18 Sinister Scheme

Qing Yue placed the food, clothes, books, and shoes she bought for the City Orphanage in the trunk of her hover. She closed the trunk with her purple button and moved towards the driver's seat.

A light spring breeze rippled by and plucked at her sleek tresses, the strands getting in her eyes as she hopped into the hover.

Qing Yue swept the strands out of her face before the automatic belts tied her to the seat.

"Su Su, City Orphanage."

"Su Su heading to City Orphanage." The hover floated and faced towards the grey skyscrapers before dashing into their embrace.

Qing Yue had been visiting the City Orphanage since the age of 11. As a soul from the past, feeding hungry kids and clothing them wasn't anything new.

On the contrary, because of the numerous wars fraught on the land and its people, she stayed among children that were abandoned hungry and naked on street corners and government doors or sold as slaves as their parents couldn't afford to raise them.

Seeing the wealth and advancement of this world, Qing Yue didn't know that quantity of abandoned children was even greater than her original world. At least there, the children that were abandoned became orphaned from the savage wars. Those that weren't orphans were sold by their parents because of unstable financial situations.

But it was only when she turned 11 that she found out the Great War of 2028 had shattered more families apart than she realized.

Vroom!

"Destination City Orphanage arrived." Su Su stopped a few feet away from the orphanage as there weren't any open-air parking lots on that side.

"Thank you, Su Su." Qing Yue hopped off the hover and went to open the trunk.

The children of the Orphanage had been anxiously waiting for her inside. On hearing the sound of a hover, they all rushed over to the window to see Qing Yue unloading the gifts from her trunk.

"Sister Qing, you're here!"

"Everyone come and see! Sister Qing is here!" A young kid of 5 ran out and excitedly shouted over his shoulder before running towards Qing Yue. Soon, the group of children inside also ran out and cheered.

"Oh, you little midgets are here? Come and help Sister Qing!" Qing Yue turned to the joyous, cheering kids and motioned them over with a bright smile. The kids ran over and embraced her, before stretching their tiny hands for the bag of gifts.

"Sister Qing, I'll help!"

"Sister Qing, me too, I'll help!

"Alright, alright! Everyone will help. I brought a lot of gifts that need to be unloaded and carried inside. So everyone will have to carry some, okay?"

"Okay Sister Qing!" Qing Yue's heart warmed. The kids' pure eyes and bright smiles made her eyes tear. She knew that they looked forward to her appearance because, aside from her, no one else ever came to see them or cared about their existence.

They were a part of society whose existence was ignored by everyone as no one cared enough to pay them any attention.

"Alright, little ones. Be careful. I brought gifts to celebrate Xu Dong's birthday, and books to begin your online classes."

"Yay! Thank you, Sister Qing!"

The kids picked up the bags of food, clothes, shoes, and books she unloaded and hurried into the orphanage to deposit their loads and return for more.

"Okay, it's done. Little Ran, don't run too fast. You'll trip and get hurt." With the last load in her hands, Qing Yue followed the kids inside.

The City Orphanage of the Long Capital City was built on a desolate and remote region of Downtown Long City. Decrepit and rundown with cracks and holes littered the walls, the orphanage looked worse than an abandoned warehouse when Qing Yue had first discovered it.

After making a few donations for renovation and rebuilding of certain parts of the building, the orphanage house now looked less like a bleak and rotten behemoth and more of a warm house to build children's future.

Qing Yue passed the recently built safety gate and entered the front hall to be greeted with the sight of Tang Fang chatting with the Orphanage Supervisor.

"Brother Tang...?" What was Tang Fang doing at the City Orphanage?

"Yue'er, you...how come you're here too?" Tang Fang's eyes widened in surprise. He stepped forward and his gaze immediately fell on the bags in her hands.

"Oh, Yue'er does charity events and donations as well. I should've known. With your thoughtfulness, kind heart, and selfless care for others, you'd certainly be involved in such charity events as well."

"As well? You mean...?" Qing Yue's eyes filled with confusion. She couldn't understand what was going on. It seemed Tang Fang was here to make donations? But since when had Tang Fang begun performing donating to orphanages?

