That evening, Wen Jing, Yu Jie, and Yang Liuqing did not go home. They stayed another day at the orphanage and returned to school with Jiang Chan the following afternoon. Luo Min was reassured. After giving Yang Liuqing a few reminders, she had left the previous afternoon.
She was a typical career woman. Accompanying Yang Liuqing that day had already left her with a backlog of work. Having visited the orphanage herself, she could relax. Besides, encouraging her daughter to spend time with someone like Jiang Chan might create a useful connection for the future.
Yang Liuqing understood none of these calculations, but Jiang Chan saw them clearly. After experiencing so many worlds, she was a good judge of people and could understand Luo Min’s thoughts.
Of course, this little calculation did no harm. She and Yang Liuqing genuinely got along. There was simply no need for Yang Liuqing to know and acquire an unnecessary burden.
Jiang Chan was very comfortable at Cixin. Everyone was there, and Kang Kang was recovering well from heart surgery. She had checked his pulse. With some further care, she could ensure he became as sturdy as a little calf.
What made the orphanage even happier was the arrival of two visitors that weekend: Ye Jingze and his secretary. Back on the plane, Ye Jingze had overheard Jiang Chan talking to the little old physics teacher and later asked his assistant to investigate her specifically.
But work had been busy, followed by the Lunar New Year holiday, delaying his planned donation to Cixin. Once work resumed after the holiday, he had been overwhelmed again.
Fortunately, he had finally found time this month to visit. He particularly wanted to see Kang Kang and discuss arranging his surgery.
Ye Jingze’s company did charitable work every year. Much of his charitable giving did not go through foundations. Instead, he donated personally to people in need.
Jiang Chan and the girls had no idea he had arrived. They were making prepared herbal medicine in a little room. Whenever Jiang Chan came back during the monthly break, she practically lived in the medicine room.
Wen Jing and the others were curious too. Although they did not understand medicinal properties or principles, watching Jiang Chan work was a pleasure. While she was rolling pills, An An knocked on the door.
“Sister Chan, two uncles have come to the orphanage. They say they’d like to see you.”
After Ye Jingze explained why he had come, Dean Fan thanked him repeatedly. But Kang Kang’s surgery had already been performed. They could not accept a donation for it against their consciences.
Ye Jingze remembered what Jiang Chan had said on the plane. The little girl had truly kept her word and used her scholarship to pay for the child’s surgery. She really did have a kind heart.
He did not insist. Instead, he proposed using the donation for the orphanage’s running costs and caring properly for the children. But he asked to meet Jiang Chan.
A first-year high school girl who could earn so much money certainly deserved a fresh look. That was why An An had come. Now that the children were healthy, the cloud hanging over them had lifted on its own.
The orphanage’s children were all lively now, though sensible too. Jiang Chan tidied herself up and followed An An to Dean Fan’s office.
Wen Jing and the others did not linger in the medicine room. They did not understand these things, and it would be bad if something went wrong. They simply followed Jiang Chan to see who wanted to meet her.
Although Jiang Chan had changed considerably, Ye Jingze recognized her at once. There was a maturity about her that set her apart from others her age.
In the end, they reached a compromise. Ye Jingze would donate the money to Cixin over two years, and his company would continue donating money and supplies every year afterward. Both sides were delighted with the arrangement.
Once the donation arrived, Dean Fan wanted to give it to Jiang Chan. The money for Kang Kang’s surgery had come from Jiang Chan herself, not public donations.
Having given it all to the orphanage, Jiang Chan would have nothing left. Dean Fan did not want to burden her. But Jiang Chan refused. She was not short of money now. With her medical skills alone, she could live well wherever she went.
“Keep this money for the orphanage. Don’t worry about me. I’m old enough now to support myself.”
Only after Jiang Chan’s persuasion did Dean Fan accept it. The money lightened her burden considerably. At least she could afford to keep the children in school.
Because Luo Min had driven them there, Jiang Chan’s little electric scooter was still at school. The girls therefore called a taxi for the return journey.
Wen Jing and the others were quiet on the way. They had learned a great deal during their day at Cixin. None of them had ever lacked food or clothing, and they had known nothing of life’s hardships.
On this visit, the sixteen- and seventeen-year-old girls suddenly discovered that some people in this world struggled simply to survive.
By comparison, they realized they had always lived sheltered, comfortable lives.
Back in the dormitory, everyone went about her own business. Jiang Chan glanced at her textbooks and suddenly felt rather bored. Many people liked traveling these days, but she had neither the time nor the interest.
Visiting mission worlds was more interesting. She could gain skills, broaden her horizons, and experience all the flavors of life.
Come to think of it, Qingyuan had not nagged her about missions for a long time. Had she changed her nature? Without her urging in her ear, Jiang Chan even felt a little lonely.
Perhaps Qingyuan was actually the person closest to her. They shared a secret, which made them closer and helped them understand each other better.
Just as she thought of Qingyuan, the latter floated out of the Soul-Nourishing Wood. “The wood you found is excellent. It’s doing a great deal to restore my soul. But as I recover, I’m gradually discovering the drawbacks of collecting those pure souls.”
Jiang Chan frowned in confusion. Having spent time in the cultivation world herself, she needed only a moment to understand. “Doing that ultimately goes against Heaven’s harmony, doesn’t it?”
“Yes. Fortunately, you haven’t completed too many missions, and you proposed letting the original owners live out their lives after each mission. That greatly reduced the karma on me, and I can still make up for it later.”
Qingyuan felt a little frightened in retrospect. “Now I can slowly nourish my soul with this Soul-Nourishing Wood. But to recover completely, I’ll still need you to search different worlds for heavenly materials and earthly treasures.”
“They might be herbs, or they might be something else. In any case, I’ll only sense them when you get close,” Qingyuan continued.
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