After listening, Dean Fu Ju nodded and turned to ask other children. It was clear that Dean Fu Ju looked very nervous. The sky had completely darkened, but the rain showed no sign of stopping. The orphanage's small canteen had already opened for lunch. As the bell rang, the children swarmed into the canteen.
Han Lin held the bowl in his hands, looking somewhat flustered. He picked up a piece of cabbage with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth, but before he could chew it a few times, he heard Dean Fu Ju's voice.
"Xiao Linzi, come here for a moment." Dean Fu Ju stood at the entrance of the small canteen, calling Han Lin by his nickname.
Upon hearing Dean Fu Ju's voice, Han Lin immediately stood up from his seat and slowly walked to Dean Fu Ju's side.
"Xiao Linzi, I just asked a few other kids, and they said they saw you spending time with Zimo this afternoon?"
After listening to Dean Fu Ju's words, Han Lin secretly glanced at his two friends sitting at the table, his fists slowly clenching. After a while, Han Lin seemed to give up, nodding dejectedly.
"Then tell me, where did Zimo go? When was the last time you met?" Dean Fu Ju asked anxiously, grabbing Han Lin's shoulders and shaking him slightly.
"She, she..." Han Lin stammered, still unwilling to tell Dean Fu Ju about how he had tricked Zhao Zimo.
"Speak up!" Dean Fu Ju suddenly raised her voice and shouted at Han Lin.
This was the first time Han Lin had seen Dean Fu Ju so angry. In Han Lin's heart, Dean Fu Ju had always been gentle and even loving. Because Dean Fu Ju's voice was so loud, everyone in the small cafeteria was disturbed.
"Yes, I tricked Zhao Zimo into buying me orange juice, and then led her up the mountain." Han Lin was startled and immediately recounted how he had tricked Zhao Zimo.
"And then what happened? Where did she go?" Dean Fu Ju tried her best to control her voice and tone.
"Later, I left first and never saw her again." Han Lin's voice trailed off as he spoke.
Han Lin hadn't expected that, immediately after saying those words, he would feel a burning pain on his face. Dean Fu Ju's eyes were slightly red, and she slapped Han Lin across the face. Han Lin covered his face, tears suddenly welling up in his eyes.
Dean Fu Ju didn't even bother with Han Lin, turning and rushing into the pouring rain. Everyone's memory of that night seemed hazy, but for Han Lin, it was a vivid one. The orphanage was bustling all night. Dean Fu Ju informed the village of Zhao Ziming's disappearance. Led by the village secretary, the village head led a large group of people to the mountains to search for Zhao Ziming.
The long rainy season in Jiangnan, coupled with the particularly heavy rains of the past two days, has greatly hampered the search and rescue efforts. The mountain paths are slippery at night, and even adults can easily slip and fall. While there are no wild animals in these mountains, for a small child to be lost, especially on a rainy day, is a very worrying prospect.
Han Lin lay in his bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep, listening to the chaotic sounds outside. It was only then that Han Lin truly realized the seriousness of the situation. He sat up, glanced at the dark night sky outside the window, and listened to the raindrops hitting the glass. He began to worry about Zhao Ziming.
Han Lin, seemingly asleep, was suddenly awakened by a noise. He immediately sat up and peered out the window at the open space below. In the distance, he saw an older man carrying Zhao Ziming rushing into the orphanage.
Han Lin immediately jumped out of bed and ran towards Zhao Ziming. He rushed into the rain and blocked Zhao Ziming's path. Everyone's eyes were on Han Lin, but Han Lin's gaze was solely fixed on Zhao Ziming.
Han Lin examined Zhao Ziming and found that she was almost entirely covered in mud. There was also a noticeable wound on Zhao Ziming's knee; it hadn't scabbed over and was still bleeding.
"Brother Han Lin, I'm sorry." Zhao Ziming had kept her eyes open and naturally saw Han Lin standing in front of her. But the first thing Zhao Ziming said was to apologize to Han Lin.
Upon hearing Zhao Ziming's apology, Han Lin didn't know what to say and just started sobbing.
"Brother Han Lin, I couldn't find the shop that sells orange juice, so I couldn't buy any. I'm sorry." Zhao Ziming looked a little disappointed as she explained the reason for her apology while looking at Han Lin.
Han Lin just stood in the rain and cried. For a child, it was truly difficult to know how to respond to the other person's kindness and to express the guilt he felt.
"But I really tried my best." A smile suddenly appeared on Zhao Ziming's lips. "So, Brother Han Lin, can you be my friend? Next time, next time I will definitely help you buy the orange juice."
"I didn't even give you any money, how are you going to buy it?" Han Lin shouted these words almost in the rain, wailing as he shouted.
"Alright, we can talk about it later. Xiao Lin, go to sleep first. Zi Mo will be fine." Dean Fu Ju interrupted the conversation between the two children. Although Dean Fu Ju still had an angry look on her face, fortunately it was a rainy night, and Han Lin couldn't see it at all.
With snot and tears streaming down his face, Han Lin walked back to his dormitory step by step. From that moment on, Han Lin and Zhao Ziming's relationship began. Han Lin's attitude towards Zhao Ziming completely changed; he treated her like a younger sister.
Even though they lived in an orphanage and their conditions weren't great, they shared a wonderful childhood and even adolescence. Wang Shen and Zhao Zimo were the only two college students in the orphanage, both admitted to prestigious universities in the same city. I remember the day they received their acceptance letters; Director Fu Ju happily shared the good news with everyone in the village.
Even after entering university, the childhood sweethearts still saw each other frequently. At university, Han Lin told Zhao Zimo about Qi Huan and jokingly said he was determined to win her over. Zhao Zimo became jealous, and at that moment, Han Lin confessed his feelings to her. Zhao Zimo readily accepted. As for why Han Lin later confessed his love to Qi Huan? Because in the days leading up to this, Zhao Zimo's feelings for Han Lin seemed to have cooled overnight. For every dozens of messages Han Lin sent, Zhao Zimo would usually only reply to one, and sometimes she would even hang up the phone immediately.
Han Lin asked Zhao Zimo if she had changed her mind. Zhao Zimo said yes. Han Lin then asked if she had found someone she liked more. Zhao Zimo said yes. Finally, Han Lin asked Zhao Zimo if she looked down on him because of his poverty. Zhao Zimo firmly replied again, "Yes!"
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