Although the cave was good for shelter from the rain and wind, and for keeping bugs and ants at bay, the only downside was that whenever it thundered, the sound would also get louder, as if it were ringing right beside one’s ear.
She was afraid of thunder, and every thunderclap would startle her awake from her sleep.
However, for some reason starting from a certain day, whenever it rained and thundered, the sound of the thunder seemed to grow quieter, and she would not wake up feeling groggy; instead, it felt as if something was covering her ears, shielding her from the thunder.
That feeling was very warm, and very safe.
She watched the little villain, his eyes shining as he grinned at her after the firecracker noise had stopped.
The little villain looked at her and unconsciously smiled back.
Although they had been acting petulantly towards each other just a second before, now with one smile, the two of them instantly made up. Ruan Jiaojiao unwrapped the bubble gum in her hand and fed it directly into his mouth, saying, "Try it, it’s really yummy, sweet and delicious."
The little villain chewed, and the sweetness instantly filled his whole mouth, as sweet and delightful as her smile. He stopped opposing the fact that the treat was from another male sent to her, and the two of them chewed together, hand in hand as they went to look for Ruan Jie.
But Ruan Jie, this unreliable brother, they had no idea where he had gone; they searched all around but couldn’t find him, nor did they see their little posse, so they gave up.
When they were setting off firecrackers over there, Ruan Jianguo and his group were worshipping the ancestors and the land.
After finishing the worship, they began the foundation-laying ceremony.
Ruan Jiaojiao did not go back to that side. After looking around in the crowd for a while, she saw Wa Yiting nestled by the Ruanlin Family’s side, laughing as she looked up; Jiaojiao didn’t know what she was laughing about, but it seemed so intimate, you’d think she was the Ruan Family’s little granddaughter.
Ruan Jiaojiao watched, feeling a bit uncomfortable. She didn’t understand what was going on with Wa Yiting, who for the past few days had been finding reasons to visit their home frequently. At first, Jiaojiao thought she was aiming for the little villain, and guarded him closely for a while before realizing that Wa Yiting’s target was actually the Ruanlin Family.
She couldn’t describe the feeling, but it simply didn’t sit well with her, like someone was coveting something of hers.
She ran towards them.
When the Ruanlin Family saw their own Little Jiaojiao running over, they hurriedly greeted her, fearful she might trip. Advancing quickly, they scooped Ruan Jiaojiao into their arms, softly chiding, "Why are you running? What if you had fallen? The ground here is covered with stones. Next time, you are not allowed to run, okay? Walk properly, understand?"
With that, they carried her over to their side, boasting to a few women their age about their granddaughter.
Hearing others praise Ruan Jiaojiao, they laughed even more happily than if they had been praised themselves.
From the moment the Ruanlin Family set eyes on Ruan Jiaojiao, they no longer paid any attention to Wa Yiting.
Standing to one side, Wa Yiting watched, her face that had just been blooming with smiles, now stiffening. Staring as Ruan Jiaojiao was embraced by the Ruanlin Family, and being too young to hide her emotions, her eyes reddened with jealousy, and even as she repeatedly called out "Grandma Ruan," her voice was drowned out by the boisterous crowd.
Ruan Jiaojiao, watching the transformation of her face, contentedly snuggled into the Ruanlin Family’s embrace.
Her possessiveness was exceptionally strong; she could concede other things to this female lead, like that male lead, whom she would offer with both hands, but if it came to competing for her grandma, that was entirely out of the question.
While she was feeling delighted on one side, on the other, Liao Zhaoji stood with her maternal family members. When she saw Ruan Jianguo pulling a cartload of tools over with a wheelbarrow from not far away, her eyes widened substantially.