After a three and a half hour drive, we finally arrived at a place under the shadow of winding mountains in Dateng City.

Wulao Mountain is a protected mountain area in Dateng, with no densely packed steel structures. The mountain roads are not rugged, but rather wide and well-maintained, with the sound of birds chirping in the air. However, the sky was covered with a fine drizzle, as if a layer of oilcloth was placed over the view. No matter how hard we tried to look into the distance, we could only see the vague shadows of a few peaks.

For the full version, visit [ pawℝead.com ].

"It's not easy to do business in tourist areas these days," Gu Shen said. "The signal is weak and the internet speed is slow here. Most people would be dissatisfied and think of this place as a primitive and uncivilized area. But in reality, it's just a mountainous region... We should leave something behind."

"A primitive and uncivilized area..."

"I don't think so."

Nanjin turned off the music, opened the car window, and took a deep breath of fresh air. "This is how nature should be. Living here allows you to breathe the most natural and fresh air. Although the urban area is bustling and there are high-powered air purifiers everywhere, the air over there... always feels different from here."

"The best things are the ones we can't have."

Gu Shen shrugged. "The upper class people who occasionally come to these places for leisure also think that the air in the urban area is not as good. But if we really think about it, the air filtered by the purifiers will only be cleaner. After the connection of Deep Sea to the world, artificial landscapes are more beautiful and intelligent than natural landscapes. If it weren't for the poor terrain here, it would probably have been banned long ago."

As the huge shadow of the mountain came closer to the edge of our vision, the speed of the car increased. Instead of climbing up, the wide mountain road was sliding downwards... At the foot of the mountain was a basin, with low ground in the middle and high ground surrounding it, forming a circular shape. No wonder so much water accumulated when it rained.

"Alright, we're almost there."

Gu Shen took a deep breath and adjusted his shirt collar. After checking his bank balance, he started thinking about "returning home in wealth and honor." He specially bought a new set of clothes for this occasion.

It was just a plain white shirt, worn over a work jacket. He didn't change his pants or shoes.

The car parked in front of the welfare home. The iron gate creaked in the wind, and raindrops splashed on it, creating water splashes. Inside were several small white brick buildings, painted with white paint, which gave them a nostalgic feel compared to the large flat apartments in the city center.

The sign at the entrance read "Morning Light," surrounded by crooked crayon graffiti of balloons, clouds, the sun, and running children.

Nanjin looked at another black car parked not far from the welfare home, lost in thought.

"You don't need to get off the car later, Senior Sister."

Gu Shen suddenly felt nervous, and he took several deep breaths to calm himself down.

He got out of the car, opened the trunk, and held two large boxes of milk and a basket of eggs in his left hand, while holding various heavy gift boxes in his right hand. He was about to run in the rain with an umbrella over his head.

"I'll give you a ride and take a look."

Nanjin spoke softly as she held a large bag of vegetables and cradled an orange cat in her arm. With her other hand, she held an umbrella for Gu Shen. Perhaps it was because she had changed her sunglasses to black-framed glasses, her fierce expression had softened.

"Oh... oh..."

Gu Shen was somewhat surprised and flattered. He squeezed under the umbrella with Nanjin and walked forward in small steps, his head down. When he pushed open the iron gate, there was a loud bang, which startled him.

The ribbons of the fireworks exploded and fell on the umbrella, and they were hidden on both sides of the courtyard wall. The children, who had been waiting for a long time, suddenly rushed out in unison, circling around the umbrella.

"Welcome, welcome, a warm welcome—"

"Welcome, welcome, a warm welcome—"

Gu Shen was surrounded by the children, spinning in circles under the umbrella in the rain. He felt a little overwhelmed as he looked at these familiar yet unfamiliar faces, and a touch of bittersweet emotion welled up in his heart.

When he left, they were still so small. They used to be little ones who could only hold onto his thighs, but now several of them had grown to his chest.

They had changed a lot in the two years since he last saw them.

But what hadn't changed was the innocence in their eyes and the childishness on their faces.

No matter how much they grew up, they were still children.

"Welcome back, Brother Shen!"

After playing around for a while, the children each took something from Gu Shen's hands.

Under the eaves, an old lady in a knitted sweater waved at Gu Shen. Her hair was completely white, and her face was filled with kindness. "They were so happy when they heard you were coming back. These are leftover fireworks from other people's weddings. They've been saving them for a long time and didn't want to use them. Today, they brought them all out."

Gu Shen had ribbons from the fireworks hanging from his hair, like a chicken coop on his head. He shook his head and laughed, "Did you bring out all the hidden treasures? These little rascals still have a conscience."

Sanpao was the smallest among the children, but he was the first to twist the fireworks and the first to take something from Gu Shen's hands.

At this moment, he opened the "gift box" excitedly and exclaimed, "Brother Shen! Why is it all meat!"

The gift box was filled to the brim with plain and simple meat, eggs, and milk.

Because he was in a hurry and forgot to buy toys, Gu Shen coughed, "Next time, next time for sure.""It's already good enough to have meat! It shows that Brother Shen cares about your height!" Another child laughed, "It's been two years, and you're the only one who hasn't grown taller."

Sanpao sneered and raised the wax chicken leg as if to hit.

Several children opened the gift box and played happily.

"Who is this...?"

