Chapter 68: I Have Two Things to Tell You [Part Three]
Lu Yuanqiu took a deep breath and looked up at the clock on the living room wall, his gaze following the second hand as it moved bit by bit.
He spoke, “I’m not sure—it might have happened recently, or perhaps it was a long time ago. Anyway, her character now is definitely related to her mother’s passing.”
No one could say exactly when it happened, but at some point, the three people in the living room began to pay close attention to this girl who shared no blood with them.
Undeniably, both Lu Tian and Su Xiaoya started to care about Bai Qingxia because Lu Yuanqiu did. Gradually, they learned about her: a beautiful, hardworking, sensible, introverted child with a strong sense of pride.
Lu Tian asked, “What about her father?”
Su Xiaoya looked at her son.
Lu Yuanqiu simply shook his head. “Her father is probably still around. I think he might be bedridden, since Bai Qingxia brings lunch home from the school cafeteria for him every day.”
“Ah?” Su Xiaoya was stunned, then covered her mouth and began to cry.
For a moment, the man fell silent, and the woman wept.
“How can this child be so pitiful? Qiu’er, if your father were ever bedridden, I can’t imagine… Would you bring food from the cafeteria for him?”
She sobbed as she spoke.
Lu Tian and Lu Yuanqiu turned to look at Su Xiaoya, their expressions stiff.
Don’t get too carried away, Mom…
I’m sitting right here, wife…
Wish for something good, please!
Lu Tian sighed. “That girl, she’s so proud. It wouldn’t be right to ask her directly about these things. I’d like to give her a raise, but she probably wouldn’t accept it.”
Lu Yuanqiu wholeheartedly agreed.
If they raised her pay, Bai Qingxia would either refuse, or she’d insist on working twice as hard to earn it.
Lu Yuanqiu knew her through and through.
Su Xiaoya could only say, “Qiu’er, take good care of her at school, but don’t pry about family matters.”
Having instructed her son, Su Xiaoya turned to her husband. “Don’t assign her heavy, tiring, or dirty work at the supermarket.”
“May heaven bear witness, wife! I’ve never done that!” Lu Tian stamped his foot in agitation.
He added, “I was thinking, with National Day coming up, we could take the whole family out and invite her along! Even if it’s just for half a day, so she can still get home to care for her father.”
Su Xiaoya quickly agreed, “We should absolutely bring her out with us. Let her relax and clear her mind—I’m really afraid she’s carrying too much by herself.”
After that, Lu Tian finally found a chance to ask, “So, what’s all that on your chest?”
At this, Su Xiaoya took a sip of tea and answered lightly,
“Our son lost only five points in his Chinese essay, scored 140 in English—second in the class—made the most progress in math and physics, and each subject teacher awarded him four unique ‘progress flowers.’ The other five were Scholar Flowers, awarded to Xia for coming first in the class. I stood at the front as the teachers pinned flowers on me, praised me, wouldn’t let me leave—so much applause, I’m tired of hearing it.”
“Oh, and our son’s total score is 365, ranked 32nd in his class, 935th in his grade.”
Lu Tian, who had a history of embarrassing moments—including once storming in with a stick to discipline Lu Yuanqiu—just stared wide-eyed at this report.
It sounded like he was listening to science fiction.
He turned incredulously to Lu Yuanqiu, only to see him getting up and heading for the shoe cabinet.
“What are you looking for, son? Dad will help you find it!”
“Page (2/3)”
“Looking for some shoes to eat, Dad. What brand do you prefer? Nike, Adidas, or Hongxing Erke?”
Lu Yuanqiu opened the door as he spoke, glancing back at his father.
Lu Tian shrugged and pointed at his son, grinning at Su Xiaoya. “See? He’s getting impatient… This kid can’t take a joke!”
With that, he dashed into the bedroom and locked the door.
Five seconds later.
A thunderous voice erupted from the bedroom: “Big Brother! I have important news to report!”
…
“Second Brother!”
…
“Third Brother!”
…
“Your clever nephew has finally come to his senses!”
