Chapter 121 How Can There Be Such a Wonderful Place?
“No one will reproach you, and we’re all equals here. Trust me,” said Vania in an attempt to assure him.
However, the little guy still kept his head down while his gaze drifted everywhere.
She could tell he still had hints of anticipation despite being insecure and terrified, and his reaction broke her heart. At that, she sighed heavily deep inside.
Meanwhile, she continued to squat in front of him, making sure they were at the same level.
Then, she gently held his shoulders and said, “This is our very first meeting, so you probably don’t know a lot about me. That’s okay, though; we can do this slowly.”
Following that, she took her time to fix his clothes before suggesting with a faint smile, “I see that your shirt is getting too small for you. I’ve prepared a new set of clothes for you. What do you say we take a shower and try them on?”
New clothes were a luxury to him as he had been wearing this set of clothes for as long as he could remember. No matter how the seasons changed, there was nothing else he could change into, and now, there were getting so tight that they hurt him. However, he dared not fantasize about having brand new clothes.
Will those guys never chase me down and tear my clothes again? Will the other kids never laugh at me ever again? Can I be clean and put on new clothes?
As those thoughts crossed the boy’s mind, his eyes turned red-rimmed. However, he dared not raise his head to look at Vania or fidget, still pressing his back to the wall. He only felt secure when he could feel his existence physically.
Besides that, he didn’t want Vania to think he was a child that knew nothing, for he didn’t know how to shower.
Meanwhile, Vania held his hand and comforted him by saying, “From now on, you can have what other children have, and maybe even better—after all, you deserve them in the first place.”
At that, she turned around, brought out the set of new clothes she had prepared, and presented it to him. “I still don’t know what you like, so I got you this year’s fashion. Do you like it?”
The boy wanted to check it out, but he still dared not raise his head, tugging on the hem of his shirt for a long time before mustering all his courage to do so.
His eyes were filled with awe upon seeing the new clothes. He had no idea what ‘fashion’ was or what other choices he could have. All he knew was that he was looking at the best.
“Thank you.”
It was barely audible, but it took every bit of his strength to say his heartfelt gratitude.
On the other hand, tears instantly pooled in Vania’s eyes upon hearing his voice, and she tried her best not to let them roll down her cheeks.
What a polite child. She accepted his thanks, but as family, he wouldn’t need to say such things.
However, he would still need to accept all of this little by little, just like how she dared not ask him to call her ‘Mommy’ immediately.
Every single thing Vania had prepared for him was brand new. She held his hand and took him to the bathroom. After getting the temperature right for him, she explained what everything was and how to use them.
While she did so, his little eyes followed her every move, for he had never seen such things.
How is it possible for a place to be so nice?
At the same time, he couldn’t believe the water that flowed out could only be used to clean himself. The water he used to drink was filthy.
Who’d have thought a bathroom could also be this clean?
