The first thing I did was to find out

Chapter 495 [We Strangers Gather Together]

As a top salesperson, Gong Liang speaks with great logic.

Even if his encounter with Chen Huihong and others at the restaurant seems unlikely to be a coincidence, his eloquent words can make it appear as a coincidence, or even fate.

After all, fate brought them together.

To make it easier for everyone to accept this coincidence, Gong Liang chose to ask more questions rather than talk more. He was there to join this loving family, not to break them up. Giving others the opportunity to speak allowed them to feel closer to him, making it easier for them to lower their guard, and also preventing them from looking for loopholes in his words.

Qin Huai overheard all of this.

As for how Qin Huai figured it out...

Qin Huai can only say that his masterful lies are not undeserved.

As the meal at Zhao Cheng'an's place was drawing to a close, Zhao Cheng'an was practically burying his head in the cream of mushroom soup, squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, and boiled pork slices that he had complained about not long ago. Gong Liang finally steered the conversation toward the part he really wanted to ask.

"Master Qin, how did you two meet? Did you meet because everyone goes to your canteen for snacks?" Gong Liang asked curiously.

Gong Liang was genuinely curious about this; Luo Jun and the others seemed to have absolutely nothing in common at first glance.

Chen Huihong is a kind-hearted neighborhood committee member, Qu Jing is a neurologist, Luo Jun is a 90-year-old recluse who hasn't left his house in years, Shi Dadan is a seafood merchant from Guangdong Province, and Chen Gong is the all-around assistant to a domineering CEO. These people, with their different ages, identities, experiences, work environments, and even personalities, can actually go out for meals and get-togethers so harmoniously, and now they're having a tea party at Luo Jun's house. Gong Liang really can't help but be curious.

Qin Huai was waiting for Gong Liang's curiosity.

Curiosity is good; it's the beginning of wanting to understand someone, and introductions are the start of integrating into the family. If you want to truly let a few unawakened spirits infiltrate this loving family, fulfilling Bifang's wish for a harmonious tea party before his death, then Gong Liang's curiosity must truly be integrated.

An Youyou and Grandpa Wang are both easy to fool, which means they don't delve too deeply into the details. Only Gong Liang, shrewd and intelligent, is the least easily fooled and the most likely to notice something amiss.

Even someone as oblivious as Chen Huihong realized the importance of this issue. Pretending to be thirsty from talking too much, she picked up her teacup and started gulping down tea. After finishing the cup, she pretended to be extremely thirsty and needed another cup, then ran to the table to pour more tea and ran away.

Chen Gong smiled but did not speak. He knew this was not the occasion for him to speak first.

Luo Jun could have spoken, but he didn't want to. He continued watching TV as before, pretending not to care what the people next to him were saying, but he spent more of his peripheral vision on Gong Liang.

Zhao Cheng'an had almost finished his meal and was somewhat eager to join the conversation, but since he was the last to join, he couldn't explain himself clearly.

Shi Dadan put down his plate, turned around and looked at Qin Huai and Gong Liang. Seeing that Qin Huai hadn't spoken yet, he wanted to speak up and help Qin Huai.

Qin Huai actually knew what to say, and the words were on the tip of his tongue when he was interrupted by a game notification sound that suddenly rang in his mind.

"Ding! Congratulations, player, you have discovered a new side quest, 【Strangers Gather Together】. Please check it in the game panel."

Judging from the name, this side quest list is Gong Liang's side quest.

Qin Huai had a premonition that this wasn't Gong Liang's last side quest, but rather the second to last. Gong Liang's memories didn't have much of a narrative; they were mostly reminiscing about Master Jing's superb skills. Qin Huai felt that Gong Liang's memories wouldn't have a standard, happy ending, neither a tragic nor a happy one.

Because Gong Liang's story has not yet come to an end.

The same applies to Wang Gensheng's story.

Qin Huai retrieved the memories of these two spirits from their current lives. Upon closer examination, these two spirits, theoretically belonging to the Gusu region, were considered special among all the spirits. As for the other spirits who failed their tribulations, Qin Huai retrieved their memories of their first lives. For spirits, their first life was the cause of their failure to transcend tribulations, the most important part of their lives, and the key to understanding how they successfully transcended tribulations.

Gong Liang and Wang Gensheng, however, took an unconventional approach. Qin Huai retrieved their memories from this life, indicating that their experiences in this life were more important to them than the reasons for their failed tribulation.

In other words, their experiences in this life are more likely to determine whether they can successfully overcome their tribulations.

