Rebirth 08: Equipment God

Chapter 255 Camellia

This shouldn't actually be within Wang Guofeng's job scope, but he can't stop worrying about that child.

He could imagine that the child had heard the "gossip" before and was also a bit smarter than other children his age.
It means she understands.
This is not a good thing for a child who needs to be raised by adults, which is why the older an orphan is, the harder it is for them to be adopted.

From both legal and social perspectives, the state advocates "priority for blood-related adoptions." Blood ties and clans are among the most fundamental spiritual bonds of the Chinese nation, effectively reaching aspects of life that the law cannot touch.

After all, the law cannot govern every aspect of life, and whether something is "good" for a child cannot be clearly explained by a few legal provisions.

Admittedly, there are many relatives who are "worse than strangers," but this is the case for the large number of people.

The abnormality rate for blood-related adoptees is 12%, while the abnormality rate for social adoptees is as high as 31%.

(Abnormalities: escape, broken relationships, extreme behavior, mismanagement, mental repression, etc.)

Most importantly, “social adopters” don’t line up at the door to adopt every child with one problem or another.

Even those with strong desires will be selective, only accepting the "best".

Blood relatives are easy to find and the fastest to find adoptive parents; they can be found within the system, and generally, their basic willingness to adopt is relatively high.

To put it in a way that any Chinese person can understand.

It's just a few more chopsticks.

However, it seems that Tang Xiao Kui can't even find a place to "add extra chopsticks" now. This is also subtly related to the increased anxiety about raising children in recent years. The more capable urban residents are of raising children, the less they can accept "add extra chopsticks".

Wang Guofeng flipped through the papers again and again, especially the information on several relatives. Finally, he stubbed out his cigarette and said to his colleague, "I'm going to the welfare home. Please help me with a field assignment."

"Again?"

"There's one child I'm worried about."

A male colleague standing nearby said, "You can't really relax about any of the kids. You never stop talking when it comes to children."

Wang Guofeng took off his uniform, changed into an ordinary black jacket, and left the office.

Half an hour later, an old, yellowed white Santana pulled up in front of the Dongyang County Welfare Home.

As soon as I got out of the car, I saw Tang Xiaokui standing in the courtyard, staring blankly through the iron gate.

She put the eye-catching red thick wool dress back on. Li Huifen didn't confiscate the exquisite clothes; she just hand-washed them, dried them, and returned them to Tang Xiaokui.

She transformed back into that impeccably dressed young girl, carrying that bright yellow bag containing the Polaroid camera.

They were simply inside an iron gate.

Upon seeing Wang Guofeng, Tang Xiaokui's lifeless eyes brightened for a moment, but quickly dimmed again.

Wang Guofeng had come to find her, so he didn't bother greeting the people inside. He squatted down through the iron gate and said with a smile, "What's wrong? Planning an escape?"

Tang Xiao Kui shook her head, her pretty face pale: "I was just looking at the flowers."

"flower?"

Following Tang Xiaokui's gaze, Wang Guofeng saw several bright red flowers on the trees across the street.

Wang Guofeng felt that the face looked familiar, but he couldn't recall the name.

Tang Xiaokui said, "That's called 'Nai Dong' (meaning 'winter-resistant'). My dad taught me that. He often buys it for me and puts it in my hair."

Wang Guofeng scratched his head. No flower shop would sell this flower, since it grows right by the roadside, but that problem didn't seem to matter now.

"How have you been these past few days? Didn't I tell you it's not that scary here?"

Wang Guofeng took out a chocolate bar from his pocket and handed it to Tang Xiaokui: "I brought this for you."

Tang Xiao Kui hesitated for a moment, then accepted the chocolate and bowed politely, saying, "Thank you. Brother Zhai came before too, but the chocolates were all taken by others."

"Brother Zhai?"

Wang Guofeng smiled, thinking to himself, "So the top scholar has come to donate after all?"

We can ask Li Huifen later.

"Xiao Kui, Uncle has a question for you. Have you ever been to Northwest China? Like, for tourism or something?"

Tang Xiao Kui shook her head: "I don't know where the Northwest is."

