Chapter 138: Time to Make an Entrance
Both Li Jingjing and Dean Cha noticed Yang Chen's peculiar behavior as he stopped in his tracks. Seeing him staring blankly at the portrait hanging high on the wall, Dean Cha smiled and said, "This is Ms. Guo Xuehua, the founder of our 'New Hope Orphanage.' She has now established over a hundred orphanages. Her portrait hangs in each one, symbolizing our respect for her."
Li Jingjing heard Guo Xuehua's name for the first time. Looking up, she saw a woman in her thirties in the portrait, with her dark hair piled up high, her face round and radiant. She exuded an aura of grace and nobility, with a gentle and dignified expression, reminiscent of the aristocratic temperament, which made people feel warm and yet hesitant to look too much to avoid disrespect.
"What's wrong, Brother Yang? Do you know Ms. Guo?" Li Jingjing asked curiously.
Yang Chen shook his head lightly and smiled, "It's just natural for a man to take a second look when he sees a beautiful woman."
Li Jingjing rolled her eyes at him but didn't pay much attention.
As they continued walking with Dean Cha, Yang Chen's thoughts lingered on the portrait. He felt like he had seen that woman somewhere before, but he couldn't recall where. This feeling made him uncomfortable, so he decided it was best to stop dwelling on it for now.
Upon entering a large hall, they finally saw a large group of small children, all dressed in colorful clothes. Boys and girls alike had bright, shiny eyes. When they saw Li Jingjing enter, their innocent faces lit up with joy, forgetting the poems they were reciting and rushing towards her!
"Sister Jingjing!"
"Sister Jingjing, I want to play a game!"
"I want to watch you draw!"
The group of children immediately surrounded Li Jingjing in the center, making various innocent requests. Li Jingjing smiled happily and busily accepted each one, her body being pulled and tugged by them. Fortunately, the children weren't too strong, or else Li Jingjing's clothes would have been torn apart.
Yang Chen felt a tingling sensation on his scalp, but he couldn't just run away. He had to put down his suitcase and unpack it. Inside, he found many books with rich illustrations, and what intrigued Yang Chen even more was the several educational puzzles Li Jingjing had brought. Apparently, a single puzzle was enough to keep the children busy for a long time, so Li Jingjing's laziness was justified.
The better part of the day passed much quicker than Yang Chen had imagined. Besides having a simple lunch, the children tirelessly surrounded Li Jingjing, wanting to hear her tell stories and teach them to paint with watercolors. When Li Jingjing's throat couldn't handle it anymore, she let Yang Chen tell stories instead. However, the children became sulky upon hearing Yang Chen's dry storytelling voice, puffing their cheeks in discontent.
Yang Chen slinked off the stage, resigned to continue playing his pitiful supporting role, much to the amusement of Li Jingjing, Dean Cha, and a few other orphanage staff members who chuckled.
As the sun was nearly setting, the children finally heeded Dean Cha's suggestion to let Li Jingjing go, promising to play with her again next time. As for Yang Chen, who seemed uninteresting to them, he was simply ignored.
Outside the orphanage, a group of children with wide, glistening eyes continued to bid farewell to Li Jingjing. Several little girls even had teary eyes, which were incredibly endearing to witness.
Li Jingjing waved to the children while trying to hold back her own tears, pursing her lips and forcing a smile.
Once they were in the car, Li Jingjing immediately took out a tissue to dab at the corners of her eyes, sniffling a bit. "I can't help but cry every time I say goodbye to the children. They're still so young and have already lost their parents. Yang, you must have had a tough childhood. I really feel for you."
Yang Chen smirked and replied, "It's nothing. You get used to it. Sometimes, many things can make you forget about your parents and relatives when you're constantly walking on the edge of life and death."
As Li Jingjing spoke softly, "I just hope that by telling stories and giving them little gifts, I can bring some joy to the children. Although I grew up poor, having my parents with me made me feel like the happiest child in the world. They must envy those children who have parents, but unfortunately, it's something they can't have."
Seeing the sadness in her eyes, Yang Chen thought for a moment before asking, "Today, our teacher Li gave the children so many gifts. So, what does Teacher Li want for herself?"
Pouting, Li Jingjing replied, "Yang, don't joke around. I'm not a child anymore."
"It's not just children who have the right to receive the gifts they want. You've worked hard all day, so I, Yang Chen, have decided to reward you." Yang Chen said seriously.
With the sun setting, the golden light spilled into the car, casting a quiet atmosphere where their breaths could be heard.
