But she was certain, Liao Zhaoji simply did not love her little brothers!
Otherwise, how could she bear to hurt them so much? Just like the Ruanlin Family, despite often verbally disdaining her little brothers, if there was anything tasty, she would always save a portion for them.
That’s why Ruan Jiaojiao truly had no regrets; she felt she had done the right thing.
It was just sad for the two younger brothers; their mother must have left a shadow in their hearts.
Outside, Liao Zhaoji and the Ruanlin Family still argued, but mostly all one could hear was Liao Zhaoji’s wailing, suggesting the Ruanlin Family was not at a disadvantage.
Ruan Chi and Ruan Wei sat in the main hall, listening to the noise outside, their expressions wooden.
Ruan Wei’s uncle had entered the room of the second wife and had not come out again, probably fearing he might soften his heart.
Even if Ruan Jiaojiao was dying of curiosity, she didn’t have the nerve to look; she could only sit with them in the main hall, Xiu Xi automatically took a seat next to her.
Time passed, second by second.
It was uncertain how much time went by.
The courtyard door opened again—it was the Ruanlin Family walking in. Ruan Jiaojiao immediately got up to greet her, and Ruan Chi and Ruan Wei ran over, standing at the entrance of the courtyard to look out.
"What are you looking at? She’s already been driven away. Let me tell you two, if you run into her in the future, stay far away from her," the Ruanlin Family thought, to her, Liao Zhaoji was no different than a lunatic.
Ruan Chi and Ruan Wei nodded at this, it was unclear whether out of disappointment or something else; they withdrew their gaze and closed the courtyard door.
After such an incident, no one had much appetite.
The Ruanlin Family prepared some simple food haphazardly; after eating and washing up, everyone returned to their rooms.
Ruan Jiaojiao nestled in the Ruanlin Family’s arms, pondering the day’s events, and for the first time asked the Ruanlin Family about Shu Jiao, "Mom, didn’t my brother say mother’s photo was put away?"
"Hmm," the Ruanlin Family nodded, looking down at her. "Does Jiaojiao want to see?"
Ruan Jiaojiao nodded.
She wanted to see; she wanted to know what that mother, whom the original owner had been unable to let go of, really looked like.
"It’s late today, I’ll find it for you tomorrow," offered Ruanlin Family. She had put it away fearing Shu Jiao might never return and because Ruan Jiaojiao had been seriously ill.
But now that Shu Jiao was soon returning, there was no need to keep it away any longer.
"Sleep now," soothed the Ruanlin Family, patting her back, coaxing her to sleep.
But the next day, before the Ruanlin Family could find the photo, another incident occurred.
Liao Zhaoji really went all out. After getting no satisfaction at the Ruan Family, she turned her head, not daring to return to the Liao Family. Instead, she went to the town’s middle school to confront Ruan Jun, who was studying there.
Under the extraordinary gazes of everyone, Ruan Jun could only drag away Liao Zhaoji, who was crying with a mix of snot and tears, looking almost like a madwoman, from the school.
Afraid that this son too wouldn’t support her, Liao Zhaoji cried all the way about how she was going to be sold to an old man.
As Ruan Jun and she were on their way back to the Sixth Brigade, he stopped halfway upon hearing this.
He turned around and asked Liao Zhaoji, who was still sniveling behind him, "So, you came back to ask for money? To get Dad to give three hundred yuan to your mother’s family? To save you, is that it?"
Liao Zhaoji was taken aback by the question.
She felt there was something amiss in his words but couldn’t pinpoint what.
"And what about after that? If Dad helps you with this money, then what? What do you plan to do?" Ruan Jun asked, looking at the bewildered Liao Zhaoji.