# 19
When the car arrived at the estate, it was just mealtime.
Duan Yan and Xu Yi had been waiting for them.
Seeing that they both looked fine put the two elders somewhat at ease.
The New Year was next week, and at the dinner table, Duan Yan suggested that they eat the family reunion dinner at home on New Year’s Eve, and then they could leave for City S on the first day of the New Year to have a good rest for a while.
Duan Baisui sipped his soup with no objections: “I’m fine with anything.”
Zuo Nian, however, looked a bit troubled: “Could we leave a bit later? On the first day, I want to visit Director Mom at the orphanage.”
Xu Yi smiled: “Of course. You two can decide when to leave; this is a trip for just the two of you.”
Duan Baisui put down his spoon: “Alright, then we’ll leave on the second day.”
Zuo Nian: “Good~”
“When you go to the orphanage, would you like me to accompany you?” Duan Baisui asked as if casually.
Zuo Nian: “If brother has time.”
“I do,” Duan Baisui said.
He suddenly wanted to understand every part of Zuo Nian’s early life that he hadn’t been a part of.
Xu Yi glanced at Duan Yan, and both had undisguised joy in their eyes.
Perhaps this obtuse son of theirs had finally discovered his own feelings?
–
On New Year’s Eve.
The four elderly relatives from Mo City were also brought to City A.
They were all retired and spent their time playing mahjong, chess, and doing square dancing at home, living quite comfortably.
Duan Yan had wanted to bring them to City A for a long time, but they were accustomed to life in Mo City, and with the two families living close to each other, neither was willing to come.
But today was a day for reunion, and the families gathered together in completeness.
The large dining room at the estate was finally being put to good use.
Everyone sat around the table, chatting happily.
Zuo Nian wore a red sweater today, the color bright and festive, very fitting for the occasion.
Duan Baisui’s elders all liked him very much, and the red envelopes they gave were each thicker than the last.
Zuo Nian was embarrassed to accept them. He felt that at twenty-five years old and already married, how could he still accept red envelopes?
Duan Baisui smiled: “If Grandmother and Maternal Grandmother want to give them to you, just take them. They like you.”
Zuo Nian looked toward Zuo Jun and Ason, and only after they nodded did he accept the red envelopes, smiling shyly with pursed lips, sweetly saying “thank you,” utterly well-behaved.
Dinner ended a bit late.
The fireworks started at ten o’clock on the estate’s lawn.
Tonight they would stay up to greet the New Year, so no one went to bed early.
The elders watched the Spring Festival Gala and chatted in the living room, while Zuo Nian and Duan Baisui stood side by side in front of the large floor-to-ceiling windows, watching the fireworks.
The night sky was brilliant, the fireworks fleeting.
Zuo Nian kept taking photos with his phone while Duan Baisui lowered his head to look at him.
“Sui-sui, Year-year~” Someone called them from behind.
They both turned their heads, and “click,” the camera captured this moment.
Ason shared the frozen image with Xu Yi, laughing: “Look, it’s just like the one you took back then. How did they grow up so fast? They’re so big now…”
Xu Yi: “Yes, time really flies…”
After midnight, the TV programs ended as well.
Everyone returned to their rooms to rest.
Zuo Nian was very happy tonight, too excited to feel sleepy.
He put the red envelopes under his pillow and lay down to play with his phone.
When Duan Baisui came out after his shower, Zuo Nian happily waved to him, enlarging a photo from the family group chat to show him.
“Brother, this is us when we were little. Do you remember?”
Duan Baisui leaned over. On the screen were two children sitting on the ground playing with building blocks.
The adults taking the photo called out, and both turned to look at the camera at the same time.
It was exactly the same as tonight’s scene.
When the two photos were placed side by side for comparison, the sense of destiny was overwhelming.
“Brother, Year-year really hopes to have a photo together with you every year.”
_
The next day was the first day of the New Year.
Zuo Nian and Duan Baisui got up early.
After having breakfast with the family, the two of them loaded the New Year goods they had prepared in advance into the car and prepared to set off for the orphanage.
There were many people traveling today, so there was inevitably some traffic.
By the time they reached the orphanage, it was almost noon.
Zuo Nian had called Director Xia in advance, and the kind old woman, wearing a faded old cotton coat, had been waiting for them at the entrance.
“Director Mom!” As soon as the car stopped, Zuo Nian eagerly opened the door and ran out.
Director Xia walked over at the sound, her eyes filled with undisguised affection: “Little Seven.”
“Director Mom, it’s so cold. Why are you standing here? You’ll catch a cold,” Zuo Nian said worriedly, brushing the snow off the old woman’s shoulders.
“I won’t. I’m quite healthy.”
As they were speaking, Duan Baisui walked over carrying gifts.
The young Alpha was tall and handsome in a well-tailored custom suit that further accentuated his transcendent aura and noble demeanor.
Zuo Nian quickly introduced him: “Director Mom, this is my Alpha. His name is Duan Baisui. We’ve… been married for half a year now.”
Director Xia was extremely pleased: “Is that so? Congratulations, Little Seven.”
