Chapter 34: A Visit to the Orphanage

Sun Lang left.

After returning to the police station, Han Ling ignored the gossip of his colleagues and went straight to the household registration office, asking a familiar colleague to help him pull up Xu Qinghe’s files.

Qingchang household registration, twenty-five years old, doctor at Qingchang City People's Hospital.

An orphan? A PhD from an overseas university?

Household registration records generally do not update overseas academic qualifications automatically; the individual must bring relevant proof to the police station in person to process the change. This meant that the moment Xu Qinghe returned to the country, she had taken care of all the paperwork immediately.

Then, she joined the Qingchang City People's Hospital.

A twenty-five-year-old PhD, and a medical one at that—Xu Qinghe must have skipped grades during her schooling. She was exceptionally brilliant, belonging to the very top tier. From undergraduate to doctorate, that usually takes about ten years... Did she start college at fifteen?

"How could she be an orphan?"

Han Ling’s gaze deepened.

Could an orphan afford a luxury car worth millions? Was it money earned abroad? Given Xu Qinghe’s appearance, making money wouldn't be difficult; it all depended on her bottom line.

"Are there no records of her parents or the orphanage?" Han Ling asked.

His colleague operated the computer and replied, "None. We only know she is an orphan, and she never stayed in an orphanage, or at least no orphanage has a record of her."

Han Ling asked, "What is usually the case in such situations? Give me an example."

The colleague thought for a moment and answered, "For example, a child might have been separated from their guardians due to family reasons, become a homeless child, and then registered their own household once they grew up."

"Alright, thanks."

...

That night.

Han Ling lay in the dormitory without sleeping, constantly searching his memories, hoping to find any inconsistencies or suspicious points in his new recollections.

He was already certain that there was something off about Xu Qinghe, but it was impossible for someone like her to appear out of thin air without a reason. A girl this beautiful, with money in her hands, had no reason to be interested in a low-ranking police officer.

Then there was Xu Qinghe’s identity. She seemed to have popped out of a crack in a rock. A homeless child? Han Ling didn't think it was that simple.

For now, he could only search his memories to find what he had missed. Perhaps he could glean something from what "Han Ling" considered ordinary.

At three in the morning, a highly alert Han Ling opened his eyes. The image of the deputy director of the Gu'an District Orphanage emerged in his mind.

This was the only person he could latch onto who might be problematic, though he couldn't guarantee the accuracy of his hunch. He suspected the deputy director because this man had treated "Han Ling" with a certain level of special care, showing more concern than he did for the other children, and the disparity was quite noticeable.

Actually, this was normal. People are different, and favoritism exists everywhere. Even in biological families, it is impossible to treat everyone with perfect equality.

But this was the only person Han Ling could think of. Since he was off-duty tomorrow, he could pay a visit. Even if he was wrong, it didn't matter; he was idle anyway.

During his time at the police academy, "Han Ling" would occasionally visit the orphanage, but he hadn't been back since graduation.

Having decided on his plans for the next day, Han Ling closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, after washing up and eating breakfast, Han Ling went to a photo studio to pick up the rush-ordered prints of Xu Qinghe’s photo. He then bought some fruit as a gift and rode his bicycle to the Gu'an Orphanage.

There were five orphanages in Qingchang City. Gu'an Orphanage was quite unique, with a history of over seventy years. It was originally called the "Jishi Hall," dedicated to sheltering orphans and the elderly. After the founding of the country, it underwent many renamings and renovations. Now, it was the largest orphanage in Qingchang and functioned as a public institution.

The orphanage was located in the near suburbs, covering an area of twenty acres. Its perimeter was marked by a low, off-white fence overgrown with morning glory vines. In the current season, the flowers had already withered, waiting for next year’s bloom.

Han Ling pushed his bicycle into the central plaza. The ground was paved with non-slip tiles, and in the center stood a bronze sculpture of two children holding hands and running, their smiles infectious to everyone who walked in. The sculpture had been donated by an entrepreneur.

Winter was approaching; looking around, the vegetation was bare, and all was silent. In the distance, there were complex service buildings and dormitories, densely packed.

Han Ling wove through the children playing, offering them a kind smile. A staff member recognized him and came over to greet him.

"Han Ling? You're here." The middle-aged woman was a caregiver who was very familiar with him.

