Seeing the care-filled face of Chu Ge and hearing his gentle voice, Ye Li's eyes turned even redder, and she bit her lips tighter.

"Brother Chu…"

With a call, Ye Li threw herself into Chu Ge's arms, burying her head on his shoulder, unable to hold back, and burst into tears.

Feeling Ye Li's slight trembling and listening to her helpless and aggrieved sobs, Chu Ge gently patted her shoulder without saying anything, just patiently waiting for her to release her sadness through tears.

After crying for quite a while, Ye Li finally left Chu Ge's embrace, wiping the unstoppable tears from the corner of her eyes with the back of her hand. Seeing the spot on Chu Ge's shoulder dampened by her tears, she bit her lip, sobbing, aggrieved and apologetic, she spoke.

"Brother Chu, I'm sorry, I… I didn't mean to cry, I…"

Chu Ge gently shook his head and used his finger to wipe away the tears that welled up again at the corner of Ye Li's eyes, "It's okay, what happened?"

"My foster father… he doesn't want me anymore. He… he severed our father-daughter relationship, even changed the locks at home. I… I have no home now, I…"

Ye Li spoke intermittently, talking about the situation that Chu Ge had anticipated.

Seeing Ye Li so heartbroken, Chu Ge felt quite bad too, but he didn't regret pushing her foster father even one bit. Even if one day Ye Li discovered the truth and resented him for it, he wouldn't regret it.

In his eyes, Ye Li's foster father was nothing but trash. If they maintained their foster father-daughter relationship, that trash would eventually drag Ye Li into disaster. Only by completely severing their ties could they spare Ye Li from unnecessary troubles.

Patting Ye Li's shoulder, Chu Ge comforted, "Don't cry. It's his loss to sever the father-daughter relationship with you. You've already done more than enough for him. Since this matter has passed, let it go. Life goes on, doesn't it?"

"I know, I know, but I… I have no family in this world now."

Chu Ge gently stroked Ye Li's hair, "Silly girl, who says you have no family? From now on, I'll be your big brother, your real big brother."

Ye Li lifted her head, meeting Chu Ge's gentle gaze, bit her lip, nodded, opened her mouth, but in the end, she said nothing.

"Alright, let's go. Since your foster father has gone this far, let's leave this place."

Taking a deep look at that door, Ye Li softly said "Mm," held onto Chu Ge's right hand reaching out to her, and silently followed in his steps.

However, when Chu Ge turned back, she slightly shook her head, shaking her head for Chu Ge's words "real big brother."

To her, Chu Ge was not only her benefactor but also the first man she admired. She didn't want to be Chu Ge's sister; she wanted to become Chu Ge's woman.

However, she also knew very well in her heart that she had no right to expect anything from Chu Ge. How could she possibly have a chance with such an outstanding man as Chu Ge?

As she walked out of the building and saw the Audi A8 Chu Ge drove, this feeling of not being worthy of Chu Ge became even stronger. When she sat in the car, the best one she had ever ridden in, Chu Ge's gentle voice echoed in her ears.

"Ye Li, is there anywhere you want to go? I'll take you for a drive."

"No, no need, gas must be expensive. Brother Chu, it's enough that you came to see me. I'm already very grateful. I… I'm just happy to sit here for a bit."

Sitting somewhat nervously in the passenger seat, Ye Li twisted her fingers, her body a bit stiff, not daring to lean back against the seat. Even though she was clean, she still felt afraid of dirtying anything in the car.

Chu Ge turned to look at Ye Li, feeling a tender spot in his heart being touched again. This girl was truly kind and always thought of others.

Chu Ge's tender thoughts didn't show on his face, but he grinned and said, "Don't worry, this is our boss's car. I'm just driving for her now, and the gas money can be reimbursed. You don't need to worry about that at all."

Hearing Chu Ge say this, Ye Li finally relaxed a little. She hesitated and said, "Then… Brother Chu, could you take me to the orphanage? I want to see the little brothers and sisters there, help them catch up on their studies. If there are more people around, I think I'll feel a bit better."

Hearing the word "orphanage," the smile on Chu Ge's face froze instantly, and his expression became a bit unnatural.

Seeing Chu Ge's expression change, Ye Li quickly said, "If it's troublesome for Brother Chu, then never mind. I… I can take the bus."

Chu Ge hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded, "No, it's okay, I'll go with you."

"Are you sure it's not a bother? I really can go by myself."

