ebookland Chapter 664 Volunteer
Chapter 664 Volunteer
The car drove smoothly out of the residential complex and merged into the weekend morning traffic. Yang Tao looked at the street scene passing by quickly outside the window. Finally, he couldn't help but turn his head and asked with some reluctance and inquiry: "Hey, where are we going now?"
Lin Bufan placed his hands on the steering wheel, staring ahead with a hint of a smile on his face. "Let's go to a place that can make people feel better."
"Keeping me in suspense..." Yang Tao muttered softly, turning her head to continue looking out the window. But after a few minutes, she couldn't help but ask again: "Where exactly is it? There must be a destination, right?"
"Sunshine Welfare Home." Lin Bufan answered very straightforwardly this time.
Yang Tao was stunned for a moment, then repeated doubtfully, "Orphanage? What are we going to do there?"
"Volunteer." Lin Bufan's tone was very natural, as if he was talking about something very ordinary.
This answer completely surprised Yang Tao. She had imagined countless possibilities—a fine restaurant, an art exhibition, a stroll in the park, perhaps even some unconventional entertainment venue—but she hadn't expected volunteer work. She turned her head and carefully examined Lin Bufan's profile, trying to find any trace of showmanship in his relaxed expression.
But obviously, she failed!
After all, how could Lin Bufan’s decades of acting skills be easily exposed?
Lin Bufan held the steering wheel, his eyes fixed on the traffic ahead. His tone was as calm as if he was talking about someone else: "Yes, the welfare home. You may not believe this, but I was actually half raised in an orphanage. As far as I can remember, I've been in an orphanage. Later, I was lucky enough to meet my current adoptive parents, and now I have a real home."
He paused, his voice lacking much emotion, yet somehow carrying a heaviness that made one feel strangely heavy. "So, I have mixed feelings about places like this. I feel like it's a mark of where my life began, and I don't want to talk about it much, but I can't help but want to go back and take a look. After all... my roots are there."
Yang Tao was slightly startled, and subconsciously turned her head to look at Lin Bufan's profile. He looked indifferent, as if he was just casually mentioning the weather, but the weight of his words made her heart tighten inexplicably. She suddenly remembered the calm and confident look on Lin Bufan's face when he mentioned the development of anti-cancer drugs in front of his mother just now, and then thought of his current achievement of "opening several companies"... How many times more efforts must an orphan with no one to rely on than an ordinary person to get to where he is today? An indescribable admiration and subtle heartache quietly spread in her heart. She even began to fill in the picture on her own - after Lin Bufan became successful, he did not forget to give back to the place that raised him, and often took time to do volunteer work, donate money and materials...
Her tone softened unconsciously, with a hint of gentleness that she herself was not aware of: "So... do you often take time to go back to the welfare home to volunteer?" Yang Tao imagined the scene of Lin Bufan patiently playing with the children and generously donating money to improve the facilities in the home, and there was a little more warmth in her eyes when she looked at him.
"Not really," Lin Bufan answered crisply, even taking it for granted: "Today is the first time."
"Huh?" Yang Tao nearly choked on her own saliva. The slight feeling of emotion and change that had just been brewing was instantly shattered. A sense of speechlessness washed over her, a waste of emotion. She couldn't help but raise her voice: "First time?! Why did you say that just now with such deep emotion?!"
Lin Bufan then turned his head and quickly glanced at Yang Tao, his lips curled up in that familiar, slightly sly smile: "What else? Manager Yang, you're already at this age, you've seen everything there is to see, high-end restaurants, art exhibitions, concerts, luxury stores... right? If I take you through those usual routines again, what new things will you find? I guess you won't even bother to lift your eyelids."
He turned back and continued driving, his tone becoming lazy yet serious. "I just racked my brains and came up with this unique idea. There's a saying that goes, 'If she's young and inexperienced, take her to see the world; if she's experienced, take her on a merry-go-round.'"
I think taking you out to experience something different, to do something tangible, might make you remember this day more than those flashy dates. Maybe... it'll even make you realize that, besides being handsome, rich, a good cook, successful in my career, and kindhearted... I'm also quite thoughtful."
Yang Tao subconsciously reflected on Lin Bufan's words—"If she's inexperienced, take her to see the world's bustling scene; if she's already experienced, take her on a merry-go-round." At first, the words sounded a bit illogical, but upon reflection, they seemed to hold some truth. Although she'd been busy with work and romantically unavailable for years, her position as a hotel lobby manager had exposed her to the glamorous dating scene and left her feeling exhausted and tired. The thought of returning to basics and doing something practical stirred a subtle chorus in her heart.
