After glancing around to ensure all the children were quietly eating their small cakes, Shen Mengli quickly blinked her eyes, seemingly trying to calm her nervousness.
Just as she was about to take a bite of the cake Ye Feng handed her, she suddenly noticed him staring at her in a daze.
"......"
"......"
The two of them locked eyes until Shen Mengli finally broke the silence.
"Aren't you going to eat the cake, sir?"
"Thank you for your kindness, Miss Shen, but I'm not very hungry right now."
"Mm."
Shen Mengli nodded slightly and then raised her glass of milk to take a sip, though her gaze no longer dared to meet Ye Feng's.
Just as she was about to set the glass down, something unexpected happened. Usually calm and composed, she accidentally brushed her hand against Zhao Wenwen's glass, causing it to tilt.
"!!!"
As the glass of milk was about to spill onto Shen Mengli's lap, Ye Feng quickly reached out and steadied it.
"Are you okay?"
After confirming that no milk had spilled, Ye Feng turned to look at Shen Mengli, who was still in a daze.
"I... I'm fine."
Shen Mengli slowly withdrew her hand and placed it on her teddy bear. Though her words and actions appeared normal, the rapid flicker in her eyes betrayed her true emotions.
"That's good. Be more careful next time."
"......"
"Hmm?"
Feeling his phone vibrate, Ye Feng pulled it out and saw a message from the salesperson at the real estate office he had visited earlier.
"Ah... it's already this late."
"Are you leaving, sir?"
Shen Mengli suddenly spoke up.
"Hmm? Ah, yes, I should be going. It wouldn't be right to keep disturbing you and the director any longer."
"......"
Seeing that Shen Mengli remained silent, Ye Feng was about to say his goodbyes. Though it seemed like no progress had been made today, he at least knew who his target was. Strangely, however, he felt no desire to carry out the kidnapping.
How could I do something so inhumane when she's already in such a state? I want to live, but not at the cost of betraying my conscience.
"Zzzzt"
As soon as the thought of abandoning the mission crossed his mind, a sharp, electric pain shot through Ye Feng's head. His expression twisted into a frown, though the pain gradually subsided, as if the system was subtly warning him not to defy its orders.
I thought the mission was cruel enough, but it turns out the system is the real monster here. First, it's kidnapping, then it's saving someone—are you deliberately torturing me?
"No."
Just as Ye Feng's expression relaxed, he heard Shen Mengli's voice.
"Hmm?"
"I said no... you didn't disturb us, sir. In fact, Wenwen was really happy today because of you."
"Is that so..."
"Yes."
Shen Mengli gripped her teddy bear a little tighter, her crimson eyes fixed on Ye Feng's as if she were a blooming red spider lily before him.
So beautiful...
"Thank you, Mr. Ye Feng."
"Ah... it's nothing. Well, if there's nothing else, I should get going. I have some personal matters to attend to."
Just as Ye Feng turned to leave, that melodious voice called out to him again. Despite the surrounding noise, her unique tone stood out clearly.
"Will you come back, Mr. Ye Feng?"
"Hmm? What did you say, Miss Shen?"
"Never mind."
"I'll be back."
"......"
"Take care, and don't spill your milk again, okay?"
With that, Ye Feng walked down the hallway and out of sight. Shen Mengli, however, lowered her head, lost in thought. After a long while, her lips parted slightly.
"Goodbye..."
......
"Huh? Sister, where did the big brother go?"
"Mr. Ye Feng went home, but don't be sad, Wenwen. He said he'll come back to see you."
"That's what my parents told me too..."
"......"
......
"Mr. Ye Feng, we really owe you a lot today. If Wenwen hadn't met someone as kind as you, something terrible might have happened."
When Ye Feng informed the director that he needed to leave, the director insisted on walking him to the gate. As they strolled, they chatted.
"Director, I've already said there's no need to thank me. Meeting these lovely children made me happy today."
"By the way, Director, may I ask you something?"
"Of course, Mr. Ye Feng. Please go ahead."
"How are the finances at the orphanage? With so many children to feed and care for every day, are you able to manage the expenses?"
"Well, we're getting by."
The director forced a smile.
"On one hand, we occasionally receive attention from kind-hearted individuals or companies, and sometimes we get donations of goods or money. On the other hand, some of the children who've grown up and become independent send money back to the orphanage. I've told them repeatedly that they don't need to, but you know how it is..."
"But that still can't be enough, can it?"
"When it's not enough, we use our own salaries to make up the difference. We don't want to take anything from the children. As long as they can grow up healthy and happy, that's all that matters."
"I see. Thank you for sharing that with me, Director."
"You're too kind, Mr. Ye Feng. As long as you're willing to visit, the doors of Hope Orphanage will always be open to you."
"Thank you. I'll take my leave now."
"Safe travels."
......
After stepping out of the orphanage gates, Ye Feng turned back to look at the words "Hope" bathed in the glow of the setting sun, feeling a warmth in his heart.
"Hope... it truly is a place that brings hope to children."
As the director closed the gate, she suddenly noticed Shen Mengli and Zhao Wenwen standing behind her.
"Mengli? What are you two doing here?"
"Sister said she wanted to... mmmph!"
Before Zhao Wenwen could finish, Shen Mengli covered her mouth with one hand and replied in a calm tone, "I just brought Wenwen out for a walk after she finished her cake."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
Shen Mengli turned her wheelchair to face Zhao Wenwen and said,
"Alright, Wenwen, let's go see the flowers in the garden."
"Okay, but why didn't you let me finish what I was saying, Sister?"
"Because you weren't expressing yourself clearly. Next time, don't speak carelessly, understand?"
"But what counts as careless talking?"
"......"
Watching the two of them walk away, the director's eyes filled with both pride and sorrow.
"Sigh, why did heaven make such a good child like Mengli end up like this?"