Urban Seduction: Housewives Club

Chapter 69: Entrepreneurial Ideas

Grandma Li was sharp-witted and could easily see Ye Feiʼs confusion.

Upon reflection, Ye Fei realized that his initial enthusiasm might have seemed like ingratiating behavior once his identity was revealed. Quickly, he explained, ”Youʼve misunderstood. Iʼm not being polite to you because youʼre related to a high-ranking official. Mayor Liu is different. Sheʼs the best mayor Iʼve ever seen in all my years. Without her, we would have been in a much worse situation by now.”

Ye Fei couldnʼt help but glance around the room and asked, ”But how can she allow you to live in such conditions?” The furnishings in the room were outdated. Besides a small electric light, the only appliance was a black-and-white television from the 1980s, a relic that might only be found in an antique shop. Considering this was Grandma Liʼs room, Ye Fei couldnʼt fathom what sort of entertainment the children here had.

Grandma Li sighed, ”Although Mayor Liu holds great sway here, she canʼt represent the entire government. If she were to show us special treatment here, it wouldnʼt be fair.

There are many places like ours around Wanghai, and she canʼt oversee them all. She even suggested sending us all to public orphanages. But the children here are used to this place, and Iʼm not keen on leaving, so weʼve stayed here.”

Ye Fei nodded, feeling somewhat embarrassed. He had been silently blaming his aunt earlier. Little did he know that she had long been aware of the situation here, evoking a sense of remorse in him for misjudging her.

However, now was not the time for such thoughts. Since he was already here, it was crucial to do something for them. His assistance was purely personal and wouldnʼt create difficulties for his aunt.

Thinking this, just as Ye Fei was about to ask Grandma Li something else, he noticed her struggling to sit comfortably. Recalling Purple Hairʼs earlier question about her health, he inquired, ”Grandma Li, are you feeling unwell?”

Grandma Li smiled, ”Itʼs nothing, just my old ailments. Iʼll be fine after a rest.”

Ye Fei could tell that Grandma Li didnʼt have any serious health issues but was just weakened due to age and poor nutrition. He urged, ”You should rest for a while. It wouldnʼt be good if you overexert yourself.”

”Alright, Iʼll go rest in the inner room. If you need anything, just ask Purple Hair. He knows everything about this place.” Grandma Li didnʼt hesitate. To her, Purple Hair and Ye Fei were all the same children she had watched grow up.

She had a soft spot for children, which was evident from the orphanage she had set up, a place that constantly weighed on her mind.

Watching Grandma Liʼs slightly stooped figure disappear into the inner room, Ye Fei felt a deep sense of respect. She was a truly remarkable elderly person who had given everything to these vulnerable children. For the sake of this great woman alone, Ye Fei was determined to help the orphanage to the best of his ability, with a preliminary idea forming in his mind.

Once Grandma Li closed the door behind her, Ye Fei turned to Purple Hair and asked, ”Why havenʼt I seen the other residents? Werenʼt there over a hundred people here?”

Purple Hair replied, ”Several kids around my age are at school, so they wonʼt be back until later. The younger ones are with Xue, helping out at the nearby factories.”

”Helping out?” Ye Fei furrowed his brow. ”Do these factories employ child labor?”

While it was a means of livelihood for the children here, Ye Fei, influenced by Liu Fengyi since childhood, was averse to factories employing child labor.

Purple Hair smiled and explained, ”Itʼs not exactly child labor. We just do odd jobs there to earn a bit of money. They donʼt pay us, but we can bring back some discarded items to sell at the recycling center. Thatʼs our main source of income. Before each person reaches high school, they do these tasks to gather enough money for the older childrenʼs school fees. Sister Xue hopes we all succeed and, after graduating from university, help more children in need.”

As he spoke, a glint of resentment flashed in his eyes. ”Over the years, although we have had many talented individuals come from here, only Xue has been willing to return after graduation. Some of the more well-off ones may send money back home, but the majority simply disappear without a trace.”

Purple Hairʼs words further deepened Ye Feiʼs respect for Grandma Li. Despite facing so many instances of apparent betrayal, she continued to care for these orphans with unwavering dedication—a truly touching display of spirit.

Apart from Grandma Li, there was another person who caught Ye Feiʼs admiration, the Xue frequently mentioned by Purple Hair. According to Purple Hair, not only did Xue return to this place after graduating, but she even seemed to have intentions of taking over Grandma Liʼs role.

Encountering such kind-hearted individuals was rare, especially in such a run-down orphanage. Yet here, two such individuals had emerged.

Suddenly, Ye Fei felt a strong desire to meet this Xue. He inquired, ”What kind of person is this Xue youʼre talking about?”

”Xue is the person we are most grateful to after Grandma,” Purple Hair responded.

A look of admiration washed over his face as he continued, ”She is truly exceptional. She entered Wanghai University with the highest scores in the province and excelled during her time there.

Despite being approached by numerous large companies before graduation due to her studies in economics and management, she chose to return here instead. She helps Grandma take care of us, the younger children, teaching us to read and write.

We learned everything before high school from her. Since her return, the children here no longer need to attend primary and junior high schools.

Mayor Liu, upon learning of this, allowed us to skip formal education and directly participate in high school entrance exams when the time comes, significantly easing our lives.”

Purple Hairʼs admiration for Xue was evident, almost unstoppable once he began talking about her. However, Ye Fei only caught a snippet before tuning out the rest of Purple Hairʼs words.

What he heard was that Xue was a talented individual in the field of economics and management, evident from the early job offers from prominent companies. She wasnʼt just a theoretical scholar but someone with practical skills as well.

In Ye Feiʼs mind, the most crucial and challenging aspect of his plan could potentially be resolved with Xueʼs involvement. This realization sparked a sense of urgency within him.

Initially, Ye Fei had only intended to visit briefly and then contemplate how to assist them. However, now he was hesitant to leave. An eagerness arose within him to meet Xue as soon as possible.