152 Adoption
Yin Tao had some doubts but didn’t voice them as Sister Sun was present. Instead, she shook her head and said, “Shanshan is very lovable. She’s just a little introverted. As long as you communicate patiently with her, she’ll slowly get better.”
“That’s right. Shanshan actually needs companionship. The children should be dancing now. Do you want to go over and take a look?”
Under Sister Sun’s lead, Yin Tao and Lin Jia walked to the small field behind the Children’s Home.
“Shanshan’s motor skills aren’t very good. It might be due to her introverted personality,” Sister Sun explained to Yin Tao and Lin Jia when she saw Shanshan stretching slowly together with the other children at the back of the line.
Yin Tao didn’t think that there was anything wrong with Shanshan’s motor skills. She observed that Shanshan seemed to be avoiding the male instructor.
“Sister Sun, is Shanshan usually afraid of male teachers?” Yin Tao felt that Shanshan wasn’t as uptight when she was with Teacher Zhang.
“Yes, but it’s not just the male teachers. This child is very afraid of strangers, and even more so with men.” Sister Sun further added, as if worried that Yin Tao would misunderstand, “The doctors have assessed Shanshan, she doesn’t show any signs of autism. She’s just timid.”
“When Shanshan first met me, she was also very afraid. However, she gradually got better after we interacted with each other more.” Lin Jia still remembered the first time he met Shanshan. She hid under the table and refused to come out at all.
Yin Tao felt if Shanshan was even afraid of Lin Jia, someone who was so kind and gentle, then the reason definitely wasn’t as simple as her being afraid of strangers.
Yin Tao and Lin Jia stayed in the Children’s Home till the afternoon. When they finally bade farewell to the children, Shanshan even specially ran to Yin Tao’s side.
“Sister, will you still come with Uncle Lin to visit me?” Shanshan seemed to have mustered up a lot of courage to ask this question.
“Of course I will.” Yin Tao squatted down and rubbed Shanshan’s head affectionately. She whispered in her ear, “I still have to send Shanshan’s sketchbook back. I will definitely come and see you again.”
After the children of the Children’s Home reluctantly bade farewell to Lin Jia and the others, their teachers brought them back to their classrooms.
Watching Yin Tao and Lin Jia get into the car and leave the Children’s Home, Sister Sun sighed and said to Teacher Zhang, “I really hope that Mr. Lin can adopt Shanshan. That child has had a tough life. Mr. Lin is a good man and he has the resources. If he adopts Shanshan, she will definitely have a better life.”
“But isn’t Mr. Lin single? Does he meet the adoption criteria?” Teacher Zhang also felt that Lin Jia was a very kind person. However, the Children’s Home had some criteria for adoption.
“I think Mr. Lin and the lady just now will be together. I can tell from the way he looked at her that he cared a lot about that lady.” Sister Sun was experienced. She could tell that Lin Jia was obviously interested in the girl just now.
“They look quite compatible. I heard from Mr. Lin that the lady seems to be a police officer. Moreover, Shanshan and her seem to get along very well. I really hope they can be Shanshan’s adoptive parents.”
Teacher Zhang also wished that Shanshan would have a better life as she felt sorry for her.
“It would be great if this could happen. Let’s go and see the children.” Sister Sun and Teacher Zhang walked back to the classroom together. Every child in the Children’s Home was their concern and responsibility.
Lin Jia glanced at Yin Tao in the passenger seat and asked, “What did you say to Shanshan just now?”
“I won’t tell you about my promise with Shanshan.” Yin Tao purposely didn’t tell Lin Jia about it. After going to the Children’s Home with him, Yin Tao felt more relaxed in his company.
Yin Tao used to have some reservations about Lin Jia due to his occupation. Though he seemed kind and gentle, she didn’t think that anyone could climb to his position without being scheming and shrewd. However, when she saw Lin Jia playing with the children in the Children’s Home, Yin Tao felt that Lin Jia was truly kind at heart.
“It seems like the two of you are really close. It took me a full month to get closer to Shanshan.” Lin Jia pretended to be a little jealous and said, “So do I have to call you the next time I come to the Children’s Home? Perhaps I should just come by myself…”
“Of course you have to bring me along. I’ve already promised Shanshan that I’ll come and visit her again next time.” After saying that, Yin Tao noticed Lin Jia’s beaming eyes behind his glasses and realized that he was just teasing her.