Dudian nodded slightly. He naturally knew this. However, with his current status, lifting a slave's household registration was no longer a problem. Moreover, since Meishan Orphanage was an industry of the Mellor family, he had considerable influence. He immediately said, "First, call Joseph and the others out. By the way, complete the procedures for their household registration. I want to take them away."
Delia was a bit anxious and said, "It will cost a lot of money to redeem them. Stealing more than one silver coin will land you in jail. Don't be stupid!"
"This is my own money." Dudian knew it was impossible to explain clearly to her in a few words. He took out his guard medal and said, "I've been selected as a guard, and my monthly salary is quite high."
Delia was stunned and said, "You, you've become a guard?"
Dudian put away the medal and said, "I'm sorry to trouble you."
Delia then came to her senses and looked at Dudian in amazement, saying, "You've actually been selected as a guard. You're really amazing. Among the children I've taken care of in the orphanage over the past few years, you should be one of the most promising ones. Speaking of which, do you remember Lisa, who was adopted in the same batch as you last time? She's also doing well. Although the one who adopted her is a gardener of the Mellor family, that child is smart and clever and has been appreciated by the young lady of the Mellor family and has been taken as a personal maid. She came back once last year and even asked about you. She's also a nostalgic person. If you have any difficulties in the future, you might be able to ask her for help."
Dudian was slightly surprised. His mind immediately recalled the girl who had taken the lead in provoking him during the adoption. At that time, he had thought that although she was young, she had hidden her true nature very deeply and had almost made him suffer a loss. He didn't expect that she was also doing well now. However, several years had passed, and he didn't have the mood to care about it. He said, "I see."
Delia smiled and then turned to enter the orphanage. After a while, three children ran out of the orphanage. They were exactly Joseph, Clune, and Barry, who had slept in the same dormitory as Dudian.
As soon as the three of them came out, they saw Dudian and were immediately stunned.
After three years, the several people who had once squeezed into the same dormitory had changed a lot. They had grown half a head taller. The lumps of flesh on Joseph's face were even more swollen and extremely terrifying. Clune's left hand was congenitally deformed. His arm only grew to half the normal length, and his few fingers were only as big as a baby's.
Barry was in a better situation. There didn't seem to be anything abnormal on the surface, but Dudian had seen the several sarcomas on his stomach, which were all places where the radiation had accumulated.
Living in the orphanage, in some aspects, the abilities of these three were even stronger than those of Mekin and the other two. Although Dudian had changed even more than them in three years, they still recognized him quickly. Their faces were filled with surprise, and they quickly came closer. Joseph, who stuttered, said, "Du, Dudian, you've come back to see us. Are, are you doing well?"
Dudian smiled and said, "Pretty well. I have the opportunity to come back and see you this time mainly to take you away from here. Later, you can pack your luggage. You don't need to bring clothes and such. After packing, come with me to find Barton."
The three of them were taken aback. Joseph stuttered, "You, you mean you want, want to take us away?"
"That's right."
Clune reacted faster and couldn't help but say, "But, do you have the money? The adoption fee is a lot."
"I've made a fortune recently, and it's enough to redeem you." Seeing the hope and excitement in the eyes of the three of them, Dudian knew how eager they were to leave. He smiled and said, "Go and pack your things. I'll go and complete the household registration procedures for you first."
The three of them looked at each other, then quickly nodded and turned to run back to the orphanage.
Dudian then went to the front yard of the orphanage and immediately saw the short and chubby woman who had helped him with the procedures last time sitting behind the counter, yawning and listless. There was also a dark-skinned little boy beside her, massaging her legs.
The little boy was quite alert. When he saw Dudian, he immediately gently signaled the short and chubby woman.
The short and chubby woman opened her eyes. When she saw Dudian walking in, she immediately sat up straight and a smile appeared on her face. She said, "Excuse me, who are you?"
"I'm here to redeem someone and complete the household registration procedures." Dudian said briefly.
The short and chubby woman suddenly understood and shook her head, saying, "If you want to adopt, you have to wait until the adoption day..."
"I want to do it now." Dudian interrupted her. The so-called adoption day was a day set by the orphanage, and the purpose was to maximize the benefits. The orphanages in this world were completely different from the welfare institutions in the old era. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them human trafficking dens, and they even had business licenses.
"We have our rules here..." The short and chubby woman quickly explained.
Dudian didn't bother to listen. He took out his guard medal and said, "Your rules here can only apply to yourselves. I want it done now. You'd better handle it immediately."
When the short and chubby woman saw the medal, her face changed immediately. After all, guards were public officials of the military department. Although Dudian looked young, his height and the experience of special training had already made him look like a teenager of fifteen or sixteen years old. She didn't doubt it. After hesitating for a moment, she still said, "I understand. I'll handle it for you right away."
"Joseph, Clune, Barry." Dudian reported the names of the people he wanted to adopt.
The short and chubby woman was taken aback for a moment but still quickly registered them. After a while, all the procedures were completed, and the fee for each person was two silver coins. When she saw the gold coin Dudian threw out, the short and chubby woman immediately realized that the person in front of her was quite wealthy and didn't dare to neglect. She immediately gave Dudian the change.
At this time, Delia came in. When she saw Dudian putting away the contract, she asked, "How is it? Is it done?"
Dudian nodded slightly.
"They're waiting for you outside." Delia smiled and said, "I hope they remember this kindness and can repay you in the future."
"You're wrong. This time, I'm repaying the favor." Dudian said and put away the household registration contracts of the three and left.
The short and chubby woman looked at Dudian's departing back and wondered, "Sister Delia, who is this person? It seems you know him?"
Delia smiled and said, "Do you remember that child named Dudian three years ago? It's him."
The short and chubby woman's eyes widened in surprise and she said, "No wonder he looked a bit familiar. He, he has actually become a guard?!"
...
...
When he came to the front of the orphanage, Dudian saw Joseph and the other two holding bulging bags, waiting nervously on the open ground. He immediately smiled and went over, waving the contract in his hand and saying, "Let's go. It's all taken care of. These are your respective household registrations. Keep them well."
The three of them looked at the genuine black-and-white documents in front of them and were so excited that their bodies trembled slightly. Joseph's eyes turned red, and tears welled up and trickled down along the lumps of flesh on his face. He said to Dudian, "Dudian, I, I..."
Seeing the grateful expressions of the three of them, Dudian felt a bit embarrassed and said, "Let's not be so polite. Let's go. Barton is still waiting for us."
"Dudian, thank you so much this time!" Clune said earnestly.
"Yeah, otherwise, we would also be like Barton..." Barry clenched his fists tightly and said.
Dudian smiled and said, "Don't be so mushy. Let's go."
Seeing this, the three of them didn't say anything more. Before leaving, they turned back and took a deep look at this orphanage and also saw Delia and the short and chubby woman at the door. They didn't know that from this moment on, their lives would be completely changed!