In the dimly lit room, only the bedside lamp was on, and the cold wind rattled the windows, as if another heavy rain was about to fall.
The rainbow light strip was reflected on the ceiling. Yan Heqing slowly rotated the Cube of Light. After a moment, he put it back on the bedside table, turned off the light, and went to rest.
The next day, it was foggy outside. When Yan Heqing stepped out of the apartment building, he found that the ground was covered with a thick layer of snow.
It not only rained last night, but it also snowed.
Yan Heqing pulled up her warm black woolen scarf, stepped through the clean snow, and went to the subway station.
Auntie Zhang was quite surprised to see Yan Heqing again. "Don't you come once a week?"
Yan Heqing squatted down and skillfully tidied up the used diaper. "The exams are over. I'll come before the New Year."
Although it wasn't ideal, Auntie Zhang was actually quite grateful. Yan Heqing was quiet and capable, and had helped her a lot, easing her burden. It was wonderful that he came so often! She smiled and said, "Your parents are so lucky to have a child like you."
Just then Xu Qiaoyin arrived at the door. Hearing Auntie Zhang's words, she paused, glanced at Yan Heqing, hesitated for a moment, and then turned to leave. Auntie Zhang, with sharp eyes, quickly called out to her, " Teacher Xu, has that scoundrel who harassed you been caught?"
Xu Qiaoyin glanced at Yan Heqing and shook her head slightly.
Yan Heqing rolled up the diaper and put it in a trash bag, then looked up and asked, "What kind of hooligan?"
Before Xu Qiaoyin could speak, Auntie Zhang angrily cursed, "I don't know which scoundrel is posting disgusting things on Teacher Xu's door every day. Lately, someone has been following Teacher Xu home from work."
Yan Heqing looked at Xu Qiaoyin, Xu Qiaoyin was originally looking at Yan Heqing. As soon as he looked over, Xu Qiaoyin nervously looked away.
Yan Heqing stood up, carrying the trash bag, and said, "If you don't mind, I'll take you home in the meantime."
He was speaking to Xu Qiaoyin Xu Qiaoyin, who flinched slightly, hesitating to refuse. Auntie Zhang then spoke up, "Yes, with a man following him, that bastard becomes wary. Some scumbags specifically target single women. Even though our Xiao Yan is young, he looks just like your son."
Auntie Zhang didn't know Xu Qiaoyin's past and only thought she was unmarried and childless. Xu Qiaoyin felt a pang of sadness when she heard about her son. She was in a daze when she saw Yan Heqing and thought of Lu Muchi Lu Muchi was a few years older than Yan Heqing.
Xu Qiaoyin said softly, "No need."
Auntie Zhang wiped her hands and said disapprovingly, "I know you're introverted and don't like interacting with others, but our Xiao Yan is different; she's an exceptionally good child."
Xu Qiaoyin nodded, "I know." She just didn't want to trouble Yan Heqing anymore. Yan Heqing had helped her twice already, once with an umbrella and once when Lu Lin came to the orphanage.
In fact, Xu Qiaoyin and Lu Lin had only met a few times. When she married Lu Han, Lu Lin was only 5 years old. Later, she divorced Lu Han and left the Lu Family. Lu Lin was only 10 years old. Only during holidays would the old master of the Lu Family bring Lu Lin back to celebrate.
She recognized Lu Lin now because she often read news about the Lu Group.
"Are you worried about troubling me?" Yan Heqing appeared in front of her without her noticing.
Xu Qiaoyin nervously fidgeted with her fingers, but finally nodded gently.
"No," Yan Heqing smiled. "It'll only be for a few days, enough to scare that bastard away. It's not much trouble."
Xu Qiaoyin was actually very scared. Several times at home, she felt footsteps outside, which frightened her so much that she dared not make a sound. Fortunately, nothing bad happened in the end, but if it continued, she would have a nervous breakdown. She finally looked at Yan Heqing to confirm, "Are you sure it won't cause trouble?"
Yan Heqing smiled gently, "No."
Xu Qiaoyin then nodded.
In the afternoon, we had dinner at the welfare home. After Lu Lin came, the food in the canteen improved dramatically, and the Lu Group increased their sponsorship.
A light snowfall made the ground slightly damp. Yan Heqing opened his umbrella and walked to Xu Qiaoyin's right. Xu Qiaoyin was a head shorter than Yan Heqing, and for the past ten years she had always been alone. Now, in this scene, it was as if Yan Heqing really was her child.
Xu Qiaoyin finally smiled and asked gently, "How old are you this year?"
18.
Five years younger than her Xiao Chi, her eyes softened considerably. "Volunteering at the orphanage must be hard work."
Yan Heqing smiled and said, "I only come here occasionally; you guys have to work much harder."
Xu Qiaoyin shook her head. She looked ahead, and fine snow occasionally slid off the umbrella. It wasn't that she was helping the children at the orphanage, but that those children had healed her. Leaving the Lu Family and being separated from her own flesh and blood, she had almost lived a life worse than death. It was only after seeing the orphanage's job posting that she was able to continue her maternal love in another way.
Both of them were quiet. After entering the subway, Xu Qiaoyin took Line 1 with Yan Heqing. Her place was very far from the orphanage, spanning more than 20 stops from east to west. They left the orphanage at 6:30 and didn't arrive at Xu Qiaoyin's place until almost 9:00.
Unexpectedly bustling.
The most developed area in the new district.
Yan Heqing knew this place; Lu Muchi's company was nearby.
Xu Qiaoyin pointed to the road, and as they passed a shop, Yan Heqing handed the umbrella to Xu Qiaoyin, asking her to wait a moment. He then ran out of the umbrella and into the shop.
When Yan Heqing came out again, he was carrying something in his hands. The snowflakes were falling heavily, Xu Qiaoyin quickly stepped forward to shield him from the snow. Yan Heqing also jogged over.
Once inside the umbrella, Yan Heqing's hair and scarf were still covered in snowflakes. Xu Qiaoyin hesitated whether to brush them off for him, but Yan Heqing picked up what he was carrying and shook it, his beautiful eyebrows curving slightly. "I bought a security camera. I'll install it for you later. If you spot any strangers, call the police immediately."
Xu Qiaoyin felt a lump in her throat and nodded.
Her apartment was across from the commercial building; it was small, a one-bedroom unit, very cramped. Yan Heqing had installed security cameras at the door, and no guests had ever come. Xu Qiaoyin hurriedly tore open a milk carton, heated it in the microwave, and ran to hand it to Yan Heqing, saying, "Have some hot milk first."
Yan Heqing didn't stand on ceremony. He took the milk, took a sip, and smiled, "Thank you."
Xu Qiaoyin was extremely embarrassed. "I should be thanking you. I'll transfer the money for the surveillance footage to you; you must accept it." She took out her phone.
Yan Heqing didn't refuse. He took out his phone. "120 yuan. Let's add each other on WeChat. If you find someone following you or causing you trouble next time, just contact me."