Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle
Chapter 98 - 80 [Qu Jing’s Worries]

Chapter 98: Chapter 80 [Qu Jing’s Worries]

Luo Jun immediately noticed Qin Huai’s unusual demeanor, and his expression turned slightly smug. His tone rose slightly, "Is there something new?"

Qin Huai: ...

Don’t you think that question is a bit odd?

Qin Huai nodded but didn’t speak.

"Hurry up and check what it is," Luo Jun urged.

Qin Huai hesitated, glancing at the security camera in the elevator. Luo Jun also glanced up and urged eagerly, "I’m not telling you to read it aloud, just take a look and then let me know."

Alright then.

Qin Huai opened the game panel to view the newly acquired sub-quest.

The sub-quest section only had the newly acquired one left.

Sub-quest:

1. [Qu Jing’s Troubles]: The warm-hearted Dr. Qu has encountered a troubling issue recently. A while ago, she purchased a batch of Suzhou style snacks from Yunzhong Restaurant. She got addicted to them, but the pastry chef returned to Gusu. She searched all over the city for shops selling Suzhou style snacks that suited her taste and came up empty-handed. Players are requested to regularly provide Dr. Qu with snacks that suit her taste to alleviate her troubles.

Quest Rewards: [Approval from Qu Jing], [A Memory of Luo Jun] (Choose: Yes/No)

Qin Huai: ?

What kind of trouble is this? Dr. Qu, your troubles are too bizarre.

Are you that fond of snacks?

Couldn’t tell.

But... The Suzhou style pastry that Zheng Siyuan excels at is something Qin Huai isn’t that skilled at. Qin Huai is slightly better at Dingsheng Cake, but for things like flaky pastry, fresh meat mooncakes, which Zheng Siyuan excels at, or Crispy Cookies, Water Chestnut Cake, and Lard Rice Cake, which Zheng Siyuan is generally good at, Qin Huai isn’t very proficient.

Does it have to be Suzhou style snacks?

Can’t Fermented Rice with Steamed Buns, fried dough stick, pea cake, or locust flower buns work?

If not, Qin Huai can even put in the effort to practice Dream Come True Sesame Bun and Longevity Noodles.

"Is it that hard?" Luo Jun asked.

Qin Huai scratched his chin, "It’s a bit tough."

"Dr. Qu wants Suzhou style snacks. The quest clearly states it’s because she got addicted after buying them from our restaurant, but the pastry chef, Master Zheng, has gone back to Gusu."

Luo Jun was filled with frustration as he slowly stepped out of the elevator, speaking in a hushed tone, "Why don’t you make them yourself? It’s not like you can’t make snacks. Those buns, dumplings, and Crab Shell Cakes, fried dough sticks, green bean cakes weren’t all pretty good?"

Clearly, Luo Jun seemed to enjoy those few items.

"If you just spend less time making pointless broths, you could finish it."

Qin Huai attempted to explain to Luo Jun, "Dr. Qu wants Suzhou style pastries of the level Xiao Zheng specializes in. Xiao Zheng’s skills are top-notch wherever you go. He’s an expert in Suzhou style snacks. If I were to learn fresh meat mooncakes, Crispy Cookies, or Lard Rice Cake right now, I could make them, but definitely not up to Xiao Zheng’s standard."

"Forget it, I’ll read the task details for you."

Anyway, the hospital staff avoids Luo Jun, so Qin Huai wasn’t afraid of being seen.

Qin Huai read through the task once.

Luo Jun looked at Qin Huai as if saying, "How are you so useless? You can’t even make these snacks when you were so strong earlier, causing me to come do this damn therapy session?"

"So what do we do now?" Luo Jun asked.

Qin Huai thought for a moment, "I’ll accompany you for your checkup first to see what kind of therapy is suitable for you."

Luo Jun: ?

"Then once Dr. Qu recovers, the two of us can accompany you during the therapy. I will take the opportunity to chat with Dr. Qu, see if she has any particular favorite snack types."

"The range of Suzhou style snacks is quite diverse. It’s unrealistic to learn them all. If Dr. Qu has a favorite, I could specialize for a couple of months and maybe with remote guidance from the two Master Zhengs, I could achieve a flavor she likes."

Luo Jun took a deep breath and resolutely said, "Go ahead."

"Do that damn checkup."

Qin Huai: Should he inform Luo Jun that the reward from Dr. Qu’s quest is his memory?

This game system seems systematically planned. Regardless of the task completed, the memories and dreamscapes belonged to the same person, and you can view another once it’s completed.

Forget it, better not tell Luo Jun. Otherwise, he’d just escape.

Luo Jun doesn’t often go out, and being willing to visit the hospital’s rehabilitation department for therapy was a rare commitment. Therapy would be beneficial for his health. For Mr. Luo to have a healthier body to scold people, Qin Huai decided to make a small sacrifice for Luo Jun.

Inside the rehabilitation department, Luo Jun wore a stoic expression, waiting for the doctor to complete the full set of tests.

The test results were neither particularly good nor bad.

