“Remember, don’t give them to Erbao. He’s too young and might accidentally swallow the marbles, which would be very dangerous.” Ruan Tong reminded Dabao with concern.
“I know.” Dabao clutched the cloth bag and skipped away.
Once the little one was out of sight, Ruan Tong straightened up and turned her gaze toward Gu Bai, who had been ignored until now.
Seeing his eyes fixed on her, she smiled faintly and said softly, “Fourth Brother, can we talk?”
Gu Bai nodded. “Alright.”
He happened to have something to say to Ruan Tong as well.
So, he straightened his posture and spoke earnestly:
“On our wedding day, I told you that if you wanted to leave, you could do so anytime. Similarly, if you’re willing to stay, I’ll do everything in my power to protect you and ensure you’re not wronged. That promise stands forever.”
The woman raised an eyebrow and glanced at him, scoffing. “What? Did I do something to make you think I want to leave? Where exactly do you want me to go?”
“You…”
“What ‘you’!” Ruan Tong strode over with her hands on her hips, glaring at him fiercely. “Gu Bai, I have a temper too. If you ever say something like that to me again, watch out—I won’t hold back!”
Gu Bai was stunned for a moment, then couldn’t help but curl his lips into a smile. Looking at the little woman who had puffed up like an angry kitten, he felt inexplicably happier.
Ruan Tong stood with her hands on her hips, looking like a proud peacock with its tail held high. “Also, I’m going to treat your leg, and you can’t refuse. With the current medical standards, a complete cure might not be possible yet, but I can definitely help alleviate your pain.”
What?
These words struck Gu Bai’s ears, causing his pupils to contract sharply.
A complete cure?
Alleviate pain?
Even the best orthopedic doctors in the capital had been helpless with his leg. Ruan Tong had only learned a bit of medicine from the village’s barefoot doctor—how could she dare make such bold claims?
“I appreciate your kindness, but my leg is an old injury. It can’t be healed.” Gu Bai chose his words carefully.
“Are you worried? Afraid?” Ruan Tong glanced at him, a faint, teasing smile on her lips. “Afraid that even after treatment, you’ll still be disappointed, right?”
Gu Bai fell silent for a moment.
This little woman was provoking him.
If he didn’t dare to try, wouldn’t that mean admitting he was a coward?
After a brief silence, Gu Bai sighed softly. “Alright, take a look.”
With that, he began unbuckling his belt.
Ruan Tong stood there with a faint smile, waiting.
Gu Bai’s breathing remained steady, and he took his time, unhurriedly undoing his belt. Then he stood up and began pulling down his zipper.
What he didn’t expect was that the little woman in front of him showed no intention of looking away, staring at him intently.
Seeing his hand pause, Ruan Tong looked up and asked with great consideration, “Do you need help?”
“…” What kind of outrageous question was that?
Gu Bai quickly sped up his movements, afraid the little woman might say something else that would shock him.
Only when Gu Bai’s injured leg was exposed before her did Ruan Tong’s light smile fade into seriousness.
The muscles of his entire leg had atrophied, and with the injury he’d sustained in town today, his thigh was now covered in dark bruises, with signs of worsening.
Healing this leg wouldn’t be a matter of days.
Seeing Ruan Tong’s lips pressed tightly together and her brows furrowed, Gu Bai understood and prepared to pull his pants back up. “Forget it…”
Who would have thought that slender hand suddenly grasped his wrist, looking at him earnestly: “Fourth Brother, your leg can get better, it’s not a big problem! You have to believe me!”
Ruan Tong’s confident demeanor made Gu Bai freeze.
“Ouch, Fourth Brother, I heard your leg injury flared up…” Gu Rong’s voice and the sound of the door being pushed open rang out simultaneously. Seeing the scene before him, he immediately covered his eyes with his hand: “Oh dear! I didn’t see anything, I saw nothing!”
After speaking, he even secretly peeked a few times through his fingers.
Ruan Tong also hadn’t expected someone to barge in so rudely.
Looking at Gu Rong’s sneaky appearance, Ruan Tong felt utterly speechless inside.
“What brings you here, Second Brother?” Ruan Tong helped Gu Bai sit on the bed, pulled the blanket over to cover his legs.
Then she stood calmly by Gu Bai’s side.
Gu Rong put his hand down, awkwardly laughed twice, remembered his purpose for coming, and immediately asked with concern: “Old Fourth, how’s your leg? Dad said you absolutely refuse to go to the hospital? How about letting the village doctor come take a look at you first?”
“No need.” Gu Bai instinctively frowned.
Seeing his unyielding expression, Gu Rong said helplessly: “Alright then, you rest well. If anything comes up, just give a shout. I’m going back to discipline my woman.” With that, Gu Rong left the room.
Gu Rong and his wife Xu Yan fought big arguments every three days and small quarrels every two days; it was already their daily routine, and everyone was used to it.
Meanwhile, Gu Rong didn’t return to his own room but instead jogged to his parents’ room.
As soon as he entered, he wore a gossipy expression: “Heh heh, guess what I saw in Old Fourth’s room?”
“Second Brother, stop keeping us in suspense, hurry up and tell us! What exactly did you see?” Gu Qin asked anxiously.
“Yeah, just say it already.” Xu Yan also pressed him urgently.
Gu Rong looked at Gu Qin with disdain, “Adult stuff, what’s a kid like you doing getting involved? Get out of here!”
This left Gu Qin bewildered, not understanding what “adult stuff” meant.
But Xu Yan, being experienced, naturally understood the implication. Jealousy twisted her insides as she cursed inwardly: That cheap fox Ruan Tong, seducing men in broad daylight!
Wu Minzhen and Gu Wenlin exchanged a knowing glance.
Seems they had worried for nothing; the young couple was getting along just fine.
Even if Gu Bai’s injury flared up, it was his own willing choice.
“How is Old Fourth’s injury?” Wu Minzhen asked the key question.
“He’s fine, Ruan Tong is taking such good care of him.” As he spoke, Gu Rong swaggered over to the table, picked up the mug, and gulped down water noisily.
“Alright, that’s enough about this. None of you go blabbing nonsense in front of Tongtong, all of you go back now.” Gu Wenlin waved his hand, dismissing them to their respective rooms.
Gu Qin remained confused. Once outside, she chased after Xu Yan and asked: “Second Sister-in-law, what exactly did Second Brother mean? What’s ‘adult stuff’?”
Xu Yan snorted coldly: “Your Fourth Brother is bewitched by that little vixen.” Then, leaning close to Gu Qin’s ear, she whispered a few words.
Hearing this, Gu Qin felt both embarrassed and angry: “How can she be so shameless! No, I have to tell Sister Qiuhong. If she doesn’t come find Fourth Brother soon, Fourth Brother will be stolen away by that vixen!”
With that, Gu Qin stormed off, determined to find a way to call her Sister Qiuhong.
Watching Gu Qin’s figure disappear from sight, Xu Yan sneered contemptuously a few times, then glanced at Ruan Tong’s house and snorted, “You bitch, you won’t be able to show off for much longer. Sooner or later, I’ll kick you out!”
Inside the house, Ruan Tong carefully removed the silver needles from Gu Bai’s legs one by one.
These silver needles were taken from her Space. To avoid arousing Gu Bai’s suspicion, she had to come up with an excuse to brush it off.
“Fourth Brother, put your clothes back on, then take a few steps and see if you feel any better.”