Chapter 122: Chapter 121: The Flame of Aspiration, Unbroken Legacy
The old man didn’t know what Gu Bai was thinking, but he continued to smile and said, "See these paintings on the wall? These are gifts from those children. Every day when I see these paintings, my heart feels happy."
Gu Bai adjusted his emotions.
"But Grandpa Qian, you don’t have to donate everything. Donate some, and keep some for yourself. You’ve given all your money away and are living frugally, which isn’t good for your health."
He really didn’t know what to say and just felt a bit choked up.
The old man nonchalantly replied, "What do I need to keep some for? I’m this age already, don’t have many days left, and might see my old comrades any day now. But those children are different. They’re still young and can’t go without an education."
When these words came out of the old man’s mouth, not only was Gu Bai moved, but even Qi Man, who was holding Gu Bai’s hand, began to tremble.
In the past, Gu Bai would’ve dismissed the saying "Cultivate oneself in poverty, benefit the world in prosperity" as nonsense. Gu Bai believed in self-cultivation, but how many could really benefit the world?
He didn’t know about others, but Gu Bai was sure he couldn’t do it himself.
After his system leveled up to Level 2, it issued charitable tasks. Although Gu Bai would eventually do them, it was solely out of a desire to complete the tasks. But after today, he felt he genuinely wanted to do something.
Because standing before him was a great man who, despite poverty, still aimed to benefit the world.
"Congratulations to the host for comprehending a new Godly Rich Aura, ’Compassion.’ It has now fused with the ’Non-action’ aura, and currently, the Divine Rich aura has reached: 20%."
After the announcement, an attribute panel appeared in front of him.
"Host: Gu Bai
Appearance: 92+ (3)
IQ: 140
Physique: 73
Confidence Level: Junior Godly Rich
Divine Rich Aura (Non-action, Compassion): 20%
System Level: Level 2.
System Task: None of the tasks are currently completed."
The Godly Rich Aura increased by 10%, yet Gu Bai didn’t feel any excitement, only an extraordinary heaviness in his heart.
It seemed Gu Bai had found a way to enhance the Godly Rich Aura.
The ’Non-action’ aura was given when the Level 1 System was about to level up to Level 2, matching Gu Bai’s state when he was reborn, like a spectator, only wanting to enjoy life and being indifferent to everything.
The ’Compassion’ aura was inspired by the old man Qian Shenggen.
Perhaps this is what the system sees as the inevitable path for the growth of a Godly Rich.
The system vanished after announcing the improvement of the Godly Rich Aura.
Qian Gen Sheng saw Gu Bai dazed in place and handed him the plastic bag once more.
Gu Bai took the plastic bag and slowly said to the old man, "Grandpa Qian, do you trust me?"
The old man was momentarily stunned, then smiled and said, "Kind children like you are rare; of course, I trust you."
"From now on, don’t donate this money. Let me donate it for you. You should use the money to take care of your health."
"Child, it’s a good thing you have this heart. The old man knows you have money. If you really have the ability, helping those kids will bring you blessings, and those kids will be grateful to you.
As for you asking me not to donate anymore..."
The old man waved his hand and continued, "I’ve been donating for over ten years. It’s a habit I can’t change. Besides, there are many children who can’t afford schooling. Can you help them all on your own? As long as the old man can still help, helping one more child is a gain."
Gu Bai knew it would be hard to change the old man’s mind, so he nodded solemnly, "Okay, the two of us will donate together, helping one more child is a gain."
"Then you take this money first. I can’t let you pay for my medicine."
Gu Bai shook his head to refuse again.
"Grandpa Qian, if you really don’t want me to pay for your medicine, then donate this money, and consider it my donation.
Please rest well, and I’ll come to see you another day."
After saying this, without waiting for the old man to refuse, he pulled Qi Man and walked out of the old man’s small room.
Watching Gu Bai’s departing figure, the old man’s trembling hand tightly clenched the plastic bag.
"What a good child..."
