Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle
Chapter 96 - 78 Mr. Luo, the Enthusiastic Neighbor

Chapter 96: Chapter 78 Mr. Luo, the Enthusiastic Neighbor

Qin Huai’s daily soup-making practice continued until September 1st.

It’s not that his consommé was perfected by September 1st, but mainly because Qin Luo was starting school on that day.

Qin Luo starting school was a big day.

It’s the first day of high school, after all, and parents always send their kids to school.

To celebrate Qin Luo’s enrollment at Shuanghai High School, Yunzhong Restaurant was closed for breakfast on September 1st, snack sales were suspended, and Qin Huai, Qin Congwen, and Zhao Rong took a day off.

Chen Huihong hadn’t managed to recruit a pastry chef comparable to Zheng Da and Zheng Siyuan, nor had she found a replacement.

However, after careful selection, she found someone for Qin Huai who specializes in simple pastries like egg cakes and tiger skin rolls, can make three flavors of vegetarian buns, six flavors of meat buns, and has some knowledge about shaomai, wontons, and xiaolongbao. The person previously ran a breakfast shop but started working at other shops due to high rent.

Hiring a breakfast maker when no pastry chef is available is a good alternative. Qin Congwen’s back is not in great condition, and with Qin Luo starting school, Zhao Rong will have to make sure Qin Luo studies and can’t go to bed too early, so hiring a professional breakfast maker can greatly relieve Qin Congwen’s work pressure.

The new breakfast maker officially starts on September 3rd.

They also hired two highly cost-effective general helpers who will start on September 3rd as well.

As for Qin Huai’s workload relief...

Well, since the kids are back to school, parents like Grandma Ding who used to buy snacks for their grandchildren have much less pressure, so the customers will have to bear with it.

Eat a little less.

Master Qin has been busy practicing Fire Control recently and doesn’t have much time to make snacks.

If you don’t mind, just have some pork soup and beef soup. Miss this chance and there won’t be another. After all, when Qin Huai starts making duck soup and lamb soup in a while, you won’t get any normal-tasting soup.

Those who frequently drink soup know that when duck soup and lamb soup go wrong, they really go wrong.

In front of Shuanghai High School, it was packed with cars of parents dropping their kids off on the first day of school.

Four circles, a steering wheel, blue and white squares, an animal head, unrecognized...

The above is Qin Luo’s entire description of the car logos at the school entrance.

The kid knows nothing about cars. Previously, the school was close, so he always walked to school. If he recognizes any car, it’d probably be the van and taxi.

So Qin Luo didn’t recognize the double R car logo they rode in today either.

Of course, Qin Congwen and Zhao Rong didn’t recognize it either; after all, it wasn’t their car—it was Luo Jun’s.

Luo Jun, looking impatient, sat cross-armed, leaning back in the front passenger seat, with a forced look of indifference as he stared at the Qin Family members outside the window, who were giving Qin Luo instructions.

"Luoluo, do well in school and don’t get into conflicts with classmates. If anyone bullies you, fight back. But be cautious not to go too far, and don’t pin others to the ground," Zhao Rong sincerely advised.

"Mom didn’t initially want you to attend such a prestigious school, but since it’s free, let’s give it a try. I don’t expect you to excel, but at least pass Chinese, okay?"

"And improve your math," Qin Huai added, "Now that you’re in high school, there’ll be monthly exams. I don’t know about your school, but let’s assume there are midterms. If you do well, your brother will make you a Dream Come True Sesame Bun."

"Luoluo, your brother is right. Now that you’re in high school, you’re almost an adult. Be considerate and don’t make your brother worry too much. It hasn’t been easy for him making soup lately. Don’t worry; Dad has no expectations for you. I promise to do well in taking care of what you need, and anytime you want, just ask for Dad’s handmade noodles!" Qin Congwen thought of himself as an attentive and good father.

With the son and wife taking the stern approach, he opted for the gentle one, sure to highlight his glorious, good father image.

Qin Luo’s lips trembled slightly, and her eyes reddened.

Wu wu wu wu wu, not only do I need to study Chinese well but also math.

The most devastating part is, on the first day of school, no Five Fillings Bun or Three Meat Buns.

Lately, the soup brother makes isn’t for her to drink; it’s for Brother Yang to taste, and she can’t even have a sip unless it tastes bad.

Wu wu wu wu wu, her life feels so miserable.

Qin Luo: (*꒦ິ⌓꒦ີ)

Qin Luo sniffled, took heavy steps, and walked into the school gates sorrowfully.

Zhao Rong and Qin Congwen swiftly got back into the car, and Qin Huai sat in the driver’s seat to drive.

Parents standing around who also brought their kids to school: ...

This family seems quite wealthy, but how peculiar they are!

"Thank you, Mr. Luo, for lending us your car for Luoluo’s first day of school, letting Huaihuai drive Luoluo to school." Zhao Rong immediately expressed gratitude once in the car.

"It’s on the way." Luo Jun replied succinctly, "Xiao Zhang drives too slowly; it’s better to let Master Qin drive."

