She doesn’t even know how to face them tomorrow, how to face Zhao Li, who has loved her like a daughter since she was a child, and now this kind of thing happens... Whenever Ruan Jiaojiao thinks of it, she feels so uncomfortable that she can’t stop crying.

Shu Jiao held the sobbing little girl, not rushing to speak, letting her vent her emotions, occasionally stroking her back and hair to help soothe her.

Ruan Jiaojiao cried for a few minutes before her tears gradually stopped. She sat up from Shu Jiao’s embrace, wanting to wipe her eyes with the back of her hand, but Shu Jiao stopped her.

Shu Jiao took a handkerchief from her pocket, pressed her hand down, and asked, "Feeling better?"

Ruan Jiaojiao nodded with pursed lips, looking at her with some embarrassment.

"You’re still young, when you’re upset or uncomfortable, you can cry, no need to hold back." Shu Jiao said softly, gently wiping her face.

Ruan Jiaojiao looked at her, and asked quietly, "Mom, why aren’t you asking me what happened?"

She felt this wasn’t like her usual behavior; before, whenever something occurred, Shu Jiao would first listen to her seriously before offering advice.

"You’ve grown up. Some things, if you feel you need mom’s help, you can tell mom, but if you feel embarrassed, you can learn to solve them yourself." Shu Jiao replied.

Actually, Zhao Li had already discussed today’s matter with her before coming.

To be honest, she was quite surprised. She prided herself on being observant, but this matter was completely unexpected.

As for what Lu Zishu said, she didn’t take it to heart. After all, even biological siblings clash while growing up; a few kids growing up together having conflicts is normal, and reconciliation is just a matter of time.

Rather than saying Ruan Jiaojiao is sad, it’s more accurate to say she feels embarrassed.

After all, at her age, whether liking someone or being liked is often a shy affair, kept as a secret.

Her daughter has always been sentimental, treating Lu Xian as a brother, but Lu Xian liking her is a significant psychological burden, fearing to hurt others.

Now that Lu Zishu has revealed it, it’s like the last layer of decency has been stripped away, naturally she can’t accept it. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Mom, you just said I’m young, now you’re saying I’ve grown up." Ruan Jiaojiao pouted, wanting to wipe her eyes with her hand again, but before her hand reached her eyes, Shu Jiao stopped her once more.

"Don’t use your hand, your eyes will feel uncomfortable later."

"Saying you’re young is because, in mom’s eyes, you’ll always be a child, even when you’re grown up, married, and have children. Saying you’ve grown up is because there are things, if you feel embarrassed and don’t want others to interfere, mom won’t, you can learn to handle them yourself. Just remember one thing, no matter what, mom is always behind you."

Ruan Jiaojiao looked at her earnest expression, couldn’t help but pout again, reached out to hug her waist, burying her head in her neck, gently rubbing: "Mom, do you really have no feelings for dad anymore?"

Some things you never truly understand until you’re personally affected.

Before, Ruan Jiaojiao always said she wouldn’t meddle in her parents’ relationship, but secretly she hoped they would be okay, usually trying to help Ruan Jianguo find opportunities. But after this incident, she realized how her actions to help Ruan Jianguo were an emotional burden for Shu Jiao.