Ruan Xingzhuo changed the topic. “Sis, what do you mean by ‘help’? What’s going on?”
Ruan Xingyao didn’t mention the past between You Huan and Ruan Xingzhuo; that was something You Huan would explain to him herself.
She looked at Ruan Xingzhuo with a smile and said, “Since you’ve already watched my livestream, you should know there’s a rich lady in my stream, right?”
Ruan Xingzhuo nodded. “You mean You Huan? She’s the moderator in your livestream.”
One evening was enough for him to figure out Ruan Xingyao’s livestream style completely.
Ruan Xingyao smiled even more adorably and said, “I met her last night. Guess what? Her intentions weren’t really about me.”
Hearing this, Ruan Xingzhuo looked at Ruan Xingyao cautiously.
After a while, he pointed at himself. “At me?”
Ruan Xingyao nodded. “Little brother, you know our family’s situation. If someone spends money to send gifts, isn’t that wonderful?”
Ruan Xingzhuo instinctively leaned back, watching her warily. “So… you want me to use my looks to ‘earn money’?”
Ruan Xingyao blinked. “It depends on how important your older sister is to you.”
Ruan Xingzhuo’s lips parted slightly, his face full of disbelief.
He stared at Ruan Xingyao without blinking for a long moment, as if he had made some decision. “Sis, you’re right. I have to contribute to our family too. If that’s the case… then let me make the sacrifice.”
Ruan Xingyao burst out laughing and lightly patted the top of his head. “Alright, I was just teasing you. Am I such a twisted older sister? You’re preparing for the college entrance exams; after leaving the hospital, focusing on your studies is the most important thing. Earning money? Leave that to me.”
Ruan Xingzhuo rubbed his head, still sore from her pat, and asked suspiciously, “So I really don’t have to meet the rich lady?”
Ruan Xingyao said, “You’re overthinking. You Huan isn’t the kind of rich lady you’re imagining—she’s a really cute young girl. I’ll introduce you two later, and you’ll see.”
Ruan Xingzhuo continued to watch her suspiciously.
After all, her words seemed to imply that he would meet You Huan eventually.
But from what Ruan Xingyao said, this You Huan seemed quite different.
Ruan Xingzhuo said, “Sis, don’t feel guilty. If ‘selling me out’ could help the family, I wouldn’t refuse.”
Ruan Xingyao squinted at him with disdain. “In your dreams. Even if you’re willing to ‘sacrifice’ yourself, I won’t let you deceive a young girl. Forget about that idea.”
Ruan Xingzhuo really couldn’t understand Ruan Xingyao’s thoughts, so he didn’t pursue it further.
Anyway, when he met You Huan, he’d figure out what was going on.
After having breakfast with Ruan Xingzhuo, Ruan Xingyao left the hospital.
She planned to go home and catch up on sleep so she could start her livestream later that day.
However, as soon as she got in the car, her phone rang.
The caller was Xie Lin.
Last night, Ruan Xingyao had planned to find Xie Lin to repay the money, but You Huan contacted her first, and she completely forgot about it.
Now, receiving Xie Lin’s call, it was the perfect opportunity for Ruan Xingyao to discuss the matter.
However, as soon as the call connected, before Ruan Xingyao could say anything, Xie Lin’s voice came first.
His tone was extremely heavy. “Yaoyao, Zhao Wanying has committed suicide.”
Ruan Xingyao’s mind went completely blank in an instant.
Her hand holding the phone went numb all at once.
After a long while, she managed to ask, “What did you say?”
Xie Lin said, “I’ll come pick you up now. Bring Baiyi, and let’s go see Zhao Wanying one last time.”
Ruan Xingyao’s head was still spinning.
After a long moment, she replied, “I understand.”
After hanging up, Ruan Xingyao stared blankly out the car window.
Zhao Wanying had committed suicide.
Those words hit her heart like a heavy hammer.
“How could this happen? How could this happen? How could this happen?”
Ruan Xingyao murmured to herself over and over.
Her thoughts turned to Baiyi.
Although Baiyi had been living with her all this time, and they got along very happily,
Ruan Xingyao knew very well that Baiyi’s heart had always belonged to Zhao Wanying.
It was constantly longing to return to the home with Zhao Wanying.
Sometimes, when Ruan Xingyao lay down, Baiyi would think she had fallen asleep and murmur in its little nest, “Miss Mama… miss Mama… miss Mama…”
But now, Xie Lin had told her that Zhao Wanying had committed suicide.
He wanted her to bring Baiyi to see Zhao Wanying one last time.
How was she supposed to face this?
How could she tell Baiyi that its owner could never come home again?
Thinking of this, Ruan Xingyao’s tears fell like little beads.
She was taking the bus home.
It happened to be the rush hour, and everyone on the bus was staring at her.
An elderly lady, seeing Ruan Xingyao crying so pitifully, pressed a freshly bought bun into her hand.
“Girl, there’s no hurdle you can’t get past. Eat a little, fill your stomach first, then face it.”
Ruan Xingyao held the bun, feeling the warmth radiating through her palm, and her tears flowed even more fiercely.
Her mind cleared slightly, and just then she heard the bus stop announcement—it was her stop.
Ruan Xingyao bowed deeply to the elderly lady and then jumped off the bus.
Xie Lin was already there; his car was parked under Ruan Xingyao’s building.
From a distance, seeing Ruan Xingyao walking over with tears streaming down her face, Xie Lin strode forward to meet her.
Ruan Xingyao stopped, her tear-blurred eyes fixed on Xie Lin.
She opened her mouth but didn’t make a sound for a long while.
After a long moment, she asked, “There’s really no way to save her?”
Xie Lin shook his head. “I’m sorry. Everyone did their best.”
Including Zhao Wanying herself—she had tried very hard too.
Ruan Xingyao’s mouth quivered downward, and she began to cry out loudly.
Xie Lin reached out, pulled her into his arms, and gently patted her back for several minutes to comfort her before saying, “Go get Baiyi first, take it to see her.”
Ruan Xingyao nodded, stepped out of Xie Lin’s embrace, and ran up the stairs with quick, heavy steps.
Soon, she came back downstairs carrying Baiyi.
Baiyi still didn’t know anything; it thought Ruan Xingyao was just taking it out for a walk.
It called out happily, “werwer!”
“er! er! er!”
[Human! You’re so nice today! You’ve taken me out twice already! Human! I like you so much!]
“er! er! er!”
[Human! I smell the meat bun! Is it for me? Can I eat it?]
Listening to Baiyi’s joyful voice, Ruan Xingyao felt even worse.
She carried Baiyi over to Xie Lin and said, “Captain Xie, you tell it.”
She really didn’t know how to explain it to Baiyi.
— The end of the Chapter–
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