Liu Mei believed she had finally one-upped the Ruanlin Family in their ongoing rivalry, humming a tune cheerfully as she returned to her room.
After returning to the courtyard, Ruan Jiaojiao was still clinging to the gate, watching Xiu Xi. Based on her recent understanding of Xiu Xi, this little villain definitely wasn’t as kind-hearted as he appeared to be—he must be up to no good.
She beckoned to him with a little wave of her hand.
Xiu Xi immediately walked over.
"Why did you do that? Grandma is angry," Ruan Jiaojiao said.
Xiu Xi looked at her but simply stated, "The prey isn’t mine."
Ruan Jiaojiao looked at him, puzzled—what did he mean the prey wasn’t his?
"Mine is only for you to eat," Xiu Xi added, taking her small hand into his, the seriousness of his expression as if he were making a vow.
Ruan Jiaojiao understood.
Did this mean that the prey wasn’t caught by him? And that the prey he caught would only be for her to eat?
Ruan Jiaojiao felt a sweet sensation in her heart.
Still, she asked, "If it wasn’t caught by you, then who caught it?"
Xiu Xi didn’t speak, merely lowering his head to look at their clasped hands. There were many things in this world he didn’t understand, but he was willing to learn. He would master all the skills and take good care of her.
However, that was under the premise that no one could separate them.
"I will come back for you, wait for me," Xiu Xi said, and then he let go of Ruan Jiaojiao’s small hand and turned around to head back to the Xiu Family.
This time Ruan Jiaojiao was even more certain that this little antagonist was definitely plotting something.
Ruan Jiaojiao went back inside the house, where she saw her grandmother, Ruanlin, stretching her neck to look outside. Only when she saw Ruan Jiaojiao come in did she frown. Ruan Jiaojiao smiled at her, knowing that her grandmother had truly started to consider the little antagonist as part of the family and felt happy for him. With the warmth of the family, the likelihood of him becoming a little antagonist had greatly decreased.
"Grandma, let me help you." She ran over and crouched beside her, helping her to snap the ends off the fava beans.
"What were you two talking about just now, why didn’t he come in?" Ruanlin couldn’t hold back and asked her.
Ruan Jiaojiao blinked at her, "I don’t know, but don’t worry, Grandma. Brother Xiu is very strong. He said he would be back soon."
At her words, Ruanlin’s face relaxed, but she quickly said, "Who’s worried? I’m just afraid he’ll play the fool and jump back into that fire pit again!"
Ruan Jiaojiao didn’t argue, but just dutifully snapped the fava beans. Ruanlin watched her, sighing deeply in her heart. How could she not worry? The boy was hardly grown; what could he possibly accomplish?
That evening, Xiu Xi did not come to the Ruan Family for dinner, which made Ruan Jianguo somewhat uncomfortable. However, knowing about the day’s events and seeing that Ruanlin wore a displeased face, he said nothing, and no one else dared to speak up for fear of sticking their necks out.
Only Ruan Jiaojiao talked and acted as usual with Ruanlin, being playful and complimenting how delicious the food was.
Ruanlin, seeing her cheery little face, couldn’t stay mad—all her irritation melted away in her granddaughter’s sweet, coaxing smiles.
Seeing her sour mood dissipate, the rest of the Ruan Family began to converse, and the kitchen returned to its usual harmonious state.
the atmosphere in the Xiu Family was also quite good that day, because Xiu Xi had brought back two wild chickens, both dead. She cleaned them thoroughly, cooked one that day, and everyone ate contentedly.
Of course, this "everyone" did not include Xiu Xi.
Xiu Xi sat in his own little grocery store, leaning against the wall, with a cold smile on his lips, watching the three of them eating with greasy satisfaction...