Li Jingjing's eyes seemed somewhat intoxicated, as if she had been thinking for a long time. A blush crept onto her face as she said softly, "I want love, Yang. Can you give it to me?"
Finishing her words, Li Jingjing lowered her head, unable to look at Yang Chen again.
Yang Chen's previously slightly smiling expression faded away, replaced by a silent and somber demeanor. Li Jingjing's sudden words felt like a heavy blow to his heart.
"I don't ask for much. I don't want a house, a car, money, fame, or status. I just want love. I just want you, Yang, to pay attention to me, to love only me. But perhaps what I want is also the one thing I can't have?"
Yes, perhaps he could give everything, but unfortunately, what she wanted, he couldn't provide.
Yang Chen sighed, "I'm sorry, I didn't expect this. But you're a very outstanding girl, you're still young. I think you'll find a good place to belong. And when that time comes, I can be your brother, attending your wedding." After saying this, Yang Chen felt a discomfort in his heart.
Li Jingjing raised her head, her eyes slightly red but still wearing a smile. "Yang, please don't say these things anymore. Otherwise, you'll be just like my mom, nagging me every day to hurry up and get married. It's so annoying."
"Your parents are getting older, of course, they want grandchildren. That's only natural."
"Alright, Yang, please stop comforting me with those words. Actually, speaking out my thoughts makes me feel much better. Anyway, I don't want to get married right now. Maybe when you and your wife divorce, I'll have a chance?" Li Jingjing teased.
"Don't count on me. I'm not a good man." Yang Chen felt he was indeed despicable in front of Li Jingjing.
Li Jingjing shook her head. "Whether you're good or not is not for you men to decide. It's what women say that counts."
That made sense. Each person has their own path. Perhaps he dug his own hole too big. Even though referring to men as "holes" seemed inappropriate.
"Oh, Jingjing," Yang Chen remembered something, "You mentioned last time that you wanted to move out. Have you figured it out?"
"I have. I'm looking for a place now. But it'll take some time. I don't want to deal with renovations and buying furniture. It's too much hassle. I plan to just rent a smaller place. With my current salary, it shouldn't be too difficult." Li Jingjing said.
Yang Chen nodded. As girls grow up, their thoughts become more independent. Looking at Li Jingjing, who seemed a bit down, Yang Chen didn't say much more. He started the car and drove her home.
The weekend passed in the blink of an eye, and it was Monday, time to go back to work.
Although Yang Chen had taken on the task given by his wife, the CEO, the project wouldn't be made public for the time being. Therefore, there was no need to mention any transfer or promotion. Only on special occasions would he act as the project supervisor. So, early in the morning, Yang Chen still made his routine purchase of a large breakfast and brought it to the PR department's main office.
As soon as he entered, the most voracious eater, Zhang Cai, rushed up and grabbed two bags of pan-fried buns and a bag of milk, indulging in them. The other girls couldn't help but gnash their teeth, wondering why Zhang Cai could eat so much without gaining weight, apart from her plump face, there was no other noticeable change in her figure.
When breakfast was almost finished, Yang Chen suddenly realized that Zhao Hongyan, who usually sat closest to him, hadn't arrived. Remembering what had happened last Friday night, Yang Chen felt that something was amiss.
Just then, Liu Mingyu rushed in from the doorway, her pale gray professional suit making her look slightly flushed from her hurried walk. She seemed somewhat excited, and as she reached Yang Chen, she urgently asked, "Yang Chen, what happened between you and Hongyan?"
Liu Mingyu's voice was urgent, and all the women in the office heard it clearly, turning to look at Yang Chen with surprise.
Yang Chen furrowed his brows. "Mingyu, what's going on?"
"Hongyan's husband, Yu Guang, and her younger brother, Yu Hui, have both come to the company. Hongyan looks awful! It seems like she's been beaten up! Yu Guang is yelling for a man named 'Yang Chen,' saying very unpleasant things. They're causing a scene in the lobby on the first floor!" Liu Mingyu said with a frown.
Yang Chen's expression darkened. Over the weekend, Zhao Hongyan hadn't contacted him, and he had thought that everything would be fine. But now, it seemed that something had happened to Zhao Hongyan, and she hadn't had a chance to contact him, or maybe she didn't want to talk to him at all.
If it hadn't been for the weekend break, her husband might have dragged her to him a couple of days ago.
"Take this." Yang Chen shoved the remaining breakfast and soy milk into Liu Mingyu's hands.
Confused, Liu Mingyu asked, "What are you doing?"
"The man named 'Yang Chen' needs to make an appearance," Yang Chen said grimly.