Smiling unnaturally at Ye Li, Chu Ge said, "Sit tight," and started the car, heading toward that place he always wanted to revisit, yet never found the courage to go.

There, lies too many memories of Chu Ge, especially those of childhood with a girl.

He grew up with her, and whenever he was bullied, it was that girl who stood up for him. Even after leaving the orphanage, they were together, and that girl even gave up so many things that should have belonged to her for him.

If it weren't for that girl, Chu Ge couldn't have joined the organization of the past, and wouldn't possess the skills he has now.

He owes her far too much, but ever since he took that position that should have been hers, joining the organization that most people don't even know about—one which top elites dream of joining—he hasn't heard from her.

She disappeared from his world so suddenly, so suddenly that it left Chu Ge unprepared.

Just thinking of the years spent growing up with her in the orphanage makes Chu Ge's nose tingle with emotion, his heart clogged, as if every pore on his body is sighing deeply.

If it weren't for Ye Li suggesting a visit today, Chu Ge truly doesn't know how long he would keep avoiding that memory-laden orphanage.

Having evaded for so many years, it's time to go back and take a look...

As for what happens after that visit, whether he'll let go of the past or feel even worse, Chu Ge doesn't know, not at all.

Amidst Chu Ge's mixed emotions, the Audi A8 continued driving, inching closer to the place that filled Chu Ge's heart with conflict and struggle.

The closer they got to the orphanage, the slower the Audi A8 moved, and the more nervous Chu Ge became. His palms even started to sweat, and his heart raced so fast it felt as if a hand was pulling his heart towards his throat little by little.

This sensation is something Chu Ge hasn't experienced in as long as he can remember. After having faced so many life-and-death situations, even in a do-or-die predicament with a gun to his head, he wouldn't be as nervous as this.

Throughout the journey, Chu Ge remained silent, while Ye Li sat quietly in the passenger seat, her peripheral vision fixated on Chu Ge, her own heart tumultuous, unsure if suggesting the orphanage visit was a mistake.

Though she hasn't spent much time with Chu Ge, in her impression, Chu Ge is a man who remains unfazed with looming disasters, standing tall and unwavering, but his current reaction was evidently not at ease.

Even though Chu Ge drove as slowly as he could, the destination was still there, the courtyard so familiar to him eventually appeared in the distance.

It was a courtyard with a rusty iron gate, many parts of the gate had paint peeled off, appearing quite mottled. Inside the yard were two basketball hoops, the ground a sandy playground, and behind the playground stood a four-story old building, weathered by years of wind and rain, seemingly dilapidated.

In the eyes of others, it might just be a very ordinary courtyard, a very ordinary old building, but to Chu Ge, that building seemed like a very kind, compassionate, yet already aged relative.

Closer still, Chu Ge could see some kids playing basketball stop what they were doing.

Even closer, Chu Ge could see the expressions on those kids' faces, both curious and a bit fearful.

Finally, the car stopped at the iron gate, Chu Ge halted the car, and Ye Li and he got out one after the other.

"Big sister Ye Li!"

A few kids who looked a bit reserved previously immediately shouted her name excitedly upon seeing Ye Li, waving and running towards her.

A man in his fifties or sixties with sparse hair and a slight hunch also walked out of the reception room, smiling and greeting Ye Li.

"Little Ye Li, you're here?"

Meanwhile, he glanced at the Audi A8 at the gate, then looked up and down at Chu Ge, his gaze subtly filled with scrutiny.

"Yes, Mr. Su, I'm here to tutor the younger ones." Ye Li nodded politely.

"Come inside first, help me look at the newspaper. I've gotten old, and my eyes aren't what they used to be; some parts aren't clear to me."

Mr. Su shifted his gaze from Chu Ge and called out to Ye Li, then turned back into the reception room.

"Brother Chu, could you wait for me a moment? I'll be right out," Ye Li said apologetically to Chu Ge, then followed Mr. Su into the reception room.

Chu Ge softly acknowledged with an "mm," rubbed his slightly tingling nose, standing where he was, looking at everything around him, feeling overwhelmed with emotion.

Once inside the reception room, Mr. Su didn't bring out any newspaper. He peeked at Chu Ge through the window, then turned back to Ye Li with a frown.

"Little Ye Li, who's that boy? Dressed so finely, driving that fancy Audi what's-it-called car. Don't take offense at me being frank, but you should be careful not to be deceived by some rich playboy."

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