Today, Beibei was waiting downstairs at the Economic and Trade Building with a large bouquet of flowers. There is a handsome Uncle Lin here who buys flowers from her every day. As long as they are not roses or baby's breath, which are related to love, Uncle Lin will buy them all and give them to everyone in the building. For example, Uncle Lin will give carnations to Aunt Wang in the mailroom.
"Beibei, you brought so many flowers today? Come in and rest for a bit, it's very sunny outside."
Aunt Wang came out of the Economic and Trade Building and greeted Beibei with a kind face.
The Economic and Trade Building is an old building. In addition to office units rented to foreign companies, it also houses the offices of several government departments. Structurally and managerially, it still has a mailroom. Aunt Wang was the employee responsible for receiving and sending newspapers and mail. It was a relatively easy job. Although the salary was not high, it was enough to help with the ever-increasing household expenses.
"Thank you, Aunt Wang! I won't go in. If I go in and someone sees us, it will affect you."
Beibei was very sensible. She didn't want to enter the building because she had heard someone scold Aunt Wang before, and she never stepped through the door again after that.
"Be good, Beibei!"
Aunt Wang stroked Beibei's short hair affectionately, feeling a surge of pity. "So many lucky bamboos, and the purple water lilies are so beautiful!"
"Hehe, there are carnations too."
Beibei proudly raised her head, "Uncle Lin will definitely give these carnations to Aunt Wang. I specially picked them out, and I trimmed each one. Aunt Wang, do you like them?"
"I love it, I love it, I really love it!"
Aunt Wang felt a lump in her throat. After talking with the little girl for a while, she learned about her family's situation. This little girl had it so tough. At such a young age, she supported the entire family financially, and when she got home, she still had to brew medicine and take care of her grandmother. However, her own family was also struggling and she couldn't offer much help. It was Lin Yao, that kind-hearted young man, who bought all the flowers the little girl had every day.
Starting at 11:55, people began leaving the Trade Building to go out for dinner. Beibei and Aunt Wang stood by the entrance waiting for them. Aunt Wang knew that Lin Yao was working today, so she specifically notified Beibei so that the girl wouldn't have to buy too many flowers and suffer losses.
"Beibei, you look so beautiful today!"
As soon as Lin Yao stepped out of the elevator, he spotted the girl in the small blue floral dress through the gaps in the dense crowd outside the door. He quickly squeezed through the crowd to get to Bei Bei's side.
"Uncle Lin, you look very handsome today!"
Beibei has a sweet tongue and often says things to please adults in order to sell flowers, but this time her words came from the heart. She thought Uncle Lin was really handsome.
"Oh my, this water lily is so beautiful, and it even smells nice. Your auntie will definitely love it."
Lin Yao squatted down, brought his nose close to the large bouquet of flowers that Bei Bei was holding, and smelled them with a gentle smile on his face.
Lin Yao met the little girl on her first day at Guangwang Company on the street near the company after get off work. The little girl, who was holding a bunch of roses and singing "Invisible Wings" with a furrowed brow, left a deep impression on him. The determination, maturity and vicissitudes that appeared in the little girl really touched Lin Yao.
On their first meeting, Lin Yao bought all the books Bei Bei had. When he asked about her family situation, the little girl didn't say anything, but just kept giggling. She also told Lin Yao a few short stories and some interesting anecdotes that happened on the street.
From then on, Lin Yao made a pact with Bei Bei that whenever he went to work, he would ask Bei Bei to help him buy some flowers, both to make the company look more beautiful and to flatter the boss and supervisor.
Beibei certainly didn't believe these excuses, because Uncle Lin would buy all the flowers, no matter what kind. With her little experience in judging people, she knew that Lin Yao was no ordinary office worker. Moreover, even if it was flattery, there was no need to send flowers every day. Uncle Lin was deliberately helping her, but she couldn't refuse because her grandmother desperately needed money for medical treatment.
"Beibei, you haven't eaten yet, have you? Come on, let's eat with your uncle. You're treating your aunt today."
Lin Yao took the flowers from Bei Bei's hands and turned to Aunt Wang, "Aunt Wang, thank you for your help. Please put these flowers in your room first. These carnations are for you. The pink carnations that Bei Bei picked are very pretty."
"Here, give it to me. I'll bring it to your company when you get back."
