Beyond the empire's border stood an orphanage named “Haven”.
It might sound unbelievable, but there was a hierarchy even among orphanages.
The closer they were to the imperial capital, the easier it was to receive financial aid, and the higher the probability of the children being adopted by nobles.
But Haven Orphanage, situated in a remote area, naturally faced extremely difficult circumstances.
The children had no decent clothes and could only wear hand-me-downs left by the older boys and girls.
The only book they had for studying was a single Imperial language textbook.
That book had long since become dilapidated, its cover stained and its pages yellowed from constant turning.
Irene had applied to the empire for aid many times.
However, her requests were ignored time and time again.
Over time, resentment toward the empire gradually began to build within her...
At least, that was how it went in the original storyline.
“Are you the volunteer who came to be a teacher for a day?”
“Yes, I'm “Ann”, who contacted you earlier.”
Li An—or rather, he should be called “Ann” now.
In order to hide his true identity, Li An had registered under a pseudonym to become a teacher for a day at Haven Orphanage.
In reality, a teacher-for-a-day was not some important position.
All he needed to do was play with the kids and read them books.
And if he was unlucky...
He might even have to help change a few diapers.
“Your face... I feel like I've seen it somewhere before.”
Irene looked at Li An, wearing a puzzled expression.
“Ah! You used to come to my sandwich shop quite often!”
She suddenly remembered.
“What a coincidence... but I eventually had to close down the shop because I got too busy with the orphanage.”
“I understand. After all, your primary work is more important.”
Led by Irene, Li An stepped into the orphanage.
However, he quickly noticed something off.
This place was completely different from the Haven Orphanage in his memory.
According to the original storyline, the children here should have been chronically malnourished, each of them weak and emaciated.
The blankets they used should have been crawling with fleas, keeping the children awake at night from the itching.
Growing up in such an environment was exactly why they would gradually come to hate the empire.
And eventually become outstanding anti-imperial rebels.
This was the original path of the story's development.
But...
The orphanage before his eyes was not like that at all.
The building was clean, tidy, and could even be called luxurious.
It didn't look like an orphanage.
Instead, it looked more like an aristocratic academy.
“The buildings here... are very beautiful,” Li An couldn't help but say.
“They were recently expanded.”
“Expanded?”
“Where did the funds come from?”
“Ah, about that...”
Irene smiled slightly.
“They were provided by you.”
Li An was taken aback.
Until now, he had always anonymously donated most of the bribes he received to Haven Orphanage.
Of course, he also had his own little calculations.
His thought process was simple.
If these children grew into anti-imperial forces in the future, then at least he could obtain some psychological comfort when the empire fell.
After all...
He was the benefactor of the future revolutionary army.
Furthermore, if these children had a better living environment, they might grow even stronger in the future.
A one-star villain?
Perhaps he could nurture them into three-star villains.
But now...
Whoosh—
A ball suddenly flew over.
“My ball! My ball!”
“No way! It just went out of bounds, so that doesn't count!”
“Hey! We have a guest here, be careful!”
“If you keep this up, I'm confiscating the ball!”
“Sorry, Teacher Irene.”
Li An bent down and picked up the ball.
The ball wasn't as worn out as he had imagined.
On the contrary, it was smooth and brand new, looking as if it had just been bought.
“Mister?”
As Li An held the ball, lost in thought, several children who were playing looked at him curiously.
He looked down and observed the children.
Each of them was chubby and healthy.
They clearly had a long-term intake of sufficient protein, carbs, and fats.
Their clothes were clean and neat.
Their faces were also full of a healthy glow.
—Wait.
These children...
Wasn't their standard of living even better than that of children from ordinary noble families?
Li An felt that something was amiss.
“Everyone, this is Mr. Ann. He's here to be our teacher for the day.”
“He's an official of the empire!”
Irene gathered the children together and introduced Li An.
Li An secretly regretted his choice.
—If only I hadn't mentioned my occupation.
The only reason he had mentioned his job was because a strange trend had recently emerged within the empire.
Older men without jobs were severely looked down upon by society.
They were even treated as useless bums.
So, claiming to be unemployed?
Absolutely not.
Furthermore, unemployed people weren't even qualified to volunteer at orphanages.
Unable to think of a suitable profession on the spot, Li An could only casually say he was an imperial official.
But now...
He felt he might have made a mistake.
These children were the marginalized of the empire.
Upon hearing the title “imperial official,” they logically shouldn't have a good reaction.
However...
“Wow! That's so cool!”
“I want to become an imperial official too in the future!”
“What do we have to study to become an official?”
In an instant, a barrage of questions assaulted Li An.
Li An was stunned.
What was going on?
These children...
Didn't hate the empire at all?
“If you want to become an official, you need to study your basic courses diligently.”
“But our private tutor said that everyone who becomes an official is amazing.”
“Private tutor?”
Li An's eyes widened.
“You guys even have private tutors?”
“Yup, they invite outside teachers to come over every week to teach us things we're interested in.”
Li An fell into a complete silence.
Just what in the world was going on here?
“I want to be a musician when I grow up!”
The girl had a name tag hanging on her chest: Clina.
According to the original plot, she would become the leader of the anti-imperial guerrilla forces in the future.
