Chapter 77.2

In the car, Ruan Mingfu glanced at Luan Rong in the backseat through the rearview mirror.

She bit her lip, unsure of what to say.

Luan Rong looked extremely thin.

Mrs. Ruan sat beside her, making the situation feel even more direct.

The atmosphere in the car was heavy as they returned to the family compound.

“Go get me one of your clothes,” Mrs. Ruan said, looking at Luan Rong, who was in a disheveled state, her brows tightly knitted. “I’ll take her to wash up first.”

“Okay!”

Ruan Mingfu replied.

Ye Qiu and her daughter had already gotten out of the car halfway and did not return with them.

After handing over the clothes, Ruan Mingfu stood in place.

Today’s sun was as bright as yesterday’s, but it brought no warmth. She felt only cold—very cold.

“Are you alright?”

Xie Yanzhao approached, holding a cup of warm water.

“Did you get scared?”

Ruan Mingfu instinctively shook her head but quickly nodded.

She took the cup and drank it all in one go.

“I’ve never seen anything like today…”

“Go rest if you’re tired.”

Xie Yanzhao understood well.

These kinds of incidents were far too common and not something an individual could easily handle. Worrying about it wouldn’t do her any good.

Ruan Mingfu shook her head.

How could she possibly sleep? Just closing her eyes brought images of that greedy, ugly face back to her mind. It was a miracle she hadn’t woken up screaming.

But men were still men.

Once Father Ruan and Qi Yangyan returned, they went straight to the construction site. It was said the factory was nearly finished and would soon be operational. The logistics team from the army was also busy recruiting workers.

After the ruckus with her sister-in-law the other day, Ruan Mingfu found herself feeling less popular.

But this allowed her some peace and quiet.

Sitting in the courtyard with Xie Yanzhao, she observed the desolate plants and trees.

“You say, should I go and help my mom?”

“No need,” Mrs. Ruan’s voice came from behind them. “Yanzhao, take us to the hospital.”

Her expression wasn’t good, so Xie Yanzhao didn’t ask any further and went straight to the car.

After being thoroughly washed, Luan Rong’s skin looked significantly whiter. Her messy hair was neatly combed, revealing her delicate face. However, she still looked thin. Ruan Mingfu’s clothes hung loosely on her, resembling a child wearing an adult’s outfit.

“Mom, is this my cousin?”

Ruan Mingfu curiously stared at Luan Rong, who timidly hid behind Mrs. Ruan and peered out with a furry head.

“Don’t be afraid, Xiao Rong. She’s your sister.”

Luan Rong thought for a long time before repeating, “Sister?”

Her voice sounded a bit hoarse, likely from some trauma to her throat.

“Yes,” Mrs. Ruan gently patted her head. “She’s your sister.”

It was the first time that Ruan Mingfu saw Ms. Ruan’s gentle side, which made her jealous.

Luan Rong’s eyes brightened. “Sister!”

Just as Ruan Mingfu was about to speak, Xie Yanzhao walked in from outside. As he approached, Luan Rong grew fearful and hid further behind Mrs. Ruan, trembling all over.

“Don’t come closer, don’t come closer…”

Mrs. Ruan hugged Luan Rong close. “It’s okay, Auntie is here.”

“Auntie…”

Luan Rong’s voice was tinged with tears as she clutched Mrs. Ruan’s hand tightly, burying her face in her embrace.

“Don’t come near!”

Seeing Luan Rong’s panic, Ruan Mingfu rushed over and pulled Xie Yanzhao away.

“What’s going on?”

“Isn’t it obvious? You look too fierce,” Ruan Mingfu said, casting him an irritated glance. “You scared my cousin.”

Xie Yanzhao: “…”

In the end, Mrs. Ruan took Luan Rong, covering her eyes as they got into the car. Once they arrived at the hospital, they all realized that Luan Rong was not just afraid of Xie Yanzhao but of every man.

In fact, she seemed frightened by any man who got close to her.

