Growing up with the matron of the orphanage, Yu Qiao Qiao could understand her every gesture and glance.
So, when she glanced at Chen Yan, she obediently followed the matron out of the front courtyard.
As they entered the orphanage, the matron, leaning on her cane, moved slowly yet with a unique strength.
Yu Qiao Qiao followed behind her, her head lowered, feeling slightly anxious.
Perhaps like other girls who bring their boyfriends home, Yu Qiao Qiao hoped her beloved would be accepted by her family but feared hearing opinions she did not want to hear.
Fortunately, the matron did not express the outcome she dreaded.
She shuffled forward a few steps, then chuckled and said to Yu Qiao Qiao, "That boy really likes you."
Hearing this, Yu Qiao Qiao's face instantly blushed.
She stuttered, "No, not...really."
The matron smiled kindly and said, "Liking someone can be seen in the eyes."
"His gaze often strays towards you, and each time he looks at you, his eyes are tender."
"If that's not liking, then what is?"
Hearing the matron's words, Yu Qiao Qiao nervously pinched the corner of her clothing and muttered shyly, "Is that so..."
Seeing Yu Qiao Qiao's adorable demeanor, the matron reached out to pat her head but realized she couldn't reach anymore.
She couldn't help but recall when she had first brought Yu Qiao Qiao back to the orphanage. Back then, Yu Qiao Qiao was just a little girl.
And now, it seemed in the blink of an eye, she had grown so tall...
Time flies...
Sensing the matron's melancholy, Yu Qiao Qiao glanced at her, then obediently lowered her head.
She had always been petite, and the matron used to be able to pat her head easily, but now her back wouldn't straighten, making it difficult.
So, with just a slight nod, her head reached the matron's hand.
Surprised to find herself touching something fluffy, the matron snapped back to reality, saw Yu Qiao Qiao obediently looking at her, and immediately chuckled.
She patted Yu Qiao Qiao's head and said softly, "Of all the kids, you've always been the most sensible and well-behaved from a young age."
Her gaze grew distant, "I've always worried about your disposition, whether you'd be at a disadvantage as you grew up."
"But now it seems, I was worried over nothing..."
"With such a nice boy taking care of you, I can rest easy."
She extended her aged hand and took Yu Qiao Qiao's, continuing forward.
Yu Qiao Qiao obediently let her lead, walking behind her.
The two of them walked a few steps to a room, opened the door, and entered.
This was where the matron lived, styled just like the rest of the orphanage. The items were somewhat worn but very clean.
The elderly are never idle; even in her old age, she liked to clean them over and over again, keeping them tidy.
Inside the room, Yu Qiao Qiao hesitated, then asked the matron in a soft voice, "Grandma... do you think Chen Yan will always be good to me?"
The matron looked at Yu Qiao Qiao.
Yu Qiao Qiao appeared like a pitiful little creature, her pure eyes anxiously gazing at her.
The matron chuckled slightly and said, "Silly child, how could I know the future?"
"Besides... love is a matter for two people. It requires both to give and to maintain."
"It's not just about if he will always be good to you."
"The future depends on him, and also on you."
The matron seemed to recall something, momentarily lost in thought.
Yu Qiao Qiao had seen the matron spaced out many times.
With increasing age, these absences had become more frequent.
Once, Yu Qiao Qiao had asked what the matron was thinking about. The matron had just chuckled, saying that as she got older, she often reminisced about the past, the people from before, and reflecting on what she did right and wrong...
Yu Qiao Qiao listened, slightly confused, not fully grasping the matron's meaning.
Fortunately, the matron did not need her to understand, merely immersing herself in her world; she would be fine in a while.
This time was no exception. After spacing out for a bit, the matron snapped back, a hint of melancholy in her gaze.
Then, as if remembering something, she looked at Yu Qiao Qiao, then went to a desk, opened a drawer, and took out a book.
She flipped through the book, found a piece of paper, and handed it to Yu Qiao Qiao.
Yu Qiao Qiao took the paper, which had nothing on it but a phone number.
Curiously, she looked at the matron.
The matron said, "The little boyfriend of yours doesn't seem like one to settle for less."
Seeing Yu Qiao Qiao about to explain, the matron raised her hand to continue, "I'm not saying it's a bad thing."
"Young people should have vitality and ambition."
"A strong youth leads to a strong country."
