Before he knew it, one adorable little head after another popped up outside the room's window, whispering among themselves.

But the moment Ye Chang'an turned to look at them, they all laughed and ran off one by one. It made Chang'an smile too.

The orphanage no longer belonged only to those original ten children and their beloved Director Brother, Ye Chang'an.

Ever since Ye Shixia became the director, she had Ye Chang'an's remaining assets on one side, and support from the Chang'an Foundation on the other.

The orphanage began to expand. Quite a few of the buildings that had once seemed a little extravagant were torn down, replaced with standard buildings that could house more children.

So it was only natural for Ye Chang'an to feel that the orphanage had changed. Still, it was a change that made him happy.

Most of the children here were between six and ten years old, and the adoption process was already very well established.

Not only that, the staff in every area had been hired at high salaries. There would absolutely never be a case of casually finding a few village aunties to look after the children.

A lot of orphanages and nursing homes can't offer good pay, so the people they hire are often drifters with nothing better to do. But Chang'an Orphanage would never do that, never bring in staff who couldn't truly take responsibility for the children.

Even Ye Shixia herself was one of the staff here. The title of director wasn't just for show.

"It feels like the orphanage has gotten livelier," Ye Chang'an said sincerely.

"Mm, though sometimes it's a headache too." Ye Shixia smiled sweetly and had already returned to her seat.

"Right now, the number of children in the orphanage is kept between thirty and forty. With help from the foundation, once a suitable adoptive family is found, we'll arrange for them to meet the child. In the end, we follow the child's wishes and complete the adoption."

"Even after the adoption, the foundation still sends out dedicated staff to monitor things. To put it plainly, it's kind of like having private detectives. It makes sure the children really do end up in families that can make them happy."

"Otherwise, the adoptive family might even receive a court summons. The foundation and the orphanage would file suit together and revoke their adoption rights."

After hearing that, Ye Chang'an was clearly surprised. But it was the kind of surprise that came with deep emotion.

"I didn't expect the foundation to be this complete now. Back then, our Chang'an Orphanage couldn't even manage a proper adoption process."

Ye Shixia pouted proudly.

"Who said there was no adoption? Dad was our adoptive father."

"None of us wanted to leave Dad or leave the orphanage. Because no family out there could've been better than the one Dad created, or warmer than the home he gave us..." As she spoke, a look of reminiscence appeared on Ye Shixia's face, and her eyes turned dreamy.

Ye Chang'an rubbed his nose. He was obviously a little embarrassed.

After a while, he murmured,

"You've worked hard..."

Ye Shixia shook her head, her tone carrying a playful edge.

"After bitterness comes sweetness."

Ye Chang'an coughed lightly. He clearly knew what the girl was hinting at.

Girls really do change as they grow up. Now she could tease him without blushing in the slightest.

In Shixia's heart, Ye Chang'an was the sweetness in her life.

At last, their conversation reached the question Chang'an had always wanted to ask, yet had hesitated over, afraid he might hear bad news.

"Shixia, I missed a lot. Luckily, I finally got to see you again."

"Do you still keep in touch with the others? Tamako, Qingxiang, Qianqian... Irisviel, Yige... Yan Ye, Leng Lingren..."

Ye Chang'an spoke one familiar name after another, and the guilt in his heart grew heavier and heavier.

But honestly, why should he feel guilty? Their five years apart had never been his fault to begin with.

The world, and some certain moment in time, had suddenly decided things were bad.

Anyway, putting that aside, life had really toyed with Ye Chang'an, this shut-in otaku, and cruelly taken away the five years he should've spent living happily with everyone.

Sometimes, five years is enough to thin out familiarity and feelings between two people until they fade like smoke.

Of course, at the very least, Ye Chang'an was certain of one thing: the bond between him and Shixia had never faded.

If anything, it had settled deeper and deeper, like trees and primeval forests from millions of years ago sinking underground and becoming precious coal and oil.

Distance had made beauty. It had deepened love. Nothing could describe the two of them more fittingly.

A trace of loneliness appeared on Ye Shixia's face. In truth, even she, the eldest sister, could no longer reach everyone now.

Not everyone was still in Anyang City, either.

Seeing that Ye Shixia was thinking and reminiscing, Ye Chang'an didn't interrupt her.

He turned his head and made faces at the children outside the window, who were curiously watching the two of them.

The children outside giggled, their faces bright with happy smiles. From that alone, it was clear that life in the orphanage had become carefree, with no more shadows hanging over them.

"As for the children still in Anyang City..." Ye Shixia's voice drew Ye Chang'an back to attention. "There are only four left..."