The director studied Ningguang's expression and recognized a hint of playful restraint in her eyes. Sensing she was teasing Lin Tian, she discreetly stepped aside, allowing the young boy to stand clear in view.
[Wow, Ningguang's intimidating, huh?]
[Yeah, Lin Tian already apologized.]
[Should he call estate management next?]
A flurry of barrage chatter surrounded them, mostly noise, but Lin Tian focused on Ningguang's expression.
He lifted his face, showing seriousness despite his youth. "So... what must I do to earn your forgiveness?"
Lin Tian had already pieced together Ningguang's mind: as a Tianquan candidate, she'd avoid scandal. Arguing with a child would be embarrassing for her and could harm her campaign.
He stood firm, refusing to walk away from this moment.
Ningguang paused to inspect him more closely. Those pupils… they weren't just dark; they glimmered with gold. Intrigue sparked within her.
After collecting her thoughts, she spoke clearly: "To be honest, you've offended me twice. The first time was at the Harbor Market—selling ordinary lilies as Glaze Lilies and trying to deceive me. And when I confronted you, you panicked and fell into the water. If I hadn't stepped in to rescue you, you might have drowned." Her tone softened slightly as she acknowledged the truth.
Lin Tian's cheeks heated. He remembered waking up later at Bubbling Inn: it had been Ningguang's people, not the hotel staff, who found him. He wasn't prepared to thank her then.
She continued, her gaze steady on the golden flecks in his eyes. "Then just now, you burst into the courtyard and accused me. That disturbed the director and could damage my reputation."
Her words cut into his conscience: the facts were undeniable.
He lowered his head, voice soft as silk. "Everything you said is true... I beg your pardon. I warrant the blame."
Ningguang's lips curved in a faint, satisfied smile. Though he had flaws, his honesty was refreshing.
She stretched a slim, pale hand toward a nearby stack of supplies. The pile was massive—likely hundreds of kilograms of donated items. "As you've offended me twice, your penalty is to help transfer these supplies to the warehouse."
Lin Tian looked at the mountain of goods, mind racing: why hadn't he noticed it before? He nodded eagerly. "Yes. I understand."
The punishment was reasonable: manual labor, not humiliation or monetary fine. A child could safely learn responsibility this way.
Ningguang angled her head, then resumed chatting with the director. Lin Tian didn't linger. He strode over, grabbed a large sack, and started carrying it toward the storage room.
While Lin Tian toiled, Ningguang and the director spoke warmly.
"Thank you for your clemency," the director said gently. With her years of oversight, she sensed that Ningguang saw something in Lin Tian—this exercise was more formative than punitive.
Ningguang shook her head. "I was once impulsive, too. Seeing this boy brings back memories of my younger self. Though he erred, he did no harm. A gentle reprimand is enough."
"Your kindness will do him well," the director replied with a tender smile.
Ningguang's gaze softened. "Dean, may I ask about the boy?" She hesitated before mentioning his golden pupils.
The director released a knowing smile. "He's not truly an orphan—his parents are missing adventurers. He came here around age six, clever and a natural leader even among older children."
In truth, she had found him wandering and brought him in.
She continued, "Two years ago, the Adventurers' Guild confirmed his parents' will and recommended he attend the Academy."
"That's when he began his studies, though he still visits us occasionally."
As the director noted Lin Tian's market scheme, her tone shifted proudly: "He used his earnings from the Harbor Market to support all the children here."
Ningguang's mouth curved into a slight, approving arc.
Meanwhile, Lin Tian felt his body strain with fatigue. Sweat soaked his hair and dripped from his brow. The heavy sacks left red lines across his arms, but he persevered.
Peals of excitement drifted from inside the orphanage. The younger children had noticed him.
"Brother Tian!" they shouted in delight.
He paused and smiled gently, breath ragged. "A generous donor sent these. Please keep your voices down so as not to disturb them."
They obeyed quietly, though their eyes remained sparkling.
Some of the older children emerged. "Brother Tian, let us help!"
He shook his head firmly. "No, it's my task. Please take care of the little ones."
They returned inside. He took the last sack and trudged toward the warehouse.
As he carried it, threads of golden light danced in his eyes, though his energy drained, that gentle luminescence pulsed with growing strength.
Lin Tian's stamina wanes under pressure, but the gold in his gaze hints at a latent power.
***
Inside the courtyard, Ningguang watched until the last sack vanished. Lin Tian approached and stood firm before her. "I have moved everything."
She saw the exhaustion in his posture and felt a pang of respect.
His quiet endurance mirrored someone she once was—determined, enduring, and honest.
A moment passed before she nodded slowly. "Well done. We're even now."
"Thank you, sister," he said with a respectful bow.
She tilted her head, curious. "Your name? A scholar at the Academy?"
The name caught him off guard, and a swirl of barrage of comments flashed through his mind. He answered with respect. "Yes. I am Lin Tian, studying at the academy." (T/N: I don't really know which academy, the original text said Tongwen Academy, but I haven't heard of I,t and googling it didn't help either)
In Ningguang's mind, that name now carried context. She had heard about him from the director.
But said aloud—placed in this moment—it carried gravity.
"Lin Tian... why would a scholar resort to dishonest business at the Harbor Market?" she asked, her tone calm yet piercing.
He flushed and glanced at her quietly. "You said we're even—so I'll answer truthfully."
Her gaze softened with an unspoken invitation to speak.
Supported by the barrage:
[Speak up. She's testing him.]
[Ningguang's not cruel. Spill it, little Lin Tian.]
[Don't mess it up.]
Lin Tian inhaled deeply. "I sold lilies because we needed Mora. I thought I had enough from the Adventurers' Guild, but"
He paused, uncertain.
"Guild support covers my own needs. The orphanage is larger, with many mouths to feed, clothes to buy. The reimbursement is slow…"
He steadied his voice. "The major families in Feiyun Slope are stingy. That Mora—my reimbursement was never enough."
He dropped his gaze. "I couldn't steal or rob. So I passed ordinary lilies as Glaze Lilies. They weren't worth that much—less than the real thing—and people expecting an accurate price deserved that cost."
He looked up, guarded yet determined.
The director's eyes welled. Hearing his conviction—so simple, yet so earnest—reinforced her resolve.
Ningguang remained composed. She absorbed the meaning behind each word.
Yes, the methods were flawed—but the motive? Honest survival, with compassion.
She tilted her head, considering. "I see."
Ningguang's gaze sharpened with calm appraisal: "Lin Tian, you're clever beyond your years. Your resolve, character… they're rare."
"I see a part of myself in you."
Lin Tian stood still, processing her words.
***
More PS = Faster Chapter Release