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Chapter 238: Chapter 0238: Say That Again to Me
When talking about Mei Hanqing, the old orphanage director’s face was filled with a deep sense of compassion.
"Han Qing has been sensible since she was young, very obedient, and also the smartest child in our welfare institute. Ever since she understood things, she has been helping me take care of the orphanage. After going to high school, she even took part-time jobs during her free time. After entering university, she never allowed herself to be idle. She handed all her money to me, investing it all into the welfare institute..."
"If she hadn’t given all that money to me back then, and instead used it to continue her education, then she could have been a double Ph.D. graduate..."
While speaking, the old director let out a heavy sigh.
This sigh was filled with a sense of helplessness, heartache, and guilt that ordinary people couldn’t understand!
With the old director’s narration echoing in his ears, Ye Xunhuan felt as if a bottle of mixed emotions had been knocked over inside him, stirring up a tumultuous blend of feelings.
He couldn’t imagine how a girl had made it through so many years.
When facing rumors and deceit from outside, when she was bullied, did anyone ever stand up for her? When she suffered grievances, was there anyone to listen to her complaints, anyone to comfort her?
When she was tired, weary, was there ever someone to offer her a warm embrace, a strong arm or a safe haven from the storm?
At that moment, Ye Xunhuan felt like he understood why Mei Hanqing had such a disreputable reputation at Huangtu Corporation.
A girl without influential backing, holding a high position, and also so beautiful—wasn’t her seat an extremely sensitive one, bound to draw comments and criticism?
How had she borne such beginnings?
After all, rumors and slander are like a heart-piercing sword that kills without leaving a trace!
"It’s also because of the welfare institute that Han Qing’s former boyfriend broke up with her..."
At this point, the old director’s eyes slowly turned red, and the guilt on his face grew even thicker, "It’s all because of the welfare institute. Han Qing could have had a good life, but..."
The old director didn’t continue, instead, he took out his large pipe and began to smoke.
"That’s because he didn’t understand Han Qing’s value, old director, don’t worry, Han Qing will definitely find someone better," Ye said reassuringly.
The old director gave a somewhat forced smile, "Later, after Han Qing started working, she gave me all her earnings, or she would spend it on clothes and toys for the kids in the welfare institute, or on installing various items..."
"We can’t afford to hire teachers to teach the children reading and writing, so when she has free time, she comes over to teach the kids..."
It was as if the old director had found someone to confide in, and once he started talking, he poured out words like an unstoppable flow from a broken dam.
No matter what he said, there was a profound sense of helplessness in the old director’s tone.
"It’s all my fault for being helpless, unable to provide these children with a good environment..."
"Old director, hasn’t the government provided any subsidies to the welfare institute?" Ye asked.
"Subsidies?" The director’s face filled with bitterness, "There used to be some, but now it can’t be said there are none. Rather, it’s getting less and less, just a drop in the bucket, utterly insufficient to support the entire welfare institute. Otherwise, Han Qing wouldn’t have had to suffer so much..."
"Hasn’t anyone taken care of it, hasn’t anyone inquired?"
Exhaling a thick puff of smoke from his mouth, the director said, "Some journalists did come for interviews in the past, but it didn’t make much difference!"
"Haven’t you reported this to the higher-ups?"
"I have, but the results were all the same."
Speaking, a look of disappointment flashed through the old director’s cloudy eyes, reflecting his disillusionment with those in the system!
Just as Ye Xunhuan was about to say something, several children ran in from outside in a panic: "Director Grandpa, Director Grandpa..."
Hearing the children’s cries tinged with sobs, the old director immediately stood up from his chair!
"What’s wrong?"
"Director Grandpa, you must come quickly. That tigress boss from the market has brought a bunch of people, and they’re arguing with Sister Hanqing!" a six or seven-year-old boy said tearfully, "And they’ve smashed the car Sister Hanqing came in!"
Upon hearing this, the old director’s wrinkled face slightly changed, and he hurried towards the front courtyard.
Ye Xunhuan’s expression suddenly turned stern, and he followed as well.
Arriving at the front courtyard, Ye Xunhuan immediately saw a crowd surrounding Mei Hanqing, arguing with her, led by the very same proprietress who had set her dog on others that Ye Xunhuan had encountered at the market!
Seeing this scene, Ye Xunhuan’s face immediately looked unpleasant, damn it, I spared you guys, and you dare to come to my doorstep, do you really think I was just talking nonsense?
The female boss, accompanied by a group of men, was confronting Mei Hanqing in an accusatory manner, but Hanqing didn’t back down. Instead, she stood like an eagle, shielding the children of the welfare home behind her, arguing with the other side!
After arriving beside Mei Hanqing, the old director gave the female boss a sheepish smile, "Ah Yan, what’s the matter? Did these kids cause you trouble again? Don’t worry, I’ll definitely discipline these little brats in a minute..."
The old director completely assumed a submissive demeanor.
Liu Yan, upon hearing the old director, let out a cold snort and said unpleasantly, "Old fart, it’s not as simple as your brats causing trouble for me this time!"
"What is it then...?"
"Ask this little bastard by your side!" Liu Yan said with the demeanor of a shrewish woman: "With a little runt like that, they beat up my man and sent him to the hospital, where he’s currently in critical condition..."
"I’m telling you, if something happens to my man, I’ll make sure none of you get off easy, especially this little bastard..."
As she spoke, Liu Yan pointed her finger at Mei Hanqing!
"Who are you calling a bastard?" Mei Hanqing’s face instantly turned ashen, as she glared at Liu Yan with fiery eyes.
"Who do you think is the bastard?" Liu Yan, emboldened by her numbers, said aggressively: "Born from a mother, raised without a father, if not a bastard, then what..."
"You..."
"Hanqing, what on earth happened?" Seeing that Mei Hanqing was about to clash with Liu Yan, the old director quickly spoke up.
Mei Hanqing glared resentfully at Liu Yan before replying to the old director, "Director, it was them who let the dog bite Diudiu..."
"If she hadn’t stolen our stuff, would we set the dog on her?" Liu Yan said fiercely: "A bunch of uneducated brats, all they ever do is thievery..."
"You say that to me one more time, I dare you!"
Ye Xunhuan couldn’t take it anymore!
When Liu Yan saw Ye Xunhuan, her heart skipped a beat, and she involuntarily stepped back.
The scene where Ye Xunhuan had attacked her husband was brutally frightening, causing her to instinctively fear Ye Xunhuan.
But then, remembering she had more people on her side, her fear dissipated as she brazenly continued, "I haven’t even come looking for you, yet here you are showing up on your own!"
"Brother, it’s him who hurt Iron Egg..."
