Chapter 29: Pure-Hearted Foolishness

After stepping out the door and getting into the bus headed for Jiang City Loving Heart Orphanage, Guo Tao still felt a bit nervous.

At first, he had been pretty confident about landing the part-time job and earning some money to cover his living expenses.

But his roommate’s words had made a lot of sense too.

So now he was caught between anticipation and anxiety.

What he was looking forward to was the fact that tutoring someone for just one day could earn him over two thousand yuan.

What made him nervous was the thought—what if, just like his roommate said, this was all a scam?

If that happened, should he defend himself first or run?

He shifted the heavy backpack on his shoulders and hugged it tighter to his chest.

The bricks inside were his roommate’s weighty expression of concern.

They were also his source of strength.

Forget it. Better to be ready to defend himself first.

After taking the subway and transferring to a bus, he jogged for nearly ten minutes before finally reaching his destination.

Sure enough, the sign in front of him clearly read Jiang City Loving Heart Orphanage.

There was even a security guard at the gate who looked very proper and serious.

Seeing Guo Tao peering intently through the gate, the guard stepped forward, gave him a respectful nod, and spoke.

“Hello, comrade. Who are you here to see?”

Guo Tao jumped in surprise and instinctively returned the salute, quickly explaining.

“Hello, I’m here to apply for a part-time job. Ms. Lu, the person in charge of your orphanage, sent me the location.”

For some reason, the moment he saw the security guard, Guo Tao had the urge to stand up straight and answer obediently.

Even the backpack filled with bricks suddenly felt scalding hot in his hands.

“Oh, you’re the university student from that prestigious school the director mentioned?”

“You look like a fine young man. Come on in.”

“Thank you.”

“No need to be so polite.”

“Um, sir, could I ask where I should go for the job interview?” Guo Tao asked.

“It’s not even one o’clock yet. The director isn’t back. Have you eaten?”

“Ah, yes… I have.” Guo Tao quickly replied.

In truth, they’d had three classes that morning, and the fourth was self-study, so he and his roommate had skipped it.

When he got Lu Qingqiang’s call, it was exactly 12:15.

After his roommate’s dramatic warnings, he couldn’t sit still and rushed out with his bag.

As for lunch, he’d just grabbed a couple of cheap buns from the canteen that morning.

He’d eaten two on the way out.

His roommate had said he’d pick up something else for him to eat, but Guo Tao declined.

He didn’t have a big appetite anyway.

“If you’ve eaten, go grab a snack or something.”

“The director left instructions in the group chat. She said to take you to the canteen for lunch and let you look around a bit before she gets back.”

“Wait here. I’ll have someone come get you.”

With that, Zhang Qiang picked up his walkie-talkie and called his partner, Yan Fang.

“Got it, on my way.”

Not long after the voice came through the walkie-talkie, Guo Tao saw a tall female security guard with a buzz cut jogging toward him.

Wait a minute. Had he really stumbled into some strange organization?

Could it be, just like his roommate said, that this place was pretending to be an orphanage but was actually doing shady things behind the scenes?

Otherwise, why would he be immediately watched so closely by two people who looked like mercenaries?

Were they trying to restrict his freedom?

Was the next step to confiscate his phone?

And after that, would they drag him to some secret underground office and force him into a life of crime?

If he refused, would they beat him, throw him in a water dungeon, chop off his fingers, cut off his head, and bury him in the woods?

The more he thought about it, the more terrified Guo Tao became.

And the more terrified he was, the harder it was to keep calm.

Then… his backpack slipped from his trembling hands and fell to the ground with a thud.

“What do you have in there, kid? That’s pretty heavy.”

“I’ll get it myself, thank you! It’s nothing, really!”

Seeing the person next to him bend down to help, Guo Tao quickly crouched and snatched the bag back into his arms.

But now he was shaking even harder.

Yan Fang and Zhang Qiang exchanged a look: “???”

What was up with college students these days?

Were they all this timid?

It’s not like the two of them looked scary.

The kids at the orphanage loved them!

“What’s wrong with you?”

“It’s nothing. I just suddenly remembered I left something plugged in at the dorm. I should probably head back. I’ll come another day,” Guo Tao blurted out, scrambling for an excuse.

“Then call your roommate and ask them to unplug it.”

Hearing that, Yan Fang gave Guo Tao a closer look and couldn’t help but soften her tone.

“Kid, did you misunderstand something?”

“This is a legitimate orphanage. Zhang Qiang and I used to be in the military. We’re both veterans, now working here as security.”

“The director is genuinely kind. She just wanted you to have a good meal at the canteen.”

“What? You were in the military? No wonder you both seem so imposing.” Guo Tao immediately relaxed upon hearing that.

“…” Yan Fang and Zhang Qiang.

Now they understood why people online always said college students were the embodiment of pure-hearted foolishness.

On the one hand, it was good he was cautious and had some sense of self-protection.

When you’re out in the world, being alert is important.

But this kid? He had a bit of caution, sure, but not much.

The moment he heard they were veterans, he let down all his guard and even looked excited and relieved.

Wasn’t he worried they might be lying about their background?

“Kid, you’re still too young.”

“Come on, let’s walk and talk.”

“I’ll teach you what to do in situations like this.”

Yan Fang led Guo Tao toward the canteen, patiently sharing her experiences along the way.

As they passed different areas, she enthusiastically explained what each section was for.

Since it was lunchtime, the teachers and children were all resting.

Construction was paused during the lunch break.

The path was fairly quiet as they walked.

Guo Tao listened attentively while curiously observing his surroundings.

The moment he stepped into the canteen, a rich, savory aroma hit him.

Instantly, his stomach, which hadn’t felt hungry before, began to growl.

“Master Zhao, got anything left to eat?”

“Old Yan, it’s you. Lunch is mostly gone, but I’ve got some braised pork in the pot. Want to try it?”

“Kid, how about some braised pork?” Yan Fang asked.

“Sure, sure! I’m not picky,” Guo Tao quickly replied.

“Oh, you brought a young man with you? Just braised pork won’t be enough. Hold on, I’ll cook up some noodles.”

“No need, Master Zhao. I had a big lunch and haven’t digested it yet. Just make a serving for the kid,” Yan Fang said, then added,

“But do slice me a bit of that braised pork. I want to try the flavor.”