Chapter 316 The Orphanage's Lies: The Handsome Flower Boy 16
Without batting an eye, Shen Ci spent an astronomical sum of money that ordinary people could not even imagine, just to buy a means of transportation.
Lu Jinnian was extremely shocked; he had never seen anyone spend money so much.
In the welfare home, everyone has to live frugally, worrying about every penny and every piece of candy, while many people in the world spend lavishly.
In this store open to the public, he saw many wealthy people buying the same thing: several months' worth of living expenses.
His mother was richer and more capable than he had imagined. If she was so wealthy, why would she come back to him? She definitely didn't have any ulterior motives.
With so much money, if they wanted children, they could raise as many as they wanted. Why bother with him? Lu Jinnian had some indescribable feelings in his heart.
Is he someone who is remembered and cared about?
The formalities were completed quickly, and while they waited there, the sales clerk politely invited the mother and son to the lounge, where they were served some snacks and drinks. Even the sofas they sat on were soft.
What's wrong with this world? Is this still the world I know and see? Everything he experienced today has greatly impacted his mind.
While many people are struggling to survive, so many others are enjoying life.
If it weren't for his mother, he would be just like before, busy making money, saving every penny, and trying to please people.
After all the formalities were completed, Shen Ci rode his brand-new Honda motorcycle, carrying Lu Jinnian, out of another gate. He looked incredibly cool and stylish!
As for the documents, don't worry, there's a system for that.
Passersby on the street were filled with envy and surprise at the sight—a luxury car! That's a rare sight indeed; it's the latest motorcycle! There aren't many of those in the entire city of Beijing!
The wind ruffled Shen Ci's hair, and it also stirred something strong within Lu Jinnian's heart.
With a car, it's convenient and fast to go anywhere, so Shen Ci isn't in a hurry to go back to the Xinqiao Hotel for Western food.
"Little New Year, are you hungry? Want to go out and have a good meal?"
Do you want to try the famous Peking duck from a well-known, long-established restaurant in Beijing?
"Either is fine, Mom, it's your decision."
Lu Jinnian said in a low voice that he was not picky about food, as long as it could fill his stomach, whether it tasted good or not was secondary.
The feeling of sitting on a motorcycle was so novel. The wind whistled past, and the envy in the eyes of passersby, as well as some other expressions, all made him feel strange. It was a very novel experience.
"Alright, let's go to Quanjude!"
Shen Ci twisted the throttle, and the motorcycle roared as it sped toward the front door.
We still have to buy a motorcycle. A bicycle can't go as fast as a motorcycle!
The wind blew by, and the motorcycle moved forward quickly, giving one a sudden feeling of freedom. Lu Jinnian gripped the handrail tightly, a little nervous and afraid of falling off.
At that speed, if he were to fall, he would probably break his leg.
When you arrive at Quanjude, the signs at the entrance are all antique and elegant. It is a famous local specialty in Beijing, and most of the people coming in and out are well-dressed.
The aroma of roast duck filled the air; it was so enticing that Lu Jinnian got out of the car somewhat hesitantly and didn't dare to walk ahead.
He subconsciously looked at himself. Luckily, he was wearing new clothes today. Luckily, his mother bought him new clothes, otherwise he wouldn't have dared to even enter the door.
Before today, he knew clearly what class he belonged to, and that once inside, he would inevitably encounter people like department store sales clerks.
Some things, because they feel too far away or too unfamiliar, can make people hesitate to approach them.
Who would have thought that before today he was just an orphan, not only having to save up for his tuition but also worrying about his future?
Shen Ci looked at the noisy guests in the hall, while Lu Jinnian's expression was somewhat tense, which was normal since it was his first time in such a setting.
She felt sorry for the children in the hall who were also there with their parents to eat roast duck; some were five or six years old, and some were seven or eight.
Parents are the first ladder for children to see the world.
She paid extra for a small private room, took the menu, let Lu Jinnian look at it first, and then ordered some things herself.
"A premium roast duck, skin sliced, carcass used to make soup."
Another braised yellow croaker, a braised sea cucumber with scallions, a stir-fried shrimp, and two bowls of rice.
These are all hearty dishes, none of them cheap. When she ordered, Lu Jinnian subconsciously looked for the prices on the menu.
"Xiao Nian, see if there's anything else you'd like to eat. If so, let's add it. If not, we'll eat this for now and add more if it's not enough."
Give the children a menu and let them participate in the process. Let them order some food first. This will make Lu Jinnian feel less awkward and less anxious, as he won't feel like everyone is waiting for him to order.
Although they are mother and son, they are not familiar with each other yet, so they should try their best to take care of the child's feelings.
As Lu Jinnian listened to the names of the dishes, he looked for the prices marked on the menu and silently calculated the costs in his mind.
A roast duck costs more than ten yuan and is the restaurant's signature dish. The fish is not cheap either. He had only seen and heard of sea cucumbers in books before.
This meal cost him more than his food expenses for a year in the orphanage.
"That's all," he said, putting the menu back.
His mother took him to see another side of the world.
Once the dishes were served, the roast duck had turned a deep reddish-brown and was glossy. The chef sliced it into thin pieces and served it with lotus leaf pancakes, sweet bean sauce, scallions, and cucumber.
He grew up in Beijing and, although he had never eaten Peking duck, he had heard about how to eat it since he was a child.
The cooked yellow croaker and braised sea cucumber with scallions were all dishes he had never eaten before. Lu Jinnian didn't know where to start when he picked up his chopsticks.
It would be so embarrassing if he accidentally ate the wrong thing.
"Eat quickly, it's the Little New Year, eat it while it's hot."
"Try it, it's the most famous in the capital."
Shen Ci took the initiative to roll up a piece of duck meat in a thin pancake, dipped it in sweet bean sauce, wrapped it up with scallions and cucumber, and handed it to him.
Regardless of whether he can eat it or not, I will demonstrate it to him first. This is both a way of showing him care and a way of demonstrating for him.
Lu Jinnian accepted the duck roll with embarrassment, put it in his mouth, and instantly understood why it had become a local specialty.
The duck skin is crispy, the duck meat is tender, the sauce is sweet and salty, and the scallions and cucumbers bring a refreshing touch.
The best things he had ever eaten before were the meat buns that the dean's mother would occasionally bring back, and the canned braised pork donated by kind people. As a local, this was the first time he had ever eaten roast duck.
There's nothing we can do; even locals sometimes can't afford it.
The roast duck tasted great, and the portion was generous; it was just a simple home-cooked meal.
He recalled his time in the orphanage, when everyone gathered around a pot of thin, watery porridge, drinking cold water in the summer and eating cold steamed buns in the winter.
Lu Jinnian's eyes welled up with tears, and she quickly lowered her head, pretending to wrap a tortilla to hide her embarrassment.
His reaction did not escape Shen Ci's notice. Shen Ci did not say much. The past is dark and cannot be retrieved. What's past is past.
I just kept putting food on his plate, trying to get him to eat more nutritious food.
"Eat more. This sea cucumber is nutritious, and this shrimp is good for calcium. You're growing up right now."
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