Chapter 98 – Adopting Xiao Xu

Xiao Fang’s birthday was fast approaching, and it fell during his days off, so there was no conflict. Since it wasn’t a milestone birthday, there was no need to alert the Fei family’s main branch. A sweet, simple birthday would be enough. And so, for this birthday, Fei Xiangnan was intensely preparing, all without revealing any information about Xiao Fang.

Having gradually grown accustomed to Fei Xiangnan’s doting, Xiao Fang didn’t need to think about many things at home. He could just focus on doing what he wanted during his vacation. With a certain anticipation for his birthday, Xiao Fang tidied himself up, put on a mask and sunglasses, and went out. Today, he planned to visit Xiao Xu.

Although Fei Xiangnan had arranged for an assistant to visit him during the two months he was working, Xiao Fang knew that the child needed more than just material things. He didn’t have much free time, but he was willing to set this part aside for that child.

He first went to the supermarket to buy some snacks, and then Xiao Fang drove to the orphanage.

Because he had arranged it with the Director Auntie in advance, Xiao Fang went straight in. At this time, he guessed that Xiao Xu would be in the library. Since the show hadn’t officially aired yet, the orphanage’s facilities hadn’t been overly optimized or improved. But in terms of books, Fei Xiangnan had already donated a batch right after filming the show, enough for Xiao Xu to read for a long time.

Before Xiao Fang even reached the library door, he heard a commotion from inside.

“The Gloomy Doll is reading here all gloomy again. Do you want it to rain in this library?”

“So annoying. Every time you’re here, the Director Auntie has to take special care of you and ignores me. You’re so annoying!”

“Nini is right. I’m going to teach this Gloomy Doll a lesson for you!”

“So weird, he doesn’t even cry when you hit him. He’s like a real dead doll!”

“Then let’s hit him until he cries. Watch my fist! Haha.”

“Don’t!” Xiao Fang dropped the snacks in his hands and rushed in. He saw a group of children surrounding Xiao Xu, with the leaders kicking him several times. Xiao Xu didn’t cry, just hugged himself without making a sound.

“What are you doing!” Xiao Fang strode forward, picked up Xiao Xu, and glared hatefully at this group of children who had no concept of good and evil.

At this moment, a little girl in a small dress stepped forward and pointed at Xiao Xu with impunity. “He’s the Gloomy Doll. He stole the Director Auntie’s affection. He deserves to be hit!”

“Yes, he deserves it. We did nothing wrong!”

Once the ringleaders spoke up, the rest of the children chimed in.

Xiao Fang had lived in an orphanage and knew the so-called rules there. These children had been consciously competing since they were young. Without a concept of good and evil, they only cared about what they received, not how they received it.

A chill ran through Xiao Fang’s heart. He could even feel Xiao Xu trembling in his arms. He knew that Xiao Xu could no longer stay here. At the same time, an unknown fire rose in his heart. He had once struggled in this environment and knew how painful and unwilling it was.

Xiao Fang didn’t say any more. Some things couldn’t be solved by just talking. Some things couldn’t be protected by just concern.

Xiao Fang carried the child to the Director Auntie’s office. The group of children wanted to follow, but Xiao Fang shut the door on them with a backhand.

The Director Auntie was also startled by Xiao Fang’s expression. Wasn’t he here to happily see the children today? Why was he suddenly like this?

Xiao Fang sat down with Xiao Xu. Throughout the whole process, Xiao Xu didn’t struggle at all, completely relying on Xiao Fang’s embrace. Xiao Fang could still feel him trembling slightly.

“Director,” Why can’t you manage these children properly? Xiao Fang ultimately didn’t say this angry sentence out loud, because it contained too much. “I think, for Xiao Xu’s better future, I want to adopt him.”

When Xiao Fang’s decision came out, not only the Director Auntie but also Xiao Xu in his arms were stunned.

“This… Xiao Fang, adoption requires a lot of procedures. And you’re a celebrity. Having a child will cause a lot of public discussion. Plus, Xiao Xu has autism. If the media finds out in the future, it will cause a lot of trouble. I hope you can consider these things carefully.”

The director was stunned for a long time before saying this. Although he knew the Director Auntie meant well, to the currently furious Xiao Fang, it clearly didn’t sound that way.

“If he could live well here, I wouldn’t be in such a hurry.”

“Huh?” The Director Auntie clearly didn’t understand.

Xiao Xu in his arms struggled a bit, wanting to get out of Xiao Fang’s embrace. There were still shoe prints on his face that hadn’t been wiped clean, and his expression showed some resistance.

“I want… to stay here. Today… was an accident…” Xiao Xu still stuttered a bit when he spoke, but he accurately wrapped himself up. He was afraid, afraid of accepting a new environment.

The Director Auntie immediately interjected, “That’s right, Xiao Fang. Xiao Xu’s situation is special. It’s better to let him adapt here for a while. He’s only been here for half a year… and your work is also quite special.”

Xiao Fang, unable to bear it any longer, took Xiao Xu’s hand and walked forward. He pointed at the shoe print on Xiao Xu’s face, unable to suppress his voice as he said loudly, “Look at the shoe print on his face, and on his clothes. This is his life in the orphanage. He’s an autistic child. He can’t speak, he can’t cry out in pain. He just keeps adding burdens to his heart. Do you think he’ll adapt?” The more Xiao Fang spoke, the more agitated he became. Now the director couldn’t say a word. She indeed hadn’t noticed these things.

