OFR – Chapter 216 Donation

Zhang Tiantian glanced at the message page and saw it was from Mu Bai.

She knew that Mu Bai’s hometown was the same as hers.

Seeing that he was reaching out, she assumed he was probably worried about the situation in their hometown and quickly typed a reply.

Zhang Tiantian: “Yes, I’m here, Mu Bai. Are you planning to go back to the hometown? Or are you asking about someone’s situation?”

Not long after the message was sent, she received a quick reply.

Mu Bai: “Yeah, I saw the news about the disaster in your Space post. Just wanted to check in. Also, do you know how our old classmate Wang Yuwei’s family is doing?”

Zhang Tiantian: “Oh, Wang Yuwei! She’s not in our hometown right now—she’s still in Nanjing. Her parents didn’t tell her about the disaster because she’s preparing for the college entrance exam. They didn’t want to affect her. Physically, her parents are fine, but their house and belongings were all buried in the mudslide. Right now, they’re squeezed into a temporary tent provided by the local government.”

Zhang Tiantian typed back to Mu Bai.

Although she had transferred to a different school before finishing elementary school, she still had some impression of Wang Yuwei.

Back in those days, they had been pretty close.

When she last returned to her hometown, she made a point of visiting the families of her old classmates—Wang Yuwei’s parents among them.

Mu Bai replied: “It’s a relief that they’re safe. By the way, I saw in your post that you’re raising funds for the hometown. How much have you raised so far? How much is still needed?”

Zhang Tiantian: 😔 “We were originally aiming to raise over three million, but I think that goal is a bit hard to reach. In the past three days since I got back, I’ve barely managed to raise over 300,000. It’s all my fault—I just don’t have the ability…”

Talking about the fundraising efforts made Zhang Tiantian feel disheartened and guilty.

Every time she thought about the familiar faces of relatives and neighbors suffering back home—maybe not even able to celebrate the New Year—it tore at her heart.

Mu Bai, sitting comfortably in a private room at the Shuangyunlou Hotel in Nanjing, couldn’t fully feel the pain and anxiety Zhang Tiantian was going through.

But he genuinely admired her character and determination.

Reading her messages, he paused for a moment and then replied:

Mu Bai: “Don’t blame yourself, Tiantian. You’ve already done a great job.”

After sending that, Mu Bai chatted with her for a bit longer, and through the messages, he could sense her confusion and helplessness.

It stirred something in him.

Mu Bai: “Don’t worry. I believe the full amount will be raised in the end.”

That was his final comforting message before he returned to her Space post and clicked on the donation link in the post about the hometown disaster.

Yes—he had decided to make a donation.

After all, that was the place he had lived in for over a decade.

Once he clicked, the screen switched from QQ to Alipay.

On the new page, an official, verified Alipay donation campaign appeared.

[Disaster Relief for Qingliang Mountain]

Three days ago, Qingliang Mountain was hit by a natural mudslide disaster. The local government is actively organizing rescue efforts. We kindly ask everyone with a loving heart to lend their support. Alipay officially guarantees that this donation campaign is verified and all funds will be used under supervision to assist affected villagers. Every cent will be accounted for, and your donation will be made in your name.

Below the message were several images showing the aftermath of the disaster in Qingliang Mountain. Scrolling further down, Mu Bai saw a donation record and a few comments.

[User Xiao Yunfei] donated 7,000 yuan
“Thank you. Every donation will warm the hearts of those in need.”
Comment: “When one place suffers, support comes from all sides. I hope the villagers of Qingliang Mountain can stay strong.”

[Nanjing Xicheng Shoe Factory] donated 30,000 yuan
Comment: “To all the villagers of Qingliang Mountain, stay strong. The money isn’t much, just a token of our care. May the upcoming New Year bring comfort to your hearts. I believe life will only get better.”

[Mr. Zhang] donated 15,000 yuan
Comment: “Stay strong. I hope this money can help you through.”

Mu Bai skimmed through the comments and then looked at the donation total. It had just barely passed the 300,000 mark—still far from the needed amount.

No wonder Zhang Tiantian’s messages had been filled with such uncertainty and helplessness.