Chapter 55: Visiting the Orphanage, Shen Rou’s Other Side

“You knew about this?”

Yang Dahai’s expression stiffened, and he chuckled awkwardly.

“Of course! The guy you beat up sneaked over to me and complained.”

“we went too easy on him if he still dared to come to you.”

Yang Dahai snorted coldly, then looked at Dong Hong with curiosity.

“You knew about this, yet you still chose me in the end?”

“Not telling you.”

“Come on, just say it.”

“You really want to know?”

“Yeah!”

“I chose you precisely because I knew you beat him up. At that moment, I thought you were such a man—quietly mischievous but charming.”

As Dong Hong spoke, she felt a little embarrassed and lowered her head.

“Hehehe, if I had known, I would have beaten him up earlier.”

Yang Dahai grinned foolishly at Dong Hong.

“You idiot.”

Dong Hong rolled her eyes at him and went back to cooking the soup.

Before long, the hangover soup was ready, and she had Yang Dahai bring it upstairs.

Even though she had insisted that Shen Rou shouldn’t be taking care of Chen Mo, in the end, she couldn’t bring herself to actually stop it.

—

“Zhang Lan, don’t you have work tomorrow? Leave this to me and go get some rest.”

After feeding Chen Mo the hangover soup, Shen Rou stood up and spoke to Zhang Lan.

“Can you handle this alone? If not, I can take a day off.”

Zhang Lan looked at her with concern.

“It’s no big deal. Just go home.”

“Alright, but why do I feel like you’re trying to get rid of me? Did all our past vows of friendship go to the dogs?”

Zhang Lan put on a heartbroken expression.

“You looking for a beating?”

Shen Rou raised a fist, and Zhang Lan instantly bolted out of the room.

Watching her leave, Shen Rou sighed and returned to the room, pulling up a chair to sit by Chen Mo’s bedside.

—

Early morning.

Chen Mo rubbed his slightly aching head and slowly sat up.

But just as he lifted himself halfway, he felt something pressing down on his blanket.

Turning his head, he saw Shen Rou asleep by his bedside.

“Why is she here?”

Chen Mo looked puzzled, but soon, memories of last night’s hot pot gathering surfaced.

So he got tipsy on fruit beer? Wasn’t it supposed to be non-alcoholic?

Women’s words couldn’t be trusted after all.

Chen Mo grumbled inwardly but admitted he couldn’t entirely blame them. He had liked the taste of that fruit beer himself and had ended up drinking too much.

“You’re awake?”

Sensing movement, Shen Rou rubbed her eyes and looked at Chen Mo in surprise.

Chen Mo nodded, then softly thanked her.

“Mm. Thank you for looking after me all night.”

Seeing her asleep at his bedside, it was obvious she had stayed with him the entire night.

“It’s nothing. It’s my fault—I shouldn’t have let you drink!”

“Zhang Lan didn’t mean any harm either.”

Shen Rou quickly waved her hand.

Knock, knock, knock…

Just as Chen Mo was about to speak, someone knocked on the door.

“I’ll get it.”

Hearing the knocking, Shen Rou immediately got up and ran to open it.

“You must be Sister Shen! Mommy made some breakfast and asked me to bring it over.”

As Shen Rou opened the door, she saw a little girl holding a bag, speaking in a sweet, childish voice.

She looked absolutely adorable.

“Who’s your mom?”

“My mommy is Dong Hong. We live downstairs.”

Yang Duoduo pointed downstairs.

Hearing this, Shen Rou immediately understood who had sent the breakfast.

Looking at the cute little girl, she couldn’t help but think of the children at the orphanage. She reached out and gently ruffled the girl’s hair.

“Thank you! What’s your name?”

“I’m Yang Duoduo. Sister, here’s your breakfast. I have to go now!”

With that, Yang Duoduo handed over the bag and quickly ran downstairs.

—

“Duoduo brought breakfast?”

Chen Mo walked into the living room and, seeing Shen Rou carrying the bag, immediately knew who had sent it.

Ever since Yang Dahai and his wife joined his company, he had stopped eating breakfast outside. Almost every morning, Yang Duoduo brought it over.

“Yeah.”

Shen Rou nodded.

“Put it on the table. Let’s eat together.”

Chen Mo took the bag from her, laid out the breakfast on the table, and noticed there was more food than usual today.

“By the way, you didn’t rest well last night. Why don’t you get some sleep after this?”

As he ate, Chen Mo suddenly suggested.

“No need, I have things to do today.”

Shen Rou shook her head. She planned to visit the orphanage today and hadn’t even bought gifts for the children yet.

“Need any help?”

Chen Mo asked casually.

Shen Rou paused, realizing that buying gifts for the children would indeed require an extra pair of hands to carry everything.

After a moment’s hesitation, she cautiously said, “I’m going to the orphanage to see the kids. I need to buy some gifts, and I might need someone to help carry them.”

“Of course, if you’re busy, you don’t have to come.”

“Alright, I’ll go with you.”

Chen Mo nodded without hesitation. He had nothing to do anyway, and he figured he might even find something interesting to spend money on while they were out.

“Are you sure it won’t interfere with your plans?”

Shen Rou confirmed again.

“I’ve got nothing on today. It’s fine.”

Chen Mo shook his head.

“Then that’s great!”

Shen Rou relaxed and happily ate her breakfast.

After finishing their meal, the two quickly cleaned up the tableware and headed out.

—

Jiang City, Red Heart Orphanage.

A taxi slowly pulled up in front of the orphanage.

Chen Mo got out and started unloading the gifts from the back seat and trunk.

“I’ll help.”

Shen Rou hurried over to assist.

Soon, a small mountain of gifts was piled up on the ground.

Stretching his back, Chen Mo took a serious look at the orphanage.

Above the entrance, a weathered signboard displayed the name Red Heart Orphanage, though its paint had long faded.

The playground inside was just bare dirt, with a few ancient-looking play structures that were clearly from another era.

The building itself was only three stories tall, its exterior worn and dilapidated, with patches of peeling paint visible everywhere.

If Shen Rou hadn’t brought him here, he would have assumed the place had already been shut down.

“This is where you grew up?”

Chen Mo turned to look at Shen Rou. Along the way, she had shared many stories about the orphanage.

“Yes.”

Shen Rou nodded, gazing at the orphanage with a warm smile.

Every time she returned, she felt like she was home.

Before long—

A group of children suddenly rushed out of the building, sprinting toward the gate.