Han Ling smiled and said, "I was passing by and thought I'd stop by to see you all. Thank you for all the years of care. Where is Director Xie?"

The deputy director of Gu'an Orphanage was named Xie Xinghuai.

The woman pointed toward the main building: "He's in his office. Go on ahead. By the way, I heard you passed the exam?"

It was no surprise the orphanage knew about the provincial police recruitment announcement.

Han Ling nodded: "I passed. I'm working at the Wanglou Police Station now, just finished my probation."

"You've already finished your probation!" The woman was quite happy, a look of pride on her face. "Our orphanage has produced a police officer; that’s a wonderful thing."

The two chatted as they walked. Han Ling parked his bike in front of the office building, said goodbye to the woman, and climbed the stairs.

In the deputy director's office.

After knocking, Han Ling entered. Xie Xinghuai was the only one inside, sitting on the sofa playing with his phone.

"Han Ling? Oh my, long time no see." Seeing it was Han Ling, Xie Xinghuai’s eyes lit up. He hurried to stand up, invited him to sit, and went to brew a pot of tea.

His status was different now; Han Ling was a police officer with a certain social standing.

"Thank you, Director."

Han Ling watched the middle-aged man fussing over his tea set. Approaching fifty, he already had gray hair at his temples.

"Drink your tea." Xie Xinghuai poured a cup and placed it in front of Han Ling. "The police station is busy; you don't need to come see me so often."

Han Ling smiled: "I'm off-duty, and I had nothing else to do. You’ve taken special care of me since I was a child; I’ve always kept that in my heart."

Xie Xinghuai was very happy to see Han Ling: "That’s my job. You were all such pitiful children, but now it’s all good—you’ve become a police officer. We protected you before, and now it’s your turn to protect us, haha."

Han Ling picked up the tea cup and took a sip. It was old tea, of average quality. He then said, "I know you were especially concerned about me, Director."

Xie Xinghuai said, "Favoritism is normal. You were a child who was easy to like from the very beginning; you were so sensible."

Han Ling blew on the hot tea: "Since I was so sensible, why was I never adopted?"

"Ah?" The topic had shifted a bit quickly. Xie Xinghuai reacted for a moment before saying, "Adoption is a two-way choice. Perhaps the timing just wasn't right, but that wasn't a bad thing for you."

Han Ling didn't commit to an answer. He looked at him and asked, "Director, do you know Xu Qinghe?"

"Xu Qinghe?" Xie Xinghuai looked blank, then shook his head: "Don't know her. Who is that? What's the matter?"

Han Ling set down his tea cup: "Nothing, just a friend. By the way, Director, what year did you come to the orphanage?"

Xie Xinghuai recalled: "I remember it was... 1986, I think."

Han Ling: "I came in 1986, too, right?"

Xie Xinghuai: "Yes, you were less than a year old back then, abandoned at the orphanage gate. Sigh, it's such a heartless thing to do. I don't know what those people who abandon their children are thinking."

Han Ling: "So, when I first arrived at the orphanage, you arrived as well."

Xie Xinghuai laughed: "So, maybe it's destiny? You and I were just meant to be."

Han Ling leaned back against the sofa and said, "Cases of child abandonment are usually due to illness or a preference for boys over girls. I'm a boy and I'm very healthy; thinking about it now, it seems a bit unreasonable."

Xie Xinghuai shook his head: "You think too much now that you're a police officer, but that's too one-sided. That era was special; healthy boys were often left at the orphanage—due to over-quota births, poverty, or the death of a spouse. It wasn't uncommon. Your parents haven't come to look for you yet; they probably ran into some misfortune. Han Ling, look forward. Don't dwell on the past. Your life has only just begun, and it’s bright."

After listening to Xie Xinghuai, Han Ling was silent for a moment. He took the photo out of his pocket: "Director, do you recognize her?"

Xie Xinghuai leaned in to look, then denied it: "I don't know her... oh? She's quite pretty. Is she someone who sent you a silk banner? Is she single?"

Seeing the conversation turning toward romance, Han Ling put the photo away and gave a brief, non-committal response.

Half an hour later, Han Ling bid him farewell.

On his way out, he bumped into the caregiver again and took out the photo to ask if she had seen her.

"What a beautiful girl. I haven't seen her. Why? Who is she?" the middle-aged woman asked.

Han Ling smiled: "Just a friend. It's nothing. You go on with your work."