She stood up, angrily pointing at Gu Rong and shouting, “It’s only been three years of marriage, and you’re already complaining that I can’t have children! I can’t live like this anymore!”
With that, Xu Yan turned and walked away.
Her parents’ home was in this very village, so whenever she was upset, she would go back to stay with them for a few days.
“Go ahead, and don’t come back once you leave!”
Gu Rong lay back on the bed, hugging his pillow as if ready to go back to sleep, showing not the slightest intention of stopping her.
Just as the fuming Xu Yan reached the main gate, she ran into Ruan Tong, who was about to enter.
Deliberately quickening her pace, Xu Yan pushed past her.
Seeing Xu Yan’s tall and sturdy body about to crash into Ruan Tong, with the high threshold right underfoot, Ruan Tong’s delicate frame simply couldn’t withstand such a collision.
Ruan Tong instinctively closed her eyes, leaning backward.
But instead of the expected pain, she fell into a warm, solid chest…
Ruan Tong opened her eyes in surprise and turned to meet the man’s deep gaze.
The man looked down at the person in his arms.
A pair of warm hands gripped her slender waist, holding her firmly against him.
Ruan Tong trembled slightly, her face flushing deeply, and she murmured softly, “Thank you, Fourth Brother.”
Gu Bai’s eyes flickered briefly, but he maintained his calm demeanor. “Be careful.”
“Can’t you watch where you’re going?” Seeing that Ruan Tong hadn’t fallen as expected, Xu Yan glared at her irritably.
Ruan Tong glared back but couldn’t be bothered to argue with such a shrew. There were plenty of ways to make her unhappy without confronting her head-on.
“Fourth Brother, I heard from Mom that you’ve been watching over me and taking care of me these past few days? Thank you so much, Fourth Brother.” Ruan Tong’s voice was naturally soft and gentle, and now she deliberately lowered it, making it even more tender and pleasant.
The man didn’t deny it. “Taking care of you is only right. No need to thank me.”
Ruan Tong gave him a sweet smile.
Their intimate interaction, as if no one else was around, ignited a raging fire of anger in Xu Yan’s heart. She gritted her teeth fiercely, never imagining that the always aloof Gu Bai could be so gentle with this woman!
Not wanting to watch any longer, Xu Yan stormed off, cursing under her breath.
The slightly intimate atmosphere between the two was abruptly shattered by the sudden noise.
Ruan Tong broke free from his embrace, ignoring the growing heat on her face, and explained, “I just went to see Erbao. He’s already better, so I was planning to go next door to check on Erdan.”
“He’s better too, no need to go.” As he spoke, Gu Bai took a piece of paper from his pocket. “This is from the village chief. He knows you saved Erbao and Erdan and wants to invite you to help Uncle, the barefoot doctor, at the village clinic.”
Looking at the paper, Ruan Tong’s delicate brows furrowed slightly.
In this era, securing a government-assigned job was more precious than anything.
But her ambitions lay elsewhere. Ruan Tong would not confine herself to this small mountain village.
She was determined to change her fate through her own efforts.
As if sensing Ruan Tong’s hesitation, Gu Bai’s voice suddenly grew a shade deeper. “Think it over yourself. You can refuse if you don’t want to go.”
“Mm, thank you, Fourth Brother. I’ll consider it.” Ruan Tong lifted her charming little face, smiled at him, and then stepped into the courtyard.
Gu Bai watched her retreating figure deeply for a moment before following her into the courtyard.
During lunch, everyone’s gazes toward Ruan Tong held a subtle change.
Wu Minzhen conveyed Ruan Tong’s meaning to Gu Wenlin, who didn’t mind much as long as Ruan Tong was willing to live peacefully with Gu Bai and not cause trouble.
Gu Qin and Dabao still watched her warily, the two of them like comrades on the same front.
Erbao, seeing Ruan Tong, happily waved his little hand at her, “Candy, candy is so sweet.”
Wu Minzhen dotingly tapped his nose and then looked at Ruan Tong, “Ever since Erbao ate your candy, he’s been thinking about it. He’s really got a sweet tooth.”
Ruan Tong smiled softly, “All children like candy.”
As she spoke, she magically produced a handful of colorful candies from her coat pocket—actually from her Space.
When Erbao saw them, his big eyes immediately lit up with joy.
“Grandma, want candy.”
Ruan Tong reached out and ruffled Erbao’s hair, “You can have candy, but you have to eat your meal first, okay?”
“Okay, eat meal.” Erbao clapped his hands happily.
Gu Rong watched, feeling a bit sour, and said, “My sister-in-law is really something, winning over Erbao so quickly.”
Ruan Tong slightly lifted her eyelids and placed a candy in front of Gu Rong, saying softly, “Second Brother, have a candy too, or else your words will come out sour.”
“…” Gu Rong was stunned for a moment before snapping out of it.
This fourth sister-in-law’s mouth was sharp enough.
After lunch, Ruan Tong helped clear the dishes and prepared to take them to the kitchen to wash.
Just as she was about to start, Wu Minzhen stopped her, “Tongtong, let Qin’er wash them. You go back and rest.”
Gu Qin, standing nearby, pouted, “What if she faints while washing the dishes and ends up sleeping for three days again?”
“What kind of talk is that?!” Wu Minzhen picked up a pair of chopsticks, pretending to hit her.
Gu Qin stuck out her tongue and dodged toward the door.
Ignoring Gu Qin’s sarcasm, Ruan Tong said good-naturedly, “Mom, Gu Qin has classes in the afternoon. Let her go back to her room and rest. I’ll wash the dishes.”
With that, Ruan Tong rolled up her sleeves and got to work briskly, her movements efficient and not at all like someone who had never done chores before.
The original host was someone who never lifted a finger at home. Old Man Ruan doted on Ruan Tong and, in principle, wouldn’t have let her do any housework.
Seeing someone take over the task, Gu Qin naturally ran off.
Wu Minzhen was still somewhat uneasy and stayed in the kitchen with her.
Watching her wash and scrub efficiently, neatly arranging the dishes in the cupboard, Wu Minzhen felt even more favorably toward this daughter-in-law.
Leaving the kitchen, she had just reached the door of her own room when she overheard her husband and their fourth son talking.
“Such a good opportunity, and she’s still hesitating?” Gu Wenlin’s voice was loud, and Wu Minzhen outside the room heard it clearly.
Gu Bai, however, remained calm, “Yes, she said she needs to think about it.”
“Could she have other intentions?” Gu Wenlin frowned deeply. Such a good job opportunity—most people would jump at it. Why was she still hesitating?
At that moment, Wu Minzhen pushed the door open and came in, “Old man, what nonsense are you talking?”
“What do you, a woman, know?” Gu Wenlin snorted coldly. “You should know that the village clinic has a formal position. Ordinary people can’t get in. Her hesitation clearly shows she doesn’t want to stay in our village.”
Hearing her husband’s analysis, Wu Minzhen thought it made some sense.
Gu Bai still wore that indifferent expression, “Let her be.”
He wouldn’t force someone who wanted to leave.
After saying that, he stood up and went out. As soon as he opened the door, he ran into Ruan Tong.
Their eyes met, and Gu Bai was the first to look away.
Just as Ruan Tong was about to greet him, seeing him ignore her like this, she felt utterly bewildered.
Watching the limping man’s figure ahead, she couldn’t help but think that this man was so unpredictable, impossible to figure out.