyone," Chen Huihong offered a heads-up, "If you’re really upset, you can give him some Seven Spice Dampness Removing Tea."
"The other day when I was chatting with Xiao Qu at the orphanage, we talked about your restaurant’s cold tea. Xiao Qu said older people drinking Seven Spice Dampness Removing Tea in this weather is indeed good for their health."
Qin Huai had reason to suspect Uncle Luo might have offended Chen Huihong too.
"Dr. Qu even works at the orphanage," Qin Huai marveled.
"Volunteering, as I’ve said, Xiao Qu is quite a good person. She has a lot of experience with the elderly and is very patient with them," Chen Huihong laughed, as if reminded of something, "Speaking of which, Xiao Qin, you and Xiao Qu should have more to talk about; she also grew up in an orphanage."
Qin Huai was shocked. Having grown up in an orphanage himself, though later adopted by Qin Congwen and his wife, he knew well of the environment and financial situation of orphanages.
A neurologist from a private hospital who grew up in an orphanage, that’s like a miracle happening in an orphanage.
If their orphanage had such an outstanding graduate, Director Qin would probably be overjoyed and hang a banner.
"How did you recognize each other...?"
Chen Huihong smiled, "I sponsored Xiao Qu from the third year of high school to Ph.D. graduation, a full 11 years, and Xiao Qu is quite promising."
"Later when Xiao Qu started working and earning surplus money, she wanted to repay me for the 11 years of sponsorship. I told her to save that money and it to the orphanage, as a way of giving back to society, and Xiao Qu listened; she’s sponsored quite a few kids these years."
"Oh right," Chen Huihong pulled out a medical examination card from her pocket, "This is a card Xiao Qu gave me the other day when we met, from her hospital. She said it covers all the tests. I remember Xiao Qin, your dad’s lower back isn’t doing well; just yesterday I saw him standing and rubbing his back. He should get a thorough check-up, even minor problems shouldn’t be neglected."
Qin Huai didn’t expect the card-giving trend to have spread from Ouyang to Chen Huihong, hesitated a bit, and accepted it: "Thank you, Sister Hong."
"It’s nothing, no need for thanks," Chen Huihong finished her homemade lemon tea and stood up, "Xiao Ou told me you’ve also gotten enthusiastic about charity and want to visit Old Luo with us, which makes me happy."
"Huihui’s art class is ending soon, I need to pick her up, I’ll be off now. Tomorrow, I’ll bring Huihui over for some buns, last night Huihui was telling me she hadn’t had Buckwheat Buns for two days and was craving them."
"No problem, Sister Hong, just bring Huihui over tomorrow. Oh yes, Sister Hong, I have something to ask, do you happen to have Uncle Luo’s WeChat?" Qin Huai also stood up.
Chen Huihong took out her phone, scrolled for a bit, found Luo Jun’s WeChat and passed it to Qin Huai.
Upon seeing it, Qin Huai noted that the WeChat name was [Butterfly], and the profile picture was a butterfly, a small yellow butterfly at that.
Although Uncle Luo is already 92, the WeChat name is rather artistic.
"Uncle Luo likes butterflies," Qin Huai remarked.
"Yes," Ouyang, still sitting, nodded, "He has many butterfly specimens at home, all yellow ones."
"Qin Huai, what kind of buns are you making today?"
"I’ve been eating your locust flower buns for a while, and I’ve discovered they have quite a unique flavor. Are you making any today? If so, give me a few more; I’ll save them for dinner."
Your taste is really unique.
Even C-grade buns have grown on you.