Ruan Jiaojiao, upon hearing this, looked at the Ruanlin Family in surprise. Even her nine brothers never had such treatment.
Ruan Jianguo also followed, "If your parents don’t send you to school, Uncle will pay for your education until you’ve completed it!"
Having saved Ruan Jiaojiao, in the Ruan Family, he was seen as a lifesaver!
Even those boys, upon hearing this, didn’t have any objections, clearly regarding Xiu Xi as their benefactor. Ruan Jie even secretly swore that he would look after Xiu Xi from now on, treating him as if he were his own brother.
Xiu Xi, listening to everyone’s comments, didn’t respond. His gaze remained fixed on Ruan Jiaojiao the whole time. When Ruan Jiaojiao grinned at him, his gaze would soften, and even without a smile, the whole atmosphere around him would change.
Wu Le was quick with her hands and feet, and in less than half an hour, she served up a meal. There were five dishes: a big plate of stir-fried pork with peppers, an egg soup, smoked meat stewed with bamboo shoots, and two green vegetables. As soon as she set them on the table, their aroma filled the air.
The members of the Ruan Family had lost their appetite these past two days, casually eating without really feeling hungry. Now, upon smelling the food, everyone felt hungry.
A few boys also crowded around.
Fortunately, Wu Le had cooked a large pot of sweet potato rice, which was enough for everyone.
"Come on, eat while it’s hot," she called out to the crowd, specially serving Ruan Jiaojiao and Xiu Xi white rice without sweet potatoes.
Ruan Jiaojiao wanted to personally go and fetch Xiu Xi, but the Ruanlin Family held her and wouldn’t let go, insisting on feeding her in her arms even during the meal. She had no choice but to gesture for Xiu Xi to come over.
Ruan Jianguo was genuinely thankful to him and seated the young boy in the place of honor.
During the meal, the good dishes were either served to Ruan Jiaojiao or to his bowl.
"Eat up. From now on, if you want a meal, just come to my house, and we’ll make sure you’re fed. Your uncle can surely afford to take care of you." If it weren’t for the fact that Xiu Xi still had parents and he was wary of gossip, Jianguo would have really liked to take him in. After all, taking care of two boys or three made no difference to him.
Just as everyone was enjoying the meal, next door, Liu Mei was feeling unhappy.
Ruan Jiaojiao hadn’t come home for a day and a night, and Liu Mei thought she was surely dead. Overjoyed, she was enjoying herself tremendously, especially since that debt-collector Xiu Xi hadn’t come back either. She felt as happy as if it were the New Year.
But her joy was short-lived. As soon as she saw the two people she disliked most returning unharmed, she was incredibly angry.
She waited at the door for a while, hoping to scold Xiu Xi when he came back, but after waiting a long time without seeing him, her anger grew. She marched over to the Ruan Family with a stern face, but as soon as she reached the entrance, the aroma of food and meat made her stomach betray her with a grumble.
Looking up, she saw Xiu Xi sitting comfortably at the Ruan Family’s table eating and drinking merrily, which she found extremely irritating. Pointing at him she cursed, "You worthless bastard! Where have you been rolling around for the last day and night? Your father and I thought you were dead outside! And look at you, having a feast out here! Do you even remember where your home is, or has someone bewitched you, made you forget where your own house’s door is?"
Her words were sarcastic and pointed.
"Xiu Family’s woman, are you indirectly insulting others, thinking no one understands?" Ruanlin Family scoffed coldly, stepping in front of Liu Mei.
The Ruanlin Family’s fighting spirit was indeed formidable. Liu Mei felt intimidated upon seeing her, but catching a glimpse of Xiu Xi, who was quietly eating without even looking at her, she straightened her back again.