Chapter 66 Picnic
"If you develop your business in the city, what about Sidi?"
Master Lu put down the thermos and said coldly.
Grandma Ruan, holding her grandson, said with loving eyes, "Let her live with the third son's family. The second son's family can send back a dozen or so yuan every month. What's so difficult about that?"
As Liu Yan drank her chicken soup, fearing that Third Master Lu might disagree, she promised, "Father, once Mingyuan and I have stable jobs, we will definitely bring Sidi out to study."
“Children aren’t toys. What will she think if you kick her around like that?” Third Master Lu said disapprovingly. “As for work, I can ask around for Second Brother. Many catering companies now offer room and board. Second Brother’s wife, you should go home and rest after giving birth. Once Second Brother gets his salary, you can have him hand over his savings account.”
Upon hearing that he was to work in the catering industry, Lu Mingyuan was very unhappy and said, "Dad, isn't it a waste of my talents to work in the catering industry? How about I work in the orchard, or even the sauce factory?" He always thought that he could get a good job in his family's orchard or sauce factory.
Liu Yan's original intention was to get him a job at the soy sauce factory, and then get her in there too. In time, the family could be together.
"The soy sauce factory isn't short-staffed. We can't fire someone else just for you." Master Lu knew exactly what he was up to and said coldly, "If you want to work, then you need to have the right attitude. What's with all this picking and choosing?"
Lu Mingyuan stammered, "I used to run a grocery store, so I can be considered a boss. Now you want me to work as a waiter in a restaurant? People will laugh at me."
Third Master Lu didn't indulge him: "Then you should go home and stay there, guard your three acres of land, and occasionally do odd jobs with Third Brother. Isn't that better?"
"Father, look, Ayan gave birth to your precious grandson. Even if she didn't do anything special, she certainly worked hard. Can't you think about making life a little better for us, the second branch of the family?"
“The eldest brother’s family has everything, and the third brother’s family knows how to farm. Only our second branch of the family is neither rich nor poor. They are both your sons, how can you neglect one for the other?”
Lu Mingyuan complained, his voice filled with resentment.
Grandma Ruan wiped away her tears and said, "They're all my flesh and blood. If people say you're biased, you'll feel better!"
"Nonsense!" Even Master Lu couldn't take it anymore and strode out of the ward.
Seeing this, Liu Yan quickly gave Old Madam Ruan and her son a meaningful look, and gritted her teeth, saying, "You've offended Father. What good will it do if the eldest branch of the family distances itself from us?"
“Ah Yan, but Dad wants me to work as a waiter—” Lu Mingyuan said unwillingly.
"A waiter is a waiter. You have hands and feet, can't you do it?" Liu Yan spat. "The more your father and the eldest son look down on you, the more you need to prove yourself and perform well. Otherwise, how will you let your mother and me starve?"
Lu Mingyuan was unwilling, but there was nothing he could do.
Soon, the picnic activity for Sunshine Elementary School began.
Whether they were in higher or lower grades, they were all in high spirits, taking their time to participate in outdoor activities, and marched in neat rows towards the scenic mountain ten miles away.
Lu Siqiao carried fruit and snacks on her back, while she could hear Mo Yan'er chattering with other classmates.
Looking ahead, the high-flying flags flutter in the wind, stirring up longing in everyone's heart.
The scenic mountain is a rubber tree forest, and there is a fishpond at the foot of the mountain. It is a beautiful place with clear water and lush mountains.
The school was located on an open space not far from the fishpond. Class teacher Wang reiterated the rules for outdoor picnics, demarcated the activity area for students in Class 4 (5), and strictly prohibited bringing fire sources up the mountain. Then, each group of students spontaneously and methodically began to prepare to cook.
"Qiaowa, I followed your instructions and washed the pot before leaving the house."
"Okay, Ziju, pour the water from the jar into the pot and boil it. Ziyan, put the instant noodles in. After five minutes, crack an egg and add some vegetables."
"Xu Shen, please continue adding firewood and watch the fire carefully."
Lu Siqiao stood aside and gave instructions.
Xu Hu leaned closer: "What about me?"
"You're in charge of laying out the mats and setting the table," Lu Siqiao said with a faint smile.
"And you?" Xu Hu asked again.
Lu Siqiao opened her backpack and took out bunches of longan, guava, two huge mangoes, and even peaches, small tomatoes, and so on.
Where do we get fruit during this lean season when there's a shortage of fresh produce?
"These are fruits from our family's orchard, everyone please have a taste." Lu Siqiao specially brought a lot of fruit and even asked Xu Hu to help carry them over.
She had washed the fruit at home early in the morning, and now all she had to do was put the fruit in bags. She then called Ziyan and Zijun over and asked them to help distribute the fruit to the teachers and students present.
It has to be said that Lu Siqiao was prescient. When they were sitting comfortably on the cushions, drinking hot noodle soup and occasionally eating a piece of cut fruit, it was simply too wonderful.
Soon, some classmates came over to freeload a meal. They were cooking preserved meat rice, but the pot burned and their faces were covered in soot. It was a terrible sight. While they were eating bread, they just wanted a hot drink.
Lu Siqiao invited them to sit down and eat fruit together, and she also made several more bowls of noodles for them.
Unexpectedly, the fruit was so delicious that not only the teachers but also Principal Cai Minjun were attracted to it. They asked Lu Siqiao what kind of fruit it was and whether the school could order some fruit from Lu Siqiao's home to entertain provincial leaders.
Lu Siqiao was naturally very welcoming and took the opportunity to announce the fruit tea shop she opened near No. 1 Middle School. The main feature is that the fruit tea is made with high-quality ingredients, all of which are fruits from the orchard. Delivery is also available within five kilometers.
Not only that, she also gave each of the teachers and students present a free fruit tea voucher.
More than half of the students at Sunshine Primary School are children of high-ranking officials or from families that run businesses. They are all the apple of their families' eyes, and when it comes to food, they are the most qualified to speak.
Free milk tea, and the fruit in Lu Siqiao's orchard is absolutely delicious.
They heard that it would open next month and decided to give it a try.
"Qiaowa, the scenery over there is so beautiful, let's go take a look." Mo Yan'er took Lu Siqiao's hand and pointed to a huge tree not far away, with wildflowers and grass growing under it.
That place was somewhat remote and was outside the area where the teacher forbade it.
Lu Siqiao hesitated for a moment, but unable to resist Mo Yan'er's enthusiasm, she followed with a wry smile.
"Qiaowa, look! This rubber tree is so big!" Mo Yan'er was stroking the tree and about to walk around it when she suddenly screamed.
Lu Siqiao rushed over, but unexpectedly, she was suddenly hit on the back of the shoulder with a blunt object.
Before she could react, she collapsed softly to the ground.
She saw Mo Yan'er being covered in the mouth by Wang Wei, looking at her in horror!
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