Raising Orphans, Not Assassins

"The Tenth Chapter: Yang Zhi Escorts the Gold and Silver Cargo, Wu Yong Cunningly Seizes the Birthday Gifts."

Chen Ye, spitting with enthusiasm, finished reading the chapter title. He glanced at the Rolex he had just exchanged from the system mall—it was already ten o'clock at night. {ED: Damn, man has his priorities straight.}

Closing the book, he said, "That's enough for today. Let's wash up and go to bed."

The past couple of days traveling to Yuhang County, Chen Ye had mostly slept on the roadside, barely getting a good rest. Now that he had his own small house and had set up some bedding, he planned to get a good night's sleep.

"Dad! Dad!" Da Ming called out twice, his tone naive and earnest.

Chen Ye pushed Da Ming's head away, yawning, "Alright, alright. Let's go to bed."

"We need to wake up early to fetch water tomorrow."

Da Ming gave the "Water Margin" book one last longing look before obediently following Chen Ye inside.

The small room had several beds arranged side by side, enough for the children to sleep comfortably.

After exchanging some toothpaste and toothbrushes from the system mall for 5 points, Chen Ye took Da Ming to wash up and then assigned him a bed.

As soon as Chen Ye lay down, the system's cold, mechanical voice echoed in his ears.

【Ding!】

【Daily Settlement activated for having a properly career-planned orphan.】

【Today, you arrived in Yuhang County, took over the Yuhang Orphanage, and became the orphanage director. Reward: 10 points.】

【You kindly took in a little beggar, named him Chen Da Ming. Reward: 200 points.】

【You took Chen Da Ming shopping. Reward: 5 points.】

【You helped Chen Da Ming bathe and dressed him in new clothes. Reward: 10 points.】

【Chen Da Ming showed remarkable strength by lifting a sack of rice, exercising his physique. Reward: 5 points.】

【You and Chen Da Ming had dinner together, making him feel the warmth of family. Reward: 30 points.】

【In the evening, you exchanged a "Water Margin" comic book and taught Chen Da Ming to read while accompanying him. Reward: 50 points.】

【Before bed, you helped Chen Da Ming wash up and let him sleep in a warm bed. Reward: 20 points.】

【Total: 330 points】

【Ding!】

【Chen Da Ming’s gratitude towards you has increased!】

Chen Ye, looking at the system prompts, felt a wave of joy.

‘The system has such a function?’

Earlier, Chen Ye spent 50 points to exchange for the "Water Margin" comic book, 5 points for toothpaste and toothbrush, and another 20 points for a Rolex watch, leaving him with 25 points.

After the daily settlement, Chen Ye's points increased to 355.

As the system displayed the settlement information, it brought up Chen Da Ming's data panel.

【Name: Chen Da Ming】

【ID: 0001】

【Gender: Male】

【Age: 10】

【Current Skills: Strong Physique】

【Current Gratitude: 60%】

【Note: Reaching 80% and 100% gratitude will grant an Orphan Skill draw opportunity.】

"80%, 100% chance to draw a Director skill?"

"Great!"

Chen Ye's eyes lit up. The effect of the "Indestructible Body" trait was still fresh in his memory.

【Ding!】

【New mission refreshed!】

【Current Mission: Adopt another orphan】

【Mission Description: Adopt a second orphan (1/2)】

【Mission Rewards: 200 points, 20 taels of silver, one Orphan Skill draw, and unlock building: Study Room】

"Hmm?"

‘A new mission already? Not bad.’

Chen Ye was surprised.

…

In the pitch-black night sky, the bright moon hung high, casting its clear glow.

Yuhang County, Juke Tavern.

The waiter leaned against the counter, nodding off.

In the main hall, only one table of guests remained.

An oil lamp stood on the wooden table, its flame flickering.

Several officers sat around the table.

"Brother Song, the brothers have been running around for two days, but we still haven't found a single clue," a tall, skinny constable said with a sigh, holding his wine cup and downing its contents in one gulp.

"We've checked all the villages outside the city, but there's no place where the children could be hidden."

Another officer with small eyes said.

"It's really strange. They just turned around for a moment, and the child was gone. Could it be some kind of witchcraft?" another officer said, taking a bite of his meal.

