CHAPTER 269: CHAPTER 269; THANK YOU, GRANDPA LIU

Lin Qiao loudly sighed, knowing they wouldn’t believe it no matter what he said; after all, it’s been so long. "You can think whatever you want. I know what I saw. And if even half of it is real, then that woman’s been through something and she had her own reasons."

"Well," Meixue hummed unconvinced. "Now I am curious. I wonder what skeletons are hidden behind the gates of the Huo estate. Because no woman vanishes for years and comes back like a saint without a price. What if it’s something else?"

Yiran chuckled darkly. "Keep an eye on your clinic, Lin Qiao. You might have just stepped into a war disguised as a love story you know! Be careful!"

But Lin Qiao, thoughtful and quiet now, simply said, "Maybe. Or maybe I just met someone who’s been misjudged all along by everyone including you."

He didn’t feel any weird aura from her, and being in the hospital industry, he could identify people’s characters easily; she was so warm, approachable, and someone you could have a chat with. She was so feminine and soft-spoken.

"All right, back to working!" He hangs up the video call. After all, they weren’t going to believe it. He hung up and went about his work.

— — — — — — —

Inside the van, the mood had lightened slightly. The check-up had gone smoother than anyone expected.

Minghao chatted softly with Aryana, pointing out street signs and funny-shaped clouds as they drove toward the Huo hospital that was a few miles away.

This time, Huo Wu was driving, Huo Qi was seated in the passenger seat, and the kids and everyone else were seated at the back.

They were careful with the kind of conversation they could have in Anran’s presence that were less sensitive.

Tang Fei was busy tying her hair back and smiling at the kids. "Let’s bring some color and sweetness to their day, shall we?"

"Yes, momma...." Tinghao, Feihao, and Zhihao were oddly silent, and Tang Fei didn’t know what they were thinking of.

The van finally packed at this parking lot and the guards began offloading.

The kids helped, carrying small boxes with determination. Aryana held onto Minghao’s hand, a box of peaches in her arms. For once, she didn’t flinch when someone smiled at her but avoided eye contact.

In the oncology ward, little faces lit up as fresh strawberries and bright oranges were handed out. Minghao handed a banana to a bald boy who grinned like he had won a treasure.

Tang Fei crouched beside Aryana and gently said, "You are doing wonderfully, Anran. See how they smile because of you? Mnnhh?" She was glad that she was getting hold of her emotions and calming down trying to blend in.

Aryana glanced around, seeing children weaker than herself, some missing limbs, others connected to beeping machines, and yet their eyes sparkled with joy at something as simple as fruit; she felt like she was lucky to be rescued and alive without any health complications.

And for the first time, her lips slightly twitched into a ghost of a smile. "They are... happy." They were happy even in their current situation.

"Yes," Tang Fei said. "And soon, you will be, too. You will be the happiest and sweetest Anran."

Huo Ting Cheng stood nearby, arms crossed, watching it all quietly. His eyes weren’t soft, but there was a shadow of approval in them.

This child might have been born into blood and betrayal, but she would not be swallowed by it.

Once they were done, they moved over to the old grandpas and grandmas section.

The hospital had the sterile brightness of polished tiles and antiseptic air, but the moment Tang Fei and her group walked into the long-term care ward, the mood began to shift.

Nurses paused in quiet surprise, and patients looked up with curiosity as fruit baskets, flowers, and laughter flowed in like spring wind.

Feihao rushed forward first, tugging at her mother’s sleeve. "Can I go sit with that Grandpa Liu over there?" All the patients had names written on their beds. Feihao had a discerning eye when it came to identifying intelligent people and seeing the chess kit lying just beside him; she knew the exact person he was.

"Sure, just be careful and don’t rile up their emotions; they are patients; don’t forget that!" Tang Fei gave her permission.

"Thank you, Momma."

Feihao walked over to Grandpa Liu with the boldness of a child who knew she had something to offer and could handle any challenges thrown at her.

She had survived in the streets, so, what was going to shake her? She got closer to him.

The elderly man looked up from his newspaper, adjusting his glasses. His face was thin, but the lines around his mouth hinted at humor rather than bitterness.

"Hello, Grandpa Liu, how are you doing? Here are some fruits I brought over." Feihao greeted him as she presented the fruits to him, and he received them politely. "May I play a game of chess with you Grandpa Liu?"

The old man blinked, surprised placing the fruits over to the side. A slow smile crept across his face as he sat up upright. "You know how to play chess, little miss?"

"I do Grandpa, just a little bit of it and incomparable to your knowledge of chess. I learned from online lessons, and I know I am not worthy of playing with you, but I don’t mind learning a few things from you," she replied solemnly, she didn’t want to say she learned in the Streets with other homeless grandpas as she didn’t want to open up her mother’s wounds.

In those streets, there were learned old grandpas who were smart.

"Hehe..." A little chuckle bubbled from his throat, amused by her maturity, as he got the board and chess pieces. "Then you are welcome at my table anytime."

"Thank you, Grandpa Liu..."

They set up the pieces together. Feihao’s small hands moved with care and deliberation.