106: Chapter 107 An unexpected encounter with Shen Nian on the way back to the city.

Compared to the crowded and messy shantytowns, the environment of the Welfare Institute was much cleaner, but it still exuded a lingering coldness and... oppression. The white walls, neat beds, and the smell of disinfectant made everything look orderly, yet it lacked the warmth of a home.

The director was a kind-faced middle-aged woman in her fifties surnamed Chen. Hearing Yu Bo's purpose, she received him warmly, but there was a hint of imperceptible fatigue and... helplessness in her eyes.

"Niu Niu is in the activity room." Director Chen sighed, her eyes filled with pity. "That child... is extremely introverted. She doesn't like to talk or play with other children; she always hides in a corner by herself. Let's go take a look."

Yu Bo nodded and followed Director Chen to the activity room. In the spacious room, a dozen children were playing, with laughter and noise filling the air. But in the farthest corner by the window, a thin, small figure sat quietly on a small stool with her back to the door, holding a tattered rag doll and staring blankly out the window. The sunlight streaming through the window cast a faint halo over her, making her appear even more lonely and... desolate.

"That's Niu Niu," Director Chen whispered, her voice laced with heartache. "She's four years old and was abandoned. Because of... the issues with her face and speech, the other children... aren't very willing to play with her. She's gotten used to it and always stays by herself."

Yu Bo's heart sank slightly, as if it had been tugged by something. He lightened his steps and walked over slowly, stopping a few paces away from Niu Niu. He crouched down, his voice as gentle as a spring breeze. "Hello, Niu Niu. I'm from the 'Yin Angel' Foundation, and I'm here to help you."

Niu Niu's body suddenly stiffened. Her small hands gripped the rag doll tightly, and her shoulders trembled slightly, but she didn't look back.

Yu Bo felt a pang in his heart, but a more gentle and pure smile appeared on his face. There was no hint of pity or sympathy in his eyes, only sincere affection and... a reassuring warmth. He took a brand-new, cute plush rabbit from his bag and gently placed it on the windowsill next to her, his voice soft. "Look, the little bunny is saying hello to you. It says, 'Hello, Niu Niu, can we be friends?'"

Niu Niu's body paused for a moment. Her fingers gripping the rag doll tightened secretly, but she didn't move.

Yu Bo didn't rush her; he just looked at her tenderly, his voice becoming even softer. "Niu Niu, I'm here to help you. Once your face and mouth are fixed, you'll be able to laugh happily and speak clearly just like the other children, and play with the little bunny. How does that sound?"

Niu Niu still didn't look back, but Yu Bo keenly noticed her small ears twitch slightly as if she were listening intently. His heart softened, and he continued, "Once you're better, our Niu Niu will become super pretty, just like a little princess. Then, you'll be able to make many, many good friends, and everyone can play, laugh, sing, and dance together. Okay?"

Niu Niu's shoulders stopped trembling, and her fingers gripping the rag doll loosened slightly. After a long while, she finally turned her head slowly—extremely slowly—and stole a timid glance at Yu Bo before quickly lowering her head again. However, her small hand reached out secretly and gently touched the plush rabbit on the windowsill.

Yu Bo was delighted. A more gentle smile appeared on his face as he said softly, "Do you like it? It's for you."

Niu Niu hesitated for a moment before nodding slightly. Her small hand gripped the rabbit plush tightly. Her lips twitched as if she wanted to smile, but because of the cleft lip and palate, the smile looked a bit strange, yet it exuded a heart-wrenching innocence.

Seeing her holding the plushie so carefully, Yu Bo's heart softened, his eyes incredibly tender. He didn't say anything more, just sat quietly with her. The warm sunlight bathed them both, and the air was filled with a quiet and... cozy atmosphere.

Director Chen stood not far away, watching this scene. Her eyes grew slightly misty, and a gratified smile appeared on her lips. She could tell that Mr. Yu truly wanted to help these children. His gaze was so gentle and sincere, without a hint of charity or pity, only a pure desire to give warmth and hope.

