Ouyang was about to lose his cool, and Uncle Luo’s attack had just begun.
Under Qu Jing’s direction, Uncle Luo unclenched his fists, started lifting his arm, changed to a comfortable position, leaned back on the sofa, and glanced at Xiao Luo, who was filming at the back.
"You with the camera, I remember you were the one taking photos last time. Is there no one else at the neighborhood committee who knows how to use a camera? The young guy who took my photo in Shanghai 80 years ago did a better job than you. Chen Huihong, you’re not someone who pinches pennies, so why not spend a bit to hire a professional? What’s the big deal?"
"Professional people should do professional things. How many professionals are there at your neighborhood committee? I saw that article from your public account last time. Made me look like some lonely old man! Do I look like a pitiful creature?"
"And who wrote that article? Care for lonely old folks starting from your neighborhood. How much per square meter is the housing price here? Am I lonely? Do I need care? If you can’t write articles, just go online and spend 20 yuan to hire a ghostwriter. The piece they’ll write is definitely more valuable than what you published."
Qu Jing patted Luo Jun to signal him to stop talking for a moment, put on a stethoscope, and said, "Now, take a deep breath."
Luo Jun began to take deep breaths.
The person responsible for writing the article, Xiao Qian, also started to take deep breaths.
"Every time you all come, I can’t figure out what so many people are here for. Can’t take good photos, can’t write well. Always send a few dazed ones over, especially that young fellow at the back. I remember he’s been here a few times."
"Not to mention the looks, just his presence is dull. He always stands at the door with two bags of fruit, and if you didn’t know better, you’d think he’s delivering food."
Ouyang, holding the fruit: ...
Weren’t you already scolded? How could you be scolded again?!
"And you." Luo Jun glanced at Qu Jing, "You’re thirty-two now, and still haven’t found a partner. You want to learn from me and be alone forever?"
"Back in my day, I had partners. Being alone forever is my choice. You, being single by default, have no choice."
Qu Jing chuckled, "It’s just because work’s busy."
Luo Jun snorted, "If you spent even a fraction of your work efforts on finding a partner, your kid would be as old as Chen Huihui."
After speaking, Luo Jun glanced at Chen Huihong, "You, as her mother, are something. If you’ve adopted a kid, raise them well. What’s the point of leaving them at the canteen eating buns every day?"
Hearing this, Qin Huai was taken aback. He thought Luo Jun, despite being homebound, was quite informed, even knowing about Chen Huihui eating buns at Yunzhong Restaurant recently.
"That bun-making is even more absurd." Luo Jun turned to Qin Huai, "Such great skills, making buns every afternoon, and not making any other delicious snacks, only buns. What’s so great about buns? Even the fermented rice buns of yours are just okay. Can’t you make something with filling?"
Ouyang, who was already pricking up his ears to hear how Luo Jun would roast Qin Huai: ???
Old Luo, are you showing favoritism?
Is this scolding? Not even a single personal attack?
Where’s your sharp tongue? Your high-handed attitude? Your smooth little jabs?
Show them, give Qin Huai an earful, use that spirit you used to scold me on Qin Huai!
After venting his morning bad temper, Luo Jun felt much better and ignored the neighborhood committee folks, letting them do whatever as long as they didn’t break anything in his house.
Xiao Luo and Xiao Qian came with assignments. Whether it’s an article or photos, they needed to cover Luo Jun’s daily life. Led by the housekeeper, they went to other rooms to record with photos.
Though Luo Jun never left home, his daily life was very rich. He had a painting studio, a home theater, and even a butterfly specimen display room converted from a cloakroom. Uncle Luo liked to appreciate his specimens, watch movies in the theater, and occasionally paint oil paintings, being a well-known model solitary old man in the neighborhood, the key figure for promotion.
That’s why, even though Luo Jun was acknowledged as a difficult old man by the committee, they still regularly braved it to visit his home.
Ouyang and another stand-in went to look at the studio; Qin Huai was planning to take a peek too but was stopped by Luo Jun.
"So, Master Qin, why did you come to see me?" Luo Jun looked at Qin Huai, his hand flat on the table, waiting for Qu Jing to draw blood.
Chen Huihong carried the pre-made Three Meat Buns, Five Fillings Bun, and Four Happiness Dumplings to the kitchen, ready to store them in the fridge first.
Qin Huai was taken aback by Luo Jun’s words, instinctively blurting out, "I’m just purely supporting the work of the neighborhood committee and giving back to customers by preparing..."
"Don’t give me that nonsense," Luo Jun impatiently interrupted Qin Huai, "You surely have other motives. Otherwise, why would you come visit me? I haven’t even written a bad review about your restaurant. Tell me the truth."
Qu Jing gave Luo Jun a skeptical look.
Luo Jun raised his voice, "I really didn’t!"
Being stared at by Luo Jun, Qin Huai felt quite a bit of pressure.
Indeed, as Chen Huihong said, Luo Jun really resembled a high-and-mighty noble young master. That inherent pressure from his commanding gaze could suffocate a person.
Could this be the rumored aura of a lead character?
Qin Huai wondered inwardly. It shouldn’t be, he was supposed to be the protagonist.
"I don’t like owing favors. You’ve brought so many things today, so say what you need quickly. As long as it’s not too outrageous, I’ll handle it. If you don’t say it now, I’ll assume there was none."