"It must be surprising for you to see me here like this. But the thing is, every year, I contribute part of my income to orphanages, hospice care, blind and deaf facilities, or disability centers. Knowing that I contribute to the betterment of others' lives by making a simple donation makes me happy." Tang Fang scratched his head and self-consciously smiled.

"Hmm. It is a little surprising to see you here. But that's only because I never knew you did charity events. Before today, I never saw you at the orphanage." Qing Yue awkwardly smiled and looked around. After her abrupt temper explosion at the party, she hadn't met the guy again.

And if she claimed to feel just as comfortable and at ease within his presence as she did before, then she'd be lying.

"Haha...because before today, I've only visited hospices and disability centers. Here, let me help you with those." Tang Fang moved closer and grabbed the bags from her hands.

She didn't even get the chance to protest when his hand touched hers and she froze in shock.

"Brother Tang, do you and Sister Qing know each other?" At this moment, the curious voice of little Ran brought Qing Yue back to her senses. She confusedly raised her hand and closely scrutinized it.

Was it just her or did she feel a prick earlier?

But no matter which way she turned her hand, she couldn't find or spot anything out of place.

"I and your Sister Qing have known each other for over 2 years. You can say we're long-time friends."

Tang Fang glanced sideways and grimaced on seeing Qing Yue's actions. He quickly smoothened his features and turned back to the kids.

Sensing something, Qing Yue looked back. But all she saw was Tang Fang playing around with the kids.

There seemed to be nothing wrong with Tang Fang. Even though there was a little bit of awkwardness between them from the last party, he was still the same refined, gentle, and considerate young man she'd come to admire.

Sigh, maybe it was just her...

Qing Yue relaxed and moved forward to greet the supervisor of the orphanage.

"Madam Ji..."

"Qing Yue, your presence brightens this humble abode. You've no idea how much the kids look forward to seeing you every other week." Madam Ji moved forward and emotionally embraced Qing Yue.

This little girl, who was barely an adult, had assisted them in their time of need when they had no support and were on the brink of becoming homeless. She gave them food when the little ones passed out from hunger, and gave them clothes when the weather got too cold.

If it weren't for her, the City Orphanage wouldn't exist until now. It would've already been demolished and reduced to a play center for the wealthy kids.

"Madam Ji, I look forward to seeing the kids as well. They make me happy and fill me with purpose. If I wasn't busy on the other days, I would've loved to spend every day in their company."

"Hmm. I know. Come, have a seat." Madam Ji led Qing Yue to the sitting room.

Tang Fang's eyes gleamed with a strange excitement as he watched her back.

.

"Is this the City Orphanage?" Long Tian parked his hover and expressionlessly asked no one in particular.

"Why did father send me here? If he wants someone to deliver a check, he can do it through his many personals. He didn't need to send me." Early this morning, his father gave him a check and sent him to this place to deliver it to a Madam Ji.

Long Tian was still in the midst of researching the appearance of the new virus. He barely had the time to eat and yet, his father, the Great Commander of the LiLong Country had time to waste on measly things like check deliverance to an orphanage.

"Forget it. What's the point in overthinking about this when I'm already here." Getting out of his black hover, Long Tian put on his suit coat and made his way towards the City Orphanage.

.

Qing Yue was listening to Madam Ji when she felt her heart beating erratically in her chest. She raised a hand to her chest, but her body began to feel hot and uncomfortable.

"Qing Yue, are you okay? Why is your face so red?" Madam Ji rose to her feet in alarm when she saw Qing Yue's red face. The girl looked like she'd run a mile and back.

"Madam Ji, I don't feel well. I think I'm coming down with a fever." Qing Yue rasped with shallow breaths.

"Fever? You're feeling feverish?" Madam Ji rushed to her side and held her arm, her hand raising to the girl's forehead to check her temperature.

The moment her palm contacted her skin, Madam Ji withdrew her hand in shock.

"Qing Yue, you're temperature is very high. We...we need to get you to a medical facility before it's too late." Pulling her out of the chair, Madam Ji supported Qing Yue's figure to the front hall.

