Chapter 6: test

The news of the canteen's opening quickly brought everyone back to their senses.

These elderly people, who had worked in the machinery factory for decades, couldn't help but reminisce about their past.

They involuntarily shook their heads, their interest in the community canteen Lian Yijun had described waning considerably.

Only those who genuinely supported the community service center's work were interested in the canteen's establishment.

They thought: "It's just a matter of paying ten or twenty yuan for a meal. Consider it supporting the community work. I'll try it once; if it's not good, I won't go again.

It's a small amount of money I can manage."

Lian Yijun, standing nearby, hadn't expected to encounter such resistance so soon after posting the notice.

Others might not know, but she certainly did.

The chef downstairs was exceptionally skilled; hearing Old Master Wang's words, she quickly clarified.

"The canteen and chefs in our community are absolutely top-notch. I don't know the skill level of the chefs at the machinery factory, but the difference is definitely not significant.

Besides, the community canteen was established to make things convenient for everyone. If grandpas and grandmas have trouble cooking for themselves, or if it's difficult to prepare meals for one person, they can get a card. I'll be waiting for you all on the first floor of the community service center tomorrow."

"Great! We'll go after breakfast tomorrow,"

Grandma Song replied, her eyes almost disappearing with a smile.

As for Wang the Stubborn, she didn't take it to heart at all.

If anyone could persuade the Stubborn, would he still be the Stubborn?

As for her family, they would definitely get a card tomorrow, and after the opening, they wouldn't need to cook; they could just go to the canteen whenever they wanted.

"See you tomorrow, Grandma Song!"

"See you tomorrow!"

Lian Yijun was overjoyed to hear support, her steps light, even jumping, as she excitedly waved goodbye and headed to the other two neighborhoods.

But the discussions left in front of the notice board didn't stop after her departure.

Grandpa Wang glanced at Song Chunhua, who was enthusiastically persuading others to try it out with him, and casually remarked, "These days, anyone can open a canteen? Back in the day, a master chef would train for decades before finally getting ahead.

People's hearts have changed—" He then turned to leave the scene.

But Grandma Song wouldn't let him off so easily. Turning to him, her brow furrowed, she asked, puzzled, "Wang the Stubborn Donkey, have you lost your mind? The notice clearly states that the community canteen is for us old folks; they're doing a good deed. Why are you making such a fuss?"

"Why? I just think it's not worth it, so I'm not going, okay?"

"What's not worth it? Explain it to everyone."

Grandma Song, seeing Grandpa Wang trying to escape, tried to grab him.

But her husband, Grandpa Liu, blocked her way. Liu Jianguo was helpless; his wife and friends had been disapproving for a long time, always finding fault.

Thinking this to herself, she reassured him aloud, "Don't take it to heart with Old Wang. He's just got a terrible temper. Let's continue talking about the community canteen."

"Hmph!"

Grandma Song snorted, turning her head away from the hastily fleeing Old Man Wang, and continued explaining, "Don't listen to that stubborn old man , everyone. I just saw it clearly. The community canteen has government subsidies, the prices are affordable, the food is varied and nutritious, perfect for us seniors. Let's all go check it out tomorrow."

...

The situation in the other two communities was similar to Hengsheng Community, with some supporting it and some opposing it.

But overall, the elderly who had experienced the factory canteen era didn't have high expectations for the newly established community canteen.

Therefore, only a small portion supported it, and most decided to wait and see.

Meanwhile, Qu Xiaoxiao, guided by the system, arrived at her destination.

At the end of the village, a vast expanse of densely packed vegetable fields appeared before her, even including greenhouses, clearly not enough for personal consumption.

This should make discussing buying vegetables much easier.

Song Guoqiang, busy in his vegetable garden, ignored the sound of the passing tricycle and continued what he was doing.

Just when he thought the tricycle would pass by as quickly as usual, it suddenly stopped next to his house.

He stood up in confusion, but the prolonged squatting motion caused a flash of white light to dazzle his eyes.

He subconsciously closed his eyes, and when he looked in the direction of the sound again, he only saw an eye-catching red tricycle, shining brightly in the sunlight.

"Huh?"

Where is everyone?

Just as he was about to rub his eyes and take a closer look, a cute, smiling face suddenly appeared before him.

"Hello, Grandpa!"

Qu Xiaoxiao had her face hidden in the gap of the railing, her almond-shaped face and rosy cheeks, combined with her warm smile, immediately put Song Guoqiang at ease.

In his eyes, she was just a little girl, but she smiled so beautifully. Compared to his grandson, she was like heaven and earth, and seeing her made him feel much better.

A smile involuntarily crept onto his lips, and his tone, unlike his usual harsh one, softened as he asked curiously, "Little girl, is there something you need?"

"Hehehe!"

Qu Xiaoxiao chuckled shyly, tentatively saying,

"Grandpa, your vegetables are so beautiful and plentiful! A huge expanse of lush green, I could see it from afar. It looks like you grew them yourself, you're amazing!"