The old man kept repeating this sentence.
Exiting the dim corridor, the two of them left the building and finally breathed in fresh air.
Qi Man’s hand was tightly holding onto Gu Bai.
"Today, you’ve shown me a different side of you."
"?"
Turning his head, Gu Bai looked at her with a puzzled expression.
"Indifferent and emotionless, that’s how I first saw you. Even though I think it’s understandable, no one, including me, likes such a person.
But then you have another side, so patient with a lonely old man. The way you spoke to Grandpa Qian, I couldn’t possibly see the current you as the same person as before. I’m finding it increasingly difficult to see through you."
With a slight smile, Gu Bai said softly, "I told you, I’m a man who cannot be inferred with common sense."
"I think a line from Sigfried’s poem suits you well."
"Hmm?"
"A tiger within, sniffing a rose."
"Such a beautiful line shouldn’t be applied to me."
Hand in hand, the two returned to Xing Na’s car.
"Remember this address, and have people send fresh fruits and vegetables every two days."
Just after getting in the car, Gu Bai instructed Xing Na.
Xing Na nodded, indicating her understanding.
Returning to Sea View No.1, Gu Bai planned to take a bath, having run around all day and worked up a sweat.
"Let me wash first. I stink, smell for yourself!"
"Isn’t there another bathroom? One for each of us."
"That bathroom doesn’t have a tub, and I don’t want it."
Gu Bai looked at Qi Man with a playful gaze.
"Then how about we wash together?"
"No way, I know what you’re thinking!"
"Then just behave, or go use the other bathroom."
Gu Bai wasn’t accustomed to indulging her bad habits. After finishing, he took his bathrobe and walked into a bathroom.
Qi Man stood there, sniffed her own sweaty odor, gritted her teeth, and snuck in.
An hour later.
Having showered, Gu Bai felt refreshed and invigorated.
Qi Man lay on the enormous bed, her face flushed, wrapped in a bathrobe.
"I take back what I said at Grandpa Qian’s place; you’re still you! You old pervert!"
She muttered incessantly.
Ignoring her, Gu Bai turned on his computer.
He opened the browser, typed the keyword "dropout," and instantly a large number of related articles appeared.
"A 12-year-old dropout in Guiqian Province goes out to work to supplement the family’s income."
"In Celestial Province, Xuyong County, a poverty-stricken county with an average schooling of fewer than 4 years per person, how can we save these eager learners?"
Similar articles were lined up one after another.
Gu Bai directly clicked on the second article to see what was happening in Xuyong County.
Once opened, the webpage displayed a series of startling photographs.
Children no older than ten, with frostbite on their faces, trudging against the cold wind on their way to school.
In a rundown classroom, a teacher strained to impart all he could to the eager pairs of eyes below the podium.
Finally, there was a narrative written by the article’s author.
"In Xuyong County, the annual per capita income doesn’t exceed 6,000. Most of the young people choose to work outside, leaving mostly left-behind children and empty-nest elders in the county.
Despite this, the meager income is still insufficient to support the entire family’s expenses, so these left-behind children often drop out of school as young as ten years old and stay at home to help with farming, or if older, go out to work with their parents. Through my investigation and interviews, I found that in Xuyong County, the average schooling is just 4 years.
In this era of nine-year compulsory education, an average of 4 years of schooling can be summed up in one word.
’Illiteracy.’
Yes, it’s illiteracy. At an age when they should be soaking up knowledge, they’re using their tender hands to labor for life."
After reading, Gu Bai was left in shock for a long time.
He couldn’t believe that in today’s prosperous country, there were still children for whom schooling was a luxury.
Qi Man didn’t know when she had entered but spoke, "You know, there are many such places. We just overlook them when we occasionally see similar news."
Gu Bai nodded.
"Yeah, only when you take a closer look do you realize such places still exist."
"So, are you planning to help these kids?"
"Yes."
Gu Bai said with determination.
Qian Shenggen’s influence was profound.
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