Though her voice was quiet, the guests and the viewers in the livestream still heard it.
The guests glanced at Su Wanyue without saying anything.
The livestream viewers commented.
[Yueyue is so kind. She's always thinking of the children.]
[Look how practiced their movements are. It's heartbreaking. How many times must they have done this to get so good at it?]
[They're all good kids.]
[What if they cut their hands? Good question. Find a doctor, obviously. What else are doctors for?]
[This is great. You can tell their practical skills are first-rate.]
[Looking at my son, who's over two hundred months old, I suddenly want to find a clothes hanger.]
[What do you need a clothes hanger for?]
There were all sorts of comments flying across the screen.
Behind the scenes of the livestream, the Deputy Director grew a little worried as he watched the comments, most of which said the children shouldn't be made to cook.
"Director Ma, will people report us for child abuse?"
"That's fucking bullshit," Director Ma swore. "Did we hit the children or yell at them?"
"Cooking counts as abuse? Then I could say my wife abuses me."
"When I'm home, I do all the housework."
The Deputy Director didn't dare say anything more.
Director Ma must have upset his wife. It was better not to get dragged into it.
In the orphanage kitchen, the children were busily at work.
But every child wore a smile, without the slightest complaint or reluctance.
After watching for a while, Tan Yaya felt a little embarrassed. "Isn't it a bit wrong for us to just stand here watching?"
The guests fell silent.
Half-grown children were cooking while they stood by watching. No matter how they looked at it, it felt a little like bullying.
Hearing this, the director turned to the guests. "It's fine. They're used to doing this."
"Besides, you're guests. We can't have you doing the work."
Several children nodded repeatedly, too.
Seeing that the guests still showed no intention of leaving, Teacher He said, "If you feel bad, you could help the orphanage in whatever way you can afford."
At those words, thoughtful expressions appeared on the guests' faces.
"Everyone, come wait in the dining hall for lunch." Teacher He ushered the guests over to take their seats.
Only after sitting down did they discover that Xie Yuan and Mu Ze had already settled in the dining hall at some point and were waiting.
Gu Yanzhou frowned slightly and opened his mouth, but ultimately closed it again.
Recalling Xie Yuan's imposing presence in the classroom, he felt a wave of fear.
In the livestream.
[That's Young Master Xie for you. Not worried in the slightest.]
[Xie Dog really has no sympathy at all. Everyone else is worried about the children, and he's sitting off to the side playing without a care.]
[This is probably the guests' first time eating food cooked by half-grown children.]
[Food cooked by kids probably tastes pretty average.]
[You're getting fed, and you're still being picky. How many times have you cooked? How many times has your son cooked for you? How many times has your grandson cooked for you?]
In the dining hall.
Tan Yaya behaved herself for a while, then couldn't help staring at Xiao Hua in Xie Yuan's arms. "She's so cute. Can I hold her?"
Xie Yuan turned and handed her straight over.
Tan Yaya's eyes lit up, and she held Xiao Hua with a look of utter contentment.
After a wait of ten-odd minutes, the food was ready.
The children brought the dishes out and placed them on the table.
There were eight dishes in total, in generous portions, making for quite a spread.
Only after setting out the bowls and chopsticks did the children take their trays to get rice, followed by the dishes.
The show's guests took a look. The children were getting the same dishes.
At the sight, not only the guests but even Teacher He breathed a sigh of relief.
Since she had guests to entertain, Director Wu sat with the show's team.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, they began lunch.
As a mouthful of braised pork entered his mouth, Xie Yuan's eyes lit up, and he began chewing a little faster.
It couldn't compare with Mu Ze's cooking, but it really did taste better than the food at many restaurants.
After lunch, the children helped clear the tables and wash the dishes.
After playing in the courtyard for another twenty minutes or so, the children returned to their rooms to sleep.
The livestream viewers noticed that the boys and girls were housed separately.
The girls lived in the horizontal row, while the boys lived in the vertical row.
[The director is pretty thoughtful. She knows to keep the boys and girls separate.]
[So fussy when they're poor. Having somewhere to live is good enough. Why bother separating boys and girls?]
[Where do you live, commenter above? I think you should live next to a toilet. Makes it easier for you to eat shit.]
[Teaching children to distinguish between sexes from a young age is a good thing.]
[Director Wu, you're making me cry. She's really so thoughtful.]
Many of the livestream viewers were still reasonable and knew right from wrong.
There were eight guests, and the orphanage already had very few rooms, so taking a nap was out of the question.
The guests sat in the classroom to rest.
Su Wanyue sat with Gu Yanzhou, talking quietly.
After sitting for a while, Xie Yuan grew bored and took out his phone. "Mu Ze, get online. Let's play together."
Mu Ze glanced at Xie Yuan, his hand honestly taking out his phone.
His voice was clear and gentle. "I didn't expect you to have a gaming habit too, Teacher Xie."
Xie Yuan curled his lips. "Life should be about enjoying yourself while you can."
Enjoying yourself while you can?
The look Mu Ze directed at Xie Yuan deepened.
Without inviting Tan Yaya or Zhang Jue, the two started a match.
Xie Yuan's gaming skills were as consistent as ever.
He gave away several kills in succession.
Xiao Miao arrived with the little boy from earlier.
The little boy stood before Xie Yuan with his head lowered. "I'm sorry, big brother. It was all because I got distracted."
Xie Yuan raised his eyes, his game character stopping in place on his phone. "It's fine. They were making trouble. They've got no ability, so they take their anger out on other people."
The little boy twisted the hem of his clothes between his fingers. "My hearing is pretty sharp. When I heard you teaching someone how to do their homework, I got absorbed in it."
Xie Yuan studied the little boy for a while. "Do you like studying?"
The little boy suddenly looked up, then quickly lowered his head again. "Yes."
Though it was quick, Xie Yuan hadn't missed those shining eyes.
That was the light that only appeared upon seeing something one loved.
Once upon a time, his eyes had held that same light.
Returning to the present, Xie Yuan rubbed his head. "Study hard. You'll have more opportunities to learn all kinds of things in the future."
The boy nodded and left with Xiao Miao.
Xie Yuan lowered his head and looked at his hero, who had respawned after dying. "Mu Ze, do your best to carry me to victory."
Mu Ze's hand paused as he controlled his hero. "I'll do my best."
When the match ended, Xie Yuan looked up and noticed that Su Wanyue and Gu Yanzhou had left the classroom at some point.
No wonder neither of them had made a sound when Xiao Miao and the boy came over earlier.
Boring.
Xie Yuan put away his phone, tilted toward Mu Ze, and rested his head on his shoulder, closing his eyes to rest.
Mu Ze's body stiffened for a moment before relaxing, and the corners of his lips unconsciously lifted.
His gentle eyes stayed fixed on him.
Young Master Xie wasn't treating him as an outsider. Did that make him his spouse, then?
Mu Ze's ears grew warm and turned pink.
The camera happened to capture the scene.
[Wow, am I seeing things? Mu Ze's ears turned red.]
[I saw it too. His ears went red.]
[He's so innocent. Young Master Xie is only leaning against him, and he's already embarrassed.]
[I want a man like this too. Where can I find one?]
[Mu Ze, this won't do. If Young Master Xie does something more intimate with you, won't you turn completely red?]
[Shameless, cuddling in public like that.]
Ten-odd minutes later, the children got up, and the guests once again took charge of looking after their respective groups.
Sitting in the classroom, Xie Yuan looked at the energetic children. "Have you thought of your wishes?"
Before you continue