Today, an unusual guest arrived at the orphanage in City A. The director had already prepped all the children: the man coming was the wealthiest person in the city, the chairman of the Xia Corporation. He was here to adopt a child… as a playmate for his only daughter.
In a child’s world, they didn’t understand things like manipulation or scheming. They only knew that if they behaved well, they might get to leave the overcrowded orphanage, live in a big house, and wear beautiful clothes.
At least, that’s what the director told them.
A black car pulled up to the orphanage entrance right on time. The children lined up by height, row by row, like products waiting to be picked by a customer.
A tall man stepped out of the car. He looked to be in his mid-thirties. Time had only deepened his handsomeness, giving him a calm and powerful aura. His sharp eyes made it feel like he could see straight through you. But he didn’t rush—after getting out, he walked to the back door of the car and opened it.
Out stepped a little girl in a red dress.
She looked about six or seven, with a ponytail tied neatly with a red ribbon. She held a teddy bear in her arms, and as she walked, her ponytail bounced cutely behind her. She was the very picture of adorable—a delicate little thing that looked like she came straight out of a painting.
Unlike the children in the orphanage, this little girl was pampered—a beloved little princess, beautiful and dignified.
Xia Chao held the girl’s hand and walked up to the line of children. Speaking gently, he asked,
“Fengguang, all the children are here. Would you like a little sister, a little brother, or maybe a big brother or sister?”
“I want a big brother!” Fengguang shouted.
Xia Chao glanced at the director, who quickly selected a few older boys and presented them with a flattering smile.
“Miss Xia, please take a look. These boys would all make great older brothers.”
Little Fengguang walked around the row of boys, circling once as if trying to make up her mind. After a moment, she returned to the very first boy. Seeing him nervously grip the hem of his shirt, she tilted her head and asked curiously,
“You don’t want to be my big brother?”
The boy paused, then quietly replied,
“No.”
Even Xia Chao frowned at that.
The director quickly tried to smooth things over.
“Mr. Xia, Ji Mian has always been one of our most well-behaved children. I’m not sure what’s gotten into him today. I’ll have someone take him away for a proper lesson.”
The director signaled the security guards nearby, and one of them stepped forward to grab the boy.
Fengguang immediately stepped in front of him, blocking the guard.
“Don’t touch him! I haven’t finished asking my question!”
The director looked nervously at Xia Chao’s unreadable expression, then forced a kindly smile.
“What would Miss Xia like to ask?”
Fengguang ignored him and tugged on Ji Mian’s sleeve instead.
“Why don’t you want to be my big brother? If you say yes, you can come home with me. We can go to school together, play together. Doesn’t that sound nice?”
The thirteen-year-old boy lowered his head and smiled gently.
“Because I don’t want to leave my little sister behind.”
“Big Brother!”
A five-year-old girl ran out from the group of children and clung tightly to his arm. She looked at Fengguang timidly, her expression full of vulnerability.
Fengguang asked,
“She’s your little sister?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm… then you two must be very close. I don’t want to be the bad guy who separates you.”
The director quickly stepped in again, smiling brightly,
“Miss Xia, there are still many other fine boys to choose from…”
“Daddy!”
Fengguang ignored the director entirely and called out to her father instead.
“Let’s take them both home!”
Ji Mian’s calm expression faltered.
Xia Chao smiled.
“Before we left the house, I agreed to adopt one child, remember?”
“Oh… right. That was our deal.”
The little girl pouted, clearly troubled.
Ji Mian’s fate seemed sealed—he’d be staying here. Yet, there wasn’t even a trace of disappointment on his face.
“Okay, then how about this!”
Fengguang walked over and grabbed Ji Mian’s other arm, grinning.
“Daddy doesn’t have to adopt him. I will take care of him! That way, we’re not breaking our deal!”
Ji Mian lowered his gaze and saw only the top of the little girl’s head.
In that moment, he came to a realization: Xia Fengguang was a girl who kept her promises… and a sweet, naive little fool.
Yes…
That was thirteen-year-old Ji Mian’s very first impression of Fengguang.
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152