Su Jianguo smiled with satisfaction. Such quality truly deserved the title of "jointly built vegetable base by the military and civilians".
"Boss, everything's installed."
Driver Lao Li patted the carriage.
"Shall we leave now?"
"Come on, I'll go with you."
Su Jianguo opened the car door and sat in the passenger seat.
"The First Elementary School is having its sports meet today, and I need to see these dishes delivered to the cafeteria with my own eyes to feel at ease."
The truck slowly drove out of the base and through the country roads shrouded in morning mist.
Su Jianguo looked out the window at the passing scenery and felt particularly relaxed.
Since partnering with the military, Su's Vegetables have enjoyed an unprecedented reputation, with orders coming in non-stop.
More importantly, the villagers' attitudes toward them have also undergone a dramatic change.
Those voices of envy and discontent that once filled me with love have now turned into heartfelt admiration and gratitude.
"Boss, I heard the principal of No. 1 Elementary School personally ordered the food?"
Old Li asked as he drove.
"Yes, Principal Liu seems to value students' dietary health."
Su Jianguo recalled the bespectacled, seemingly refined principal.
"He said he wanted the students to eat the freshest vegetables, so naturally I had to personally oversee it."
The sun had already risen when the truck entered Beijing.
Su Jianguo glanced at his watch.
At 6:30, it was half an hour earlier than expected.
"Drive faster, try to get to school by 6:40."
Su Jianguo patted the car door.
When the truck stopped at the back gate of the school, Director Wang of the cafeteria was already waiting there.
The obese middle-aged man was visibly startled when he saw Su Jianguo get out of the car, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
"Director Wang, right?"
Su Jianguo extended his hand warmly.
"I'm Su Jianguo, bringing you groceries."
"Mr. Su has come in person..."
Wang Daikui's voice trembled slightly.
"This is really...too much of a concern..."
"What we feed the children, of course, deserves our attention."
Su Jianguo smiled and turned to direct the workers to unload the goods.
"Come on, carry all these dishes into the cafeteria. Be careful not to break them."
The workers moved quickly and soon carried more than a dozen baskets of fresh vegetables into the canteen kitchen.
Su Jianguo followed him inside and looked around the spacious and bright kitchen.
The stove was polished to a shine, all kinds of kitchen utensils were neatly arranged, and a slogan on the wall read "Food safety is of paramount importance."
Everything seemed so standardized and professional that Su Jianguo couldn't help but feel more favorably disposed towards Director Wang.
"Director Wang, your cafeteria is very well managed."
Su Jianguo praised it sincerely.
Wang Daikui's face grew even paler. He kept wiping his hands with his apron, his eyes darting around.
"Yes, it's the right thing to do... We can't be careless when it comes to children's affairs..."
Su Jianguo noticed an elderly man with gray hair standing in the corner, mopping the floor.
"Who is this?"
Su Jianguo asked.
"Oh, this is Old Li, the canteen helper."
Wang Daikui hurriedly explained.
"He...he can't hear very well..."
Old Li lowered his head and continued mopping the floor, no longer looking in this direction.
"Mr. Su, all the vegetables have been unloaded."
Old Li came over to report.
"Is there anything else you need to explain?"
Su Jianguo shook his head.
"That's all. Let's go, so as not to delay the cafeteria's work."
He turned to Wang Daikui.
"Director Wang, these vegetables were picked this morning, they're absolutely fresh. Just blanch them briefly when you cook them at lunchtime, don't cook them for too long, to retain their nutrients."
"I...I understand..."
Wang Daikui nodded vigorously.
As he walked out of the cafeteria, Su Jianguo suddenly stopped.
"Old Li, you go back to the car and wait for me. I'm going to the restroom."
He actually wanted to take another look at the school.
The campus was quiet and beautiful in the early morning. The playground was already set up with various facilities for the sports meet, and colorful flags fluttered gently in the breeze.
As Su Jianguo strolled through the campus, he recalled his daughter Su Yufen participating in sports meets when she was a child.
That girl is incredibly fast; she always comes in first place.
Hello, Uncle!
A clear child's voice interrupted his reverie.
Su Jianguo looked down and saw a little girl with pigtails, about seven or eight years old, carrying a small schoolbag, with bright, sparkling eyes.
Hello, little friend.
Su Jianguo squatted down to look her in the eye.
"You're at school so early?"
"Today I'm in charge of getting breakfast for the class!"
The little girl proudly puffed out her chest.
"My name is Li Xiaomeng, and I'm in Class 2, Grade 3!"
"Great!"
Su Jianguo smiled and patted her head.
"Hurry up, the cafeteria just got some fresh vegetables; they'll have delicious spinach for lunch."
Li Xiaomeng ran happily towards the cafeteria, her two pigtails bouncing behind her head.
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