Standing at the entrance of the Jiang Familyâs house, watching the Ruan Family leave, Ma Yinyin tightened her coat and turned to ask Jiang Yuanlong: "Are we going to visit the Xin Family this time?"
As for the young girl at the Xin Family, people in this compound had quite a few opinions about her.
The girl was somewhat unstableâthis wasnât the first time she had fallen into the water. Nearly every winter, she would cause a scene like this several times. At first, the compoundâs patrol team would be frightened, but after so many occurrences, it had basically become routine.
Thatâs the reason why this time, the patrol team could calmly fish her out without saying a word and leave as if nothing had happened. They were long used to it.
It was something everyone in the compound knew, but the Ruan Family, visiting the compound for the first time, was unaware. If it had been someone else, they likely wouldnât have jumped into the pond to save the girl.
After all, this young girl caused a fuss several times every year. Isnât everyoneâs life precious? The pond was deep, the winter bitterly coldâwho would put themselves at risk for no good reason?
This time, it was purely coincidental that the Ruan Family encountered her. And because Ruan Jie was a kind-hearted young man, thatâs how this incident unfolded.
"Letâs go visit later," said Jiang Yuanlong. In a compound where the older generations were closely tied, they couldnât truly ignore the matter.
"Alright," Ma Yinyin nodded.
Just as she was turning to go inside, she noticed Jiang Xun standing motionless by her side. Thinking about how today was a day he had been looking forward to for so long, only for it to end like this, she softened her tone and reassured him gently: "Xiaoxun, we couldnât help it this time. Next time, your father and I will do our best to fulfill it for you, okay?"
Jiang Xun hung his head low, making it impossible for Ma Yinyin to see his expression. She was about to bend down to take a closer look when Jiang Xun nodded.
Ma Yinyin now cherished this son, whom she had regained after losing him, more than anything. Just to make sure he wouldnât act as recklessly as Ruan Jie, she softly instructed, "Xiaoxun, if you encounter something like this in the future, donât act like your Ruan Family brother, alright? Mama only has you as her precious treasure."
At her words, Jiang Xun nodded again, but the subtle gleam in his downcast eyes went unnoticed. He knew, better than anyoneâhe couldnât become like the people in the Ruan Family, nor could he turn into someone like Xiu Xi... He had always known this.
But what he couldnât understand was why there were people in the world who could be so foolish.
Ruan Jie was like this, risking his life to save someone who had nothing to do with him.
And back in Xiahe Village, Xiu Xi had been the same...
He truly couldnât comprehend what drove them to leap forward without hesitation, without fear. Were they genuinely unafraid of death?
Jiang Xun didnât understand. He truly didnât understand.
ââ
The Ruan Family prepared to return, accompanied once again by Jiang Bin. Even though this incident had little to do with the Jiang Family, Jiang Bin repeatedly apologized along the way.
Ruan Jiaojiao wasnât in the same vehicle as him. During the ride, Shu Jiao noticed that Ruan Jieâs condition seemed fine, but Ruan Jiaojiao appeared deflated and dispirited. Pulling Jiaojiao into her arms, she comforted her warmly: "Jiaojiao, were you frightened? Itâs alright, donât worry. Your brother is toughâthis bit of cold is nothing for him to handle."
Ruan Jiaojiao nodded obediently, but her mood had clearly been affected, and it wasnât something she could recover from immediately.
She seemed to recall something and raised her head to ask Shu Jiao: "Mom, that Xu Miao we met in the car earlierâwas she with that Miss Xin? Miss Xin fell into the water; could it have had something to do with her?"
Xu Miao? Shu Jiao frowned.