Chapter 1254: Shencheng Orphanage
“Shencheng Orphanage…” Hong Dali looked at the signage with a heavy heart. Some of its paint had peeled away.
Speaking of which, the Shencheng Orphanage was established in the 1980s and was not that old. But because its location was relatively remote, not many people knew of its existence and few donations came in. They could only rely on the meager government funding to maintain their basic expenses.
Looking at its desolate state, Tang Muxin held Hong Dali’s hand tightly. Her hands trembled slightly and her palms were all cold and sweaty. One could tell she was very nervous.
Hong Dali was kind-hearted. This could be seen from when he saved the poor child. Hence, when he said he wanted to come here, Han Songyang and the others did not think too much. They thought Hong Dali wanted to do some more good deeds.
However, probably only Tang Muxin and Li Nianwei could understand how Hong Dali felt.
At this moment, the large group of people at the gate had already attracted the attention of the guard. The old guard stuck his head out of the guardhouse to see Hong Dali and a large group of young masters and misses. He asked in fear, “All of you are here for…”
In his usual experience, so many people had come here. Did one of the kids from the orphanage get into trouble…?
“Uncle, it’s nothing. We’re just here to take a look, and at the same time see if we can be of any help or donate some money.” Hong Dali smiled and said, “Can we go in?”
“You’re here to donate?” Hearing that, the guard appeared overjoyed. “Aiya, there are not many young people as caring as you now. Please come in, come in.” The guard opened the door and let Hong Dali and the others in. “Today is really a good day. Just now, a kind middle-aged man came and said he will donate some money as well, haha.”
Aye? Someone else was here to donate?
Hong Dali was shocked. He looked around and soon saw a red-brown Jaguar. He smiled and said, “Did he drive that here? It seems this person is quite affluent.”
This Jaguar was the 2015 XJL 3.0 supercharged all-wheel-drive flagship business sedan worth more than 1.4 million. Hence, when Hong Dali said this person was affluent, he did not say it casually.
“Exactly. He’s chatting with the Director now. Please come in.” The guard brought Hong Dali and others into the yard. Tang Muxin and Li Nianwei looked around as they walked in. The nursing home was only a small building with three levels. The yard covered an area of more than 1,000 square meters. It was no exaggeration to say that a generally better kindergarten was better off than this orphanage.
At this time, there were about seven or eight children playing in the yard. The older children were about ten years old and the youngest was three or four years old. Some of them squatted on the ground and molded clay figures and some played with marbles. The rapidly developing electronic society in the 21st century seemed to be completely isolated from this place.
The reason was simple—they had no money.
Tang Muxin and Li Nianwei’s hearts ached. Tang Muxin was born to a wealthy family. From an early age, she was dressed elegantly and feasted on delicacies. Her family spent at least three million on her for classes for violin, dance, vocal, English, and so on. Although Li Nianwei did not come from a wealthy family, it was considered well-off. She didn’t have to worry about food and clothing.
Now that they saw the place Hong Dali grew up in…
“Little kid, come over. Big sister will buy some delicious food for you, okay?” Tang Muxin’s heart ached. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked at the kids in the yard. She wished she could move two supermarkets to the yard now.
“Big sister, you’re so beautiful.” Seeing that Tang Muxin was beautiful and gentle, the group of children looked at the group of them from afar. The oldest one appeared keen, but he shook his head. “Grandma said we cannot take things from strangers. Grandma also said that we must study well so we can earn money to buy whatever we want in the future!”
“Hehe, such good kids.” Li Nianwei smiled and shook her head. She did not force these children to accept their help. After all, since Hong Dali was here, he would definitely make sure that they would be able to live well in the future.
Seeing that these children were so sensible, Tang Muxin and Li Nianwei were even more certain that Hong Dali had always pretended to be unfeeling. Hong Dali was actually really smart and honest.
Since the few of them were here, they were in no hurry to help the kids. According to Hong Dali’s plan, the entire orphanage would be moved. There was no need to hurry.
The group of people followed the guard upstairs and went past several rooms. Tang Muxin and Li Nianwei looked around casually. Several kids were doing homework in the rooms. Their expressions were very serious. Without money, power, backing, nor relatives to help them, it was obvious that they knew they had to succeed in their studies and find a stable job to lead a good life.
