CHAPTER 239: CHAPTER 239: GROWING TOWARD THE SUN

Gu Yunmu dropped his sister off at the front of the villa and ran off, without any more talk of ’Miaomiao and I should stay at the hotel.’

However, Gu Chi still managed to see his cousin’s face clearly with the help of the villa’s entrance lights.

That slightly red nose and eyes, clearly he’d been crying, right?

He thoughtfully lowered his head, meeting Tuanzi’s guilty little face.

"Was he crying?"

"Huh?"

Tuanzi guiltily shifted her gaze away, rubbing her small hands.

"Maybe the sea breeze was too strong."

She frantically defended Gu Yunmu, "Some people are like that, a little breeze will bring tears. He must be like that. Yeah, that’s right, just like that."

If Gu Yunmu cried for some other reason, she might have crazily mocked him and taken photos to savor later. But just now, Gu Yunmu cried so miserably for Gu Qize and himself, she couldn’t mock him, and promised to keep it secret.

She walked in on her little legs, her tiny back radiating endless guilt.

"Ah, so tired, Miaomiao is going to sleep."

As soon as she entered the villa, she dashed with a sudden sprint to the stairs and clambered up at full speed.

Gu Chi shook his head helplessly.

When he leisurely got to the fourth floor and entered the room, he found that Tuanzi had already quickly changed into pajamas, lying in the tent, tucked in with the quilt, eyes tightly shut, all obedient and proper.

He didn’t expose her fake sleeping, sent a few messages, and prepared to rest too.

Early the next morning, the guests got up with sore backs and started bustling.

Some went to purchase supplies, some fetched yesterday’s custom menus, flyers, posters, and poster frames, some discussed the day’s feature dish.

The cash register was urgently installed too.

Compared to the hectic frenzy of yesterday, today the guests looked more like restaurant employees.

Before long, people from the welfare center arrived too.

Aside from the promised chefs and waiters, surprisingly there were also some kids.

All the children carried boxes in their arms.

Tuanzi craned her neck, curiously watching the boxes they held.

Compared to the somewhat timid children, she was more naturally social, turning curiosity into action, running to a little girl with braided hair and softly asking, "Big sister, what’s inside here? Can Miaomiao take a look?"

The little girl shyly opened the box, "These are our handmade crafts."

There were paper cuts, woven bracelets, little decorative items made from recycled materials, handmade flowers, and more.

"Wow, they’re so pretty."

Tuanzi exclaimed in surprise at the crafts, generously praising, "Big sister, you all are amazing!"

The little girl grew even shyer.

She lowered her head, then after a while snuck a glance at Tuanzi, finding her smile genuine, without a hint of awkwardness or disdain, and gained a bit of courage.

Other kids gathered to look too.

They opened their boxes one by one, exclaiming in surprise.

An employee from the welfare center introduced: "Sometimes we organize the children to make crafts for charity sales. Didn’t the show decide that if customers donate books, the restaurant will offer some drinks and snacks, and can also give some of the children’s crafts?"

Ai Jie and Yi Heng went out for goods, Gu Chi went for custom items, leaving only Gu Ran as the adult in the restaurant.

She felt a bit embarrassed, "However, our restaurant is just starting, currently trying hard to attract guests, and haven’t started promoting this activity. The third floor doesn’t have any books yet."

"No worries, we should always be prepared in advance to show our sincerity to guests," the employee spoke sincerely.

[Wow, that statement is really likable]

[Yes, instead of rushing to prepare gifts after receiving donated books, it’s better to have everything ready from the start]

[They even made shell wind chimes, wow, I really want one. I’m right in Sea City, I’m going for a meal today and can bring books over]

[The person before, I’m so envious of you]

[But haven’t you noticed, some of the kids seem to have some health issues]

[That’s quite normal, not all kids from the welfare center are orphans, some were abandoned due to disabilities or incurable diseases]

[But they’re smiling, trying hard to live]

[The atmosphere in this welfare center is okay, it seems the director and staff genuinely care for the children, unlike some welfare centers]

The children also brought many shells, which they had previously collected by the sea, carefully cleaned and selected into exquisite shells.

The girl who first was spoken to is named Lu Kui, following the director’s surname.

Being approached by Tuanzi, she instinctively saw Tuanzi as a leader among the little guests, softly explaining, "Many people come to tour, sometimes wanting to collect beautiful shells, but it’s all about luck."

She showed a shy smile, "But now, they can get beautiful shells just by coming to the restaurant."

In her view, both the program team and the guests were working hard for the welfare center. They were managing the restaurant seriously, trying to gain fame, to transfer the restaurant to the welfare center for management, ensuring income.

And they would be the beneficiaries.

Kids growing up in the welfare center know one thing clearly: others being kind is their goodness, but they can’t take others’ kindness for granted. Regardless, they must do whatever they can.

The help from kind people is the support, but to grow like sunflowers and repay the welfare center and kind people, it depends on themselves.

With a chubby little face breaking into a smile, Tuanzi proactively grabbed Lu Kui’s hand, "Let’s go put the little gifts now."

She tilted her head, looking towards the camera.

"Pretty sisters and handsome brothers, if you want little gifts, come early, or they’ll be snapped up by others."

[Come, come, I’m coming right away]

[I also plan to come when there are fewer people]

[Ooh ooh ooh, I wish I were in Sea City, ooh ooh ooh]

[I’m in Sea City, already rushing over, maybe I’ll be your first customer at noon]

However, the first guests at the restaurant were still Gu Yunmu and the employees.

The blue-haired guy picked up the freshly printed menu, studied it for a while, then asked the obedient little waiter Gu Miaomiao standing aside, "Which dish are you responsible for?"

Tuanzi: "?"

Gu Yunmu: "Even if it’s just ingredients you’ve washed, it counts."

The kids worked together in teams, with Tuanzi being the most outgoing, so she was responsible for the main hall. She was not suited to carry dishes, but guiding guests and helping with orders was fine.

Moreover, anyone seeing her sweet smile would feel better.

"Ah, I didn’t wash the veggies," Tuanzi pointed to the next table, "That tablecloth there is washed by me."

Gu Yunmu’s expression changed, immediately switching seats with the staff at the nearby table.

"The pattern on this tablecloth is really nice, much better than the previous one."

The restaurant used two floral patterns alternately.

Gu Yunmu blinked, "Miaomiao, you chose this nice tablecloth, right?"

Tuanzi shook her head honestly, "The one you despised was the one I picked."

Gu Yunmu: "..."