Chapter 917: Chapter 917: Trip to Beidu (2)
On January 4th, which was a Saturday, Ruan Jiaojiao had the rare chance to sleep in. She stayed in bed until half past nine in the morning before getting up, and when she came downstairs, she just happened to see Jiaojiaoâs dog basket in its mouth, coming in from outside.
Ever since she first took Jiaojiao out, it was as if a new world had been opened to it. It insisted on taking a walk daily at set times. In this matter, it was even more active than the Ruanlin Family; now it had even taken on the chore of buying groceries every day.
The vendors nearby were so fond of it that they would feed it even when it wasnât buying groceries, giving it a treat as it passed by.
Especially the butcher uncle, who spoiled it with a daily bone. Of course, there was a price to pay; as a token of gratitude, Jiaojiao had to listen to the butcher ramble on about his breeding experiences for nearly half an hour each day.
Jiaojiao initially felt annoyed by this, but perhaps it got used to it over time. After listening each day, it would return home happily with a bone in its mouth.
âJiaojiao, youâre up. Your meal is still warm, eat up quickly. Your dad and Xiaoxi went to the village,â said the Ruanlin Family matriarch, taking the basket from Jiaojiaoâs mouth as she spoke to Ruan Jiaojiao.
Ruan Jiaojiao knew that if they had gone to the village, it must have been for restocking. Hearing this, she didnât ask any further, simply nodded, and started eating her breakfast quietly at the table.
The TV was repeatedly showing âJourney to the West,â but Ruan Jiaojiao wasnât interested. She turned her head and asked her grandmother, âGranny, itâs just over a month until New Yearâs. Mom said this year weâre going to Grandpaâs for the celebration.â
âI know, your mother and I have discussed it. Your grandmother wonât go. Iâll spend New Yearâs with your third uncle instead,â said the Ruanlin matriarch, setting aside the freshly picked vegetables in another basket. Jiaojiao, the dog, was gnawing on its bone beside the sofa, crunching loudly. At the mention of New Yearâs, Jiaojiao looked up at Ruan Jiaojiao and the Ruanlin matriarch.
Ruan Jiaojiao, however, put down her chopsticks and bowl, unable to eat anymore.
She walked over with a twisted face and nestled next to Ruanlin, looking up and asking, âGranny, arenât you going?â
âWhy should your granny go? Itâs fine if just your family goes,â replied Ruanlin with a smile, smoothly tucking her granddaughterâs stray hair behind her ears.
âThen Jiaojiao wonât go either. Jiaojiao will stay home and keep granny company,â Ruan Jiaojiao immediately declared.
âYou childâŠâ The Ruanlin matriarch was at once amused and exasperated, looking at her. Ruan Jiaojiao took the opportunity to nuzzle into her grandmotherâs embrace. Winter clothes were quite bulky, and she had grown quite a bit, no longer able to sit on Ruanlinâs lap like she did when she was younger. She could only half-kneel, cuddly, in her grandmotherâs arms.
Looking up at her grandmother with complete reliance in her eyes, she said, âGranny, you said you would protect Jiaojiao. Beidu⊠has bad peopleâŠâ
Ruan Jiaojiao had never let go of her fears concerning Feng Nianian, though she wasnât as terrified as before, knowing no one could take away what she now possessed.
As long as her family and her status remained untouched, nothing else was as scary to her anymore.
Ruan Jiaojiaoâs words were implicit, but the Ruanlin matriarch understood instantly. With almost no hesitation, she embraced Ruan Jiaojiao and said, âAlright, then granny will accompany Jiaojiao.â
She had previously decided against going because it would look inappropriate â akin to a son-in-law visiting his in-laws for the first time â and she didnât want the Shu Family to think she lacked manners. But no etiquette was more important than her beloved granddaughterâs safety.
She couldnât care less about Feng Nianian or any other menace; if anyone dared to harm her darling, she would tear them apart.