Chapter Four: The Orphanage

Lost in her thoughts, Mu Qingcheng was momentarily dazed. Ling Tian walked up behind her and patted her shoulder, smiling, “What are you thinking about? For the time being, Li Wenhao won’t bother you, but let me remind you—it’s best to have a few bodyguards by your side, just in case. All right, I’ll be off now.”

Mu Qingcheng’s train of thought was interrupted. It wasn’t until Ling Tian had walked several meters away that she snapped back to reality, shouting at his retreating figure, “Don’t forget, report to the company!” Meanwhile, she thought to herself, Aren’t you the best bodyguard?

After leaving Splendid Dynasty, Ling Tian hailed a taxi and headed toward Yunhai City Orphanage. Having grown up as an orphan himself, the orphanage was his home. By his count, it had been five years since he last visited—he wondered how the director and the children were faring.

He got out of the taxi, paid the fare, and while rearranging his backpack, discovered a small box inside. This was a gift from the old man, meant as a present for Mu Qingcheng, but he had been so preoccupied dealing with Li Wenhao earlier that he forgot to give it to her. Next time, he thought.

In a hurry to reach the orphanage, Ling Tian didn’t bother to open the wooden box, simply stuffed it into his pocket, then slung his canvas bag and headed toward the orphanage.

Yunhai City Orphanage, built many years ago, now stood in what had become a prime urban location due to the city’s rapid development. The once peripheral site was now surrounded by towering, luxurious buildings, making the somewhat shabby orphanage look like an ugly duckling among white swans.

Ling Tian stroked the rusted gate, gazing at the children playing inside the courtyard, and a warm smile bloomed on his face. If Yan Lie and the others were present, they would never believe that Ling Tian, hailed as the king of mercenaries, could show such tenderness.

Before Ling Tian could even enter, two black vans screeched to a halt in front of the gate. The doors swung open, and eight oddly dressed young men stepped out. Leading them was a bald middle-aged man with a thick gold chain around his neck and a fierce black dragon tattooed on his arm.

The bald man shook his head arrogantly, surveying the courtyard and shouting, “Damn it, I’ve been here three times already—this time, I’m getting the job done!”

Ling Tian frowned slightly. Judging by their appearance, these men were trouble, and coming to the orphanage certainly wasn’t for any good reason. But the orphanage was a non-profit, there was hardly any benefit to be gained here—what were they after?

With these doubts, Ling Tian strode into the courtyard and, in the blink of an eye, vanished from sight.

The bald man, just lighting a cigarette, rubbed his eyes hard, staring at the spot where Ling Tian had disappeared, oblivious even as his cigarette fell.

“Wasn’t there someone here just now? How did he vanish in an instant? Are we seeing ghosts in broad daylight?” the bald man exclaimed in confusion.

“Yeah, there was someone just now. Probably left when we weren’t paying attention. Boss, I’ll go in first; if the old man is here, I’ll call you,” a lackey said obsequiously.

The bald man lit another cigarette, puffed contentedly, and sneered, “No need for all that. Just barge in. The contract will be signed today, one way or another. Gu Shao only gave us a week, and today’s the last day. If we don’t get this done, you know what’ll happen.”

At the mention of Gu Shao, the lackeys shuddered instinctively. That moneyed brat was far more terrifying than their bald boss.

Ling Tian went straight to the director’s office. The so-called office was just an ordinary room with a computer desk and a bookshelf. The elderly director, wearing reading glasses, was engrossed in a book.

“Director, I’m home.” The moment Ling Tian saw the old director, warmth surged in his heart, his eyes reddened, and even his voice trembled slightly.

“You are...? Ling Tian? My heavens, Ling Tian, you’ve come back!” The director removed his glasses, recognized Ling Tian, and stood up excitedly, gripping his hands and scrutinizing him closely. “Excellent, you’ve grown strong.”

Ling Tian helped the director sit down and said, “I’ve been making my way out there these past years. Now things are more settled, so I’ve come to visit. This is the money I’ve saved up—please use it to refurbish the orphanage.” With that, he handed over a prepared check.

The director looked at the check—one...two...five...six zeros, and a five in front. Nearly fainting from shock, he stammered. Five hundred thousand.

