Shen Qingqing was surprised and quickly held the little girl's hands. "You know Aunt Xiao?"
The only person who would come here and be surnamed Xiao was her mother.
"Aunt Xiao is very kind and gentle. She often visits me," the little girl's vacant gaze revealed a hint of longing and sadness. "But I haven't seen her for a long, long time. Maybe she doesn't like me anymore, so she doesn't come to see me."
She slowly lowered her head, enveloped in deep disappointment.
"It's because I'm not good enough."
Shen Qingqing gently held her in her arms. "No, Aunt Xiao isn't coming because she has something important to do. I'm her daughter. Isn't it me who's here on her behalf?"
"Sister is Aunt Xiao's daughter?"
"Yes."
The little girl's face was filled with envy. "That's so nice. It's so fortunate that you get to be Aunt Xiao's daughter."
Shen Qingqing felt the same way. "Yes, I'm very fortunate."
She stayed to chat with the little girl for a while. She learned from the girl that her mother used to visit the orphanage often. Every time she came, she would not only bring the children a lot of delicious food and fun things but also spend time with her.
The girl was very close to her mother. She didn't talk much, and would always listen to her mother tell stories.
Shen Qingqing could almost imagine how gentle and loving her mother was. She had always been like this; outwardly a strong woman, but inwardly soft and pure.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have been so easily deceived by that scumbag Shen Zhizhong.
Thinking of the scene where the little boys had bullied the little girl earlier, she asked, "Are you happy here?"
The little girl's eyes were filled with bewilderment. "Happy... I guess."
She wasn't sure. But if she said she wasn't happy, where else could she go?
She was still too young. Even if she grew older, she would be blind, someone who couldn't even cross the street by herself. Her small world had always been shrouded in darkness.
Shen Qingqing stroked her little head. "Then, if I asked you to come with me, would you be willing?"
The little girl clutched the hem of her clothes. "But I'm blind."
She knew that out of all the people who came to adopt children, no one wanted to take her. Because she couldn't see, they said she was a burden no one wanted.
Shen Qingqing held her small hand. "Not at all. You're a little angel."
"But angels have wings."
"Angels have wings when they are in heaven. On earth, their wings must be folded away, or they would scare people. Your eyes are your wings."
The little girl's dim, lifeless eyes suddenly brightened for a moment, as if piercing the darkness to see the sunlight.
"I'm... an angel?"
"Yes, Xingyao," Shen Qingqing's voice was gentle and powerful. "Never look down on yourself. You have to love yourself, and then others will love you."
Angel. What a beautiful word.
Xingyao usually heard the most unpleasant words: blind, a drag, unwanted scrap, and various other hurtful things. This was the first time someone had called her an angel.
She grasped Shen Qingqing's clothes, like holding onto the last thread of hope.
"I'm willing to go with you, sister."
Shen Qingqing led her to find the director.
However, there was a rule at the orphanage. The teacher who handled the adoption paperwork said, "Adoption is possible, but our orphanage has a special requirement: the child must have a complete childhood, with both a father and a mother, neither of whom can be absent."
Xingyao didn't understand what was happening and clung to Shen Qingqing with hope.
Shen Qingqing was a little troubled. She couldn't just find a boyfriend out of the blue. She suddenly remembered the man beside her. She looked at Fu Jingshu's expressionless handsome face, wondering if he was moved.
But she decided to try. She left Xingyao in the office and went outside with Fu Jingshu.
"Master Fu, could you do me a favor?"
"Be my husband?"
Fu Jingshu asked directly, which made Shen Qingqing choke. She quickly explained, "You don't have to go that far. You just need to sign as my boyfriend. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone about this, and no one will know."
She felt it would be difficult to get this man to help without any benefit, so she offered a trade.
"If you're willing to help, just name your price."
"You think too little of me."
Fu Jingshu frowned. What gave her the impression that he was a petty person seeking benefits?
Shen Qingqing felt that he seemed unwilling. Although finding someone else would be troublesome and time-consuming, it was not good to force someone if they didn't want to.
"If you don't want to, then forget it..."
"You owe me a favor."
Fu Jingshu, who had been leaning against the wall with a confident air, suddenly straightened up, gave her a cold glance, brushed past her, and walked straight into the office.
Why did he seem unhappy again?
Shen Qingqing deeply felt that a man's heart was as unfathomable as the sea.
When she entered the office, Fu Jingshu had already signed in the boyfriend section. The teacher looked at him, then at Shen Qingqing, and teased, "You make quite a handsome couple. You look like a match made in heaven."
Shen Qingqing subconsciously glanced at Fu Jingshu, worried that he would be displeased by the remark.
However, Fu Jingshu's expression was calm, and his voice was low. "Let's complete the paperwork."
After the paperwork was done, as they were leaving, the teacher instructed, "Xingyao is different from other children. You need to put more effort into caring for her. I know she's been bullied at the orphanage, but with so many children, I can't focus all my energy on her, so I've been neglecting her. From now on, this child is in your care."
Who wouldn't like a well-behaved and adorable child?
Not only the teacher who doted on Xingyao, but Shen Qingqing's heart also softened the moment she saw the child. "Don't worry, I will treat her as my own child."
Leaving the orphanage, Shen Qingqing planned to take Xingyao home, but the child's stomach rumbled.
She lowered her head a little sheepishly, not daring to say she was hungry, fearing that her sister would find her troublesome.
"Let's go eat."
Fu Jingshu took the adult and child to a nearby Western restaurant.
As soon as they entered, someone came to greet them respectfully. "Master Fu, please come in. Your table has been reserved."
"Mm, the usual. As for them..." Fu Jingshu glanced at the woman and child beside him. "Bring them the menu and let them order for themselves."
The waiter was a little startled.
This wasn't Master Fu's first time here, but he had almost always brought clients, usually business magnates. Yet, every time, Master Fu arranged everything and seated everyone.
Master Fu's possessiveness was well-known. Now, he was being so considerate to a woman and a child...
The waiter didn't dare to stare and became much more respectful to Shen Qingqing. When he handed over the menu, he explained the restaurant's signature dishes and specifically asked if the child had any dietary restrictions.
After the waiter left, Shen Qingqing said, "Thank you, Master Fu, for treating us today. You've spent quite a bit."
Fu Jingshu had ordered a glass of red wine first. After swirling it, he took a sip and looked up at her. "Aren't there many things you've troubled me with?"