Chapter 298: Agreed to Return to the Welfare Institute

Ning Ning was brought back again, which caught everyone off guard.

When Wu Zhekun arrived at the Da Za Yuan, he kept his head down the whole time and said nothing, as if he were sulking at someone.

"Xiao Wu, have some tea," Chen Xianglan greeted warmly.

Wu Zhekun hurried to stand up: "Thank you, Auntie."

"You're welcome," Chen Xianglan said, scanning Wu Zhekun from head to toe; he was indeed a handsome fellow, though a shade less impressive compared to her son Lu Cheng.

Still, he wasn't bad; after all, he's in the military.

"Xiao Wu, what does your family do, have you got a partner yet? How many people are in your household?"

Wu Zhekun was startled for a moment, about to answer, when Lu Ying, cradling Ning Ning, took over: "Mom! Could you stop picking on someone just to inquire about their household registration?"

These days Mom is terrified that her unmarried daughter won't get married, so she stays at home like an old spinster, and whenever she sees a single man, she feels compelled to chat with him.

Chen Xianglan smiled: "Mom is just asking a couple of casual questions... By the way, Xiao Wu, didn't you take Ning Ning to look for her uncle? Why bring her back again—did you not find a place?"

Mentioning it made Wu Zhekun boil with anger; he slammed his water cup onto the table and fell silent again.

That's just Wu Zhekun's nature—everything shows on his face.

Lu Cheng, arms crossed, gave him a kick: "Come on, speak up—does her uncle refuse to raise her?"

Lu Cheng's remark hit the mark, and Wu Zhekun both nodded and shook his head.

"Her uncle didn't say much, but he felt sorry for Ning Ning; it was Ning Ning's aunt who wouldn't let the child stay."

Chen Xianglan asked: "Then why is that? How can they say Ning Ning is also a maternal nephew?"

Wu Zhekun sighed: "They say the family already has eight children, they can't even finish a meal, and have no means to support another child, so I ended up arguing with them outright."

"Eight children?" Chen Xianglan clicked her tongue, "That's way too many to have."

"Then Xiao Wu, you really don't need to argue with anyone."

Wu Zhekun inhaled: "I didn't intend to argue with her; if they don't want to raise her, that's fine, but they said harsh things, calling Ning Ning a girl and saying raising her is a waste, that she's a loss‑making child."

Chen Xianglan blinked: "Well, saying that was indeed a bit harsh; Ning Ning is so sensible, hearing that would hurt the child deeply."

"Who says it's not? The child is pitiful enough, her father was a martyr; how can anyone speak like that about a little kid?"

Chen Xianglan and Wu Zhekun got along quite well, trading remarks as they muttered about Ning Ning's aunt.

Having heard the situation on Ning Ning's uncle's side, Lu Cheng didn't get as angry as Wu Zhekun did.

First, although there's an uncle relationship, Ning Ning isn't a blood child, and more mouths in the house mean more mouths to feed.

The worry is that the aunt might reluctantly keep the child, leaving Ning Ning to endure a pattern of one meal followed by three days of hunger.

Second, the prevailing preference for sons over daughters is still severe.

Ning Ning's uncle lives in the countryside, and the family's only income comes from earning work points, so every household hopes for an extra male laborer.

If Ning Ning were a boy, perhaps the aunt would consider keeping her, but she's a girl.

Since they refuse to raise her, everyone is at a loss for what to do.

Lu Cheng wondered whether to give Ning Ning to Guo Tuzi for adoption; Guo Tuzi has always wanted a child.

Moreover, Guo Tuzi is a decent person and would surely treat the child well.

What makes Lu Cheng hesitate is that Guo Tuzi has lately earned some money by scavenging trash and is now taking his wife around to seek medical treatment.

If his health improves, he'll surely want a biological child, so whether Guo Tuzi would adopt Ning Ning is truly uncertain.

Just as Lu Cheng was preparing to find a time to go over, Ning Ning suddenly stood up.

"Auntie, I... I want to go to the Welfare Institute,"

Hearing Ning Ning's words, Lu Ying was startled, and everyone else exchanged puzzled looks.

How could she change her mind after just visiting her uncle's house?

Chen Xianglan walked over, crouched down and asked: "Ning Ning, why do you want to go back to the Welfare Institute? You don't have to rush; you can stay with Grandma for a few more days first."

Ning Ning shook her little head: "I've already been a trouble to your family; I can't be a burden any more. I'm willing to return to the Welfare Institute; rest assured, I won't cry anymore. Thank you for taking care of me."

Ning Ning's sensible words made everyone feel a pang of sorrow, but since she was willing to return to the Welfare Institute, it truly was the best option for now.

It's really just a matter of adaptation; once you get used to it, it'll be fine.

Lu Ying, feeling tender, pulled Ning Ning close: "Ning Ning, when you go back to the Welfare Institute, don't be scared. Auntie will visit you often, and Uncle Lu Cheng works over there; if anyone bullies you, tell Uncle Lu Cheng."

Lu Ying said, looking at Lu Cheng: "Lu Cheng, what will become of your Welfare Institute later?"

The Welfare Institute is currently temporary, set up at the department's request to take in a portion of the children.

Lu Cheng replied: "I've heard that the Welfare Institute plans to build a kindergarten later, so these children can receive a full education."

Lu Ying felt relieved; coincidentally, the department store had received some donations, about a thousand plus, and she intended to inform the Street Office that all of it would be donated to the Welfare Institute for environmental improvements.

Carrying some food, they finally rode in Wu Zhekun's jeep together to the Welfare Institute.

Chen Xianglan was still crouched at the doorway, watching: "San'er, what exactly does Xiao Wu's family do?"

Lu Cheng, seeing his mother like that, immediately understood what she was pondering.

"Mom, please don't think of telling my sister about Wu Zhekun."

Chen Xianglan was nonchalant: "Why not? I think they're quite a match; after all, he's in the military."

"You don't know his family's background. Wu Zhekun's father is the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Military District, and his mother is said to be a director of some secretariat. He also has two older sisters, both serving in the Navy, and his in‑laws on his son‑in‑law's side are at the Commander level."

Hearing that, Chen Xianglan quickly pulled back: "Oh my, so many high‑ranking officials in his family—no wonder they came in a small car. Our family can't match that; the doors and households don't align, so let's just forget it."

It was rare for Mom to have self‑awareness, and Lu Cheng couldn't help but laugh.

Chen Xianglan turned around, glaring: "What are you laughing at? I'm just thinking about having grandchildren. Look at your sister's stubbornness—she still won't talk about her in‑laws, and you, it's been a year since you married and you still haven't mentioned having children. How could I give birth to two such stubborn ones..."

Listening to Mom's nagging, Lu Cheng didn't dare to reply, lest she have a barrage of words waiting for him.

Leaning against a wooden post of the Earthquake Shelter, watching the sun set slowly, he fell into contemplation.

Thus they lived in the shelter's neighborhood for over a month, until the weather turned completely cold and most people had to move back indoors.

Those especially sturdy, even electrically wired, Earthquake Shelters remained, with some persisting into the following spring.

This special experience also became an indelible page in the memory of Capital City residents.

And this year, many major events happened; after the flood ended, Lin Qingyan finally believed there might be a chance for the family to reunite.

Lu Cheng also began to get involved in Lin Zhenfeng's affairs.