The first thing I did was to find out

Chapter 603 The Person Who Respects the Game System the Most (Thanks to Fenxin Liangye for the generous donation!)
Director Xu's shout of "Boss!" made An Youyou overjoyed, and she straightened her back. However, she subconsciously glanced at the milk and fruit basket she had brought and then shrunk her back again.

The poor eldest son lacked confidence.

An Youyou could only sadly drink Lu'an Melon Seed Tea.

Factory Director Xu took in all of An Youyou's little actions and smiled tolerantly. Although An Youyou was his boss, in Factory Director Xu's eyes, An Youyou was more like a child.

Who can blame them when the eldest is still young, while he's already an old man?

No one speaks.

Seeing that the atmosphere seemed a bit awkward, Qin Huai quickly took out the red silk cakes. Qin Huai had been making red silk cakes all morning, and the cakes had gone cold, but she hadn't made any progress in her technique. Not only were they mediocre, but the bows she tied weren't very pretty either.

"Director Xu, I brought you a new snack. I just learned how to make it after watching Grandpa Wang's memories," Qin Huai said.

Factory Director Xu didn't pay much attention to the red silk cakes; he just glanced at them and asked, "Red silk cakes?"

Qin Huai was surprised that Factory Director Xu recognized the Red Silk Cake. Based on Qin Huai's guess, Factory Director Xu probably had never seen the complete version of the Red Silk Cake, or at least had never seen the version with the red silk.

Now I can recognize it at a glance...

Before Qin Huai could express his surprise, Director Xu continued, "I remember Xiao Nuo saying that a real red silk cake should be wrapped in red silk."

"Yesterday, Xiao Gong briefly told me about your system, which allows you to look through memories and retrieve recipes. Although I didn't quite understand, I think that if you can see a memory and retrieve a recipe, it must be very vivid. This is a recipe you retrieved from Xiao Wang's memory, wrapped in red silk. My first thought was that it must be a red silk cake."

Qin Huai gained a new appreciation for Director Xu's intelligence and thought to himself that it was no wonder Director Xu was able to recognize Shi Dadan on their first meeting.

"I'm curious, Xiao Qin, what kind of memory do you have? Is it about giving you recipes so you can learn things?"

Qin Huai was slightly shocked again.

He never expected that after accepting so many strange and wonderful things about this world, Director Xu would focus on his own system.

"Yes, my system is a bit strange. It's like this, I've had this system since I was very young. Back then I couldn't read, and everyone..." Qin Huai had given so many training sessions for the supernatural beings to join the group, but this was the first time he was explaining his system to ordinary people.

Once she starts talking, she can't stop.

To put it simply, aside from Chen Huihong initially expressing slight shock at Qin Huai's system when she woke up, and Luo Jun showing a little interest in Qin Huai's system, the other spirits weren't particularly interested in Qin Huai's system and didn't ask him many questions. Qin Huai rarely had the opportunity to fully explain his system to anyone.

This is quite normal; there are already spirits and monsters in this world undergoing tribulations, so it seems reasonable for a system to exist.

Who among those who frequently read novels wouldn't fantasize about having their own system?

Just like kids who watched Harry Potter before the age of 11, who wouldn't hope that an owl would fly into their house with a letter on their 11th birthday?

Qin Huai hadn't expected it, because he was already over 11 when he watched Harry Potter, but Qin Luo genuinely did. Qin Luo also felt it was very unfair that her brother had a system while she couldn't attend magic school.

Qin Huai recounted his love-hate relationship with the system from childhood to adulthood in a complete and thorough manner, and felt completely refreshed afterward.

When Qin Huai was training the spirits to join the group before, he only briefly mentioned his own system. The spirits' stories were the main focus, and the system was just an interlude. Now, it's rare to find someone who doesn't care about the spirits and only cares about the system. If it weren't for the circumstances, Qin Huai would love to open his system and show it to Director Xu.

Well, this scene... is pretty crazy.

Anyone who sees this will say that Master Qin's condition has become more serious. If it really doesn't work, he should be hospitalized for observation. Don't give up on treatment.

Qin Huai chattered away all morning.

He originally thought that today's meeting would be warm, touching, full of surprises and nostalgia, with Director Xu and Wang Gensheng as the main characters.

Wang Gensheng was not good with words, but Director Xu was very good at telling stories.

In Qin Huai's imagined scenario, this morning should have been a group of them gathered around a table drinking tea, with Wang Gensheng and Factory Director Xu eating red silk cakes together. The two would reminisce about the past like long-lost friends, chatting about their time at the cotton mill. Wang Gensheng would recount his experiences over the years, and then, guided by Factory Director Xu, the two would make some promises.

No need for much detail, just a brief mention will suffice.

