CHAPTER 78: ORPHANAGE

Two hours later, Jake drove a black Audi A8 stylishly toward Sunshine Orphanage.

The driver’s seat of the Audi A8 was far from comparable to Jake’s cheap Volkswagen. The red interior paired with the black exterior paint was low-key yet luxurious.

The leather seats not only had full automatic adjustment but also manual heating functions, providing unparalleled comfort. Whether it was the center console or the steering wheel, everything exuded an incomparable sense of nobility.

This Audi A8 was undoubtedly the premium version, and Jake could feel it firsthand.

However, compared to the awe the Audi A8 inspired in Jake, the real reason for his complete infatuation was the stunningly beautiful young woman sitting in the passenger seat, who was also the owner of this Audi A8—Mina.

Only now did Jake truly understand the deeper meaning behind what Cabel had called a "sorceress." It was impossible to predict her next move. This time, as soon as Jake confessed his personal matters for the day, Sister Mina unexpectedly insisted on coming along.

The ridiculous part was the reason Sister Mina gave—a blatant "the company also needs to regularly investigate employees’ family backgrounds."

What an absurd reason. Yet, coming from Sister Mina, a capable and composed female executive who effortlessly dominated the sales department at Shigella, it didn’t sound the least bit out of place.

In a daze, Jake agreed to let Sister Mina accompany him.

Half an hour later, after the meeting, Sister Mina went shopping with Jake to buy gifts.

Women, you know how they are.

Another hour and a half passed, and not only Jake but Sister Mina also bought a mountain of things.

Aside from the bulk order of down jackets, which would only be shipped after Jake confirmed the children’s sizes, the rest of the gifts filled the Audi’s trunk to the brim.

Most of them were bought by Sister Mina, which moved Jake deeply.

But moved or not, when the two of them sat quietly in the front seats of the Audi, Jake still didn’t dare to look directly at Sister Mina.

From the moment they met, Sister Mina’s fashionable outfit had attracted the gazes of countless men.

Now, sitting elegantly and regally in the passenger seat like a noblewoman from ancient times, her black trench coat concealed her curvaceous figure, but her long legs, clad in black knee-high stretch stockings and boots, were impossible to ignore.

Her straight legs were bent, resting against the passenger compartment, her hands folded under her chest, her slender waist upright, and her flaxen hair cascading over her shoulders.

She exuded an invincible, domineering aura of a mature woman, like a modern-day Mulan—powerful, resolute, and breathtakingly beautiful. It was hard to imagine such a woman could have any interest in Jake.

This was also why Jake didn’t dare to look at her. He feared that before he could decipher Sister Mina’s thoughts, his own little schemes would be laid bare.

"Jake, you don’t mind me barging in to visit Director Alexon like this, do you?" After a long silence, Sister Mina finally spoke up to break the ice.

"Good grief, you’re already in the car, and now you’re asking me this? Isn’t it a bit redundant?"

Jake thought to himself but quickly replied, "Not at all. Director Alexon loves a lively atmosphere. One more person won’t make a difference. But Sister Mina, why the sudden interest in going to Sunshine Orphanage with me? There’s not much to do there, and I don’t want to waste your day off." Though Jake couldn’t guess Sister Mina’s intentions, he didn’t feel resistant to her involvement in his personal matters.

"I should be thanking you for helping me solve such a big problem. That’s why I can take this break with peace of mind. I only knew about your background before and figured the Director Alexon who took you in must be a great philanthropist. So I wanted to meet her and see the face behind the woman who raised such an outstanding young man like you."

Truly worthy of being Manager Mina. At first glance, her words seemed ordinary, but they skillfully praised both Director Alexon and Jake, answering Jake’s question while deftly steering the conversation toward Sunshine Orphanage. It dispelled Jake’s concerns and gave both of them an easy way out.

Sure enough, Jake didn’t overthink it. Taking the topic Sister Mina had thrown out, he said with emotion, "Yeah, Director Alexon really is a great person. She raised me, educated me—a kindness I’ll never forget in this lifetime. Maybe in my heart, she’s even more important than my biological father."

Mina noticed a trace of vulnerability in Jake’s response, as if she had inadvertently touched a soft spot. Even the strongest man had moments of tenderness.

Her desire to understand Jake grew stronger. Parentless, struggling to grow up, yet his morals never strayed from the right path. He graduated from a prestigious university, and his abilities spoke for themselves—she had seen it all firsthand!

All of this reminded her so much of her brother. Two equally outstanding men had entered Mina’s heart, one representing familial love and the other, perhaps, romantic love.

Mina turned her head away from the window, her phoenix-like eyes fixed intently on Jake, her gaze deep and unfathomable. But Jake didn’t seem to notice her staring, focused solely on driving.

A faint, almost imperceptible smile curled at the corners of her lips as she continued, "I’d like to hear about your past. Would you mind?"

Sister Mina’s voice was delicate yet richly layered, like a tapestry embroidered with flowers. Her low, resonant tone carried the commanding presence of a mature woman, making Jake’s expression soften. The caring tone of an elder made Jake involuntarily open up about his past.

With a soft "Of course," he began to recount his story.

At this moment, Jake was like a grand piano playing a beautiful, melodious tune, placed solemnly at the center of a grand stage. But there was no sea of shadowy spectators in the audience—only Sister Mina, a woman who understood music, sitting alone.

Silent and attentive, the subtle shifts in her expression mirrored the rises and falls of Jake’s piano melody, as if she alone in the world could appreciate the profound beauty of his music.

Jake seemed to revel in it.

Though he was born into hardship and adversity, and though traces of unwashed inferiority and cowardice still lingered in his bones, the people he met, the things he did, and the supernatural abilities he acquired gradually eroded those insecurities. Instead, an astonishing ambition began to sprout in his heart.

It was as if this ambition had always taken root deep within Jake, and after accidentally triggering some hidden switch, it began to grow wildly.

She listened quietly, her stunningly beautiful face showing no trace of impatience. On the contrary, she seemed thoroughly engrossed.

At times when Jake spoke with deep emotion, she would even show a sorrowful expression, nodding thoughtfully as if feeling the injustice of Jake’s tragic experiences.

During the long journey, Jake tirelessly shared his story with Sister Mina. Originally, Jake wasn’t too willing to talk about his past, but Sister Mina’s immersive reaction made him reluctant to stop.