But soon, she suddenly grasped another key point in Lin Bufan's words!
"Wait!" Yang Tao turned her head, narrowed her eyes and stared at Lin Bufan, with a hint of danger in her tone: "Lin Bufan, what did you mean by that just now? What do you mean by your age? What do you mean by your heart has been vicissitudes? You mean I am very old? Have I reached the stage where I need to go to an orphanage to find spiritual comfort and experience the true meaning of life?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Bufan immediately revealed an exaggerated expression of "wronged," and quickly defended himself, "Manager Yang, you really misunderstood me! I absolutely didn't mean that! What I meant was that you are mature, independent, and profound, with extensive knowledge and refined taste. Those extravagant things that ordinary girls like are simply not worthy of your level and cannot truly touch you. I brought you here precisely because I think your heart is rich and strong enough to understand and appreciate this more profound and authentic experience. How can this be called old? This is called charm and storytelling!"
"Hmph, smooth talk!" Yang Tao snorted and turned away, but the corners of his mouth rose slightly, almost imperceptibly. Regardless of whether this was sincere or false, at least it sounded pleasant.
The car soon arrived at the Sunshine Welfare Home on the outskirts of the city. It was an old-looking building, but it was kept clean and tidy. There were simple children's play equipment in the yard, and several children were playing under the supervision of social workers.
After parking the car, Lin Bufan pulled out several large bags from the trunk. They were filled with brand new stationery, picture books, sports equipment, and some healthy snacks suitable for children. Yang Tao looked at him in surprise: "Did you prepare this?"
"Of course." Lin Bufan picked up the bag and smiled at her. "It's your first time here, so you can't come empty-handed, right? Let's go, Manager Yang, let's experience Teacher Lin's volunteer class today."
Upon entering the orphanage, a person in charge immediately came out to greet Lin Bufan warmly. It seemed that although he claimed to be "first time here", he had obviously made arrangements in advance. The children saw the new brothers and sisters and the things they were carrying in their hands, and they gathered around curiously, their eyes sparkling with innocence.
Lin Bufan quickly bonded with the children, seemingly gifted with a magical ability to cheer them up. He led them in a game of "Eagle Catches Chicken" in the yard, himself the clumsy yet comical "hen," his arms outstretched to protect a string of giggling "chickens" behind him. His exaggerated movements and expressions brought the children's laughter. When they tired of playing, he sat in the shade of a tree, pulled out his prepared guitar, and began to sing cheerful nursery rhymes. His voice was clear and melodious, carrying a warmth like sunshine. Not only were the children captivated, but even the staff nearby couldn't help but stop to listen.
What surprised the children even more was that Lin Bufan could perform magic. He pulled out a few colorful sponge balls from nowhere, squeezed them in his hands, and conjured up sweet candies, which he shared with each child, eyes wide open and faces filled with wonder. In his hands, these little tricks seemed like real magic, bringing endless laughter and joy.
When lunchtime arrived, Lin Bufan donned an apron and dove into the kitchen. Yang Tao had wanted to help, but found she was barely able to get a word in. Lin Bufan's movements were swift, as he chopped vegetables, stir-fried them, and seasoned them with a fluid, effortless grace, as if the kitchen were his stage. Soon, the enticing aroma of prepared food filled the entire orphanage. While his dishes were all homely, he put a lot of thought into them, ensuring a balanced nutritional profile and surprisingly good taste. The children devoured them with relish, scraping every last drop of their bowls clean.
Yang Tao stood aside, watching all this silently. She watched Lin Bufan patiently squat down and talk to the short child at eye level, watched him carefully tell the picky child nutrition stories to coax him into eating more vegetables, watched the beads of sweat on his forehead and the genuine smile on his face...her heartstrings were quietly plucked.
She realized her previous judgment of Lin Bufan had seemed overly arbitrary and one-sided. This man, with his colorful hair and almost arrogant confidence, had now revealed a delicate, patient, and compassionate side. His kindness wasn't just empty talk, but lived out in concrete actions. His talent wasn't just about making money and cooking; it could be transformed into the songs and joy he brought to his children. That stark contrast made Lin Bufan's image complex and multifaceted in her mind. Her previous resentment and resistance melted away, replaced by a subtle curiosity and... a subtle appreciation.