“I want to be a chef!”
The one speaking just now was Stephen.
The person who would attack imperial institutions and initiate suicide bombings in the future.
“Hehe, I don't want to be that ordinary.”
The last child pushed up his glasses.
“I want to become a minister.”
Sirius.
The future leader of the anti-imperial army.
“Teacher, what rank of official are you right now?”
“Sixth rank.”
Sirius crossed his arms and nodded earnestly.
“Hmm, not bad.”
His expression was as if to say: you are barely qualified to speak with me.
The corner of Li An's mouth twitched.
With things developing like this...
It was impossible for these children to grow into an anti-imperial force!
He couldn't help but ask:
“Have you ever thought about taking revenge on the empire?”
“Like, blowing up the buildings built on the blood, sweat, and tears of the commoners...”
“Teacher.”
One of the children looked at him seriously.
“Are you a communist?”
“Everyone, report him quickly!”
One of the children bolted.
Li An hurriedly grabbed his leg.
It took him a long time to explain that he was just joking.
Although he wanted to be fired, if he were branded with such a label in the empire, it wouldn't be as simple as just getting fired.
In the end, Li An realized one thing.
The money he had donated...
was simply too much.
His original action of casually accepting bribes and then donating them all was now producing the exact opposite effect.
The children who might have become anti-imperial revolutionaries in the future were now growing up healthy and happy as loyal citizens of the empire.
“Teacher, look!”
A child of about six years old ran over.
“This is my drawing!”
Li An looked down.
Although the drawing was childish, it depicted a black-haired man.
The man wore a cloak, held a long sword, and had a gentle smile on his face.
Though simple, it was filled with the child's sincerity.
“Who is this?”
“The Great Big Uncle.”
“The Great Big Uncle?”
“Yup! He's the good person who sponsors our orphanage!”
The Great Big Uncle...
Li An suddenly realized.
When he had donated to the orphanage, the anonymous name he used was precisely—the Great Big Uncle.
So...
the man in this drawing was actually how the children imagined him.
“Oh...”
“Is this the Great Big Uncle?”
Just then, Stephen walked over.
“It's drawn well.”
“But my Great Big Uncle is handsomer.”
As he spoke, he took out a handmade small doll from his pocket.
The doll was dressed in formal attire, holding a baton in its hand.
It looked like a resolute scholar.
“Is that all?”
“Of course not.”
Stephen pointed toward the wall.
A massive portrait hung there.
In the portrait, a handsome black-haired man who had never existed stood there elegantly.
Written below it was:
【The Great Comrade “The Great Big Uncle”—Artwork by Sirius】
Li An looked at the portrait, sinking into silence.
—This is way too ridiculous.
“Are you leaving already?”
“Yes.”
Li An nodded.
“The kids are all very outstanding. It seems there's nothing much for me to teach them.”
Irene smiled.
“Is that so? It certainly seems that way.”
“But they're actually quite mischievous; they're just acting mature in front of an outsider.”
Before leaving, Li An and Irene chatted alone for a bit.
Without a doubt, according to the original plot, Irene would eventually awaken as a Saintess due to her hatred and despair toward the empire.
But what about now?
Would she still head toward that future?
Perhaps she would just remain an ordinary teacher, caring for the children day in and day out.
“If that Great Big Uncle who sponsors the orphanage actually harbored some ill intentions,”
“what do you think would happen?”
Irene pondered for a moment.
“Hmm...”
“Even if he started with bad intentions,”
“if it brought a good result in the end, wouldn't it still be considered a good thing?”
Li An remained silent.
“I understand.”
“Most importantly...”
Irene looked toward the orphanage.
“We are very happy right now.”
“And for all of this, we have him to thank.”
There seemed to be nothing left to discuss.
Li An left the orphanage.
The children stood at the entrance, waving.
“Goodbye, Teacher!”
“You must come again next time!”
“Bye-bye!”
However, after Li An turned and walked away, he didn't see that Irene was still standing there.
She watched his departing figure for a very, very long time.
Then, she softly said,
“Thank you, Great Big Uncle.”
This expression of gratitude was heard by no one, ultimately dispersing into the gentle breeze.
The first day of Li An's vacation had come to an end.
Upon returning home, he found an appointment letter lying on the table, along with a letter stamped with the Crown Prince's crest.
“When was this delivered?”
“Wait...”
“How on earth did they even get inside?”
A sudden chill rose in Li An's heart.
He opened the letter.
The handwriting inside was scribbled, yet the Crown Prince's voice seemed to resonate from it.
【Congratulations on becoming a fifth-rank official, Li An.】
【To push through your promotion, I had to expend a massive amount of effort to persuade those stubborn old geezers.】
【In the end, I exercised my authority as the Crown Prince and successfully promoted you to the fifth rank.】
【No need to thank me.】
【After all, the massage I enjoyed in the lounge that day was of more than enough value.】
【Once your vacation is over, let's go horse riding together!】
【Hahahahaha!】
Li An finished reading the letter and silently handed it to the pony next to him, which had now been named—Cloudy.
“Neigh—”
Cloudy happily ate the letter.
Perhaps because the quality of the paper was excellent, it ate with great satisfaction.
Rate on N.U.