Finally, everyone went to the canteen for lunch. Qin Huai took all the leftover red silk cakes and fermented rice buns with him. This time, the portions were generous and there was plenty to eat, ensuring that everyone in the nursing home could have some fermented rice buns and a bite of red silk cake.

In this way, Director Xu can end the morning meeting amidst the envious glances and praises of the elderly, and continue to play chess happily in the afternoon, maintaining his persona as the chess king of the retirement home.

None of the scenes Qin Huai had envisioned occurred.

Because Director Xu isn't the only person with excellent speaking skills; Qin Huai is also quite eloquent.

People who can master lying are usually quite eloquent; they can tell lies so easily, let alone tell the truth.

Qin Huai, who has excellent speaking skills, gave a whole morning of presentations on the system. Most importantly, Director Xu seemed to enjoy listening, not only listening but also asking questions. He asked Qin Huai what tasks the system had issued, how to complete them, what the rewards were, whether those titles were actually useful, how to access the recipes for the rewards, and what it felt like to eat the buff dishes.

Qin Huai himself couldn't remember many of the details, so he had to send messages to the task recipients to ask if they still remembered his related side quests.

The person who respects the game system the most has appeared.

Qin Huai thought that if this broken game system had customer service, it would be moved to tears right now. With over 200 million words already, there's actually someone in this book who cares about the game system.

Aside from the elementary school student apologizing at the beginning, Wang Gensheng barely said a word and just listened quietly from the side.

Shi Dadan was the same; he sat in the corner and didn't even dare to eat in silence, for fear of finishing the red silk cakes and not getting any points for lunch.

An Youyou was immersed in the excitement of becoming the boss again and the anxiety of how she could be the boss when she was so poor. She switched back and forth between the two states, sometimes excited and sometimes worried, looking like she was having a seizure.

Only Qin Huai and Factory Director Xu were chatting away.

At lunchtime, the fermented rice buns and red silk cakes didn't cause the sensation Qin Huai had imagined. Perhaps the elderly people living in this nursing home were all worldly-wise. They simply ate their snacks with smiles, praising Director Xu for his good relationships, saying that even at his age, his former subordinates had traveled a long distance from Shanshi to visit him.

After the meal, Director Xu escorted Qin Huai and the others to the entrance of the nursing home.

Factory Director Xu will play chess this afternoon.

As the chess king of the nursing home, Director Xu has a very busy schedule. Every afternoon, elderly men in the neighborhood who are skilled at playing chess line up to play chess with him.

Qin Huai's ride-hailing car was still 5 minutes away from arriving at the door. It was the best time of day, and Director Xu was standing in the sunlight, chatting with Qin Huai with a smile.

"So, of all the spirits you know, only Zhou Hu hasn't woken up yet?" Director Xu asked.

“Yes.” Qin Huai nodded. “Planner Zhou’s situation is a bit special. Logically speaking, after completing his side quest, I should be able to find out his related memories, but I didn’t receive the reward last time.”

"And after Mr. Luo's funeral, I haven't had much contact with him and haven't figured out any follow-up side quests." "But I don't think we need to rush things. After all, Planner Zhou has agreed to spend the Chinese New Year at my place this year, and the quest will definitely make progress then."

Factory Director Xu nodded: "Is the Spring Festival very lively in your Guangdong province?"

"It's quite lively. My younger sister loved Chinese New Year the most when she was little. On the first day of the Lunar New Year, she would go from house to house to wish people a happy new year and ask for red envelopes. During the New Year, there are dragon and lion dances, opera troupes performing, all kinds of programs, and many families get married during the New Year, so you can go to wedding banquets everywhere."

“There are usually not many programs in our village. The program for the New Year in our village is me making pastries.”

"This makes my house the liveliest during the Chinese New Year, with a lot of relatives and friends coming to pay their respects. Especially last year, I wanted to improve my skill proficiency, so I spent the whole Chinese New Year making pastries and didn't go out much. We didn't have enough dishes and chopsticks, and we didn't have enough people to wash the dishes."

“Almost all the extra bowls and chopsticks in the village were sent to my house. My sister washed the dishes for at least 7 out of the 10-plus days of the Spring Festival.”

Factory Director Xu couldn't help but laugh as he listened: "That was really lively. I've never seen a New Year like this before."

“For the past few years, I’ve been going to my grandson’s house for Chinese New Year. I’ll have a New Year’s Eve dinner, stay for two days, and then go back to the nursing home to catch up with old friends and play chess.”

“When they were young, they were basically busy with work. Xiao Wang knows this. Xiao Wang also often works overtime during the Spring Festival. Ordinary workers in cotton mills get holidays during the Spring Festival, but administrative and management positions are often busier than usual. The same goes for them in finance. Apart from being able to have a New Year’s Eve dinner at home, it is difficult to guarantee that they can spend time at home with their families at other times.”

Qin Huai glanced down at the ride-hailing car and noticed it was moving quite slowly. Eight minutes ago, it indicated a 10-minute wait, but now it showed a 5-minute wait.

