Shaner Care Center was established more than 20 years ago. It was originally funded and built by a caring lady. Ruan Qingqing's mother and aunt are both employees of the center.
The lady never married and had no children. Before she died, she entrusted the center to her sisters and all the properties were transferred to her name.
The year Ruan Qingqing was admitted to university, her parents died in a car accident. Last year, my aunt passed away. The property rights of the house and the nursing home were jointly inherited by her and her uncle Zheng Tao.
It was 11 o'clock when Chen Muyun sent Ruan Qingqing back to the center. The children and staff were all asleep, and the entire yard was quiet with only a soft porch light on.
Ruan Qingqing didn't feel like sleeping, so she sat at the corridor, hugged her knees, and stared at the starry sky in a daze.
It is early autumn, the weather is cool and the air is bleak. For a girl like Ruan Qingqing who just graduated, no matter how calm and decisive she is, she will feel confused and bewildered when faced with a new environment, her boyfriend's desires, the uncertainty of starting a business and the choice of a nursing home.
There were footsteps behind me.
Ruan Qingqing turned around and saw that it was her uncle Zheng Tao who had returned. He is in his forties, fat, with a big belly and short stature. Ruan Qingqing knew at a glance that he had been drinking, his face was flushed and he was smiling.
"Qingqing, are you still awake?" Zheng Tao greeted her warmly.
"I'm not sleepy yet. Sit for a while before going to sleep. Uncle, have you been drinking? Go to bed early."
"It's okay. I didn't drink much." Zheng Tao sat down next to her, leaned against the pillar, and sighed heavily. "It's been more than a month since you came back. Have you found a job?"
Ruan Qingqing didn't want to talk to him too much about starting a business, so she just answered vaguely, "I'm looking for one."
"Come on, tell me if you need any help from me. Although I don't have any special abilities, I have been in Huaicheng for many years and I know a lot of friends. I'll see if I can help you with some connections when the time comes."
"Well, thank you, uncle."
They were both silent for a while, and Zheng Tao said in a relaxed tone: "Once the foster care center is transferred out, we will all be relieved. Your uncle will not give you less of your share. This way, your mother and aunt will be relieved in the underworld."
Ruan Qingqing was silent.
Before her aunt passed away, she called her back from school and, in front of her uncle, she cried and said that she hoped they would take good care of the nursing home.
When my uncle was away, my aunt repeatedly told her that no matter how long the center could remain open, she hoped she would do her best to place those children.
She owns half of the property here, but since she graduated and came back, her uncle told her directly that he planned to close the center and sell the property and the two storefronts in front, and he had no intention of negotiating.
Ruan Qingqing said: "Uncle, I need to think about the transfer of the center."
Zheng Tao was stunned for a moment, and the smile on his face was a little forced: "What is there to think about? Just listen to your uncle on this matter, how can I treat you unfairly?"
"It's not a question of whether I'm treated unfairly or not. I need to think about it again."
"Hey, you're really interesting. What do little girls know? You still have to listen to your elders..."
Zheng Tao was about to say something else when a white figure flashed in the corner of the yard. Zheng Tao stopped talking and said nonchalantly, "It's settled." He stood up and walked towards his room.
Ruan Qingqing didn't say anything and didn't move.
Zeng Xi slipped in front of her with his hands behind his back. Ruan Qingqing looked up, and Zeng Xi took out a hand and gently stroked her brow.
Ruan Qingqing smiled and asked her to sit down.
Although Zeng Xi couldn't hear what she and Zheng Tao were saying, she could guess that they parted on bad terms.
She asked: Is it about selling the center?
Ruan Qingqing nodded.
Zeng Xi: Everyone is very nervous recently, not knowing when we will leave here. Do you want to sell it?
Ruan Qingqing: I’m still thinking about it. Do you want me to not sell it?
Zeng Xi leaned his head on her shoulder and replied: I am different from those kids. I have grown up and can support myself. No matter what decision you make, I will support you.
No one is responsible for anyone else. I hope you make choices that make yourself happy.
Ruan Qingqing smiled.
Zeng Xi's eyes rolled, and those clear eyes seemed to be filled with moonlight. He presented the thing hidden behind his back to her like a treasure: I give it to you!
It was a straw doll, obviously a girl, wearing a T-shirt and trousers, looking adorable and extremely delicate.
Although there was only a rough outline of the face, Ruan Qingqing immediately guessed that it was herself who was made up. She took it and exclaimed: It’s amazing! This is a unique skill of yours, I think you can make a living with it!
Zeng Xi smiled brightly, her beautiful face like a lotus emerging from the water: I think so too. I plan to set up a stall at the market on weekends, and I can go to the school gate on weekdays.
Ruan Qingqing: I think this is a good idea, you can try it first. However, you are so beautiful, don’t go alone, find someone to accompany you.
Zeng Xi grinned: I'm not beautiful, you are the most beautiful, you look so good with makeup on.
Ruan Qingqing sighed in her heart, this is what it means to be beautiful without knowing it.
She touched Zeng Xi's head: I will teach you how to put on makeup tomorrow.
Zeng Xi's eyes lit up.
The next day, Ruan Qingqing went to find two other staff members of the center. They were both aunts in their forties or fifties. They had worked in the center for many years and were responsible for many specific matters. They were considered the "old servants" left behind by her mother and aunt, and they had watched Ruan Qingqing grow up.
Ruan Qingqing first said that she wanted to find an electrician to come and inspect and repair all the circuits in the hospital.
The aunts recommended a master they knew. Ruan Qingqing thought he was okay and asked them to make an appointment.
Ruan Qingqing asked again: "Auntie, where is the center's account for the past five years? I want to take a look."
The two aunts looked at each other and their expressions changed slightly. One of the aunts, who was in charge of accounting, replied, "Okay, okay! Half of this center belongs to Qingqing, so why can't she see it?" The other one said nothing.
They are meticulous in their work, keeping both original manual accounts and computerized ledgers. Ruan Qingqing took a thick stack of paper account books and when she was about to leave the office, she turned back and smiled and said, "If uncle asks, just tell me the truth. I want to see it."
The two aunts nodded: "Okay!"
Ruan Qingqing returned to her room and read the book carefully, page by page, year by year. She knew that the center's accounts were previously managed by her aunt herself. My aunt is a careful and honest person, and there are absolutely no problems with her accounts.
The Children's Center is a private institution that is responsible for its own profits and losses, but it also enjoys some government subsidies and accepts social donations. In general, the annual income is roughly divided into the following parts:
First, the biggest source of income is the rental income from the two front storefronts, which is about 200,000 yuan a year.
The founder, a kind-hearted lady, had prepared for the future and knew that it would be difficult to maintain an institution, so she left two storefronts when building the center.
Second, government subsidies and social donations amount to about 100,000 to 200,000 yuan a year.
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