Chapter 181: Chapter 161: May the World Treat You Kindly (2)
Zhuang Kexin smiled awkwardly: "President, on the way here, our car got stuck in a mud pit. We struggled for a long time but couldn’t get it out. We were afraid of delaying your matters, so we brought some supplies over. There are still some supplies on the car that we couldn’t bring over, but don’t worry, we’ve already called for help, and someone will come soon to assist. We’ll definitely get all the supplies here before evening."
It seemed that Zhuang Kexin was a bit scared after getting scolded by Gu Bai over the past few days, speaking with some hesitation.
Gu Bai nodded.
There’s only one road from the county to here; he had to take that road when he came, and he knew the road conditions were indeed poor, so it wasn’t unusual for something like this to happen.
Looking at Zhuang Kexin in front of him, Gu Bai also couldn’t find it in himself to criticize further.
In fact, Zhuang Kexin was genuinely determined to do charity. Since graduating from university, he has worked in various official charitable organizations, and it wasn’t entirely his fault for falling into Shi Haishui’s trap. One could only say that he had been in official charitable organizations for too long, his thinking had become rigid, and he didn’t know how to be flexible.
"Alright, no need to explain."
Gu Bai glanced at the supplies brought over, which were learning materials like pens and paper, and continued, "Take these things and follow me."
He said this and then led them towards the classroom where Yan Shen was.
As soon as the few of them entered the classroom, the noisy children fell silent, huddling towards Yan Shen, seemingly afraid of strangers.
Seeing this situation, Yan Shen also spoke to soothe them, "Don’t be afraid; they are kind people here to help you."
After saying this, she put down her paintbrush and asked Gu Bai, "What are you going to do?"
Gu Bai smiled gently and said, "I had someone buy some stationery in the county, planning to give them to these children."
Saying that, he turned his head to look at Zhuang Kexin and others who were still standing at the door.
Seeing them all staring, somewhat dazed, at Yan Shen in front of them, Gu Bai immediately coughed. Even people who had met many good-looking internet celebrities like Gu Bai couldn’t help but stare at Yan Shen upon first sight, let alone them.
Gu Bai’s cough startled them awake, and they hurriedly brought the stationery to the front desk.
"Alright, you all go out. So many people might scare the children."
Hearing Gu Bai’s words, Zhuang Kexin quickly led them out of the classroom.
Gu Bai bent over, pulled out a few cartoon-covered notebooks, and showed them to the kids, speaking softly, "Do you like these notebooks?"
Although their innocent, big eyes were full of longing, not a single voice spoke up.
Seeing their reaction, Gu Bai was a bit surprised and asked again, "Don’t you like them?"
Finally, a slightly braver little boy timidly spoke, "I like..."
Hearing this, a sincere smile appeared on Gu Bai’s face as he took out a row of ten pencils from another bag of supplies and slowly approached him, lowering his voice filled with tenderness, "Do you want them?"
The little boy looked at the colorful notebooks in Gu Bai’s hands, nodding imperceptibly, then suddenly shook his head emphatically as if he remembered something.
"Don’t you want them?"
The little boy glanced at Yan Shen, then lowered his head to stare at the tip of his shoes, his small hands fidgeting with his fingers behind his back.
"I want... but Teacher Yan said we shouldn’t accept things without giving something in return; whatever we want, we have to earn it ourselves and shouldn’t casually accept others’ things."
Gu Bai glanced at Yan Shen, understanding that the kind of teacher you have decides what kind of students they nurture. Yan Shen had been in this environment for more than a year, proving she was a strong and independent woman who could teach her students such principles; it was no surprise.
"Your Teacher Yan is right; you shouldn’t casually accept others’ things. But I’m not an outsider; I’m a good friend of your Teacher Yan, so you can accept what I give you. If you don’t believe me, you can ask your Teacher Yan if I’m right."
After Gu Bai finished speaking, not only the little boy but all the children standing around focused their big eyes on Yan Shen.