Grandmother looked at the girl holding the umbrella, her eyes filled with surprise. Such a gentle and elegant beauty could only be seen on TV.

Gu Shen wanted to introduce Nanjin, but for a moment, he didn't know how to introduce her... Should he tell his grandmother that she was the person who saved his life and now is like his sworn brother?

He scratched his head and didn't speak.

"Hello, grandmother. I am Gu Shen's senior sister. We are currently working at the research institute in Dateng City. This is my business card." Nanjin smiled gently and handed out a card. "Gu Shen has excellent grades and is outstanding. He was recognized by my mentor, and you can understand it as... being recommended."

"Recommended?" Grandmother took the business card and froze, looking at Gu Shen in disbelief.

"Yes, yes, recommended..." Gu Shen hurriedly said, "I accidentally got into a research institute..."

The orange cat lazily watched the scene from Nanjin's arms and couldn't help but chuckle.

Gu Shen, who had always been good at acting, almost messed up in this situation.

"I can't understand business cards..."

Grandmother squinted her eyes and carefully looked at it. She couldn't understand the complicated job descriptions, but she remembered the name "Nanjin."

"Thank you, miss. Gu Shen must have troubled you, right?" Grandmother handed the business card back and then said meaningfully, "Xiao Gu, I know you can live well outside of here, but it's not easy to meet someone who treats you well... You must cherish it."

"What are you talking about, grandmother..."

Gu Shen sighed and couldn't explain.

He completely understood what his grandmother was thinking.

Who wouldn't like such a beautiful and understanding sister? Who would have thought that this beautiful sister, who usually appeared gentle and intelligent, was actually a killer who would fight at the drop of a hat?

"I came back this time to fix the house."

Gu Shen took out the card and said seriously, "The teacher at the research institute has been very good to me and gave me a large scholarship. Grandmother, you said the house often leaks, and Sanpao and the others need to go to school. Besides government subsidies, there are all sorts of expenses... I will take care of all of them!"

These words were said with great confidence.

The feeling of returning home in glory... was great.

But Gu Shen didn't get the expected reaction. Grandmother just smiled and looked at him without much movement.

"Ah..."

Gu Shen raised the card, his face surprised and somewhat disappointed. "Grandmother, why do you have this reaction?"

Grandmother smiled at Nanjin and said, "Miss, I want to have a private conversation with Xiao Gu... There are fruits and brewed tea in the hall. Please wait for a moment."

"You're too polite." Nanjin smiled and said, "By the way, I want to take a look around."

At the moment she turned around and left, the orange cat in her arms meowed and jumped out. Nanjin was a little surprised, but the orange cat disappeared too quickly, and she couldn't see its shadow anymore.

...

Grandmother pulled Gu Shen and walked upstairs.

"Why are you being so secretive, grandmother..." Gu Shen was a little confused.

"Xiao Gu, I haven't seen such a beautiful girl in a long time. Your senior sister is as beautiful as a movie star." When they reached the second floor, grandmother's eyes were full of smiles. "You must treat her well and not bully her just because she is a delicate and weak girl."

Gu Shen: "???"

Delicate and weak?

This delicate and weak girl beats him a hundred times every day!

A hundred times, a hundred times.

"She really is just my senior sister," Gu Shen earnestly wanted to explain, but he knew that the smile in his grandmother's eyes clearly meant, continue to be cunning.

Who would drive such a long way just to send their senior sister?

"I already have a girlfriend!"

A sudden inspiration struck Gu Shen, and he said seriously, "She is even more beautiful than the stars on TV. Next time, I will bring her to see you if I have the chance."

"Oh ho ho ho... I misunderstood."

Grandmother suddenly understood and was both surprised and happy. She smiled and said, "Xiao Gu, you really... surprised me. Now I can rest assured."

Finally, it was explained clearly.

Gu Shen breathed a sigh of relief and smiled bitterly in his heart. He originally thought that the money in his account would make his grandmother happier, but he didn't expect his grandmother to care more about his "life-long matter."

"I don't need your help with fixing the house. I can handle it myself."

Grandmother's eyes revealed a proud smile. "A gentleman contacted us a few days ago and said he wanted to sponsor the renovation of the welfare home. He happened to come here today for an inspection. Nowadays, who would seriously inspect a place? He must be a practical person. If we can secure the sponsorship, we won't have to worry about the expenses of the welfare home in the future."

"Also..."

Speaking of this, grandmother lowered her voice, "Just by looking at him, you can tell that he is very wealthy. You will see later."

"Sponsorship... inspection..."Gu Shen was taken aback, only now recalling that there was indeed a second car parked at the entrance of the orphanage. He had been so anxious about the upcoming meeting that he had overlooked this detail.

"The gentleman is on the rooftop. Let me take you to him."

The old woman smiled, picked up her clothes, and led Gu Shen upstairs.

The red-brick building had four floors, and the rooftop was usually adorned with various flowers and plants.

The rain was falling in a fine, heavy mist.

A man in a suit, carrying a briefcase, stood at the entrance to the rooftop. He was holding an umbrella, standing alone in the center of the rooftop, gazing at the distant, continuous mountains and fog.

The old woman's laughter echoed from behind.

"Mr. Han, sorry to keep you waiting."

The man in the suit slowly turned around, the arc of light reflected in his gold-rimmed glasses revealing the figures of the old woman and the young man.

He smiled and said, "It wasn't a long wait."