The dark-faced, burly Captain Song sat brooding, then lifted his cup and took a sip.

After a moment of contemplation, he spoke, "I've borrowed Thousand Mile Incense from the Liu Shan Men. I'm planning to use Hu Zi as bait."

"What?!"

"Brother Song, Hu Zi is your own son."

"Brother Song, your family has been single-handedly passed down for three generations. This is absolutely unacceptable!"

The officers were shocked, not expecting Song to propose such a plan.

Song filled his cup, downed it in one gulp, and exhaled, "In one month, nineteen children have gone missing in Yuhang County."

"If this continues, the people will lose faith in us."

The other officers were stunned into silence, unable to argue with Song Cangjie’s determination.

"There's no need for more discussion. I'll apply the Thousand Mile Incense to Huzi. As long as he's within Lin'an Prefecture, I can find him."

Song Cangjie slammed his cup down heavily, making the plates on the table jump. He had made up his mind. The other officers exchanged glances but said no more.

…

The next morning.

Several rooster crows echoed, long and clear. Chen Ye rubbed his eyes and got up, noticing the sky outside was still a bit dark. He looked at his Rolex watch, it was just five o'clock.

"So early?" Chen Ye muttered, lying back down, intending to sleep in.

Just as he got comfortable, he heard the continuous sound of water nearby.

Chen Ye opened his eyes, thought for a moment, and got up, throwing on his coat before heading outside. The sky was starting to lighten, and at five in the summer, the courtyard was dimly visible.

Chen Ye saw a small figure clumsily lifting a water bucket and pouring it into the courtyard’s water jar.

Seeing this scene, Chen Ye hesitated and called out tentatively, "Da Ming?"

The figure stopped at the sound of his voice.

An innocent voice replied, "Dad."

Chen Ye's expression changed slightly, and he walked over to the water jar.

Chen Da Ming, with his small frame, was lifting the wooden bucket, pouring water into the jar with a steady flow. Although the movements were clumsy, they were precise and earnest.

The once-dry water jar was nearly full.

‘This kid…’

Chen Ye was momentarily speechless.

After a while, Chen Ye picked up another bucket of water and poured it into the jar.

Once done, he tossed the bucket aside and wrapped an arm around Da Ming's head, "Go back to sleep."

"Waking up this early, aren't you afraid of sudden death?"

"If someone sees us, they might think I'm abusing you." Chen Ye’s tone was gruff as he scolded.

Da Ming, confused, followed Chen Ye back inside, not understanding.

‘Didn't we say we were going to get up early to fetch water?’

After about two hours, Chen Ye finally got out of bed.

"Da Ming?" he called out.

"Dad."

The thick voice responded from the small bed beside him.

Hearing the response, Chen Ye got up slowly and began to help Da Ming wash up.

Using the toothbrush and toothpaste he had exchanged from the system mall.

After washing up, Chen Ye waved his hand and said, "Da Ming, the director will take you to have breakfast. Whatever you want to eat, just order!"

Hearing this, Chen Da Ming's dumbfounded expression changed slightly, and he said with a simple smile, "Dad, I'm hungry."

"You really are a reincarnated hungry ghost..." Chen Ye laughed.

He led Da Ming out of the orphanage, heading straight for the morning market.

At the morning market, people bustled around, and vendors shouted to attract customers. The entire market was shrouded in a white mist.

A small boy in a yellow short jacket was holding his father's hand, clutching a sesame seed cake. The man glanced down at his son, a hint of reluctance flashing in his eyes, but he steeled himself, crouching down to his son's level, "Huzi, remember what daddy told you?"

The little boy nodded, "If separated from Dad, and someone takes Hu Zi away, Hu Zi will go with them."

"Dad will come back to find Hu Zi later."

After hearing his son repeat it, Song Cangjie nodded, reluctantly patting his son's head.

"What do you want to eat, Hu Zi? Daddy will buy it for you."

The boy’s eyes lit up with joy, "Daddy, I want to eat sugar figures."

"Okay, you wait here. Daddy will get it for you."

Song Cangjie patted his son's head one last time and then mingled into the crowd.

Huzi stood there, his big eyes blinking, waiting for his father to return.

Over at a wonton stall, Chen Ye was eating his wontons, watching the scene unfold. That was Song the officer.

