Lin Fan sat in the car, looking at the unfamiliar surroundings.
The dream felt so real.
If Old Zhang were here, he would definitely love this place. The people here are truly kind.
At the hotel, two young women kissed him goodbye on the cheek.
Then, someone invited him to dinner, and what's more, the invitation came at a time when they were quite upset. Ordinary people definitely wouldn't do that.
He thought about his mission.
Lead the team to a bright path, be a good person?
He was puzzled. I'm already a good person. Oh, the team... It must mean there are bad people in the team.
Buildings disappeared from view one after another, transitioning from modern structures to older ones, until they arrived at a slightly remote and desolate area.
"Brother Fei, we've arrived."
There was an orphanage here. In the expensive city of H, establishing an orphanage in the bustling downtown area was impossible. Most people would rather build commercial properties there and sell them at high prices for a hefty profit.
This area was perfect. Suburban, with low prices.
Memories surfaced in his mind.
Zhu Fei knew about the future plans in advance. This area would have elementary, middle, and high schools built here in two years, instantly transforming it into a desirable school district. As for how he knew, don't ask. He wouldn't tell.
This orphanage was privately owned, founded by an old woman twenty years ago. After two decades, the founder had indeed become an old woman.
They had spent several months preparing to purchase this orphanage, demolish it, and build a residential complex. Having seen the plans, Zhu Fei realized that the orphanage's location was prime.
He wouldn't give up until he got his hands on the orphanage.
Hua Hua Children's Welfare Institute.
The director was a woman with a legendary past. When she was young, she was trafficked to a mountain village and sold as a wife for a thousand yuan.
Escaping from such a remote and impoverished place was nearly impossible. Later, she gave birth to a daughter. Because it was a girl, she suffered even more brutal abuse. When she overheard the villagers discussing killing her newborn daughter, she unleashed a strength she never knew she possessed.
She knocked out three strong villagers and fled with her newborn daughter. Fortunately, she met kind-hearted people who helped her escape to H City.
Penniless and with a daughter to care for, she worked as a dishwasher, carried cement on construction sites, and even strayed down the wrong path, working as a madam.
She navigated the turbulent business world for decades.
Without power, influence, connections, or backing, accumulating wealth was incredibly difficult. Just when she thought her good days were finally arriving, perhaps as retribution for past misdeeds, her only support, her daughter, was murdered.
There was no feud, no resentment.
It was a robbery gone wrong.
That year, she was fifty. Consumed by grief for two years, at the age of fifty-two, she invested all her money into the orphanage. "Hua Hua" was her daughter's nickname.
Firstly, to remember her daughter, and secondly, to accumulate good karma, hoping to be reunited with her daughter in the next life.
"Director, those bad guys are back."
A young woman rushed in, her face pale with fright.
She was a volunteer, also an orphan raised at the Hua Hua Children's Welfare Institute. After completing her studies, instead of joining a large company with a high salary, mingling with elites, she returned to the orphanage to teach the children how to read and write.
Wang Xiulan was old, but despite her white hair, she was full of energy. Hearing that those people were back, she felt helpless and unsure of what to do.
"Let's go take a look."
She put down the documents in her hand and stood up.
"Hua Hua Children's Welfare Institute."
Lin Fan stood at the entrance, looking at the sign. Why did they come here?
Wang Meng said, "Brother Fei, the brothers have been working hard. We expect this place to be ours soon."
"Oh."
Lin Fan walked inside.
The security guard was an old man. Seeing Lin Fan and the others, his benevolent face instantly turned to disgust. If he weren't so old, he would definitely attack these bastards.
This was the fiery temper every security guard should have.
The children playing saw Lin Fan and his group and hid fearfully behind the staff. They were terrified.
The staff were also afraid.
But in the face of evil, they had to protect the vulnerable children behind them. Even if they were scared, they had to be brave.
"Director Wang, come out quickly! Today is the deadline. Have you made up your mind? Don't force us to take action."
Wang Meng roared angrily.
Many children burst into tears.
"Shh! Don't be so loud. You'll scare the children," Lin Fan said.
Wang Meng covered his mouth and nodded.
Whatever Brother Fei said was right.
"We didn't bring anything here." Lin Fan patted his head, just realizing. He knew this was an orphanage, a place to visit children.
If Old Zhang were here, he would definitely have said, "Let's bring some gifts."
Then he definitely wouldn't have forgotten.
But now, unfortunately, Old Zhang wasn't there to remind him.
Wang Meng said, "Don't worry, Brother Fei. We've bought everything. If they still don't agree, we'll continue dumping manure and throwing snakes in. We'll make sure they have no peace."
These were standard operating procedures.
