Looking around at everyone who had been punished to stand, then at the three people eating, and finally at her own bowl filled with rice and several pork bones, she resolutely chose—to eat first! The stomach is more important!
As Ruan Jianguo ate, he listened to the reasons the Ruanlin Family wanted to punish them. Since he didn’t know about Ruan Jiaojiao’s aversion to water, he somewhat dismissively said, "The boys all know how to swim, and the older ones were there, too. Jiaojiao for sure wouldn’t get into trouble. It’s hot out, they just went..."
"What do you know!" The Ruanlin Family matriarch glared at him, infuriated by his carefree attitude, she slammed her bowl and chopsticks down and exclaimed, "For today’s matter, let me tell you, no pleading will help." She turned and pointed at the people outside the door, "All of you, stand until it gets dark. You’re not allowed to move until then!"
Because of Ruan Jianguo’s attempt to intercede, the punishment ended up being even harsher.
Little Fatty was eagerly eying the dishes on the dining table, his mouth watering so much that it was almost drooling. Seeing the Ruanlin Family matriarch suddenly explode, he quickly averted his gaze, swallowing his saliva forcefully and even choked on his own spit, coughing incessantly.
That’s all you amount to! The Ruanlin Family matriarch gave him a disdainful glance.
Her gaze fell on the listless, clearly unwell Ruan Jiaojiao, and her heart ached again. She frowned in thought, then said to Ruan Jianguo, "Clean up the bowls and chopsticks, I need to step out for a bit."
After saying that, she hurriedly left the yard, heading in the direction of Qian Xiabai’s home at the end of the village.
As soon as the Ruanlin Family matriarch left, Ruan Jianguo immediately went forward to hold Ruan Jiaojiao. Having stood for too long, Ruan Jiaojiao was both tired and hungry; she went limp as soon as Ruan Jianguo’s arm touched her.
"Good girl, are you hungry? Your grandma’s not here; let’s quickly eat something. What would you like to eat, sweetheart? Dad will feed you," Ruan Jianguo said as he held Ruan Jiaojiao and walked towards the table in the main house. Reaching the table, he grabbed a clean bowl and chopsticks for her, served her a bowl of rice mixed with egg soup, and urged her to eat quickly.
He then turned and called out to the nine boys, "You guys eat something too. Once your grandma comes back, you won’t get the chance."
The Ruanlin Family matriarch was obviously feeling pity, otherwise she wouldn’t have left at that moment. Wasn’t this giving the younger kids a chance to sneak some food?
Hearing his words, the boys swarmed up.
But Ruan Jiaojiao didn’t have much of an appetite. She was too tired. She had already been startled earlier in the day and had been standing for over two hours now; she was completely drained and didn’t want to eat anything at all.
She quietly nestled in Ruan Jianguo’s arms, and after eating only a couple of bites, she shook her head refusing to eat any more.
"Could it be a bit of fever?" Ruan Jiandang asked, noticing her poor spirits and looking questioningly at Ruan Jianguo.
Ruan Jianguo quickly reached out to touch Ruan Jiaojiao’s forehead; not feeling any high temperature, she shouldn’t be feverish, and his heart was somewhat relieved.
"She must be exhausted. Sister has never been punished to stand before," Little Fatty said, mouth full of meat and vegetables, speaking indistinctly.
"Yeah, Grandma is really heartless; she even hit sister," Ruan Jie chimed in. He tried to reach for Ruan Jiaojiao’s hand to look at her palm, but Ruan Jiaojiao flinched in pain, and immediately Xiu Xi cast a "Death’s Eye" glower at him.
"..." Ruan Jie felt a chill run down his spine.
Quite shamefully, he withdrew his hand, feeling more and more that the kid Xiu Xi had stopped caring about his opinion lately, even though he was Jiaojiao’s brother!
"Dad, I want to sleep, I don’t want to eat anymore," Ruan Jiaojiao said, her eyelids especially heavy.
"Then go to sleep; Dad will plead on your behalf with Grandma," Ruan Jianguo reassured her. Holding her gently, he rocked her slightly, and Ruan Jiaojiao almost immediately closed her eyes.
Meanwhile, at another place.
Having arrived at Qian Xiabai’s house, the Ruanlin Family matriarch, clutching the damaged amulet in her hand, asked anxiously, "Brother Qian, is there really no way to fix this?"