Rebirth 08: Equipment God

Chapter 256 Fading
Zhai Da arrived, bringing even more daily necessities.

Since the previous sponsorship was in cash, Li Huifen quickly put it to good use, inviting Boss Zhai and his girlfriend to stay for dinner.

Rice, stir-fried celery with pork, braised ribbonfish, stir-fried greens, and tomato and egg soup.

It was packed with protein and tasted alright, but each dish came in a whole bowl.

You could tell from the expressions on the children's faces when they got their food that the meals had indeed improved, especially the braised ribbonfish. The older children got three pieces, and the younger children got two pieces, and many people stared at it with shining eyes.

Zhai Da's visit today was a surprise, without prior notice, so it shouldn't be a publicity stunt.

He suddenly realized that Li Huifen was also working very hard. Putting aside everything else, cooking for ten people by herself was enough to take up most of her time every day.

There were only a few tables in the so-called canteen. Zhai Da would occasionally shovel a few bites into his mouth: "Why are you the only one here? It seems like we're short-staffed."

Li Huifen was a little embarrassed. After struggling to find the right words for a while, she finally said, "We can't afford to raise a second adult."

"However, government officials, hospital staff, and police officers often come to visit, clean the house, and play games with the children."

I understand. The extra surplus isn't enough to allow one more person to "take time off" to stay and look after the orphanage.

For the parts that are insufficient, we can only rely on social forces.

For example, Zhai Da is now also part of the social forces.

How do you usually spend Chinese New Year's Eve?

"Making something delicious and having everyone watch TV together should be enough."

"Is there a TV?"

"Yes, there are TVs that the hospital sent over, they're discarded."

Li Huifen gave a name, which turned out to be the family that Zhai Dagang had awakened from when he was reborn. You can only say that's how it is in small places, you can find connections everywhere, whether you're going around in circles or not.

After eating, he felt much warmer. Zhai Da checked his watch and prepared to leave.

The journey back was another bumpy ride in the cold wind. He didn't even bring a scarf because he felt it wasn't so cold after returning to Dongyang.

Before leaving, Zhai Da waved and called Tang Xiao Kui over.

Tang Xiao Kui tilted her pretty face up, gripping her bag strap: "Is there something you need?"

Zhai Da was no longer surprised by this little adult and said, "Do you remember the camera I told you about last time?"

Tang Xiaokui carefully turned to the side to protect the small yellow bag.

Zhai Da said speechlessly, "I meant mine, the one I said I'd give to you, remember? The pink one."

Tang Xiaokui nodded.

"I've decided not to deliver it."

Tang Xiao Kui: ?

Zhai Da squatted down to be at eye level with Tang Xiao Kui and said patiently, "Actually, you don't need this. Last time, it was my own fault for letting you carry a digital camera worth several thousand yuan. You'll easily be isolated. Your brain isn't fully developed yet, and you don't understand the ins and outs of this."

Tang Xiao Kui: How could an adult be so wicked?
Zhai Da helped Tang Xiao Kui straighten her turned-up collar; this girl was actually quite tall for her age.

“You may not like the clothes here either, but this outfit of yours is the same as a camera. I’ll get you some normal children’s clothes later, and I promise you they’ll look good, just not as eye-catching. Have Aunt Li put this outfit away for you.”

"And my promise to sponsor your schooling until you get a job remains unchanged. I will arrange it later, but the premise is that you have to study hard and not leave me with nowhere to spend my money. It would be best if you could get a doctorate and live off me until you are 30."

After Zhai Da finished speaking, he stood up, took Lu Wei's hand, and walked outside.

Tang Xiaokui watched Zhai Da's retreating figure and asked, "Why are you so nice to me?"

She can distinguish what everyone has and what is extra for her.

She had assumed Zhai Da would say it was because he was pitiful, because he was miserable.
Then the person from behind said:
"Because you're cute."

Tang Xiao Kui:
It's not that it's unacceptable...
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After Zhai Da left, Tang Xiao Kui returned to her dormitory, where the things she had been assigned were placed on her small bunk bed.

It seemed that one or two items were missing, but she didn't pay much attention to it.

Children in welfare homes cherish what they have and are humble, modest, and frugal—qualities that can only be cultivated when material conditions are already abundant.

