The dean was taken aback. Volunteers? What volunteers? He was a little confused, but still replied, "At this time, they should be helping out in the cafeteria."
Lu Lin immediately took a step and headed towards the cafeteria.
Chapter 30 030
The welfare home's canteen is right next to the playground. Several large trucks arrived, and some children ran out to watch the excitement.
Yan Heqing was peeling an apple for a child when he faintly heard voices coming from the cafeteria entrance, at which point he slightly raised his eyes.
It was dark outside, but the incandescent lights in the cafeteria were bright. The two large doors of the cafeteria seemed to mark the boundary between dawn and dusk.
The moment Yan Heqing saw Lu Lin push open the door and enter, his figure going from blurry to clear, he knew that his plan was beginning to succeed.
He lowered his head, and a small, smooth apple appeared between his fingers. He offered it to the little girl who was waiting expectantly, looking her in the eye, his eyes curving into crescent moons. "Eat it."
The little girl took the apple, politely said "Thank you, brother," and then happily nibbled on it.
Yan Heqing gathered up the apple peels and was about to get up when a pair of shiny black leather shoes approached and came into his view.
He looked up, his tall figure blocking the sunlight overhead, making the man's face somewhat blurry and his expression unclear.
The sound of hurried footsteps interrupted Yan Heqing's gaze. The dean quickly stepped forward, saw Yan Heqing but didn't quite make out who he was—anyway, he was wearing an employee coat—and said directly, "Quickly prepare breakfast for Mr. Lu."
Yan Heqing stood up, gave Lu Lin a polite nod as a greeting, and then turned back to the window.
Lu Lin's dark eyes narrowed slightly. Yan Heqing had a bandage under his right eye. Was he injured?
The dean looked around the cafeteria, found a suitable spot, and invited Lu Lin over, " President Lu, please sit over there."
Lu Lin withdrew his gaze and followed the dean to the dining table.
Yan Heqing returned to the window and saw Xu Qiaoyin crouching under the table with a panicked expression. She recognized Lu Lin.
Their eyes met. Xu Qiaoyin looked embarrassed when she saw Yan Heqing and lowered her head guiltily. Yan Heqing pretended not to see her and went straight to the dining table to get breakfast.
Just like the ones given to children, the plate contained fried dough sticks, meat buns, and an apple, but in adult portions. Two bowls of porridge were also placed on the plate where the bowls were, along with two pairs of chopsticks. Each person carried a plate in each hand and carried it to the table in front of them.
It's below zero today, and the cafeteria has no air conditioning or heating. The porridge that was just steaming hot cooled down considerably in the blink of an eye.
The dean's eyes widened in disbelief. He quietly scolded Yan Heqing, "Why did you bring up something like this? Quickly tell the kitchen to cook another bowl of noodles, with plenty of meat."
Lu Lin said, "Just be the same as everyone else, no need for special treatment."
The dean nodded with a smile, "Yes, but since this is your first time eating in the cafeteria, we should treat you to a proper meal. Look at this..."
The dean was also somewhat helpless, "It's cold, even hot food turns cold. What if you get an upset stomach?"
Lu Lin glanced at Yan Heqing out of the corner of his eye. The band-aid didn't look new; it was an old wound. He then looked at the dean, "The air conditioners will arrive soon. According to the data you provided, the cafeteria has four units."
The dean's eyes lit up instantly. His biggest worry was winter. With limited funds, they couldn't afford the heating bill for such a large area, so they had to prioritize the children's dormitories, leaving the classrooms and cafeteria closed.
Therefore, the children suffer especially in winter. He was just trying to gain sympathy by asking Lu Group for a few more air conditioners, but he didn't expect Lu Lin to have prepared them in advance!
The dean was deeply moved. If Lu Lin hadn't been so composed and dignified, he would have wanted to hold his hand and thank him for a whole day and night.
"Alright, alright." He picked up the bowl of porridge. "Eat quickly, before it gets cold."
Suddenly, Lu Lin asked, "Have you eaten?"
The dean immediately replied, "Not yet, it's just—" Realizing that the question wasn't directed at him, the dean turned his head. Lu Lin wasn't asking him, but rather looking at the cafeteria volunteer from earlier.
Yan Heqing nodded, "I ate at home."
The dean was very surprised, "You two know each other?"
Yan Heqing explained, " Mr. Lu helped me."
Lu Lin wasn't entirely satisfied with this explanation, but he didn't say anything.
The dean nodded knowingly; the Lu Group had a very wide range of interests in public welfare.
Besides donating money and supplies during natural disasters, I heard that they have also established high-value scholarships in universities. The other day, the secretary mentioned that a high-achieving student volunteer came to the welfare home. The young man in front of me is very refined and gentle, so it should be him. I guess he has received the Lu Group's Scholarship.
It's easier to talk to someone you know. The director was concerned about the donated clinic, library, and new dormitory. He glanced at Yan Heqing's name tag—his surname was Yan—and immediately went along with it, " President Lu, then let Xiao Yan show you around the orphanage later."
Lu Lin picked up his chopsticks and took a fried dough stick. "Okay."
*
The director hurriedly finished breakfast early, then excused himself to go to the restroom and went to find Yan Heqing. He found a quiet spot and instructed him, " Xiao Yan, when you show President Lu, mention the buildings donated by the Lu Group, especially the infirmary and library. The welfare home desperately needs them; it would be best if construction could begin after the New Year."
It's not that he's petty; he's encountered this kind of thing several times. Several companies have offered to sponsor the building, but either it was just empty talk or the project was abandoned after only a foundation was laid. Now that he sees the building, he's finally at ease, even if it's the Lu Group.
Yan Heqing originally thought Lu Lin was just sending some gifts, but he didn't expect him to donate a building as well. He nodded.
Back in the cafeteria, Lu Lin had already finished breakfast. The dean had to go check the truck supplies, so he exchanged a few polite words and left quickly, leaving only Yan Heqing, Lu Lin, and a bunch of curious children.
Yan Heqing said to Lu Lin, " Mr. Lu, shall we leave now?"
Lu Lin looked at him and asked first, "Is your face injured?"
He was the first to ask. Yan Heqing's eyes curved slightly. "It's just a minor scratch. I accidentally got a cut, it'll be healed soon."
Lu Lin's gaze was deep and serious. "Be careful, it's very close to your eyes."
Yan Heqing paused for a moment, then smiled and nodded. "Thank you for the reminder. My eyes are very important to me. I'll be more careful next time."
Lu Lin stepped forward first, "Let's go."