Chapter 307: According to My Habit

After having breakfast at Mo Qianni's house, Yang Chen drove directly to the street corner where he had agreed to meet Zhenxiu.

Since it was Christmas and it had snowed, the entire Zhonghai was filled with a festive atmosphere of joy and laughter. Many people were dressed up as Santa Claus, promoting their shops on the streets. Some were even giving away small gifts to attract customers.

When Yang Chen saw Zhenxiu, the girl was already standing in the cold wind, wearing a purple coat with a fur collar and a woolen hat.

Yang Chen rolled down the car window and called out, "Zhenxiu." The girl, shivering slightly, got into Yang Chen's car, but since she wasn't used to cars, it took her a moment to figure out how to open the door.

"Didn't we agree on 9 o'clock? I came early, and you're already here waiting. Look at you, your nose is all red," Yang Chen said with concern.

Zhenxiu smiled brightly, "It's okay. I don't sleep in, and I don't have the habit of staying in bed during winter."

Knowing that this child had grown up enduring hardships, Yang Chen didn't say more and asked, "What kind of gifts do you think the children would like?"

Zhenxiu thought for a moment, "Let's buy some candies. The orphanage isn't short on clothes or necessities, but they don't have much in the way of snacks. Since it's Christmas, buying some sweet pastries and candies would make the children happy."

Yang Chen had no objections. He wasn't very good at communicating with children; his previous visit to the orphanage, where the children ignored him, was a good example. So, he drove to the nearest department store and took Zhenxiu into the relatively empty supermarket.

As they passed by the electronic products section, Yang Chen took hold of Zhenxiu's hand.

Zhenxiu blushed as she felt her hand being held by Yang Chen, "Brother Yang, what's the matter?"

Yang Chen didn't think much of it and just led Zhenxiu to a mobile phone counter. "It's not practical for me to go to your stall every time I need to contact you. I'm going to get you a phone."

Before Zhenxiu could refuse, Yang Chen continued, "Today is Christmas, and the New Year is just around the corner. Consider it a gift from your big brother. Didn't you give me a platinum pendant last time? I want to give you something too. Choose a model you like, and I'll take care of it. You can handle the phone bills yourself, okay?"

Seeing that Yang Chen would be upset if she refused, Zhenxiu was touched and didn't decline further. After looking around, she chose a small and inexpensive phone.

After all, in this era of advanced information technology, buying a phone and completing all the necessary procedures like activation and network setup took less than half an hour.

Seeing Zhenxiu holding her very first phone with a delighted and adorable expression, Yang Chen felt genuinely happy.

Perhaps it was because they both grew up without parents and faced adversity, or perhaps it was the series of coincidences that brought them together. Yang Chen unexpectedly found himself developing a deep affection for Zhenxiu, almost as if this stubborn girl were truly his younger sister.

"Brother Yang, can I call you in the future?" Zhenxiu carefully closed the phone, her cheeks flushed from either the warmth of the heater or her shyness, and asked Yang Chen.

Yang Chen smiled, "Of course you can. Otherwise, why would I buy it for you?"

"Anytime?" Zhenxiu asked softly, with anticipation in her voice.

"Absolutely," Yang Chen nodded.

Zhenxiu's bright eyes formed crescents as she smiled.

Originally, Yang Chen had planned to take Zhenxiu shopping for new clothes. According to the custom of celebrating the Lunar New Year, one should wear new clothes. However, Zhenxiu stubbornly refused this time, insisting adamantly. Yang Chen was afraid that if he pushed her, she might refuse to cooperate at all, so he didn't insist any further.

By the time they finished buying candies and small gifts, it was almost eleven o'clock. Yang Chen placed the two large bags in the trunk of the car and drove with Zhenxiu to the New Hope Orphanage.

Arriving once again at the aged orphanage, Yang Chen saw that a decent-sized Christmas tree had been planted at the courtyard entrance. The tree was decorated with stars, plush toys, and other ornaments, making it look beautiful. Neon lights adorned the door frame, flashing in various colors.

The pure white snow accumulated on the old pine trees, weighing down their branches and giving them a slightly bent appearance. The ivy vines on the walls of the buildings were also dusted with snow, adding a special layer to their appearance despite their withered leaves.

Zhenxiu got out of the car, looking at the orphanage gate which she hadn't seen in a long time. After a moment of reflection, her eyes glistened with tears.

"Let's go in. Director Cha will surely be delighted to see you," Yang Chen said as he took out the two large bags of gifts from the car and addressed Zhenxiu.

Zhenxiu nodded, insisting on taking one of the bags from Yang Chen's hands. She held them both in her hands and said, "I'll take one too. Brother Yang, I appreciate you coming with me. I can't keep letting you do everything for me."

