0009 Testing the Waters
Tantai Qing withdrew his gaze, nodded and replied "Yes," then his words implied that they should take care of the little girl.
The principal and his men were shrewd and astute. Upon hearing this, they immediately ordered someone to investigate the identity of the girl he mentioned, and then gave his subordinates some instructions in front of him.
Seeing that they were about to leave, Tantai Qing put down her chopsticks and said that she was full, then stood up.
"You can share the snacks with your classmates when you bring them back to class," Jiang Jifan advised, thinking that carrying those bags back might attract attention.
Zhong Tao nodded obediently, "Mom is sick. When she gets better, I want to eat with her."
"Okay, once your mother recovers, I'll come visit you..."
She handed the girl the beautifully packaged bag, her eyes smiling, "I didn't know what kind of clothes you liked, so I just bought you a few pieces."
Zhong Tao was surprised that she had bought clothes for herself. She was slightly stunned and secretly looked down into the bag. The brand-new clothes were exquisite and beautiful.
Even the most reserved girl couldn't help but smile at this moment, clutching the beautiful new clothes in her arms like a precious jewel, her dark eyes sparkling, "Thank you, sister!"
Then she whispered, "I don't have to wear my cousin's old clothes this summer."
The girl's sensible and well-behaved appearance instantly reminded Jiang Jifan of certain things. Her eyes suddenly stung, and she immediately stood up, looked up at the azure sky above, and held back the tears that were about to spill.
Zhong Tao was still immersed in the joy of getting new clothes and did not notice her strange behavior. When she heard her tell her to wait, she was puzzled, but she still stood there and waited for her obediently.
Jiang Jifan turned and went to the convenience store. When she came back, she had a few red banknotes in her hand. She folded the banknotes in half and stuffed them into her school uniform pocket. "You're still young. I can't give you too much money, lest bad people target you."
Zhong Tao had never received so much money before, and she was so frightened that she quickly waved her hand and said no. She then pulled out the banknotes and handed them back to her, but Jiang Jifan pushed her hand back and made her accept them. "Your mother is sick, but I can't visit her right now. Consider this a small token of my appreciation."
Zhong Tao had no choice but to accept it in the end.
"Do you remember what to do if you are bullied at school?" she asked the girl before leaving.
Zhong Tao recalled what her sister had once told her and replied, "Tell the teacher first, and if the teacher can't solve it, call your sister."
Jiang Jifan patted her head and said with a smile, "Good girl, go back to class now!"
After dropping the girl off at the teaching building, she turned and left, but before she had taken more than a few steps, she heard hurried footsteps behind her.
"elder sister!"
Zhong Tao ran up to her, panting, and looked at her with a determined gaze, saying, "Sister, I will repay you when I grow up."
Jiang Jifan gently stroked her skirt, squatted down, took her hands, and looked at her earnestly, saying, "Tao Tao, I'm sponsoring you not so that I can get anything in return, do you understand?"
Seeing her look of not quite understanding, she patted her head and said with a smile, "As long as you study hard and get into a good university and live the life you want, that will be the greatest reward for your sister."
"Okay, I want to become as amazing as my sister when I grow up."
As Jiang Jifan passed by the school playground, a group of children, some of whom were not quite grown up, were chasing and playing on the plastic track, laughing and talking. He was attracted and stopped to watch, but soon left.
Halfway there, she vaguely heard someone calling her. When she looked up, she saw a man in a suit standing not far away with a smile on his face, as if he had been waiting for her.
"What a coincidence, Miss Jiang." When she was still a few steps away from him, Tantai Qing stepped forward to greet her with a light smile.
Jiang Jifan didn't expect to run into him here, so he stopped and exchanged a few pleasantries with him.
"I just saw Ms. Jiang having lunch with a little girl in the school cafeteria. Is that Ms. Jiang's child?"
Knowing he had misunderstood, she shook her head and denied it, saying, "No, that's a child I sponsor."
Hearing the answer, Tantai Qing felt inexplicably relieved.
Recalling how she had interacted with that little girl earlier, he couldn't help but ask, "I'm a little curious, Miss Jiang, what made you decide to sponsor that child?"
Jiang Jifan recalled the first time he met Zhong Tao, and smiled to himself, "Because seeing her reminds me of my past self."
Tantai Qing glanced at her, seemingly lost in thought.
Her delicate profile appeared even more radiant and beautiful in the flickering light and shadow of the trees. He couldn't possibly imagine that she had any connection with that seemingly quiet and reserved girl.
His gaze was too obvious. Seeing that she was about to turn around, Tantai Qing quickly looked away before she noticed him.
"By the way, what are you doing here?" Jiang Jifan didn't use polite titles like him, and seemed more casual compared to him.
Tantai Qing explained that he was there to participate in a charity event.
Jiang Jifan then learned that the school was actually established with his financial support.
There aren't many people who genuinely do good deeds these days, and she suddenly felt a surge of admiration for him, realizing that he was a very good person.
She turned her head to look at him, smiled, and said, "A good person like Mr. Dan will surely be rewarded in the future."
Upon hearing this, Tantai Qing smiled modestly and said, "Miss Jiang, you flatter me. Education is the foundation of a nation; I was merely trying to do my part..."
Jiang Jifan has met many people from high society since he started working, but there are very few rich second-generation heirs like him with upright values and noble character. This shows that family education is really important.
He then generously praised Mr. Dan, saying, "It's clear that Mr. Dan received excellent family education."
Tantai Qing only said that her grandfather had high standards.
The two continued on their way and unknowingly arrived at the school gate. Jiang Jifan happened to feel thirsty, so he bought a bottle of mineral water at the newsstand at the gate.
Tantai Qing asked Li Yan to drive the car to the door, while she stood aside and waited. Seeing that she couldn't open the bottle cap, she muttered to herself in dissatisfaction, then went over and took the mineral water bottle from her hand.
"Thank you." Jiang Jifan took the bottle of mineral water from his hand, which already had the cap screwed on, and thanked him with a smile.
Tantai Qing looked at her, hesitated for a long time, and finally asked, "Miss Jiang, if I may ask, do you currently have a boyfriend?"
Author: Why is hardly anyone throwing pearls? Is it because there's no meat? (︿)
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