Raising Orphans, Not Assassins

Chen Ye was stunned for a moment, then looked at the small courtyard made with green tiles, white walls and curved eaves.However, he couldn’t believe his eyes.

Was this the orphanage the system had given him? Wasn’t it a bit small?

But the bigger issue was, who places an orphanage less than a hundred meters from a brothel?

Chen Ye pondered for a moment, his expression becoming strange as he came to a realization.

Thinking about it, It made sense.

If those ladies accidentally had children, wouldn’t they send them to the orphanage?

Chen Ye felt a pang of frustration.

He stepped through the gate of “Yuhang Orphanage” and saw an eighty square meter courtyard.

Apart from the courtyard, there were three small rooms, each roughly a hundred square meters. The courtyard was spotless, and the wooden doors of the rooms were brand new, emitting a faint wood fragrance.

Chen Ye walked into one of the rooms and glanced around. The furniture and furnishing were all in place. Apart from the lack of orphans, the place was actually quite decent.

【Ding!】

【New Task: Adoption】

【Task Information: Please adopt an orphan within three days.】

【Task Reward: 100 points, 20 taels of silver.】

The courtyard was different from what Chen Ye had imagined, but it was acceptable.

‘Let’s open the newbie gift pack first.’

Thinking this, Chen Ye mentally commanded “Open the newbie gift pack!”

【Ding!】

【Newbie Gift Pack opened successfully!】

【Congratulations host, you have received: 20 taels of silver, Orphan Skills “Strong Physique” and “Skillful Hands.”】

【Strong Physique: Strength growth accelerated; can only wield heavy weapons.】

【Dexterous Hands: Enhanced talent for daily life skills like cooking and mending; greatly improved talent for mechanics and handiwork.】

After opening the newbie gift pack, a smile spread across Chen Ye’s face.

Twenty taels of silver were equivalent to 20,000 copper coins, or about 10,000 yuan in modern terms.

Chen Ye’s gaze fell on the two skills.

【Strong Physique】 and 【Dexterous Hands】. Why did these skills seem a bit strange?

The first half was fine, but what’s wrong with the second half?

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‘Can only wield heavy weapons; greatly enhanced mechanical and handiwork skills.’

Chen Ye pondered for a moment but didn’t dwell on it.

It seemed simple to him, as he only needed to recruit a few orphans, give them the skills, teach them some basic survival skills, and that was it. He would just wait for the system to issue rewards. No need to overthink it.

Moving on from that thought, Chen Ye fell into contemplation again.

He needed to adopt an orphan within three days, and they had to be smart and clever. That wouldn’t be easy.

Generally, the smart and clever orphans had long been sold into servitude as house servants or maids.

“Dad, I’m hungry.” An innocent voice suddenly interrupted Chen Ye’s thoughts.

“Tch, why did you follow me here too?!”

Chen Ye was startled to see the snot-nosed little beggar had somehow followed him inside, staring at him dumbly.

Chen Ye stared at the boy for a while. The boy’s eyes shifted slightly but still looked foolish.

“Dad, I’m hungry.”

“Sniff…” The little beggar repeated.

“What kind of situation is this…” Chen Ye looked at the little beggar and muttered.

This kid had followed me all the way here, calling me dad so affectionately.

Even though he didn’t meet Chen Ye’s criteria for adoption, smart and clever, there weren’t any other orphans around.

Hmm, if he’s begging on the streets, then he’s probably an orphan right?

For the sake of the system reward, let’s take him in. Chen Ye made his decision.

“Fine, fine…”

“Don’t call me dad. I’m not much older than you. Call me Director.”

Chen Ye’s face darkened, but his gaze toward the little beggar softened.

The little beggar stared dumbly at Chen Ye and called out again, “Dad.”

【Ding!】

【Congratulations host, for completing the adoption!】

【Rewards issued: 100 points, 20 taels of silver.】

【Ding!】

【Please name the orphan: - - - -】

Huh? There’s a naming part too?

Chen Ye looked at the snot-nosed little beggar. The boy gazed back at him with a dumb look in his eyes.

Chen Ye suddenly felt a headache, "From now on, your name will be Chen Da Ming! Hopefully, you'll grow up to be a bit smarter."

This name carried Chen Ye's hopeful wishes.

【Ding!】

【Congratulations host, for successfully naming!】

With the name Chen Da Ming, the boy's eyes moved slightly, and he said again, "Dad, I'm hungry!"

"Stop fussing, your dad here is hungry too."