The lush green she referred to wasn't just the color of the vegetables, but also the green used by the system to label their levels.

The combination of the two almost blinded her.

She truly hadn't expected anyone to grow so many "S" grade ingredients.

If it weren't for the circumstances, her mouth would have been agape with astonishment.

"Hahahaha!"

At this moment, in Song Guoqiang's mind, besides being beautiful and kind, the little girl before him had another outstanding quality—honesty and discerning taste.

Since retiring and growing vegetables, this was the first time he'd encountered someone who spoke to his heart so directly.

"I just randomly planted these things by myself. Want to come in and take a look? Just push the door open."

"Then I won't be polite."

Qu Xiaoxiao's smile deepened, her whole body radiating undisguised excitement.

She quickly left the railing and hurried towards the gate.

Soon she arrived in front of Song Guoqiang, and she enthusiastically introduced herself:

"Hello! My name is Qu Xiaoxiao, you can just call me Xiaoxiao."

Standing in the vegetable garden, she felt she smelled something different, not the vegetables themselves, nor manure or pesticides.

It was as if many ingredients were mixed together, bitter, astringent, and spicy flavors intertwined, impossible to pinpoint.

Lost in thought, she couldn't help but breathe heavily, trying to resolve her doubts.

Song Guoqiang immediately saw Qu Xiaoxiao's confusion and said with a smile, "My surname is Song, just call me Grandpa Song. Xiaoxiao, what a name!

Your nose is very sensitive; can you smell something different about my vegetable garden?"

"The things you've sprinkled in your garden seem a little different."

"That's right."

This was something Song Guoqiang was proud of. After retiring, he had been researching traditional green planting methods, even sourcing old varieties from various places for his vegetables.

It wasn't that the ones on the market were bad, but for commercial purposes, there were many factors to consider in the cultivation and selection of varieties.

The only thing he needed to consider was one word—eating.

Growing vegetables wasn't just for cultivating his mind; more importantly, it was to satisfy his own appetite.

Over the years, he had achieved considerable success.

"Not only are the pesticides different, but the planting method is also different from what you've seen before."

Upon hearing this, Qu Xiaoxiao immediately looked down.

The scene before her was indeed different from what she had seen from afar. She had been blinded by a large mass of green and hadn't been able to see the specific planting details.

Looking closer, she saw that garlic and chives were interspersed among the bok choy and cabbage, spaced apart.

Other vegetables not far away seemed to follow a different rule of spacing, which looked quite unusual.

"Diverse varieties, and it can also prevent pests and diseases, expert!"

The system's voice suddenly rang in her mind, and Qu Xiaoxiao remembered that there was such a person.

Her expression became serious, and she praised, "You are really amazing. I haven't seen anyone else planting like this along the way."

"Hahaha! Let me tell you, vegetables are like people, they all have their own little temperaments. For example, cruciferous crops like Chinese cabbage and cabbage are particularly suitable for..."

Song Guoqiang explained the knowledge he had learned.

Qu Xiaoxiao listened intently, her interest so great that anyone overhearing her might have thought they'd stumbled into a rural classroom lesson.

After a long conversation, Song Guoqiang felt a bit thirsty and naturally handed the spray bottle to Qu Xiaoxiao.

"Xiaoxiao, spray these cabbages, I'm going back for a drink of water."

"Okay," Qu Xiaoxiao replied.

She shook the spray bottle a couple of times, aimed it at the cabbages, and sprayed the "medicine."

The medicine was a pale pink color and had a pungent taste, leading her to guess that it might contain chili peppers.

As for the rest, she would need to observe further.

When Song Guoqiang returned after drinking his water, he saw Qu Xiaoxiao bent over, diligently spraying the medicine. He couldn't help but admire her again, and his smile grew even wider.

"Xiaoxiao, it's kind of you to waste your time here with an old man like me."

"Grandpa Song, what are you saying? You don't mind that I came uninvited, and you even taught me how to grow vegetables scientifically. I don't know how to thank you enough. I'm the one taking up your time, and... I have a small request, I wonder if you'd agree?"

"Go ahead." Song Guoqiang didn't take her words to heart, assuming she wanted to pick some vegetables to eat.

"I'm currently responsible for cooking for a community canteen, and I need quite a few vegetables every day. Seeing how well yours are growing, I was wondering if I could buy some regularly and in fixed quantities?"

Hearing this, Song Guoqiang looked at the young girl in disbelief.

How could someone so youthful and vibrant be associated with the word "cook"?

But after their conversation, he knew that the person in front of him wasn't the type to make empty promises, but how skilled she was, and whether she could make the most of the vegetables she grew?

These were the questions he needed to consider.

After a moment's thought, Song Guoqiang spoke solemnly:

"I grow quite a lot of vegetables here, and I usually give away what I can't eat. This is the first time I've encountered someone actively buying vegetables from me.

Growing vegetables is for eating, and cooking them well is especially important. To ensure my hard work isn't wasted, I want to test you."