You wouldn't want them to be bullied, would you?

Page 79

"Everyone in the orphanage became an orphan around that time."

"That's it..."

Cecilia nodded, then fell silent, unsure how to continue.

Seele seemed to see through Cecilia's thoughts and took the initiative to comfort her, saying, "Seele has lived in the orphanage for thirteen years and is already used to everyone there, so there's no need to feel sad for Seele."

Cecilia was slightly taken aback, then a look of delight appeared on her face.

"Seele is such a good child."

Upon hearing this, Seele smiled with delight.

Children love to be praised by others, and even the precocious Seele is no exception.

Shortly after, Qiu Bi left the restroom, hugged Cecilia from behind, and gently inhaled the fragrance of Cecilia's body.

"Qiu Bi, stop it... there are children here."

Cecilia playfully patted Qiu Bi's face, then shoved his cheek to make him let go of her.

Qiu Bi glanced at Seele, whose face was flushed with embarrassment, and said nothing more, silently releasing Cecilia.

"Cecilia, go wash up. Cocolia has prepared breakfast; you can eat after you've washed up."

"Ah."

Cecilia chuckled and nodded, then gracefully walked into the restroom.

Qiu Bi watched Cecilia walk into the restroom, then smiled and asked Seele, "Isn't she pretty?"

"Yes, big sister is very pretty."

Seele blinked, then added, "Big brother is also a very good person."

Both Qiu Bi and Cecilia possess "immortality" and "eternal youth," so even though they are both approaching forty, they still look like they are just entering their twenties.

Compared to the slow-moving Qiu Bi, Cecilia washed up very quickly, almost casually, and then left the toilet.

"Cecilia, aren't you going to put on some makeup and dress up?"

"Oh dear! Qiu Bi, I'm already 36 years old this year, and I'm way past the age of enjoying dressing up."

"But you still look as beautiful as a 23-year-old."

"Hmph~"

Cecilia chuckled softly, her face beaming with happiness and joy, clearly pleased with Qiu Bi's praise.

Then, she took Qiu Bi's right hand tightly, and while their fingers were intertwined, she continued to explain: "It's okay! It's just breakfast, it's fine without makeup - I'm very confident in my natural beauty!"

"Indeed, my wife looks great even without makeup."

Qiu Bi nodded in agreement, then reached out and stroked Cecilia's cheek.

Seele watched the two's intimate actions with a mixture of curiosity and shyness, but she didn't say anything to disturb them.

Cecilia was the first to notice Seele was still nearby, and immediately slapped away Qiu Bi's "claws".

"Qiu Bi, Xi'er is still here."

Cecilia gently reminded him, then urged, "We should go have breakfast now."

"Ah."

Qiu Bi responded softly, then looked at Xi'er and said, "Xi'er, could you please take us to the restaurant?"

“It’s no trouble at all, it’s what Seele should do.”

Seele immediately stood up and walked ahead of Qiu Bi and Cecilia, looking slightly reserved and nervous, leading them to the dining hall of Cocolia Orphanage.

Not long after, Seele led Qiu Bi and Cecilia into the restaurant.

It's more like a "hall" with a long square table than a "restaurant".

—This is the main hall on the second floor.

"Dr. Qiu Bi, Ms. Cecilia, I had Seele call you for breakfast. I hope that didn't disturb your rest?"

"No."

Qiu Bi shook his head, then looked around the second-floor restaurant.

The children in the orphanage sat around a long square table, each with a square plate containing breakfast in front of them.

While Cocolia was questioning Qiu Bi and Cecilia, Seele was already sitting obediently in her seat, quietly finishing her breakfast.

Perhaps because of Cocolia's presence, the children were very quiet, even though there were quite a few of them, and each child was eating silently.

Chapter 111 The "Rumors" About the Orphanage

Breakfast at Cocolia Orphanage is simple, even "simple".

—Black bread, blini, and oatmeal.

Although each child is only given one serving, they can ask for another if they are not full, thus avoiding food waste.

"Dr. Qiu Bi, Ms. Cecilia, please take a seat."

Cocolia smiled gently and gestured for Qiu Bi and Cecilia to sit in the empty seats.

At this time, children finished eating one after another, but did not leave the table immediately. Instead, they curiously looked at Qiu Bi and Cecilia.

