Chapter 2053: The Whole Family Together (Part 1)

Looking at the crying Ruan Family members in the room, Zhao Li also felt quite saddened. As parents, how could one not understand that feeling?

Everyone stayed up all night, Ruan Jiaojiao being the weakest, collapsed into Duan Xi’s arms after crying. Fortunately, there was nothing serious, just extreme hunger. Now that the tense string broke, she was exhausted.

During the night, Duan Xi had forcefully tried to make her eat something, but Ruan Jiaojiao really couldn’t eat. What she swallowed didn’t go down, and it ended up choking her. Later, he didn’t insist.

Duan Xi picked her up in his arms and carried her directly to the room upstairs.

Ruanlin Family and Shu Jiao were much the same. While others had rested and eaten a little, the three of them hadn’t had a single bite. With the emotional release, they were also physically drained.

Zhao Li busied herself, preparing porridge for the three of them, urging them to eat.

Ruan Jiaojiao could only manage a small half-bowl before she couldn’t eat anymore. She couldn’t even bear to sleep; she insisted on waiting for Ruan Hao’s call. She couldn’t be at ease until she heard his voice.

Duan Xi understood how deep her obsession was and didn’t persuade her otherwise. He climbed onto the bed, holding her in his arms, keeping her company while they waited.

Ruan Jiaojiao nestled obediently in his embrace, watching the gradually rising sun outside. She suddenly remembered something and lifted her head abruptly from his arms, "Brother Xi, your birthday..."

"It’s okay, it’s not important to me." Duan Xi pressed her back into his arms, kissing her forehead.

That birthday belonged to the body he inhabited, not him. He had lived too long and, as a wolf, birthdays weren’t a concept he remembered.

Celebrating birthdays in this world was partly adapting to local customs and partly because he liked the feeling of her meticulously preparing a gift for him on that day.

Ruan Jiaojiao pouted, hugging his waist a bit sorrowfully, "When big brother comes back, we’ll make it up to you."

"Okay." Duan Xi nodded, patting her shoulder.

Ruan Hao’s call came through more than an hour later. At that time, Ruan Jianguo hadn’t found him yet. Ruan Hao borrowed a stranger’s phone to make the call. Hearing his voice, Ruan Jiaojiao couldn’t help but cry again. She even wanted to immediately rush to him, but thankfully, Ruan Hao managed to calm her down.

With Ruan Hao’s reassuring call, the Ruan Family could finally breathe a genuine sigh of relief.

Ruan Jiaojiao lay down and slept soundly until begrudgingly waking up the next morning.

By then, downstairs was buzzing with activity. The noise was audible even through the door. Ruan Jiaojiao rose with curiosity, looking outside at the sunny weather and hearing the commotion below. It felt unreal, like a dream.

Outside, Duan Xi came in as she woke, seemingly not surprised. He handed her a cup of honey water.

"Brother Xi, did big brother come back?" Ruan Jiaojiao asked eagerly, trying to dash downstairs, forgetting her shoes.

Duan Xi picked her up, placed her back on the bed, and slipped sandals onto her feet, explaining, "Not yet, things aren’t resolved there. They’re watching news downstairs."

"News?" Ruan Jiaojiao was puzzled. What news could be so important now?

"Big brother is on the news," Duan Xi replied.

"Ah? What news?" Ruan Jiaojiao was even more confused.