After discussing it, Xu Nian and Shen Chaoxi decided to adopt the little boy who loved reading, and at the same time sponsor the other two children to go to university.
The dean and teachers were both surprised and delighted when they heard the news.
These three children have had their lives completely changed today.
"Dean Sheng, how much does your orphanage cost each year?" Xu Nian asked, looking at the children who were still playing.
Those innocent smiles were truly heartwarming, and she and Shen Chaoxi both wanted to do something for them!
"There are hundreds of children here. With food and other miscellaneous expenses, the annual cost is estimated to be around 80,000 to 90,000 yuan."
"Fortunately, we receive donations of clothes, learning materials, and toys from kind people every year, otherwise the expenses would be even greater," the dean said with a relieved yet worried expression.
"Dean Sheng, my wife and I have discussed it, and we will donate 100,000 yuan to the orphanage every year from now on. We hope that these children will all have a good future." As soon as Xu Nian finished speaking, she was warmly received by the dean and a group of teachers.
They all chimed in, praising her and Shen Chaoxi to the skies.
After completing the adoption procedures, Xu Nian, holding Shen Chaoxi's hand, appeared in front of the boy who loved reading comic books.
Fearing that the little boy's slowness might upset the couple, the director immediately and patiently explained the situation to him.
When a normal child learns that they have been adopted, their first reaction is usually one of great joy.
The little boy frowned and asked Xu Nian, "Auntie, do you have any books that I haven't read?"
Xu Nian squatted down, looked the little boy in the eye, and said kindly, "Yes, Auntie has more books than you have in this classroom."
That one sentence made the little boy's eyes light up. He immediately took Xu Nian's hand and called her "Mom," and then shyly called Shen Chaoxi "Dad."
This reaction amused Xu Nian.
The child is only seven years old, yet he has become a bookworm. I wonder who he learned it from.
"From now on, your name will be Xu Chaoci," Shen Chaoxi said to the little boy without any politeness.
The serious look made the little boy shrink back, but he still obediently nodded and said, "Dad, I remember, my name is Xu Chaoci."
Shen Chaoxi patted Xu Chaoci's head with satisfaction, arranged for the other two children, and the couple took their newborn son home.
When Xu Chaoci arrived at his new home, the first thing he did was not to look at his own room, but to ask where the study was, and then he stayed inside before coming out.
Xu Nian was the one who called the people when it was time to eat.
Shen Chaoxi was very dissatisfied with Xu Chaoci's book obsession and had to put on a cold face and make a three-point agreement with him.
Eat on time, go out and exercise on time, and study your hobbies on time; otherwise, lock up your study.
Xu Chaoci's face immediately fell, and he looked at his new mother for help.
Xu Nian silently turned her head. She agreed with Shen Chaoxi's three points. No matter how much you love reading, you can't neglect your health, so she didn't interrupt.
Seeing that no one spoke up for him, Xu Chaoci could only pout and agree.
Although the child is only seven years old, he keeps his word, makes good time plans, and is so self-disciplined that even Xu Nian, an adult, is ashamed.
Seeing how well-behaved he was, Shen Chaoxi raised an eyebrow, put his arm around Xu Nian's shoulder, and said, "Niannian, the son you chose is really easy to take care of."
"Shen Chaoxi, what are you saying? Xu Chaoci is just being sensible. Don't use words like that, okay?" Xu Nian rolled her eyes at Shen Chaoxi and pinched his waist.
However, Xu Nian's hand was slapped away by him, and he leaned down to her ear to warn her, "Niannian, stop making trouble. Things are different now than before. There are children at home!"
"Shen Chaoxi, you're hopeless." Xu Nian sighed, rubbing her forehead. How could she have fallen for someone like him?
She's purely love-struck, and her mind is full of suggestive thoughts.
"Wife, this only proves how much I love you!" Shen Chaoxi said shamelessly.
What could Xu Nian do but spoil him?
Xu Chaoci is such an obedient and easy child that he doesn't need any discipline from the two of them. He knows what he should do and what he wants on his own.
Seeing this, Xu Nian didn't want to interfere, so besides showing concern and interacting with her child, she could only let them grow freely.
During the Chinese New Year, I took Xu Chaoci back to Beijing, and received high praise from Shen's parents, as well as two big red envelopes.
Xu Chaoci was so happy that tears streamed down his face on the spot.
The doting love of his family has made Xu Chaoci's personality less dull, and at such a young age he is already very good at making the elderly happy.
When Xu Nian and Shen Chaoxi were about to take Xu Chaoci back to Nancheng County, Shen's mother was still reluctant to let him go.
It was only after Xu Chaoci's sweet-talking barrage that Shen's parents finally saw the three of them off happily.
Time flies. Xu Chaoci grows up year by year, while Xu Nian and Shen Chaoxi grow old year by year.
A few years later, Shen's father passed away.
Not long after, Shen's mother also went there.
With the departure of her two closest loved ones, Shen Chaoxi held Xu Nian and cried uncontrollably. "Niannian, you're all I have left."
“Nonsense, don’t you have a son who’s taken for granted?” Xu Nian patted his back to comfort him.
“That’s different, he’s not like you.” Shen Chaoxi burst into tears, leaving Xu Nian at a loss.
All I could do was wipe away his tears and agree with what he said.
Once he had finished crying, Xu Nian finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Niannian, if one day we also... could you let me go first this time?" Shen Chaoxi said sadly.
“Okay, this time it’s my turn to see you off.” Xu Nian knew that because of that dream, because of the original plot, Shen Chaoxi’s heart was very sensitive and fragile, and she couldn’t let him bury her with his own hands again.
"Niannian, am I not very selfish?" Shen Chaoxi hugged the person in his arms tightly, holding onto this last bit of warmth.
“You’re not as selfish as me.” Xu Nian chuckled and then covered Shen Chaoxi’s mouth to prevent him from crying and also to stop him from continuing.
As human beings, selfishness is in our nature.
Many more years have passed.
Xu Chaoci had grown up by this time, and the other two children he had sponsored had also achieved success. The three of them became good friends.
Xu Nian and Shen Chaoxi have become an old lady and an old man with white hair.
The two watched the sunrise and sunset together, their relationship so good that Xu Chaoci was filled with envy, before Shen Chaoxi ruthlessly drove them away.
They euphemistically say, "If you're envious, go find one yourself."
Watching her adopted son being driven away, Xu Nian recalled a question that had been lingering in her mind for a long time.
"Shen Chaoxi, why did you name your adopted son Xu Chaoci?"
"I wanted Niannian to allow me to take my leave first, so I named myself Xu Chaoci." Shen Chaoxi didn't know why, but he had a feeling that he would leave before Xu Nian.
"You're really being ridiculous!" Xu Nian said with a laugh.
However, she soon burst into tears, kissed the lifeless old man, and whispered, "He left without saying goodbye, without even a proper farewell!"
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