To that end, Mrs. Ruan even chose a female doctor for her check-up.

In this unfamiliar place, Luan Rong tightly grasped Mrs. Ruan’s hand, eyeing the doctor with suspicion.

“Who are you to her?”

“I’m her aunt.”

“Aunt?” The female doctor glanced at her. “Do you know she has been abused? Just look at the injuries on her body—at least six months of trauma. And…”

The doctor looked at the others and continued.

“She has also had at least two miscarriages, likely due to blunt force trauma to her abdomen.”

Mrs. Ruan took a deep breath. “Doctor, is there anything else?”

“We’ll need to run more tests to uncover other injuries,” the doctor replied.

Ruan Mingfu was stunned.

But Luan Rong remained calm, not even flinching when the doctor mentioned her miscarriages, as if it were someone else’s story.

“She has too many injuries and is malnourished,” the doctor said as she tended to Luan Rong’s wounds. “I recommend hospitalization. I’m worried there may be other issues.”

“Okay.”

Mrs. Ruan stroked Luan Rong’s head, wishing she could get her hands on Gen Ergou and give him a good beating.

“Xiao Rong, don’t be afraid. Auntie will always be with you.”

Luan Rong’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

“Yes,” Mrs. Ruan said, her eyes filled with tenderness. “From now on, wherever I go, I’ll take you with me and never leave you alone again.”

“Auntie…”

Luan Rong’s eyes turned red, and tears began to stream down her cheeks.

She sobbed loudly, as if trying to release all the grievances she had endured over the past year.

Mrs. Ruan felt a mix of emotions. “Xiao Rong, don’t be afraid!”

Ruan Mingfu sat to the side, feeling uneasy.

She sighed, “Cousin, things will get better for us.”

“Your sister is right.”

“Auntie,” Luan Rong wiped her tears and peered out. “I knew you would come find me. I’ve been holding on all this time.”

Several times, she had cut her own wrist. As she watched the blood flow out and felt her body grow cold, the words her father had said at his deathbed echoed in her ears, giving her the strength to endure.

Luan Rong had a very good impression of her aunt, Mrs. Ruan.

It was all thanks to her father, who occasionally spoke well of Mrs. Ruan, and Mrs. Ruan also sent her gifts from time to time. Without a mother of her own, Luan Rong unconsciously placed Mrs. Ruan in that maternal role.

“Don’t worry, everything will be fine. You have your aunt,” Mrs. Ruan reassured her.

With tears in her eyes, Luan Rong nodded firmly.

“I understand, Aunt. Don’t worry,” she sniffled, “The two miscarriages the doctor mentioned were my own doing. Those two children were born of sin. They didn’t deserve to be born.”

When she spoke of this, Luan Rong’s eyes burned with intense hatred.

“Child, let the past be the past. Your aunt won’t ask, and you mustn’t dwell on it,” Mrs. Ruan said, her eyes also slightly red. She took a deep breath and held Luan Rong’s hand tightly. “Come with your aunt. We’ll go to a place where no one knows you, and we can start anew.”

“Auntie?”

Hearing this, Luan Rong’s eyes regained their clarity.

Mrs. Ruan grasped her hand. “From now on, your aunt will always be here for you.”

Tears flowed down Luan Rong’s face again as she leaned into Mrs. Ruan’s embrace, her shoulders shaking softly.

The female doctor returned quickly with a stack of reports.

“Her body is severely malnourished and needs proper nourishment. Besides that,” the doctor looked at Luan Rong with pity, “both miscarriages were due to severe trauma, and they weren’t treated properly afterward… You won’t be able to get pregnant again in the future.”

Ruan Mingfu let out a sigh of relief.

“Thank goodness, as long as she’s okay.”

What does it matter whether you have children or not? You can have a few gigolos, and your life will be happier.

Mrs. Ruan affectionately stroked Luan Rong’s hair.

“It’s just a child, it’s not a big deal.”

