Chapter 257: From Deserted to Bustling

Chapter 257: Chapter 257: From Deserted to Bustling

"The other children have all gone to their classes. I even brought the director, Grandma, along."

After having the children line up and get off the bus, Li Qian’Er walked over to Jiang Fan.

"Alright, children, this is our new school now. Everyone needs to be on their best behavior, okay?"

"Come and meet your new teachers."

Jiang Fan was smiling happily, and the children were smiling even more happily.

"President Jiang, have the children been assigned to their classes yet?"

Ying asked curiously.

"Not yet. I’ll be leaving that job to you all."

"Understood."

Ying and several other preschool teachers led all the children into the classrooms, sorting them into classes according to age.

Jiang Fan followed behind with Li Qian’Er and the director.

"Why is this school so big?"

The director kept looking all around her.

"A school this large... you must have spent a lot of money, right?"

"I told you two before..."

Seeing that the director was about to say more, Jiang Fan quickly grabbed her arm.

"Alright, Grandma, we’ve already bought it. It’s no use saying any more, is it?"

"Besides, this school really wasn’t expensive."

"Look, most of these things for the children were donated by other people."

He had no choice but to quickly change the subject.

The director looked in the direction Jiang Fan was pointing.

She saw the teachers handing out new backpacks to the children one by one. The bags contained brand-new stationery, textbooks, and reading materials.

"Everyone, please try on your new school uniforms. If they don’t fit, a teacher will help you exchange it for another one."

The teachers all spoke with incredible gentleness.

The children were all very well-behaved, or perhaps more accurately, a bit shy and ill at ease.

It was the first time in their lives they had ever left the orphanage, and the first time they had ever sat in such a bright classroom.

There were beautiful murals, so many books and reading materials, and brand-new desks, chairs, and stationery.

These were all things that had once been far beyond their wildest dreams.

"Xue sent all of these things."

Jiang Fan said with a smile, giving her the credit.

"That girl Xue spent so much money again. You have to treat her well in the future."

Watching this scene, the director couldn’t stop smiling. It wasn’t that she didn’t want the children to receive a better education and live in a better environment; she wanted it more than anyone.

It was just that in the past, there had been far too many difficulties.

"Grandma, shall I take you to see the children’s dormitories?"

"We’ll leave things here to them. Don’t worry, they’re all professionals and can handle it."

"Jiang, I want to go too!"

Li Qian’Er chimed in eagerly.

"Alright, alright. Let’s all go have a look."

"I’ll give you a tour of the campus while we’re at it."

After leaving the academic building, Jiang Fan gave them a tour, pointing out the various buildings and other features of the school.

Just then, a car suddenly pulled up to the school gate.

Before Jiang Fan could say a word, Li Jiaxiang and his secretary stepped out of the car.

Following them was a group of photographers carrying professional cameras with large lenses.

"Jiang, what’s going on?"

Li Qian’Er was bewildered.

"The kids have to be interviewed just to go to school? That looks like the local Yang City television station, doesn’t it?"

"He’s the one who helped us sort things out that night."

"Grandma, Qian’Er, don’t say anything for a moment. Just let me handle this."

"Alright."

The director agreed readily, while Li Qian’Er grew thoughtful.

"Mr. Li, what are you doing here?"

"And these people with you are...?"

Jiang Fan walked up to them and asked curiously.

"I heard you were having the kids start school today."

"So I brought some people over to give you some support."

Li Jiaxiang reached out and patted Jiang Fan on the shoulder.

"Mr. Li, don’t try to pull my leg. This was a last-minute arrangement."

"How could you possibly have known ahead of time?"

Jiang Fan couldn’t help but give a wry smile.

"You, honestly... I’m here to take care of any potential future trouble for you."

"This is your local Yang City television station. I specifically called them here to cover this."

"This story will be broadcast all over Yang City."

At these last words, Jiang Fan instantly understood.

He couldn’t help but feel a wave of warmth wash over him.

’He’s using his own resources, connections, and status to be the backer for the orphanage’s Hidden Dragon Academy!’

’And why? Isn’t it because he’s afraid someone might try to cause trouble for me?’

"Mr. Li, you..."

Jiang Fan was so moved he was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Alright, cut the sentimental stuff. I was coming to see the school today anyway. The timing just worked out."

"You guys, take a few photos, then head to the classrooms and see the students."

Li Jiaxiang said coolly, turning his head.

The reporters and photographers remained silent. They quickly snapped a couple of photos of Jiang Fan shaking hands with Li Jiaxiang, then rushed toward the classrooms.

"Mr. Li, over there are the director of our orphanage and my sister, Li Qian’er."

Just then, Li Qian’Er and the director came over.

"Auntie, how old are you, if I may ask?"

Li Jiaxiang reached out and took the director’s hand.

The motion was as smooth as flowing water, looking exceptionally natural.

"I’m over seventy now, almost eighty."

"If you’ll permit an old woman to be presumptuous, I’ll call you ’young man.’ Thank you so much for everything you did before."

"My grandson here told me all about it. If it hadn’t been for you, who knows what would have become of the orphanage."

The director thanked him from the bottom of her heart. Letting go of Li Jiaxiang’s hand, she started to bow to him.

This startled Li Jiaxiang. "Please, ma’am, don’t do that! I called you ’Auntie’—we’re family."

"This young man here is our daughter Mu Wan’s boyfriend. My wife and I are both extremely fond of him."

"By that logic, I’m your junior. A gesture like that from you is more than I can bear."

"Huh?"

The director was dumbfounded.

’How did I never know my grandson was this impressive?’

’He has another one?’

’He’s even met her parents, and they’re this pleased with him? And her family is so powerful?’

"This... I knew this little brat hadn’t told you!"

Without even turning around, Li Jiaxiang swatted the back of Jiang Fan’s head with the back of his hand.

Jiang Fan clutched his head with both hands, wincing in pain.