325: Chapter 325 I Bet She Won't Hit Me - 1

While the canteen was busy preparing lunch, Ye Cheng took Jiang Ye for a stroll around the orphanage.

It was completely different from the oppressive and gloomy atmosphere he had imagined; the Chenguang Orphanage was more like...

Well, a quirky, vibrant extended family full of "schemes."

Most of the children they encountered on the way were more cheerful and optimistic than Jiang Ye had expected.

Some were chasing each other on the playground, some were huddled together chattering about cartoons, and others were quietly reading books.

Of course, there were also withdrawn and introverted children, but they were few in number, and their faces didn't reflect the gloom of abandonment; rather, it was more of a peacefulness from being immersed in their own worlds.

Although this kind of collective upbringing was destined to never replace the unique, unconditional love of parents, that "highly skilled" Old Director had clearly tried every possible method.

Or rather, he had used all the "routines" he'd learned throughout his life to make up for that lack as much as possible.

He was like an old mother hen, using his own unique and sometimes even slightly "shameless" ways to protect this large brood of chicks, letting them feel the warmth of "home" and the sense of "being needed" within their limited resources.

Children who grew up here experienced the coldness of the world early on, but also learned to huddle together for warmth early on.

They might be more mature and quick-witted than their peers, even a bit "slick," but their core was warm and upward-looking.

It was a very peculiar environment and atmosphere; the children were heavily influenced by it, yet they unexpectedly grew up quite well.

Soon, the two had circled the modest yard and walked slowly toward the canteen, which was wafting the aroma of food.

Seeing Jiang Ye looking around curiously, Ye Cheng hesitated for a moment and asked softly:

"How does it feel? It's... not quite what you thought, right?"

As she spoke, she slightly averted her gaze, looking at the familiar plants and trees before her—the place that held almost all her childhood and teenage memories—and reached out to gently tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

Jiang Ye looked at the complex expression on her profile—a mix of memory, sentiment, and even a hint of pride—and was momentarily dazed.

Usually, she was either sharp and efficient or lively and cunning; she was rarely like this, as if she had dropped all her pretenses to reveal a soft and genuine side.

Speaking of which...

It seems I haven't teased Cheng Cheng in this state before...

I probably... won't get hit, right?

"What's wrong? If you have any thoughts, you can just say them."

Seeing that Jiang Ye hadn't spoken for a while and was just staring at her, Ye Cheng thought he had something difficult to say, so she turned her head and smiled:

"To be honest, I never felt that the environment I grew up in was fundamentally different from anyone else's, and I never spent my days in bitter resentment looking for my biological parents like in those melodramatic TV dramas. Although the old man..."

"Cheng Cheng..."

Before she could finish, Jiang Ye suddenly gave a soft sigh and stopped walking.

Ye Cheng was stunned by his sudden seriousness and stopped as well, blinking: "Hmm?"

Jiang Ye took a deep breath as if he had made a great resolution, his tone heavy:

"Cheng Cheng, since you asked me to be direct, then I'll be direct."

Ye Cheng's heart skipped a beat, and she suddenly had a bad feeling: "...How about you don't say it."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"If you absolutely must say it..."

"In that case, I'll be direct."

Jiang Ye took half a step forward, reached out, and gently brushed her cheek with his fingertip, his eyes full of pity: "Actually... you really don't need to feel inferior."

"???"

Ye Cheng jerked back to dodge his "demon claw," her face full of shock: "Huh? Inferior? What do I have to be inferior about?"

Jiang Ye wore an "I've already seen through everything" expression and shook his head:

"Silly girl, stop pretending. I know that being with me has put a lot of pressure on you..."

Ye Cheng looked at the "affection" that was almost overflowing from his face and opened her mouth, feeling her brain unable to keep up:

"No, Jiang Ye, were you even listening to me just now? I said I never felt..."

"I understand, I understand it all."

Jiang Ye waved his hand to interrupt her, his gaze deep: "These kinds of words are often deliberately emphasized by the person who cares about them the most in their heart. It's a psychological defense mechanism."

He paused, his tone becoming increasingly sorrowful: "I know that compared to you... I have an extra mother. This must put a lot of pressure on you. But this is something my family gave me; I can't change it, and I won't change it..."

Ye Cheng's eyes instantly widened: "Wait... hold on! Your mom... was assigned by your family?!"

"See! You really do care!"

Jiang Ye gave another long sigh: "Of course, that's only one point. There's also identity, wealth, social status, social circles... these gaps are all real and right there. It's normal for you to feel pressure; I especially understand."

He reached out, seemingly wanting to pat Ye Cheng's head again, but she slapped his hand away with a look of disgust. He didn't mind and continued with deep affection:

"These objective conditions do exist; they are an insurmountable chasm... but I hope you don't think that way."

"Although I am a prince, I have never treated you as an ugly duckling or a Cinderella."

"You are you, a woman who has worked hard to come to my side from among the common people. Your resilience and excellence are enough to make up for all of this."