Yun Su froze when she heard Gu Yan’s question.
She could not stay by his side forever, but she did not want to lie to him either.
And sooner or later, Gu Yan would find out.
Just… not now.
Yun Su wrestled with herself, unsure how she should answer him. She stood there in silence.
But Gu Yan seemed truly exhausted. Instead of waiting for her response, he got to his feet and rubbed his sleepy eyes as he headed toward the bedroom.
“Sister, I’m really sleepy. I’m going to bed first.”
Yun Su let out a long breath of relief.
“Okay…” she answered softly, thankful that she had managed to avoid giving him an answer this time.
Early the next morning.
After dropping Gu Yan off at kindergarten, Yun Su thought things over while driving home.
Then she made a U-turn and headed to a welfare institute in Dongping County.
After completing the visitor registration at the entrance, she was allowed inside.
The courtyard was clean and tidy. On the building hung several large golden characters:
Dongping County Sunshine Welfare Institute.
In the lobby on the first floor stood a colorful stone bridge engraved with the words:
“Using our hands to support the children’s tomorrow.”
Yun Su did not wander around the other areas. She had already contacted the institute online before coming, so she headed directly to the director’s office.
“Hello, you must be Miss Yun. I’m the director of Sunshine Welfare Institute. My surname is Wang.”
Director Wang was a woman in her forties. She was petite and looked kind and approachable.
“Hello, Director Wang.”
“You seem quite young, Miss Yun.” Director Wang sized her up. It was rare to see someone as young as Yun Su visiting the welfare institute. “You mentioned earlier that you wanted to find an adoptive family for a five-year-old boy?”
Yun Su had previously posted Gu Yan’s information online and had also consulted the welfare institute.
Now that the matter had become urgent, she wanted to come in person to understand the situation better.
“That’s right. He’s an orphan and will soon turn six. His father is unknown, and his mother passed away when he was four. Just a few days ago, the relatives who served as his guardians were also imprisoned, so he will soon be transferred into the care of a social welfare institution.”
After explaining Gu Yan’s circumstances, she added, “But the child himself is healthy and very intelligent.”
After listening, Director Wang gained a general understanding of the situation. However, she was curious about Yun Su’s relationship with the child.
“Then, Miss Yun, are you related to him by blood?”
“No,” Yun Su replied, contemplating how to define her relationship with Gu Yan. “I suppose… you could say we have a sponsorship relationship.”
“I understand.” Director Wang nodded before retrieving a handbook from a cabinet and handing it to Yun Su. “These are our records. Inside are the contact details of families who have expressed an interest in adoption, along with basic information about each family.”
Yun Su accepted the handbook and flipped through it casually.
Then her finger paused over a name.
Gu Zhou!
The name sounded familiar. Yun Su thought about it for a moment.
The man she had met at the amusement park with his wife had also been called Gu Zhou, although she did not know if it was written with the same character.
She looked more closely at Gu Zhou’s record.
Gu Zhou, age thirty-four. Wife: Fang Minghui, age thirty-two. Married for eight years with no children.
According to the file, they hoped to adopt a child they felt a connection with, under the age of ten, with no preference regarding gender.
Pointing to Gu Zhou’s name, Yun Su asked Director Wang, “Could I learn more about this family?”
Director Wang glanced at the record before replying, “I remember Mr. Gu. He only came a few days ago. They’re not locals. The couple has been unable to conceive despite being married for many years. They started considering adoption two years ago, but they never found a suitable child. That’s why they came here to have a look.”
Director Wang added, “From what I’ve seen, the couple has a harmonious relationship. They seem like a good option. Miss Yun, you could try contacting them.”
Yun Su considered it for a moment.
“Alright. I’ll take down his contact information.”
If they really were the same couple she had met at the amusement park, she already had a favorable impression of them. This would be a good opportunity to learn more.
At lunchtime, Director Wang brought Yun Su to the staff cafeteria.
“If you have time this afternoon, Miss Yun, I can show you around and let you meet some of the children here,” Director Wang suggested.
Yun Su had been hoping for exactly that. She wanted to understand the childhood of Gu Yan, the future villain from the novel, who had spent twelve years living in a welfare institute.
“Then I’d appreciate it, Director Wang.”
After lunch, Director Wang led Yun Su upstairs.
As they walked down the corridor, Director Wang turned slightly and spoke in a lowered voice.
“Once we go inside, Miss Yun, please don’t be frightened. These children were abandoned at birth, so they may be different from ordinary people.”
Yun Su understood what welfare institutes were like.
This place was entirely different from the laughter-filled atmosphere of a kindergarten.
Even though she had prepared herself mentally, the scene that greeted her when the door opened still shocked her.
A strange smell rushed toward her.
Inside were children with physical disabilities.
With a single glance, Yun Su saw children whose facial features were severely deformed, making their original appearances impossible to discern. Some had been born with three legs, while others curled up in corners, occasionally letting out unusual cries.
The moment they noticed someone entering, countless pairs of eyes turned toward Yun Su.
Director Wang explained, “These children all have congenital disabilities. The healthier children are usually adopted by families, and the others who are able to attend school have already gone out for classes.”
After touring the entire welfare institute with Director Wang, Yun Su’s emotions became complicated.
In places hidden from most people’s view, there were still people living lives more difficult than anyone could imagine. Some had never possessed complete bodies, and some had never even seen what the world beyond this small corner looked like.
An overwhelming sense of sorrow rose within Yun Su’s heart.
After saying goodbye to Director Wang, Yun Su left the welfare institute.
She contacted a supplier by phone, planning to donate a batch of children’s food products to Sunshine Welfare Institute. It was only a small contribution, but it was what she could do.
After returning home, she stared at the phone number saved on her mobile.
She hesitated. Maybe she should call now?
After thinking it over, Yun Su stopped wavering and dialed the number.
The call was answered quickly.
“Hello, may I ask who’s calling?”
A gentle female voice came through the receiver.
Yun Su recognized it immediately. It belonged to the woman she had met at the amusement park.
What a coincidence!
“Hello, I obtained your contact information from Sunshine Welfare Institute. May I ask whether you still intend to adopt a child?”
The woman on the other end sounded surprised.
“We do. Are you a staff member from the welfare institute?”
“I’m not,” Yun Su replied. “I went there to gather some information. There’s a boy around five or six years old. He’s very healthy. Would you… be interested in learning more about him?”
“Of course. I’m available anytime.”
“Alright. Then shall we arrange a time to meet in person?”
Yun Su felt that matters like this were better discussed face-to-face. It would give both parties greater peace of mind.
The woman had no objections, and they quickly agreed on a time and place.
Two o’clock the following afternoon.
Yun Su thought that it worked out perfectly.
Gu Yan would be at kindergarten then, allowing her to meet them first on her own.