Upon hearing this, Lord Mu Jiu’s face stiffened slightly.
This past year, he’d dismissed all the women by his side, not a single hen remained around him.
He didn’t believe Ruanruan wasn’t aware of it.
Of course, Su Ruanruan knew.
She was grateful to Lord Mu Jiu, and there was familial affection, too.
But she couldn’t hold him back.
She said to him, "There’s something I’ve never mentioned to you, Brother Jiu. I’ve kept quiet because I knew Sister Song Wei had feelings for you, and it seemed awkward. But now, seeing her getting along quite well with eldest brother, I think it’s necessary to talk to you about it."
Lord Mu Jiu felt uncomfortable.
He grumbled, "What could be more important than our stroll?"
Su Ruanruan chuckled.
She said, "Jiarou likes you."
Lord Mu Jiu, who had been so righteous, suddenly wilted.
Su Ruanruan smiled faintly, "Don’t pretend you don’t know, Brother Jiu! That year, I saw you kissing her in the hallway."
Su Ruanruan reflected for a moment.
She said, "Brother Jiu, you had feelings, too."
It’s just he was too obsessed with himself to repress them.
When it comes to affairs between men and women, Lord Mu Jiu was always all or nothing.
But when Su Ruanruan brought it up... it made him restless!
The girl Gu Jiarou was still not fully grown.
Lord Jiu would never admit he had thoughts about her.
Now Lord Jiu was irritable, and refused to continue their walk.
Su Ruanruan then took his arm, forcing him to go on.
"You’re being unreasonable, Ruanruan!" Lord Jiu complained with displeasure, "You’re more demanding than my own parents! Even I, who never takes orders, am telling you this."
Su Ruanruan softened her voice, "I’m not telling you to go pursue her!"
At the end of the road, Su Ruanruan stopped.
She said seriously to Lord Mu Jiu, "If Brother Jiu has feelings for her, then cherish her! If you have no such thoughts, then pretend I never said anything today."
Lord Mu Jiu’s expression became solemn.
He pondered carefully.
This past year, the girl Gu Jiarou indeed visited his mother often.
Whenever Ruanruan sent things back, it was always her who delivered them.
He wasn’t oblivious; he simply didn’t want to consider this possibility.
Su Ruanruan watched him with a smile.
Lord Mu Jiu spoke gravely, "I promise you! No matter what, Jiarou is a good girl, and I won’t do anything to hurt her."
Lord Jiu couldn’t bear to let her go.
He embraced her, murmuring, "We still have to expand our business to all over the country. Girl, Brother Jiu is waiting for you to return."
Su Ruanruan hugged him back.
She advised him to think thrice before acting.
On the fifth day, Su Ruanruan took Bao Ziqi and Bao Jingyuan back to Britain.
Bao Jingyan also came to see them off.
Auntie Li followed beside him, holding the little darling in her arms.
Su Ruanruan’s eyes were tearful.
She couldn’t resist, and hugged the little darling.
Bao Mingyuan was smoking in the distance.
He said to his second son, "Ah, women are so tender-hearted! Even Jingyan can’t control his health, yet you see Ruanruan quite likes the child born to someone else."
Bao Ziqi gave him a deep look.
Su Ruanruan returned to Britain to continue her studies.
For four years, she barely returned to Jiangcheng.
Only in the third year, when the little darling was severely ill, did she secretly return to her country.
She stayed only one night.
That night, she barely closed her eyes.
At dawn, Bao Jingyan took her to the airport.
They didn’t say anything - he just held her hand... Su Ruanruan cried bitterly.
Ultimately, it was very hard for her to leave.
At the age of 24, Su Ruanruan completed her studies in Britain.
That year, Gu Ze married Chen An’an.
Su Ruanruan packed her luggage, preparing to return home.
Bao Jingyuan felt insecure.
She bounced into Su Ruanruan’s room, "Ruanruan, what about this place?"