84: Chapter 84 A Special Hobby!
"Brother, do you have anything to do today?"
Chen Xiaoran asked, tilting her head playfully while holding her spoon.
"Nothing much."
Shen Zhou yawned.
"That's great, Brother. How about you accompany me to the Welfare Institute?"
"The children there are really adorable."
Chen Xiaoran's eyes lit up.
As it turned out, she had been participating in volunteer projects at the Welfare Institute for a long time.
She visited the children's Welfare Institute at least once every month.
She got along very well with the children and the director of the Welfare Institute.
She also really loved the joyful atmosphere of spending time with the children.
"No problem, we'll head over in a while."
Shen Zhou nodded and agreed without hesitation.
Then he asked in his mind.
"Brother System, does doing charity work count as consumption?"
"The host must confirm that every cent donated is used for specific, itemizable charitable purposes; otherwise, it will not be counted."
Hearing this, Shen Zhou nodded in satisfaction.
Even if the system hadn't said anything, he wouldn't just donate money randomly.
He couldn't trust any so-called large charitable organizations.
It was better to do some real, practical work himself.
This was also a good opportunity to deepen his relationship with Chen Xiaoran.
After finishing their meal, Shen Zhou drove Chen Xiaoran to the entrance of a children's Welfare Institute.
The large iron gate at the front of the Welfare Institute was covered in rust.
The small two-story building inside the courtyard also looked very dilapidated.
In the center of the courtyard, there was even a tree thick enough to require three people to hug it.
Patches of shade covered the sunlight in the courtyard.
It immediately gave this old Welfare Institute a unique, historic atmosphere.
"It's so nice. This big banyan tree is my favorite."
Chen Xiaoran, who had just jumped out of the car, couldn't help but spread her arms and take a deep breath.
"Auntie Song, it's me!"
Seeing an auntie in her sixties walking out in a hurry, Chen Xiaoran quickly greeted her.
This Auntie Song was the auntie in charge of the cafeteria at this Welfare Institute.
Although the pay here wasn't high, Auntie Song had already been working here for over thirty years.
"Xiaoran, you're still as beautiful as ever. Did you bring your boyfriend with you this time?"
A warm smile appeared on Auntie Song's face.
"Auntie Song, this is my boyfriend, Shen Zhou."
"Shen Zhou, this is Auntie Song from the cafeteria. She is a very wonderful auntie and is very well-liked by the children."
Chen Xiaoran hugged Auntie Song's arm, smiling as she introduced the two parties.
"Hello, Auntie Song."
Shen Zhou parked the car first, then got out with a smile to greet her.
"Since you're Xiaoran's boyfriend, I won't stand on ceremony with you."
"Come on, let's go inside first. Don't stay out here in the sun."
With Chen Xiaoran supporting her, Auntie Song led the way, and the group walked into the two-story building.
"Xiaoran, how have you been lately? Is filming exhausting?"
Auntie Song asked with concern.
She only knew that Chen Xiaoran was an actress.
All she could do every day was pray silently for her after Chen Xiaoran left, hoping she would become a real big star.
She also hoped that a kind girl like Chen Xiaoran could truly find a suitable boyfriend.
Therefore, as they walked along, Auntie Song kept a close eye on every move Shen Zhou made.
She was afraid that Chen Xiaoran would be deceived by Shen Zhou.
Auntie Song's behavior made Shen Zhou even more satisfied and reassured about this Welfare Institute.
After all, even if he wanted to spend money, he didn't want to spend it on a disguised den of iniquity.
"Don't worry, Auntie Song. I've changed to a new boss recently, and he treats me very well."
"And I'm not alone anymore!"
Chen Xiaoran, full of happiness, hugged Shen Zhou's arm.
With Auntie Song on her left and Shen Zhou on her right, she suddenly felt a strong sense of security welling up deep in her heart.
"That's right, Auntie Song. From now on, no matter what happens to Xiaoran, I will appear at the first opportunity."
Shen Zhou immediately gave his assurance.
And he had always acted accordingly.
"Good, good, good."
Auntie Song nodded with a smile.
The three of them walked very slowly, and Auntie Song's right leg seemed to have a limp.
"Auntie Song, what's wrong with your leg? Why has it become so serious now?"
Chen Xiaoran was immediately worried.
"It's an old ailment. It hurts whenever it rains."
"It's nothing major. People my age all have these kinds of problems."
Auntie Song was quite open-minded, smiling and explaining a few words.
Chen Xiaoran's mouth opened slightly, but she decided not to keep pressing for details.
She knew that it was absolutely impossible for Auntie Song to go to the hospital and spend money on treatment.
And she had previously wanted to take Auntie Song to the hospital, but had been refused by Auntie Song without hesitation.
The atmosphere became somewhat heavy, and Chen Xiaoran frowned tightly.
She didn't know how to persuade the stubborn Auntie Song.
"How about this, Auntie Song, let the two of us take you to the hospital to get it checked out in a while."
"No matter what the illness is, we must treat it as early as possible."
"The children at the Welfare Institute still need you to accompany them as they grow up."
Shen Zhou said.
"Forget it, there's no need to spend that money."
"For someone my age, who doesn't have some ailment?"
"Anyway, I've come to terms with it. Whatever happens, happens."
Auntie Song was very broad-minded, but she had no intention of going to the hospital at all.
"Auntie Song, you can't keep dragging this out. Besides, even if Xiaoran leaves today, she'll keep worrying about this."
"Auntie, don't worry, I will pay for all the medical and treatment costs."
"You can see that Chen Xiaoran and I have very good living conditions now."
"Please rest assured, your medical expenses are not a burden to us at all."
Shen Zhou even gestured towards the sports car parked in the courtyard.
However, even so, Auntie Song still refused.
Chen Xiaoran, who was on the side, was getting anxious.
Just as she was about to continue speaking, Shen Zhou tugged on her arm and shook his head gently.
He knew that people like Auntie Song probably didn't want to cause trouble for others for their entire lives.
So, he would have to find a new angle for this matter.
After careful consideration, Shen Zhou immediately took out his mobile phone and sent a text message.
Auntie Song took Shen Zhou and the other to see the children.
In the end, the group came to the director's office.
After some careful pleasantries, Shen Zhou noticed that the director's brows were tightly furrowed the whole time.
During the conversation, she always maintained a sorrowful appearance.
"Director, Chen Xiaoran and I are here at the Welfare Institute to help out today."
"If you have anything on your mind, feel free to say it. Even if we can't help, perhaps we can offer you an idea."
"After all, three cobblers are better than one Zhuge Liang."
Shen Zhou said.
"That's right, Director. As soon as I arrived today, I felt that you and Auntie Song were both a bit off, as if there was something you were hiding from me."
Chen Xiaoran also said with some concern.