Chapter 1144: Chapter 1144 Fear of Death (5)
Ruan Jiaojiao sighed again.
She withdrew her gaze, looked up at the stars overhead, and murmured, “Grandma said that when people die, they turn into stars and watch over their loved ones from above. Brother Xiu, do you think after I die…”
“You won’t die!” Almost the instant Ruan Jiaojiao began to say the word ‘die,’ Xiu Xi cut her off coldly: “I won’t let you die!”
Ruan Jiaojiao looked at him, her eyes stinging intensely. She blinked, then closed her eyes, her voice trembling: “I don’t want to die either, Brother Xiu… I really don’t want to die…”
The night was so silent, her voice seemed to follow the wind right into Xiu Xi’s ears. His heart, already with a gaping hole, felt even more wind-battered and it hurt bitterly.
Even many years later, when everything had already become calm and peaceful, Xiu Xi would still feel a sharp pain in his heart whenever he thought of her words.
Ruan Jiaojiao was later carried back to the Ruan Family by Xiu Xi. She had fallen asleep, and only when she was on her way back did Shu Jiao and the Ruanlin Family dare to show their faces. When they returned to the Ruan Family, the three people waiting at home neither went inside the room nor slept. As soon as they saw Ruan Jiaojiao being carried back, they immediately came up to them.
“Is Jiaojiao asleep?” Ruan Jianguo walked to Xiu Xi’s side and asked in a subdued voice, his eyes full of unbreakable love and worry.
Xiu Xi nodded, didn’t stop, and continued to carry Ruan Jiaojiao forward. He went upstairs and, with the help of the Ruanlin Family, carefully placed Ruan Jiaojiao on the bed.
Shu Jiao immediately went to the bathroom to wash a towel and came out to wipe Ruan Jiaojiao’s hands and face. Ruan Jiaojiao had cried so much that her face was a bit tense, and as Shu Jiao used the warm towel to wipe her, Ruan Jiaojiao let out a comfortable hum.
Xiu Xi squatted down by the bed, untied the Luck Rope on her hand, removed the Buddha Beads, and replaced it with the Luck Rope he personally wove.
The Ruanlin Family was gently applying medicine to Ruan Jiaojiao, filled with pity.
Xiu Xi tied the Luck Rope securely on Ruan Jiaojiao, then looked up at Shu Jiao and said, “Auntie, from today, Jiaojiao and I will sleep in one room.”
Shu Jiao paused in her wiping motions, then nodded, responding with a choked voice.
After finishing the wiping, Shu Jiao and the Ruanlin Family left the room first. Before closing the door, Shu Jiao reminded Xiu Xi to get some rest early.
Outside, Shu Lang was still waiting for her to come out. Seeing this, he frowned and said, “Sis, Jiaojiao and Xiaoxi sleeping in the same room?”
He wasn’t particularly old-fashioned, but Ruan Jiaojiao was already twelve, and Xiu Xi was fifteen, practically a young man. It was okay when they were children, but now, even if they were real siblings, they shouldn’t be sharing a room.
Shu Jiao didn’t expect him to still be waiting outside the door. When she turned around, her face was still streaked with tears, caught by Shu Lang, and the expression on the Ruanlin Family’s face wasn’t pleasant either.
Shu Lang’s heart went cold, feeling a pang of anxiety.
What in the world happened to the Ruan Family to make them like this in just one afternoon?
He couldn’t even worry about Xiu Xi and Ruan Jiaojiao sharing a room; he was just concerned and asked, “Aunty, Sis, what exactly happened? Don’t hide it from us. More people mean more power; let us all think of a way.”
Shu Lang spoke sincerely, but Shu Jiao only felt utter despair as she covered her face, leaned against the wall, and sank down, unable to stop crying.