Qin Huai paused for over ten seconds, a sudden and abrupt stop in the midst of the continuous conversation. So abrupt was Gong Liang's reaction that he also froze, frantically wondering if he had asked something inappropriate, and why no one was answering him.

Just as Shi Dadan was about to say something in support of Qin Huai, Qin Huai stood up and said, "Excuse me, I need to go to the restroom first. You guys talk."

He left in a hurry.

It was exactly the same as every time I hurriedly left Huang Ji's place before.

Seeing Qin Huai's expression, everyone knew he must have triggered a crucial mission and was eager to see what would happen. Just as Chen Gong was about to say something to smooth things over, Gong Liang, with a look of sudden realization, sighed and said:

"Master Qin is still the same as before, always in such a hurry to go to the toilet."

Everyone: ? You can say that in a complimentary tone?

Qin Huai strode into the restroom, closed the door, locked it, and opened the game panel—all in one smooth motion.

A new quest has suddenly appeared in the side quests:

【Strangers Gather Together】: As a busy boss, Gong Liang rarely has time to watch TV. And as a successful businessman, Gong Liang's taste in TV dramas differs from the average person; he prefers family-friendly stories. No need for dramatic separations, family feuds, or any other antics—just a happy family reunion. For Gong Liang, a happy family is the best storyline in the world, a touching warmth in this treacherous world. Players are invited to let Gong Liang experience a happy family storyline, allowing him to taste familiar flavors in a joyful atmosphere, and feel the joy of strangers gathering together.

Task Rewards: [A Memory of Gong Liang], [Popularity Increase +1000]

Looking at the long-awaited Riddler side quest, Qin Huai scratched his head in confusion.

Well, it's been a long time since a side quest has been this nonsensical.

Qin Huai could guess a bit about the general requirements of this task. Gong Liang liked lively atmospheres and the feeling of a loving family. The task name, "We Strangers Gather Together," almost explicitly indicated that Gong Liang was to join everyone's tea party and complete this side quest by holding the tea party.

But what was that taste like in my memory?
You should ask Gong Liang directly about this.

But how do we ask? Ask Gong Liang if he liked gatherings in his younger days, and if he ate anything that left a deep impression on him at those gatherings. Let's do a reenactment and scene recreation this time.

Hmm, it doesn't seem like it's impossible.

Qin Huai's deepest takeaway from completing so many side quests is that you shouldn't be afraid when doing quests, and you can ask questions directly if you don't understand something. Don't be afraid of being treated like a lunatic either; you'll get used to it after a while. Once you've established that label, people will understand and tolerate whatever you do.

Asking this question to other people might seem a bit abrupt, but asking Gong Liang...

Gong Liang's high emotional intelligence would allow him to find a reasonable explanation for Qin Huai. Qin Huai reviewed the side quest several times, sorted out the logic in his mind, and then organized his answer to Gong Liang's previous question.

This side quest was an unexpected situation; getting Gong Liang integrated into the group was the top priority. Qin Huai went over the words in his mind a few times, making sure there were no obvious logical flaws, before switching back to his hospitable "Master Qin" mode and coming out of the restroom.

In the living room, Gong Liang had already found a new topic and was having a pleasant conversation with Chen Gong.

Qin Huai gave an apologetic smile and explained, "I'm sorry, Mr. Gong, I ate a mixed bag of things for lunch today and probably got an upset stomach. I suddenly went to the restroom. What did you ask me just now?"

Zhao Cheng'an was shocked and whispered to Shi Dadan, "What? The food at the Yunzhong cafeteria at noon today wasn't clean?!"

Shi Dadan said leisurely, "Aren't you afraid? We don't get diarrhea easily. I have experience."

Zhao Cheng'an was finally relieved.

Gong Liang, unaware of Zhao Cheng'an's fascinating conversation, said, "I was just curious about how you, Master Qin, got to know everyone. If it's too complicated, then there's no need to..."

"It's actually quite a coincidence," Qin Huai interrupted Gong Liang. "Mr. Gong, as you know, I'm an orphan, and my current parents are my adoptive parents. I never expected to find my biological parents, but suddenly a lawyer came to my door saying that my biological parents have been searching for me for many years and, after much inquiry, they found the children's welfare home where I used to live. We were originally going to reunite."

“But my biological parents died in a car accident before we could recognize each other, so what was supposed to be a reunion turned into an inheritance dispute.”

This was the first time Gong Liang had heard this version, and he was immediately captivated by the fascinating story, exclaiming, "That was truly a difficult journey."

