Chapter 79

Before Qiao Jiaojiao was born, Mrs. Qiao went to the Huguo Temple in the southern suburbs to make a wish, praying for the heavens to bless the Qiao family with a precious daughter.

After Qiao Jiaojiao’s full moon, Mrs. Qiao went to the Huguo Temple again to fulfill her vow.

Now that Qiao Jiaojiao has safely grown to seven months old, Mrs. Qiao always remembers what Qiao Jiaojiao said about early death at the age of three. She decided to take advantage of the good weather today and take Qiao Jiaojiao to burn incense again.

Qiao Diyi’s official position was minor, and he could return home after completing training in the camp, so today he escorted his mother and sister out.

After leaving the south city gate, the official road was wide and the road was smooth. Qiao Jiaojiao sat independently on a cushion, nibbling on biscuits.

Mrs. Qiao looked lovingly at Qiao Jiaojiao, occasionally taking out a handkerchief to wipe her little face.

Aunt Liu lifted a corner of the curtain and looked outside. Suddenly, she whispered, “Madam, the relief hall is not far away.”

“Every month, I send someone to deliver money on time. The old lady in the relief hall is very grateful to you. Do you want to go and see?”

Upon hearing the words “relief hall,” Qiao Jiaojiao stopped her mouth movements abruptly.

In her previous life, she was also an orphan who grew up in an orphanage.

The auntie at the orphanage told her that she was left at the door of the orphanage in the middle of winter.

She was wearing a red coat and had a piece of paper in her hand, hastily written with her birth time, without even a name.

Mother Jiang took her in, and even went to the police station to file a report, but unfortunately, she passed away young without ever finding her biological parents.

[There are also many parentless children in the relief hall, right? They’re really pitiful.]

Mother Jiang loved her, but Mother Jiang needed to share her love with many, many other children.

[Mother, let’s go and take a look.]

Qiao Jiaojiao couldn’t say complicated words yet, she just called out “Mother” and tugged on Mrs. Qiao’s sleeve.

Mrs. Qiao knew that Qiao Jiaojiao was also an orphan in her previous life. She lovingly picked up Qiao Jiaojiao and said softly,

“Aunt Liu, let’s go and take a look. It’s a good opportunity to see what those children still need, and we can have someone buy some things to send over.”

Upon hearing this, Qiao Jiaojiao felt sour in her heart and buried her head in Mrs. Qiao’s arms.

[Mother, you’re the best. Mother is so kind, the heavens will bless Mother.]

During her time in the orphanage, every act of kindness was precious to her.

It was through the assistance of kind people that she was able to go to school, and because of her gratitude, she tried her best to help others within her capabilities.

Good deeds bring good results, perhaps that’s how it works.

Mrs. Qiao gently patted Qiao Jiaojiao’s back, her gaze as gentle as water.

Jiaojiao, Mother only hopes that the heavens will bestow all blessings on you, so that you can grow up safely…

Seeing Mrs. Qiao’s arrival, the old lady from the relief hall was both fearful and happy, hurriedly running to the door to greet them.

Mrs. Qiao got off the carriage carrying Qiao Jiaojiao, and when she saw the old lady bowing to her, she quickly stepped forward to help her up.

“Are you Mother Rong? My nanny often mentioned you. You don’t need to be so polite.”

Seeing Mother Rong’s insistence, Mrs. Qiao immediately became serious:

“Mother Rong, you have great merit as a good person. I really can’t afford your grand gesture.”

Qiao Jiaojiao looked up and saw that Mother Rong was a middle-aged woman with a round face. She was wearing coarse cloth clothes, her face weathered, but her round eyes were full of tenderness and warmth.

It’s just like Mother Jiang…

Qiao Jiaojiao’s eyes welled up with tears. It seemed that all the kind-hearted people in the world wore similar expressions of goodwill.

Mother Rong was a bit cautious. “Madam Qiao, the inside is rather crude. Please don’t look down on it.”

Mother Rong never expected that the Madam  Qiao who supported them would have such a compassionate demeanor.

Mrs. Qiao, holding Qiao Jiaojiao with one hand, affectionately held Mother Rong’s hand with the other.

“How could that be? Mother Rong, take me inside for a look.”

Seeing Mrs. Qiao’s easygoing demeanor, Mother Rong’s tense expression relaxed slightly, revealing a smile.

Mrs. Qiao stepped into the threshold of the relief hall. As Mother Rong had said, it was very simple inside, with just a glance to see it all, but it was clean and tidy.

Inside, there were many old ladies, some taking care of infants, some washing clothes, and children playing around noisily.

Further inside, there was a quieter room where older children who were not yet able to live independently helped with odd jobs to earn some extra money to support the relief hall.

When they heard movement, the children looked up. When they saw Mrs. Qiao, their eyes were full of astonishment and admiration, as if they had never seen such a beautiful Madam before.

Mrs. Qiao felt a pang of sadness at the sight.

Jiaojiao was her precious daughter, the jewel of the Qiao family, pampered and cherished since birth.

These children, on the other hand, were also human beings, but had to endure countless hardships. Their bodies were frail, some of them didn’t even have enough height, yet they were already working hard to make ends meet.

Unable to bear it any longer, Mrs. Qiao stepped back, her eyes red with tears.

“Mother Rong, the relief hall is even more difficult than I imagined. In the future, I will have Aunt Liu send more money each month.”

“And for these children, compile their measurements and give them to Aunt Liu. I’ll make several outfits for each of them.”

Upon hearing this, Mother Rong’s eyes filled with tears. “Madam Qiao, you’re truly virtuous. Thank you, Madam Qiao.”

Qiao Jiaojiao, seeing this familiar scene, was deeply moved.

“Material relief may temporarily alleviate their survival pressure, but it cannot change their fate.”

“If they continue like this, when they grow older, they will still lead the same life, continuing to rely on hard labor to make a living.”

“From ancient times to the present, having knowledge, skills, and abilities is the best way to change one’s destiny.”

This was the insight Qiao Jiaojiao gained from her time in the orphanage.

So when there were kind people sponsoring her education, she seized the opportunity and studied harder than anyone else, achieving excellent academic results.

If she hadn’t died young, perhaps she could have changed her fate through education.

“These children are of suitable age. If they can be taught according to their aptitude, those who want to study should be sponsored, and those who are not interested in studying should learn a good trade. Perhaps this relief hall will get better and better in the future.”

Mrs. Qiao heard this and stopped abruptly.

She understood that Jiaojiao was making sense; this was the fundamental solution.

“It’s a pity that I can’t speak now. When I can, I’ll take out all my private money and do my best to help you, the children!”

Mrs. Qiao heard this and her heart softened immensely.

Jiaojiao was truly the kindest child.

However, this matter needed careful handling. When she went back, she would discuss with her husband and, as Jiaojiao said, arrange a good future for these children!