"Will the boss, Zhou Hu, Xu... Xiao Shi, and the Chen Huihong and Qu Jing you just mentioned all be coming to your house for the New Year this year?" Director Xu asked.

"Yes, my family should have a lively celebration during the Spring Festival this year."

"Will there be enough room for so many people?"

“There’s enough room. My grandfather only had two children, my father and my aunt. My uncle’s village is not far from ours. During the Spring Festival, my aunt’s family doesn’t stay with us; they just come over for meals during the day.”

“My grandfather’s house has many empty rooms. Sometimes when relatives come to visit for the New Year and can’t go home at night, they just stay there. If my grandfather’s house can’t accommodate them, they can borrow a room from a neighbor. That’s basically how it is in our village.”

Factory Director Xu nodded again and looked at Wang Gensheng: "Xiao Wang, did you go to Guangdong Province for the Chinese New Year?"

"Huh?" Wang Gensheng was stunned, not expecting to have a role to play at this time. He honestly replied, "I have never been to Guangdong Province."

"So, would you like to join in the fun this year?" Director Xu asked again.

Wang Gensheng was even more bewildered, and subconsciously said, "I basically spend all my Chinese New Year holidays..."

"Old Wang, are you going to Qin Huai's house for the New Year this year too? That's great! You missed Luo Jun's funeral before, but now that you're awake, you can come with us to Qin Huai's house for the New Year." Shi Dadan interrupted Wang Gensheng.

Wang Gensheng: ? ? ?

Qin Huai: ...?
An Youyou suddenly realized: "Does this count as team building?"

"Boss, if I visit your house during the Chinese New Year, can I enjoy unlimited free fruit like I do at Mr. Luo's house?"

For some reason, Qin Huai felt that this was quite good.

Although the team-building format was a bit strange—it involved spending Chinese New Year at his house together—it was actually quite team-building in a way.

"Director Xu, would it be convenient for you to spend the Spring Festival at my home this year?" Qin Huai asked. "Will your grandson...?"

Factory Director Xu is not alone; he has a grandson.

“I’ll tell him that I won’t be spending Chinese New Year with them this year, but will go out with old friends instead. Even though I’m an old man, I’m not senile, and he’ll agree.”

Qin Huai can only say that he doesn't really understand you old folks.

Wang Gensheng hesitated for a moment: "I need to discuss it with my wife. She... might agree."

Both ride-hailing cars arrived.

Factory Director Xu saw Qin Huai and the others off to their car, and then asked Qin Huai, who had rolled down the passenger window and was waving goodbye, with a smile, "Will you come again tomorrow? If you do, I'll make you some tea in advance."

"Of course I'll come," Qin Huai said.

Factory Director Xu smiled and waved goodbye.

Sitting in the back seat, An Youyou looked troubled and asked, "Boss, can I not come tomorrow?"

"Next time, I can only use Alipay to buy milk and fruit. I need to save the rest of the money to buy things for Xiaoqi in Shanghai."

An Youyou is a very principled leader. Director Xu acknowledges him as his leader, so when An Youyou visits Director Xu, he has to bring something.

"You don't need to bring anything every time you come," Qin Huai said. An Youyou hadn't brought anything every time she saw Lin Qi and Jiang Weiguo.

“The situation is different. Xiao Jiu gave me so much. He really did send me his entire monthly salary before. After I went back, I calculated that he sent me much more money than Shisan sent me.”

"Most of Thirteen's money was used to subsidize others or directly as rent, and not much of it ended up in my hands."

All I can say is that An Youyou has a sophisticated algorithm that is unique to her.

Qin Huai roughly understood An Youyou's theory and expressed his understanding. After thinking for a moment, he said, "How about this, you go to Huang's shop early tomorrow like me and help me out. You can have a share of the red silk cakes and fermented rice buns I make."

"If you feel that's not enough, you can make some steamed buns or mantou yourself. You can make simple ones now."

"We'll be staying in Suzhou for a few more days."

"Are you having snacks or a full meal tonight? I messaged Zheng Siyuan last night to ask if he was coming to Huang Ji, but he said he didn't have time. I'm planning to send him some hand-made noodles tonight."

"Master Huang's chicken soup is the perfect match for hand-kneaded noodles. If you leave Master Huang's, you can only go to Master Cao's to get a higher-grade chicken soup noodle dish, but you probably won't be able to get that."

"Oh right, that reminds me. I have to go back earlier this year for the Spring Festival. I need to go to the city first to wish Master Cao a Happy New Year."

"Youyou, would you like a snack or a main course?"

"Can't I eat them all?" An Youyou asked herself.

"It's a bit difficult for someone with your appetite."

An Youyou: QAQ
Shi Dadan smiled innocently, keeping his merits and fame hidden.

(End of this chapter)