Xiao Che's whispered words, "Heavier than Mount Tai," were like a pebble thrown into a lake, creating layers of warm ripples in Lin Wanwan's heart.
Without disturbing anyone in the school, they quietly left this place full of hope and heritage, the heaviness in their hearts replaced by a deeper sense of satisfaction.
After discussing their next itinerary, the two decided to visit a place that held equally special significance for Lin Wanwan—the "Royal Orphanage," which she had built against all odds in her "Five-Year Plan for National Development."
The largest orphanage in Jiangnan was located in a picturesque place not far from the prefectural city. When Xiao Che and Lin Wanwan made a surprise visit under the guise of "donating to charity," they were amazed by the sight before them, even though they were used to seeing prosperous times.
There was no dilapidation or desolation as I had imagined, nor the crying and sorrow of children.
Before them lay a well-planned courtyard. The houses, with their blue bricks and gray tiles, were clean and tidy. In the spacious courtyard, children, dressed in uniform but neatly washed clothes, were playing in several groups under the guidance of their teachers. Some were kicking shuttlecocks, others were playing hopscotch, and their silvery laughter carried far.
From a slightly further away in the schoolhouse, the sound of children reciting their lessons could be heard. "Heaven and earth were dark and yellow, the universe was vast and boundless..." The tender voices of children gathered together, full of thirst and longing for knowledge.
The orphanage manager was a very capable-looking middle-aged woman. When she heard that a great philanthropist from the capital was on an inspection tour, she dared not neglect him and personally accompanied and explained things to him.
“Please look, kind sirs,” she said, pointing to a vegetable garden not far away, her face beaming with pride, “Our orphanage not only teaches children to read and write, but also has a ‘Crafts Workshop’ and a ‘Farming Garden’ where older children can learn a skill. Boys learn carpentry and arithmetic, while girls learn embroidery and cooking. Our goal is to ensure that every child who leaves can live an upright life through their own abilities!”
Looking at the children diligently weeding the vegetable garden, their faces beaming with health and happiness, Lin Wanwan couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions. When she first proposed this plan, it was met with opposition from countless conservative officials who believed it was a waste of national funds, "against the will of Heaven," and a way to support useless people.
Looking back now, these people are far from useless. They are clearly the future of the nation and the most solid foundation for a prosperous era.
Xiao Che clearly shared the same thought as her. Looking at those innocent faces, the once ruthless emperor's eyes softened considerably. His "artificial voice pack" quietly activated, whispering to Lin Wanwan, "Your 'five-year plan' is more meritorious than my million-strong army."
Lin Wanwan felt a sweet warmth in her heart and was about to reply to him when the unexpected happened.
She was standing at the corner of a school building, listening with satisfaction to the sounds of reading inside, when suddenly a chubby little figure shot out from around the corner like a small cannonball and crashed into her arms.
"Ouch!"
Lin Wanwan was knocked back a step and instinctively reached out to support the soft little body.
He was a chubby-cheeked little boy, who looked no more than four or five years old. He was wearing a slightly oversized blue cloth outfit, and his round face resembled a freshly steamed white steamed bun. He was extremely cute.
He seemed to have run too fast and bumped into her head. He was a little dazed and looked up at Lin Wanwan with his big, black grape-like eyes blinking.
"Little friend, are you alright? Did you hurt yourself?" Lin Wanwan squatted down and asked softly.
The little boy shook his head. Instead of crying or being frightened by the stranger, he stared intently at Xiao Che behind Lin Wanwan, as if he had discovered some new treasure.
Lin Wanwan turned around following his gaze and saw Xiao Che looking at the impetuous little guy with a serious expression. Although his handsome face was expressionless, his tightly furrowed brows showed that he seemed to be assessing the "threat level" of this "little cannonball" to his empress.
However, what happened next was something that Lin Wanwan, Xiao Che, and even the whole world could never have imagined.
After staring at Xiao Che for a moment, the little boy's face suddenly lit up with an incredibly delighted smile. He stretched out his chubby little finger and pointed precisely to the top of Xiao Che's head, shouting in a childish voice as if he had discovered a world-shaking secret:
"Uncle! Uncle! There's a bowl of braised pork floating above your head! Wow! It smells so good!"
"..."
"..."
Time seemed to have been paused at that moment.
The air froze.
Lin Wanwan squatted on the ground, her gentle smile frozen, as if struck by lightning, completely petrified.
What...what did she hear?
Braised pork belly?
Floating above... Xiao Che's head?
This scene…this description…why…does it feel so familiar?!
She mechanically turned her head to look at Xiao Che.
Even the retired emperor, who had long since cultivated an ability to conceal his emotions, was completely stunned. For the first time, cracks appeared on his eternally unchanging "poker face." His lips parted slightly, and his eyes were filled with shock, astonishment, and an extreme sense of bewilderment, as if asking, "Who am I? Where am I?"
He... he was "mind-read" in public by a four-year-old kid?
And what was read aloud was... braised pork?!
That's right. On the way here, he did mention to Lin Wanwan that he was a little hungry after traveling all day and wanted to eat the most authentic braised pork in Jiangnan.
But!
But how could a third person know about this besides himself and Lin Wanwan?!
And in this... this outrageous, almost fantastical way!
The orphanage manager was also startled and rushed over, grabbing the little boy and scolding him, "Xiao Bao! Don't talk nonsense! How can you be so rude to our distinguished guest!"
The boy named Xiaobao looked aggrieved, pointed at Xiao Che's head, and insisted, "I'm not lying! Uncle really has some flesh on his head! It's shiny and steaming! It smells just like Chef Wang's cooking in the kitchen!"
The steward blushed with embarrassment and repeatedly apologized to Xiao Che and Lin Wanwan: "You two kind people, we are so sorry! This child... he always likes to talk nonsense, saying he can see what other people want to eat. We all just thought he was a little kid talking nonsense because he was hungry. Please don't take it to heart..."
The dishes I'm craving...
Lin Wanwan's mind went blank, as if a thunderbolt had exploded.
She suddenly raised her head and stared intently at the boy named Xiaobao. An absurd thought that made her scalp tingle uncontrollably popped into her head.
Could it be...?
Could it be that this ability... isn't limited to royal bloodlines?! It... it actually has a wild version?!
Xiao Che had obviously thought of this as well. His shattered expression management system, after a brief crash, finally restarted. He looked at the little boy who was pouting with an "I didn't lie" expression, then looked at his own empty head, and then turned to Lin Wanwan's face, which was also filled with shock, and took a deep breath.
His "artificial voice package" system, under extreme shock, exhibited unprecedented disorder and trembling.
He posed an unbelievable question to Lin Wanwan, a question that came from the depths of his soul:
"Wanwan! He...he...he can see my...'artificial emoji'?!"
Lin Wanwan's lips twitched, her brain racing. She struggled to process this surreal scene before her, looking at Xiao Che's stunned face, then at the little "dumpling" sniffing intently, as if it truly smelled the aroma of braised pork. She shook her head blankly and replied in an almost dreamlike tone:
"...No, what he saw seemed to be...'real'."
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