Chapter 5: S-shaped marks everywhere

"Aunt Qu!" Qu Xiaoxiao turned around in surprise.

Qu Yangrong smiled warmly and continued to ask, "What's up, Xiaoxiao?"

Qu Xiaoxiao's smile widened involuntarily, and she said directly, "I've estimated that the canteen will officially open the day after tomorrow. So I wanted to ask about the card issuance and top-up, so I can prepare ingredients according to the number of people and avoid waste."

"Oh, I see. Because the community canteen also involves subsidies, both of us need to control the accounts.

Since you said it will open the day after tomorrow, I'll inform the residents of the community today and see if we can issue cards at this time tomorrow morning. What do you think?"

"Your arrangement is excellent!"

"Hahahaha! You young people have such sweet words."

Qu Yangrong could no longer control her smile, her eyebrows dancing, and it was clear that she was in a very good mood.

To be honest, this was the first time she had heard such straightforward praise.

But for some reason, she felt very happy, like she had eaten a piece of honey, sweet to the core.

"I'm not good with words, but I'm just telling the truth,"

"No, no, I won't say anymore."

Qu Yangrong was worried that her facial muscles would ache from laughing so much if she listened any longer, so she changed the subject.

"You're up so early, you must have something to do? You go ahead, I'll keep an eye on things here."

"I'm going to check on the ingredients, hopefully I can find a stable supplier. Thank you, Aunt Qu, I'll make you something delicious when I get back."

"Mmm."

Qu Yangrong nodded repeatedly subconsciously, and when she realized what she was doing, her face turned bright red.

She thought to herself: It's really inappropriate for an elder to be so greedy.

But when she thought about the aroma she smelled when she passed by the door downstairs last night after leaving the office late, she couldn't bring herself to refuse.

But thinking about her position, she was just about to politely decline when she looked up and found that there was no one in front of her, only fallen leaves blown by the cold wind, circling in the air and landing, as if conveying some signal.

Turning her head, Qu Yangrong was surprised to see a rumble coming from under Qu Xiaoxiao, and with a jolt, the car and its occupants drove towards the intersection.

This was the first time she'd ever seen a young woman driving a tricycle—a sight both harmonious and eerie.

She couldn't help but smile and shake her head as she walked towards the entrance of her workplace.

But as she walked, an inexplicable premonition rose within her: she knew she would experience many more "firsts" with Qu Xiaoxiao in the future.

For some reason, a sudden chill ran through her.

She quickly shook her head, shaking off the feeling, calming herself, and preparing to begin her workday.

Qu Xiaoxiao, on the other hand, followed yesterday's route, intending to visit all the large and small vegetable markets in Jianing District.

She had plenty of time today and could finish everything in one go.

But when she reached the third market, she realized she had been too optimistic.

The problem wasn't time; it was whether the produce met the required standards.

After visiting three markets, she could count the number of S-category ingredients on two hands, and most were either home-raised or randomly picked or caught from elsewhere, their sources unstable.

If she were to designate these ingredients as essential for the canteen, she'd probably have to go back and forth between several markets every day.

The time wasted would be enormous.

Running a canteen is definitely unrealistic.

The only solution is to change the types of ingredients, especially since the Category A ingredients had already given her a significant shock yesterday.

However, this made Qu Xiaoxiao wonder what standards the system used to differentiate ingredients.

The system didn't hide anything, its arrogant tone evident in its words.

"Didn't we say it when we bound ourselves? Best and healthiest! Your planet's cuisine is indeed excellent, but the ingredients are different.

Our classification is scientific, implementing a strict and scientific standard for the optimal consumption period, internal components and structure, and external pollution of ingredients."

"You mean pesticide residue?"

Qu Xiaoxiao had only paid attention to "best" at the time, forgetting the importance of health.

It's true that one should be careful about what they put in their mouths.

The system didn't say it directly, only indicating that their data requirements weren't that high, but their selection standards for ingredients were definitely the highest.

Otherwise, wouldn't high-grade ingredients be everywhere?

The system told the host to relax and simply follow its guidance to create the most delicious food in the world.

Qu Xiaoxiao closed her eyes, let out a long breath, and didn't want to continue talking to this guy.

But not wanting to continue wandering aimlessly around the surrounding vegetable markets like a headless fly, she asked, "Is your exploration area limited to the size of the vegetable market? But I remember that each vegetable market is a different size. Can't you just include the entire Jianing District to avoid wasting time?"

Upon hearing this, the system fell silent instantly.

It realized it had done something stupid, and the light wave indicating the food classification immediately turned into a white light and disappeared.

The light made Qu Xiaoxiao reflexively close her eyes.

Five seconds later, the system, as if nothing had happened, enthusiastically shouted,

"Master, Master! I've found a location full of S-class ingredients!"

"Guide! Let's go!"

Qu Xiaoxiao didn't want to say anything more to it and followed the markers towards her destination.

As she got closer, she was surprised to find that the location was actually behind their neighborhood, only requiring her to cross a mountain.

A neatly arranged new rural village appeared before her, with vegetables planted around almost every house. From a distance, it looked like patches of lush greenery pasted on the mountainside.

