Jingyu just patted Weizhou’s back until he stopped crying. Jingyu patiently calmed Weizhou and did not stop comforting the man in his embrace. In a few minutes of Weizhou’s crying, he finally stopped and then stood up, covered his reddened face and then stepped outside.

Seeing this, Jingyu stood to follow Weizhou but then Mother Superior stopped him.

“Brother Johnny, leave Brother Weizhou for a while. I’m sure he’ll be fine in a few moments.” Mother Superior said. “For the time being, why don’t you tell me your reason on coming back here in the orphanage?”

Jingyu went silent. He would always come here only and exclusively during Christmas time. But surprisingly, upon leaving his past life in Shanghai, the first destination he had in mind upon leaving is here. Because at the very least, he could actually enjoy sightseeing here even though he had been here several times before.

“I want to start over a new life Mother Superior. I believe that my life in Shanghai is only because of my ex-girlfriend is living there. Ever since I’ve been here in Taiwan, I always knew that I wanted to live here. Life is simpler here. And although mainland is bigger, you know I like simplicity best rather than the life I’m leaving.”

“Mother Superior if you let me, I would like to live here for a few months to contemplate on my life. I want to find a new reason to live. I wanted to make new memories with genuine people that I know would not mean harm.”

Mother Superior sighed. Truthfully, Brother Johnny has been a great help every time he is here. Especially with the orphans. He would always come bearing gifts and he would make sure that he would bring extra so that all of the kids, big or small, would have a gift. It may be toys, it may be school items, it may be everyday stuffs, and then he would throw a Christmas party every time he’s here. So those extra gifts he’d bought may be won over by those who participated and then wins in his party games.

He would never fail to bring joy and laughter to those poor kids. Upon hearing Brother Johnny’s story, Mother Superior who has been listening attentively could not help but heaved another sigh.

“Alright.” Mother Superior said. “I am allowing you to stay here for a few months.”

“Mother Superior, is what you’re saying is the truth?” Jingyu excitedly asked.

“Yes, but on my terms.” Mother Superior said.

“Whatever it is, I would comply.” Jingyu said.

“Alright first, you are not to spoil anyone of those kids. No favoritisms are tolerated here and I believe you already knew of that.”

Jingyu nodded.

“Second, you are not to spend your savings on anyone here but yourself. Even though we are not well-funded by the government, we are still able to make ends meet because of the continuing donations we keep on receiving thanks to your fund raiser event three years ago.”

“Third, and I know you already expected this, I want you to help out here as a volunteer. We may not be paying you, but think of it as your fee upon staying here. You know volunteers do not get paid, right?”

“Right.” Jingyu responded.

“Lastly, as long as Brother Weizhou is here, keep him company. He’s going through something after another. So at least keeping him company would lessen his burden.”

“Without telling it, I would still do it.” Jingyu said.

“I know, Brother Johnny.”

With this, Sister Clarence finally showed up with a tray in her hands. The tray includes a teapot, four teacups and a baked cookies.

“I’m sorry this took long, some kid scraped his knee from playing and I have to treat it first before anything else.” Sister Clarence explained.

Mother Superior smiled softly but still look worried.

“Kids will be kids. Sister Clarence, today I accepted Brother Johnny as a volunteer. Do you have any objections?” Mother Superior asked.

“I do not, Mother Superior. Besides, the more the merrier, right?” Sister Clarence smiled but seeing the two of them only, she wonders where Brother Weizhou could be and then asked. “Where is brother Weizhou?”

“I’m here.” Weizhou said as he entered the living room. “I just took a stroll. Mmmm… I smell cookies.”

With that Weizhou took his previous chair and sat in it. Sister Clarence fixed the teacups on the table and poured for all of them and then handed each and every one a cookie.

The four continued to chat whilst enjoying their tea and munching on the cookies that sister Clarence brought for them. Jingyu would always look at Weizhou when he would talk about his poetry and said that he would love to stay here for a while to write poems while he’s still here. He said that inspiration in this area seems countless as he could write about anything just by sitting in a corner and absorbing the feeling that the nature is giving off.

“Where do you plan to stay?” Sister Clarence asked Weizhou.

“While walking in the town earlier I saw some inns but I haven’t checked it out yet.” Weizhou answered.

“Oh in that case,” Jingyu eyed Mother Superior before continuing his sentence as if begging for permission. “You could stay with me in my room here instead. Is that right Mother Superior?”

“I believe it would be a wise choice.” Mother Superior agreed.

“No, it would be too much for me to ask. I would just check into a hotel or inn.” Weizhou hesitated.

“Brother Weizhou, it’s really alright. I insist you stay here with us. You’ll love it here.” Mother Superior said.

Weizhou was skeptical at first not because he does not trust this people but because he feels it is too much of a burden for them to take him in because he is just a guest. But seeing that Mother Superior insisted he does not have any choice but to accept.

After the meeting in the living room, Mother Superior felt tired and asked Sister Clarence to accompany her to her room and Sister Clarence obliged.

Both Jingyu and Weizhou stepped outside the mansion and then stared at the direction of the sunset. They have talked for a few hours that they did not realize that it’s now approaching dusk. Looking at the skies turning darker and darker by the second, Jingyu stared at Weizhou’s face. He could not believe that such face could exist since the first time he laid his eyes on him on the ferry boat. That interesting people who just talked to him out of the blue and then opened up to him.

“What are you looking at?”

Seeing that Jingyu is looking at him, Weizhou cannot help but ask. He doesn’t need to answer though. He just wanted to break the silence in between them because none of them wanted to speak since the view was just spectacular.

“Nothing.” Jingyu said and then looked away. But still stole some glances at Weizhou’s face whenever he gets the chance.

“By the way,” Weizhou spoke. “I never got to thank you earlier. I’m embarrassed that you have to see that side of me. But from the depths of my heart, I sincerely thank you.”

Jingyu again, stared at Weizhou’s face. He sometimes forgot how deep this person in front of him is. Not only in how he thinks, but also in how he speaks. That’s some poetry skills he got right there.

“You do not have to thank me, you know.” Jingyu said. “I know you would have do it if it is me.”

“How could you know that?” Weizhou asked.

“I just feel like you would.”