TLDMDTBS Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Zhao Ayi replied softly, “I’ve already told Xiao Gu, and he said he’ll be back in twenty minutes.”

Alright, Ji Ruan sighed, then I’ll wait for twenty minutes before going to sleep.

He took two steps into the living room when Fang Lan happened to look up. Their eyes met; she had put on exquisite makeup. With a smile and her eyeliner high, she immediately got up to greet him.

“Xiao Ruan, it’s been a long time!” Fang Lan grabbed Ji Ruan’s hand, acting like a genuinely enthusiastic elder. “Oh, look at you, still so good-looking… Come, come, come sit down!”

Ji Ruan didn’t have time to say anything before Fang Lan pulled him over and pushed him down onto the sofa.

She held Ji Ruan’s hand, carefully scrutinizing his face, then patted the back of his hand. “You seem a bit thinner. Is it that the food doesn’t suit your taste? Or are you just not used to living here?”

Ji Ruan felt a bit prickly under her gaze. He wasn’t used to her overly pretentious enthusiasm and pulled his hand back. “It’s, it’s fine, just caught a cold recently and might not have eaten much.”

The grip that was tightly holding his hand suddenly loosened, and Fang Lan’s smile faded for a moment, but she quickly masked it, rubbing her hands with concern. “You still need to take care of your health. Although a cold isn’t serious, it can still be quite bothersome!”

“Yes, you’re right.” Zhao Ayi brought Ji Ruan a cup of warm water. Ji Ruan took a sip, and his throat still felt itchy. He turned his head and coughed twice.

Fang Lan pushed a paper bag on the tea table in front of Ji Ruan and said to herself, “Xiao Ruan, look, these are snacks I made myself. They’re really delicious; Xiuli and Qiming both love them!”

“This bird’s nest is especially good,” Fang Lan smiled as she took it out. “Premium bird’s nest. I specifically had a friend reserve this for me. You can’t find such quality on the market! And this tea—”

“Mom,” Fang Qiming interrupted impatiently, “Why are you being so nice to him? He’s the junior, and you’re the elder!”

“Qiming, stop being rude!” Fang Lan shot him a look and turned towards Ji Ruan. “Xiao Ruan, don’t mind him. He just has that kind of temperament.”

“I…” Fang Qiming ran his hand through his hair irritably, but under Fang Lan’s strict gaze, he ultimately said nothing, crossed his legs, and started playing with his phone.

Fang Lan’s voice was high, while Fang Qiming’s was loud. Ji Ruan already felt uncomfortable, and with their bickering, his headache worsened, his temples thumping.

He closed his eyes and quietly said, “Aunt Fang, if you have something to say, just say it directly.”

“Oh, what could I possibly have to say?” Fang Lan waved her hand lightly, her delicate brows furrowing in an exaggerated way, appearing extremely sincere. “I just wanted to come and apologize to you.”

“Apologize?” Ji Ruan took a sip of water.

“Yes,” Fang Lan looked remorseful. “I’m truly sorry that Xiuli hurt you because he didn’t know how to behave and spoke rudely. I’ve thought about it and felt really bad. So, here I am with Qiming to apologize to you.”

Half a year had already passed; was she now thinking of apologizing?

Moreover, at that time, Gu Xiuyi had merely used that as an excuse to throw Gu Xiuli abroad to avoid dealing with him. Fang Lan should have known that perfectly well; it’s impressive enough that Ji Ruan hadn’t been infuriated over it, yet here she was, trying to apologize?

Was she coaxing a child?

Ji Ruan pressed his temples, his face growing a little pale. “Aunt Fang, I’m not feeling well. If you don’t want to say anything, I’ll head upstairs first.”

Without waiting for her response, he stood up.

“Hey, Xiao Ruan!” Fang Lan saw him really about to leave and immediately grabbed his wrist. Ji Ruan suddenly lost his balance and fell back onto the sofa, momentarily dazed.

Fang Lan raised a finger. “Well, actually… there is a small matter. I wanted to ask you for a favor…”

Ji Ruan raised his hand to correct his tilted external device, took a deep breath without speaking, and frowned at Fang Lan.

Fang Lan coughed, adjusting her coat’s fur collar, the gem ring on her hand shining in the bright living room light. “Isn’t the new year coming soon…?”

She displayed a pleading expression. “I want to know if you could help me tell Xiuyi to let Xiao Li come home for the new year?”

Ji Ruan raised an eyebrow, remaining silent.

Fang Lan continued, “He’s become much more stable while abroad these past few months. When he returns, he definitely won’t cause trouble. We’re all family; please help Auntie and say something to Xiuyi.”

Ji Ruan pressed his lips together, still remaining silent.

Fang Qiming let out a disdainful hum. “We’re talking to you, are you deaf?”

Fang Lan quickly tugged at his sleeve. He glanced at her, pulled his hand away irritably, but ended up keeping his mouth shut.