Luan Rong nodded.

The female doctor: “…”

If that’s not a big deal, then what is?

After the doctor left, still in a daze, Mrs. Ruan continued, “Let’s rest here for a while before heading back. We’ll take it slow, follow the doctor’s advice, and your health will improve.”

Luan Rong clung to Mrs. Ruan’s clothes, looking at her pitifully.

“Aunt…”

“You can sleep peacefully,” Mrs. Ruan could never bear to be cruel to Luan Rong, “Auntie will not go anywhere, I will stay here to watch over you.”

Luan Rong nodded, her face brightening with a smile.

With tears still in her eyes, her smile evoked a mix of emotions in those around her. Ruan Mingfu bit her lip and quietly stepped out.

As she reached the door to the hospital room, she turned around.

She caught Luan Rong peeking with one eye to see if Mrs. Ruan was still there, but was caught in the act. Embarrassed, Luan Rong quickly shut her eyes.

Mrs. Ruan helped adjust the blanket that had slipped off Luan Rong, radiating warmth and gentleness.

Ruan Mingfu couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy.

Her mother had never treated her kindly, always scolding or hitting her.

How infuriating!

Her delicate, pretty face puffed up as she walked over to Xie Yanzhao, angrily exclaiming, “Mrs. Ruan is so unfair!”

She was so harsh to her yet so gentle with others!

Xie Yanzhao raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips as he looked at her.

“How old are you? Why are you still so jealous?”

“I am not!”

Ruan Mingfu turned her face away.

She wasn’t jealous that Mrs. Ruan was gentle with Luan Rong—absolutely not!

“Okay, okay, not jealous.”

Xie Yanzhao patted her fluffy hair, but Ruan Mingfu swatted his hand away.

“Xie Yanzhao, do you think those people will face justice?”

Remembering how she had seen Luan Rong tied like a dog under a tree today, she felt her anger boil over, wishing she could kill those scoundrels.

“Very unlikely.”

Ruan Mingfu frowned, clearly displeased.

“Why not?” She glared at Xie Yanzhao, her brows furrowing so tightly they could crush a fly. “They treated my cousin like that. Can’t we report them to the police and get that whole family arrested?”

Xie Yanzhao sighed softly.

Given the situation today, even if the police were called, it wouldn’t end well.

Their village had its own way of doing things, and outside interference would only unify them against outsiders… But there was no need to burden Ruan Mingfu with such worries. She should be allowed to live carefree.

He tapped her forehead gently.

“Stop frowning. If you keep it up, you’ll become a little old lady.”

Ruan Mingfu: “…”

How dare he call her a little old lady?!

So annoying!

“Is that so? How long have we been married? And you’re already starting to complain about me,” she shot him a fierce glare, wishing she could take a bite out of this scoundrel. “Gu Yilin was right, men are all worthless!”

Xie Yanzhao felt a headache coming on…

What on earth had she learned from Gu Yilin?

Seeing Ruan Mingfu get riled up, Xie Yanzhao hurriedly tried to smooth things over.

“…I was wrong.”

“Even your apology is so insincere…”

“Hmph!”

At that moment, a heavy cold snort came from behind them.

Ruan Mingfu turned to see a middle-aged man glaring at her with a gloomy face. No, he was glaring at Xie Yanzhao beside her.

Looking up, she saw that Xie Yanzhao’s expression was equally dark.

“If I don’t come to see you, you don’t think to come see me,” the man said, his face as dark as thunder. “Xie Yanzhao, do you still recognize me as your father?”

Ruan Mingfu: “…”

The case was solved. It turned out to be the scoundrel father of that dog man.

Xie Yanzhao ignored him and whispered to Ruan Mingfu, “Let’s go.”

“Stop right there!”

Commander Xie was furious at Xie Yanzhao’s attitude, practically seething with rage.

But if Xie Yanzhao had been an obedient son, their relationship wouldn’t have been so strained over the years.