The Ruanlin Family urged, "Xiaoxi, Jiaojiao is sick, don’t touch her, you might catch it."
"No, I’m not scared." Xiu Xi refused to let go of Ruan Jiaojiao’s small hand.
After watching for a while, finally, with a sigh of helplessness, the mother of the Ruan Family had no choice but to deal with the stubborn child and helped herself to a bowl of porridge first.
Xiu Xi stood by the bed; he was not very tall, and standing by the bed he was only a head taller than it. To hold Ruan Jiaojiao’s hand, he had to raise his arm, and after holding it for a long time, his arm began to numb, yet he still couldn’t bear to let go.
His gaze, unwavering and fixed on Ruan Jiaojiao’s flushed little face, was focused, carrying a fondness that others couldn’t detect.
He knew that even if he could change her fate and bring her back here, she would still face the trials that were meant for her. He couldn’t help her with anything else, the only thing he could do was to stay by her side.
Perhaps it was his presence that had an effect; the sleeping Ruan Jiaojiao slowly calmed down, and her furrowed little brow relaxed as well...
When Ruan Jiaojiao became conscious, it was already noon.
Ruan Jianguo came with food from the canteen, ate hurriedly, and then rode back on his bicycle first, while the Ruanlin matriarch and Xiu Xi were still eating.
Xiu Xi was now entirely left to roam free; he practically ate all three meals at the Ruan Family’s place. Seeing his increasingly plump little face, the Ruanlin matriarch couldn’t help feeling a bit proud, thinking she was raising a beautiful child. Ruan Jiaojiao was fair and delicate, and this child was becoming more and more good-looking.
"Granny..." The first thing Ruan Jiaojiao did upon waking up was to call for the Ruanlin matriarch.
Hearing that, the matriarch immediately put down the bowl in her hand and rushed over, "Jiaojiao is awake, do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"
Looking at the concerned eyes and kind face of the Ruanlin matriarch, Ruan Jiaojiao recalled the regretful expression she wore when she passed away in her dream, and tears streamed down the corners of her eyes.
"Granny, Jiaojiao loves you the most." She said.
In her past life, Ruan Jiaojiao was a cat. Although she had gained intelligence, she didn’t know where she came from nor remembered anything, so she lived in a haze, completely clueless about what love and affection were.
The Ruanlin matriarch clearly showed her what love was.
She loved Ruan Jiaojiao, loved her with all her heart, so much so that at the moment of her death, all she could think about was her!
But why was that "Ruan Jiaojiao" so bad?!
Ruan Jiaojiao felt angry. With such a wonderful grandmother, why didn’t she treasure her?
"You child!" The Ruanlin matriarch didn’t expect such an outburst and her eyes grew teary as she hugged her, kissing her little cheek: "Granny loves Little Jiaojiao the most, the absolute most!"
"Do you love me? The me right now?" She looked at her with anticipation.
"Of course." The Ruanlin matriarch didn’t understand why she asked, but seeing her expectant eyes and something resembling fear in her expression, she answered earnestly, "Granny adores Little Jiaojiao, much more than any of your brothers!"
Actually, the Ruanlin matriarch couldn’t exactly articulate why she was so fond of this granddaughter.
She used to think it was because the Ruan Family hadn’t had a girl for several generations, valuing rarity, but now, looking at the little girl in her arms who depended on her completely, she felt that she loved her simply because she was her!
Hearing the answer she desired, Ruan Jiaojiao buried herself in her embrace, contentedly nuzzling against her, and her small hands stretched to hug her neck tightly, silently vowing in her heart that she must protect her granny and ensure she lived a long and healthy life!