IBO -Chapter 86 Big Tree-Planting Activity

This novel contains sensitive and taboo content like R*pe, Mu**er etc. Read only if you are comfortable.

After this class, it was free activity time.

The children were still very young, so Song Yiran only taught one class in the afternoon. After class, the kids could play freely.

Before free activity time started, Song Yiran handed out the freshly dried clothes to the children.

Each child had two sets of clothes, each set including a top and pants, with their names embroidered on each piece.

The kids were overjoyed and immediately changed into their new clothes.

Song Fu excitedly ran up to his friends seeking compliments. “Look! Don’t I look good in my new clothes?”

“Nice!” Song Buli nodded, then couldn’t resist asking, “Fu Fu, do I look good now?”

Song Fu complimented him as well: “Hehe, you look good too~”

The rest of the cubs got caught up in a little beauty contest. A bunch of fluffy cubs huddled together to compare outfits, exchanging compliments like a mini commercial campaign.

“Do I look good in my new clothes?”

“Very good, excellent! Do you think I look good?”

“You look good too! We all look good!”

After the mutual compliments, the children ran to the yard to play in groups.

Song Yiran watched the whole scene from nearby, smiling uncontrollably.

He couldn’t help but sigh, “This is wonderful… this is how children should be. I hope they can always be carefree.”

“They will,” Xiao Zhong’er patted Song Yiran’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, nothing bad will happen this time.”

Song Yutu’s voice interjected, “Brother, where’s my outfit? Why did you only make clothes for them and not for me?”

“Brother, in your heart, am I always less important than these cubs?”

“First you gave my name to that little cub, and now no clothes for me?”

Song Yutu’s resentment was stronger than a male ghost’s. His heart felt sour, completely soaked in jealousy.

Song Yiran felt a pang of guilt from Song Yutu’s mournful gaze.

“Well… listen, there’s a reason. I made the children’s clothes a while ago, but only just finished drying them today.”

“But you came so suddenly, I wasn’t prepared. If I had known you were coming, I would have made your clothes too.”

“How about tonight I make your clothes? I’ll wash them immediately and hang them to dry so you can wear them tomorrow morning.”

Song Yiran promised sincerely. He was no longer the person he used to be—his sewing skills were now proficient, and he could definitely finish the clothes tonight.

But Song Yutu shook his head, “No need. Brother just recovered, you should rest a few more days.”

“It’s fine, I’m not in a rush. Brother can make my clothes later.”

“After all, more important than clothes is your health, brother.”

Song Yutu looked considerate, but it was a strategy to advance his position in his brother’s heart.

Haha, how could those little cubs compete with him?

A brother who cares about his health versus a bunch of cubs who only eat, play, and have fun—the choice is obvious!

Hahaha, he’s definitely winning this round!

Song Yiran was touched by Song Yutu’s words. Tears welled up. His little brother had grown and was so filial!

He patted Song Yutu’s head, “My precious little brother has grown up! Brother is proud of you!”

Evening came, and the gentle breeze brushed through Song Yiran’s hair as he looked at the rows of newly planted saplings with satisfaction.

But this time, it wasn’t him planting the trees—it was Song Yutu taking over.

Originally, he had planned to transplant the saplings from the old dormitory to the new dormitory, and then plant one for each of the new children.

However, Song Yutu felt that he hadn’t fully recovered yet, so he gently pushed him aside, picked up the shovel, and handled all the work himself.

The saplings were planted outside the balconies of the children’s rooms, so each child could see their own little tree from their balcony.

Under Song Yiran’s verbal guidance, Song Yutu first transplanted the three saplings from the old dormitory.

The first to be moved was Xiao Zhong’er’s peach sapling, now planted outside his balcony.

Next were Song Buli’s apple tree and Song Xiufu’s persimmon tree.

Then, still guided by Song Yiran’s instructions, Song Yutu planted a sapling for each of the remaining children, including himself.

Song Fu’s was a plum tree, Song Yang and Song An’s were apricot trees, Song Chiyu’s was a magnolia tree, Song Xianyue’s was an osmanthus tree.

Song Yuexin’s was a begonia, Song Yinyun’s a phoenix tree, and Song Yutu’s an orange tree.

All of these saplings were generously sponsored by Xiao Zhong’er.

Song Yiran patted Song Yutu’s shoulder with relief. “Tutu, thank you for your hard work!”

This child was truly filial and capable; when it came to work, he was skilled, and even planting trees, he didn’t cut corners at all.

Song Yutu smiled. “It’s nothing. As long as I can help you, Brother, that’s enough.”

