Chapter 322: Chapter 322 I Really Admire You Chapter 322: Chapter 322 I Really Admire You Lu Yichen said, “You go ahead and eat first, I’ll go back and bring Stone his food. He’ll definitely be happy to know you’re back.”
Luo Qiao nodded and replied, “Hurry back, the breakfast will get cold if it’s too late. Come over for lunch at noon.”
After Lu Yichen left, Luo Qiao finished her breakfast and then tidied up before heading to school, bringing with her some southern specialties like dried lychees and longans.
Teacher Ge was relieved to see Luo Qiao back and immediately asked, “You haven’t been slacking off in your studies during this time, have you?”
Luo Qiao smiled and said, “Teacher Ge, you can rest easy. I’ve been reading every day and definitely won’t disappoint you.”
After chatting briefly about serious matters, Luo Qiao said, “Teacher Ge, these are specialties from the south. I brought some back for the teachers to have a taste—just a small token of my appreciation.”
Teacher Ge was about to refuse when Luo Qiao turned and ran off. At the doorway, she looked back and said, “Teacher Ge, I’m heading to the classroom now. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen everyone.”
Teacher Ge smiled at once, and another teacher nearby remarked, “Ah, Luo Qiao is really thoughtful.”
The classmates in the room were surprised to see Luo Qiao after such a long absence, but then they remembered that finals were the next day and understood why she was back.
Xiao Ya stood up excitedly, “Luo Qiao, you’ve finally decided to come back. I really admire you.”
Luo Qiao laughed and said, “I had things to take care of, which is why I took some time off. But look, I brought some treats.”
She then took out a portion of dried lychees and dried longans and said, “Try these.”
Xiao Ya replied, “At least you have a conscience.”
After trying a piece of dried lychee, Xiao Ya said, “This is delicious—tender and sweet with a refreshing aroma. Thanks, Qiaoqiao.”
Luo Qiao laughed and replied, “That’s so cheesy,” and they both burst into laughter.
The students from the front, back, and sides all gathered around, each taking a few pieces to try. They agreed it was quite tasty, so Luo Qiao passed the two bags to Xiao Ya to share with everyone.
Perhaps because of the snacks, or because they all found Luo Qiao not so difficult to get along with, the classmates became friendlier with her than before. The class president and the academic representative even lent their notes to Luo Qiao.
Luo Qiao didn’t refuse and finished reading both sets of notes in the morning, even reviewing the supplementary courses.
At noon, she went home to steam rice and stew two salted fish she had brought from the south. She also fried spicy and sour shredded potatoes and made egg drop soup—a perfect meal.
She had just started the rice when someone came running in. Luo Qiao turned around with a smile just as Stone rushed over, “Sister, you’re finally back,” he said, his eyes reddening.
Luo Qiao said with a smile, “Come here, let’s see what’s up with this little man,”
Lu Yichen felt a bit annoyed seeing their affectionate exchange and, looking at the kitchen items, said, “What do you plan on cooking? I’ll help you prepare.”
Luo Qiao replied with a smile, “First clean and cut those two salted fish into chunks and soak them. We’ll stew them to eat in a bit. Then fry some spicy and sour shredded potatoes and make egg drop soup.”
Lu Yichen glanced at Stone and commented, “That’s enough, isn’t it? How old are you to still be so clingy?”
Feeling a bit embarrassed and annoyed, Stone retorted, “You wish you could be clingy, too bad you’re too big.”
After saying that, he hugged Luo Qiao again, which left both of the others stunned. Lu Yichen gritted his teeth wanting to hit him, but Luo Qiao couldn’t hold back and suddenly burst into laughter.
Lu Yichen quickly turned away to start on the tasks Luo Qiao had assigned him. Now quite adept as an assistant in the kitchen, Lu Yichen soon finished chopping the fish, washed it twice, and then soaked it in a basin.
Only then did he start to cut the potatoes into shreds. Most people in that era didn’t peel their potatoes, but Lu Yichen always washed them many times, as he liked to keep things very clean.
By the time Lu Yichen had prepared all the vegetables and cut all the ingredients, Stone was done with his hug. Luo Qiao began cooking while Lu Yichen started assigning tasks to Stone.
Luo Qiao mentioned, “I brought back quite a lot of salted fish, enough to last us for a while.”
Lu Yichen said, “How much did they cost? I’ll pay you back.”
Luo Qiao burst into laughter, “Do we really need to settle accounts so clearly?”
Lu Yichen said sternly, “That’s the bottom line. It wouldn’t be right to keep coming over for meals without contributing anything. Otherwise, I’d feel embarrassed to come over again.”