“Xiao Ruan…” Fang Lan touched her nose, looking as if she were about to cry. “Can you please help Auntie? After all, Xiao Li is my own son. Is it too much to ask for a mother to want to see her son once during the new year?”

Ji Ruan took the paper box and placed it in front of him, calmly stating, “Can’t you just video call?”

“Hey, how can you say that!” Fang Qiming was already getting worked up again.

The moment Ji Ruan heard his voice, his head began to ache. He shot him a glance. “Can you keep it down?”

Fang Qiming’s eyes widened.

“Wah wah wah,” Fang Lan was already sobbing, holding a tissue. “Why is my life so bitter? I went through so much to give birth to a son, yet I can’t even see him once during the new year…”

Fang Qiming immediately sat beside Fang Lan, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. “Mom, don’t cry.”

Ji Ruan couldn’t hold back his eye roll and quietly moved a little further away. He checked the time; it was already past twenty minutes.

But Gu Xiuyi still hadn’t returned!

The continuous sounds of crying made Ji Ruan feel even worse. He pressed his temples hard; why did this family have to trouble him!

“Xiao Ruan… Xiuyi doesn’t like me, and I can’t persuade him. Can’t you do a good deed and help Auntie…” Fang Lan continued crying, trying to pull Ji Ruan in, as if he had given her an unbearable grievance, she was persistently trying to seek reconciliation.

Drained to the extreme, Ji Ruan didn’t have the energy to pretend; leaning against the sofa, he said blandly, “Then you’ve got the wrong person. I can’t say anything in front of Gu Xiuyi.”

After saying this, he no longer wanted to deal with the situation, propping himself up to recuperate, letting Fang Lan cry and fuss.

Fang Qiming tried to console Fang Lan for a while. Seeing that it wasn’t working, he got even angrier and pointed at Ji Ruan.

“Ji Ruan! Don’t test my patience! My mom has begged you like this; if you know what’s good for you, call Gu Xiuyi immediately and ask him to bring Xiuli back! What’s with a cripple acting big?!”

Ji Ruan twitched his mouth, the minor movement seemed to mock Fang Qiming, hitting his sensitive spot. He slammed his phone onto the tea table. “Are you deaf or what?!”

Ji Ruan’s eyelids flickered. He slowly opened his eyes, looking languid, his pupils reflecting the dazzling lights of the living room but appearing exceptionally striking.

He pointed at his own ear. “I’ve been deaf; of course, I can’t hear what you’re saying.”

Fang Qiming had a notoriously harsh way of speaking and had called him a cripple several times; Ji Ruan remembered every single one of those offenses.

Fang Qiming was thoroughly enraged, suddenly standing up and grabbing Ji Ruan by the collar. His other fist raised high, knocking a glass off the edge of the table that shattered everywhere.

The moment happened too fast; Ji Ruan only heard the shattering sound of the glass and felt a gust blow past his face. He instinctively closed his eyes and tilted his head to evade.

One second, two seconds…

The expected punch didn’t come; instead, Fang Qiming made a painful sound.

Fang Qiming’s wrist twisted in pain as he turned around, only to see Song Ling, the loyal subordinate who had been following Gu Xiuyi.

The two locked eyes, and Song Ling politely smiled. “Young Master Fang, my apologies.”

Fang Qiming’s pupils contracted, watching Song Ling’s smile disappear in an instant. The next second, he was thrown to the ground, his back slamming against the uncarpeted floor, sending shockwaves of pain through his body.

“Qiming—!” Fang Lan’s scream pierced the air.

The young master who indulged in pleasure and drank without limit was no match for the judo champion, Song Ling.

Ji Ruan was stunned, sitting frozen in place, his heart racing.

Suddenly, someone reached out to touch his face, and then warmth enveloped him. Gu Xiuyi hugged him, causing Ji Ruan to freeze for a second. He instinctively curled into Gu Xiuyi’s embrace, being held tightly.

Gu Xiuyi carried Ji Ruan away from the glass shards on the floor, checking his wrist for any injuries.

Ji Ruan, still shaken, took a few quick breaths before pulling Gu Xiuyi, who had crouched down in front of him, back up. “I’m fine…”

With winter’s long sleeves and pants, it wasn’t that easy to get hurt.

Gu Xiuyi didn’t listen to him, meticulously checking all the exposed skin to confirm he wasn’t injured before gently holding him closer. He took Ji Ruan’s external device and tucked it into his jacket pocket.

He leaned down and whispered into his ear, “Were you scared?”

Ji Ruan was indeed frightened.

All of them had received nine years of compulsory education; he truly hadn’t expected Fang Qiming to dare to act out in Gu Xiuyi’s home.

“Um…” Ji Ruan softly nodded, his voice trembling.

Gu Xiuyi’s palm rested against Ji Ruan’s neck, feeling his pulse racing, yet Ji Ruan’s face was pale. Ji Ruan had always been easily startled; sometimes even a little noise from Gu Xiuyi could scare him. No need to mention a scene like this.

Thinking of these things made Gu Xiuyi’s aggression surge uncontrollably.

