Chapter 116: Renovating Chenxi Orphanage

The trip to Luocheng advanced business expansion and covert investigation simultaneously. The banquet with the CEO of Chuangsheng Technology proceeded as scheduled, ostensibly a friendly exchange among industry leaders, but in truth brimming with hidden stakes. The other side clearly harbored curiosity and caution toward Qin Feng, this sudden Eastern tycoon, probing him carefully in conversation. Qin Feng responded with poise—neither revealing his edge nor losing his composure; after their exchange, neither side gained substantial information, yet an invisible atmosphere of competition had already taken shape.

The investigation into the Prometheus Foundation progressed slowly. This organization was extremely secretive, with virtually no public information available; its financial network was deeply entangled and required time and more subtle methods to penetrate.

Just as Qin Feng focused on matters in Luocheng, a call from home—related to his past memories—once again disrupted his rhythm. This time it was not Chen Ming, but a direct call to his private satellite phone.

The caller ID showed an unfamiliar domestic number, yet Qin Feng vaguely remembered it: the landline of Chenxi Orphanage, located in the remote mountainous southwest, where he had briefly taught and where conditions were extremely harsh.

A faint stir in his heart, Qin Feng answered the call.

"Hello… is… is Teacher Xiao Qin?" came a frail voice, thick with accent, yet brimming with urgency and hope. It was Old Grandma Zhao, the orphanage's director.

"Old Grandma Zhao, it's me, Qin Feng." Qin Feng's tone softened unconsciously. Though his teaching stint had been brief, it remained one of the purest memories of his life—the children's innocent smiles, Old Grandma Zhao's decades-long steadfastness—both had deeply moved him. When he left, he gave away all the money he had, yet he knew it was but a drop in the ocean.

"Oh my! It really is you! Thank goodness!" Old Grandma Zhao's voice trembled with tears, overjoyed, "Teacher Xiao Qin, I… I truly had no other choice but to find this number… the orphanage… the orphanage can't hold on much longer!"

Last summer, an unprecedented flood had destroyed the orphanage's already dilapidated dormitories. Though the children escaped unharmed, the buildings had become unsafe and could no longer be inhabited. For the past half-year, the children had been crammed into drafty classrooms. Local government funding was minimal, and the repair shortfall was enormous. Old Grandma Zhao had begged everyone she could think of, sold everything she could, yet it was still far from enough. With the rainy season approaching again, she had no options left and, clinging to a sliver of hope, dug out Qin Feng's old contact details.

"Teacher Xiao Qin, I know you're… well off now, on TV… Grandma doesn't want to trouble you, it's just… I really have no other way, the children are too pitiful…" Old Grandma Zhao's voice choked with sobs.

Holding the phone, Qin Feng's mind conjured the dilapidated orphanage swaying in the wind and rain, the children's frost-red faces still yearning for knowledge, Old Grandma Zhao's hunched yet unyielding back.

His heart was deeply stirred.

He now possessed wealth rivaling nations and power capable of reshaping the world, turning heaven and earth with a flick of his wrist. Yet in that distant, forgotten corner, someone still struggled for the most basic survival and warmth.

This had nothing to do with profit or calculation—only a quiet, primal… compassion.

"Old Grandma Zhao, don't rush, take your time." Qin Feng's voice was exceptionally gentle. "Tell me exactly how much funding you need? Besides rebuilding the dormitories, what other difficulties are there?"

Old Grandma Zhao, stunned by his directness, hurried to reply: "Rebuilding the dormitories, plus reinforcing the other buildings, will cost at least… at least eight hundred thousand! And the children's clothes, books, winter heating… I… I…"

Eight hundred thousand? To Qin Feng now, it was a mere drop in the ocean—even less than the cost of one top-tier meal. But for that orphanage, it was a life-or-death fortune.

"Old Grandma Zhao, don't worry about the money—I'll handle it." Qin Feng did not hesitate. "Eight hundred thousand isn't enough. I'll donate five million. Not just rebuild the dormitories, but construct new classrooms, a Library, activity rooms, install the best heating and sanitation systems, provide new clothes, new books, nutritious meals three times a day, and hire professional teachers and caregivers…"

He listed each plan calmly, yet with unwavering weight, leaving Old Grandma Zhao on the other end speechless, barely believing her ears.

Five… five million?! To her, it was a number beyond even the wildest dream!

"Teacher Xiao Qin! This… this is too much! I can't accept it! I can't!" Old Grandma Zhao stammered, overwhelmed.

"Old Grandma Zhao, listen to me," Qin Feng's tone was firm. "This isn't just about solving today's crisis. I want Chenxi Orphanage to become a true place where children can grow up healthy and happy. This money is my small gift to the children—and my respect for your decades of devotion. Please, accept it."

He paused, then added: "I'll immediately send someone to contact you, handling all donations and renovations. All funds will be placed in a dedicated account to ensure every cent goes to the children. You only need to cooperate."

After hanging up, Qin Feng immediately contacted Chen Ming, assigning the donation and orphanage renovation as the highest-priority task, demanding he oversee it personally and ensure the weather-beaten orphanage was completely renewed in the shortest possible time.

Having settled this matter, Qin Feng stood before the floor-to-ceiling window of his Luocheng hotel suite, gazing down at the city of opportunity and desire, yet his heart was clear and calm.

What should wealth and power be used for?

To seize more? To satisfy selfish desires? Certainly, one could.

But perhaps, to illuminate dark corners, to warm those in need, to grant even the tiniest, dust-like lives hope and dignity—that is their deeper meaning.

This is not sentimental overindulgence—it is Qin Feng, on his path to the summit, drawing a line for himself, preserving a thread of… tenderness deep within his humanity.

Renovating an orphanage meant nothing to him.

But perhaps, to those children, it meant the entire world.

He picked up the internal phone and connected to the shadow agent investigating the Prometheus Foundation.

"Increase investigation into the Foundation's funding sources and key members, especially their investments and activities in biotechnology." Qin Feng's tone returned to its usual calm and sharpness.

"Yes, General Qin!"

Putting down the phone, Qin Feng's gaze turned once more to the window.

The sunlight over Luocheng remained bright.

But in his heart, the warmth of charity and the coldness of business warfare, the persistence in uncovering mysteries and the kindness in protecting the weak—these were not contradictory.

This, is the Empire he wished to build—a future that wielded overwhelming power yet never lost its human warmth.

And all of this had only just begun.