Gao Shan might have been holding back these words and events for too long, and not talking about them made him feel uncomfortable. Now that thereâs someone he feels he can trust, heâs fully sharing everything.
"Chun Hong really loves children. Oh, did I mention that earlier? The reason Iâm emphasizing this is because I want you to know that Chun Hong truly loves her job at the welfare institute. She treats it like home, treating every child as her own, with great care."
"But more and more children are being sent from the city. I donât know why they donât just keep these kids at the welfare institute in Capital City but insist on sending them to the welfare institute in Linchang Town. However, Chun Hong told me that maybe because she attended a few meetings, people saw her genuine affection for the children and trusted her, which is why they sent the children over. I think that reason is possible."
At this point, Gao Shan paused and looked at Jiang Xiao, saying, "Do you think Iâm being too verbose?"
"Not at all, Director Gao, please continue."
Although Jiang Xiao still didnât know who Qingshuang was or if she was the person she was looking for, her intuition told her there was definitely a connection. Moreover, even if Qingshuang wasnât Shi Xiaoching, she had another question she wanted answered: why Qingshuangâs paintings were in Deng Qingjiangâs possession.
So, understanding this matter wouldnât be a disadvantage to her.
Having come this far, she didnât mind listening to Gao Shan tell the story; itâs rare for him to be willing to share.
Gao Shan nodded, looking very pleased.
"As expected of a painter, not the least bit impatient." He praised her before continuing.
"Anyway, the number of children at Hongfeng Welfare Institute kept increasing, so there werenât enough people to care for them. At that time, I thought about hiring locals from the town to help, but Chun Hong told me that the townâs women already had enough chores at home, and since the welfare institute doesnât charge fees, it couldnât afford to pay much in wages. Thus, town folks might not be willing to leave their household chores to help out. Instead, she suggested finding people who were already homeless, sheltering them, and then letting them help at the institute. This would provide them with a place to settle, while solving the instituteâs problem."
"I also thought this method was great, so I agreed. I also sent people out to find such individuals. But Chun Hong herself quickly found a few."
Gao Shan, having said this, looked at Jiang Xiao and said, "Iâm telling you this because among these people, thereâs one who is very good at painting."
Jiang Xiaoâs heart skipped a beat.
Was Gao Shan telling her about how these people came back then?
"What is her name?"
"Her name is Red Bean. Thatâs what Chun Hong called her, and I even asked Chun Hong if Red Bean was a nickname. What was her real name? But Chun Hong didnât say, just told me to call her Red Bean."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaoâs heart indeed skipped a beat.
Red Bean!
Could it really be a coincidence?
In Shi Xiaochingâs metal box, there were also a few red beans, a gift from Sixth Young Master to Shi Xiaoching!
Could it be that Red Bean is Qingshuang, who is Shi Xiaoching?
But why did she sign her paintings as Qingshuang, with her real name being Shi Xiaoching, yet use the pseudonym Red Bean?