Chapter 41

Director Shang's eyes lit up when he heard this.

Tao Yan continued, "The third section would be policy outreach. For example, the penalties the state imposes for human trafficking; how people should protect themselves from being abducted when away from home; what preventive measures parents with children should take, and so on. Also, Jiangzhou will likely introduce a policy in the near future to establish a children's DNA database. We can explain how victims' families can use DNA paternity testing to find their children, where to have DNA samples collected, and so forth."

Director Shang nodded repeatedly. "You've thought this through very thoroughly."

Tao Yan said nothing. Everything had happened too suddenly. What he had thought of were merely mature systems that others had already worked out thirty years later. It was hardly a matter of being thorough. He only hoped that this superficial understanding of his could truly help those who needed help after the website was established.

The vacant, clouded eyes of those children surfaced before him. Tao Yan lowered his gaze and continued, "After the website is established, we could also create a donation section. The funds raised could be used to assist and treat victims who suffered physical and psychological trauma during trafficking. However, since this involves money, it should be placed under official management to avoid the awkwardness of illegal fundraising or misappropriation. The website would only be responsible for publicly disclosing the details of the funds."

Director Shang frowned but said nothing.

Huo Baichuan spoke up at the right moment. "Let's put that part aside for now. Everyone's energy is limited, and we can't handle that much yet."

Huo Baichuan's reminder brought Tao Yan back to himself. He had worked in finance before, so his habitual way of thinking had indeed taken over. A proposal involving donations and fundraising was outside the authority of Lianhua District Police Station no matter how one looked at it. And whenever money was involved, the slightest misstep could easily lead to even more trouble. There was truly no need to bring it up.

Tao Yan shook his head.

Huo Baichuan immediately said, "Then you just don't exercise enough. You should work out more. That way, you'll get hungry sooner."

Tao Yan looked at Huo Baichuan, somewhat amused.

Huo Baichuan whistled. "Finally smiled, huh? I really don't like seeing you wear that deadpan face."

Tao Yan froze at his words.

Huo Baichuan cleared his throat and looked up at the moon in the sky. "You don't need to take every responsibility onto yourself. Just do your best with things and let nature take its course."

Tao Yan chuckled softly. "You're the one who should stop thinking you understand me so well. My proposal just now was entirely based on practical interests. A mature company must have a sense of social responsibility. The greater the social responsibility it bears, the more support and returns it receives. The two of us are newcomers here. If we want to gain a foothold and make a name for ourselves, we have to maintain good relations with the local departments. Setting up a missing-person assistance website may be public welfare and charity, but it is also an important foundation for the stable development of our business."

Looking at Tao Yan's unconcerned expression, Huo Baichuan said with a smile, "Say whatever you want. I've always believed in being results-oriented."

Tao Yan snorted. "That's not how you use that term."

Huo Baichuan shrugged and changed the subject. "Want some little wontons?"

Tao Yan frowned. "I don't eat—"

Before he could finish, Huo Baichuan said leisurely, "You eat the wrappers, I eat the filling."

Tao Yan said, "It's too hot. I don't feel like eating."

Huo Baichuan smiled. "It's precisely because it's so hot that we should eat wontons. Work up a good sweat, take a shower afterward, then sleep soundly."

Tao Yan looked around. All the snack stalls on the street had closed. Near the square, only a few vendors selling sunflower seeds, peanuts, popsicles, and soda remained.

"It's too late today. If you want wontons, I'll make them for you tomorrow at noon."

Huo Baichuan looked at Tao Yan in surprise. "You're being this nice to me?"

"Don't tell me you're just writing me a bad check because we're going to the Commerce and Industry Office tomorrow at noon?"

Tao Yan: "..."

Huo Baichuan smiled. "Just kidding. I believe you're not that kind of person."

Tao Yan could not be bothered with Huo Baichuan. The two of them slowly walked back to the orphanage. Tao Yan said, "If you're bored, you can go back to the square and watch the movie yourself."

"Forget it! There's nothing worth watching in those old movies. When we get the chance, I'll treat you to a movie at the theater." Huo Baichuan stretched and took out a change of clothes. "Want to take a shower?"

Tao Yan pulled out a chair and sat at the desk. "You go first. I need to write up the website proposal."

Huo Baichuan suddenly thought of something and scratched the back of his head. "We should buy a computer too. You'll have to program that website yourself."

Then he added with a sigh, "If that deal with the TV station goes through, we'll earn enough for five computers."

"That's still nowhere close to happening." Tao Yan was deeply annoyed by the scorching heat Huo Baichuan gave off while hovering behind him. He waved him away. "Go take a shower already! Stop getting in my way behind me."

"Hey!" Huo Baichuan protested indignantly. "How can you make accusations without evidence? Am I behind you getting in the way of your hands or your feet? Why don't you explain that clearly?"

Tao Yan could not be bothered to answer him. He raised a hand and smacked his arm, killing a mosquito.

Huo Baichuan rubbed his arms as well. "The window screen is too old. It can't keep mosquitoes out at all. Do you want some floral mosquito repellent?"

The smell gave Tao Yan a headache. He shook his head. "I don't use it. Use it yourself if you want. Just remember to stay away from me."

Huo Baichuan snorted and muttered, "So delicate."

Tao Yan ignored him.

The incandescent light in the room was too bright and would only attract more mosquitoes through the holes in the window screen. Tao Yan got up and switched it off, leaving only a small desk lamp on. Dim yellow light illuminated the small space atop the desk, while the tip of his fountain pen rasped softly over the manuscript paper. Outside the window, moonlight flowed like water and tree shadows swayed. The chirping of summer cicadas could still be faintly heard.

After an unknown amount of time, Tao Yan suddenly smelled something smoky. When he turned around, he saw Huo Baichuan walk in carrying a battered iron basin. Wisps of green smoke rose from within, carrying a faint herbal scent.