Yang Chen felt somewhat helpless at the clear-cut manner of this girl, but he decided to go along with her. As they ascended the steps, about to enter the orphanage gate, two tall, slim women in black suits with earpieces intercepted them. Though their appearances were ordinary, they exuded a certain martial air, likely indicating they were trained in special forces.

"Sorry, no visits allowed at the moment," said one of the women coldly, her ponytail swinging rigidly.

Yang Chen frowned. If he wasn't mistaken, both women had the stern aura of military personnel, possibly bodyguards for some important figure.

"We're here to see the children. This girl here was from this orphanage and came back today to visit the director and her younger siblings. Please make an exception," Yang Chen tried to reason politely, understanding their professional stance.

The woman with the ponytail glanced at the large plastic bags in their hands and shook her head. "Come back another day, or in the afternoon."

Disappointed, Zhenxiu glanced inside the gate and tugged at Yang Chen's sleeve. "Let's forget it, Big Brother Yang. It seems there's some big shot inside. We can come back another day."

"Another day, or maybe Christmas?" Yang Chen retorted.

"It's okay, we can come back later," Zhenxiu sighed softly.

Yang Chen turned to the woman with the ponytail. "Here's what we'll do. Could you please go in and tell the director that Xu Zhenxiu is here? See if she's willing to see us."

The other woman with short hair seemed to find this amusing. "Can't you understand? Come back this afternoon or another day. It's not about whether the director wants to see you."

Yang Chen was now displeased. They were trying to reason, not force their way in. It was Christmas morning, and they were simply two people who wanted to visit the orphanage children, armed with candies, and had politely requested consideration or at least a message delivered inside. Even if they weren't allowed, the least they could do was ask. Furthermore, even if a senior official was visiting, there was no reason to be so dismissive!

Yang Chen's expression darkened. "Let me say this one last time. Go inside and ask if Xu Zhenxiu can meet us. If you don't, don't blame me for doing something I don't particularly like doing."

The woman with the ponytail furrowed her brows but remained silent. The woman with short hair seemed to find this even more amusing. "Oh? What's that? Something you don't like doing? Give it a try."

Yang Chen didn't say another word and proceeded straight towards the gate. The two female bodyguards were alarmed to see Yang Chen attempting to enter so boldly. In unison, they moved to grab his arms and hook their legs around his knees in an attempt to restrain him.

But Yang Chen's limbs seemed as solid as reinforced concrete. Despite the martial arts skills that could overpower ordinary male special forces soldiers, their combined force of over 400 pounds exerted on vulnerable points elicited no reaction from him. He continued to advance inward.

Danger!

The two women instantly perceived him as a top-tier assassin, aiming to harm someone inside!

Suddenly, they withdrew and swiftly drew their handguns from concealed holsters. With guns trained on Yang Chen's head—one on each side—they commanded, "Drop what you're holding and raise your hands! Don't move!"

Yang Chen cast a cold glance at them, then glanced back at Zhenxiu, who stood frozen behind him.

"By my usual standards, you'd both be dead by now. But I don't want to kill here, especially not in front of this girl. I'll count to three. If you don't lower your guns, I'll do what I'd rather not do."

"Hmph, do you think we're scared?" scoffed the short-haired bodyguard, clearly not taking Yang Chen seriously.

Yang Chen sighed. Killing two foolish female bodyguards at an orphanage on Christmas—it was turning out to be a very unlucky day indeed.

As for what would happen after, Yang Chen didn't dwell on it. It wasn't recklessness; it was a matter of principle. First things first.

Just as Yang Chen prepared to incapacitate the two bodyguards without bloodshed, a clear, feminine voice echoed from a nearby corridor.

"Stop it! Xiaowen, Xiaoli, what are you doing? Put down your guns!"

Approaching them was an elegantly dressed woman in a simple winter outfit, wearing a white cashmere scarf. Her face, though showing signs of age, retained a dignified and charming allure. Her hair was neatly styled, untouched by gray, indicating meticulous care. Despite a hint of reproach in her gentle eyes, her presence did not evoke discomfort.

Yang Chen recognized the woman but couldn't quite place where he had seen her before. She seemed familiar, but the memory eluded him.

"Madam, it's dangerous! Please don't come closer!" Xiaowen, the ponytailed bodyguard, warned loudly.

Ignoring their caution, the woman continued, "He's here to see the children. He's not holding any weapons. What are you doing?"

Before she could finish speaking, the elderly orphanage director, moving slowly due to her age, caught up from behind. Excitedly, she exclaimed, "Zhenxiu? Is it really Zhenxiu?"

Zhenxiu, who had been trembling at the door just moments ago, heard the familiar voice and immediately forgot her fear. She dashed forward and threw herself into the director's arms.

"Aren't you going to put them down?" the woman asked the two bodyguards with a hint of reproach in her voice.

Xiaowen and Xiaoli exchanged a hesitant glance, reluctantly holstered their guns, but kept a wary eye on Yang Chen.