Qin Huai, unaware that his reputation was suffering due to a salad, finished making two salads, packed them, grabbed some chopsticks, and leisurely headed to the community center to find Chen Huihong and Ouyang.
The community center is right opposite Yunzhong District, very near, only a 3-minute walk from Yunzhong Restaurant.
According to Ouyang, aside from the low salary, the community center is practically a dream job: little work, close to home, with full social insurance benefits, and even packages during the holidays.
The entrance to the community center was open, leading to a typical office setting with a senior activity center next door. The office was filled with flowers and potted plants, their subtle fragrance mingling in the air, creating a lush and pleasing atmosphere.
A few people were sitting at the desks, knitting, playing on their phones, or chatting, making it evident that work was quite relaxed.
Ouyang's desk was right by the door, a spreadsheet was open on the computer, but he was slacking off, watching videos.
Spotting Qin Huai's arrival, Ouyang looked up with surprise, his eyes immediately locking onto the lunch box in Qin Huai's hand, and warmly received it: "Ah, Qin Huai, you shouldn't have, just a quick call and I would have come over. You shouldn't have made the trip, it's too much trouble."
Despite his words, Ouyang's actions were quick, deftly opening the lunch box: "You don't know how hungry I am after working all afternoon, I'm counting on this salad to save me."
Finishing his words, Ouyang shouted inside, "Sister Hong, Qin Huai brought food."
"Sister Hong's in the office inside, we have 9 people at the community center, one office can't fit us all," Ouyang explained.
Qin Huai glanced around, noticing that four people had already left early.
Chen Huihong came out, saw Qin Huai, and smiled, "When Xiao Ou said you'd bring salad this afternoon, I thought he was joking, Xiao Qin, you're too thoughtful."
Having taken the first bite of salad, Ouyang sat at his desk in a daze, not getting up or responding.
Chen Huihong, unaware, opened the lunch box and praised, "Vegetable fruit salad, healthy."
She also took her first bite.
Her expression turned slightly hesitant.
Qin Huai immediately focused, wondering if he could escape into a dream.
Chen Huihong pondered a bit, then took a second bite.
She chose her words carefully.
Looking at Qin Huai, she courageously swallowed a third bite, her expression growing increasingly solemn.
Ouyang watched her with eyes full of admiration.
No game sound effect.
Qin Huai took back the salad, stopping her, "Sister Hong, this salad might taste a bit odd, I'm just here to get your feedback and see if anyone likes this unique flavor."
Chen Huihong and Ouyang instantly felt relieved, with Chen Huihong, who already saw Qin Huai as a friend she could occasionally confide in, tactfully saying, "It might be hard for most people to accept."
"Exactly, exactly," Ouyang, who was hoping for free Crab Shell Cake, nodded vigorously.
Qin Huai pretended to be embarrassed, "Seems like I still have some issues with seasoning my dishes. At home, my mom usually cooks, and I rarely fry dishes."
Realizing this, Chen Huihong encouraged him, "Everyone has their own expertise. If I had a son like you, I wouldn't want you cooking at home either."
Then, she glanced at the time, pointing to the fruits in the corner, "I need to pick up Huihui. She mentioned this morning she wanted to eat at your restaurant tonight. Xiao Ou, print out and leave the form on my desk later. There's fruit over there, feel free to have some, Xiao Qin. I must go now, or I'll be stuck in traffic."
With that, Chen Huihong walked briskly away, her steps noticeably faster than usual.
Watching her leave, Ouyang brought a chair for Qin Huai, handed him a banana, which he didn't take for himself, and started chatting.
Qin Huai looked at the computer and noticed it was a spreadsheet for solitary elderly individuals.
"Do we have solitary elderly people in our district?"
"Yes, there are a few in every district, not many," Ouyang said, "Next week we're doing a visit, Sister Hong asked me to make a spreadsheet."
"It's not a big deal, most of them have children living far away, leaving one elder living alone for years, but ours is a bit special."
"There's an old man who seems to have lost his wife at a young age, has no children, and isn't in good health, rarely goes out, and might be a bit senile now. Sister Hong's friend, Dr. Qu, asked her to keep an eye on him to prevent any potential caregiver abuse, a story you hear about every year."
"If there were such news around here, it wouldn't be good for our reputation, so Sister Hong just organizes visits to these older adults every month. No need for gifts, everyone is well-off, it's mainly to check in."
Qin Huai nodded, thinking that Chen Huihong was not only passionate but also attentive; her wealth was ideal for this kind of work, no wonder she was the head figure of Yunzhong District.
"By the way," Ouyang changed topics, "I heard that the buns sold at your place this morning for 35 are amazing, unforgettable after one taste. Qin Huai, you're not playing fair; why didn't you make this when moving? Keeping secrets even from me."
Qin Huai looked at Ouyang quietly, "Didn't you say you went to my restaurant this morning to support my business?"
Ouyang gave a shy smile, "I supported it in spirit. You know my financial situation, willing but unable, supporting with two large meat buns is my limit, I can barely afford tea eggs."
No, you're without rent, utilities, or transportation costs, making at least two to three thousand a month, how are you still so broke?
Aren't you a rich second generation?
"Come early tomorrow morning."
"Eat at the restaurant, free of charge."
Ouyang was instantly moved, thinking true kindness exists in the human world, his good brother is in his heart, friends walk together forever, choking up, "Then could you..."
"Could you make some Crab Shell Cake tomorrow morning?"
"To be honest, I've been craving it for days, shrimp filling, please."