CH 37

The Time-Space Orphanage is a special place in the Three Thousand Worlds. Here, all the children have lost their parents, and their parents died heroically on the battlefield, protecting the peace of the Three Thousand Worlds. In such circumstances, this group of children is no longer ordinary orphans; they are descendants of heroes, so the Three Thousand Worlds must take responsibility for them!

The Time-Space Orphanage is the place responsible for them. Its existence ensures that these children are well-fed and well-clothed, but it goes beyond that. The orphanage also takes on the responsibility of education, offering various courses for the children and guiding them to participate in various competitions. All of these activities are required to be open to everyone’s scrutiny, and no darkness is allowed here.

From this perspective, the Time-Space Orphanage seems to be the cleanest place in the entire Three Thousand Worlds, and indeed, many people think so. It is a place that receives a lot of attention, and any news about it becomes a focus of attention. Under such intense scrutiny, darkness cannot possibly thrive.

But is that really the truth?

【The Time-Space Orphanage is truly a place full of beauty. I went there once and could truly feel the innocence of the children, which healed my heart. If I have the chance, I will definitely go again, not for anything else, but just for the smiles of the children!】

【The children at the Time-Space Orphanage are so adorable! They are responsible and mature at every age! Visiting once made me feel the urge to have children!】

【Come on, think rationally! Although they are all children, can you guarantee that the children you give birth to will be like those at the Time-Space Orphanage? Some children may make you want to have them, while others may make you want to put them back!】

【Indeed, the children at the Time-Space Orphanage are the most beautiful ones I have ever seen! Could it be because they have lost their parents? Those children are just too well-behaved!! I really like them!!!】

*Snort*

Closing the brightly lit communication device, a figure stood up, and in the darkness, his eyes glinted like a leopard in the mountains. Although it was dark, his movements were agile, and he silently entered the principal’s office, returning the device to its original position before silently leaving.

Lying on the narrow single bed, Zhuo Long’s expression was indifferent.

The Time-Space Orphanage, a place full of beauty?

This is simply the biggest joke in the world. Those people outside only see the carefully disguised surface of this place. They have no idea about the thick and murky darkness hiding beneath the seemingly beautiful exterior. Only those who have fallen into this quagmire can truly grasp the whole picture.

“Last night, something was stolen from the principal’s office. Where were all of you last night?”

The Director, usually kind and amiable in front of the screen, now had a cold demeanor. Each person she looked at was intimidated, stuttering to prove their innocence.

“After 8 PM last night, I was in the dormitory the whole time and didn’t step out at all!”

“Me too!”

“I… I came out at 9 PM to use the restroom and immediately returned to the dormitory! I didn’t pass by the principal’s office at all!”

“Last night, I was with An ke the whole time in the dormitory, and we never left!”

The Director looked at An ke, the blonde girl who didn’t seem as frightened as the others. An ke nodded, “Yes, Director, she was with me the whole time.”

The Director nodded and then turned to the next person. The girl who had just been questioned let out a sigh of relief and gave An ke a grateful look.

Until everyone was questioned, and they all provided alibis for each other, the Director’s expression darkened, “Oh, it’s fine then. So, who took the things from the principal’s office?”

In the silence, someone whispered, “Zhuo Long, Zhuo Long hasn’t come yet. We were all asleep this morning, and he hadn’t returned yet. It must be him!”

When Zhuo Long was found, he was sleeping. A large group of people surrounded him, and someone shouted, “It must be him. He’s still sleeping this morning; he must have been up to something last night!”

Someone else yelled, “Zhuo Long, where were you last night?”

Zhuo Long put down the book covering his face and stood up, looking at the person expressionlessly, “None of your business.”

The person’s face instantly flushed red, and he angrily said, “You’re in big trouble!”

“Zhuo Long,” the Director walked over, and everyone immediately made way for her, “Something was stolen from the principal’s office last night. Did you take it?”

Zhuo Long stared back at her calmly, “No.”

The Director, still with an unchanged expression, said, “After 9 PM last night, you were the only one not accounted for. All the other children have alibis. I hope you can tell the truth.”

Implicitly, she meant, “I have already concluded that it’s you, so you better admit it.”

Zhuo Long smirked coldly, “Heh, since you’ve already made up your mind, why bother asking me for confirmation?”

After saying that, he turned and left, but the Director stopped him, saying, “Hold on! If you stole something, you will be punished. Put him in the little black room.”

As soon as they heard “little black room,” the people around showed a gloating expression. The little black room was actually an iron cage used to hold canines, placed in a dark basement. For children of their size, being locked inside meant they had to curl up and squeeze tightly. The rules of the orphanage stated that once someone entered the little black room, they couldn’t come out for less than three days. Thinking that Zhuo Long would be confined for at least three days, the blonde girl at the front of the crowd couldn’t help but show a smile.

The disgusting faces of these people made Zhuo Long want to vomit. Sometimes he wondered why he couldn’t fit in here. If he could just be a bit hypocritical, he could perfectly blend in with these people, and he wouldn’t have to endure the insults and framing he had experienced.

After thinking about it, he realized it was all fate. He was naturally a person who couldn’t be hypocritical. His father and mother had only taught him how to stand tall and keep his word, but they never told him how to be deceitful. His upbringing left him powerless in such situations.

