Chapter 9: Painting a Rosy Picture

“An orphanage?”

“That’s right. Allow me to introduce myself properly. I’m Lu Qingqiang, currently the director of Jiang City Loving Heart Orphanage.”

After introducing herself, Lu Qingqiang gave Doctor Feng a brief overview of the orphanage’s current situation.

Once she finished, her expression turned serious.

“So, Doctor Feng, would you consider joining us?”

“Jiang City Loving Heart Orphanage? That name sounds familiar…” Feng Shou lowered her head in thought.

“Ah, never mind. That’s not important.”

“This isn’t something I can agree to lightly. Before anything else, I need to visit your orphanage in person.”

“Of course, no problem. You’re welcome anytime, Doctor Feng.” Lu Qingqiang smiled calmly.

“So why are you at the hospital now? Is one of the children sick?” Feng Shou asked.

“Yes and no.”

“I originally brought the kids here for their annual checkups.”

“One of the children has a congenital heart defect and a cleft lip. Since we were coming for checkups anyway, I brought him to see a specialist.”

“I figured it’s best to treat his condition while he’s still young,” Lu Qingqiang explained.

“That kind of surgery must be expensive. Are you covering the cost yourself?”

“Once they come to the orphanage, they become our children.”

“As the director, if I have the means, I’ll always prioritize their health first.”

Hearing this, Feng Shou asked again.

“Aren’t you afraid that just after you finish treating him, his parents might show up looking for him?”

“If that really happens, it would actually be a good thing.”

“But if his parents do come, I’ll still have to ask the child how he feels about it.”

“If he wants to go home, I won’t stand in the way,” Lu Qingqiang said.

No matter how good an orphanage is, it can’t compare to the comfort of one’s own home.

If the parents are willing to accept and truly care for their child, Lu Qingqiang would gladly let go.

“Xiao Lu, you’re a good one.”

“I’m free these next few days. Just let me know when you’re heading back to the orphanage and I’ll come along,” Feng Shou said.

“Alright.”

After exchanging WeChat contacts and phone numbers, Doctor Feng finally stood up and left.

Lu Qingqiang remained seated, eyes closed, continuing her studies.

Xiao Hui’s surgery took about three hours.

As soon as the operating room doors opened, Lu Qingqiang opened her eyes and walked over.

“Don’t worry. The first surgery went very well. He’ll need to sleep a bit longer before waking up.”

“With this foundation, the next two surgeries shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Once all the procedures are done, he should be able to live just like any other child.”

“But during this period, you’ll need to pay attention to his diet and so on…”

After a string of instructions from the doctor, Lu Qingqiang nodded and thanked him.

A cleft lip surgery isn’t a major operation, but it’s not simple either.

In Xiao Hui’s case, it would take three separate surgeries to fully correct.

During his recovery, he’d need to be on a liquid diet, have regular dressing changes, and so on.

Of course, the hospital’s inpatient staff would handle most of that. Lu Qingqiang just needed to follow their guidance and help where she could.

The hospital had arranged a VIP ward—private room, complete with kitchen, bathroom, and living area.

When Lu Qingqiang walked in, she was stunned.

It was the first time she realized that hospitals could have such luxurious rooms.

The world of the wealthy was truly beyond her imagination.

She stayed by Xiao Hui’s side the entire time, even while studying with her eyes closed, until he finally opened his eyes.

“Mama Lu…”

“Xiao Hui, you’re awake? You were so brave today.”

“I forgot to tell you—the surgery was a success. Just hang in there a little longer. Once all the surgeries are done, our Xiao Hui will be just like everyone else.”

Looking at Xiao Hui’s pale face, Lu Qingqiang quickly walked over and gently comforted him.

After speaking, she quietly slipped a strawberry-flavored lollipop into his hand.

“This is your reward. Hide it for now, and eat it when you’re discharged,” she whispered.

Strawberry lollipops were Xiao Hui’s favorite.

He hadn’t expected Mama Lu to know.

And just like he’d hoped, the first person he saw when he opened his eyes was Mama Lu.

It felt so wonderful…

“Thank you, Mama Lu.” Tears began to stream down Xiao Hui’s cheeks.

“Why are you crying? You should be happy!”

“No more tears, okay? Or else… I’ll take a picture of how you look right now and show it to everyone back home.”

“…Okay.” Xiao Hui nodded firmly, though the tears just wouldn’t stop.

Lu Qingqiang wiped his tears, chatted with him for a while, then said gently,

“Xiao Hui, I might need to head back to the orphanage for a bit. Aunt Liu will come stay with you.”

“If it gets late, I’ll arrange for a caregiver to be with you too.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll come see you every day.”

“I know, Mama Lu. Go do what you need to. I’ll be good,” Xiao Hui replied sensibly.

After tucking him in and reminding the nurse to take extra care of him, Lu Qingqiang finally left the ward.

Driver Xiao Zhang had received her message half an hour earlier and was already on his way to pick her up.

He also brought along Aunt Liu, who had packed a few things.

At that moment, Lu Qingqiang was thinking about one thing.

She really needed to get her driver’s license as soon as possible.

Once Xiao Zhang arrived, he first helped Aunt Liu carry her things into the hospital room.

Then he drove Lu Qingqiang and Doctor Feng—whom she had invited to the orphanage for an interview—back to the orphanage.

The moment they arrived at the orphanage gate, Doctor Feng froze.

This… this place is so run-down?

Such a shabby orphanage, and yet they’re willing to spend money on medical checkups and surgeries for the kids?

Did that mean the director really cared about the children?

Still not sure. Better take a closer look.

“Doctor Feng, please come in.”

“Don’t judge us by how the orphanage looks now. In less than two months, this place will be completely transformed.”

“Let me tell you about my plans for the orphanage…”

The construction crew was large, and they were top-tier workers arranged by the Lu Family.

Transforming the place in a month or two was entirely doable.

Lu Qingqiang talked and talked, and Doctor Feng listened intently.

At first, she thought Lu Qingqiang was just painting a rosy picture.

But the more she listened, the more she found herself drawn in by that vision.

If… if the orphanage truly became what Lu Qingqiang described in two months, then she would absolutely love to work there.

It would be her dream work environment.

“Doctor Feng, it’s about lunchtime. Why don’t you stay and eat with us? You can also get a taste of our orphanage chef’s cooking.”

“Alright, I’ll take you up on that.”

“It’s our pleasure.”

Lunch included eight dishes and a soup, with a fruit buffet.

Four meat dishes, four vegetable dishes, and the soup was tomato and egg.

As for the fruits, there were sliced bananas, cubed oranges and dragon fruit, washed grapes, and winter dates.

Doctor Feng had only intended to grab a quick bite to fill her stomach.

Who would’ve thought…