Chapter 308: Would You?

Chapter 308: Chapter 308: Would You?

The orphanage director and Zhenxiu embraced each other, tears flowing freely down the director's already wrinkled face, unable to stop. Zhenxiu's eyes were also red with tears as she murmured "Grandma," as if pouring out all the grievances and longing for family she had experienced outside.

"Director, is this the child you mentioned hasn't been back for a long time?" the woman asked with a touch of sadness.

The director seemed to hold great respect for the woman but was too overcome with emotion to speak, only nodding silently while holding Zhenxiu's petite frame.

The woman smiled gently and said, "It's good that she's back. She must have endured a lot outside. She's grown into a sensible child."

The director stroked Zhenxiu's dark hair soothingly, comforting her, unable to focus on anything else.

Turning to Yang Chen, the woman smiled apologetically, "Young man, I'm sorry. These two are just concerned for my safety. They mean no harm. Please don't hold it against them. Anyone willing to visit the children here on Christmas couldn't possibly have ill intentions, right? You won't hold a grudge?"

Looking at the woman's serene face, Yang Chen's initial discontentment melted away unnoticed. He couldn't help but marvel at her strength—her words and demeanor were so gentle that they diffused any trace of anger. It was like a tremendous force falling on a sponge, or a bull entering the sea with no visible effect.

Whether it was innate temperament or years of cultivating inner peace, Yang Chen pondered silently.

"Never mind. I'm just accompanying Zhenxiu to visit the director and the children. I don't want any trouble," Yang Chen replied casually.

"You think we're afraid of you?!" Xiaoli widened her eyes defiantly.

The woman furrowed her brows and lowered her voice, "Is that not enough?!"

Seeing the woman genuinely getting angry, Xiaowen and Xiaoli finally quieted down, lowering their heads sullenly without saying another word.

Shaking her head helplessly, the woman turned back to the director. "Director, I won't delay your time with the children any longer. You must have a lot to catch up on. I need to go to the orphanage in the neighboring city. I'll take my leave."

Upon hearing the woman's intention to leave, the director released Zhenxiu and tried to persuade her, "Madam, please stay for a meal before you go. The children are very grateful for the gifts you brought."

"No, my schedule is tight. I can't afford to delay. Please tell the children that I'll visit again after the New Year," the woman said kindly.

The director understood the woman's situation and didn't insist further. She bowed respectfully, "Madam, may you and your family have a healthy New Year."

"How could I ever live up to this," the woman chuckled as she helped the orphanage director to her feet. "I should be bowing to you on behalf of the children."

"I'm just doing what the children would do," the director replied with a beaming smile.

The woman smiled again as she glanced over the entire courtyard, then turned and nodded in farewell to Yang Chen. With Xiaowen and Xiaoli, her two female bodyguards, she left the premises.

Yang Chen returned the woman's nod of acknowledgement. As for the warning glares from Xiaowen and Xiaoli, he brushed them off like grains of sand in his eyes, paying them no heed.

"Sir, I didn't expect it to be you again. Every time you come, something good happens. Zhenxiu coming back with you, who would have thought?" the director remarked with heartfelt emotion.

Seeing Yang Chen looking at her with hesitation, Zhenxiu bit her lip. "But most of my friends around me were adopted, and no one came to adopt me. So eventually, I stopped thinking like that."

Yang Chen remained silent, envisioning in his mind's eye the scene of a young girl sitting alone on a swing as the sun set, staring sadly at the deserted gate day after day, year after year. He imagined the heart-wrenching days she must have endured.

"Big Brother Yang, do you know why I don't want to study or repeat a year?" Zhenxiu spoke softly. "When I used to go to school, other kids knew I was from the orphanage. They teased me, saying I was a stone that had popped out, with no mom or dad. As I got older, my middle school classmates didn't want to hang out with me. Some boys wouldn't do their homework and made me do it for them. If I refused, they bullied me, even hid my lunchbox so I couldn't eat. Studying for me wasn't about learning; it was like torture, like punishment. Big Brother Yang, I used to ride motorcycles, get into fights, and steal in middle school because if I didn't fight back, they would bully me even more. I knew I had only myself to rely on because I wouldn't have parents to help me. To survive in this world, I had to rely on my own fists."

"Zhenxiu," Yang Chen turned to face her directly. "Stay on the swing and don't move."

"Huh?" Zhenxiu was puzzled about what Yang Chen intended, but she obediently stayed still on the swing.

Yang Chen got up, walked out of the courtyard, and through the orphanage gate.

Just when Zhenxiu was wondering what was happening, Yang Chen returned.

He looked around as if unfamiliar with the place, then spotted Zhenxiu sitting on the swing.

Yang Chen's face lit up with a slightly surprised smile. Step by step, he approached Zhenxiu until he stood right in front of her.

Yang Chen crouched down, reached out, and gently held Zhenxiu's small, calloused hand.

A blush spread across Zhenxiu's cheeks. She didn't understand why Yang Chen was holding her hand.

As if seeing Zhenxiu for the first time, Yang Chen gazed admiringly at her face for a long moment.

"You're such a beautiful girl. Ever since I saw you, I couldn't bear to leave you. Would you come home with me? Although I might seem too young to be your father, how about being my little sister?"

Zhenxiu's heart seemed to be covered by a sweet wave. Though she wanted to laugh at the sudden happiness and moved to tears of joy, her emotions overwhelmed her, and tears fell like beads off a broken string onto the snowy ground, melting the snow with their warmth.

"Why are you crying? You don't look good when you cry," Yang Chen said softly. "Answer me, do you want to?"

Zhenxiu nodded vigorously. "Yes, I do."

"As my little sister, it's not just about being beautiful. You also need to study well. If I send you to school, will you promise to study hard?" Yang Chen asked earnestly.

Suppressing a smile, Zhenxiu replied in a childish voice, "But what if someone bullies your sister, Brother?"

"Anyone who dares to bully my sister, I'll beat them up," Yang Chen said firmly.

Unable to control her emotions any longer, Zhenxiu burst into tears, crying out loud. She threw herself into Yang Chen's arms, her tears instantly wetting his chest.

Yang Chen gently patted Zhenxiu's back and whispered softly and solemnly in her ear, "Zhenxiu, if you ever feel like nobody in this world treats you right, remember that there's someone who would apologize to the whole world for you."