For the next half a month, apart from the medicines, Lin Ruan gradually stored all the movable supplies into the Botanical Space in batches.
She also purchased several generators and quantities of gasoline little by little.
With two months remaining before the outbreak, Lin Ruan contacted an overseas renovation company and had the small villa in the suburbs reinforced and remodeled into a highly secure residence. Afterward, she emptied the Lin Family villa and sold it.
The house was still being renovated, so Lin Ruan planned to travel around the country, collecting plants and delicacies while taking in the beautiful landscapes of her homeland, which she would most likely never get to see again. She also planned to travel abroad, find connections for obtaining restricted goods within the country, and, even if her physical strength wasn’t enough, at least get her hands on some weapons that suited her needs…
With a small backpack on her back, she traveled light, flying south, then north, west, and east. She had seen fields of golden wheat, crossed the Gobi Desert, gathered bamboo shoots, and ventured deep into the mountains…
Lin Ruan had the time of her life.
Because Lin Ruan’s actions during the early stages had been so conspicuous, many important figures noticed that something was wrong. Quite a few people secretly investigated the strange things the Lin Family’s eldest daughter had been doing over the past two months, but before the matter could escalate, it somehow died down without a trace.
Han Jin sat in his spacious and comfortable office, his fingers lightly tapping on the desk. Confusion showed in his eyes, yet his expression remained resolute. The white shirt he wore faintly revealed the perfect lines of his muscles, highlighting the unique charm of a mature man.
Thinking of the little girl he had seen two months ago, Han Jin couldn’t help chuckling. “She sold the villa, dumped her shares, and started stockpiling supplies in large quantities. When did she become so bold?”
He was a full ten years older than Lin Ruan. Ever since they were children, the Han and Lin families had been very close and lived in the same villa compound. His mother often took Han Jin to visit the Lin Family. When Lin Ruan was born, he had even been dragged to the hospital to see her.
Han Jin still remembered that tiny baby with her red, wrinkled face. He had looked at her with obvious disdain, but he couldn’t resist Aunt Lin’s insistence and had shakily held her in his arms. Her little mouth had puckered repeatedly, and she had been surprisingly adorable.
After that, his mother visited even more frequently, while the little baby grew prettier and prettier. She would always toddle after him on unsteady little legs, calling out, “Big Brother! Big Brother!”
After his family moved away, he never saw her again. The next time he heard news about the Lin Family was two years after Lin Ruan’s parents had passed away, which was also shortly before Lin Ruan transmigrated.
At the thought of this, Han Jin’s heart ached. The little girl must have been devastated back then! Remembering how Aunt Lin had always taken care of him when he was young, he couldn’t help feeling guilty as well. This time, he had dealt with a whole pile of loose ends for the little girl. When she came back, he would have to fulfill his duty as her older brother and check on her properly.
Lin Ruan, who was on the plane back, still didn’t know that she had a conveniently related older brother in B City who hadn’t seen her for fourteen years and was waiting for her.
She planned to go back and check how the villa renovation was coming along, and get some rest while she was at it.
That was what Lin Ruan was thinking as she slowly stroked the jade bracelet on her wrist, her thoughts drifting far away. A soft whimper suddenly interrupted her.
“Mm~ Mommy, that tickles! Tuanzi is ticklish. Bad Mommy!”
After more than a month of feeding him, Lin Ruan had gradually accepted reality. She genuinely hadn’t expected Tuanzi to get fat!
He had now upgraded to become a chubby little dumpling. His supernatural ability hadn’t grown at all, but he had gained quite a bit of flesh instead. From this, it was clear that the energy Tuanzi needed did not come from food.
B City International Airport:
The airport was bustling with people coming and going. Lin Ruan stood in the departure plaza, feeling somewhat frustrated.
“There are people everywhere. How am I supposed to take a car out of the space? Ugh, and getting a taxi isn’t easy either. Seriously…”
Han Jin sat in the driver’s seat of a black Toyota Prado and recognized Lin Ruan at a glance. His brows furrowed tightly, and his lips moved as he muttered under his breath. It was obvious that he wasn’t in the best mood.
