"Who did you say has gone mad?" a cold voice from Ruanlin Family asked from behind.
"Hahaha..." Little Fatty laughed foolishly, pointing shamelessly at himself, "It’s me, it’s me!"
Ruanlin Family looked at him disapprovingly, then raised her head to call Ruan Jiaojiao and Xiu Xi, "Hurry up and wash your faces and brush your teeth. The noodle soup will get soggy and won’t taste good."
Ruan Jiaojiao and Xiu Xi nodded.
After washing up, they went to the kitchen, where Ruanlin Family first pulled Xiu Xi aside and handed him the money Ruan Jianguo earned from selling the chickens and rabbits earlier that morning, "This is the money from selling half the chickens and rabbits early in the morning, totaling one hundred thirty-two yuan and fifty cents. Count it carefully."
Xiu Xi did not take it but looked towards Ruan Jiaojiao.
"Grandma, I’ll keep it for Brother Xiu Xi," said Ruan Jiaojiao.
"That’s fine, make sure you keep it safe." It wasn’t just one or two yuan but over a hundred, and Ruanlin Family, worried that they might not comprehend how much money this was, instructed seriously, "Don’t take it out where others can see. Understand?"
Ruan Jiaojiao nodded.
She took the money and ran inside to hide it in an iron can before coming back to have breakfast.
"Oh, we have quite a lot of fruit; can we share some with Jiaojiao’s brothers?" Ruanlin Family asked.
Seeing his indifferent attitude, Ruanlin Family sighed. Although she knew that he might not listen to everything she said, she still spoke earnestly, "Xiaoxi, our family isn’t that short on money, and we don’t lack food either. You really don’t need to be so diligent in bringing things home. In the future, could you perhaps..."
"Can’t!" Before Ruanlin Family could finish, Xiu Xi cut her off, his gaze serious as he looked at her, "Jiaojiao eats!"
He was determined to provide for her!
"..." Ruanlin Family.
With no further objections to the stubborn and immovable child, all she could say was, "Alright, if you bring anything home in the future, you must be careful not to let others find out."
Especially their neighbor Liu Mei, who had too much free time on her hands! Her prying eyes were always on their household.
This time, Xiu Xi agreed with a nod. As long as it didn’t go against his principles, he was willing to comply.
And his principle—was Ruan Jiaojiao!
After breakfast, several boys ran out to play in the wild, while Ruan Jiaojiao pulled Xiu Xi to the backyard, sneaking around to make sure no one followed before she lowered her voice and asked him quietly, "Brother Xiu Xi, how are you so amazing? Do all those animals listen to you?"
"Mm!" Xiu Xi looked at her, nodding with utmost pride.
Was she finally recognizing his prowess? Was he the most powerful male?
"..." Ruan Jiaojiao. Mm what? What does that mean?
Ruan Jiaojiao blinked once, then again.
It took her a moment to infer from his slightly upturned chin a somewhat laughable conclusion: Was he feeling smug, proud?
Her question was meant as a probe, not as praise!
Ruan Jiaojiao looked at his "I am amazing, hurry up and praise me" expression and found herself at a loss for words.
Scratching the back of her head, she pieced her words together and offered some perfunctory praise, "Brother Xiu Xi, you really are amazing!" Then she swiftly changed the subject, "Why are you so amazing, though? Why do all those animals listen to you?"
Could it really be because of her arrival that he too experienced a butterfly effect and obtained a golden finger?
The more Ruan Jiaojiao thought about it, the more she believed it was possible; otherwise, she couldn’t think of any other explanation.