Chapter 36: The Orphanage's Children

Over the past half month, Su Ruo has been the one taking care of An'an; during this time they have gradually developed feelings for each other.

Most importantly, An'an never fussed or made noise, quietly following Su Ruo, and sometimes would help Su Ruo with small tasks within her ability.

For example, when Su Ruo was tired, she would bring her water, rub her back, and so on—she was practically a thoughtful little angel.

Su Ruo had also gradually grown accustomed to An'an's presence; only now did she realize that, since she was leaving, she would have to part with An'an, and a sense of reluctance instantly welled up in her heart, though she suppressed this feeling.

Seeing the Women's Director's troubled expression, Su Ruo asked, "Director, what's wrong?"

The Women's Director sighed and said, "It's not that this girl's placement hasn't been settled; you know, Doctor Su, in our countryside the preference for sons over daughters is still strong."

Although An'an is well-behaved and cute, evoking pity, I have visited everyone in the village, yet no one is willing to adopt her.

It's simply because An'an is a girl; she is destined to marry off someday and cannot be relied upon to support her parents in old age.

Su Ruo's face also grew solemn, and she asked seriously, "What should we do then?"

An'an seemed to sense that the atmosphere was off, clutching her chubby little hands and tightly gripping Su Ruo's hand.

The Women's Director sighed and said, "There's really no other option now; we can only send An'an to the orphanage first and see if we can later find a kind-hearted family to adopt her."

Although the Women's Director said this, everyone knows it's just her consoling herself.

If An'an were truly sent to the orphanage, her chances of being adopted afterward would be minuscule.

When are you planning to send An'an to the orphanage? I'll go with you.

Su Ruo felt a heavy weight in her heart; she knew what it meant for An'an to be sent to the orphanage in these times when everyone is underfed and inadequately clothed.

The children in the orphanage will lead even more miserable lives; even a minor chill could cost them their lives.

The Women's Director knew that during this period Su Ruo had been the one caring for An'an; hearing her say this, she was not surprised and immediately agreed.

The ox cart outside the courtyard was originally prepared to take you back, but since it's come to this, we'll first send An'an to the orphanage.

Li Zhaodi was heading home and did not follow them; although she sympathized with An'an, she lacked the power to change anything.

After all, she couldn't even control her own life, and could be sold by her parents at any moment for bride-price money.

In this era, a girl's life is worthless; from birth, simply for being despised as a girl, many are drowned to death.

Su Ruo, An'an, and the Women's Director rode in the ox cart for over an hour before reaching a extremely remote orphanage.

Through the gate, Su Ruo could see several very old houses; a few children were in the courtyard, and upon seeing Su Ruo and her companions, they all fled in fear into the rooms, peeking timidly at them through the broken windows.

A hunchbacked old man approached, looked at them, and asked, "Who are you?"

The Women's Director immediately stepped forward to explain their purpose, and pointed to An'an held in Su Ruo's arms.

The old man's cloudy eyes glanced at An'an; he never expected a little girl dressed so nicely to end up sent to the orphanage.

All one can say is that the times are bad and affairs are unpredictable.

The old man invited Su Ruo and her companions to sit inside; the room was extremely shabby, the earthen walls, lacking repair, had many cracks and leaked wind, while the door and windows swayed precariously, as if they might collapse at any moment.

The Old Dean said, "You've seen the conditions of our orphanage; if you are able, find a good place for this child; if you truly cannot, then just leave her here!"

The Women's Director's face showed a hint of difficulty; if they could find a placement, they wouldn't have brought the child here.

Su Ruo's brows were tightly knit ever since she arrived; she said, "Dean, I'd like to see the children here."

The Dean nodded, walked up to the woman working in the courtyard, gestured a few times; after glancing at Su Ruo and her companions, the woman went back inside to call the children out.

After returning, the Dean said, "She is a deaf-mute; abandoned here since childhood, she couldn't find work as an adult, so she stays to do chores in the institute and helps me look after the children."

Su Ruo and the Women's Director nodded, indicating understanding.

Over a dozen children were summoned and stood in a line before Su Ruo and her companions, all looking at them timidly.

Even though Su Ruo and the Women's Director were mentally prepared, seeing the children's condition still startled them.

The dozen or so children were all skin and bone, sallow-faced and thin-eyed, showing unmistakable signs of severe malnutrition.

The Old Dean said, "You've also seen the situation inside; nowadays the times are hard, and even fewer people donate to the orphanage."

If you keep her here, the most I can guarantee is to give her something to eat so she doesn't starve to death; the orphanage can't provide anything more.

Whenever Su Ruo thought of An'an having to live like this—underfed, poorly clothed, wasting away like those children—her heart would clutch with pain.

No, she absolutely could not leave An'an here.

Su Ruo suddenly stood up, startling both the Old Dean and the Women's Director.

Director, I want to adopt An'an.

After a moment, the Women's Director grasped what Su Ruo had said and immediately urged, "Doctor Su, I know you feel sorry for An'an, but adopting a child is no small matter; please don't act on impulse."

In the Women's Director's view, Su Ruo herself is still just a child—how could she possibly care for An'an?

Director, my parents passed away early, and now I am the only one left at home. If I adopt An'an, I will surely take good care of her and treat her as my own sister.

Having spoken firmly, Su Ruo then took out ten Great Unity notes and placed them on the table.

Dean, this is my token of goodwill; I hope it can help the orphanage's children, and we won't be sending anyone away.

Both the Dean and the Women's Director were stunned, after all, a hundred dollars is no small sum nowadays.

If converted to grain, that amount would be enough to feed the orphanage's children for a long time.

Before the two had recovered from their shock, Su Ruo had already walked out holding An'an.

She could sense An'an's fear and unease; she didn't want An'an to stay in this place even a minute longer.

After the Women's Director processed the situation, she said to the Old Dean, "Look at this commotion—this child has been under her care all this time."

Given how long it's been, they've likely developed feelings; she can't accept it right away, so we'll temporarily not send the child, and I'll try to persuade her properly when I return.

The Women's Director didn't speak definitively, after all, she didn't know whether Su Ruo was acting on impulse and might later regret it, so she wanted to keep an escape route for herself.

Thanks to the little partners for the monthly votes, recommendation votes; Guan Guan thanks everyone here.

Again thickening my skin, I ask everyone for a batch of votes, hoping the ranking won't drop ~(￣▽￣～)~