Crystal nodded, "Yes, it’s the first ti out. The matron doesn’t let us go out casually, saying the outside is full of bad people."
"What else does the matron tell you?" Evelyn Clayton held her hand, slowly walking on the sidewalk, watching the falling leaves. She added, "What does she usually tell you?"
Crystal tried hard to think, and said slowly, "The matron also says we are unwanted children. If soone cos, we should be obedient and quiet. When we see guests, we should give them big smiles. Like this—"
Saying that, Crystal opened her lips, revealing a sowhat stiff and unnatural smile.
Evelyn was amused by her funny yet adorable expression, "Then why didn’t you smile when you saw just now?"
Upon hearing this, Crystal lowered her head, her voice much quieter, mumbling, "I don’t like it... I feel uncomfortable."
Evelyn stopped walking, seriously bent down to look at her, "Why are you uncomfortable?"
"We’re not kittens or puppies..." Crystal’s voice grew softer, "If those adults don’t like us, they shouldn’t take us back. Why do we have to smile like that? I’ve seen begging dogs, wagging their tails, and it’s just like the smile the matron teaches us."
At this mont, Evelyn felt endless compassion and sorrow in her heart.
She crouched down, quietly gazing at Crystal.
Crystal pursed her lips, "What’s wrong? Do you think what I said wasn’t good?"
"No, what you said was great." Evelyn’s voice was gentle, "If you don’t like it, then don’t do it; it’s really just a small matter. It’s good you’re learning to say no; but you also need to learn to protect yourself, so you don’t get hurt by others because of refusing."
Crystal’s expression was briefly bewildered, and then she seed to vaguely understand sothing, nodded vigorously.
Evelyn crouched down again, seriously looking at Crystal, "Can you tell if there’s been any other visitors to your place recently? Not people adopting children, just regular folks."
Crystal’s face showed a mont of bewildernt, but after a while, she seed to rember sothing, and said, "A few days ago, a sister ca!"
*
Half an hour later, Evelyn brought Crystal back.
Jas Grant and Isabella Garrison were waiting at the gate. Seeing them return, Isabella hurriedly welcod them as if relieved.
"Mrs. Grant." Isabella smiled as she took Crystal’s hand, "How did it go with Crystal?"
Saying that, Isabella turned to look at Crystal, "Crystal didn’t cause any trouble, right?"
Crystal shook her head obediently, "No."
"Crystal was really good," Evelyn grinned, "Today really troubled Director Garrison."
Isabella quickly said, "No trouble at all, it’s what we should do."
Saying that, Isabella glanced at Jas Grant beside her, her smile containing a slight sense of flattery.
It seed Jas Grant had been asking Isabella all sorts of things, enough to make Isabella start feeling uneasy.
"Well, that’s all for today. Director Garrison, we’ll say goodbye for now. Once we’ve made a decision, we’ll co again."
Evelyn spoke unhurriedly, her serious deanor didn’t seem fake at all.
"Alright, alright."
Isabella could only keep nodding in agreent, very diligently seeing them off through the gate.
Back in the car, both Jas and Evelyn were silent for a mont.
Suddenly making eye contact, they both burst into laughter.
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