…
September 27th, Monday.
In the morning, Lu Yuanqiu entered the classroom in his school uniform, carrying his blue backpack, when he overheard Gao Qiang excitedly talking with Wang Haoran.
“Wow, unbelievable! There’s a new dish in the cafeteria on the first floor—the flavor, man, it’s incredible!”
“Which dish? Which window?”
“The fifth window in the middle—Bandit Duck!”
“Every noon, there’s a crowd lined up at that window. If you’re late, you won’t get anything!”
“No wonder I saw last Friday, Zhong Jincheng dashed out the moment the bell rang, pulling up his pants to sprint.”
“His seat’s by the door—makes it easy for him.”
Listening to their conversation, Lu Yuanqiu paused and asked, “Is it really that good?”
Gao Qiang exaggerated, “In five minutes, the line can reach two hundred people, stretching out of the cafeteria. Can you believe it?”
“If you manage to get first in line, I’ll give you this.”
Gao Qiang held up a thumbs-up.
Lu Yuanqiu raised an eyebrow—could it really be that crazy?
Other students in the class, hearing their conversation, joined in, discussing Bandit Duck enthusiastically.
Lu Yuanqiu walked to the back row, suddenly noticing Zheng Yifeng, who usually slept, sitting up and praising, “Bandit Duck, I’ve tried it—it’s truly amazing.”
He nodded affirmatively at Lu Yuanqiu, then shifted and went back to sleep.
Even Zheng Yifeng vouched for it?!
Lu Yuanqiu was convinced!
He quickly sat down and turned to the girl beside him. “Two things: first, we’re eating Bandit Duck at lunch.”
At this, Bai Qingxia immediately shook her head. “I won’t eat it.”
Hey now? You little flower girl dare to defy me? Lu Yuanqiu glared.
But Bai Qingxia quickly asked, “What’s the second thing?”
“Page (3/3)”
Lu Yuanqiu replied, “Come with me to eat Bandit Duck. I’ll tell you during lunch.”
Bai Qingxia thought for a moment, pursed her lips, turned, and reluctantly handed him her meal card, a touch of hesitation in her expression.
She knew this meat dish would surely be expensive.
Lu Yuanqiu took it and slipped it into his pocket.
Before the fourth period began, Lu Yuanqiu walked over to Zhong Jincheng’s desk, tossed his bag onto it.
Zhong Jincheng, cleaning his gun, looked up and asked, “What’s up?”
Lu Yuanqiu tilted his head, “You—go sit at my desk.”
“Why? I need to sprint to the cafeteria after class!”
“Who doesn’t?”
“Then why take my seat?”
“Because your seat’s by the door. Because I know you used the Gatling on Su Miaomiao. Is that enough, kid?”
Lu Yuanqiu glared at him.
Zhong Jincheng gritted his teeth, grabbed his bag, and left in frustration. “I’ll be back someday!”
The fourth period was Liu Wei’s Chinese class.
As the lesson neared its end, Liu Wei noticed most students simultaneously stretching their right legs forward.
She was taken aback. “What are you all doing?”
Gao Qiang was desperate. “Teacher, please don’t go overtime! We’ll miss lunch!”
“We want Bandit Duck!”
“Bandit Duck!”
…
The students erupted in excitement.
Liu Wei slammed the desk, furious. “Are you all planning a rebellion?”
The class fell silent.
Liu Wei, breathing heavily, glanced at her watch—half a minute until class ended. She waved her hand in resignation. “Go, go, go…”
In an instant, the hungry wolves were unleashed!
Lu Yuanqiu’s seat was near the door; he sprinted out to the corridor, ahead of everyone.
He wanted to be first!
Just then—
“Lu Yuanqiu! Want to race?!”
Lu Yuanqiu looked back; Mao Sheng, the stern god from Class 29, was charging after him, face set in determination.
“Don’t come any closer!”
Lu Yuanqiu turned in panic, contorted with terror, and sprinted ahead.
He burst alone from the teaching building, and two seconds later, behind him surged a tide of humanity, like a wave of zombies.