Little Ran happened to see Madam Ji supporting Qing Yue out and ran to her side.

"Sister Qing, what's wrong with you? Why is your face so red?"

"Ran Ran, Qing Yue isn't feeling well. We need to rush her to the hospital."

"Yue'er isn't well? What's wrong with Yue'er?" Tang Fang released the kid he was playing with and ran over to Qing Yue, familiarly grabbing her other arm.

"Tang Fang, Qing Yue's temperature is very high. If we don't get her to the hospital, I'm afraid her condition will deteriorate. I'm the only adult here. I can't leave the orphanage. I'll leave Qing Yue in your care."

"Don't worry, Madam Ji. I'll take good care of Qing Yue." Tang Fang's eyes were filled with worry and concern as he looked at Qing Yue. He carefully supported her figure and led her towards the door.

Out of Madam Ji's eyesight, a dark gleam flashed in Tang Fang's eyes as he possessively tightened his grip around Qing Yue's arms and led her out of the City Orphanage.

Li Qing Yue...heh...from today onwards, you belong to me, Tang Fang!

Qing Yue frowned. Her body burnt at an unbearably high temperature. But the pain from her arms distracted her from the heat. She turned her head to see Tang Fang's enlarged face and seemed to understand something.

Is he sending me to the hospital? But...

She looked back to the orphanage and saw little Ran tearfully chasing after them.

"Sister Qing, Sister Qing, I want to go with you!"

"Little Ran, come back. Your Sister Qing isn't feeling well today. She'll come another day to play with you." Madam Ji called after Little Ran, but the kid didn't stop.

Qing Yue's heart ached to see his teary face.

"Brother Tang, release me." She rasped.

"Yue'er, hold on. I'll get you to the hospital soon." Tang Fang continued moving forward. His goal was so close in-sight. Why would he release her now?

"Brother Tang, let go. Little Ran is chasing after..." Qing Yue struggled and pushed Tang Fang away. Disoriented and dizzy, she turned and staggered back to Little Ran.

Tang Fang wasn't expecting Qing Yue to still have the strength to struggle.

'Maybe the drug hasn't fully taken effect yet.' Not wanting to alarm her when she still retained some clarity, Tang Fang didn't rush to forcefully stop her.

Instead, he crossed his arms and watched in anticipation.

Hmph! I already drugged her anyway. Sooner or later, she'll end up in my arms!

"Sister Qing!" Little Ran stopped in the middle of the road and cried tearfully. He wanted to be with his Sister Qing. Seeing her sick made him think of the last time he saw his mother.

She got sick and was taken to the hospital, but never returned. As he thought of his mother and his Sister Qing, he sat down and wept.

Right at this moment, a grey hover flying overhead lost control and swerved erratically, before its front went up in flames and it came crashing down towards Little Ran.

Qing Yue was walking back to Little Ran, her breaths coming out in shallow gasps as her temperature rose to an alarming rate. Her mind was no longer clear, her surroundings blurring as she struggled to reach Little Ran.

Then, as if in slow motion, she saw the flaming hover shooting down towards little Ran, the loud screech of the car, and the smell of gas, chemical, and metal overwhelming her senses.

Her mind instantly cleared and as if awakened from a long, confusing dream, Qing Yue dashed forth with a speed she never imagined she was capable of.

"Little Ran, move!" She used all the remaining strength in her body and pushed little Ran out of the way.

Unfortunately, she didn't have the time to move out of the way before the shadow of the flaming hover enveloped her form.

BOOM!

"Qing Yue!"

"Sister Qing"

"Yue'er!"

Three different panicked screams rang out, full of fear and shock, but too late to change anything.

Li Qing Yue, the daughter of the richest man in the New World Formation was engulfed in a sea of flame and smoke, her fragile figure buried under the giant hover.

When Long Tian appeared, the scene he saw was a young girl fearlessly charging forward to rescue a kid from getting crushed under the descending, flaming hover.

"This..." It was a heart shuddering scene.