Page 287
ask for leave
ask for leave
My grandma passed away suddenly this afternoon, and there are a lot of troublesome things to do, so I'm asking for a day or two off (I should be able to find time to update tomorrow). Please forgive me.
Chapter 151 Meeting the Parents (Part )
There was still some free time in the morning, and the director was used to taking a walk. Matsumae Shinchun was a guest, and it was her first time visiting the welfare home, so the three of them followed the director and walked around the welfare home together.
The first thing the group encountered was the nearly century-old red pine tree in the courtyard.
The swing that Fujii Itsuki had made for Chitose was still hanging there.
“The swing.”
"I made this for Chitose. Do you want to hear the story of my past with Chitose?"
"Of course!"
Fujii Itsuki gave Matsumae a brief account of the origin of the swing.
Chitose ran slower than other children because she was weak since childhood. One of the children took an extra snack and ate it, resulting in Chitose not having her snack. The girl was very sad. Later, Fujii Itsuki gave her his snack and made this swing for her to cheer her up.
"To Chitose, Mr. Fujii was like the sky at that time!"
"It's still the same now, actually." Fujii Itsuki replied with a smile.
"so good"
Next is the play area, vegetable garden, bedroom, canteen, and classroom.
The director likes to chat, and it's rare for people to listen to him talk about old times. When visiting the welfare home, the director told Matsumae Shinchun many of Fujii Itsuki's embarrassing childhood stories.
When Shinchun Matsumae heard something, he smiled and said:
"Is this still Mr. Fujii?"
Akai Muzi nodded in agreement and said yes repeatedly.
Fujii Itsuki is thick-skinned. After all, Xinchun is his junior sister, so it doesn't matter whether her image collapses or not. It's just some mischief when they were children, nothing serious.
When they walked into the classroom and saw the blackboard, Matsumae Shinchun couldn't help but lower her voice and asked Fujii Itsuki curiously:
"Is there a teacher at the welfare home?"
"Yes." Fujii Itsuki replied.
"Where are you from? A volunteer?"
"It's the dean."
"Dean?" Matsumae Shinchun looked forward. The dean noticed that there were a few books on the bookshelf that were not arranged neatly and was sorting them out.
"The director of an orphanage usually doesn't come into contact with children because it's an administrative position. But our orphanage is special because we have few employees. So it's natural for the director to give lessons to those children who haven't even started primary school yet. This tradition has been around for a long time."
"Teacher Fujii when he was a child."
"Yes," Fujii Itsuki replied, "I was also taught by the dean when I was a child."
"The director has to take care of all the affairs of the orphanage, as well as the children's studies. Wouldn't that be tiring?" Matsumae Shinchun asked again.
"That's not all," Fujii Itsuki sighed, "The director even has to help with the laundry. In her words, she can't rest."
"I see." Matsumae Shinchun thought thoughtfully.
Akai Muzi added: "Ashu has always wanted the dean to retire and enjoy his old age, but he is afraid that the dean's health will not be able to bear it."
"What does the dean mean?"
Fujii Itsuki shook his head. "How could the director be at ease with the children in the orphanage? She personally adopted all the children here and brought them to the orphanage. She taught them and took care of their daily lives. She has a deep affection for them."
"Let's go see the kids."
The dean had packed up the bookshelf at this time. Several people immediately walked out of the classroom and came to the door of the building.
The most valuable assets of the orphanage are the children living there.
It's time to play now.
Seeing these children skateboarding, jumping rope, chasing and playing under the huge canopy of the red pine, Fujii Itsuki couldn't help but feel warm in his heart.
It reminded him of his past self.
I also grew up under the shade of this century-old red pine tree.
"Are these sports equipment distributed by the welfare home?" Matsumae Shinchun asked curiously.
“They were all bought with Shu’s money,” the dean replied.
"It's all Mr. Fujii. Why doesn't the government give more money?"
“Because Otaru is poor.”
Fujii Itsuki shook his head. "The welfare house is always short of funds. The city government can only afford everyone's living expenses. Books, supplies, clothes, etc., all still rely on donations from citizens and the Red Cross."
"I see."
Matsumae Shinchun lowered her head and pinched her chin.
After a short break, it was noon. The welfare home would give the children small benefits such as milk and snacks on Sundays, so they needed to move boxes to the classroom.
"Dean, leave this matter to me." Akai Muzi volunteered.
"Muzi, you came here to visit me, right? How can I have the nerve to ask a guest to come back for help?" Dean Huadai sighed.
"It's okay. I'm happy to be with the kids."
"I can help too!" Matsumae Shinharu interrupted.
Fujii Itsuki thought that the dean would not agree to anything, but unexpectedly, she just nodded and watched the two of them walk out of the office.
this.
"Tree."
"Dean, do you have anything to say to me alone?"
The dean watched the two people leave. Two seconds later, he turned his gaze to Fujii Itsuki's face and said, "Shu, please talk to the dean. What is your relationship with this girl?"
Did the dean see through this?
"I am old, but I am not confused. When this kid Songqian came to visit me, he gave me so many things, including tea, fruit, and various supplements. We had never even met before."
The dean has an easy-going attitude and a steady tone.
This eased Fujii Itsuki's embarrassment a lot.
".Is it possible that Xinchun is taking care of you so much because of your relationship?"
"Oh? Xinchun? You even called out my name."
Fujii Itsuki's pressure doubled. "She is my junior sister, my junior sister, my teacher's daughter!"
"You two usually have a good relationship."
"I'm her teacher. Haha~~"
"I have known Muzi for a long time. She is so kindhearted. But that little girl named Matsumae."
"Dean! I think I can go and help them, too."
Fujii Hanayo took a deep breath and exhaled, replying, "Shu, the dean is not going to beat around the bush with you. Does that kid like you a little bit?"
".yes."
"Are you aware of this?"
“Felt something.”
"What do you think about this?"
"."
Fujii Itsuki took a deep breath and remained silent for a second.
He told the dean all his thoughts.
The dean fell silent after hearing this, because after she knew the background of the child Matsumae, she could understand the environment she was in.
My mother died in a car accident.
A friend passed away in a car accident.
She was alone in such a large family like the Matsumae family, and lacked family companionship.
To be honest, there is no difference between this child of noble birth and some abandoned children in the welfare home in some aspects.
As for Fujii Itsuki's feelings towards her.
"Xinchun has some feelings for me, but aren't all kids of this age like this? I think it's understandable. When she graduates from high school, she will sooner or later join the huge Matsumae family. I visited her home during the Jade Fox Festival, and I know that it's a family with a strong tradition. Xinchun doesn't have the right to decide her own life."
The dean had no objection to this.
“It’s just a tree.”
"What's wrong, Dean, why are you sighing suddenly?"
"You and Muzi."
The dean didn't finish his words, but Fujii Itsuki already understood what he meant.
"I'll watch it with her."
The dean took Fujii Itsuki's hand in his own and said, "It's not that the dean is urging you, but good opportunities don't wait for anyone. Muzi has been coming to the hospital to help since you gave gifts to the children during the last Chinese New Year."
".Muzi comes here often?"
"You do not know?"
Fujii Itsuki remained silent and whispered, "I really don't know about this."