She wanted to study and also desired affection.
She no longer wanted to stay with the Wa Family. If Xiu Xi could be adopted by the Ruan Family, why couldn’t she be adopted by the person in front of her?
After all, the woman did want a daughter, and she was a girl, not to mention more sensible and capable than Ruan Jiaojiao!
Zhao Li, who was accustomed to grand scenes, was somewhat frightened by Wa Yiting. She stepped back several paces, and when she saw her kneeling and following suit, Zhao Li could only move behind Lu Zhiwei for cover.
Lu Zhiwei stood in front of Zhao Li, frowning down at Wa Yiting who was kneeling on the ground: "Whose child are you? Why are you kneeling? Get up quickly."
"I won’t until you agree to take me as your goddaughter. Please, I’m begging you, I’m very capable. I can do lots of things, or you can ask Grandma Ruan; really, I’m much better than Ruan Jiaojiao!"
Wa Yiting was like someone grasping at straws, eagerly promoting herself.
However, her words made Ruan Jianguo and the Ruanlin Family feel uncomfortable.
What did she mean by being "much better than Ruan Jiaojiao"?
Their dear Jiaojiao, where was she not good enough!
But adults couldn’t possibly squabble with a child over this, so even though they felt displeased, the Ruanlin Family didn’t show it on their faces. Instead, with a somewhat cold tone, they explained, "She is the niece of a Wa family in our village. Both her parents are gone. Her name is Wa Yiting."
"I see," Zhao Li nodded in understanding but had no interest in recognizing Wa Yiting as her goddaughter.
Their decision to adopt Ruan Jiaojiao was made with their considerations. One, they genuinely liked her, and two, they hoped it would bring the two families closer, facilitating business relations in the future.
It wasn’t a matter of just casually recognizing a girl; otherwise, they would have done so long ago with someone else.
And having just agreed to adopt Ruan Jiaojiao, to then adopt this girl right in front of them would be offensive to the Ruan Family, wouldn’t it?
Zhao Li wasn’t foolish. She immediately stepped forward, lifted Wa Yiting from the ground, and said firmly, "Wa Yiting, is it? We do want a goddaughter, but not just anyone. We’re only planning to adopt Jiaojiao. You should go back now, don’t kneel here anymore." Luckily, the Ruan Family had a walled compound; otherwise, who knows what outsiders might say if they saw this.
"Auntie, I’m very capable, I can do anything. Will you please adopt me? I’m begging you," Wa Yiting still wouldn’t give up, looking up with tears streaming and pleading.
She was even about to kneel again and kowtow, which turned Zhao Li’s face cold.
The Ruanlin Family approached as well, her face stern as she looked at Wa Yiting: "Tingzi, go back, don’t cause a scene here anymore."
In Wa Yiting’s memory, the Ruanlin Family was always gentle, especially when it came to Ruan Jiaojiao. The affection made her envious, prompting her to approach repeatedly.
But now, as the woman’s expression suddenly turned stern, Wa Yiting couldn’t help but recall the scene where her aunt was chastised by the woman, and she felt a shiver of fear.
Yet she still couldn’t bear to give up just like that.
With tears rolling down her cheeks, she looked at Zhao Li and wept, "Auntie, I’m really very capable. Please, adopt me, okay? I promise to be obedient, to work very hard. I don’t eat much, I beg you, please adopt me." As she spoke, she moved again to kowtow.
The Ruanlin Family, listening to her desperate pleas, grew increasingly displeased, showing outright discomfort. She forcibly dragged Wa Yiting out of the courtyard.