317: Chapter 317 has been deleted! Completely deleted! - 2

What do you mean? Is the moral kidnapping you mentioned about me donating money?

Jiang Ye blinked. Seeing her nod, he couldn't help but grin: "Cheng Cheng, you know me. My biggest trait is—I have no morals. Who wants to kidnap me? Not a chance!"

It’s precisely because I know you too well that I’ve been on high alert and haven’t dared to let you come over easily.

Ye Cheng shook her head, looking at him with an expression that said, "Oh, give it a rest."

Don't look at how you usually act—abstract, unreliable, and full of nonsense. I know better than anyone that beneath your seemingly cynical exterior lies a soul that is incredibly soft-hearted, passionate, loving, compassionate, and even possesses an excessive sense of justice!

...Hm?

Hearing this string of flattery, Jiang Ye squinted suspiciously: "Comrade Ye Cheng, be honest, have you done something to wrong me? Are you trying to butter me up first?"

"Butter your head!"

Ye Cheng slapped his arm impatiently: "Anyway, let's minimize any trouble. Hurry up and change your clothes!"

Seeing her serious expression, although Jiang Ye still felt it was a bit exaggerated, he had to compromise. Muttering, "Fine, fine, I'll listen to you, I really give up on you," he started taking off his jacket and pants.

Seeing that he had finally started, Ye Cheng finally breathed a sigh of relief.

While continuing to act as a "sentry," peering outside the car, she kept explaining:

"Let me tell you, the situation at our orphanage is a bit special. Although the policies are good now, with state funding and social donations, the children have no problem getting enough to eat, wearing warm clothes, and going to school. But our director... he's a little old man who is extremely idealistic and super responsible."

Jiang Ye pulled on the rough black sweater, feeling it prickle his neck, and couldn't help but squirm: "Idealistic? Responsible? Aren't those good things?"

"They are good things, but sometimes when they go too far, they become a burden."

Ye Cheng handed him the jeans and sighed: "He feels that the orphanage isn't just about raising the children. He hopes to take responsibility for the life of every child who leaves here, doing his best to pave the way for them so they can have a better future. Like when I went to Shenyin, a large part of my tuition and living expenses for my freshman and sophomore years was scraped together by the old man, who swallowed his pride and tried every possible way to get it for me."

Jiang Ye paused while changing his pants and looked up at her.

Ye Cheng's expression was calm, as if she were talking about someone else's affairs, but he could feel the deep gratitude hidden beneath that calmness.

"But everyone's thinking is different."

Ye Cheng changed the subject, her tone tinged with helplessness: "The old man's philosophy has indeed helped many children who know how to be grateful and strive for improvement. But at the same time... sigh, it has also spoiled some people. It makes some feel that it's only natural for the orphanage to help them, and even after leaving, when they encounter any difficulties, they habitually reach out to the orphanage."

She folded the clothes Jiang Ye had taken off, put them back into the original bag, and stuffed them under the seat to hide them:

"So you see, although the basic security is there, the burden on the old man's shoulders hasn't lightened at all. He always feels that money isn't enough and is still trying every way to raise funds to help more people. And as for me..."

Ye Cheng pointed to her own face: "Looking like this, I naturally became the number one target for his 'great potential.' He used to nag me whenever he had the chance, saying things like, 'Little Ye, you must be careful when looking for a partner. Don't just find anyone. You'd better find someone who is... um... focused on their career.' In reality, he just wanted me to find a rich boyfriend to bring back more money to repay the orphanage."

Hearing this unique logic, Jiang Ye was speechless, his mouth twitching.

Watching his expression, Ye Cheng couldn't help but smile, reaching out to straighten his slightly messy collar, her tone softening:

"But I know the old man is just talking. If I really found someone reliable who treated me well, he would definitely be happier than anyone. Of course..."

She blinked mischievously: "If my 'true love' happened to have a little money... then the old man would probably be so happy he'd take off on the spot! And the next second, he would start thinking about how to trick you into 'contributing more' to the orphanage. That's why I asked you to disguise yourself, to nip his ideas in the bud."

Ye Cheng paused, putting away her joking expression, looking into Jiang Ye's eyes, her tone becoming exceptionally solemn:

"Jiang Ye, listen carefully. The orphanage has been kind to me. I remember this kindness and will repay it. But this is Ye Cheng's own business, and it has nothing to do with you. Don't you dare get a hot head and pull some mysterious stunts like 'Oh, I must repay the debt for my woman' or 'Oh, my woman must have face.' I have my own way of repaying."

Her gaze was clear and firm: "I grew up here and know the situation of every child in the orphanage inside out. I will choose those who truly need help and are worth helping, and use my own ability to help them. This way, I can truly help people without fostering a culture of expecting something for nothing."

Hearing this, Jiang Ye finally couldn't help but scratch his head and asked a question that had been lingering for a long time:

"So... you've been living frugally and saving money all this time just to repay the orphanage and help those children?"

"Huh? No."

"No?"

"Of course not! Are you crazy? I'm no saint!"

Ye Cheng seemed to have heard a strange question and clicked her tongue: "How much money can it cost to help a few kids? If I pick and choose, a few thousand a month is the absolute limit! Didn't I already tell you the reason I'm saving money?"

She reached out and poked Jiang Ye's chest: "What if I misjudged you? What if you, Jiang Ye, are just a heartless scumbag who plays around and runs, pulling up your pants and refusing to acknowledge anything? I have to leave myself a way out, right? Save more money, do some proper financial management, and ensure that even if you kick me to the curb, I can still finish college smoothly and continue to live a good, dignified life, right?"

As she said this, as if to increase her persuasiveness, she casually took out her phone and opened the Alipay wealth management interface:

"Look, this investment I bought last month, 60,000 yuan principal, earned 120 yuan in 20 days. And JD.com Finance, and these bank apps, I've put some in all of them. Diversified investment, don't put all your eggs in one basket... eh? This one looks good, let's buy some!"

"..."

Jiang Ye looked down at the red and green curves and numbers on the screen, then looked up at the Ye Cheng in front of him who had just casually invested another 5,000.

Damn it!

Can I just delete that entire inner monologue of mine before getting off the car, all those psychological activities about 'scars,' 'fragility,' and 'hugging for warmth'?!

I'm never going to 'keenly observe' anything ever again!

This woman... is absolutely impossible to read!