CH 58

Chapter 58: Gifts (1)

Noticing the two children, he handed them a paper bag: “These are for you.”

Lin Xin took the gifts out, seeing a pair of sneakers and a small box. Inside the box are a beautiful crystal hairclip and miniature daisies with two leaves apiece. Fresh and cute, very suitable for her current age.

Cheng Qingrong said: “Boys should walk ten thousand miles and read ten thousand books. Girls just need to dress up beautifully.”

Lin Xin stayed silent. Thinking she was timid, he took the small hairpin from within the box, wanting to fasten it onto Lin Xin’s hair.

Lin Xin instinctively stepped back, she did not like physical contact, especially with strangers.

Cheng Qingrong smiled and picked up the shoes for Lin Xinyu: “Try these shoes.”

Lin Xinyu intended on imitating Lin Xin’s stance. If Lin Xin liked him, he would also, and if she didn’t, he also wouldn’t. He pushed the shoes away and took a step forward, covering most of Lin Xin.

Ms. Li quickly came up to smooth things over: “Children, have consideration, take it slow.”

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Cheng Qingrong withdrew his hand and set the shoes at Lin Xinyu’s feet. He straightened up and asked, three points ingratiating, five points tense: “What do you like? I’ll buy it for you.”

Lin Xin recalled her father and mother. In university, her opinions differed from her parent’s for a period of time, and they were stuck in a cold war for half a month. Then father one day, just like him, stood at her apartment door and asked her: “What do you want to eat tonight? I’ll buy it.”

She still dreads being fawned a little.

Before Cheng Qingrong came, Lin Xin was afraid he would pose trouble, however, he seems good with children, and it’s unlikely that he holds harmful intentions towards them. Furthermore, actuality won’t permit Lin Xin to deliberate anew, they have to swiftly leave the orphanage and head onto S City. Now, they can only take one step at a time.

Lin Xin picked up the crystal hairclip from Cheng Qingrong’s hand and pinned it to her hair, turning her head and asking Lin Xinyu whether or not it looked okay. Women all love beauty, and twenty-year-old Lin Xin is no exception.

Lin Xinyu is now half a head taller than her. He moved the clip downwards and put it in the right position. “Looks good.”

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Before Cheng Qingrong came, Ms. Li explained to him the two children’s situation. They have a very close relationship, like brother and sister. Lin Xin is younger, but she has a strong disposition and is sensible in nature. Their decisions depend entirely on Lin Xin.

When he saw Lin Xin applying the hairclip, he knew the matter already succeeded by half and his nervous heart relaxed, a smile climbing over his cheeks. Seeing the children getting happier and happier the more he looked, he simply thought about soon welcoming them back at home. After completing the formalities with Ms. Li, Lin Xin and Lin Xinyu left the orphanage.

Looking at the orphanage moving farther and farther behind the car, Lin Xin felt a little sad, and couldn’t help but gaze back.

Compared to her nostalgia, Lin Xinyu appeared calm. He looked at the scenery outside the window and was a bit excited.

He has been in that orphanage for as long as he could remember, never seeing the world outside. Although their new life is uncertain, with Lin Xin accompanying him, he is not afraid of anything.

The car drove for a while and then ran to a higher speed. Cheng Qingrong, who had been observing the two from the rearview mirror, said: “Xiao Li, oh, I meant Mother Li, told you about my circumstances, didn’t she?”

[T/N: ‘Xiao (小)’, translated literally as small/little, is an endearment you can attach to someone’s name.]

Lin Xin nodded and said: “Mn, she did.”

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Cheng Qingrong continued: “Similar children both good and with such great relationships are quite hard to find, I was also anxious to pick you up on account of my wife. You don’t have to change your family name, just calling me ‘dad’ when my wife’s present is fine. My wife is very amiable, I will provide you with an education, besides arranging well for Xinyu’s illness. You don’t have to deliberately do anything, except for going to school every day and letting my wife see you.”

Lin Xin did not entirely believe in his words. She, as if truly convinced, complied with a sound for him to take as her acknowledgment. Lin Xinyu didn’t assess Cheng Qingrong’s affirmations as much as her, pointing to the things speedily passing by and asking incessantly.

“Lin Xin, what are those?”

“High-altitude advertisements.”

“Aren’t these buildings tall?”

“You will see higher buildings in the future.”

……………

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The journey was spent satisfying Lin Xinyu’s curiosity.

Decelerating, Cheng Qingrong didn’t yet take them home.

First, they went to the mall to buy fitting clothes for them both, then went to a photo studio and took a few pictures.

Soon, they got their photos. A total of three, two of Lin Xinyu and Lin Xin grouped together, plus one Lin Xin covertly sneaked a peek at, a four-person family portrait. She and Lin Xinyu are both in it.

In the portrait, Cheng Qingrong appears younger by ten years, back ramrod straight.

The young man’s bearing is very different from his older counterpart’s appearance, you could easily mistake them for two separate people.

Next to him sits a woman, her face as round as a melon, with bright eyes, not too big nor too small, and shoulder-length hair.

Warm, gentle and elegant. She’s most probably Cheng Qingrong’s wife.

Lin Xin simultaneously lauded the photoshop programs’ miraculous effects and sobs for the 20 years Cheng Qingrong’s appearance aged.

Lin Xinyu reached for a picture of him with Lin Xin, admiringly fondling it as if he’d obtained a rare treasure. At the last second, taking advantage of when Lin Xin wasn’t paying attention, he secretly nestled the joint picture in his closest pocket.