Chapter 44 Steel Plant
Jinran bid a reluctant farewell to Tuantuan and then left the compound. Not long after Jinran left, Grandpa Qu and Father Qu returned.
Grandma Qu was tasting the pickled vegetables Jinran had made. There were six kinds in total. Every time she took a bite, her eyes lit up. Tuan Tuan stood on tiptoe and begged Grandma to let her try some too.
Grandpa Qu asked curiously, "What delicious food are you eating? Look how hungry Tuantuan is."
Grandma Qu then told her about Jinran's visit and remarked, "It's not that our family hasn't introduced jobs to people, but look at the Shen family. Even at such a young age, she's already so shrewd. The gifts she gives aren't necessarily expensive, but they make people feel comfortable."
Grandpa Qu and Mr. Qu nodded in agreement. Tuantuan finally got a bite of the pickled vegetable, her eyes lit up, and she exclaimed, "This is so delicious! I want to eat three steamed buns with this red pickled vegetable, but it's a little spicy."
At this moment, Qu's mother also returned, and Qu's grandmother took out the prepared food and put the pickled vegetables in a small dish.
The Qu family all thought it was delicious, especially Mr. Qu: "I think this chili oil is absolutely amazing, it really goes well with rice, and this red cabbage, it looks so appetizing."
Qu's mother chimed in, "That's right, and the dishes Nini brought actually had a unique flavor; they were just really delicious."
Tuantuan ate without lifting her head, her cheeks bulging, and nodded vigorously.
Everyone laughed.
Jinran first went to her brothers' school, but they were in class. So she handed the things to the security guard and asked him to pass them on.
"Uncle, these can be given to Shen Cong and Shen Ming from Class 3 of Grade 11. Thank you for your help."
The security guard asked, "So what's your relationship with them? Why don't you wait a bit? They'll be finishing get out of class soon anyway."
“I’m their sister, so I won’t wait any longer. I need to go find my parents and give them some things. Otherwise, it will be inconvenient for me to go home later.”
The security guard smiled and assured him, "Okay, little girl, I promise I'll deliver it to you."
"Thank you, Uncle."
Those who work as security guards always do these things; it's not a big problem.
After Shen Cong and Shen Ming finished class, they were told to go to the gatehouse to pick up something, which was said to be a gift from their sister.
Shen Cong and Shen Ming took off running towards the gate, but they didn't see Jin Ran. The gatekeeper said, "The little girl has been gone for a while. Your sister really loves you. I can smell the delicious food. Take it back, don't let other students snatch it!"
Shen Cong and Shen Ming thanked him and walked dejectedly towards the classroom. Shen Ming said, "Why didn't my little sister wait for us? I miss her. I wonder what she brought us. She's all alone at home, and it's already tough for her. She still thought of us."
Shen Cong's eyes reddened slightly, and he said in a choked voice, "My little sister is so good to us."
Jinran, whom her family considers pitiful, has arrived at her parents' workplace and asked the gatekeeper to inform her father.
Soon after, Shen's father came out. Jinran looked at her father, who had lost a lot of weight, and felt a pang of sadness. She quickly asked, "Dad, why have you lost so much weight? Are you not eating well? Or are you not used to your job?"
Father Shen quickly reassured her, "No, Nini, I just found a really good master and I've been so busy learning that I sometimes forget to eat. Your mother has to bring me food so I can remember."
Jinran said sternly, "Then you should also take care of your health. Knowledge and skills can't be learned all at once; you have to take it slowly..."
Shen's father stood obediently listening to Jinran's scolding. Finally, Jinran's throat was dry from talking, so she asked, "Did you remember? If I come again next time and you are still so thin, I will bring your grandparents and we will scold you together."
Mr. Shen solemnly declared that he would never dare to do it again.
Laughter came from the side. Jinran and Shen's father looked up and saw a serious-looking middle-aged man. Shen's father was a little embarrassed for a moment, so he introduced him: "Nini, this is our Factory Director Shen. He's a very nice person."
Jinran quickly greeted them, and Director Shen waved his hand and said with a smile, "This is the first time I've seen the way you two get along. It's really special. Alright, it's already noon. Why don't you take the child to the canteen for a meal and let her see what our steel plant's canteen is like?"
Mr. Shen thanked the factory manager quickly, and the factory manager left with a smile.
Father Shen happily led Jinran toward the cafeteria, saying as they walked, "Perfect, you can see your mother now, maybe we can even have a meal together."
Jinran asked curiously, "Can't you guys eat together normally?"
Mr. Shen shook his head. “My mother and I can’t coordinate our schedules. It’s only after all the workers in our factory have finished eating that it’s time for the people in the canteen to eat.”
Jinran nodded, and then her father asked, "Nini, what are you carrying? It's so heavy."
“These are pickled vegetables that I made myself. I gave some to my brothers and Tuantuan’s family. We owe them such a big favor. We don’t have anything good to offer. These are things that city people would love. Also, our family’s private plot has had a bumper harvest. I’m thinking of planting another batch. Maybe we can get some vegetables then. We can dry them and keep them for winter.”
The father said with a heavy heart, "My Nini has grown up."
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