The Urban Dao Child

The next morning Yang Dao woke up in his bunk bed, he rubbed his eyes and found everyone else was still sleeping. The mental stress on them all must have made them all sleep a little longer. Without causing any disturbance Yang Dao walked outside the room and found Laohu Bai walking out of the guest room she was arranged to stay in. 

She said, "Good morning Young Master."

Yang Dao replied to her. Usually, girls will have messy hair and a grumpy mood when they wake up but Laohu Bai looked very pretty just like how Feng Yun does. The boy connected this to have to do anything with being the spirits of the heavenly beasts. Yang Dao walked to the staircase and said, "Would you like to go out for a jog?"

Laohu Bai nodded, "Yes." The two were already wearing sport shoes when they came out. Laohu Bai had someone deliver them some good clothes. They walked downstairs, came out of the orphanage building. Yang Dao did some warm-up jumps and stretches. Then he started to run ahead at a slow pace. 

Laohu Bai followed his pace for the run. On the way, a lot of early risers saw Yang Dao and greeted him. Yang Dao has been running here for 3 years. He has basically known by his face. After finding his sunny face appear after a long time a lot of people asked him why did he suddenly go missing. He replied that he joined the college, people congratulated him, and carried on running. 

They were not familiar with each other but just used to see each other in the morning, while they come out to run or walk. The bell city was one-fourth of the size of the Jade city so Yang Dao was at ease here. Soon he led Laohu Bai to a market, the air lingered with the fresh smell of vegetables and spices.

Yang Dao stopped in front of a shop. A young girl in her twenties was sitting at the counter. She saw Yang Dao and said with a smile, "Dao, back for a break?"

Yang Dao nodded and asked, "Do you have any Emerald grapes?"

The girl nodded, "Yes, 20 carat coins per pound. How much do you want?"

Yang Dao said, "Two pounds please sister jenny." he took out four notes from his pocket and handed them to the girl. Jenny, the vendor, gave him two pounds of emerald-like grapes on a paper plate. Yang Dao smiled and said, "How is little momo?"

Jenny smile, "She is as naughty as ever. If you come by noon, he will be here."

Yang Dao shook his head with a smile and said, "I will be leaving then, give my best to everyone at home sister Jenny." with that said he left waving to the girl who returned his best wishes. 

The boy extended the plate of grapes to Laohu Bai and said, "Have some Sister Bai, they are straight from the farms."

The white-haired girl who was attracting the attention of almost everyone in the market street picked up a grape and tossed it in her mouth disregarding her non-existent lady image. She chewed on it and said, "Young Master, this is nice, should we buy a lot for Sister Feng and your friends?"

Yang Dao shook his head and said, "Sister Jenny will not have enough on her shop." Laohu Bai nodded and asked, "Why not by from the other shops?"

Yang Dao replied, "They won't have this grape at all. Sister Jenny and her family are the owners of all the grape farms on the outskirts. They supply it to the big hotels. She is here at the shop because her father started everything with just a shop and she is here to look after it in the morning."

Laohu Bai asked, "How do you know her Young Master?"

Yang Dao replied, "They adopted Momo, a two-year-old toddler from our place. At that time I used to be Momo's sitter. So when she had some problem adjusting at their place, I was called over." his voice was calm. 

Laohu Bai asked, "It would be difficult to take care of a kid no?"

Yang Dao smiled but did not answer. The two chatted a bit as they ate the fresh grapes, Then they ran around the market. After half an hour Yang Dao stopped at the sight of a truck. Some labor were unloading some spare parts. He approached them and said, "Hey, Cline, long time no see."

The man overseeing the labors turned to him and smiled after some moments, "Hey guys, Dao is here. Where have you been sleek?"

Yang Dao said, "Jade city, college."

The man nodded and his gaze landed on Laohu Bai, he asked, "And who might this young lady be?"

Yang Dao said, "She is the general in the army, came here to deal with the terror attack two days ago. We lost three children so. She is currently a guest at the Orphanage."

Laohu Bai nodded to the few people. Cline said, "Yeah, I heard. It is saddening. May they rest in peace."

Yang Dao held a small convo and then left. He said to Laohu Bai, "Cline is the owner of the mechanic shop where I worked. He is also Sister Tina's elder brother."

Laohu Bai nodded. Yang Dao and she ran around again, it was already a couple of hours since they came out, so they returned on foot. The speed of their run became faster and faster. By the time they reached the orphanage, they were almost blue from the lack of air. Yang Dao slumped onto the floor of the reception area. 

He closed his eyes as he took in a deep breath. He suddenly felt a soft hand on his head and looked up to see Sister Tina smiling at him. She asked softly, "Back at it again?"

Yang Dao stuck out his tongue. Tina has stopped him from running so head but this time she did not pinch his ears just asked him to rest well. After catching up his breath he asked, "Did you call others?"

Sister Tina nodded and said, "Just when you were out, Yurika will be coming over in a few hours. The rest will come by the evening."

Yang Dao nodded as he sat up and he said, "Can I go back today? I have some worked to do back in the college."

Sister Tina nodded and said, "Yes, go back to study."

The boy and the woman sat in the center of the reception hall, chatting and stuff. After half an hour Yang dao stood up and said, "I will go to the shower now."

Sister Tina nodded and she also stood up to attend to the work matters of her own. Soon the orphanage started to liven up like usual. The seven children seem to have forgotten about the tragedy. While the elders have started to learn self-defense and weight training. Even the girls. Laohu Bai decided to lend a hand. She arranged for some Discharged soldiers to come here and teach the kids. 

Yang Dao was worry-free, with the amount of cash inflow from the paradise hotel group was sufficient to support the orphanage with ease. He just relaxed while he pampered his sisters. He braided Mina and Nina's hair, got read some boys with Tasha. Played with the younger ones. The seemingly quiet boy was still not used to words, but slowly he has now begun to change and personality. 

When the clock ticked 12 Laohu Bai appeared next to him and said, "Young Master, it is time."

Yang Dao nodded and after washing up his dishes he walked to Sister Tina's office. The lady was looking at the supply list at this moment. She sensed Yang Dao peeking inside like he always does, without looking up she said, "Dao, come in." her voice was soft and warm.

Yang Dao walked inside and said, "Time to go." his heart was not calm. This was his home and going away was something he did not like. 

Sister Tina smiled and said, "May the gods watch over my child. May they bless you with glory and fame."

Yang Dao did not say amen, he said, "May God bless me with a sane mind and happy heart. Why ask for fame and glory?"

Sister Tina chuckled. Every time she prayed for anything other than this for him. The boy would scrunch his nose just like right now. He did not allow sister Tina to see him off. But when he came out he saw his siblings standing there with watery eyes. 

He gave them all hugs and smiles. He told them to come over and stay with him during the summer vacation. After coaxing them all he got in a jeep and departed. He still waved at them until the vehicle turned and the orphanage vanished. He took his head back and sighed as he mumbled, "Home is where your heart is. True I guess."