Having long been accustomed to similar situations, Qiu Bi and Cecilia remained calm and carefully savored the breakfast at Cocolia Orphanage.

The black bread and blini weren't particularly delicious, but for Qiu Bi and Cecilia, who rarely ate similar foods, they were a rare treat.

After a quick breakfast, Cocolia shooed the children away, leaving only Seele by her side.

"Dr. Qiu, it may take a few more days before we can conduct physical examinations on the children."

"There was an accident?"

"It's not exactly an accident, it's just that the medical equipment hasn't been delivered to the orphanage yet."

"Actually, you can take the children to the hospital for a check-up."

“Dr. Qiu Bi, it’s not that I don’t want to take the children to the hospital for check-ups, but there are too many children, and I might accidentally mix up their conditions.”

It's fine to let Cocolia handle various government affairs, but to ask her to remember the children's illnesses and medication dosages would undoubtedly be putting her in a difficult position.

There are too many children in the orphanage. Even if you carry a memo to keep track of everything, you can still accidentally administer the wrong medication.

After all, Cocolia is not a doctor and cannot distinguish between different drugs or their adverse reactions.

Most drugs look very similar, but their compositions are completely different, making them very easy to confuse.

"I understand."

Qiu Bi nodded slightly, indicating that he understood.

In fact, if Qiu Bi hadn't already worked at the hospital for 12 years, he might have been like Cocolia, unable to distinguish between different medications.

"Dr. Qiu Bi, Ms. Cecilia, I'll trouble you to stay at the Cocolia Orphanage for the next few days. I'll have Seele accompany you so you can adapt to life at the orphanage as quickly as possible."

"Ok."

Qiu Bi and Cecilia both nodded, offering no objection to Cocolia's arrangement.

Then, Cocolia gently stroked Seele's hair and whispered in her ear, as if telling her about some arrangements.

From Seele's slightly nervous expression, it's not hard to guess that Cocolia was instructing Seele to get closer to Qiubi and Cecilia.

Seele bit her lip lightly, said nothing more, and simply nodded silently.

Cocolia smiled gently, kissed Seele's forehead, and then looked at Qiu Bi and Cecilia.

"Dr. Qiu Bi, Ms. Cecilia, I'm entrusting Seele to you."

"Actually, we should be the ones troubling Seele."

Upon hearing this, Cocolia chuckled and, without further ado, gently nudged Seele, guiding her toward Qiubi and Cecilia.

Seele seemed to realize something and suddenly turned to look at Cocolia, only to meet Cocolia's loving gaze.

“Cocolia’s mother, Seele will take good care of the older brothers and sisters.”

"Yes, Mom has always believed in you."

Cocolia nodded slightly and then said, "Dr. Qiu Bi, I still have some things to take care of. Next, let Seele show you around the orphanage."

After saying that, Cocolia waved her hand and turned to leave without any hesitation.

Seele watched Cocolia leave, then looked at Qiu Bi and Cecilia, and introduced herself again: "Seele Freya, this is Seele's name. I look forward to working with you from now on."

"Yes, Cecilia and I both know your name. Please take care of me from now on, Seele."

“Seele is already 13 years old this year, which is not young anymore.”

Although Seele is only 13 years old, her thoughts and cognition are equivalent to those of an adult, making her much more mature than her peers.

If we had to find a point of reference, it would be quite similar to Bella from the past.

Perhaps because the Second Honkai War took place a year earlier than in the original story, not only was Bronya born earlier than in the original story, but Seele was also born a year earlier than in the original story.

"Yes, Seele is not only a good child, but also a little adult."

Cecilia knelt down in front of Seele and gently stroked Seele's cheek.

Seele seemed to be getting close to a stranger for the first time, and couldn't help but blush.

"Hmph~ Seele is such a cute child."

Cecilia smiled gently and couldn't help but hug Seele, as if she were embracing her own daughters.

Seele's hands pressed against Cecilia's, as if she was resisting, or perhaps uncomfortable with this behavior.

"Um... Big sister, Seele will first show you around the orphanage, and then introduce you to everyone there."

"Okay, then I'll leave it to Seele."

Cecilia released Seele and instead took Seele's little hand, letting Seele lead her and Qiu Bi on a tour of the orphanage.

……

Tuesday, April 2012, 2.