After taking care of Zhao Wanying’s affairs, Ruan Xingyao went to look at a new house.
Ruan Xingzhuo was about to be discharged from the hospital, and the small place she was currently renting wasn’t big enough for the two of them.
She had saved up a little money, and after setting aside the portion she had to pay back each month, it was enough for her to rent a 100-square-meter apartment in a decent neighborhood.
After spending the whole day packing up with Baiyi, Ruan Xingyao went to the hospital to bring Ruan Xingzhuo home.
When they returned, she took him to see his room.
“This is the condition of our home for now. Get used to it, and once the debts are all paid off, we’ll think of a way to buy back the old house.”
Ruan Xingzhuo looked around the apartment before asking, “Sis, this is the new place you found, isn’t it?”
Ruan Xingyao nodded. “You noticed already? So clever.”
The look in Ruan Xingzhuo’s eyes immediately softened with heartache.
He had seen her live-streams — before, her living conditions could barely be called more than a slum.
Now, just for him, she had deliberately moved into a new home.
He didn’t even dare think about how much she must have sacrificed for this.
“Sis, I’ve been such a burden to you.” Ruan Xingzhuo stepped forward and hugged her.
He hated himself for being underage, unable to be the one she could rely on.
Ruan Xingyao lifted her hand and patted the back of his head. “Alright, don’t be dramatic. These are all things I should do.”
Just as Ruan Xingzhuo was about to say more, Ruan Xingyao’s phone suddenly rang.
She pulled away from him and checked — it was a call from You Huan.
Ruan Xingyao quickly answered, cheerful and excited.
“Huanhuan!” Her voice was full of joy.
“You’re bringing food to my place? That’s great, that’s great — we’ll be waiting for you!”
After hanging up, Ruan Xingyao happily busied herself preparing fruit and drinks, waiting for You Huan to arrive.
Half an hour later, the doorbell rang.
Wearing her slippers, Ruan Xingyao went to open the door.
You Huan stood there holding two large food boxes, smiling as she greeted her.
But in the next moment, her gaze unconsciously drifted past Ruan Xingyao into the apartment, as if searching for someone.
Seeing this, Ruan Xingyao pulled her inside. “Come sit down first, I’ll go call him out.”
You Huan nodded and obediently sat down on the sofa, though her nerves were taut.
Her hands twisted together as she tried to calm herself down, to steady her heartbeat.
But no matter how much she told herself to stay calm, when she heard footsteps approaching, her nerves spiked, and she forgot to breathe.
She and Ruan Xingyao had agreed earlier that she would meet Ruan Xingzhuo, but because Ruan Xingyao had been busy, it had been delayed until now.
Today, by coincidence, she learned that Ruan Xingzhuo was being discharged, and since they had also moved into a new home, You Huan thought it was the perfect chance to seize the opportunity and come over.
At last, Ruan Xingzhuo followed behind Ruan Xingyao and entered the living room together.
Ruan Xingyao introduced, “Xiao Zhuo, this is You Huan.”
Aside from her name, she didn’t say another word.
As for the past between You Huan and Ruan Xingzhuo, she decided to leave that for them to talk about themselves.
However, when Ruan Xingzhuo clearly saw You Huan’s face, he froze for a moment.
He stared at her for quite a while, making You Huan feel even more uneasy.
Just as she was on the verge of bolting in panic, Ruan Xingzhuo finally spoke.
“It’s you.”
You Huan was stunned, looking at him in confusion, when she heard him say:
“That time we ate ice cream together, I had diarrhea for two days. It was awful.”
You Huan’s lips parted in shock, her eyes instantly turning red.
Tears blurred her vision, and only after a long pause did she choke out, “You still remember me.”
Ruan Xingzhuo said, “I saved you. How could I not remember?”
You Huan bit her lip hard, clenching her hands so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.
She tried her best not to cry, but the emotions welling up inside her made it impossible to control.
After a long while, she finally said, “I thought I was the only one who remembered.”
Ruan Xingzhuo smiled faintly.
“Seeing that you’re still alive makes me really glad.”
After all, the first time in his life he played the hero—shamelessly dragging a girl who wanted to end her life to eat ice cream, even spending all her money—was a little embarrassing to him.
But now, seeing You Huan living well, and judging from her clothes and demeanor that she hadn’t suffered much hardship, it made everything he did feel worthwhile.
Ruan Xingyao glanced at Ruan Xingzhuo, then at You Huan.
Although she didn’t know if You Huan would get what she hoped for, she wouldn’t meddle too much in this matter.
Still, seeing the two of them getting along at the moment made her genuinely happy.
Ruan Xingyao said, “Alright, let’s put the catching-up aside for now. Let’s eat, I’m starving.”
You Huan quickly wiped her eyes, stood up, walked over to Ruan Xingyao, and looped her arm through hers.
“I also brought something tasty for Baiyi. It’s going to love it.”
Baiyi had been lying listlessly in its dog bed, chewing on a toy.
The moment it heard You Huan’s words, it immediately stood up and bounded over to her.
You Huan crouched down and patted Baiyi’s head.
Over the past few days, she had already learned from Ruan Xingyao about Baiyi’s former owner, and she couldn’t help but feel even more tenderhearted toward it.
So, she also wanted to treat it a little better.
Both food containers had five layers.
Ruan Xingyao couldn’t wait to open them, and when she saw that a few dishes were the ones she had said were delicious the last time she ate with You Huan, she couldn’t help but hug her warmly and say, “Huanhuan, you’re the best.”
You Huan felt happy too.
Her gaze involuntarily drifted toward Ruan Xingzhou.
Trying to sound calm, she said, “I didn’t know what you like to eat, so I brought one of everything. If you find something tasty, just tell me—I’ll bring more next time.”
Ruan Xingzhou, however, saw right through You Huan’s intentions at a glance.
But right now, he really had no such thoughts.
So he said coldly, “Don’t bother. I just got out of the hospital, and there aren’t many things I can eat.”
In that instant, You Huan’s expression froze.
She looked at Ruan Xingzhou a little helplessly, not understanding why he had been fine just moments ago but suddenly turned so cold.
Ruan Xingyao, watching as You Huan was on the verge of breaking apart, felt a headache coming on and shot Ruan Xingzhou a glare.
How could this guy treat a girl like that?
She pulled You Huan’s hand and said, “Don’t mind him. If he won’t eat, I will. I love eating.”
You Huan looked gratefully at Ruan Xingyao, though the sadness in her eyes was practically overflowing.
She opened the last layer, took out the food she had brought for Baiyi, picked it up in her arms, and fed it piece by piece.
Only after several minutes, once she had adjusted her mood, did You Huan finally sit down with Ruan Xingyao and Ruan Xingzhou to eat dinner.
— The end of the Chapter–
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