Housekeeper Wang immediately set about handling the situation.
Within moments, the entire Xia family had been taken away.
Men and women, more than a dozen of them.
Bao Mingyuan wrapped up his business and hurried back, just in time to encounter this scene.
When he reached the hall, he inquired with his eldest son.
Bao Jingyan responded with indifference: "The matters you and Ziqi didn’t take care of, I am handling now."
After speaking, he went upstairs.
Bao Mingyuan asked Housekeeper Wang, "Hasn’t he reconciled with Ruanruan?"
Housekeeper Wang reported truthfully: "It seems like he’s still angry!"
Bao Mingyuan stood downstairs, hands on his hips, pacing back and forth.
So the little rascal is blaming him for not keeping a closer watch on his wife!
Damn it, what could he have done!
I couldn’t possibly have followed them to celebrate the New Year at the Gu family’s home!
Bao Mingyuan, annoyed, sat down to drink tea.
Housekeeper Wang waited upon him with bowed head and compliant eyes.
Madam Bao came downstairs, pleading with her husband, "Jingyuan’s fever has reached 40 degrees."
She also complained about how heartless Bao Jingyan was.
Although Bao Mingyuan hated his daughter’s foolishness, she was still his child after all.
He immediately got up, ready to take her to the hospital personally.
But Madam Bao begged him, "Isn’t Ruanruan skilled in medicine? Besides, Jingyuan’s illness is psychosomatic."
Bao Mingyuan snorted, "Jingyuan hurt her, and you still expect her to treat Jingyuan? Qi Meiyu, I think even your mind isn’t clear during the New Year festivities."
Madam Bao continued to plead.
Bao Mingyuan was irritated and said, "I have no face to ask her! If you want help, go ask for it yourself."
Madam Bao looked stricken with misery.
On the second floor, Bao Ziqi stood there.
He watched his parents for a long while.
Momentarily, he went up to the third floor.
He knocked on the door of the bedroom at the farthest south.
Bao Jingyan opened the door.
The meeting between brothers was somewhat delicate.
Bao Ziqi was not one to easily bow his head to him, but this time he spoke up.
He asked, "Where’s Ruanruan?"
"Do you want to see her?"
"I have a few words I want to say."
Bao Jingyan stepped aside to let him in, then he himself walked into the adjoining study.
Bao Ziqi had heard about their cold war.
He walked further into the living room.
Su Ruanruan was sitting on a sofa by the window, reading a book.
Under the soft, yellow light, her facial features appeared exceptionally gentle.
Bao Ziqi’s throat tightened.
Su Ruanruan looked up, somewhat surprised, "Ziqi?"
Bao Ziqi walked over and sat opposite her, asking in a low voice, "Are your injuries serious?"
"Not serious." Su Ruanruan gave a faint smile.
She thanked him for his concern.
Her warmth was tinged with a trace of politeness.
Bao Ziqi felt a bit dejected.
He composed his emotions and still asked, "Jingyuan is sick, could you go check on her?"
He knew he was imposing, with no right to ask.
He expected she would refuse.
But Su Ruanruan put down the book in her hands and said, "Is it serious? I’ll go have a look."
So Bao Ziqi told her about the incident of her falling ill back home.
She left with Bao Ziqi.
Bao Jingyan suddenly opened the door of the study, his gaze intense.
His expression was as if he was catching an adulterer in the act!
He asked her, "Doesn’t your leg hurt anymore?"
Su Ruanruan gestured downstairs, "I’ll go check on Jingyuan."
Bao Jingyan didn’t say anything more and closed the door to the study.
Bao Ziqi touched his nose, "Aren’t you afraid of him?"
"I used to be afraid, but not so much now," Su Ruanruan spoke softly.
Bao Ziqi didn’t ask anymore.
He had that much emotional intelligence.
They had a good relationship.
Even if Bao Jingyan lost his temper, it was just a lover’s tiff.
The two reached Bao Jingyuan’s bedroom on the second floor.
Bao Mingyuan and his wife were about to take her to the hospital and were stunned to see Su Ruanruan coming over.
Bao Mingyuan’s eyes held some warmth.
The child he valued was always better than others.
Madam Bao was even more shocked; she hadn’t expected Su Ruanruan to be willing to come.