The next morning, Zhang Pingfan and Dou Youyou, carrying bags of gifts, drove away from the villa.
When they arrived at the orphanage gate, the director was already waiting for them.
The director's eyes crinkled with joy as she saw Dou Youyou step out of the passenger seat.
Holding Dou Youyou's hand, the director treated her like her own daughter-in-law, beaming with happiness.
"Good, very good. Little Fan, is this the surprise you told me about?" she said, carrying the gifts and smiling.
"Yes, this is my girlfriend!"
"Director, I'm so happy. Knowing you were coming today, I cleaned up your old room yesterday. I didn't expect you'd be bringing someone else. I'll go prepare some daily necessities for you both later!"
Zhang Pingfan replied, "There's no need to trouble yourself. We've brought everything we need. Director, these are gifts we bought for you!"
The director clasped Dou Youyou's hand and said, "Receiving this gift is enough to make me happy. The rest doesn't matter!"
Dou Youyou blushed, feeling shy as if meeting her elders.
"Hello, Director!"
"Haha, hello, of course, I'm well! I'm so happy today. Come, come, let's go inside quickly. It's cold standing out here."
Without waiting for Zhang Pingfan, she led Dou Youyou inside, chatting happily.
Zhang Pingfan smiled. He was happy to see the director so pleased; it seemed his actions were right.
Just as Zhang Pingfan was about to enter the house with his bags, a Porsche slowly drove into the orphanage.
It stopped directly in front of Zhang Pingfan.
A young man and a woman dressed in opulent clothes stepped out of the car.
"Oh, isn't this my brother Zhang Pingfan? What brings you to the orphanage for the New Year this year? The director never mentioned you coming in previous years."
Zhang Pingfan frowned. This person had always been difficult with him at the orphanage, jealous of the director's fondness for him.
Zhang Pingfan disliked his glib manner and treated him as a disobedient younger brother.
"It's the New Year, and I don't want to waste words with you!"
Liu Chao said, "Indeed. Is that car yours?"
Zhang Pingfan nodded.
Liu Chao stepped forward and patted Zhang Pingfan's shoulder earnestly, "Brother, keep working hard, and I'll introduce you to some people someday, and you can drive a Porsche like me!"
Zhang Pingfan said with disdain, "You can keep them for yourself. The director is waiting inside. I'm going in."
With that, Zhang Pingfan, carrying his gifts, stopped talking to Liu Chao. Zhang Pingfan truly couldn't bear to stay for even a moment longer in such insincere greetings.
Watching Zhang Pingfan's retreating back,
Liu Chao said, "So arrogant. Driving a flimsy electric scooter and you still have the nerve to come back! Xiao Mei, let's go!"
"Yeah, Brother Chao, is that Zhang Pingfan you always talk about? He doesn't seem as bad as you say. Didn't you say he was moving bricks at a construction site?"
"Who knows? He probably got lucky and made some money. He didn't even dare to come back in previous years. I didn't expect to see him today. Let's go, we're going in too!"
Upon entering, Zhang Pingfan saw Dou Youyou and the director laughing heartily. He didn't know what they were talking about.
"What are you laughing about?"
Dou Youyou said, "Master, I didn't know you could be so amusing. Look at this photo!"
Zhang Pingfan was immediately embarrassed. How could the director spill his embarrassing secrets so quickly?
"Director, at least leave me with a good impression. You just met her, and you're already eager to tell her my embarrassing stories."
The director said, "The young lady needs to understand you better. Although I favor you, I can't let Youyou be wronged, can I?"
Dou Youyou nodded and smiled, "Yes, the director is right. Master is indeed naughty!"
Zhang Pingfan shook his head.
At this moment, Liu Chao's voice was heard from behind.
"Director, I've come to see you again!"
The director became even happier.
"Little Chao'er, you've come quite early this year. But that's good. Your brother Little Fan is also here today, so it will be lively for the New Year. Little Fan, this is Little Chao'er!"
Zhang Pingfan said, "We already greeted each other at the entrance!"
"Oh, you've met already? That's even better. You brothers haven't caught up in a while. That must be Xiao Mei, come over here. Director, let me introduce you to your sister-in-law!"
The director's smile hadn't stopped since Zhang Pingfan entered.
"Ah, that's, that's Dou Youyou!!!"
Xiao Mei exclaimed!
The director looked curious and said, "Do you know each other?"
Dou Youyou shook her head and said, "Director, I don't think I know her!"
Liu Chao, standing next to Xiao Mei, rubbed his eyes. It was rare for young people nowadays not to recognize Dou Youyou. Liu Chao certainly did!
"My goodness, why is Dou Youyou here!"
Zhang Pingfan said calmly, "My girlfriend. Why can't she be here? We're here to spend the New Year with the director today!"
Liu Chao and Xiao Mei looked at Zhang Pingfan as if he were an idiot. Was this person foolish to say such a thing?
Who was Dou Youyou? She was a national goddess, the dream lover of countless people! How could she possibly be Zhang Pingfan's girlfriend?
At this moment, the director spoke, "Why are you all just standing there? This girl is Little Fan's girlfriend. She just arrived. Hurry up and call her sister-in-law!"
Liu Chao looked at Zhang Pingfan, disbelief and doubt filling his eyes. How could this be possible? What was Zhang Pingfan's status, and what was Dou Youyou's status? Them being together was utterly impossible!
"Zhang Pingfan, is this true?"
Zhang Pingfan replied, "What's there to lie about? If it is, it is; if it isn't, it isn't."
Xiao Mei eagerly went up to Dou Youyou. Xiao Mei looked quite good, but next to Dou Youyou, she appeared dim and insignificant.
Zhang Pingfan didn't say much more and followed his memory to find his room. It looked familiar, and it turned out the director had always kept a room for him.
When Zhang Pingfan returned after putting his things away, the director was still talking to Dou Youyou.
Dou Youyou called Zhang Pingfan over and whispered in his ear, "The director is truly good to you, but I can tell you're very sensible."
"Nonsense, children from poor families grow up fast. I can't compare to a young lady like you!"
"Hehe, it seems I have good taste. I think I've found a treasure!"
"That I am. By the way, did they give you any trouble?"
"How could they? Why would they give me trouble?"
"Oh, it's good that nothing happened!"
The director looked at Zhang Pingfan and Dou Youyou's intimate interaction and was overjoyed. Through Liu Chao and Xiao Mei's introduction, the director learned that the girl before her had a significant background.
"Little Fan, it's your good fortune that Youyou likes you. Don't let her down!"
Zhang Pingfan took Dou Youyou's hand.
He nodded and said, "Director, don't worry! I will protect her well!"
"That's good. You two haven't had breakfast yet, have you? You brothers haven't seen each other in a long time. Chat more. The director will go prepare breakfast!"