Chapter 145: Past Events
Yu Linna, age six.
This was a story only she knew.
The little girl with golden hair, a delicate face, and captivating eyes had arrived at the orphanage not long ago. Wu Siyu, the orphanage director, had taken her in from the police, who had rescued her from human traffickers. Unable to trace her family or locate any missing person reports matching her description, they had classified her as an orphan.
Yu Linna had been at the orphanage for less than three months, a relatively well-behaved child, easily pacified with food. Her only distinguishing feature, and a source of unwanted attention, was her striking appearance: golden hair, a face with both European and Asian features, a clear indication of her mixed heritage. A mixed-race child was a rarity at the orphanage, making her a target of curiosity, with some children, especially girls her age, constantly touching her hair.
Director Wu Siyu had taken a special liking to Yu Linna, often sharing her hidden stash of candies and chocolates, fostering a close bond between them.
However, their peaceful days were numbered. The orphanage received a demolition notice from the government, planning to build a commercial street in its place. Though Wu Siyu would receive a substantial compensation, the children faced the prospect of homelessness.
Fortunately, the government assisted in finding adoptive families for the children. The plan worked, and within months, many children found new homes, the demolition proceeding as scheduled.
Except for Yu Linna, the little mixed-race girl.
The demolition plans had been in motion even before Yu Linna’s arrival, the children gradually being adopted. By the time she arrived, only a few remained. Over the next two months, the number dwindled further, until fewer than ten children were left.
Due to her mixed heritage, few families were willing to adopt Yu Linna. Most Chinese families preferred not to adopt a mixed-race child, fearing social stigma and unwanted attention. They didn’t want to be subjected to gossip and judgment.
“Director, it’s a problem. No one wants to adopt little Linna. The rest of us have found foster families, but she… no one wants her. And the orphanage is being pressured to vacate the premises for demolition.”
Wu Siyu was also troubled, unable to find a solution. Yu Linna’s situation was unique, making adoption almost impossible unless she was sent abroad, which was even less likely.
“Nana is about the same age as my daughter. I can’t just leave her on the streets.”
“But Director, we’re running out of time. What should we do?”
Wu Siyu was at her wit’s end. She had established the orphanage to provide shelter and care for children, never imagining it would be demolished so soon. And she was facing unemployment. Though her husband provided for the family, she still had to pay for her daughter’s education.
What was she going to do?
Yu Linna often spent her time drawing in the orphanage courtyard, using a twig to sketch figures on the ground, usually a man and a woman, her idealized image of parents, a void she filled through her art.
She carried another person’s memories, the memories of a ten-year-old boy, a secret she kept hidden.
The boy had also lived in an orphanage, dying before reaching adulthood, his memories now residing within her.
Though these memories served no practical purpose.
“Sigh…”
Yu Linna’s stomach growled. She patted her belly; it had been days since she had a proper meal, subsisting on pickled vegetables and plain porridge, not even a single green vegetable. She suspected it was because the other children were being adopted, but she still craved something delicious. The orphanage used to have bread; now, even steamed buns were a rarity.
She was so hungry…
Suddenly, a hand gently stroked her head. Yu Linna looked up and saw a woman with a warm smile, holding two steaming buns.
“Hungry? Auntie brought you something delicious.”
“Thank you, Aunt Wu!”
Yu Linna grabbed the buns and devoured them, her manners forgotten. These meat buns were a feast, the most delicious food she had ever tasted! After days of bland porridge and pickled vegetables, this was like heaven. Life couldn’t be better.
Wu Siyu, watching her eat with such gusto, smiled, but her heart was heavy. If no one adopted Yu Linna, she would have to be transferred to another orphanage. There was no other choice. Most of the children had been adopted; only she remained.
Could this child really…
She was so young; was this really the best option…?
“Aunt Wu, what’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?”
Having finished the buns, Yu Linna looked up at her with innocent eyes, her cuteness undeniable.
Wu Siyu patted her head, taking out a tissue to wipe her mouth.
“Look at you, your face is covered in crumbs.”
This six-year-old girl, so adorable, so charming, already possessed the qualities of a star. She would be a natural.
“Nana, where do you want to go in the future?”
“I don’t want to go anywhere. I want to stay here, with you, Aunt Wu.”
“You really mean that?”
“Yes! You’re so kind to me! I want to stay with you forever!”
This child…
Wu Siyu smiled.
Such a sweet, innocent child. Why didn’t she have parents? It was baffling. And why wouldn’t anyone adopt her? She was so lovely. Was it simply because she was mixed-race?
If all else failed…
“Nana, how about you come home with me?”
She had made up her mind. Since no one wanted to adopt Yu Linna, she would. She would give her a home.
“Home? Where? Isn’t this my home?”
“No, Auntie’s home. I’ve decided. I’ll take you home with me. You can be my daughter, okay?”
“No.”
“Why not? I’m so good to you. Why don’t you want to come home with me?”
“You’re my auntie, not my mommy.”
“Haha, you…”
Wu Siyu chuckled. Convincing her to call her “mommy” would be a challenge, but she would take it slow.
That day, Wu Siyu decided to take her home.
“Director, are you sure about this? You already have a daughter.”
“Yes, I’ve made up my mind. As long as she doesn’t object, I’ll be her family. And if she wants to leave in the future, I’ll respect her decision.”
And so, just before the orphanage was demolished, Yu Linna, the last remaining child, having lived there for less than three months, was taken in by Wu Siyu. The orphanage became a distant memory.
As Wu Siyu led her to the car, Yu Linna was confused, unsure where she was being taken. Sitting in the car, she felt a sense of déjà vu, a vague memory of being driven around by strangers, though the details were hazy.
The trauma of her childhood, the head injury, had clouded her memories.
“Auntie, where are we going?”
“Home. You’ll be living with me from now on. You have a home now.”
“Home?”
“Yes, I’m taking you home. You’ll have a mommy and daddy, and a big sister.”
Yu Linna was unfamiliar with these concepts, unsure what they meant.
She simply sensed no malice from Wu Siyu and obediently followed.
Getting out of the car, Wu Siyu, dragging her suitcase and holding Yu Linna’s hand, entered the apartment building, taking the elevator, a novel experience for Yu Linna, her eyes wide with wonder. Reaching their floor, Wu Siyu unlocked the door.
Opening the door marked a new beginning.
“Honey, I’m home! Miss me?”
“Welcome back, Siyu. Come in. I made some tea you’ll love.”
The man, though not particularly handsome, had pleasant features and an average build, neither muscular nor thin. His name was Huo Qiulin, Wu Siyu’s husband.
“And who is this?”
He noticed the little blonde girl hiding shyly behind Wu Siyu.
“This is Yu Linna. I brought her from the orphanage. I’m planning to adopt her.”
As they talked, a small head peeked out from the hallway, her bright eyes fixed on the blonde girl. Yu Linna, meeting her gaze, sensed her curiosity.
“Ningning, what are you doing here? Come here, sweetie, Mommy’s home!”
Wu Siyu, smiling, picked up the little girl, stroking her cheek, happy to see her daughter again.
“Mommy, who is she?” Huo Ningning asked, pointing at Yu Linna.
This was the first encounter between Yu Linna and Huo Ningning, a memory that would later haunt them both.
Leave a Reply