However, with Li Huifen around, the orphanage still maintains basic order. Even college students steal food from their roommates. It's already quite good that there's no bullying in the orphanage; we can't expect too much.

The other children seemed to never get enough of playing, running around wildly outside. The longer they stayed, the more "carefree" they became.

Tang Xiao Kui sat on the bed in a daze for a while. Her white pantyhose legs could not touch the ground and hung limply like tree roots, only a few centimeters away from the ground of the orphanage.

After a long while, Tang Xiaokui carefully took out the white cards one by one from her small bag. The outlines drawn on them with marker seemed to have faded even faster since she came to the orphanage.

Because she took it out to look at it more often.

She and her father had known all along that if the Polaroid camera was broken, no matter how many types of film they used, the photos would fade after being taken.

Even the most vibrant colors and memories are only fleeting moments of happiness, lasting a limited 24 hours.

But Dad said that Mom bought the camera specifically to take pictures of her.

To document every day of her growth, her father believed that every faded photo was "sent" to her mother.

"Tangtang, look here, smile. You look so pretty!"

"Is that so?! I want to see! I want to see the photos!"

"It's so beautiful, just like my daughter. Do you like this dress?"

"I love it... Thank you, Daddy! Daddy's the best!"

"Dad, your dark circles have gotten worse lately. Are you not getting enough rest?"

"Every adult has dark circles under their eyes."

"You're lying! I heard it yesterday! After you put me to sleep, you went back to work overtime in the middle of the night."

"this kid"

"Dad, you don't need to keep running back and forth like this. Let's move into your company! Or you can work from home from now on!"

"That won't do. A home needs to look like a home. I promised your mother I would take good care of you."

"What do you mean by 'nanny'? I heard that if we had a nanny, Dad wouldn't be so tired."

"I don't feel comfortable without a nanny."

"Daddy's going to Suzhou on a business trip. Tangtang, do you want to come along? I'll take you to see the Lion Park!"

"Great! I want to see lions! I want to see lions! Roar~!"

"Roar! Roar! The big lion is coming to get you!"

"Hey! Run!"

"Dad, what kind of flower is this? It's so pretty."

"This is a camellia, a flower that only blooms in winter. Even in the coldest winter, seeing it means that spring is not far away!"

"Dad, can you help me pin it to my head?"

"Okay, it looks great. Come on, let Mom see it too, look at the camera!"

"What kind of people are Dad and Mom?"

"My mother is beautiful, kind, gentle, and understanding. She patiently encourages an ordinary guy, telling him not to cry time and time again."

Do you miss your mom?

"Me? I think about it every day. I think about it while eating, while sleeping, while working."

In his cozy little home, Tang Fengyi stared at the ceiling. This was his wedding room.

My wife and I worked hard together, toiled together, and even shared dark circles under our eyes to build our home. Every tile and every lamp was chosen by my wife with high hopes.
As I thought about it, tears blurred my vision again.
"Daddy, Daddy, I miss you so much, I really miss you."

Tang Xiao Kui propped herself up on her thin arms and asked nervously, "They say I killed Mom, is that true?"

Tang Fengyi immediately sat up straight and said seriously, "Who! Who said that?"

"They...they all say I have bad luck. They say I'm a jinx."

"Tangtang, we will not associate with relatives like that anymore. Dad promises you that they will never appear in your life again, and we will not let them gossip about you again."

Tang Fengyi held Tang Xiaokui in his arms: "Tangtang, you are the fruit of your father and mother's love, you are our treasure. I will definitely take good care of you. I swore to my mother that!"

"But Dad, you've been really tired lately. I don't want a new dress anymore, and I don't want a chocolate cake anymore. Dad, please get some rest."

Tang Fengyi looked at Tang Xiaokui with moist eyes: "Dad has been having some minor business problems lately, but don't worry! Dad won't be defeated! Dad is the strongest, bravest, and most resilient person in the world! Nothing can break me! I still want to watch you grow up!"

"Once we get through this period, I'll take you to the amusement park...to see the lions...and then we'll eat."

It may not matter to others, but it is important to her.
How could a father like that commit suicide?
(End of this chapter)