Chapter 109 - 80: The Stupefying Xu De

After all, in theory, orphans are raised with society’s love and care, so it should be difficult for them to go astray.

But in reality?

For example.

In a single-parent family, after a divorce, the child is missing one parent. Doesn’t that cause an indelible change to the child’s psyche and way of thinking?

As a result, some people develop depression, extremist thinking, or psychological distortions.

And orphans?

They have no father and no mother, and no grandparents either. An orphanage can only provide for their material needs; it can’t compensate for their emotional deficiencies. This absolutely qualifies as severe childhood trauma!

And what does that lead to?

According to authoritative long-term tracking by the White-headed Eagle Department of Justice, approximately 71% of felons suffered childhood trauma that led to their adult criminality.

And based on official research from the Dongguo Prison System—specifically, a statistical analysis of repeat and serious offenders by the Hai City Prison Administration Bureau and the Sichuan University Psychological Center—74.8% have a history of moderate childhood trauma!

And that’s just for *moderate* trauma.

But the orphans at the welfare center...

"They fall under the category of ’severe childhood adversity,’ classified in the highest-risk tier, the same level as those who’ve suffered physical abuse!"

Lin Yue spoke gravely, but then her tone suddenly softened.

"Of course, that doesn’t mean orphans are more likely to go bad."

"To be precise... it’s better to describe them as having ’less controllable fates.’"

When most people face a difficult situation, they have many things to consider—family, children, friends, bosses.

But orphans?

Let’s put it this way: there’s a phrase, ’I have nothing left to lose.’ Usually, when someone says that, it means they’re about to go all-out against their opponent.

Orphans, on the other hand, live with that sentiment from the moment they become self-aware. With no family or children to worry about, their destinies are far less predictable.

As for Liu Jingqi...

Her behavior has nothing to do with her being an orphan.

She’s just a bad seed, plain and simple!!!

"I see."

Wang Chao paused. Then, a sudden realization hit him, and he instinctively looked toward Xu De, who was walking ahead.

"Then Lawyer Xu... doesn’t that mean..."

A glimmer of understanding dawned on him.

’No wonder his thinking and methods are so peculiar... It all makes sense now!’

At that moment,

Xu De, who was walking ahead of them down the corridor, heard his name and turned back, confused. "Why bring me up?"

"It’s nothing."

Wang Chao said, "I just feel like these kids have it a bit rough."

"They’re fine."

Xu De seemed perplexed. He glanced at the surrounding facilities and said uncertainly,

"I think it seems fine."

"They’re this old and they don’t have to live in a donkey shed, push a millstone, or even shine shoes for tuition. Their education is free."

"Moreover, they don’t have to walk hundreds of kilometers back and forth just for a bit of tuition money. Once they get into a school, everything is taken care of for them."

"The only thing is they don’t have parents."

Xu De said, "Seems like a pretty happy childhood to me, don’t you think?"

Wang Chao: ?

Lin Yue: ?

The security guard: ?

In the corridor, the group stopped in their tracks. Unable to help themselves, they all looked up at Xu De.

Even the security guard, who had seen it all, was stunned. He turned and stared blankly at Xu De, as if looking at some kind of bizarre creature.

Honestly, the guard had been working here for years.

He’d heard countless opinions and comments, but this was the first time he had ever heard someone say something like that!

’Has this man ever even seen what a normal childhood looks like?’

"Why has everyone stopped walking?"

Xu De frowned, his gaze sweeping over them in confusion. He looked puzzled.

The security guard’s lips quivered. He wanted to speak, but then thought better of it, only to want to speak again. After a long silence, he still couldn’t find the words.

Finally, taking a deep breath, the guard looked toward a door beside him.

"We’re here."

The three of them paused and looked up to see...

A sign hung above the door, clearly reading "Dean’s Office."

The security guard reached out and pushed the door open.

CREAK~

"Dean Cheng, I’ve brought the three kind people."