Seeing the anticipation in the children’s eyes, Yan Shen nodded helplessly.
"See, am I right? Now do you still want them?"
"I do!"
The little boy’s voice was a bit stronger now.
"If you want them, then tell me your name."
"My name is Jiang Jie!"
"Little Jiang Jie must take good care of these supplies and strive for better results!"
He said, handing over the notebooks and pencils to Xiao Jiangjie.
Watching Jiang Jie hold the notebook with a silly smile, Gu Bai stood up and loudly proclaimed, "I have more here, all of you who want them, come and get them."
Saying that, the children opened their hearts, eagerly rushing to Gu Bai’s side.
Gu Bai handed out the notebooks and pencils to each of them, and seeing the pure smiles on the faces of each child receiving the supplies, he, too, felt touched. In the world of children, there is not much deceit; as long as you are kind to them, they will like you.
Yan Shen also stopped painting, standing on the side, sharing the same cheerful smile as the children in front of Gu Bai. She recalled what Gu Bai said before, that even if he was doing charity with a motive, the ultimate goal was the same, to help those in need.
Gu Bai in front of her was indeed doing it and had achieved it.
Seeing this, Yan Shen gradually let down her guard against Gu Bai, and her goodwill rose back up to 40 points from 10.
Engrossed in joy, Gu Bai didn’t notice Yan Shen’s change.
After more than ten minutes, every child around had received a brand new notebook and pencil from Gu Bai. He stood up, wiping away sweat, and suddenly noticed a small figure sitting in the corner.
He then picked up a few notebooks and slowly sat down in front of her.
She seemed more afraid than the other children, shrinking back instinctively.
Not knowing the reason, Gu Bai tried to ask in a gentle voice, "You’re Zhang Yanyan, aren’t you?"
The little girl timidly nodded her small head.
Placing the notebooks and pencils in front of her, he asked, "Why didn’t you come with the others to get the supplies?"
Zhang Yanyan glanced at the joyful kids comparing their notebooks, cautiously explaining, "My grades aren’t good... They need these more than I do."
Saying this, she gently pushed the notebooks back towards Gu Bai.
Compared to children in the city with good educational conditions, this group of impoverished children was undoubtedly a disadvantaged group, but even among them, Zhang Yanyan seemed even more vulnerable.
Not knowing what had happened to this child or what to say, Gu Bai could only forcibly place the notebooks and pencils back into Zhang Yanyan’s desk, pat her little head, and leave.
The mood that had been lifted by the children was again slightly weighed down.
Watching Gu Bai walk out of the classroom, Yan Shen thought for a moment, put down the paintbrush, and followed him.
Seeing Gu Bai squatting to smoke aside, Yan Shen quietly sat down next to him.
"Zhang Yanyan is not only an impoverished student; her parents are also gone. Her grandmother raises her alone, and to share the family burden with her granny, she doesn’t have much time to study, so her grades are much worse than other students.
Added to that, losing her parents at a young age affected her, making her timid and introverted."
After Yan Shen finished speaking, Gu Bai didn’t reply. The two sat in silence under the low eaves.
After a long time, Gu Bai finally spoke.
His voice carried an inexplicable hoarseness.
"Do you think there’s a way to help them?"
"Even though I’ve been here for so long, I’ve always wondered the same thing, and I can’t offer a definitive answer. If there has to be one, I can only say one thing.
Just do your best. There’s no savior in this world, no one who can help everyone. I can only hope the world treats them kindly."
Gu Bai, hearing her words, flicked away the cigarette butt.
He stood up, saying, "Then I’ll try to be this world that treats them kindly.
Help me distribute the remaining supplies to the other students."
Then turned and walked out of the school.
Yi Jiahui and others quickly followed Gu Bai’s steps from the other side.
And seeing Gu Bai leave, the students in the classroom rushed out the door, earnestly bowing to Gu Bai’s back, shouting with innocent voices, "Thank you, brother!"
This scene touched the softest part of Yan Shen’s heart.