Growing your own vegetables might be healthier, but the words "stable" and "large-scale" don't seem to have much in common, right?

The thought flashed through her mind, but the system immediately picked it up and retorted,

"Of course not! These are barely even Category A."

"Then where are you talking about?"

While one person was searching for ingredients, another group was busy ensuring the smooth opening of the community canteen. As soon as

work started, Qu Yangrong immediately called Lian Yijun to her office.

Lian Yijun sat up straight and asked,

"Director, is there a problem with my work?"

It wasn't surprising she asked this; it was the middle of the month, and as the accountant, it was usually the easiest time of the month for her.

Even though the director was usually very gentle, her heart still raced uncontrollably when they met alone.

Qu Yangrong chuckled at the sudden question, her bewildered eyes shimmering. She explained, "I was thinking about something else, did I scare you?"

"No, no," Lian Yijun waved her hands repeatedly, trying to calm herself.

Qu Yangrong understood her feelings and began to get down to business.

"You know our community cafeteria is opening soon, right?"

"Yes, you mentioned it yesterday. And I smelled the delicious aroma yesterday too. Everyone in our community is going to be lucky."

"I called you here because of this."

"Please go ahead."

"They sponsored a set of equipment and a system before. With the cafeteria opening, card payments will be more convenient for our community. So we need you to help residents open and top up their cards. The meeting is scheduled for tomorrow morning. Be prepared."

Lian Yijun never expected that she had been called here for this, and she immediately relaxed.

She assured Qu Yangrong, "I guarantee I'll complete the task."

Seeing Lian Yijun about to leave, Qu Yangrong quickly stopped her.

"Also, this is the notice for the opening of the community canteen. Take it and post it on the bulletin boards of the three nearby residential areas. If you encounter any residents on the way, please pass on the news."

As she spoke, she took a large stack of papers from the table and handed it to the person opposite her.

"Okay."

Lian Yiyun quickly straightened up, took the notice, nodded in agreement, and turned to leave.

As soon as she stepped outside, she immediately told her colleagues present the news.

Upon hearing this, everyone put down what they were doing and gathered around to carefully read the contents of the notice.

"Wow! According to the notice, our community canteen can open the day after tomorrow!"

"Why are you so excited? We don't even know how good the canteen will be. If it's just average, I'd rather eat at home."

"You haven't come back since you left yesterday, have you?"

"Yes, why?" Zhu Lihua nodded, puzzled.

The others immediately explained, "That's right. Yesterday we ran into the cafeteria chef tasting the dishes, and the aroma wafted up through the window. Anyway, the cooking skills are definitely top-notch."

Zhu Lihua, seeing that the one who replied was Ma Qun, who wasn't particular about anything at work, didn't take the comment to heart.

After all, she felt her standards were worlds apart from Ma Qun's.

After everyone had looked at it, Lian Yiyun smiled, took it back, and put it away properly, saying, "It's getting late, I need to go post the notices. You all continue chatting."

With that, she hurried outside.

Her first stop was Hengsheng Residential Area, where the notice board was located near the community activity square.

Many elderly people were exercising and chatting in the square. Seeing the community worker approaching with something, seemingly to post on the notice board, their curiosity piqued, they stopped practicing Tai Chi and Five Animal Frolics and rushed over.

Lian Yiyun was completely focused on posting the notices, oblivious to the changes behind her.

Turning around, she nearly jumped out of her throat, her eyes wide with surprise at the scene before her.

Instinctively clutching her chest, she asked, bewildered, "Grandpa and Grandma, what are you doing? You almost scared me to death!"

Grandma Song, seeing she'd frightened the little girl, immediately pushed her aside and tried to soothe her.

Glancing at her husband standing directly in front of Lian Yijun, she explained,

"Your Grandpa Liu, his face is as old as tree bark, and he still comes out to scare people. I'll scold him when we get home. Little Yijun, were you scared?"

Hearing this, Grandpa Liu's lips trembled with anger, unable to utter a word.

But he still instinctively stepped back, not wanting to truly frighten the little girl.

Seeing this, Lian Yijun smiled somewhat sheepishly.

"I just suddenly saw someone behind me, it wasn't Grandpa Liu's fault."

"Let's not talk about him. Is there some kind of community event? They've put up notices again today."

Grandma Song had her reasons for saying this; community events had been announced like this many times before.

However, this time was different from what she had imagined.

Lian Yiyun didn't let go of Grandma Song's hand. Having worked there for two years, she knew the elderly people in the community meant no harm; in fact, it was a gesture of affection.

Remembering the district director's instructions before she came, she quickly explained with a smile,

"It's not an event. Our community canteen is opening soon. Card issuance and top-up services start tomorrow morning at eight. Once you top up your card, you can eat at the community canteen. From now on, grandpas and grandmas won't have to cook for themselves anymore—it's convenient and reassuring. This is a great thing!"

"Community canteen? What's that?"

"Canteen, is it like our old factory canteen?"

"How could it be the same? Times have changed."

Grandpa Wang immediately poured cold water on everyone's enthusiasm .