Feng Mingzhu shot Jiang Ruyi a triumphant look, reaching out for a hug: “Uncle, sister is bullying me.”
Jiang Baiyuan picked her up with one arm, the other hand ruffling his daughter’s hair in a comforting gesture, then asked, “How did she bully you?”
Feng Mingzhu shamelessly accused, “She said I’m a child without a dad. Waaah, I don’t want to be a child without a dad. Uncle, can you be my dad?”
“No.”
“Dad, she’s lying!”
“She wants to steal my dad.” Jiang Ruyi defended herself angrily, then tried to scare her: “Feng Mingzhu, lying will make you grow an elephant’s trunk.”
Feng Mingzhu looked frightened, tears in her eyes, and didn’t dare to speak.
Jiang Baiyuan wiped her tears, “Alright, Mingzhu, good kids shouldn’t lie. Uncle might not be your dad, but he will still protect you.”
Feng Mingzhu was half-convinced: “Really?”
“Yep.”
“Then does uncle love Mingzhu the most?”
“With such a cute Mingzhu, how could uncle not love you?” He changed the subject, “Mingzhu, where did your mom go?”
“Mom said she’s going to the supermarket to buy meat for cola chicken wings for lunch.”
“Hmm.” He held her for a while, then put her down, picked up his daughter, noticing she was unhappy, kissed her forehead gently, and said, “Little Ruyi, shall we go home tomorrow?”
“Okay.” Jiang Ruyi finally smiled. She had stayed here long enough and missed her brother.
Feng Mingzhu stood aside, hearing they were going back, her bright little eyes twinkling with cunning.
Jiang Qiuyue returned soon with bags of snacks, fruits, vegetables, and meat. They had a hearty lunch. In the afternoon, Jiang Baiyuan told his sister about returning to Shenzhen, and they started packing. Jiang Qiuyue helped pack and stuffed many local specialties into the trunk. The next day, as they were about to leave, she suddenly suggested coming to Shenzhen too: “I’m scared to be alone with my daughter here. What if that man comes back? Plus, this place brings me too much sadness. The neighbors keep asking about my affairs.”
Her reasons were sound. Jiang Baiyuan softened: “Just remember what you promised me.”
Jiang Qiuyue hurriedly assured, “Yes, yes. I’ll definitely treat Ruyi like my own daughter.”
And so, Jiang Qiuyue and her daughter followed them back to Shenzhen. Jiang Ruyi was unhappy but couldn’t voice her refusal. Upon returning to Shenzhen, she went straight to ring Zhou Linchuan’s doorbell, seeking some peace.