Is he using his son as bait?

Chen Ye easily pieced together what was happening. But it had nothing to do with him. He continued eating his wontons.

"Dad, I'm hungry."

Chen Da Ming said, setting down his fifth bowl of wontons, his mouth greasy.

Chen Ye’s face darkened, "Five bowls, Da Ming? Can your stomach handle that?"

After three bowls, Chen Ye was almost full. Da Ming had eaten five and was still not satisfied.

Da Ming scratched his head, a puzzled look in his simple eyes.

"Boss, two more bowls of wontons," Chen Ye called out.

"Alright, please wait a moment!"

The boss, holding a large ladle, quickly added more wontons to the pot.

Chen Ye snapped back to reality, suddenly startled, "Is the fish biting the hook?"

The little boy who had been standing nearby was gone.

"Fish?"

Da Ming muttered.

Chen Ye retorted, "All you know is to eat..."

Da Ming blinked and lowered his head, playing with a porcelain bowl while waiting for the wontons.

A sudden "crack" echoed, and the bowl in Da Ming's hands split in two. Chen Ye and Da Ming both froze.

The boss, who was carrying the wontons over, also paused for a moment. After setting down the wontons, he hurriedly asked, "Sorry, sir, is the young master alright?"

The boss looked nervous, fearing Chen Ye would get angry.

Chen Ye glanced at Da Ming with a peculiar expression, shaking his head, "It's fine."

The boss picked up the broken bowl, bowing and apologizing, "Sir, I'll give you a free bowl of wontons."

Chen Ye nodded without saying much.

Da Ming looked at Chen Ye with a mix of fear and confusion, as if he thought he had done something wrong. Chen Ye stroked his chin, picked up another wonton bowl, and tried to break it. It didn't break.

He handed it to Da Ming, "Da Ming, try it."

Da Ming took the porcelain bowl.

"Crack," the bowl broke into two halves.

“Ss…”

Chen Ye sucked in a breath.

"Is this the effect of the scroll, or is Big Ming naturally gifted with powers?"

Chen Ye was shocked, unable to make sense of it. He thought back to Da Ming lifting the sack of rice yesterday.

“Can't believe I just stumbled upon a little genius?" Chen Ye muttered to himself.

The trait 【Strong Physique】 suggested rapid strength growth over time. Since he had given the trait to Da Ming only a day ago, it couldn't be the trait's effect.

"Heh, interesting," Chen Ye chuckled.

The little beggar he picked up had a natural gift for strength!

Da Ming quietly put the broken bowl back on the table, avoiding Chen Ye's gaze.

The boss, hearing the bowl crack again, turned around, surprised.

"Boss, we don't need the free wontons. Just charge for the bowl," Chen Ye called out.

He kept his eyes on Da Ming, marveling at the discovery.

Da Ming stared at the wontons, swallowing hard.

"Go ahead and eat," Chen Ye said.

Da Ming began to wolf down the food. Chen Ye watched his gluttonous son, his eyes gleaming with interest.

Natural strength, combined with the 【Strong Physique】 skill, meant that over time, as Da Ming grew, his strength would become immense.

Chen Ye was amazed. If there were truly martial sects in this world, things could get interesting. After finishing their wontons, they left the stall.

Da Ming burped loudly, looking content and dazed.

Chen Ye rubbed Big Ming's head, feeling a bit exasperated. "It's not like it's the only meal you'll ever have, is it?"

Da Ming looking foolish, followed beside Chen Ye.

"Next, let's buy two old hens. Eggs were quite valuable in ancient times."

Chen Ye was making plans as he walked along. Da Ming trailed behind Chen Ye, suddenly stopping and staring at something.

A young man, reeking of perfume and with dark circles under his eyes, walked unsteadily, holding a folding fan.

Da Ming's simple mind recalled the conversation between Chen Ye and the boss yesterday. With a vague sense of purpose, Da Ming approached the young man. Just as Da Ming grabbed the fan, he felt a shock and couldn’t move.

A black cloth covered his face, and he lost consciousness.

Chen Ye, walking along the street, suddenly felt something was amiss. Turning around, his face changed dramatically.

"Da Ming?"

The bustling crowd showed no sign of Chen Da Ming.