“Your mother’s cousin lives far away.”

"Are they going to adopt me?"

"We are communicating with them."

"But they hate me."

Wang Guofeng paused for a moment: "No, that was before, things are different now."

Tang Xiaokui said, "If you don't believe me when I tell you, then I won't say anything more. I also have a question I want to ask Uncle Wang."

"You said."

Tang Xiao Kui leaned forward, her big eyes intently observing Wang Guofeng: "Did my father really commit suicide?"

It would be too cruel for Wang Guofeng to discuss this issue in detail with a six-year-old child.

Taking the chocolate from Tang Xiaokui's hand, tearing open the wrapper for her, and handing it back, Wang Guofeng smiled and said, "Don't think about these things. These are adult matters. Trust us to handle them. The rest is unimportant."

Tang Xiaokui shook her head and said seriously:

"But...this is very important to me."

At this point, it seemed pointless to say anything, so Wang Guofeng could only give a dry laugh.

Tang Xiaokui held up the chocolate and said softly:
"Uncle Wang said on TV that you need to claim a deceased relative, but why haven't I seen my dad?"

Wang Guofeng instinctively reached for a cigarette again, but ultimately resisted.
“You are a minor, so you don’t need to go through this step. Your uncle went.”

Tang Xiao Kui's tears fell drop by drop.

"But. But"

"I want to see him one last time, I want to take a picture of him. Dad's busy with work. We haven't taken a picture in a long time..."

"Why can those who hate us see Dad one last time, but I can't?"

Wang Guofeng felt as if a heavy hammer was striking his chest. After a long while, he said:

"Xiao Kui, you're only six years old. I'm not letting you see it for your own good."

People who drown are not at peace, even if it is suicide.

"Some things take time to understand. You'll understand when you grow up."

For orphans, intense memories can become an obstacle to integrating into a new environment, including their attachment to their biological parents.

"Your most important thing right now is to take care of yourself."

Only by taking care of yourself can you have a future, even if you're in an orphanage.
Just then, Wang Guofeng's phone rang, which provided him with a chance to end this heavy conversation and catch his breath. He answered it immediately.

"Guofeng, come back quickly! The police are here to inspect. You didn't have time to put on your uniform while you were out on duty. I told you you had an upset stomach and went to the toilet. You have to see me within half an hour!" Wang Guofeng exhaled a breath of stale air, stood up and said, "Xiaokui, Uncle has to go back for work. I'll come see you another day. Eat well and sleep well, understand?"

"The most important thing is not to try to run away."

While wiping away her tears and sniffling, Tang Xiao Kui pretended to be a strong little adult again: "I understand the rules."

“If I run away, I’ll still get caught, and I’ll go hungry, and I might even run into bad people. My dad taught me that I never cause trouble for adults, and I’ll stay here obediently, even if it’s five or ten years.”

Goodbye, Uncle.

After getting into the car, Wang Guofeng immediately lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and exhaled almost colorless smoke only after the smoke had lingered in his lungs for a long time.

He patted his face, shifted gears, and started driving on a small road on the outskirts of the county.

Before they had gone far, they heard the sound of dingling cannons.

An old but sturdy tricycle, making noise all the way, came from the opposite direction.

Meanwhile, the "successful people," "big stars," and "great writers" in his eyes are gritting their teeth and forging ahead against the cold wind.

My face looks stiff.

The tricycle was loaded with goods. There was also a tall girl with her hands tucked in.
What happened? I haven't seen it for a few days, and the luxury car has turned into a tricycle?

Even stock trading can't be this fast, right?

Zhai Dadong's face stiffened; he deeply regretted his decision.
They brought this on themselves and dragged Little Wood down with them.

I was feeling quite smug just now, thinking that this tricycle, despite its dilapidated appearance, could hold a huge amount of cargo, several times more than the trunk of a regular car, almost like a small truck.

Then it became what it is now.

Delivering warmth by tricycle, saving money where possible and spending money where appropriate.

As for the Santana that passed by, Zhai Da didn't pay any attention to it.

"Are you cold? Hang in there!"

