Chapter 41 - 41 41 The Minor Villain (9)_1

Chapter 41: Chapter 41 The Minor Villain (9)_1 Chapter 41: Chapter 41 The Minor Villain (9)_1 Unconsciously, she thought of the incident she had seen that night.

Her whole body shivered, and her hand abruptly retracted as she turned and ran as if chased by evil spirits.

“Is this a mad dog’s fit?” Ruanlin Family muttered in confusion, but when she saw Ruan Jianguo, the extinguished fire in her flared up again, and she scolded, “From now on, keep away from that woman when you see her. Only you wouldn’t find her filthy, chatting with her at the gate!”

“Mom! What are you talking about?” Ruan Jianguo indicated with his eyes to the Ruanlin Family, still holding Ruan Jiaojiao in his arms.

Even though Ruanlin Family still wanted to scold more, she didn’t want to sully her granddaughter’s ears and reluctantly closed her mouth.

Just as she was about to turn around to go back inside the house, she saw Xiaoxi behind her. Recalling Liu Mei’s attitude just now, she suggested to him, “Your stepmother is in a bad mood right now. If you go back, you’ll definitely get a beating. Why not stay at our place for a while?”

Xiu Xi looked at Ruan Jiaojiao, who was held in Ruan Jianguo’s arms, and after a few seconds, nodded.

Once inside, Ruanlin Family let Ruan Jiaojiao and Ruan Jianguo go eat first. She wanted to take care of the three rabbits, but Ruan Jiaojiao and Ruan Jianguo insisted on waiting for her, so she had no choice but to put the rabbits aside and eat first.

Ruanlin Family made three dishes: a salted vegetable dumpling, a seasonal side dish, and scrambled eggs with chili, which was particularly fragrant and the meat dish designated for Ruan Jiaojiao.

Ruanlin Family placed the scrambled eggs underneath Ruan Jiaojiao’s white rice, while she and Ruan Jianguo each had a bowl of sweet potato rice and ate with the salted vegetables and side dish. However, Ruan Jiaojiao refused any special treatment and insisted on dividing the scrambled eggs in her bowl among them.

She gave one-third to both Ruanlin Family and Ruan Jianguo, then she let the matter rest.

Ruanlin Family couldn’t argue with her and had to eat, feeling warm inside. She thought her granddaughter was truly considerate, indeed her closest little padded jacket.

Ruanlin Family also invited Xiu Xi to join them for the meal, but he declined. Ruanlin Family urged him a few times, and seeing that he still refused, she didn’t insist.

During the meal, Ruanlin Family asked Xiu Xi, “Xiaoxi, you are eight years old this year, aren’t you? Have you ever thought about going to school?”

Xiu Xi was staring at Ruan Jiaojiao when he heard this, and his gaze shifted, looking puzzled.

Ruanlin Family thought he hadn’t considered it and said earnestly, “Even though your stepmother isn’t that great, your father is still your father. You should ask him whenever you have the chance. More education won’t hurt these days; otherwise, you’ll have to dig for food in the fields your whole life.”

Turning to Ruan Jiaojiao, her eyes softened, “Little Jiaojiao will go to school in September. If you go too, you can be classmates with her. Walking to and from school together would be nice companionship.”

Although Ruan Jiaojiao had nine older brothers, aside from Ruan Chi and Ruan Jie who would go to middle school later that year, there were four boys in elementary school. Nevertheless, they weren’t in the same class. Ruanlin Family truly cherished Ruan Jiaojiao, being afraid that someone in her class might bully her, and thus wanted to find her a companion, which was why she encouraged Xiu Xi to attend school.

Ruan Jiaojiao was scooping her own rice, listening to Ruanlin Family talk, yet her gaze stealthily fell on Xiu Xi.

However, as soon as Xiu Xi’s gaze turned toward her, she immediately buried her little head, pretending as if nothing had happened. She didn’t see the unusual sparkle that flashed through Xiu Xi’s gaze when he looked at her.

Even after Ruan Jiaojiao finished her meal, Xiu Xi still didn’t respond to Ruanlin Family.