Carrying a bag of snacks, Alex walked to the iron gate of the orphanage.
The iron gate was covered in rust, with two big words hanging on top.
Sunflower Orphanage.
Through this large iron gate, one could see some flowers and plants growing in the backyard, lush and thriving.
In the open space of the yard, there were several children running around, playing and frolicking, seemingly playing a game of eagle catching chicks.
Alex stepped forward and knocked on the door, and the iron gate made a dull sound.
The sound of children playing behind the door paused, and then a chubby little boy's eyes lit up, and he ran over with his short legs pattering.
As the iron gate creaked open, the chubby boy's flushed face was revealed.
Seeing that the visitor was Alex, he glanced at the red plastic bag in his hand the next second, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up, instantly beaming with joy.
The chubby boy first shouted towards the yard with a loud voice.
"Big brother is back!"
Then he headbutted towards the teenager, but Alex caught him with one hand and even weighed his weight.
"Little Key, you're getting fatter and fatter"
The boy named Key looked up with a stubborn glare and said, "You don't get it! This is called being smart! When I get bigger and eat more, I'll be able to punch that mean kid from the other class and send him flying with one punch!"
As he spoke, he waved his chubby little fists.
Although being held up in the air looked a bit comical, his face was still full of domineering spirit.
His shout also attracted a group of other children. When they saw Alex, they immediately ran over chattering and circled around the teenager happily.
Alex greeted them one by one.
He then handed the red plastic bag to them and let them distribute it themselves.
"Where's Grandpa?"
Hearing the question, Little Key stretched out his hand and pointed to the kitchen on the left side of the yard.
"He's making dinner for us!"
Alex nodded, turned around and instructed, "Then you're not allowed to eat snacks now. Wait until after dinner, and eat them at night if you're hungry"
"Bleh, I won't!"
The chubby boy made a face, then hugged his share as if afraid Alex would snatch it from him, and ran towards the back dormitory in a flash.
Seeing this, the other children followed suit and ran quickly.
-What if big brother changed his mind?-
Although Alex always brought snacks back and never took them back, that's how the world of children is.
Of course, Alex didn't chase after them.
He looked at the steam rising from the chimney, thought for a moment, and instead of going directly to the kitchen, he turned and walked towards the classroom on the right.
The layout and facilities of the orphanage were very simple.
A classroom for studying, a kitchen, a dormitory where everyone slept together, and the small courtyard where he was standing now.
Apart from the toilet in the corner and some sports facilities on the open ground in the yard, this was all there was to Sunflower Orphanage.
The classroom was used to educate the children in the orphanage. There were no subject teachers, only the Dean would teach regularly.
It was equivalent to a kindergarten.
When the children were a bit older, they would be sent to the town's elementary school.
For example, Little Key, who opened the door for Alex, was in first grade at the town's elementary school this year.
Alex walked up the steps, and a girl was sitting in the corner of the classroom.
The white dress on her body was slightly yellowed, and her smooth long hair fell silkily on the side of her shoulders.
The girl had her hands folded on the desk and her head buried in them. Even when Alex walked up to her, she didn't look up.
'She fell asleep...'
Alex smiled and poked the half of her little face that was exposed.
Bouncy, smooth, very plump.
The girl was startled awake and raised her head.
The other half of her face, covered by her long hair, was also revealed.
It was a face completely opposite to the left side.
Hideous and distorted scars, dark and rough skin, covered in scabs.
If the left side was an angelic face, the right side was a monster that would scare anyone who saw it.
The girl closed her eyes and said in a hoarse voice.
"Brother Alex, is that you?"
The fire not only took away the girl's angelic face, but also deprived her of the right to see.
Fortunately, she survived.
Unfortunately, only she survived.
"Yes Lia, it's me"
Alex said softly.
Hearing this, Camellia smiled.
Unfortunately, due to the burned half of her face and the lack of eyebrows, the smile looked particularly strange.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to even call it horrifying.
Camellia stretched out her arms and spread them to both sides.
Alex understood and stepped forward to wrap his arms around the girl's slender waist, gently lifting her off the chair.
The girl's name was Camellia Anon, 14 years old. She came to the orphanage ten years ago.
Although she had the same surname as Alex, the two had no blood relation.
When she first arrived at the orphanage, because of her appearance and blindness, the children of the same age in the orphanage would often avoid her when they saw her.
As if seeing a monster, they were scared to death.
Although they wouldn't take the initiative to bully Camellia, they didn't dare to get too close to her, let alone play together happily.
They would also gossip in private, saying that the orphanage had taken in a monster.
Fortunately, Alex was sensible at a young age at that time and paid attention to this newly arrived girl, often taking extra care of her.
Sometimes when the Dean was too busy, things like feeding Camellia or helping her wash up were all taken care of by Alex.
Slowly, Camellia also gradually got used to living as a blind person and learned to dress and eat by herself.
She was indeed a pitiful child.
But how many children born in an orphanage could have true happiness?
Perhaps only those who were born cute and happened to be adopted by rich people could make up for a few regrets.
Actually, when Alex was young, he was often favored by wealthy ladies.
Those very mature and charming women even drove sports cars to the orphanage several times to show their sincerity, and even fought each other for the right to adopt Alex, but they all failed in the end.
They were all rejected by little Alex.
Alex squatted down and gently hugged the girl, then took out a chocolate from his pocket.
He tore open the packaging and made an "ah" sound.
Camellia obediently opened her mouth.
"Is it tasty?"
The girl ate very slowly, chewing carefully.
Hearing Alex's question, she shook her head and said, "Too sweet, I don't like it"
Alex was stunned when he heard this. This was the first time he had brought chocolate for Camellia. He thought girls of this age would all like it.
He stroked the girl's hair, "If it doesn't taste good, then don't eat it. I'll give it to Key later, he'll definitely love it"
With that, Alex was about to put the chocolate away.
A frail little hand reached out and grabbed his wrist.
"No"
Camellia shook her head again, "This is mine"
"Okay Okay, it's yours"
Alex smiled and returned the chocolate to her.