Win My Husband Over to Find My Child
Chapter 167: My Name is Calliope

Chapter 167: My Name is Calliope

"My elderly mother founded this home more than twenty years ago after her retirement. She was a civil servant. I took over when she turned ill. Since then, I’ve managed this place on her behalf."

Calix intently listened to Director Li’s description of the orphanage as they walked down the hallway. He inquired about it before they stepped inside the building.

Mrs. Fan stayed behind with Calix’s bodyguards. She oversaw them moving the boxes from the front yard into the home. Some of them needed to be transferred to the kitchen.

"Your mother has done so well, Director Li," Calix was sincere with his praise, "I know that it’s not easy to run an orphanage. If I may ask, how do you fund this place?"

"Aside from government assistance, we fund this home through donations, fundraising and even small business," Director Li continued her explanation, "Sometimes, we sell the vegetables in the backyard. We also make cupcakes and cookies to be sold."

Despite not getting much profit, it was better than nothing. Director Li also wanted the children, especially the older ones to be involved with the activities.

"That’s good thinking, Director Li," Calix nodded once, agreeing with the orphanage director’s approach, "We can’t deny taking care of children requires money. If you only depend on government funds and outside donations, it’ll be harder on you and the children."

This was like killing two birds with one stone. Director Li would get to fundraise while the children develop skills through the small business.

"Yes. I have more than twenty mouths to feed," Director Li chuckled, thinking of everyone in this orphanage, "As the head, I need to make the move."

Aside from funding the children’s education and necessities, Director Li also had a few staff she needed to pay wages. Mrs. Fan, two other caretakers and one cook.

Because Director Li wasn’t able to hire more people, she and the staff took turns handling other aspects. She was blessed to have understanding and considerate subordinates who also loved the children.

"Oh, we’re here," Director Li’s eyes fell to a room down the hallway. The door was already opened, "The older children are away at school. They won’t return until three at least. We only have children aged six and below now."

Calix raised his brows, certain that Calliope would be among the children who stayed. He listened to Director Li explaining the kinds of activities done by them during the weekdays.

Faint yet lively chatters of children and adults came from the direction of the room. Calix saw colorful murals drawn on the door and the walls inside the room.

"Are they studying, Director Li?" Calix was not sure what children their age would usually do. He was reminded of Amelia who went to kindergarten, "Won’t I be interrupting?"

"You’re not disturbing them, Mr. Xu," Director Li let out a chuckle, "We don’t want to pressure them to study. They learn basic words and numbers through educational games. We’ll have outside teachers come twice a week."

Calix simply nodded, unable to say anything when his focus was more on the thought of meeting Calliope. He silently watched Director Li knock on the open door, stopping a few feet away behind her.

"Darlings~ Do you remember what I’ve told you this morning? Our guests have arrived."

Once Director Li said that, an explosion of happy cheers echoed within the room, startling Calix.

"Yayy~"

"Granny, where are our guests?"

"Granny, will we get new toys?"

Their childlike voices reached Calix’s ears, prompting him to chuckle. Director Li smiled in helplessness while glancing at the young man.

"Mr. Xu, I’m sorry if you’re troubled. The children are always excited whenever we receive visitors."

The orphanage rarely had guests. From time to time, university students come to do volunteer work here but, the last one was before the Lunar New Year. Sometimes, charity bodies also visited this home.

"It’s fine, Director Li. It’s nothing to apologize for. Please introduce me to them. My men will come soon with their gifts."

Calix answered with a softened smile. Shifting his eyes to the room, he saw several happy faces of children looking at him in wonder. Their countenances brightened at the mention of gifts.

"Then, please come in," Director Li gestured at Calix to step inside the room, her face beaming, "I think these little ones can’t wait to know you."

Muffled laughter escaped Calix’s lips. He followed Director Li, walking through the door frame.

The caretakers greeted them with a smile before stepping away from the children whose focus lay on Calix. The little ones sat on the floor, some of them were standing.

Books, colored pencils and other items were scattered on the low table and the floor.

"Wow~ Mister, you’re so tall."

"Mister, where are you from?"

Two questions came from the children, prompting Calix to laugh more. Director Li gently chided the little turnip heads to behave.

"Director Li, may I sit down?" Calix subtly pointed to the carpeted floor before Director Li introduced who he was, "I want to be on their eye level if possible."

"You may. Please do so, Mr. Xu," Director Li was pleased with Calix’s action, "Hehe, they’ll think you want to be friends with them."

Calix mellowed his smile. Lowering his body, he sat cross-legged on the floor. His eyes wandered from the left to the right, taking in the look full of curiosity from the children.

"Hello, everyone," unsure what to do, Calix simply waved his right hand, "My name is Calix. I come here with my friends to play with you. Will you accept us in your team?"

The children’s eyes sparkled in delight. A few of them nodded.

"Yes, yes! Let’s play!"

"Granny, what can we play with this mister?"

"Uncle, where are your friends? Let’s play together!"

Amused by the children’s continuous chattering, Calix tried not to laugh too much. Director Li and the caretakers exchanged glances, understanding that the little one couldn’t hold their excitement back.

"Shouldn’t you introduce yourselves to me, en?" Calix wiggled his brows, scanning the happy faces in front of him, "Who wants to go first?"

"Me! Me! I’m Aidan!"

"Mister, my name is Sophia."

"Hehe, I’m Carl."

One by one, the children came forward to tell Calix their names. Director Li and the caretakers let the little ones do it by themselves.

At the same time, the bodyguards came with the boxes of toys and books. Mrs. Fan was with them.

While Calix was entertaining the children as they continued introducing themselves, a little girl with twin ponytails marched through the other little ones. A red crochet fox toy dangled from her short arms.

"Poppy! Calliope is here!"

Calix flinched at the sound of the child’s voice. Blinking, he slowly shifted his eyes from the others to the one wearing the mint-colored dress.

A little girl around Amelia’s age stood in front of Calix. Her adorable face reminded him of the photo he gave Leslie a few days ago.

"My name is Calliope. Call me Poppy. Oh! We wear the same color ah!"

The little one—the most awaited Calliope—happily pointed at Calix’s shirt, her whole face beaming with excitement.

’This is... her.’

Pulling himself out of the stupor, Calix smiled as if nothing happened. He stared at the cheerful little one, "What should I call you? Calliope? Or, Poppy? Your dress is cute."

"Hehe, call me Poppy," Calliope waved one of the crochet toy’s upper limbs, "This is Poppy’s new friend. Say hi to Mimo."

Calix blinked. His gaze wandered from Calliope to the toy she named Mimo.