“What...what have you been doing all these years?” The director’s hands trembled as he held the check. Five hundred thousand was no small sum. With over a hundred children, the orphanage’s annual funds never amounted to this figure. He knew Ling Tian’s abilities—growing up in such an environment, Ling Tian had no background, and five years ago he suddenly disappeared, rumored to have joined the military.

Even as a soldier, or starting a small business, five years couldn’t yield half a million. The director was utterly stunned by the size of the sum—his mind stalled.

Ling Tian smiled, sensing the director’s worry that he might have done something illegal, and explained, “Director, your child has made something of himself. I earned this money. Besides, you watched me grow up—you know my character, don’t you?”

Reassured by Ling Tian’s words, the director relaxed, saying, “You’ve always been strong-willed, calm in adversity, decisive, and full of justice. I trust your character. But you should take this money back. It hasn’t been easy for you these years. When your business grows, then support the orphanage.”

Ling Tian put the check back in the director’s pocket, saying, “Director, with this money, you can renovate the orphanage, improve the children’s living conditions and environment. Besides, the orphanage is my home—giving money to family is only right. Please accept it.”

The director was so moved he couldn’t speak. Funds had always been tight, so the children barely had enough to eat and couldn’t enjoy better lives. Now, with this sum, things could truly improve.

“By the way, I saw a bald man with a group outside just now. What are they here for?” Ling Tian asked, puzzled.

At this, the director’s expression darkened, brows knitted, and he sighed helplessly, “They’re a gang of thugs who want to buy the orphanage’s land. If it were at market price, that would be fine—the orphanage could move to the suburbs, and the extra money could improve the children’s lives. But...”

Ling Tian didn’t even hear the rest. Having grown up in the orphanage, he would never allow anyone to infringe upon it, not even a bit.

“No matter. As long as I’m alive, I won’t let them succeed,” said the director, rising shakily but with determined eyes.

Just then, shouts and children’s cries sounded from outside—chaos, as if thieves had descended.

The director rushed out of the office, ready to fight with all his might.

Ling Tian’s eyes sharpened, icy as a drawn blade. Anyone who dared threaten the orphanage, regardless of who they were, would pay dearly.

Ling Tian followed closely, exiting the director’s office.

Before reaching the courtyard, he could already hear the children’s cries—miserable, heart-wrenching—and the bald man’s curses.

“You bunch of bastards, I’ve told you already, this land is not for sale. If you keep harassing us, I’ll call the police!” the director shouted, waving for staff to take the children inside. Such violence would have a terrible impact on their growth.

The bald man sneered, swaggering up to the director and saying with a mocking smile, “Old man, sign the contract today and I’ll pretend nothing happened. Otherwise, I’ll tear this place down.”

“You’re too reckless. This is a lawful society. If you keep this up, I’ll call the police!” The director was trembling with rage.

“Bah! Old fool, try calling the police! I’ll break your old bones. Don’t refuse a toast only to accept a penalty. The contract will be signed, one way or another.” The bald man, angry and frustrated, raised his hand to slap the director.

But before he could strike, he felt a heavy blow to his chest, as if hit by something massive, and he was sent flying over three meters, landing hard on the ground, writhing in pain and groaning like a stabbed pig.

The others, about to act, froze in terror when they saw their boss knocked flat, staring blankly at Ling Tian.

“Animals,” Ling Tian said coldly, sweeping his gaze over them. He strode to the bald man, stepped on his head, and said in a chilly voice, “Go back and tell your master—this place is forbidden to you from now on. Anyone who comes looking for trouble, I won’t hesitate to send them on their way…”

Half-dead, the bald man growled, “Who the hell are you, daring to hit me… agh…”

Ling Tian crushed the bald man’s arm, coldly repeating, “What did you just say?”

“I… damn it, you… agh…” The bald man convulsed in agony, eyes rolling back.

This time, Ling Tian shattered his thigh, deliberately slowing his movements to prolong the pain.

“I was wrong, boss. I’ll never come back again.” Years of street life had taught the bald man to avoid losing out in the moment; he instantly shifted from an arrogant thug to a groveling lapdog.