Lu Wei, sitting expressionless with her hands tucked in her pockets on the truck bed, simply said, "Hmm."

I feel like I'm about to fall apart.
Is this what it feels like to be in love?

With a screeching sound of brakes, Zhai Da stopped at the entrance of the Dongyang County Welfare Home, where he also saw Tang Xiao Kui squatting behind the iron gate, lost in thought.

Her fair face was streaked with tears, and she held an opened chocolate in her hand, but didn't eat a single bite.

Last time they met, Zhai Da was somewhat driven by self-interest, but this time he was completely at ease.

I feel much more at ease now.

He chuckled, using a tone that sounded like he was teasing a child, "What are you doing? Planning to run away?"

Tang Xiao Kui shook her head and wiped her face: "No. I wouldn't dare."

"That's right, you shouldn't dare. If you get caught, you'll get a spanking. Why aren't you eating the chocolate? Can't you eat the cheap brand?"

Tang Xiao Kui simply stopped talking.

Zhai Da didn't hesitate and shouted inside, "Open the door! Bring warmth!"

Hearing the sound of brakes, Li Huifen ran outside. Although it was a bit strange that Boss Zhai was riding a tricycle, she still smiled and said, "Boss Zhai, I'm so sorry to see you here again."

The other party sponsored the meals for all the children in the welfare home and frequently brought gifts to their door.

Such a good person. Such a good person.

Please give me more!
Zhai Da patted the pile of boxes in the truck bed: "Besides drinks, there are also daily necessities, such as toilet paper, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and shampoo, which will all come in handy."

"This is the last time I've come before the New Year, so I brought a lot more."

Li Huifen quickly said, "Quickly thank Boss Zhai!"

The children who ran out imitated him, saying, "Thank you, Boss Zhai!"

This time, Zhai Da didn't add a name or two more, because the unscrupulous merchant didn't offer a discount, and he even rode his own tricycle there.

Exclusive title sponsorship.

However, the thought of having to return the tricycle to Xu Xuejun only added another point to her regret.

"Come help me move this, young man! Stop looking around, you're in middle school now, why aren't you helping out?"

"And you, you were the fastest to grab it last time, come and lend a hand."

Amidst the laughter and banter, it was actually more enjoyable than last time.
The children are smiling more often.

They actually dislike the overly cautious nature of visitors.
It was as if they were being treated like fragile toys, every word spoken carrying concern and pity.

They prefer to be treated like normal people, especially the older ones.

Amidst the commotion, boxes of supplies were carried inside.

It seemed that no one was paying attention to Tang Xiao Kui anymore. The girl who had been staring blankly at the iron gate had just seen the gate open.

Standing on the boundary of the orphanage, the small feet in round-toed leather shoes seemed to be able to step out with just one step.

Tang Xiaokui's eyes were fixed on the vibrant flower on the outside of the camellia.
At that moment, a figure squatted down in front of Tang Xiao Kui—a beautiful older sister who had committed a foul.

She was holding a bright red flower in her hand.

"You seem to want this? Do you mind if I picked it up from the ground?"

Tang Xiao Kui said blankly, "Thank you. I don't mind. Who are you, sister?"

"I?"

The little wooden head tilted its head and thought for a moment:
"I am Boss Zhai's girlfriend."

Tang Xiao Kui tilted her head back, her pretty little face looking at her pretty big face.

He thought to himself: He's really rich.
Zhai Da appeared out of nowhere and patted Tang Xiao Kui's head: "What are you thinking about again? Come on, let's go rob something, or we won't be able to get anything."

Tang Xiao Kui shook her head: "We can't win against them. Let them have them."

She didn't yet feel the tension of "material deprivation," even after she arrived.
They don't even get to eat as much as other people.

Zhai Da grabbed Tang Xiao Kui's hand and led her inside.

"I'll back you up, what are you afraid of?"

Big hand holding little hand, little hand holding flower.

Tang Xiao Kui followed closely behind, but unfortunately, they were heading inside.

Actually, what bound Tang Xiao Kui wasn't the iron gate.
Rather, it lacks a strong hand reaching outwards.

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(End of this chapter)