He took a deep breath, covering Ji Ruan’s ears. “Be good; don’t be scared, we won’t listen anymore.”

Fang Qiming remained on the ground, unable to get up for a long time. Fang Lan was dumbfounded, rushing to his side, crying and blowing her nose. “Xiuyi, what are you doing?! Qiming is at least your legally adopted brother; how can you just act without reason?!”

Gu Xiuyi carefully protected Ji Ruan, not looking up. “Didn’t you see? He was about to swing a fist at Ji Ruan.”

“I… cough cough!” Fang Lan choked on her tears, covering her mouth.

Song Ling had crossed his hands in front of himself, no longer lazy, presenting himself in the most respectful manner as an assistant. “I apologize, madam. I was the one who dealt with Young Master Fang.”

“What’s the difference?!”

Fang Lan was both furious and heartbroken. “You know Qiming has this temperament; how could you not know! Besides… besides, he didn’t even hit him, right?!”

Gu Xiuyi seemed to have heard a joke. “That’s funny; if he truly encountered Ji Ruan, would he still be lying on the ground?”

He shielded Ji Ruan completely in his arms, gently patting his back as if soothing a child. He looked at Fang Lan with a smile, but the mirth didn’t reach his eyes, sending chills down one’s spine.

“I have that kind of temperament too; don’t you know?”

“You… you…” Fang Lan’s pupils flicked, and she covered her face, sobbing miserably.

“Gu Xiuyi… don’t go too far!”

Fang Qiming, clutching his stomach, sat up. He had just received a few more kicks from Song Ling; even speaking felt laborious.

“Mom, she came begging Ji Ruan so we could meet Xiao Li for the new year. The thing you married…” He raised his hand and pointed at Ji Ruan, fingertips trembling from pain.

“This thing, not only does it not help, but it also has the nerve to speak disrespectfully—there’s not a shred of what a junior should be like. If I don’t teach him a lesson—ah!”

“Qiming! My son…”

Fang Qiming bent over in pain as Song Ling kicked him again.

Gu Xiuyi carefully shielded Ji Ruan, his expression heavy. “Who are you calling a thing?”

Fang Lan, clutching Fang Qiming, cried out in despair, “I just want to see Xiao Li once; what’s wrong with that?! He’s my own son!”

Gu Xiuyi smirked. “I know, which is why I had planned to send you abroad to accompany him a long time ago. Why were you in such a hurry to come here first?”

“W-what?” Fang Lan’s tears froze on her face. “Abroad? You want to take me away too?! …No, I can’t leave…” She murmured, “My home is here; why should I go! Xiao Li’s home is here too; he should come back!”

Ji Ruan was too exhausted, and with this uproar, he couldn’t sleep at all. Every little sound outside made his scalp tingle as he uncomfortably nudged against Gu Xiuyi’s shoulder.

Gu Xiuyi immediately lowered his head, patting Ji Ruan’s back to soothe him.

He had had enough of Fang Lan’s clamor, and without lifting his head, he commanded, “Song Ling, see them out.”

“Understood.”

“—No! Xiuyi, you can’t treat me like this…” Fang Lan pushed away Song Ling’s arm, patting her chest as she cried. “You tell me honestly, have I mistreated you all these years? Isn’t it hard being a stepmother? Yet you won’t even let me see my son…”

Her tone was too high, and even if Ji Ruan had taken off his external device, he could still hear it clearly, the waves of her loud voice stimulating his sensitive nerves, making him feel a bit of tinnitus.

As for Gu Xiuyi’s stepmother, Ji Ruan had grasped her tactics; she wasn’t smart but was incredibly difficult to deal with. Song Ling had tried to get her removed several times and was chased away.

Ji Ruan sighed deeply in his heart, deciding to help Gu Xiuyi end this quickly.

He found a good angle in Gu Xiuyi’s arms, closed his eyes.

“Oh my God, Xiao Ruan!”

Zhao Ayi screamed in shock.

Gu Xiuyi’s arm tightened, and he looked down at Ji Ruan in surprise. Ji Ruan was sliding weakly in his arms, his eyes tightly shut, his forehead breaking into a cold sweat, his complexion pale.

“Ji Ruan?…”

Ji Ruan had no strength left, relying on Gu Xiuyi to keep from falling to the floor, his body as soft as a cloud without any point of support, like water that couldn’t be grasped.

Gu Xiuyi felt his heart plummet.

The noisy commotion echoing throughout the villa suddenly stopped.

Fang Lan sat on the ground, her tears unchecked, but now she didn’t dare to make a sound. The abrupt change in atmosphere and the rage emanating from Gu Xiuyi made Fang Qiming suddenly choke.

Gu Xiuyi horizontally lifted Ji Ruan, his gaze sweeping over the two of them, and then he took long strides upstairs.

Even though his eyes never lingered on them for even a second, they unexpectedly both trembled in unison.

“Song Ling, throw them out.”

His voice was heavy, yet it seemed to carry echoes, terrifyingly clear.