Hence, they studied very seriously.
Tang Muxin and Li Nianwei looked at each other. They could see the sympathy and comfort in each others’ eyes.
Now that Hong Dali was here, there was hope for these children’s futures.
“Such nice kids.” Han Songyang exclaimed. “I suddenly want to arrange for them to join my company. Even if it’s a work-study program, they can at least earn some money.”
“That’s not a bad idea.” Gu Feifei was appreciative of Han Songyang’s idea. “I’m seeing you in a different light, haha.”
The few of them laughed.
Soon, they arrived at the Director’s office. Just as they arrived at the door, Hong Dali heard a low voice saying, “Director Wu, how is the kid that left with you previously doing?”
An old voice could be heard. “You mean Dali? Aye, he was really a good kid. He had just gone to university and had a promising future. Unfortunately, he died in a car accident while trying to save two children. Aye…”
“Ah? Died?!” The man sounded shocked. “Died in an accident? Aye, it’s really unfortunate. My brother and his wife both passed away, leaving their only flesh and blood behind. Even he died… his name was Dali? Hong Dali?”
When they heard this, the group of people was ready to enter the room. But Hong Dali was stunned.
It was because he heard the middle-aged man’s words—he was his brother’s flesh and blood? Named Hong Dali? Wasn’t that him?
A few of them looked at Hong Dali and obviously knew what was going on inside. They stopped instantly. But the guard did not notice and knocked on the door directly. “Director Wu, there are a few young people here to look around and donate some money.”
“Oh? Is that so? Invite them in, quickly.” The elder lady’s voice sounded shocked. She said hurriedly, “What’s going on today? Why are there so many people here today, hehe…”
Soon, the door opened and an elderly face was seen.
It was a kind-looking face, full of wrinkles and white hair. Her body was rickety and her legs were bent due to her old age. But all these did not take away the kind impression the old grandmother had in people’s minds.
She smiled so kindly and gently. Everyone could feel her sincerity when those poor but lovely orphans called her “grandmother”.
“Please come in.” Grandma Wu was surprised when she saw Hong Dali and the others, then she quickly invited them into the room. “Aiya, the place is too small and there’s nothing much here. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Grandma Wu, hello. My name is Hong Dali.” Looking at Grandma Wu, who had raised him for more than 20 years, Hong Dali subconsciously wanted to throw himself in her arms. But he suddenly remembered his identity and held back.
“Dali?” Grandma Wu held Hong Dali’s arms with both her hands. She looked left and right, then finally shook her head. “Your name is Hong Dali too? We used to have a Hong Dali here. Ah, oh right, this man here, he’s the one that sent Hong Dali here. Hehe, both of you are really brought together by fate. You’re actually able to meet here.”
At this moment, Hong Dali had a million questions he wanted to ask. But he looked at the man and decided to hold back.
The man was quite good-looking. He must have been a very handsome guy when he was younger. But there was a scar on his face, which ruined his general aesthetics, although it did make him look more manly.
This man left a deep impression on others. Hong Dali raised his hand out. “Hello, hello. My name is Hong Dali. How do I address you, uncle?”
“Hehe, hello. It seems we’re really fated.” The middle-aged man put out his hand as well and shook Hong Dali’s hand. “My last name is Liu. You can call me Uncle Liu.”
“Haha, hello, Uncle Liu.” Hong Dali smiled, then asked casually, “Uncle Liu, you sent a kid here previously? I overheard your conversion just now. His name is also Hong Dali?”
“That’s right.” Uncle Liu nodded, then sighed and said, “That was my sworn brother’s child. Aye, my sworn brother was young and promising then. Unfortunately, he passed away due to an accident. His wife died in childbirth on the same day. They only left a child behind. Now, that child is gone as well…”
“Destiny make fools of people…” Grandma Wu sighed slightly and wiped her tears secretly.
Hearing that, Hong Dali’s heart thudded and his tears almost fell. He finally managed to hold back, then asked carefully, “Uncle Liu, what is your brother’s name, then? Can you tell me? En, my name is also Hong Dali, I want to hold a memorial ceremony for him to accumulate some merit.”
“En, there’s nothing to hide, anyway.” Uncle Liu smiled and said, “His name is Hong Haoming, and his wife’s name is Lan Xiangqin.”
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