The day's volunteer work ended in a warm and slightly tiring atmosphere. As the sun set, the children reluctantly held Lin Bufan and Yang Tao's hands, asking them when they would come again.
On the way back, the atmosphere was much quieter. Yang Tao looked out the window at the passing scenery and suddenly spoke softly, her tone much softer than when she came: "I didn't expect... you're quite good at raising children."
Lin Bufan drove the car steadily while raising his eyebrows proudly: "I'm not bragging, but my level of child-rearing skills, patience, methods, and the ability to combine education with entertainment, are all perfect. The children I've brought up will all start from 985 or 211 universities. With a little effort, Tsinghua or Peking University will not be a problem!"
Upon hearing this, Yang Tao couldn't help but burst out laughing and rolled her eyes at him: "You can brag as much as you want! You're talking nonsense! If raising children were really that easy, wouldn't all parents in the world be education experts?"
"Hey! Don't you disbelieve it!" Lin Bufan seemed to be aroused by his competitive spirit, his voice was raised a few decibels, with an expression of "I must argue with you about this", he turned his head and glanced at Yang Tao quickly, his eyes flashing with half joking and half provocative light: "So, you don't believe it without evidence, right? Practice makes perfect! Let's have a baby, I will personally bring up the baby, carefully educate him, and enlighten him with science. If our baby fails to get into Tsinghua or Peking University, I will twist my head off and let you kick it like a ball!" He said it with full confidence, as if he was making a sure-win bet.
Yang Tao was both infuriated and amused by his outrageous provocation. Subconsciously, she continued his conversation, her tone somewhat defiant: "If you don't unscrew it when the time comes, I'll see what you'll do..."
Yang Tao slammed on the brakes mid-sentence, her cheeks flushing crimson. She finally realized the trap and ambiguity in Lin Bufan's words, and suddenly felt embarrassed and annoyed. She raised her hand to hit Lin Bufan's arm: "Lin Bufan! You're so shameless... Who wants to have a child with you?"
Lin Bufan swiftly retracted his arm, easily dodging Yang Tao's "attack," his smug smile growing even wider: "Hey, Manager Yang, please drive safely! I'm responsible for our future Peking University and Tsinghua University students!"
"Shut up!" Yang Tao withdrew her hand in shame and annoyance, turned her head to look out the window, and decided not to pay any more attention to this guy who would shine with just a little sunshine.
The brief silence in the car was broken by the crisp ringing of a cell phone. Yang Tao took her phone out of her bag, saw the caller ID, smiled, and answered the call: "Hello, Weiwei?"
An enthusiastic female voice came from the other end of the phone: "Taozi! Where are you? Are you free tonight? Jiao Yang has organized a party at the usual place KTV, come quickly! We're waiting for you!"
Yang Tao glanced at Lin Bufan, who was concentrating on driving beside him, hesitated for a moment, and whispered into the microphone: "I... have something else to do here, maybe..."
Before she could finish her words, Lin Bufan suddenly turned his head, raised his voice, and shouted cheerfully in the direction of Yang Tao's phone: "Go! We're going now! Send me the address!"
Yang Tao quickly covered the microphone, turned her head and glared at Lin Bufan, lowering her voice and saying, "Hey, hey, hey! What are you talking about? Who wants to go with you?"
Lan Weiwei on the other end of the line seemed to have caught some shocking gossip. Her voice instantly rose, filled with excitement and curiosity: "Taozi! Who's talking? It's a man! And the voice is quite nice! Is there someone next to you? You're actually with a man? Tell me! Who is it? Is there something going on?"
Yang Tao's cheeks flushed slightly, and she hurriedly explained into the phone, "Weiwei, don't make wild guesses! He's just... an ordinary friend!"
"An ordinary friend? Can an ordinary friend decide for you where to go at night? Can an ordinary friend make you abandon your bestie and spend time with him?" Lan Weiwei's voice was full of teasing and disbelief: "Hurry up! Bring your ordinary friend along! You must come! Jiao Yang, do you hear me? Taozi, bring your family!" Jiao Yang's smiling response and a few cheers could be faintly heard from the other end of the phone.
"Weiwei! You..." Yang Tao wanted to explain, but Lan Weiwei didn't give her a chance to explain and hung up the phone directly!