You won't sell, right?
Then we'll make sure you have no peace.
Lin Fan frowned and asked, "Why are we bullying them? Is it fun to bully people? I don't like you doing this."
Wang Meng stared at Lin Fan in astonishment.
Honestly, he really didn't understand what Brother Fei was saying.
Dumping manure and releasing snakes were things Brother Fei had instructed him to do. Now he was saying he didn't like it. Wait a minute, there was a hidden meaning here. He must think these methods were ineffective and needed a more forceful approach.
"Brother Fei, I understand. I'll change my ways," Wang Meng said.
He had followed Brother Fei for several years. Brother Fei's temper wasn't very good, and he was very concerned about saving face. The previous methods were suggested by Brother Fei, but they hadn't worked. If he pointed that out directly, it would make Brother Fei lose face. So, as his underling, he had to learn to take the blame for his boss.
At this moment, Director Wang Xiulan approached.
"Brother Fei, this is just a dilapidated orphanage. Why do you insist on buying it from me? Can't you give these already pitiful children a place to live?"
The old woman had seen the world. She wasn't afraid of Brother Fei; she just hoped to persuade him to stop targeting the orphanage.
"Hello, Director," Lin Fan extended his hand.
He had the memory; this was the director of the orphanage, a good person who took in many children.
Just like the director of the Qingshan Psychiatric Hospital.
Wang Xiulan couldn't understand Zhu Fei's behavior.
But she still shook his hand and said, "Hello, Brother Fei."
Lin Fan smiled. "I really like children."
He spoke sincerely, but to others, it sounded like complete nonsense. You like children? The sun would rise from the west if that were true.
"Don't be hypocritical, kid. Saying you like children. If you really cared about them, you'd get out of here. You wouldn't dump manure and throw snakes. Scum like you, others might be afraid of you, but I'm not. I'm an old man. If you want to kill me, go ahead." The security guard yelled, brandishing his baton.
Old men will always be old men, speaking with such dominance.
"Old man, you're looking for death!" Wang Meng was furious. With a single order from Brother Fei, he would definitely beat the old man to the ground.
Lin Fan turned to Wang Meng. "Apologize to this old gentleman. He was scolding me, not you. Why are you scolding him?"
Wang Meng's scalp tingled from this unexpected turn of events.
Brother Fei, just tell me honestly, what kind of game are you playing? My head is about to explode. I really can't understand.
If you want to play the good guy, I can dedicate myself selflessly.
Just let me know!
Wang Meng apologized to the security guard.
The security guard scoffed, dismissive. A weasel paying respects to a chicken – it couldn't be trusted.
Lin Fan looked at the orphanage's environment. Compared to the Qingshan Psychiatric Hospital, it was like heaven and earth. There wasn't even a grassy field to run and play on. Truly pitiful.
The floor tiles were cracked. If it rained, water would seep in, and if you stepped on them, the water would splash onto your face.
"Director, do you have any money?" Lin Fan asked.
Director Wang replied, "No."
She noticed that Zhu Fei was different today, his personality completely changed.
"Wang Meng, do we have any money?" Lin Fan asked.
Wang Meng replied, "Brother Fei, we have money. As much as we need."
"That's good. I want to renovate this place. We need a grassy area over there where the children can run and play. The equipment needs to be replaced with new ones, and these buildings need to be refurbished. A happy life for children is inseparable from a pleasant environment. Otherwise, they'll wake up feeling bad every day..."
Lin Fan pointed into the distance, slowly expressing his thoughts, leaving Wang Meng stunned, his eyes wide. What was Brother Fei trying to do?
He truly couldn't understand.
Forgive him for not being able to comprehend. His brain wasn't smart enough to figure out his boss's intentions.
Director Wang said, "Brother Fei, we're not selling the orphanage."
Lin Fan smiled. "I'm not trying to buy the orphanage. The place where children live is their home. If they leave their home, they'll be very sad."
Director Wang couldn't believe her ears. "But didn't you want to buy this place before?"
Lin Fan pondered for a moment and asked, "Did I?"
He had forgotten everything that happened before the dream, making it clear: I didn't do it; that wasn't me; I won't admit it.
"Uh..." Director Wang shook her head and laughed. "No."
Lin Fan instructed Wang Meng, "Transfer the money."
Wang Meng stood there dumbfounded. If he could go back to the time when they first arrived at the orphanage, before they even entered the gate, he would definitely ask for clarification.
Brother Fei... what's your next move? How should I cooperate with you to achieve the best results?
Instead of this current situation where he had no idea whether Brother Fei was speaking truthfully or not.
Transfer the money?
Could it be hell money?
Holy crap, Brother Fei is going to massacre them!