However, Ji Yu didn’t dwell too much on this matter.
She knew Gu Qixiao couldn’t fulfill this request. As for the child’s situation, she had already made up her mind.
But unexpectedly, before heading to the hospital, she received a call from the director mom.
"Yu, Granny Li, who always cared for you before, is sick. She lived her whole life without children, and the only ones she worries about are you kids. I hope you can find time to come back and see her."
Ji Yu’s heart trembled. Back at the orphanage, Granny Li had showered her with care, and now hearing such news made her feel deeply saddened.
"Director Mom, what illness does Granny have?"
She wondered if there was still a chance for recovery.
But the director mom sighed, saying that Granny Li’s condition was beyond relief. "It’s cancer, and the doctor said she won’t have much time left."
Ji Yu didn’t say anything else and simply replied that she understood.
After hanging up, she stared blankly at her phone, never imagining time would pass so fast. Even Granny Li, who was once relatively healthy, was now nearing her end.
She explained the orphanage situation to Tian and prepared to stay at the orphanage for a while.
"Sister Yu, if President Gu comes back again..."
"Ignore him. Just tell him if he can’t meet my request, he doesn’t need to come looking for me anymore." Ji Yu didn’t have the time to waste on him.
Besides, Granny Li’s situation had left Ji Yu’s mind in chaos. She needed to return quickly to see her.
The drive to the orphanage wasn’t far, but Ji Yu felt this stretch of road was especially heart-wrenching.
The director mom spotted Ji Yu immediately and waved at her with a smile.
"Why did you come so quickly, my girl?"
Ji Yu looked at the wrinkles on her face and suddenly felt bittersweet. Time had flown by so fast, and now, she even had a little life waiting inside her...
"Director Mom, I’m planning to stay here for a few days, take care of Granny Li, and also check on the kids in the orphanage."
She had endured the pain of being without parents, and now she wanted to bring some warmth to these children.
Upon hearing this, the director mom laughed lightly, "That’s good. It’s wonderful that you have this in your heart. How’s life outside?"
A wave of warmth swept over Ji Yu’s heart. "Everything is fine."
She no longer had to worry about basic needs, and the Ji family treated her very well.
But right now, her heart was more drawn to the children in the orphanage.
"Director Mom, has the number of children been increasing lately?"
The director mom looked at the little lives around her, her kind face carrying a trace of sorrow. "These children were either abandoned at birth or have lost both parents. I try to help whenever I can, which is why I’ve kept all of them here."
At the very least, they would have a place to stay.
Ji Yu understood the director mom’s kindness and knew she cared deeply about these children.
"How’s Granny Li’s condition?"
She was worried that Granny Li’s situation wouldn’t look good.
But to her surprise, the elderly lady appeared quite spirited, though she couldn’t escape the ravages of illness, looking frail and thin.
"Yu, you’ve come?" Granny Li still recognized Ji Yu. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on novᴇlfire.net
"You’ve always been such a pretty child, and now you’re even more beautiful." She had always been kind to Ji Yu and now hoped they could chat properly.
But Ji Yu could hardly muster happiness in the face of the current situation.
"You two chat; I’ll go outside to check on the children."
The director mom knew they must have many things to talk about.
But Ji Yu didn’t know how to start the conversation for a moment.
Granny Li, however, wasn’t too concerned about her illness. "There’s no need to worry about me, silly girl. I’m old now. What old person doesn’t get sick?"
She smiled as usual, but Ji Yu couldn’t help but worry about her condition.
"Granny, your health isn’t improving. Why don’t I take you to the hospital for another checkup? There might still be a chance for treatment."
But Granny Li waved it off, "Getting old means there’s no need to waste money anymore. An old woman like me doesn’t have much reason to live; my only concern is about you kids."
She had spent most of her life volunteering at the orphanage, and seeing Ji Yu and the others doing well now brought her joy.
"Don’t trouble yourself over my treatment. I know my own body. Since things have come to this, there’s no need to think about unnecessary things anymore."
She didn’t regret spending her life without children.
Looking at Ji Yu was akin to looking at her own child.
"Don’t waste that money on me. Hospital time means dealing with the smell of disinfectant, which I hate the most."
She had always liked living in clean places.
The more Granny Li spoke this way, the harder Ji Yu found it to calm down her feelings.
But she also understood—Granny Li’s choice wasn’t necessarily a bad one.
"Yu, I watched you grow up. You’ll be doing better and better. You’re a child with good fortune."
Granny Li held Ji Yu’s hand and told her about the orphanage’s recent events.
Ji Yu listened patiently and occasionally asked if there was anything she could help with.
"The environment now is much better than before. Most people come to food and toys, and the children don’t have to go hungry. It’s pretty good."
They were satisfied with the current situation.
Ji Yu couldn’t help but smile along. "These kids will have wonderful futures too."
She believed the children would be well taken care of.
But she still hoped Granny Li wouldn’t face any danger.
"Yu, don’t feel sad anymore. Ever since you came in, you’ve been holding back tears. You’re a grown-up now, so why are you still so prone to crying?"
Granny Li gently rubbed Ji Yu’s head, as if comforting her just like when she was a child.
Ji Yu couldn’t hold back anymore, "Granny, I’ll step out for a moment. I’ll come back to see you later."
After stepping outside, Ji Yu’s tears finally fell uncontrollably.
She seldom cried, but seeing the Granny who had cared for her so much now on the verge of leaving broke her composure.
"Sister, why are you crying?" A sweet voice sounded next to Ji Yu.
Ji Yu turned around to find, to her surprise, a little girl with braids standing behind her. In a daze, Ji Yu seemed to see a vision of her younger self.
"Sister, what happened? Are you upset? Here, have some candy." The little girl smiled brightly and held out a lollipop to Ji Yu.
Ji Yu blankly accepted it, feeling a little lost.
"After eating my candy, you shouldn’t be sad anymore." The little girl smiled at Ji Yu as if playfully reminding her that she was an adult being consoled by a child.
Ji Yu wiped her tears away, finally stopping herself from dwelling on what had just happened.
"Little one, do you know Granny Li?"
"Yes! Granny Li has always been with us. But the director mom said Granny Li has been tired lately and needs to rest."
The little girl spoke with a hint of sadness.