"Mom, Jiaojiao needs to stay here for a couple of days to avoid a relapse. You were busy all of last night, so get some sleep here first. I’ll go back and get some clothes for you to change into."
"Okay, remember to have them cook some millet porridge and bring it over for Jiaojiao to drink," the Ruanlin Family matriarch instructed. Then, as if remembering something, she pulled him back, "Actually, you don’t need to come back. Have Du Qing bring it over, since she has to go to work tomorrow anyway. There are a ton of things waiting for you at home, and the house construction needs you there too. I can take care of things here by myself."
"It’s alright, Mom. I will arrange everything," Ruan Jianguo patted her hand. Building the house was important, but in his heart, his daughter would always be his top priority. She was still sick in the hospital; it was impossible for him to stay calm at home.
The Ruanlin Family matriarch knew she couldn’t persuade him, so she said no more.
Ruan Jianguo turned and left the ward.
When he arrived back at the Ruan Family home, he passed the head of the village where Jiandang was leaning on a crutch helping him out. When Jiandang saw him return, he immediately came over, "How’s Jiaojiao doing?"
"She’s fine now, the fever has gone down, but she needs to stay for two more days. I’m going back to get some clothes and food for them. Here..."
"I’ll keep an eye on things for you; you go ahead," Jiandang offered.
Ruan Jianguo nodded, without any delay. Even though there were some grievances between him and Liao Zhaoji, the bond between the brothers was still strong.
When Ruan Jianguo got back to the Ruan Family home, Du Qing had already prepared the millet porridge. As soon as Du Qing saw him, she came over with the lunchbox, asking after Jiaojiao with concern, and only after making sure there were no serious problems did she go to prepare breakfast for everyone else.
The younger boys all crowded around too. The incident had happened so suddenly the day before that they had been startled awake; by then, Ruan Jianguo had already taken her to the hospital. They had been anxiously waiting all night and finally saw him return, naturally gathering around and asking with concern.
Ruan Jianguo told them the fever had gone down and there was no serious concern; the extended stay was just a precaution against a relapse. As they kept pestering him with questions, he eventually became impatient and chased them away, telling them to go to class.
Ruan Jie and Little Fatty kept crowding around him, unwilling to leave, wanting to go to the hospital to see Jiaojiao. Ruan Jianguo gave them a stern look and growled at them, making them reluctantly put on their backpacks and head to school.
As Ruan Jianguo left with the clothes and lunchbox, he didn’t notice a small figure stealthily following behind him.
It wasn’t until he arrived at the hospital and got out of the car that he noticed the little tail behind him.
He looked at him with surprise, "Xiaoxi, how did you get here?"
"To see Jiaojiao," Xiaoxi replied, his eyes filled with urgency.
Ruan Jianguo nodded, then turned with a baffled expression, "How did you get here? Did you follow my car all the way here? Why didn’t you call me?!"
Xiaoxi, anxious, faced his barrage of questions and just hastily nodded.
Ruan Jianguo still found it inconceivable; he rode fast, did this kid really run behind his car all the way here?
When they entered the ward, the Ruanlin Family matriarch was also taken aback to see Xiaoxi. She looked questioningly towards Ruan Jianguo, who replied helplessly, "I didn’t know he would come. He followed my car all the way here. This is another silly kid, not knowing to call out to me."
After placing the items on the table next to the bed, he urged, "Mom, you drink some porridge first. I’ll go pay the bills."
"Alright," the Ruanlin Family matriarch nodded. She opened the lunchbox and scooped out a small half-bowl of porridge. Instead of drinking it herself, she handed it to Xiaoxi first, "Here, Xiaoxi, you drink."
"Not hungry, I’ll stay with Jiaojiao," Xiaoxi shook his head, declining the offer. He stood by the bed, his small hand reaching under the blanket to hold Ruan Jiaojiao’s small hand.