Xiao Fang panted heavily, his eyes also red. He knew he was being too impulsive. He turned his back to calm himself down, but he never let go of Xiao Xu’s hand. He felt sorry for this child, an indescribable heartache. He didn’t want him to suffer like he did in his childhood.

After he calmed down, Xiao Fang turned around and apologized to the Director Auntie.

The Director Auntie waved her hand, a look of shame on her face. “It’s also my fault for not noticing these things. I can’t use my busyness as an excuse. I hope all the children here can be well, but I still can’t be thorough in every aspect. I repeatedly tried to persuade you because I felt that your work environment is special. If a child is alone in a confined space, will he become even more withdrawn? I have to consider all of these things.”

Xiao Xu looked at the Director Auntie, then at Xiao Fang. He lowered his head and shook the hand that Xiao Fang was holding.

Xiao Fang immediately understood and squatted down to hear what Xiao Xu had to say. Xiao Xu spoke very slowly, but Xiao Fang had enough patience.

“Xiao Xu… is trouble. Don’t want… to give… to brother. Brother… can be… happy.” Xiao Xu’s gaze was simple, yet sincere enough. Xiao Fang squeezed Xiao Xu’s hand and looked at him with the same sincere gaze.

“Xiao Xu, brother can take care of you. At brother’s house, there’s a little white cat that’s over a year old, a whole room of books you can’t finish reading, a strict but actually very gentle big brother, and a little nephew. Xiao Xu won’t be lonely there. In the morning, you can have breakfast with the little nephew and the little cat. In the morning, you can read to your heart’s content on the rooftop. In the afternoon, you can take a good nap with the little nephew. Will Xiao Xu still feel lonely then?” Xiao Fang shared this beautiful vision with Xiao Xu, and at the same time, told the director.

A look of surprise appeared on the director’s face. Wasn’t this an indirect leak of information?

Xiao Fang, having made up his mind, didn’t hesitate. “Auntie, I know you’re a good person, otherwise you wouldn’t have stayed at this small orphanage for so long. I also want to tell you that I have the ability to adopt Xiao Xu. I also believe you won’t leak this information. My desire to adopt Xiao Xu isn’t just a momentary burst of sympathy. There are also many of my own personal reasons. I want this child to have a good upbringing. You also told me about Xiao Xu’s past. I don’t want him to be so adrift anymore. What he needs most now is the love of a family. I also hope you can believe me.”

The Director Auntie looked at Xiao Fang, then at Xiao Xu, who was clutching Xiao Fang’s hand tightly. The answer was clear as day. The Director Auntie finally closed her eyes and nodded.

“Xiao Fang, I hope you can give this child a happy home.”

Xiao Fang repeatedly assured the Director Auntie of this matter in her office. Because he was worried about the period while the procedures were being processed, Xiao Fang said he wanted to take him back directly. The Director Auntie, having already confirmed the matter, wouldn’t be so inflexible as to deny this small request.

While helping Xiao Xu pack his things, the group of children who had bullied him stood at the door, staring at Xiao Xu with eyes full of jealousy, unwillingness, and various other emotions.

Xiao Fang, of course, understood these gazes very well. Xiao Xu had very few things, so few that they all fit into a small suitcase. He carried Xiao Xu in one arm and pulled the suitcase with the other as he walked out.

“Xiao Xu, don’t look at them. With brother here, we’re starting a new life from now on,” Xiao Fang whispered in Xiao Xu’s ear.

Xiao Xu didn’t speak, but hugged Xiao Fang’s neck tightly.

Fortunately, Xiao Fang had driven over today. He didn’t take the bag of snacks with him, but distributed it among the children at the orphanage, only keeping a small bear for Xiao Xu. The bear was fluffy, and Xiao Xu could just barely hug it with both hands. Xiao Fang thoughtfully buckled his seatbelt for him, let Xiao Xu hug the bear, and his first stop was the hospital.

Xiao Fang couldn’t be sure how much Xiao Xu had been injured by those few kicks. It was only after a doctor’s examination at the hospital that they found many bruises on his body. Fortunately, there were no fractures. Xiao Fang’s heart ached just looking at those marks.

“You should have said something if it hurt,” Xiao Fang said, his heart aching as he watched the nurse apply medicine.

Xiao Xu’s face still showed no expression, but he was clearly in better spirits than he had been at the orphanage. He even comforted Xiao Fang, “With brother here, it doesn’t hurt.”

The nurse on the side couldn’t help but praise Xiao Xu, “Your child is so sensible. He’s the bravest little boy I’ve ever seen who isn’t afraid of pain. He’s a real brave little man.”

Xiao Fang listened with a look of relief on his face, but in reality, his heart was aching.

It took the nurse about half an hour to apply the medicine for Xiao Xu. Although she didn’t know why this father was wearing a mask, as a professional nurse, she also knew what to ask and what to keep quiet about. Moreover, the hospital Xiao Fang brought him to was a private one that Fei Xiangnan had always been in contact with, with top-notch confidentiality.

However, this incident also alerted Fei Xiangnan, who was at work in his company. He rushed home after his meeting.

When he opened the door, he saw Xiao Fang showing Xiao Xu around the house. Xiao Xu was holding the incredibly well-behaved Nuomici in his arms.

But, seeing this scene, Fei Xiangnan’s first reaction was not happiness, but a stifling feeling in his chest that he couldn’t resolve.

“Did you bring him home to play?” Fei Xiangnan said lightly as he entered.

Xiao Fang stood up, his heartache flaring up again. “No, I want to adopt him.”

Bang! The sound of Fei Xiangnan closing the door was clearly several degrees louder than usual.