The last family lived in an old residential area in the suburbs. The child was a seven-year-old boy named Xiao Lei. Compared to the previous two families, Xiao Lei was slightly older. Although he was also introverted and taciturn due to his cleft lip and palate, communication was much smoother. His parents were simple, honest workers who were both grateful for and cooperative with the Foundation's arrival. Verifying the situation, filling out forms, and explaining the process—everything proceeded in an orderly fashion. When they left, Xiao Lei's father—a dark-skinned, sturdy man with reddened eyes—gripped Yu Bo's hand tightly, repeatedly saying "thank you." The strength from that heavy, calloused palm made Yu Bo feel the weight of this work once again.

Having finished the day's visits, fatigue washed over him like a tide, but his heart was filled with a sense of peace. Yu Bo drove back to the city. The lights were just coming on, and the traffic was heavy. Stopping at a red light, he rubbed his aching brow, his gaze unconsciously sweeping across the street.

Then, he saw her.

Shen Nian.

She was standing in front of an exquisitely decorated French dessert shop, holding a small paper bag with the shop's logo, seemingly having just finished shopping. She wore a well-tailored beige trench coat, her long hair draped softly over her shoulders. Her slender profile stood out like a scenery of its own under the city's neon lights. She seemed to have spotted his car as well, as her gaze turned toward him, meeting his eyes through the car window.

Yu Bo's heart skipped a beat, almost imperceptibly. There were no expected waves of emotion, only a faint, almost unfamiliar calmness. He watched as, after a brief moment of being stunned, a perfectly timed smile of surprise quickly spread across her face, and she waved at him.

Hesitation lasted only a split second. Yu Bo turned on his blinker, slowly pulled over to the side of the road, and rolled down the window.

"Yu Bo? What a coincidence." Shen Nian walked over, leaned down slightly to look into the car, her smile gentle and carrying a perfectly measured familiarity. "Just finished work?"

"Yeah, taking care of some things." Yu Bo's tone was flat. His gaze landed on her face but quickly moved away. "Where are you going? If it's on the way, I can give you a lift."

"That would be great; I was just worried about how hard it is to get a taxi." Shen Nian followed his lead, opened the passenger door, and sat down. The car was instantly filled with the elegant scent of her perfume—not overpowering, but very present.

The car merged back into the traffic. Shen Nian naturally found topics to talk about, discussing a recent merger and acquisition case in the industry. Her tone was relaxed, carrying her usual sharp and insightful analysis. Yu Bo occasionally gave brief responses, spending most of the time just listening, his eyes focused on the road ahead, his fingers resting steadily on the steering wheel.

At a slightly longer red light, Yu Bo stopped the car. Shen Nian's words paused for a moment. Her right hand, which had been resting casually on the armrest, seemingly unintentionally and very naturally, lightly landed on Yu Bo's right thigh. Through the high-quality fabric of his suit trousers, he could clearly feel the slight warmth of her palm and the faint, tentative pressure she applied.

Yu Bo's body stiffened for an imperceptible moment. He didn't move immediately, nor did he even turn to look at her; he just kept his eyes fixed on the flickering red numbers ahead, though his jawline tightened slightly.

Shen Nian's fingers didn't move, nor did she increase the pressure; they just rested there like a feather, yet also like a small, burning brand. Her voice became softer and closer, carrying a faint, almost non-existent sigh as it brushed against his ear. "Yu Bo, you seem... to have lost some weight. Have you been very tired lately?"

Her breath, the temperature of her fingertips, and the intimacy and concern she deliberately cultivated in her words wove an invisible, ambiguous web within the enclosed car.

Yu Bo remained silent for two seconds. Just as the curve of Shen Nian's lips deepened and her fingertips were about to apply slight pressure to move gently up the line of his leg—

Yu Bo moved.