416 Poor Man’s Cross Academy (2/2)

Those who hadn't been adopted by new families actually ended up being more successful than the ones who got adopted. They continued their high-quality education at the orphanage until they grew up as responsible and highly-skilled adults. It was extremely easy for them to enter the workforce because their specialized education made them some of the most sought-after by employers.

”Actually, my husband adopted his son from one of his orphanages. I was hoping to matchmake René Alejandro with yooooouuuu, honey, so I was a bit disappointed when I heard that you're already engaged.”

Jin Liwei's expression immediately turned ugly. Iris grabbed his hand and rubbed it, soothing him.

”But after learning that dear Liwei is your fiancé, my heart is now at ease. I'm suuuuuuuure that dear Liwei will treat you like a queen. René Alejandro is also a CEO of his own company, something like making anti-virus for computers or something—whatever that means—but he's nowhere near dear Liwei's level. After all, his little company isn't a multinational company like Jin Corporation.”

Iris' eyes lit up at the mention of what Wei Lan's new stepson did for a living. ”Oh, a cybersecurity company. How interesting… Mother, do you remember his company name?”

”Cyber-what? Uh… Sooooorry, honey. Mother forgot what the company is called. René Alejandro explained everything to me but it's all soooooo confuuuuusing and booooooring that I don't remember anything!”

Iris looked a little disappointed and was about to ask more questions but Wei Lan continued speaking.

”The majority of René Alejandro's employees also came from the orphanages like him. As for the other orphans, many of them became honourable soldiers protecting the country they were in, while some began working at government positions. And then some of the more brilliant ones either worked for big companies earning high salaries or started their own companies like René Alejandro. Aren't they all impressive? Isn't my husband so amazing to help produce such awesome people like them?”

Wei Lan looked very proud of her husband's achievements, as if they were her own.

Dom: ”Yes! Amazing!”

Clover: ”Wow. It's like those orphanages are raising geniuses.”

”What's even more amazing is that those successful orphans are now giving back, so that the orphanages could provide more orphans with good life and great education. Now they are sharing the burden of helping fund the orphanages, so my husband doesn't need to shoulder everything like before,” Wei Lan added.

Jin Liwei unconsciously rubbed Iris' hand, a thoughtful expression in his eyes.

”Hmmmm… Those orphanages remind me a little of Cross Academy,” he murmured.

Iris' eyes widened. She tilted her head to the side. ”Really?”

”En. They're like the poor man's Cross Academy but still provides quality education and produces highly-skilled people that are the most sought-after in any industry they enter. Also exclusive…to orphans. And everyone remains connected and help each other out even after leaving the place. Isn't that like Cross Academy, love?”

She was silent as she thought over what he said. She agreed…to some extent. For some reason, however, the way he summarized the orphanages was making her uncomfortable. She wondered why.

Then it hit her.

Gathering orphans, educating them, and then raising them to ”give back”—no, training and brainwashing them for eternal loyalty and subservience…

Instead of being similar to Cross Academy, wasn't that exactly how the Vetrovs trained the next generation of subordinates for the family organization?