Seeing the somewhat embarrassed but expectant expression on Dean Yang's face, Song Xingyao placed her hand on the rough, dry back of her hand.
"Dean Yang, I'm here today to understand the situation. This is a normal part of puberty for girls, so you don't need to be too nervous."
Hearing Song Xingyao say this, Yang Yi felt a little relieved.
She was terrified. The counselors who had come here before had all made excuses to avoid counseling the children for long. She was even starting to wonder if there was something wrong with the feng shui of her orphanage.
The children here are no different from her own children. Recently, due to the increase in charitable donations, social attention to these children has gradually increased. This is both a good thing and a bad thing, she always thinks.
Song Xingyao followed Liu Shanshan to visit several children's dormitories and found that the children here were indeed different from those in ordinary orphanages in terms of material life. The children here had almost no shortage of food and clothing, and were even better off than ordinary poor children.
However, considering those well-known charitable donation companies, the reason becomes clear.
Several girls who were willing to be close to her surrounded Song Xingyao, praising her here and asking her questions there. Song Xingyao also shared the small gifts she had brought with them.
After learning the basic situation, Liu Shanshan saw Song Xingyao out on behalf of the director and politely said, "Teacher Song, please don't mind that Director Yang is always like this. I've been here for several years now. I heard that in the early days, the orphanage was short of money, so Director Yang went to charities in various places to apply for financial assistance. She even collapsed from exhaustion and had to be hospitalized. She truly treats all the children here as her own."
Song Xingyao smiled, "Of course I don't mind. These children are lucky to have a guardian like Dean Yang."
As they walked to the door, Liu Shanshan extended her hand. "Thank you, Teacher Song. With your help, I believe the children will get better and better."
Her face was full of gratitude, but the emotions hidden in her eyes were somewhat unfathomable.
Song Xingyao roughly envisioned the project plan in her mind, not noticing Liu Shanshan's expression. She simply said goodbye politely and left the orphanage.
It was already late when they got back to the city, so Song Xingyao didn't go back to the research institute. Instead, she drove to the address of Shi Yuxin's newly selected studio.
Shi Yu is very efficient. Just a few days ago, the office building was almost empty, but now the soft furnishings and facilities are almost all in place.
She pushed open the door and went in, only to find that the huge office area was simply furnished with some basic equipment, which was no wonder.
Shi Yu was directing the workers to move several large boxes of books to the designated location when Song Xingyao followed the workers in without him noticing.
Why are you here?
Shi Yu looked up and saw her leaning against the door, looking at him.
He spoke briefly with the workers and then came over.
Song Xingyao: "Professor Shi is indeed very knowledgeable. I think the value of these few boxes of books is less than the value of all the soft furnishings in your office. It doesn't look like you've come to Jiangcheng to start a business, but rather to settle down."
He pointed to the blank, clean wooden cabinet and opened his mouth.
Knowing she was joking, Shi Yu went along with her: "Isn't it good? I'm here. If you can't make it at the hospital, come and come to me. I'll pay you a salary."
"You're really good with words. You just agreed to be a special expert for the dean, and the next second you poached him from his team. He'll be furious if he finds out." Song Xingyao chuckled.
After all the workers had left, he put away his smile and became serious, saying, "There is something I really need your help with."
Shi Yu's gaze followed her figure to the newly purchased handmade sofa. She felt that with her here, the empty office instantly became much brighter, and the golden light of the sunset shone through the window onto her.
"Go on," Shi Yu said, withdrawing his blatant gaze.
Song Xingyao: "The director took on a charity project for an orphanage. I went to check it out today, and I found it a bit strange. When I talked to the children, I felt that they were particularly good at thinking about things from a monetary perspective. For example, when they talked to me, they would either compliment me on the earrings I was wearing or talk about the clothes I was wearing. The things they were curious about were almost always related to monetary value."
Shi Yu didn't find it strange after hearing this, because in most of the orphanages he had seen, the children there were almost always lacking food and clothing, so it was perfectly normal for them to yearn for money.
But her expression suggested that things weren't so simple.
Sure enough, she said, "But this orphanage is different from the others. The school buildings are built like a small private school, and the children hardly have to worry about food or clothing... I think..."
She pursed her lips, pondering how to begin.
Shi Yu interrupted her: "So you find it strange? But don't forget, they've only received so much charitable funding in recent years. The hardships they endured in the past can't be erased just like that, can they?"
"...That's true, but if this group makes up the vast majority, isn't that a bit abnormal?"
She stared at Shi Yu, wanting to hear his analysis.
Shi Yu felt her stare intently for a while, then looked away. "That's true. You don't have to treat all children in the world like blank slates. Some children are born with spots or blemishes. Sometimes, even if you think it's abnormal, it might actually be true. So you've decided to take on this project after all?"
Song Xingyao nodded. "Yes, I'm very curious. Although I don't think I can be a saint and save anyone, it would be good to find out the reason behind this."
She recalled the expression on Dean Yang's face when he was afraid she would refuse.
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