Yang Ruyu had it all planned out, how to find an excuse to make contact with Fang Tianze; that way, she could force him to take responsibility. Even if he didn’t like her, what did it matter? As long as they got married, and she became the County Magistrate’s young madam, she would have plenty of opportunities to make him fall for her. But...
Just as she was about to throw her arms around Fang Tianze, she hadn’t expected that the person who had been standing would suddenly fly away, and because she didn’t control her strength, she ended up tumbling to the ground. Her nose throbbed with pain, and then she felt a warm flow rush to the area just above her lips.
Fang Tianze didn’t react in time either, and by the time he did, he found himself already on the ground.
Yang Ruxin retracted the whip that had been coiled around Fang Tianze’s waist and handed him to Liuyun, "Tianze, you’re not a child anymore. You can’t just allow anyone to throw themselves into your arms. Otherwise, I won’t be able to explain it to your parents..."
Fang Tianze opened his mouth to explain but changed his words, "Understood, Sister Ruxin. I’ll be careful from now on."
Zhou Xiao took two steps back as he watched the scene unfold. He made up his mind to steer clear of this woman, far away. He worried that if she couldn’t latch onto Fang Tianze, she might pin her hopes on him, which would be troublesome. He had his eyes set on Mengmeng, and if he got embraced by another woman, that girl would definitely give him the cold shoulder. He felt immensely relieved that his true identity hadn’t come to light.
Yang Ruxin smiled satisfactorily and then walked over to Yang Ruyu. "What is it this time?" she asked, showing no intention of helping her up.
Despite feeling a bit sorry for Yang Ruyu, Xun Hui, having been educated by Yang Ruxin earlier, turned and went into the house. Out of sight, out of mind.
Erni initially wanted to step forward, but Gu Yao behind her held her back. She didn’t move any further, simply shifting her gaze away.
Sanni, on the other hand, didn’t move an inch; instead, she looked at Yang Ruyu, with blood on her face, with a hint of schadenfreude.
Yang Ruyu seethed with hatred for Yang Ruxin. Her hand on the ground clenched involuntarily, but only grabbed a handful of soil, breaking her fingernails and twisting her face into an ugly snarl. Yet, she quickly assumed a pitiful expression, her eyes welling up with tears, "Big cousin, what else could happen to me? I was just scared. It’s a good thing I felt a bit sick today and didn’t get up for breakfast. Otherwise, I might be..." She paused for a moment, "I don’t know where to go in the village, nor do I know whom to ask for help. I had no choice but to run here to find my aunt and big cousin..."
"It was me who went to find Uncle Li Yi..." Sanni hastily added.
"That makes sense." Yang Ruxin nodded, "Now, as their dutiful granddaughter, you should go back and take care of them."
Yang Ruyu looked at Yang Ruxin in surprise, "But Xiaxia is at home."
"Then you have even more reason to return," Yang Ruxin replied, cracking a smile. She reached down, hoisted Yang Ruyu off the ground, then called into the house to Xun Hui, "Mom, I’m taking my cousin back to the old house. You all better get started on dinner; I’m quite hungry."
"Alright," Xun Hui’s voice answered from inside the house.
As Yang Ruxin was leaving with Yang Ruyu, she noticed a little figure following them out. She turned around to see Erya, but the little one stayed crouched at the door, peeking at Yang Ruxin and retracting their little head when she looked back. Yang Ruxin sighed. It seemed the incident had indeed affected the youngster. She would need to find time for a proper chat with the little one, lest it leave an emotional scar.