"The Cloud Canteen is one of the legacies my parents left me, and that's how I met Sister Hong. Sister Hong works for the neighborhood committee, and she helped me a lot in the early stages of the canteen's opening."

Chen Huihong flashed the standard smile that comes with the main NPC making their appearance.

"As for Dr. Qu, I also have a special connection with her. Dr. Qu also came from a children's welfare home. She was a student sponsored by Sister Hong, and it was through Sister Hong that I met Dr. Qu. However, Dr. Qu is not here today; she is on the night shift. I will introduce you to her next time if there is an opportunity."

“I met Mr. Luo through Sister Hong. Mr. Luo is a well-known elderly person living alone in our Yunzhong community, and he is a key person that the neighborhood committee visits to take care of. Sister Hong often comes to Mr. Luo’s home to visit him, and since Mr. Luo likes my snacks, we became familiar with each other over time.”

Luo Jun: ...

Out of respect for Gong Liangzai, Luo Jun suppressed his anger and rolled his eyes in the typical way an NPC with a bad temper would.

“Mr. Shi is a friend I met in Guangdong Province. He was the former boss of my master’s restaurant. We met when we were having dinner at my master’s house. Mr. Shi wanted to come to Shanshi to expand his market this year and rented Mr. Luo’s house, so we became acquainted.”

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

“This time, Assistant Chen was on vacation, and he also rented Mr. Luo’s house. Assistant Chen and Mr. Luo hit it off immediately, and that’s how they became acquainted.”

Chen Gong nodded in agreement: "Indeed, although Mr. Luo seems to have a bad temper, he is actually a kind person at heart. Mr. Luo and I hit it off immediately."

Luo Jun: ...

Luo Jun squeezed out two words through gritted teeth: "Indeed."

Gong Liang suddenly realized and sighed again, "Then we are all quite destined to meet. In that case, it is also fate that I was able to meet you all in the restaurant at noon today."

“I also feel it’s quite a coincidence.” Qin Huai immediately seized the opportunity. “I remember Mr. Gong, your house is nearby, right? We would hold tea parties at Mr. Luo’s house from time to time, mainly to drink tea, eat fruit and snacks, and chat.”

"Zhao Cheng'an and I will make the dim sum on the spot. Mr. Gong, if you have time, you are welcome to join our tea party. I have learned a few new dim sum recipes at Zhiweiju recently, and I need to practice them more at the tea party. If you come, you can help me taste them."

"If you are not comfortable with your current place, you can also rent Mr. Luo's place. Mr. Luo has several vacant apartments in this building."

Shi Dadan quickly chimed in, "Yes, Mr. Luo's house is large, clean, fully furnished, and the rent is not expensive."

Luo Jun: "...Yes, I do have a few houses that I urgently need to rent out."

Gong Liang was surprised and delighted by the unexpected good fortune.

This group of people is indeed strange, and Qin Huai is strange too, but Gong Liang is already used to it. It's not like it's the first time that Master Qin has been mentally unstable, and it's normal for his friends to be mentally unstable as well. Back in Suzhou, Gong Liang never thought that the group of old men and women in the Cloud Cafeteria were particularly mentally stable.

Even if we assume that Gong Liang's mind is perfectly normal, is that all there is to it?

This is fate; fate brought us together.

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

Gong Liang said enthusiastically, "That's great! When I was renting the place, I didn't expect my daughter would need to prepare so many things for the competition. The place was a bit small, and I was worried about finding a bigger place through an agency."

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

"No need." Luo Jun slowly stood up. "I can't walk for long periods of time, but I'm not unable to walk at all. I can walk just a few steps."

"By the way, what kind of fruit do you like to eat?" Luo Jun asked.

"Huh?" Gong Liang didn't react.

Luo Jun couldn't help but roll her eyes again: "You're going to rent my house anyway, aren't you going to attend my tea party? Tell me what kind of fruit you like, and I'll have Zhang Shumei prepare it for you."

Gong Liang was somewhat moved.

He seemed to understand why everyone was gathered here for Mr. Luo's tea party. Assistant Chen was right; Mr. Luo was indeed a person who seemed to have a bad temper, but was actually very kind at heart.

Gong Liang felt he had already guessed the true nature of the tea party—

Give lonely elderly people living alone a chance to experience liveliness and warmth.

Master Qin is such a kind person. All those words he just said were just an excuse to cover up their true purpose. The essence of this tea party is a community care activity organized by the neighborhood committee!

"I love eating coconuts," Gong Liang said. "I like both the coconut water and the coconut meat."

(End of this chapter)