Zuo Nian scratched his head: “Thank you, Mom.”
Duan Baisui greeted her politely: “Hello, Director Xia.”
Xia Qiulin extended her hand to shake Duan Baisui’s: “Hello, Mr. Duan. Please come in.”
The two followed Director Xia into the building.
Duan Baisui looked around as they walked.
This place was different from what he had imagined. It occupied a small area, with low buildings, and a sense of dilapidation everywhere.
Xia Qiulin led them to her office. When she opened the door, the room was laid bare at once.
The dull walls were covered with children’s simple drawings. An old air conditioner was rumbling away, seeming like it might break down at any moment.
Director Xia asked them to sit down, then brewed some rose tea. She repeatedly expressed her gratitude for the gifts that Duan Baisui and Zuo Nian had brought.
At this time, several seven or eight-year-old children crowded at the door.
They stared with big eyes, happily calling out: “Little Seven Brother!”
Zuo Nian would come back occasionally to bring clothes, toys, and snacks for the director and the children.
He had stayed here for several years and knew best what the place lacked.
In the course of these visits, the children also understood that whenever he came, there would be many delicious treats, so they all looked forward to his visits.
Zuo Nian quickly took the three big bags of snacks from the table and said: “Don’t crowd. There’s enough for everyone. Where are the other children?”
“In the dormitory~”
“Let’s go, I’ll come with you to see them,” Zuo Nian said.
After saying this, he poked his head back in: “Brother, are you coming?”
Those children were hiding behind Zuo Nian, curiously observing Duan Baisui, looking a bit afraid of him.
Duan Baisui shook his head: “You go ahead. I’ll sit with the director.”
“Then I’ll be back soon~”
“Mm.”
Zuo Nian ran off with the children, and Duan Baisui couldn’t help looking outside, but didn’t see him anymore.
“I’ve always heard Little Seven mention a certain brother. I suppose that would be you, Mr. Duan,” Director Xia said in a gentle voice. “Mr. Duan is indeed as brilliant and excellent as Little Seven described.”
Duan Baisui withdrew his gaze and smiled: “You flatter me.”
“Our Little Seven suffered a lot here, but fortunately, Mr. Zuo and his partner came along. Now, Little Seven has you too. You are all good people who treat him well.” Director Xia’s eyes crinkled with her smile, looking very kind: “A kind child will always be blessed.”
Duan Baisui asked: “He didn’t have a good life here?”
When Duan Baisui first met Zuo Nian, the child was already dressed very prettily.
He wore expensive clothes and little leather shoes.
He looked fresh and lively, not at all like a child from an orphanage, more like a little young master pampered in a wealthy family.
Duan Baisui had never understood Zuo Nian’s past, but seeing how deeply attached Zuo Nian was to the orphanage and how close he was to the children, he had thought that Zuo Nian must have had a decent life here before.
The director gazed at the flying snow outside the window, as if lost in distant memories: “I always hoped that once he left, he would never come back or remember this place, but he’s a kind and nostalgic child.”
_
After Zuo Nian finished distributing snacks to the children, it was lunchtime.
The children all ran to the cafeteria to eat, and Zuo Nian also returned to the office.
Inside, Duan Baisui was standing at the director’s desk, looking through a photo album.
Zuo Nian curiously approached and saw that it was a large group photo with himself in it.
At that time, he was wearing old clothes that didn’t fit properly, standing in the corner, smiling widely.
Zuo Nian pointed at the photo, saying happily: “That’s Year-year.”
Director Xia patted his head: “Yes, it’s good. Year-year is a fortunate child.”
Duan Baisui closed the album and returned it to Director Xia, saying: “Thank you for taking care of Zuo Nian before. My proposal is my sincere intention. Please don’t refuse.”
“What proposal?” Zuo Nian asked curiously.
“Your Alpha wants to donate money to renovate this place,” Director Xia said.
“Really?” Zuo Nian asked.
Duan Baisui: “Mm.”
Renovating the orphanage and improving their living conditions required a large sum of money.
Over the years, Zuo Nian’s capabilities had been limited. He could only provide help to the orphanage within his means.
Unexpectedly, Duan Baisui had fulfilled his wish.
“Brother…” Zuo Nian was so moved he didn’t know what to say.
Director Xia bowed slightly to Duan Baisui: “On behalf of the children, thank you.”
The two had lunch at the orphanage.
The meal was very simple: one meat dish, two vegetable dishes, and a soup, barely even smelling of oil or meat.
The children ate with gusto, but Duan Baisui found it hard to swallow.
He had grown up in affluence and had never imagined that for some people, eating meat would be considered a luxury.
And back then, Zuo Nian would have had even this kind of meal stolen from him, and would be so hungry at night that he’d go to the bathroom to drink tap water.
Yet despite all this, he had never spoken ill of the orphanage and still returned with a grateful heart to visit the people here.
While Duan Baisui was lost in thought, Zuo Nian picked out the green peppers from Duan Baisui’s bowl and gave all the meat from his own bowl to Duan Baisui.
“Brother, eat the meat.”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