Aunt Wang took the flowers and plants from Lin Yao's hands, a satisfied smile on her face. "It's so embarrassing to have you bring flowers to this old woman every day, Lin Yao. Thank you so much."
Aunt Wang didn't say she shouldn't send flowers anymore. She knew this was a way of helping Beibei in a roundabout way. Besides, she had never received flowers from anyone in her life before. Now that a handsome young man was sending her flowers so often, she felt incredibly happy.
"Of course." Lin Yao smiled, holding Bei Bei's hand as they waited for Xiang Honglian and the others behind them.
"Beibei, Aunt Wang will bring you a folk remedy tomorrow. It's very effective for your grandma's illness. Remember to come and get it."
After Aunt Wang suddenly said those words, she felt quite guilty because she didn't have any folk remedies at all, and she didn't even know what illness Grandma Beibei had. She just wanted Lin Yao to know that Beibei's family was in difficulty and hoped to get Lin Yao's help.
Sometimes, those who receive favors will take advantage of them. Aunt Wang knew this very well, and she also knew that Lin Yao had no idea about the specific situation of Bei Bei's family. In fact, it was because Bei Bei herself refused to tell that Aunt Wang took the blame and pointed out to Bei Bei the fact that her family was in great difficulty.
Although it was somewhat despicable to directly exploit Lin Yao's sympathy, Aunt Wang had no other way to help Bei Bei. The little girl was just too pitiful, and she had no choice but to do this against her will.
Lin Yao squatted down again, noticing Aunt Wang's unnatural expression. "Beibei, is Grandma sick? Is it serious?"
Beibei's smile vanished instantly. She timidly shifted back, her little hands clasped together. "It's alright, Beibei earned money. She can buy medicine for Grandma at the hospital."
"After dinner, take your uncle home with you. Uncle will go see Beibei's grandma and see what kind of grandma she is who has raised Beibei to be so beautiful."
Lin Yao smiled, but felt a little bitter inside. From Aunt Wang's behavior, he could tell that Bei Bei's family was in dire straits, even extremely poor. Otherwise, Aunt Wang wouldn't have needed to resort to such tricks, because she wasn't that kind of person.
Beibei lowered her head, biting her lip and hesitating for a long time before finally looking up at Lin Yao, as if she had made a great decision, and said, "Yes."
"Yaoyao, are you going to help Grandma Beibei get treatment?"
Xiao Cao's voice suddenly rang out. She hadn't seen Lin Yao help her for free for a long time, so she was very interested.
"Yes, I think the family that can raise a little girl like Beibei must be very good. I want to go and see. Beibei's eyes are very clear, and I like her very much."
Lin Yao suddenly realized that there are many poor families in this society who cannot even afford medical treatment. Although there is now a social medical security system, many families cannot afford the annual payment of four or five thousand or even higher. Perhaps Minhong should consider this aspect in the future and raise the price of medicines a little to use the profits to help these poor families.
Of course, the various aspects involved are too complex. This is at most just an idea, and Minhong's abilities are simply insufficient to support such an action. She will have to ask her parents to conduct a survey to see if it is possible.
After dinner, Lin Yao went home with Bei Bei alone. He saw the dilapidated house, which consisted of only a bed, an old wardrobe, a wooden table with a missing corner, and two wooden stools. He also learned about Bei Bei's parents.
With a heavy heart, Lin Yao helped Grandma Bei Bei recover from her physical ailments caused by malnutrition and overwork. Looking at the worn-out books and half a pencil on the small wooden table, he felt a lump in his throat.
“Grandma Beibei, why don’t you take a week off and let Beibei bring you to our company to help us with some cleaning work? That way you can have a stable income every month, and then Beibei can go to school. If this child doesn’t go to school, her future will be very difficult.”
Lin Yao held Grandma Bei Bei's withered hand and offered his suggestions.
"Thank you, Kobayashi!"
Grandma Beibei's voice became a little angry, which brought a happy smile to Beibei's face. "But what will happen to the people who used to work there after I go? Aren't you going to fire her?"
Watching this elderly woman, who herself was struggling to make ends meet, still worrying about strangers, Lin Yao sighed. He wondered how there could be such a huge difference between people. Some people are selfish to the extreme, while Grandma Beibei is selfless to the extreme. Is this what human nature is?