Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle-Chapter 1013 - 494: [Strangers United in Joy]

Qin Huai quickly walked into the bathroom, closed the door, locked it, and opened the game panel, a series of actions completed in one swift motion.

A new task suddenly appeared in the side quest:

[Strangers Gather Together]: As a busy boss, Gong Liang rarely has time to watch TV. And as a successful boss, Gong Liang's taste in TV dramas is different from ordinary people; he likes family-friendly plots. No need for separation or family conflicts, no need for drama, just family harmony. For Gong Liang, family harmony is the best plot in this world, the last touching warmth in this world full of deceit. Please let Gong Liang experience a family-friendly plot, let him taste the flavor of old memories in the atmosphere of gathering, and feel the strangers gather together.

Task rewards: [Gong Liang's Memory], [Popularity Stream +1000]

Looking at the long-missed riddle-like side quest, Qin Huai scratched his head in some confusion.

How to say, it has been a long time since a side quest didn't speak in human language like this.

Qin Huai could guess part of the requirement for this task; Gong Liang likes lively atmospheres, likes the vibe of a loving family, the task name "Strangers Gather Together" almost clearly indicates that Gong Liang should join everyone's tea party, completing this side quest through the tea gathering.

But what is the flavor of memories?

He has to directly ask Gong Liang about this.

But how to ask? Ask Gong Liang if he liked gatherings in the past, if there was anything memorable he ate at gatherings, and recreate an old scene this time around.

Hey, that might not be impossible.

The deepest insight Qin Huai gained from so many side quests is not to be afraid while doing tasks, and when something is unclear, just ask directly. Don't be afraid of being treated like a madman, these things get familiar with practice, after tagging yourself, whatever you do, others will understand and tolerate.

Asking others this might be abrupt, but asking Gong Liang...

With Gong Liang's high emotional intelligence, he would surely find a reasonable explanation for Qin Huai.

Qin Huai went through the side quest several times, straightened out the logic in his mind, and then organized a response to the previous question asked by Gong Liang.

This side quest was unexpected; allowing Gong Liang to blend into this big collective was the priority. Qin Huai rehearsed the speech several times in his mind, and after ensuring no obvious logical flaws, switched back to hospitable Master Xiao Qin mode and left the bathroom.

In the living room, Gong Liang had already found a new topic and was chatting happily with Cheng Gong.

Qin Huai flashed an apologetic smile and explained, "I'm sorry, Mr. Gong, I might have eaten something bad this afternoon; suddenly had to rush to the bathroom, what were you asking just now?"

Zhao Cheng'an was taken aback, whispered to Shi Dadan, "What? The food at Yunzhong Restaurant wasn't clean today?!"

Shi Dadan said leisurely, "You're not worried though, we don't get diarrhea easily, I have experience."

Zhao Cheng'an finally felt reassured.

Gong Liang didn't hear Zhao Cheng'an's interesting chat there and said, "I was just curious about how you got to know everyone, if it's too complicated you don't need to…"

"It's actually quite by chance." Qin Huai interrupted Gong Liang, "You know, Mr. Gong, I'm an orphan, and my current parents are my adoptive parents. I never hoped to find my real family, but suddenly a lawyer contacted me, saying my birth parents had been looking for me all these years, they found the orphanage where I stayed through multiple inquiries, we were supposed to reunite."

"But my birth parents unfortunately passed away in a car accident before we could meet, so the hometown turned into an inheritance."

It was the first time Gong Liang heard this version of the story and was instantly drawn in, exclaiming, "That's quite the twist."

"Yunzhong Restaurant is one of the inheritances left to me by my parents, and through it, I met Sister Hong. She's a community worker who helped me a lot during the restaurant's early stages."

Chen Huihong displayed a standard NPC smile as she made her entrance.

"As for Dr. Qu, we also have some fate, she also came from an orphanage and was a student supported by Sister Hong, it was through Sister Hong that I got to know Dr. Qu. But Dr. Qu is not here today; she's on a late shift, I'll introduce you next time."

