22 Buy Two Pieces of Chocolate, One for You, One for Me! (1/2)

Had he applied for the student grant?

Upon hearing the news, Hong Xiaofu immediately froze. He suddenly felt that the days were getting increasingly better. Thinking back, when he had left the orphanage, the manager had patted his shoulders while asking him to bring Shen Xiaoling along with him. At that time, he had been unsure of what was happening. Later on, he had realized that places like the orphanage were not as uncomplicated as they seemed.

Where there was brightness, there was also darkness. It would have been fine if Shen Xiaoling had been average… but in fact, Shen Xiaoling was a beauty. At that time, the orphanage manager had not elaborated further, but it had been clear that the environment was unsafe for Shen Xiaoling to continue staying there: someone had already been planning on taking advantage of her.

As the orphanage manager knew that Hong Xiaofu had a mild temper and stable mental health, he tried his best to get Hong Xiaofu to bring Shen Xiaoling with him.

Hong Xiaofu knew to repay his gratitude. During his stay in the orphanage, the manager had treated him with nothing but kindness. When entrusted with his sister, he had accepted it—Hong Xiaofu had taken his sister along with him. In the first few years, life was extremely difficult for them. He picked trash and washed dishes to support them. With the donations from the neighbors and the welfare from the country, they managed to survive with 300 yuan a month and grew up healthy.

Although people believed that orphans were prone to being more extreme, Hong Xiaofu was not such a person. He still kept a grateful heart. In fact, he was brilliant.

Incredibly, he could live in that society. If he had not reincarnated well, he could have been one of those children living in slums…

As he knew how to be content and grateful, his life was filled with happiness.

Now that he had successfully applied for the student grant—which was 3000 yuan per month!—Hong Xiaofu was exhilarated.

”Teacher, thank you!” Hong Xiaofu instantly expressed his gratitude. He did not know whether the process had been easy or difficult, but he knew that Li Hong must have played an essential role in it. His words were sincere, ”I will not let you down!”

”Silly boy,” he laughed. The two of them chatted as they walked out. Li Hong sighed, ”In fact, it has not been a comfortable journey for you. Growing up without parents, and you had to care for your sister. It is inconvenient for me to ask, but I know you had a difficult time. Initially, I wanted to help you, but as you know, I only became a teacher three years ago. I had a meager salary, and I had to support my wife and myself with it.”

Li Hong's words were honest. It was unrealistic for him to financially provide for Hong Xiaofu with the limited financial resources he had. What he could do realistically was what ordinary people could do—to look at others without bias and extend a helping hand when possible. That was it.

In fact, that was already a noble act.

Hong Xiaofu laughed as he wiped his nose, he said, ”I am very grateful for that. If you had treated me any differently, I would not have been able to repay your kindness in the future.”

Li Hong laughed as he patted Hong Xiaofu's shoulder firmly. ”You little rascal, you really have a way with your words!”

They quickly passed by the breakfast pancake store. Li Hong asked, ”Do you have food at home for tonight?”

Hong Xiaofu immediately replied, ”No, teacher. Tonight I have made plans with Su Ying. She said that she would treat me to a meal, and Zhao Ming will be paying for it.”

For a while, Li Hong did not respond. Su Ying was treating him, but Zhao Ming was settling the bill? Who exactly was treating whom?

”Well, if that is the case, I will not buy it,” Li Hong said with a smile. ”Have lots of fun, but remember not to drink!”

Hong Xiaofu nodded his head, ”I know.”

Soon, he arrived at his door. Hong Xiaofu opened the gate and saw his sister, Shen Xiaoling, rushing out of the room. She jumped directly into his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck as she said cheerily, ”Brother, you are back! Is there any good news today?”

”Yes, there is,” Hong Xiaofu patted Shen Xiaoling's back. ”There are two good things today, which one do you want to hear first?”