The Qin family rarely eats steamed buns; they generally prefer baked bread made from wheat. However, when Qin Xin was a child, she saw a master baker, who claimed to have traditional skills, open a steamed bun shop at the school gate. Sometimes, when he was bored in the mornings, he would share his life insights with passing students.
"Steamed buns, you know, there are big steamed buns too. In this restless society, everything is about variety. Even steamed buns have been made into all sorts of shapes."
"But I have to say, look at those yellow corn buns and dark buckwheat buns; they just won't do. The ingredients aren't pure. What's most important for a steamed bun? White! White flour steamed buns, if they're not white, can they still be called steamed buns?"
"There are some buns that look white on the outside, but their shapes are not authentic. Square-shaped, you can tell they were pressed into shape with tools during the kneading process, full of an industrial vibe."
"Truly authentic steamed buns must be round. You must have seen them when you were little. Back then, there were no industrial assembly lines; they were all carefully kneaded by hand."
"Many people, once they enter the big dye vat of society, find it hard to maintain their original purity. They inevitably get stained with various colors, becoming so-called corn buns or buckwheat buns. Once they change color, their hearts are no longer pure."
"Some others, when faced with the constraints of life, unconsciously bend their backs, living and working according to the ways set by others. Over time, they become like those square buns pressed out by tools, losing their own soul."
"To maintain oneself, with a heart as pure as snow, as white and round, is the way to go. Making steamed buns is like this, and being a person is the same!"
Qin Xin remembered his powerful motivational speech, but what left a deeper impression was the big white steamed buns from his shop. Two for one yuan, and after eating them and drinking some water, they could keep one full for half a day.
At that moment, it was just like this moment.
But Qin Xin knew that the Qin family did not have steamed buns. The white ones were the guardians.
...
"Hu, hu."
The warm autumn sun climbed high on the mountain, and the clock on the wall pointed to 10 o'clock.
It had been a full two hours since she started applying medicine. Qin Xin was very focused; aside from the childhood memories running through her mind, she was completely concentrated elsewhere.
The effect was significant; Bai Ningning was feeling better and better. At first, she couldn't open her eyes due to the pain and had no strength to move. Now, she could tilt her little head.
When she tilted her head, she saw Qin Xin squatting by the bed, wearing that familiar JK uniform and those black knee-high socks. The difference today was that instead of her usual long straight hair, she had a high ponytail, looking incredibly fresh.
"Qin Xin, junior," she couldn't help but compliment, "You look great today."
Qin Xin felt a surge of joy inside but pretended to be indifferent, saying, "Isn't Senior Ningning like this with every girl?"
"How could that be?" Bai Ningning replied seriously, "So far, it's only been three or four."
Wow, three or four, huh? Qin Xin felt a surge of anger and immediately executed a combo of Wind Slash and Electric Sting into an Unafraid Charge.
"Hiss!"
"Hang in there, senior," the girl said coldly, "This way the medicine absorbs better."
To be honest, Qin Xin somewhat understood Qin Yue now; sometimes it really wasn't the sister's fault, the senior was just...
"Well, we can't avoid the truth," Bai Ningning opened her mouth and started chattering, "When I treated another junior a while ago, I said similar things."
Triple Claw Strike!
"Ugh!"
Applying medicine hurt so much.
...
"Hu, hu."
At eleven o'clock, three hours had passed since Qin Xin entered the room, and the wonderful medicine application session finally came to an end.
Qin Xin was drenched in fragrant sweat but didn't feel tired at all; she even wanted to continue for another two hours.
Unfortunately, Bai Ningning had already fallen asleep, her beautiful face serene in slumber, her brush-like eyelashes gently fluttering, and her cherry lips making adorable sounds as she breathed.
Qin Xin hesitated for a long time but still couldn't bring herself to do it.
If she applied medicine while the person was awake, that was called applying medicine. If she continued while the person was asleep, that was...
In short, it wouldn't do.
Wiping her hands with a wet wipe, Qin Xin covered her with a blanket and turned to walk to the door.
Good night, Senior Ningning.
She closed the door, left the bedroom, and walked through the corridor to the living room outside. Qin Mom was watching TV in the living room, and the local TV station was playing classic songs from the Spring Festival Gala.
"Unforgettable, tonight, unforgettable tonight~~ no matter, the ends of the earth, and the corners of the sea~~"
Qin Xin sat down by the sofa, wiped the fragrant sweat from her neck, and listened to the melodious song, feeling refreshed.
Seeing her like this, Qin Mom knew something good must have happened.
"Xin Xin," she asked, "What did your sister ask you to help with?"
"Nothing," Qin Xin feigned calmness, "Just helping to take care of the senior, and it's all done."
So transparent.
Qin Mom didn't want to expose her, fearing it would scare her second daughter.
"Your sister entrusted you with such an important matter; it seems you two have a good relationship," she said, "That's nice."
Qin Xin frowned, maintaining her persona: "Just a hard job, I'm not that interested. When will sister be back?"
"Don't worry," Qin Mom instinctively replied, "She'll be back in the afternoon."
Hmm, okay, relieved, she'll be back in the afternoon... huh?
Qin Xin froze: "Just?"
What does "relieved" mean?
Qin Mom quickly coughed twice: "Ahem, I mean, don't worry, she'll be back in the afternoon, very soon."
Because of a slip of the tongue, Qin Mom didn't dare to speak anymore and quietly watched TV.
Qin Xin felt something was off but couldn't pinpoint what was wrong, so she also quieted down and watched TV properly.
Only Bai Ningning was still sound asleep, breathing comfortably.
...
At this moment, Qin Yue, who was being treated to a meal at a restaurant in the city, was eager to return home.
"Little Qin, arranging work shouldn't be a hassle, just think of it as a college student part-time job."
"Not a hassle at all."
Since you said it's a college student part-time job, how could it be a hassle?
"Even so, us old folks still have a bit of an unreasonable request; we hope the kids can learn something from you. So, could you arrange some positions that are closer to you?"
"Like a secretary or something."
Qin Yue frowned: "I already have a secretary; that's not a trivial position, it's very important."
"Then how about an assistant or a clerk? As long as they can learn from you, that's fine."
As the drinks flowed, Qin Yue silently sighed, unable to help but worry about her little wife at home.
How is she doing? Did her sister apply medicine for her? Is she feeling better after the medicine? Is she sleeping peacefully?
Fortunately, there's a sister at home; otherwise, I really wouldn't know what to do in such situations.
Qin Yue thought to herself.