For a 92-year-old, this body was quite remarkable.

But Luo Jun’s 92 years was questionable, as he was a Bifang, and couldn’t precisely ascertain the body’s true age.

The doctor recommended that Luo Jun first address his leg, as it was genuinely not in good condition and somewhat hindered daily walking.

Luo Jun refused to accept the doctor’s suggestion.

The doctor then suggested considering the waist, as sitting on and lounging in sofas for years didn’t leave a good condition.

Luo Jun continued to refuse.

No matter how the doctor persuaded, Luo Jun steadfastly refused.

The situation reached a stalemate.

As an involved party, Luo Jun might not have noticed, but Qin Huai, watching from the side, felt the atmosphere was a bit odd.

He thought this doctor’s temperament and attitude seemed overly kind.

Although this private hospital prided itself on service, and doctor’s good demeanor was expected, this Dr. Zhou from the nametag seemed...

He conveyed to Qin Huai a feeling of caring for lonely elderly.

This attitude was really like an enthusiastic volunteer visiting and caring for solitary elderly, attempting to comfort them, making them feel less lonely.

"Qin Huai, why is Dr. Qu not here yet?" Luo Jun was starting to falter.

"I’ll ask on WeChat."

"She doesn’t check her phone, call her!"

"Oh."

Qin Huai went out to make the call.

In the hallway, just before dialing, he overheard two young nurses passing by, glancing at the examination room and whispering.

"Is that the legendary Luo Jun?"

"Yes, that’s him, admitted into our department, pays for every treatment, but never seen him before."

"Wow, that’s probably six-figures monthly."

"Definitely."

"No wonder Dr. Zhou is so nice."

"Oh, come on, Mr. Luo is pitiful too. I just overheard from the neurology department’s head nurse saying Mr. Luo became like this due to years of solitary living, timid, reclusive, fragile, and sensitive. This type of patient requires patient guidance. Quickly, go wash a fruit plate and bring it to Mr. Luo."

"Oh oh oh."

Qin Huai: ...

Timid, reclusive, fragile, sensitive.

What do any of those words have to do with Luo Jun?

Who spread this rumor?

After hearing this gossip, Qin Huai took out the phone to call Qu Jing but saw her approaching from the elevator.

Qu Jing hurried over with an apologetic look, "Master Qin, I’m really sorry, got delayed by a patient during shift change. I’m 20 minutes late. How’s Mr. Luo doing now? Is his mood stable? Has therapy started?"

Before Qin Huai could respond, Luo Jun, tired of waiting in the room wanting to go home to watch TV, loudly said, "Not doing it, not doing those ridiculous treatments. Just give me the quickest one, fast, let’s get it over with!"

"That’s the current situation," Qin Huai smiled.

Qu Jing wanted to push open the door but was shooed away by the loud Mr. Luo as soon as she poked her head inside.

"You two just stay outside, hey, what is that thing? You don’t intend to shock me, do you?!"

"Mr. Luo, the electrode pads can effectively relieve pain, there’s no need to worry. Master Qin and I are right outside, there won’t be any problem," Dr. Qu loudly reassured.

Then Qu Jing turned back to chat with Qin Huai with a relaxed expression, "I never imagined Mr. Luo would actually undergo therapy. I thought he would just retreat in the elevator and head straight to the underground parking to go home."

Qin Huai thought Qu Jing understood Luo Jun well; if it weren’t for the quest, Luo Jun would probably be home by now.

"What time are you off today, Dr. Qu?" Qin Huai decided to start with work-related topics before moving on to others.

"I’m off early today, at 3 PM. Our hospital’s doctor workload isn’t too heavy, especially us in neurology. My focus is on Alzheimer’s Disease, so I rarely have surgery or overtime. Likely not as hard as you, Master Qin," Qu Jing smiled, "I heard from Sister Hong that you start work at 4 AM at the restaurant, finish at noon, and work on pastries in the afternoon, much busier than me."

Qin Huai didn’t expect Qu Jing to mention pastries voluntarily, his eyes lit up, "Actually, it’s not that long in real work hours."

"Do you have any favorite snacks, Dr. Qu? If so, tell me, I’ll make extra. You can come and support our restaurant business anytime."

Qu Jing smiled, "To be honest, I have secretly supported."

"Last time after Mr. Luo’s health check at home, I bought a lot of pastries from the restaurant. I particularly love Dingsheng Cake, Lard Rice Cake, Crispy Cookies, and sugar cake. After finishing, I returned to the restaurant wanting more."

"That time, Master Qin, you seemed busy in the kitchen, probably didn’t notice me. The staff told me Master Zheng had returned to Gusu, and those pastries probably wouldn’t be available again."

"I’ve been to many pastry shops since, but none have satisfied me."

Qin Huai felt he was starting to understand Qu Jing’s taste.

She didn’t mention flaky pastry, fresh meat mooncakes, but emphasized Lard Rice Cake, sugar cake.

Dr. Qu seems to like soft, glutinous, sweet pastries.