Xiu Xi had no idea what was going through Ruan Jianguo’s mind as he helped Ruan Jiaojiao wring out the towel. After she washed her face, he cleaned the towel, wrung it out, and hung it up to dry.
After finishing these tasks, he led her to a bench in the main room and seated her before dashing to the kitchen to fetch her breakfast.
The Ruan Family’s living conditions had improved significantly, so there was no need for special meals anymore; except for drinking two extra bowls of sheep milk every day, Ruan Jiaojiao ate the same food as her several brothers.
Today’s meal was chicken shreds in rice porridge.
The chickens in that room of the new building were partially sold by Ruan Jianguo every time he went to town, with the money given to Xiu Xi, which was then passed to Ruan Jiaojiao and stashed in her money jar. Together with the two hundred that Ruanlin Family had sent back, there was almost four to five hundred in there.
Ruanlin Family, with Xiu Xi’s agreement, also provided extra meals for the entire family every day.
So now, the Ruan family’s meals were incredibly good.
Every time members of the third and fourth branches came back, they could enjoy the good food, too. Wu Le had tried to fish for information several times indirectly, but was always blocked by Ruanlin Family. After being repelled several times, she became smarter, unlike Liao Zhaoji, who would exhibit her intentions too blatantly. She didn’t say anything in front of Ruanlin Family, only grumbling secretly. However, since she was so rarely at home, she never detected anything.
Ruan Jie, having been sternly warned by Ruanlin Family, also never discussed the subject among his brothers.
Thus, only Ruanlin Family, Ruan Jianguo, and Ruan Jie knew of the exceptional gifts that Ruan Jiaojiao and Xiu Xi possessed.
"It’s hot, take it slow," Xiu Xi said as he placed the porridge on the chair, cautioning Ruan Jiaojiao.
Ruan Jiaojiao smiled at him, "I know, thank you, Brother Xi."
Receiving a sweet smile from her, Xiu Xi was overjoyed, his brows and eyes lifting in delight.
"..." Ruan Jianguo felt a pang of frustration.
It was at that moment he finally understood that uneasy feeling; what was this kid playing at? It was as if he was the one raising his daughter! Look at him, wiping her face, cleaning her mouth, now even feeding her?! He had never done those things!
"Xiaoxi, Jiaojiao can use her hands to eat, you eat your own meal," Ruan Jianguo said, trying to phrase it as delicately as possible.
"I’m full. I can feed Jiaojiao," Xiu Xi replied.
"!" Ruan Jianguo thought, who cares if you’re full or not!
Ruan Jianguo was left speechless, nearly choking on his frustration, especially since the other party answered without a hitch. He could only stew in his irritation and, to avoid further aggravation, busied himself with other things with a sour expression on his face.
It wasn’t until after Ruan Jiaojiao had finished her breakfast that Ruan Jianguo returned to the courtyard, only to see Xiu Xi leading Ruan Jiaojiao out, both getting on the tricycle together.
Sighing softly, he forced himself to muster a loving smile, "Xiaoxi is going too?"
"Can’t I go?" Xiu Xi asked, pulling Ruan Jiaojiao to sit at the back, a puzzled expression on his face.
Ruan Jiaojiao blinked her large eyes, looking confusedly at her dad, "Dad, let’s drive, Brother Xi should of course come play with us."
"..." Ruan Jianguo’s heart bled, couldn’t his daughter see? What he wanted was some father-daughter time alone; why did this obnoxious kid have to come between them!
If a few months ago, Ruan Jianguo found Xiu Xi agreeable in all aspects, even more so than his own sons, now he found him unbearable everywhere he looked. What was wrong with this insufferable kid? Couldn’t he perceive the hidden meaning in his words?