“Brother, why are the trees outside each balcony different species? Is there a special meaning behind this?”

Song Yiran touched the bridge of his nose. If he told the real reason, would his little brother think he was superstitious?

Well, better to just tell the truth.

Though a bit superstitious, at least it wasn’t harmful and also added greenery to the orphanage.

“Well, actually, it’s a custom from my hometown. When a child is young, a tree is planted for them. It’s said to protect the child’s health and safety.”

Song Yutu was intrigued and asked, “Did your family plant a tree for you too?”

Song Yiran nodded. “When I was little, I fell seriously ill, and no treatment seemed to work. Then my mother planted a pomelo tree in the yard, and afterward, my health recovered.”

Hearing this, Song Yutu frowned. “Brother, I think you should also plant a tree for yourself here.”

Song Yiran awkwardly scratched the back of his head. “I did, actually… I planted several! But they’re seeds, so they haven’t sprouted yet.”

Song Yutu narrowed his eyes—Brother was trying to change the subject.

But he wasn’t fooled. He asked directly, “Why not just plant a sapling?”

“Oh, well… never mind. I’m already an adult. It’s you kids who need this.”

Song Yiran shook his head repeatedly—he didn’t need it, not at all.

“But Brother, I’m also an adult.”

Song Yiran tried to brush it off. “You’re different. No matter how old you are, you’re still my little brother.”

Song Yutu looked at him with concern. “Brother, what are you worried about?”

“I can hear it—your heartbeat is too fast. Brother, are you worried?”

An SSS-level physique allowed Song Yutu to hear many subtle sounds, including a human heartbeat.

From a while ago, Brother’s heartbeat had already exceeded the normal range.

He’d been discovered… Song Yiran lowered his eyes to hide his gaze.

So perceptive… just like Xiao Zhong’er.

Should he say “that’s my brother for you”?

Song Yiran lowered his head, not wanting anyone to see his expression, his voice slightly choked. “I just… don’t want to see that scene again. I don’t want anyone planting a tree for me for that reason, not even myself. Call me a coward if you want, but I don’t want to see that scene again…”

He had so much more he wanted to say, but in the end, it all became a sigh.

What else could he say? What would it change?

Such an act reminded him of his mother, but she had long since passed.

He could plant pomelo seeds just because he wanted to eat pomelos, or he could plant a pomelo tree in the yard.

Any reason was fine—wanting to eat pomelos, wanting to see the tree—but the reason could never be to wish him safety.

That would remind him of his mother.

She loved him, and that was why she planted that pomelo tree for him years ago.

She planted it to protect him.

She only wanted him to grow up safe and healthy.

But she had left him early, and the tree became her legacy.

That pomelo tree, symbolizing safety, was like a scar for Song Yiran.

He could live with it without issue, but the moment he touched it, the wound would bleed afresh.

That scar had never truly healed; it only temporarily covered the gaping, bleeding wound.

Like a book frozen in time, forever unreadable.

Like a reverse scale on his chest—touch it, and it hurt unbearably.

So it couldn’t be turned, couldn’t be touched. He had to carefully wrap it in his own flesh.

The atmosphere at the scene became heavy. Song Yutu and Xiao Zhong’er could all sense Song Yiran’s emotional struggle.

Song Yutu quickly apologized, reading the room. “Brother, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked that question.”

Xiao Zhong’er tried to lighten the mood. “Song Yiran, what do you want for dinner tonight?”

He frantically gestured to Song Yutu, who didn’t miss the cue.

Song Yutu immediately steered the conversation toward dinner. “Brother, I can make whatever you want—I’m really good at cooking!”

This worked perfectly. Song Yiran, who had been a little down, now focused on dinner instead.

“Anything is fine, but please don’t mix Kamaka fruit with other foods again.”

Song Yiran explained, “The taste is fine, but I really can’t accept blue-colored meals.”

Song Yutu seriously noted this suggestion. “Got it! Don’t worry, Brother, I won’t make blue meals again.”

Afterward, Song Yiran was guided back to his room to rest, while Song Yutu marched into the kitchen, ready to prepare dinner.

The moment Song Yutu entered the kitchen, his Lightbrain beeped—a message from Song Yang.

[Song Yang]: Can you let me see Brother? We could communicate, and then you pass the Lightbrain to Brother so I can chat with him~

[Song Yang]: Can you see it? If you let me communicate with Brother, I won’t hold you accountable for stealing my starship.

[Song Yang]: Fine, that starship is yours. Just let me see Brother~

[Song Yang]: Don’t be so grudge-holding just because I scolded you before. If worse comes to worst, you can just send me a photo of Brother.