Driver Xiao Qin chuckled, opened the navigation app, searched for the hospital where Qu Jing works, and set off.

"Mom, I already put the medical check-up card in your bag. I confirmed with Dr. Qu on WeChat that the check-up card can be swiped, and all the tests can be done. Later, accompany Dad for his check-up, and I’ll accompany Grandpa Luo to the rehabilitation department. Let me know once you’re done." Qin Huai explained.

Zhao Rong immediately responded, "Once we’ve dropped you off, you don’t need to worry about us. I checked beforehand, and we can take the subway back. Your dad’s medical tests are numerous, and we have no idea when he’ll finish; we can manage on our own."

"Alright." Qin Huai nodded.

Indeed, the real reason Master Qin took a day off from Yunzhong Restaurant wasn’t just because of Qin Luo’s school start but to accompany Luo Jun for his rehabilitation therapy at the hospital.

More accurately, it was Luo Jun sacrificing himself to take a spin for rehabilitation therapy while simultaneously attending Qu Jing’s clinic, so Qin Huai could use the opportunity to get closer to Qu Jing and see if he could trigger a side task.

Ever since completing the side task with Luo Jun, Qin Huai has focused on practicing soup-making without triggering any other side tasks.

The progress of the main task consistently grows slowly. The main task requires outperforming 75% of dining establishments in reputation in the area with a low negative review rate of less than 2%.

Such a task requires the accumulation of time unless Qin Huai recruits Master Huang, Zheng Da, and Zheng Siyuan all to Yunzhong Restaurant for several months.

Previously, with the random appearances of Zheng Da and Zheng Siyuan, the progress rose significantly. After the two returned to Gusu, the progress dipped slightly, showing that the palates of customers are honest.

So, Qin Huai is not really in a rush.

He himself has a lot to do.

Soup needs practice, Fire Control needs practice, the recruitment of pastry chefs needs attention.

Not to mention, Qin Huai has been taking online classes with Huang Shengli lately and has befriended Huang Shengli’s disciples. When Huang Shengli is busy, he has his disciples watch over him, and the closed-door disciple of Huang Shengli talks a lot—constantly chatting on the phone, sharing gossip about people Qin Huai doesn’t even know.

If it weren’t for seeing the grade of the steamed buns every time he made the Fermented Rice with Steamed Buns, Qin Huai would almost forget he’s a main character with a system.

Qin Huai almost forgot, but someone remembered for him.

Luo Jun was getting anxious.

Perhaps it’s the nature of Bi fang to be anxious.

In Luo Jun’s eyes, Qin Huai knew Qu Jing was also a spirit from the last world, yet remained unmoved. He added her on WeChat but didn’t chat, didn’t visit, didn’t interact, didn’t trigger any side tasks.

Every day, inexplicably brewing soups that tasted horrible, only the consommé was somewhat drinkable. What were those beef soup and pork soup?

Afternoon bun-making was halted too, with his lack of focus for weeks; Luo Jun, who had been watching system novels daily, felt like throttling Qin Huai and asking him.

Why aren’t you like the main characters in novels, who are always hustling for success?

You have a system too, so what on earth are you doing?

Finally, with August slipping by, Luo Jun couldn’t stand it anymore. He showed up at Yunzhong Restaurant again, privately confronting Qin Huai about whether he could do what a protagonist should.

Qin Huai had six points to address on this.

Qin Huai particularly wanted to tell Luo Jun, judging by the style of this game system, even if I trigger a side task, I should trigger yours first, viewing all of your memories before proceeding to Qu Jing’s.

However, with Luo Jun being so impatient, Qin Huai also felt it wasn’t a bad idea to occasionally visit the hospital and build Qu Jing’s affection, making future tasks easier.

Thus, for Qin Huai’s task and Qu Jing’s awakening, the helpful neighbor Mr. Luo decided to sacrifice himself, begrudgingly making a trip to the hospital.

Indeed, Luo Jun’s legs aren’t in good shape. In his words, the Divine Power is gradually fading, and his body is beginning to age. He truly possesses the body of an ordinary elderly human, but he has a stubborn heart.

Refusing to use a wheelchair, insisting on walking.

Moreover, insisting not to visit the rehabilitation department first but see Qu Jing’s clinic first.

"Weren’t we supposed to visit the rehabilitation department?" Qin Huai thought Luo Jun could really benefit from it.

"What do you know? See the clinic first to stall time, then Xiao Qu will surely advise me to visit rehabilitation. I’ll refuse, and she’ll keep persuading. If I waver a bit, she’ll push harder."

"Her clinic ends at 11, so after her clinic ends, you send her a message that I’m not cooperating. She’ll definitely come over to continue to persuade. Then, I’ll reluctantly agree, and it’ll be during lunch break time. She’ll likely stay and watch over me. You seize the chance to chat with her; aren’t both of you from the orphanage? Surely there are lots of topics you guys can discuss!"

"Did you understand?"

Qin Huai looked at Luo Jun.

So proficient, yet you say you’re not a troublemaker!