After listening, Dr. Lu fell even deeper into silence. He could almost be certain that something had gone wrong with Ruan Chi’s mental state. It was fortunate that Ruan Jiaojiao had been there to rouse him this time, but he couldn’t count on it happening again next time.
"Dr. Lu, how can this illness be treated?"
"That requires guidance from family, but even more important is to see a doctor. However, we don’t have one in our town. If you trust me, next time I go to the city, I can take him to see one."
"Of course, I trust you," said the member of the Ruanlin Family, still not fully understanding but truly frightened by the incident earlier with Ruan Chi.
At that moment, she even thought he had gone mad.
Dr. Lu came out from the inner room with his medical bag just as Ruan Jiaojiao and Xiu Xi, who had been eavesdropping at the door, appeared.
Xiu Xi’s face was expressionless while Ruan Jiaojiao took a step back apologetically.
She had not expected to get caught the very first time she eavesdropped.
Dr. Lu didn’t mind, instead, he saw the girl in a new light. Until now, his impression of Ruan Jiaojiao had been of a porcelain doll spoiled by her entire family—beautiful and dressed like a little princess... nothing more.
Yet, to his surprise, this spoiled porcelain doll had the audacity to step forward in such a situation.
He smiled and ruffled her hair, praising her, "Jiaojiao, you’re amazing, such a brave little girl."
Ruan Jiaojiao smiled shyly.
But she knew it wasn’t bravery; it was tenderness and care. In such a situation, she would step forward for any member of the Ruan Family, just as they would all rush to protect her without a second thought if anything befell her.
That’s what family is.
Dr. Lu gave Ruan Chi some instructions about caring for his wound before leaving with his medical bag.
That day, the atmosphere at the Ruan Family’s home was exceptionally somber, not a single smile to be seen on anyone’s face.
After hearing what Dr. Lu said, Ruan Jiaojiao’s attention was wholly on Ruan Chi, leaving her no time to consider the little antagonist.
These gloomy days continued for a long time.
During this period, even more happened with the Liao Family.
Liao Laifu, who had been beaten up and didn’t get timely medical treatment, was now paralyzed, with no feeling in his lower body and would have to spend the rest of his life in bed. Liao Xinmin suffered a stroke and didn’t last two days, passing away on the third.
The Liao Family’s four other daughters were said to be detained by their husbands’ families and didn’t even attend Liao Xinmin’s funeral.
And Liao Zhaoji, in the end, couldn’t escape being sold.
With Liao Laifu needing treatment for his leg and Liao Xinmin’s death, the family’s assets were depleted. To maintain a livelihood moving forward, the Li Family and Liao Laifu found a match for Liao Zhaoji, receiving a dowry of over a hundred coins and marrying her off to a widowed, old man in a village of the neighboring town. Rumors said that the man’s last wife had been beaten to death by him when he was drunk...
These pieces of news spread throughout the nearby villages.
The Ruan Family naturally heard as well. Ruan Jiaojiao was especially concerned for Ruan Chi and during school, she asked her brother to keep an eye on Ruan Chi at all times. After school, she glued her eyes to him, sticking to him incessantly.
Ruan Chi, hearing the news, didn’t feel sad or upset; rather, he felt a sense of relief.
However, he enjoyed the feeling of being doted on and cared for by his sister, so he pretended to be unaware of anything and reveled in the affection that was uniquely Ruan Jiaojiao’s.