Seeing Zhuo Long remain silent, not showing any signs of fear on his face, the Director became somewhat dissatisfied and immediately said, “Security, take Zhuo Long to the little black room–”

“Director! Director!”

Her words were interrupted, and the Assistant Director approached, timidly saying, “The results of the recruitment are out! The Principal said to immediately hold an announcement meeting.”

The annual recruitment was undoubtedly a crucial event for the orphanage. The Director temporarily paused the incident of Zhuo Long’s theft. Based on Zhuo Long’s evaluation from the orphanage, the possibility of him being hired by anyone was zero. Since no one wanted him, the orphanage could decide where to place Zhuo Long, and the little black room could wait until after the announcement meeting.

Thus, the 220 children were gathered in the hall, and Zhuo Long was the last one to enter. An Ke turned back and gave him a malicious smile, mouthing the words, “You’re done!”

Zhuo Long’s heart sank, hoping he would succeed in leaving this time, not because of the looming threat of the little black room, but because he loathed this place to the extreme. Any job that allowed him to leave would be acceptable.

This announcement meeting was broadcasted live on the entire network, ensuring no one could change the list unexpectedly. In front of the camera, both the Principal and the Director presented themselves very affably, spouting a bunch of empty words. After that, the Principal began announcing the companies extending an olive branch to each person, and at the same time, the names of these companies were displayed on a large screen behind him.

The first person called was An Ke, and the Principal announced with a smile, “The companies willing to hire An Ke are: TimeSpace Group, Wave Group, Azure Corporation, and Ya Ya Training Company.”

A list of company names was announced, causing a stir in the hall. However, the number of these companies kept increasing and soon reached over twenty. As it turned out, the large screen behind the Principal displayed real-time information to prevent any company present at the announcement from offering jobs at the last minute and failing to extend an olive branch.

Seeing the string of companies behind An Ke, the more than 200 people in the hall had their thoughts, but being submerged under the authority of the Principal and the Director for so long, they didn’t dare reveal their true feelings. Each person put on a smile of blessing while clapping and said, “Congratulations, An Ke!”

“An Ke, your hard work paid off. Best wishes!”

“Congratulations, congratulations!”

This “friendly” scene was broadcasted live on the network, and netizens expressed their emotions:

【”Wow, An Ke is so outstanding! The children from the TimeSpace Orphanage have such great relationships!”】

【”So full of love! This is true friendship! They didn’t hesitate for a moment to offer their blessings, so beautiful!”】

【”Moved! Only the Time-Space Orphanage can have such pure friendship!”】

At this moment, some netizens noticed an outlier.

【”Everyone, look at the boy in the back corner. He didn’t smile or applaud!”】

【”Look closely at his expression; he seems disdainful!”】

【”Isn’t that the last one? The one who’s unsociable and even violent! He actually looks disdainful?”】

【”I think he’s trying to conceal his jealousy with disdain!”】

【”Indeed, to have such strong negative emotions at only twenty years old. Will anyone want him with these issues, even though the orphanage’s evaluation is tactful, perceptive people can see the problems?”】

……

Zhuo Long was completely unaware of these real-time comments, but Bai Xianzhi, who was watching the live broadcast during mealtime using his device, understood everything clearly. He saw through all those so-called “heartfelt” blessings.

The live broadcast continued, and with the Principal’s announcements, the atmosphere at the scene appeared very harmonious and joyful. In Zhuo Long’s eyes, the harmony was fake, but the joy was real. After all, everyone was about to leave this place, and there was no one present who wouldn’t be happy about it.

Amid this atmosphere, which was half false and half real, the announcement meeting was nearing its end. When the Principal reached the 210th person, Zhuo Long clenched his fists, his gaze fixed on the large screen, silently praying in his heart.

The 211th person found a job, the 212th person found a job, the 213th person found a job, the 214th person found a job… the 219th person found a job!

Zhuo Long’s palms were sweating, and he bit his lip, never taking his eyes off the screen. The Principal, standing in front of the screen, cleared his throat and said, “The companies willing to hire Zhuo Long are—”

The Principal turned to look at the screen, seeming to be in disbelief. He sighed and announced, “Zero, there are zero companies willing to hire Zhuo Long.”

How could this be? How could this be!

Zhuo Long couldn’t believe it, but he also understood that this result was entirely expected. How could anyone hire him under such an evaluation!

For the first time since the start of the announcement meeting, a look of disdain appeared on Zhuo Long’s face. The online viewers noticed this expression and expressed that he deserved this fate. This was the outcome of a bad kid; it was a fair result. Such a child would indeed be unwanted!

Some people felt sorry for Zhuo Long, seeing him being heavily criticized as soon as he spoke, so the comment section was flooded with an army of people saying he deserved it.

The Principal put on a compassionate expression and comforted, “Don’t be sad, child. The Time-Space Orphanage will always be your support.”

After saying that, the Principal smiled slightly and was about to announce the end of the meeting. Just then, someone in the audience couldn’t contain their surprise and exclaimed, “Look! There’s a change on the screen!”

Everyone turned to look, and the screen still displayed Zhuo Long’s profile. However, in the section where there was previously no company listed, four words appeared: “Three Thousand Food House.”

—–

Author’s note: =3=

1TL: YSIAD “You can support me if you like my translations by leaving a comment below, or by sending me a Ko-fi. Thank you ”