She really didn’t want this incident to make both families unhappy. "What’s so good about that boy? He’s not going to die." Ruan Jianguo said grumpily, but nobody paid him any mind.

When Ruan Jiaojiao and Duan Xi followed Shu Jie and Ruan Jianguo to the hospital, it was already around ten o’clock at night. Lu Zhiwei was still out of town and couldn’t come back, and Zhao Li was keeping night watch.

Lu Zishu had been in pain all day, and now he had fallen asleep, while Zhao Li was dazedly snoozing by the bedside. Hearing a knock on the door, she saw the Ruan family arrive and immediately stood up.

"Why did you come here in the middle of the night? You must be so tired." As soon as Zhao Li stepped out, she grabbed Ruan Jiaojiao’s little hand, looking at her red eyes with concern, "Have you been crying?"

Ruan Jiaojiao looked at Zhao Li, her nose tingled, and she almost couldn’t hold back her tears again. She reached out to hug Zhao Li, and whispered an apology, "Godmother, I’m sorry."

"Silly girl, how could this be your fault? If there’s anyone to blame, it’s your Brother Zishu. He’s grown up but has no sense, always talking nonsense day and night." After saying that, she turned to Duan Xi, "Xiaoxi, you did well this time. If that boy talks nonsense again next time, just hit him, Auntie Li won’t ask you for medical expenses."

"Pfft." Ruan Jiaojiao was amused by her words.

"You’re laughing, that’s good, don’t furrow your brow at such a young age." Zhao Li said, reaching out to rub Ruan Jiaojiao’s constantly knitted brow.

Ruan Jiaojiao nodded, clinging to Zhao Li’s arm, snuggling affectionately against her shoulder.

Zhao Li patted her small hand and then began talking to Shu Jie, walking towards the hospital room as they spoke.

Inside the hospital room.

Lu Zishu woke up as soon as Zhao Li opened the door to the room. His nose hurt so much he couldn’t sleep deeply, yet he didn’t dare to open his eyes.

When he had talked about Ruan Jiaojiao, he was driven by resentment towards his brother. But after speaking, seeing Ruan Jiaojiao’s changed expression, he immediately regretted it.

Later, he was beaten up by Duan Xi. Now lying on the hospital bed, he felt a bit relieved as if he had atoned for his sins, but he still didn’t dare to face Ruan Jiaojiao.

Growing up together as siblings, he might not indulge her like other boys, sometimes even going against her and speaking unpleasantly. But back in school, he was the kind who would roll up his sleeves and confront anyone who spoke ill of her; how could he not truly care for this god-sister?

"Alright, stop pretending to be dead!" Seeing Lu Zishu’s eyelashes twitching so visibly, Zhao Li knew he was feigning sleep and irritably patted his leg.

Seeing that he could no longer hide, Lu Zishu reluctantly opened his eyes, awkwardly facing the four members of the Ruan family.

When Ruan Jiaojiao left the racetrack, Lu Zishu’s face was covered in blood. Now the blood was wiped clean, and his face looked pitifully bruised and swollen, like it had been reshaped.

Seeing Lu Zishu like this, Ruan Jiaojiao didn’t know what to say for a moment.

It was Shu Jie who spoke first, gently asking, "Zishu, are you feeling better?" 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Lu Zishu scratched the back of his head in embarrassment, nodding.

"Cat got your tongue?" Zhao Li.

"Much better, thank you, Aunt Jie." Under Zhao Li’s threatening gaze, Lu Zishu spoke up.

"That’s good. Jiaojiao couldn’t stop worrying about you at home, so she specially came to see you. If there’s anything to say, just speak clearly.