She was wearing a red sequined sweatshirt and extremely short shorts that revealed her long, fair legs, while her black curly hair was tied into a high ponytail, making her look youthful and radiant.
At 170 centimeters tall, Lin Ruan’s beautiful appearance quickly attracted the attention of those around her as well. Han Jin’s expression stiffened. Without hesitation, he got out of the car and walked toward the young woman.
A few young men noticed that she already had a boyfriend and left disappointed.
Lin Ruan was standing in line on the ride-hailing app when she suddenly noticed what appeared to be a pair of leather shoes in front of her. They were polished until they gleamed, apparently some newly released designer model. Hmm, good taste!
But why wasn’t this person moving?
She abruptly raised her head and saw the person in front of her sway slightly.
Handsome… an older man?
This uncle was quite something. He had gentle, handsome features and an excellent physique. Oh my, what was she thinking?
Lin Ruan shook her head, trying to clear away the useless thoughts.
“Hey, what are you doing? Do you need something, Uncle?”
“…”
Han Jin rarely found himself at a loss for words, but at this moment, he genuinely didn’t know what to say and even began questioning his entire existence.
“I’m not a bad person. Get in the car first. I’ll introduce myself to you afterward. And I’m not an uncle, call me Big Brother.”
Han Jin tossed out that sentence before turning around and walking back toward the car.
Lin Ruan’s brain froze for a moment as the original owner’s vague memories suddenly surfaced. It seemed there had been an older brother surnamed Han whom the original owner had followed around calling “Big Brother” when she was five or six years old. But they hadn’t been in contact for more than ten years, so why had he suddenly come to the airport to pick her up?
Lin Ruan sat somewhat awkwardly in the passenger seat, constantly stealing glances at Han Jin from the corner of her eye as a hundred possibilities flashed through her mind…
Han Jin noticed from the very beginning. His expression softened with indulgence as he thought, She really is still such a child.
“Let me introduce myself. My name is Han Jin. When we were young, our families were very close, and Aunt Lin took good care of me. I only found out about what happened to your parents recently. I came back too late. I’m sorry.”
Han Jin’s face was filled with guilt.
To be honest, this was the first time Lin Ruan had truly confronted the loss of Lin Ruan’s parents. She was sad, but most of those emotions probably belonged to the original owner. Now, she felt more at peace with it. After all, her own biological parents were still living happily in another world, and she had already grown accustomed to living on her own.
Seeing Han Jin’s low spirits, Lin Ruan hurriedly said, “It’s okay. You don’t need to feel guilty. I’m really grateful that you came looking for me, and don’t worry, I’m doing quite well now.”
The atmosphere was too heavy, so Han Jin immediately changed the subject and asked about the sale of the house.
“As far as I know, you sold the shares and properties under your name. May I ask why? Of course, you can think about whether you want to answer me. First, tell me your address. Where are you living now? You can trust me. I’ll be a good older brother, and I’ll take care of you from now on.”
“The newly developed villa district in the western suburbs. I bought a new house there.”
As for the other questions, Lin Ruan had no intention of answering them. She wasn’t stupid. How could she tell someone everything after meeting him only once? Who knew whether he was a good person or a bad one? What if he captured her and locked her up…
Lin Ruan made up her mind to keep her secret and make sure he didn’t notice anything. What she didn’t know was that she had already gotten into his car and told him her home address, while she was completely unaware that he was the one who had helped clean up the pile of loose ends she had left behind.
Han Jin didn’t object to Lin Ruan’s answer. This little girl was really easy to deceive. Did she really think that refusing to talk would prevent anyone from finding out?
She had followed him into his car without even thinking it through. She was so innocent. How would she manage without him?
Aunt Lin, don’t worry. Xiao Jin will definitely take good care of Ruan Ruan!