Chapter 1019: Chapter 1019: Xin Family (7)
Xin Bo did not speak upon hearing this. After a long moment, he nodded heavily.
Inside the room, Xin Miao lay on the bed, her eyes closed as though she were asleep, but her brows were furrowed the entire time, as if something was entangling her, causing her distress.
Mrs. Xin watched her daughter on the sickbed, her tears never ceasing.
She couldnât understand. Out of all the people in the world, why was it her daughter who had to suffer like this? She was so adorable, so obedient!
âMom, Mom, save me, save meâŠâ The little girl suddenly raised herself from the hospital bed, flailing her arms frantically, as though trying to grasp something.
Mrs. Xin sat at the bedside, watching as her heart broke to pieces.
She reached out to hold the little girlâs hand, responding urgently, âMiaomiao, Miaomiao, Mom is here, my MiaomiaoâŠâ
But obviously, Xin Miao could not feel her presence. She only cried out, pleading, âSave me, Mom, save me.â Her cries shattered Mrs. Xinâs heart, even leading her to think that if it could make her daughter feel any better, sheâd trade her own life without hesitationâŠ
Soon, Xin Miao grew progressively agitated, as if something was tearing at her. She screamed another name, sometimes claiming she was Miaomiao, then denying it moments laterâŠ
Outside, Dr. Qin and Xin Bo, who had been conversing, had to halt their discussion and rush inside. One of them restrained Xin Miaoâs body, while the other administered a sedative.
After the injection, Xin Miaoâs eyes snapped open, staring in Mrs. Xinâs direction, her face nearly twisted in agony: âSave me, Mom, save meâŠâ
Mrs. Xinâs heartbreak left her feeling like she could hardly breathe.
ââ
The Shu Family.
After leaving the Jiang Family, Ruan Jiaojiao and the others hadnât managed to eat. Ruan Lin went to prepare bathwater for Ruan Jie, then hurried into the kitchen with the servants to stir-fry some dishes. The whole family gathered around to eat.
As they ate, their conversation naturally shifted to the events of the day.
While the Ruan Family wasnât aware, Old Shu had heard plenty of gossip despite rarely leaving home these past few years. He understood that Ruan Jie had fallen into the water while rescuing a little girl. First, Old Shu offered generous praise: âRuan Jie did an excellent job; youâre a true man of character. Grandfather is proud of you.â
Having always been the subject of criticism, Ruan Jie immediately beamed with joy, his grin spreading to the back of his ears. He truly resembled his father, Ruan Dakuan, sitting beside him. Watching the dark-skinned father and son side by side, Old Shu found them unbearably unpleasant to look at. After offering praise, he quickly diverted his gaze and shifted his tone.
âHowever, Grandfather must also reprimand you. Youâre still young, and in the future, you must carefully assess your own situation before acting in similar circumstances.â
In the past, Old Shu would have undoubtedly declared that saving lives was the priority. But as one ages, one tends to favor protecting their own. At the end of the day, nothing is more important than oneâs own child.
âExactly! Brother, you scared me today,â Ruan Jiaojiao chimed in.
It wasnât that she didnât want Ruan Jie to save the girl. If Ruan Dakuan had been the one to jump in, she certainly wouldnât have been so worried. But Ruan Jie was only fifteen or sixteen, still a minor. Though he looked tall and strong compared to others, the pond was so deep, it was the middle of winter, and the girl heâd saved was only about ten years old. There was a real chance he could have lost his own life.
Besides, the patrol team arrived quickly, within less than a minute. In hindsight, it seemed clear that Ruan Jie had been the only one who could have acted in that instant.