"If even you were dispirited, then the country would be hopeless."
"I'm just worried about you getting easily hurt, so I'm leaving you a backup."
"If you really run into something you can't handle, you can call this number."
"Say that you are his sister. Explain the situation to him, see if he can help."
Ending there, the matron seemed a bit disheartened as she waved her hand, "Of course, whether he can help, or how much he can help, I can't say. But this is the most this old lady can do for you."
"It's also worth the down jackets you guys bought."
Hearing the matron say this, Yu Qiao Qiao quickly said, "Grandma, we bought those jackets willingly."
But the matron waved her hand and said no more.
Yu Qiao Qiao knew the matron well, knowing that she was a person of strong principle, set in her ways; once decided, she wouldn't change. So she held her tongue.
No longer trying to persuade her, Yu Qiao Qiao looked down at the note, then looked at the matron, hesitating before asking, "Grandma, whose number is this...?"
"And why should I call him Brother?"
After pulling out the paper, the matron seemed a bit upset as she dryly said, "Our orphanage has been open for so many years, we've had a few successful ones."
"So calling him brother is not wrong."
Yu Qiao Qiao immediately understood that this was probably one of the children the matron had fostered before...
Seeing the matron's mood was a bit off, she didn't dare to keep asking, just held the note, her head down.
The elderly often have quick tempers, both to flare up and subside. After the matron had her moment of irritation, she saw Yu Qiao Qiao's aggrieved looks, her anger dissipated.
She stopped thinking about the child who had left the orphanage over a decade ago and stood up, reaching out to Yu Qiao Qiao, "Alright, let's go sit in the yard again."
"My health hasn't been good recently, and I want to bask in the sunlight."
Yu Qiao Qiao quickly agreed and supported the matron as they walked outside.
Walking down the path, Yu Qiao Qiao asked, "Grandma, did your cough get better?"
The matron nodded her head, her voice aged, "It's better. But these past few days my legs have been uncomfortable."
"Ah... when you get old, your whole body becomes a source of problems."
Their voices gradually faded away, the sunset slowly approaching, casting a golden hue over the slightly cramped orphanage...
Chen Yan and Yu Qiao Qiao spent the afternoon playing with the matron and a few children.
They also had dinner there.
The meal was prepared by several children and Yu Qiao Qiao.
The matron originally wanted to cook herself but was seated in a rocking chair by Yu Qiao Qiao. Unable to persuade Yu Qiao Qiao, she could only sit aside and chat with Chen Yan.
Although the orphanage was modest, there was no lack of food. There was heating in winter, the meals were plain and not substantial, but there was a variety including vegetables, meat, and an egg each, making for a balanced diet.
Honestly, Chen Yan felt... that this was much healthier than the takeout he usually ate.
After dinner, Chen Yan and Yu Qiao Qiao did not stay for long but spent a little while chatting with the matron before leaving the orphanage.
The car slowly pulled away, Chen Yan watched through the rearview mirror as the matron and a few children in new down jackets waved them goodbye.
Chen Yan smiled, suddenly feeling it was truly fortunate for Yu Qiao Qiao to have such a family...
...
"Grandma. When I grow up, can I buy lots of pretty clothes and drive nice cars like Brother Chen?"
"Of course. Xiao Liu. As long as you study hard. It definitely won't be a problem..."
"Alright!"
...
Back in the city area, Chen Yan first dropped Yu Qiao Qiao off at Qin Island University.
For some reason, ever since leaving the orphanage, Yu Qiao Qiao had been feeling downcast.
Therefore, Chen Yan didn't let her go back alone but held her hand, walking slowly towards the female dormitory.
Walking along, seeing Yu Qiao Qiao's mood was still low, Chen Yan initiated, "Our game is almost done. Localization is also underway."
"It should be finished soon."
"In another month, it can go live."
Hearing Chen Yan's words, Yu Qiao Qiao silently nodded, then seemed thoughtful and asked, "Then... Sister Man Man's award season is about to start, right?"
Chen Yan was momentarily stunned, unsure why Yu Qiao Qiao was bringing this up.
He silently nodded.
And then they continued walking.
A few steps later, this time Yu Qiao Qiao was the one who spoke first.
She stopped, looked up at Chen Yan with a worried and hopeful expression, and asked, "Chen Yan... um... will you always be so good to me?"
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