"I met Mr. Luo also because of Sister Hong, Mr. Luo is a famous solitary elder in Yunzhong District, and a key care target of the community. Sister Hong often visits Mr. Luo for solace, plus Mr. Luo loves my snacks, so we became familiar over time."

Luo Jun: …

Luo Jun, considering Gong Liang's presence, held back his anger and rolled his eyes like a grumpy npc.

"Mr. Shi is a friend I met in Guangdong Province, he was the previous boss of my meat cooking mentor, and we got to know each other while dining at my mentor's home. This year Mr. Shi is looking to expand his market to Shan City and rented Mr. Luo's house, hence everyone became acquainted."

"As for Assistant Chen, Mr. Gong you should know how we met. Assistant Chen is Mr. Han's assistant, and we just happened to meet on a flight, Mr. Han wanted to hire a pastry chef for his son's birthday party, Assistant Chen recommended me to Mr. Han."

"This time, Assistant Chen is on vacation, he also rented Mr. Luo's house, Assistant Chen and Mr. Luo got along well instantly, and hence everyone became familiar."

Cheng Gong nodded in agreement, "Indeed, although Mr. Luo appears to have a bad temper, he's intrinsically a kind person, Mr. Luo and I really did hit it off right away."

Luo Jun: …

Luo Jun squeezed two words through his teeth, "Indeed."

Gong Liang suddenly realized, expressing again, "In that case, everyone's quite fated, me running into everyone at the restaurant today at noon was also fate."

"I think it's a pretty serendipitous encounter too." Qin Huai decided to seize the moment, "I remember your house, Mr. Gong, is nearby, we occasionally hold tea parties at Mr. Luo's, mainly to drink tea, eat fruits, and snacks, and chat."

"The snacks are made fresh by Zhao Cheng'an and me, you're welcome to join our tea party whenever you're available. I've recently learned some new pastry recipes at Zhiwei Restaurant, and need to practice them more at the tea party, you could come and help me with tasting."

"If you're not comfortable with your current house, you could also rent one from Mr. Luo; he has several vacant apartments in the same building."

Shi Dadan quickly chimed in, "Yeah, Mr. Luo's apartments are spacious, clean, fully furnished, and the rent is reasonable."

Luo Jun: "… indeed, I do have a few houses in urgent need of renting out."

Gong Liang didn't expect such a good offer, amidst the great surprise, he didn't give it much thought.

This group of people is indeed eccentric, Qin Huai too, but Gong Liang was used to it. It's not the first time Master Xiao Qin has seemed unusual; it's normal for his friends to be too. Previously in Gusu, Gong Liang never thought the big uncles and aunties at Yunzhong Restaurant were all that normal.

Even taking a step back, is Gong Liang's mind really that normal?

This is fate, fate bringing people together.

Fate turning today's restaurant encounter into a house viewing event!

Gong Liang exclaimed with enthusiasm, "That's wonderful, when I rented my current house I didn't foresee my daughter needing so much stuff for her competition, so our house is a bit too small, I was just worrying about finding an agent to upgrade to a bigger house."

"Mr. Luo, your wheelchair is in the room, right? Let me get it for you!"

"No need." Luo Jun slowly stood up, "I can't walk for long periods, but I can still walk, it's only a few steps away, I can manage."

"By the way, what fruits do you like?" Luo Jun asked.

"Huh?" Gong Liang was a bit taken aback.

Luo Jun couldn't resist rolling his eyes again, "You're about to rent my house, are you not going to join my tea party? Tell me what fruits you like, I'll have Zhang Shumei prepare them for you."

Gong Liang was somewhat moved.

He seemed to understand why everyone was here participating in Luo Jun's tea party, Assistant Chen wasn't wrong, Mr. Luo indeed appears bad-tempered but is essentially a very kind person.

Gong Liang felt like he already guessed the essence of the tea party—

It was about giving a lonely elder a chance to experience warmth and fun.

Master Xiao Qin is truly great, all that talking was a cover for their real agenda, this tea party's essence was a community care activity!

"I love coconuts." Gong Liang said, "I enjoy both coconut water and meat."