This was agreed upon a long time ago, and Ruan Jiaojiao had no doubts. After waving her little hand to bid them farewell, she happily went to the teaching building with Ruan Lei and them.
"Letâs go, Xiaona. Auntie will accompany you to talk to the dormitory supervisor lady." Seeing Ruan Jiaojiaoâs clearly joyous little figure from behind, Shu Jiao shook her head helplessly, her eyes full of doting affection.
When she turned back to talk to Yang Xiaona, her voice was still gentle, and Yang Xiaona, cherishing this gentleness, nodded obediently and followed behind her, heading towards the dormitory on the left.
Since it was still early, along the way they met quite a few students heading to the teaching building. Those who recognized Shu Jiao would respectfully call her Teacher Shu.
It wasnât until they reached the entrance of the girlsâ dormitory building that people gradually became fewer.
Seeing fewer people around, Shu Jiao slowed her steps, and finally even stopped Yang Xiaona at the foot of the stairs.
The dormitory supervisor lady lived in a room at the far south end of the second floor of the girlsâ dormitory. Yang Xiaona was about to take Shu Jiao there, but when she was suddenly stopped, she looked over somewhat puzzled.
"Xiaona, Auntie has never properly thanked you. Thank you so much for saving Jiaojiao yesterday." As she spoke, she even bowed to Yang Xiaona.
Yang Xiaona didnât expect her to thank her so solemnly, let alone bow, and she panicked. She had been standing one step ahead, and being naturally taller, looking back at Shu Jiao gave the impression of looking down, which startled her. She quickly stepped back until she was a step below Shu Jiao and shorter than her before stopping.
At the same time, she reached out to support Shu Jiao, anxiously saying, "Auntie, please donât do this. I did it voluntarily. Jiaojiao is my friend, and itâs what I should do."
Shu Jiao smiled, "You silly child, friends are friends. Thereâs no such thing as should or shouldnât."
As she spoke, she lifted the bag in her hand and said, "Inside are some ointments Auntie bought for you. Remember to apply them every day and massage whenever you have time. Besides the ointments, thereâs also a little gift..." Seeing Yang Xiaona waving her hand to refuse, Shu Jiao pressed down on her hand and continued, "Xiaona, listen to Auntie first."
"You see, you also said youâre Jiaojiaoâs friend, right? You feel itâs your responsibility to help Jiaojiao. Friends should help each other. Now, you have difficulties, and Jiaojiao isnât able to help you yet, so let Auntie help you, alright?"
Shu Jiaoâs voice was very gentle, and her words were very ordinary, but hearing them made tears well up in Yang Xiaonaâs eyes. How could she not know that Shu Jiao was only saying this to protect her self-esteem?
When facing the Ruan Family, she often knew she should refuse, but she couldnât deceive her heart. She was too attached to this care, unable to bear rejecting it.
"Alright, youâre a big girl now, donât cry. Otherwise, Jiaojiao might think Auntie bullied her new friend when she sees you later. You go to the dormitory first and put your things down, and see if you like Auntieâs gift. Meanwhile, Iâll go talk to your dormitory supervisor lady. Itâs already late, and then Iâll take you to the classroom."
After Shu Jiao finished speaking, she didnât wait for Yang Xiaonaâs response and turned to find the dormitory supervisor lady at the end of the corridor.
Yang Xiaona blinked hard, held back her tears, and then, cradling her precious bag, ran back to the dormitory. She carefully opened the gift Shu Jiao had prepared for her.