The next day, Li Baolong led Xiaoru and Xiaoxing to the orphanage to visit the children. After their previous visit to help, the children looked much better this time, all wearing warm clothes and shoes. Director Zhao was overjoyed to see Li Baolong again.
Li Baolong explained his purpose: "I came here mainly to learn about the basic situation of the orphanage and see if there is anything else I can help with. I plan to donate some money to rebuild a larger orphanage. Director Zhao, could you contact your superiors to see if it's feasible? If they agree, please contact me to prepare an investment budget."
Upon hearing this, Dean Zhao was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly in thanks: "I will report to the leadership right away."
Li Baolong then asked, "Are there any other orphanages like this in Chengdu?"
After a moment's thought, Dean Zhao replied, "There's another one in the north of the city, but it's not very big, and there are probably about a hundred children there. Last year, the leadership wanted to merge the two orphanages, but unfortunately, there wasn't enough funding, so it didn't happen."
Li Baolong said, "Write down the specific address for me, and I'll go take a look when I have time." He carefully put away the address given to him by Dean Zhao and said to Dean Zhao, "If the leader agrees, I will immediately donate ten million yuan to the municipal government as a charity fund to help impoverished families."
Dean Zhao replied immediately, "Alright, I'll report right away."
Afterwards, Li Baolong took Xiaoru and Xiaoxing to the orphanage in the north of the city. On the way, Xiaoru was deeply moved by Li Baolong's act of helping the children, and her eyes reddened. She said to him, "You are such a good person, such a kind person. I am willing to help you, without asking for a penny, and I will work for you for the rest of my life."
Upon hearing this, Li Baolong felt a surge of warmth in his heart and nodded, saying, "I'd like to set up a charitable foundation in the future and have you manage it, what do you think?" Xiaoru immediately nodded, "I'm willing, I'll work for you for the rest of my life."
Li Baolong led Xiaoru and her daughter to the orphanage near the North Gate, following the address given by Director Zhao. The place was dilapidated, an abandoned factory. It was far inferior to Director Zhao's orphanage near the South Gate. In the small courtyard, twenty or thirty children were basking in the sun. A few older children were helping the adults pick vegetables and cook.
Li Baolong stepped forward and asked, "Excuse me, which one of you is in charge of this orphanage?" Several adults stopped what they were doing and looked at him. Xiao Ru, holding Xingxing, also came over and said, "We have some good news to tell the director."
At this moment, a middle-aged woman came out of the house and said, "I am the director. What can I do for you?" Li Baolong said, "We just came from Director Zhao's orphanage at the South Gate. She told me there's another orphanage here, so we came to see if you need any help, like money or something." Upon hearing this, the middle-aged woman immediately said, "Oh, comrade, we desperately need help. We've been waiting for you."
The middle-aged woman frowned and began to complain: "You don't know, there are more and more children here, and the place is small and dilapidated, so the children live in cramped conditions. In winter, the house is drafty and the children shiver from the cold. There are only a few thin blankets, which are not enough. There is often not enough food, and sometimes they can only drink thin porridge all day. The clothes are all passed down from older children to younger children, and they are patched and patched again and again when they are torn."
As she spoke, she wiped away tears: "We also want to give the children a better life, but we really don't have the means. The children are all eagerly hoping to have new clothes to wear, a full meal, and a warm place to sleep. Before, some of the children were sick, but because we didn't have money to buy medicine, they could only tough it out, which worried me to death. If you can help us, it would really save these poor children."
Li Baolong carefully toured the orphanage, then went inside to take a look. Good heavens! A dozen or so toddlers, aged one or two, lay on wooden beds, staring blankly at the dilapidated roof. Several other children were coughing, clearly suffering from colds. Li Baolong quickly went over and asked, "Have you taken any medicine?" The middle-aged woman hurriedly replied, "I just gave them ginger soup and fever reducer."
Looking at the environment, Li Baolong felt extremely distressed. He only breathed a sigh of relief after walking out of the house. At this moment, the middle-aged woman spoke up: "Comrade, my name is Qiu Guohong, and I'm forty years old this year. I used to be the director of a company kindergarten, but I was laid off two years ago, so I came here to take over the old director's job and take care of these children. There are sixty-five children here now, with only six teachers and three volunteers working. The government gives us 10,000 yuan a month in relief, which is just enough for the children to eat. We haven't received any salary for half a year."
Xiaoru listened from the side and couldn't help but sob. She thought to herself, "Oh dear, these children are suffering so much. Look at those children, wearing only thin clothes, shivering in the corner, and looking at us with longing eyes."
Upon hearing this, Li Baolong's eyes reddened slightly. He said loudly, "Sister Qiu, don't worry! I'll donate 300,000 yuan to you. First, buy each child a set of cotton clothes, shoes, and quilts and other daily necessities so they can stay warm. Those children who need hospitalization should be sent to the hospital as soon as possible. In addition, all teachers and volunteers will receive a subsidy of 10,000 yuan each. Moreover, in six months, you will move to a new welfare home, ten times bigger than this place, which will be merged with the one at the South Gate."
Upon hearing this, Sister Qiu burst into tears, bowing repeatedly in gratitude: "Oh, thank you so much, Comrade Li! You are such a kind person! Now the children have hope!" The other teachers also rushed over, bowing in thanks as well, saying, "Thank you so much, for the children, thank you, Comrade Li Baolong."
Li Baolong waved his hand, signaling the teachers to gather the children together, and then asked Xiaoru to take a few photos. He then turned and pulled a heavy bag of money from his car; it contained 400,000 Chinese yuan.
Looking at the children standing in rows, Li Baolong walked over, stood in the middle, and said loudly, "Children, this is 300,000 yuan in cash, for your living expenses over the next few months. This other 100,000 yuan is for the teachers' and volunteers' salaries; it's all my personal donation. My name is Li Baolong. If you feel bad about it, just shout 'Thank you, Li Baolong!' three times!"
Sister Qiu took the money and quickly gave 10,000 yuan to each of the teachers and volunteers. Then she taught the children to shout loudly, "Thank you, Li Baolong!" The children's voices were so loud and clear, they went straight to people's hearts. When Li Baolong heard this, his heart trembled, but a gratified smile appeared on his face.
Finally, Li Baolong left his phone number with Sister Qiu, saying, "Sister Qiu, if you need anything in the future, just give me a call." After saying that, he left the orphanage with Xiao Ru and her daughter, but he was still thinking about how to settle the children down.
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