"Actually, no. Call me Director. I'm not your dad." Chen Ye's face was as dark as the bottom of a pot.

Guo Jing, that silly man picked up a little beggar, but turned into a beautiful girl.

They are both beggars, but why is it that when I pick up a beggar, it's a dumb kid?

After naming Chen Da Ming, the system popped up an information panel.

【Name: Chen Da Ming】

【ID: 0001】 {ED: Has a bit of a Hitman vibe to it, doesn’t it? Then again, the story is just that}

【Gender: Male】

【Age: 10 years old】

【Skills: None】

Skills...

Right, I can assign skills to orphans.

With a thought, two skill options appeared before Chen Ye's eyes.

【Strong Physique】 and 【Dexterous Hands】.

Chen Ye stared at the two skill options and without hesitation, assigned 【Strong Physique】 to Chen Da Ming.

Are you kidding? Giving this silly kid 【Dexterous Hands】?

"Da Ming, I don't ask for much. Just grow up strong and help me with some work in the future."

Chen Ye said earnestly while squatting down in front of Da Ming.

"Dad, I'm hungry." Chen Da Ming sniffled, and shouted with a serious look on his face.

Chen Ye could only hope Chen Da Ming’s condition would improve over time.

After taking in Chen Da Ming, Chen Ye walked through the three rooms of the orphanage, and took a look around.

There were tables, chairs, and beddings, but no daily necessities or food supplies.

Chen Ye still needed to buy it himself.

“Forget it, 40 taels of silver, it shouldn’t cost much to buy those.” Chen Ye muttered.

Back to the courtyard, smelling the stench coming from Chen Da Ming. Chen Ye covered his nose:

“Come on, Da Ming, Director will take you to buy you some new clothes first."

“Then take a bath.”

Da Ming sniffled again, staring with dumb eyes, and obediently followed behind Chen Ye.

The two walked out of the courtyard to buy supplies.

Since Da Ming hadn't bathed in who knows how long, nobody dared come within three meters of them on the street, drawing numerous curses from passersby.

Chen Ye first bought him some clothes, then headed to the river outside the city to give him a bath and change his clothes.

Once cleaned up, Chen Da Ming's true appearance emerged.

To describe it simply, he looked plain and average, a foolish and honest look plastered on his face. Chen Ye sighed while patting Da Ming's head.

Though he wanted to take in only smart and clever orphans, the abandoned ones were often those with disabilities or illnesses.

Again, most bright and clever orphans had already found ways to make a living.

Where would Chen Ye ever get such a lucky deal?

Walking through Yuhang County with Da Ming, the air was filled with the scent of horse manure. The carriages and people moved leisurely.

The inns and restaurants lining the street had bright signs, with the aromas of wine and food wafting out, making Chen Ye's stomach growl again.

After buying everything, he would quickly head home to make a good meal.

While he was thinking this, Chen Ye noticed Da Ming drooling, so he took out some coins and bought him two buns to snack on.

Continuing along the road, the two of them arrived in front of a shop called "Zhaocai Grain Store."

After some inquiries, Chen Ye bought 25 kilograms of rice and 25 kilograms of mixed grain flour at 8 copper coins per kilogram.

After weighing the goods, the shop assistant lifted a bag of mixed grain flour. With a glance, he exclaimed in surprise, "Young Master Chen, this boy has quite the strength!"

Da Ming sniffled as he lifted the 25 kilogram bag of rice onto his small frame, his steps slightly unsteady as he walked out.

Chen Ye didn't bother explaining his relationship with Da Ming.

When he saw Da Ming carrying the bag of rice out, he was also somewhat surprised.

Rubbing his chin, Chen Ye pondered, "Could it be that I've found a treasure? Was he born with great strength? Or is it because of the skill?"

That bag of rice weighed about 50 pounds, and it wasn't easy for a ten-year-old child to lift it. This was enough to explain the peculiarity.

‘Well, although his brain isn't particularly sharp, he's got strength. He won't starve in the future.’

‘Yeah, maybe I can consider sending Da Ming to learn a thing or two at the blacksmith's shop in the future…’

Taking in a child meant being responsible for them. Planning their career well and giving them specialized training. This was the only way for orphans to quickly grasp survival skills and become self-reliant

Chen Ye picked up a few small bags of grain.

As he exited the grain shop, he saw Da Ming standing at the entrance, panting, with the rice bag on the ground.

Seeing Chen Ye come out, Da Ming called out innocently, "Dad, I'm hungry!"

"Good grief, didn't you just eat…" Chen Ye's face darkened.