Jin Xia fell silent. If she told Song Ming that she had met him ten years in the future...
Back then, he had been brimming with confidence, a rising star among the rich and powerful.
Song Ming would probably have her committed to the Fourth Hospital as a mental patient!
"I've heard a little about your family situation, so naturally, I know something about your grades, too."
Jin Xia lifted her coffee for another sip, then stood up. "You officially start work today."
She turned and strode away, without a single unnecessary word from start to finish.
Song Ming sat in his chair, unable to collect himself for a long time. That very afternoon, in the time it took to drink a cup of coffee, he had actually earned 570,000 yuan!
He had even landed a job, one that wouldn't interfere with his studies...
It all felt like a dream!
But the cold string of digits showing his account balance on his phone kept reminding him that this was no dream!
After leaving the café, the first thing Jin Xia did was go to the hospital.
For now, she wasn't worried about Mengmeng's condition. The director was her main concern; she was meticulous and always worried herself over everything.
She was afraid someone at the orphanage might let something slip and tell the director that Mengmeng's life was hanging by a thread...
Outside the hospital room, Jin Xia was about to enter when she suddenly heard voices inside.
"Doctor, I don't really want treatment. Could you do me a favor and contact Ms. An He? I feel that, at my age, rather than spending money treating me, it would be better to help the children at the orphanage."
A long sigh followed.
Jin Xia's hand, poised to knock, brushed the wooden door before dropping back down.
It felt as though something had struck her heart hard.
What exactly had she done in her previous life?
She had been willing to spend over a million on a secondhand handbag, yet had never spared a thought for her younger brothers and sisters at the orphanage...
Even a bone marrow transplant and a complete cure for Mengmeng wouldn't cost a million, yet that was merely the price of a handbag in high society.
The doctor's stance was firm. "This is nonsense! You're taking your own life far too lightly!"
At that, Jin Xia could bear it no longer and pushed the door open.
"Mom, I think you've misunderstood."
Jin Xia walked straight to the director's bedside. "An He isn't funding your treatment just because she's kind. More importantly, your condition has considerable research value. She also plans to shift some of her investments into medical facilities later."
"I-is that so?"
The director turned to the doctor uncertainly.
Jin Xia had grown up with the director and knew her inside out, so she had already coordinated her story with the doctor.
The doctor instinctively glanced at Jin Xia before nodding. "That's right."
The director sighed, murmuring, "What have I done to deserve such a wonderful donor as An He? Xia, when you see her, you must thank her properly."
"I will."
Jin Xia gave the doctor a look, signaling for him to leave first.
She handed the director the shopping list she had drawn up beforehand. "Mom, I... Ms. An He discussed it with me. She thinks our orphanage is understaffed and our everyday facilities aren't keeping up, so she plans to donate a batch of supplies."
The director picked up the list and read it, then suddenly thought of something.
She looked up at Jin Xia. "If Ms. An He wants to donate these smart devices, we could contact Bai Qiao!"
Bai Qiao...
The orphanage's notorious "ingrate."
Jin Xia had last seen Bai Qiao three years ago. He was a few years older than her, and after graduating from university, he had disappeared without a word.
He had even... never returned to the orphanage.
Why would the director bring him up out of nowhere?
"Bai Qiao is doing very well for himself now. He works at some technology company, and he's even a director!"
As she spoke, the director hurriedly took out her phone and opened her contacts.
She was new to WeChat and still unfamiliar with it. After some random tapping, she sent Bai Qiao a video call.
Seeing his display name, Jin Xia froze.
Bai Jingyan?
She seemed to have seen that name somewhere, but couldn't recall where just then.
When the video call connected, only a pair of large, slender hands appeared on the screen. After a brief hesitation, he spoke in a deep voice. "Director Wang, what is it?"
Director Wang?
Jin Xia couldn't help snorting inwardly.
Back when he had lived at the orphanage, he had clung to the director every day, eagerly trailing after her and calling her "Mom" at every turn. He hadn't even let little runts like them call her Mom!
Wang Xiumei wasn't offended by Bai Qiao's coldness. Instead, she explained softly and apologetically, "Sorry, Bai Qiao. I don't really know how to use WeChat, and somehow I ended up making this video call."
On the screen, Bai Qiao reached out and picked up his phone.
He turned off the video... leaving only the audio call. "It's fine. Has something happened at the orphanage?"
That familiar voice-Jin Xia kept feeling she had heard it somewhere before.
She suddenly lifted her head as something came to her!
At the technology summit in 2020, he had delivered the acceptance speech on behalf of Rock Technology.
Rock Technology had worked closely with Melody Leap. It was said that Rock Technology had played no small part in Melody Leap's later rise to the top of the internet industry.
The socialite training course had specially obtained invitations to that technology summit for them, so that Jin Xia and the other fake socialites could go there to pick out targets.
Bai Jingyan...
So it was him.
The director was as talkative as ever. After exchanging pleasantries with Bai Qiao, she got straight to the point. "Here's the thing. A kind donor wants to give the orphanage some high-tech equipment. Since you work in the industry, I wondered if you could recommend a few things. If there are any internal channels where we could get a discount, that would be even better!"
There was a long hesitation on the other end, without a word.
As though realizing something, the director hurriedly added, "I'm not asking you to get your company to donate to our orphanage. Please don't misunderstand. I just don't want the donor to spend more than she needs to."
"Our company is currently developing an AI project, so I probably can't be of much help."
Bai Qiao spoke quietly, then added, "Let's talk later when I have time. I have a meeting now."
"All right, all right... Go to your meeting. It's good to be busy. That boy Bai Qiao-I knew he'd amount to something from the time he was little."
The director sighed and turned to Jin Xia with a helpless expression. "Back then, I wanted you to apply for the same program as him. I thought that once you graduated, Bai Qiao could help you out a little. I never imagined he'd turn into a completely different person."
Jin Xia was looking down at her phone, searching for Rock Technology's stock.
Rock Technology wasn't publicly listed yet...
That also meant the company was still getting started. But Bai Jingyan could count as a connection for her future entry into the technology industry, so there was no harm in keeping his contact details.
"Mom, could you send me Bai Qiao's contact information?"
Jin Xia raised her eyes to the director.
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