Chapter 440: Chapter 440

Dean Chen’s office was quiet as Madam Lai silently observed an ancient-looking ink painting, the characters for "Spring Garden" inscribed upon it.

The royal blue haute couture suit set off her complexion very well, and her jewelry was even more exquisite.

The reception teacher and Nanny Wu each occupied one side.

This was Madam Lai’s first time following a receptionist upstairs and entering the dean’s office.

In past years at the orphanage, she would only stay on the first floor for ten minutes, waiting for Nanny Wu and the others to hand over the d items to the staff before leaving, at most taking a group photo to show their support.

"Is this a piece by Wang Chunhua?" Madam Lai pointed at the ink painting on the wall.

The reception teacher replied, "Yes."

"Hmm, I thought as much. It’s just like the handwriting on the sign at the entrance, very delicate."

"Yes, although we all have new titles now... but the dean said that the name ’Spring Garden’ will never change, fearing that the children who leave won’t be able to find their way home."

Madam Lai nodded and looked out the window, but as she gazed, her brow furrowed slightly.

The antiquated buildings, the mottled walls, the dark gray roof tiles, all were permeated with the marks of time. If not for her husband, Li Zhenshan, insisting over and over again in the past, this place would likely have been demolished long ago.

Zhenshan, you must have felt that this place was Xiao Dan’s home, too, unable to bear seeing it destroyed, right?

Year after year of donating, renovating, is it of any use?

She couldn’t see anything at all!

Every time Madam Lai recalled this past, her heart ached as if being cut by a knife. She detested Yi Xiao Dan, who, even in death, remained unforgotten by her husband.

She had spent ten years and still could not replace Yi Xiao Dan’s place in his heart.

Suddenly, the slightly ajar door was slowly pushed open.

Dean Chen entered, dressed in a dark gray casual outfit, striding in quickly. Though her figure was slightly thin, she still stood upright, and her neat short hair glinted with a silver-white shimmer.

The traces of time were etched on her face, not so much aging as they added a touch of kindness, and her deep eyes radiated a measure of wisdom and magnanimity.

Still so efficient at 65!

Madam Lai was initially taken aback, then quickly stepped forward, "Dean Chen, how have you been recently?"

"Very well, Madam Lai, please take a seat."

Madam Lai smiled and nodded, sitting down before expressing her concern, "Dean, it’s getting cold. I thought the children might need some winter clothes, but I fear I might not choose well and they won’t suit."

Before her words were finished, Nanny Wu had gently opened a fabric messenger bag.

"Not much, just a little token."

The dean looked at the bundles of hundred-yuan notes being taken out, twenty in total, her expression complicated.

While Li Zhenshan was alive, Madam Lai had suggested she would like to become an honorary dean, but Dean Chen had always politely refused. Today’s proceedings could not help but raise some doubts in the dean’s mind.

"Madam Lai, thank you very much for your generous donation. This money will surely help the children to have a warm winter. Thank you."

Madam Lai waved her hand with a smile, speaking softly, "No need for thanks; it’s just a small gesture."

"If there is anything I can help with..."

"Thank you for your kind offer, but no."

With that said, the dean’s hanging heart finally settled.

It seemed to be simply a plain donation.

"By the way, Dean Chen, I seemed to have heard a while ago that you are planning to convert that unused dormitory building at the back into a teaching building, is that so?"

Speaking of this issue, the dean was filled with emotion.

Last month, she had earnestly approached the dorm building’s owner to discuss this matter, but the owner just wouldn’t agree, preferring to let it sit idle instead.

It was supposed to be a mutually beneficial arrangement; they could apply for related subsidies, considering it as a rental from the orphanage.

Despite this, negotiations failed after several attempts. Chapters fırst released on Nove1Fire.net

Later on, she didn’t know how Ye Wanhua and Wang Junchen found out about the issue, but they ended up buying the land for the orphanage outright.

They planned to build a modern teaching building, including the interior facilities and even the subsequent staffing; they resolved everything in one go.

"Dean Chen? Dean Chen?"

"Oh, the issue with the teaching building has been resolved," replied the dean, smiling as she snapped back to the moment.

Madam Lai nodded in surprise, "Good, good that it’s resolved. I was still wondering... if there was anything I could help with, but it seems I’m too late."

"Still, I thank you for your kindness."

"Ah, look at this, I wasn’t able to help after all, but if there’s anything you need in the future, just say so, don’t be shy."

Upon hearing this, a reception teacher couldn’t help but jokingly think to herself: You should have said so earlier, you poor dean, running around everywhere back then!

Just then, two little boys ran in to play with the dean, carrying toy cars in their hands.

One of them shouted excitedly, "Grandma, grandma, look, we’ve got new toys, come play with us, it’s so fun."

"It’s a car, a brand-new car!" Another boy hurriedly placed the car on the ground.

The world of a child is so simple; even though they have disabilities and walk unsteadily, their smiles are incredibly radiant.

Of course, they didn’t understand that the adults were discussing serious matters right then.

The dean squatted down, warmly interacting with the children, "Wow, this car is really cool, you’ve learned to operate it so quickly, that’s amazing!"

"Look, they even turn corners by themselves."

Madam Lai, looking at the scar on a child’s face, felt a twinge of pain in her heart, unbearable discomfort.

Old wounds suddenly flooded her memories.

She pretended to be calm and lifted her teacup, wanting to take a sip to steady her nerves, but then she saw it was jasmine tea and decided against it.

She’d rather be anxious than drink it.

Nanny Wu, seeing this, quickly pulled out prepared sedative pills and a thermos from her handbag.

"Madam, it’s time for your medication."

This was a fact, twice a day, at noon and in the evening, but at this moment, it became the best shield for Madam Lai, otherwise, it would have seemed ungraceful.

"Oh, right, it’s time for my medication."

So, Madam Lai took the pills.

The dean slowly stood up, smiling as she patted the children’s heads, then said to Madam Lai, "Are you okay, do you want our doctor to have a look at you?"

With your level of provisions, you dare offer to treat my madam, such wild thinking.

If there was a problem, could you bear the responsibility?

"It’s nothing, just an old ailment," Madam Lai shook her head and handed back the thermos to Nanny Wu, "Dean Chen, it’s getting late, I won’t disturb your work any longer, we’ll chat another time."

Madam Lai’s abnormal behavior left the dean with many questions, but she didn’t show it on her face.

She nodded slightly and answered gently, "Alright, thank you again for your generous donation. I’ll arrange for the donation certificate to be sent to you as soon as possible."

"It’s just a small gesture, no need for that."

With those words, Madam Lai stepped out to leave.

The reception teacher hurriedly led the way for Madam Lai and Nanny Wu, enthusiastically escorting them out of the orphanage.

"Please take care, we thank you for your donation."

Then came a deep bow, after all, they were big benefactors, having d 200,000 in one go, which could buy the children a lot of things.

Little did they know, Madam Lai was just seeking peace of mind, the Leng Family had faced too many trials recently.

Perhaps doing some good deeds could change their luck.

Seeing the reception teacher being so polite, Nanny Wu quickly waved her hand, smiling as she replied, "It’s alright, it’s alright, go back inside, it looks like it’s going to rain."

"Okay, goodbye, take care."

The black sedan car slowly drove away from the gate.

Through the car window, Madam Lai glanced unintentionally into the iron fence, but she saw a figure that terrified her to the core.