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 ca downstairs, she just happened to see Jiaojiao’s 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 tis. 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 wasn’t 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 ti. After listening each day, it would return ho happily with a bone in its mouth.
“Jiaojiao, you’re up. Your al is still warm, eat up quickly. Your dad and Xiaoxi went to the village,” said the Ruanlin Family matriarch, taking the basket from Jiaojiao’s 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 didn’t ask any further, simply nodded, and started eating her breakfast quietly at the table.
The TV was repeatedly showing “Journey to the West,” but Ruan Jiaojiao wasn’t interested. She turned her head and asked her grandmother, “Granny, it’s just over a month until New Year’s. Mom said this year we’re going to Grandpa’s for the celebration.”
“I know, your mother and I have discussed it. Your grandmother won’t go. I’ll spend New Year’s with your third uncle instead,” 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 ntion of New Year’s, 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, “Granny, aren’t you going?”
“Why should your granny go? It’s fine if just your family goes,” replied Ruanlin with a smile, smoothly tucking her granddaughter’s stray hair behind her ears.
“Then Jiaojiao won’t go either. Jiaojiao will stay ho and keep granny company,” Ruan Jiaojiao imdiately declared.
“You child…” The Ruanlin matriarch was at once amused and exasperated, looking at her. Ruan Jiaojiao took the opportunity to nuzzle into her grandmother’s embrace. Winter clothes were quite bulky, and she had grown quite a bit, no longer able to sit on Ruanlin’s lap like she did when she was younger. She could only half-kneel, cuddly, in her grandmother’s arms.
Looking up at her grandmother with complete reliance in her eyes, she said, “Granny, you said you would protect Jiaojiao. Beidu… has bad people…”
Ruan Jiaojiao had never let go of her fears concerning Feng Nianian, though she wasn’t 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 Jiaojiao’s words were implicit, but the Ruanlin matriarch understood instantly. With almost no hesitation, she embraced Ruan Jiaojiao and said, “Alright, then granny will accompany Jiaojiao.”
She had previously decided against going because it would look inappropriate – akin to a son-in-law visiting his in-laws for the first ti – and she didn’t want the Shu Family to think she lacked manners. But no etiquette was more important than her beloved granddaughter’s safety.
She couldn’t care less about Feng Nianian or any other nace; if anyone dared to harm her darling, she would tear them apart.
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