Chapter 86 (2/2)

Tang Shuang, on the other hand, was surprised. Lin ShuYi was only a few months older than him, so Tang Shuang couldn’t understand why Lin ShuYi wanted children so soon. After all, to Tang Shuang, children were the most annoying creatures to inhabit the Earth. For reference, see his sister’s two brats.

However, after some consideration, he decided that a mortal like him was unable to understand Lin ShuYi’s thought process. After all, why else would Lin ShuYi be a boss already and on his way to life’s highest peaks while he was still down here struggling in the world of mortals?

The day they went to visit, both of them dressed relatively formally. Shen Fu looked good in everything he wore, and with a suit, anyone would swoon at the sight of him. Even Lin ShuYi had a suit on. With straight, matching pants, he looked like an elite of society.

Yet Aunt Shen scolded them for this as soon as she saw them. “Put something else on!”

Shen Fu and Lin ShuYi exchanged a look.

“You’re going to meet children, not go to a business meeting! You have to make sure they feel safe and happy around you, not make them feel as if you’re distant and untouchable!” Aunt Shen was wearing a deep purple set of casual clothing, and with her slightly curly short hair, she seemed warm and friendly. She managed to pick out the faults in their choice in a few sentences and sent them off to change.

Lin ShuYi hadn’t even gotten use to his suit before he was back in his usual clothing. A pure white knitted sweater, light grey down jacket, black jeans. He looked tender and young.

Seeing them both come out with acceptable clothing, Aunt Shen put on an uncharacteristically serious look. “I’ll ask you one last time, do you really, truly want to adopt a child? Especially XiaoYi, you’re both young and have long paths to walk. With a child, you’ll have more to consider. Are you both certain? This is no joke.”

Shen Fu and Lin ShuYi didn’t meet the requirements to adopt. She was willing to make an exception for them, but that was only if they truly wanted a child of their own and swore to treat their child with the love and care they deserved.

Lin ShuYi glanced at Shen Fu, both of them communicating their resolve and certainty in their eyes. Lin ShuYi smiled and nodded. “Rest assured, auntie.”

Aunt Shen smiled. She had always felt that Lin ShuYi, despite his young age, displayed a maturity and resolve that many older people lacked. He knew what he wanted and didn’t waver. She trusted that though he was young, he’d be able to give the child he chose to adopt a true home.

Originally, Shen Fu’s mother wanted to tag along as well, but Old Master Shen stopped her. Once they adopted the child, the child would be Shen Fu and Lin ShuYi’s to take care of, so if they were certain about the decision, he shouldn’t let Shen Fu’s mother sway them, in either direction.

Shen Fu’s mother decided that it was reasonable, but she was just so excited that she was going to become a grandmother. “I’m going shopping! For clothes, snacks, toys, other things for kids… But how big do they need to be?”

Shen Fu’s father facepalmed. “Do you know the gender of the child they’re bringing back?” Shen Fu’s mother shook her head. “Do you know if the child is one, or three?” Another shake. “Then why don’t we wait for them to come back first?”

Shen Fu’s mother considered this for a moment before reluctantly nodding, shaking her head. “This won’t do! I’m too excited! I need to go shopping. If I don’t buy kids’ supplies, then groceries should be fine right? I’ll make my best cakes, so we can all eat to celebrate!”

There was no getting out of this. Shen Fu’s father was dragged off by Shen Fu’s mother.

Shen Fu’s older brother rubbed his chin in amusement. It would be great to have a nephew, though if he got a niece, the entire Shen family was sure to spoil her rotten. Either way, it was great.

Old Master Shen harrumphed and glanced at him. “XiaoFu is already having a kid, so how about you?”

Shen Yan, dragged into the water by this, tensed. “I suddenly remembered I have something to do back at the company.” He fled. With his buffer gone, he was next. He couldn’t believe he thought he had any effort to spare on worrying about others.

Lin ShuYi had never been to a place like an orphanage, and he rarely heard of them either. All he knew was that most of the children here had been abandoned.

Lin ShuYi didn’t have any memories of the past of his current life. All he had was an old photo. He didn’t know where he came from or if he had any family. Though he guessed he counted as an orphan in his last life. If it wasn’t for his mentor taking him in, he would’ve frozen to death in the harsh winter long ago. This was probably why his heart seemed to melt at coming to a place like this.

Aunt Shen gazed at the orphanage director who came to welcome them, standing at the entrance. She straightened and quietly told the two, “Don’t say anything for now. I’ll speak for you. Just don’t embarrass me, ok?”

Shen Fu and Lin ShuYi nodded, following her inside. Lin ShuYi was even more curious about her position now.

H City’s orphanage was one of renown in J province. It had a long history and a great environment, with many children. It was also one of the most subsidized by the government in J province. It was clear that Aunt Shen’s position and identity was one of prestige if the director personally came to receive them.

Negotiations between people of differing positions were always tedious. Shen Fu and Lin ShuYi stared outside at the children running around, wanting to go outside to see.

Alan had come in with them. Seeing that they were both more interested in what was outside, he whispered something to Aunt Shen and she nodded before Alan led them outside.

There was a woman of around thirty years of age outside as well. “Are you two looking to adopt?”

Shen Fu smiled and glanced at her. “Is it that obvious?”

The lady smiled and looked to Lin ShuYi. “I can tell that you really love kids.”

“Same-sex couples aren’t slowed to adopt, no?”

The lady nodded. “That’s technically true, but there are always exceptions.”

The lady motioned with her chin for them to look down. “Every year, so many children are sent here, yet few are adopted. Whether it’s the family or the child, or sorts of problems make it so that many children are forced to spend their childhood here.” The lady paused. “I don’t mean to say that isn’t a nice place to be, but I think that they probably still want a family of their own. If a family can treat a child kindly, treat them as their own, then I don’t think something like sexuality matters.”

While Shen Fu talked with the lady, Lin ShuYi leaned against the fence, looking away and not participating in their discussion.

“What are you looking at?”

That was when Lin ShuYi realized that the two had finished their conversation. Alan and the other lady had both left, leaving him and Shen Fu there.

Lin ShuYi motioned to one corner of the courtyard. A young boy of about four or five years was standing there, away from the rest. “Look, there’s another child behind him.”

Shen Fu narrowed his eyes, spotting the other child behind the boy. The child was sitting in a trolley, flailing in an attempt to get the other to laugh.

The boy smiled as he fed the child fruit, seeming wise beyond his age.

“Do you want to go down and take a look?” Shen Fu asked.

Lin ShuYi’s gaze never left the two children. Shen Fu by instinct that Lin ShuYi probably wanted to adopt him.

“Yeah.”

“It might not be possible to adopt him.” The lady had returned without them noticing with a name list in hand and looking at the two, a little troubled.

“Hm?”

The lady pointed at the boy in the corner. The boy had a clean comfortable appearance and revealed his two small canines when he smiled. “It might not be possible to adopt that child.”

Lin ShuYi and Shen Fu looked over in confusion.