Knowing that Shushu might be linked to the cure for Jingshen contamination, the two of them couldn’t feel happy. After all, this might not be a good thing for her.
Finding a cure for Jingshen contamination is undoubtedly beneficial, but… this is Shushu we’re talking about.
If this information gets out, could Shushu still live a peaceful life? She’s so young.
So, Ruan Xiao decided to be a little selfish this time. If his daughter’s safety couldn’t be absolutely guaranteed, he wouldn’t spread the word about her ability to cure Jingshen contamination, nor would he let outsiders know.
Ruan Xiao said, “Take a blood sample from Shushu and conduct a thorough analysis to see if there’s anything unusual. If the blood doesn’t reveal anything, then give her a comprehensive body check. Regardless of the results, no one else can know about this.”
Ruan Qingran understood the importance of this matter and nodded solemnly.
After leaving the medical room, the two acted as if nothing had happened.
Ruan Shu was quietly waiting outside and ran over as soon as she saw them come out.
“Dad.”
Ruan Xiao picked her up. “Since you haven’t had a full body check-up since you returned, your cousin and I decided it’s time for one.”
Ruan Shu nodded without suspicion. “Okay.”
“We’ll need to draw some blood, but don’t worry, it won’t be much.”
In a soft voice, Ruan Shu replied, “Dad, cover my eyes, and it won’t hurt.”
How obedient she was.
That was Ruan Xiao’s thought. His daughter was so well-behaved and understanding; naturally, he would do everything he could to protect her.
When it was time to draw blood, Ruan Shu lifted her little arm and buried her head in her dad’s embrace.
Ruan Qingran moved quickly and skillfully.
She only felt a slight prick, and soon it was over.
All that remained was a tiny, barely visible pinprick on her pale little arm.
Ruan Shu nestled in her dad’s arms quietly, waiting for the next part of the check-up.
“Did it hurt?”
Ruan Shu shook her head. “Brother’s touch didn’t hurt at all.”
Ruan Qingran’s mouth curved slightly as he patted her head. “I’d never let you feel pain. Come over, and let’s check your Jingshen.”
Ruan Shu gave an obedient “Oh” and lay down in a cylindrical medical pod, closing her eyes calmly as instructed.
Ruan Qingran first checked her Jingshen contamination levels.
The report that came out made his eyes widen.
Standing next to him, Ruan Xiao saw it too. They exchanged a look. If everything until now had just been speculation, they could now be almost certain: the reduction in contamination levels was indeed related to Shushu.
Ruan Shu’s Jingshen was, in fact, at F-level, the lowest possible grade. Yet her Jingshen contamination level was zero.
This was nearly impossible. Even newborns have at least a fraction of contamination levels upon birth.
“What could be the reason for this?”
Ruan Qingran murmured to himself, continuing to check other data, but so far, he couldn’t find anything conclusive.
They had no choice but to let Ruan Shu out for now.
“Uncle, you should take her home first. I’ll get to the bottom of this,” Ruan Qingran said.
Ruan Xiao nodded, saying little.
“Goodbye, Brother. Will you be here tomorrow? Shushu will bring you some mooncakes,” Ruan Shu said.
Ruan Qingran shook his head. “I’ll be back at the hospital tomorrow.”
The First Hospital had more precise instruments, and he needed to take her Jingshen and blood samples back for a thorough study.
Ruan Shu nodded, “Then I’ll bring mooncakes to the hospital tomorrow.”
“Alright.”
As much of the day had already passed, Ruan Shu knew her dad and grandfather were busy. Although reluctant to leave, she thoughtfully suggested it herself, even preparing a reason to go.
“I’ll bring mooncakes to Third Brother. Dad, take care of yourself,” she said, rubbing her cheek against his neck before leaving with her elder brother.
Ruan Xiao and Ruan He sent them off in the car.
Sitting inside, Ruan Shu stuck her little head out the window, waving goodbye.
“Bye, Dad. Bye, Grandpa. Come home soon when you’re done!”
Her eyes lingered on them, reluctant to part.
Ruan He wished he could go back with his sweet granddaughter immediately, but they had finally found some leads on his eldest son’s matter, and they had to seize the opportunity to investigate further.
“Be good and wait at home.”
“Okay.”
As the hovercar drove off, Ruan Shu leaned against the window, her tiny hands pressed against the glass, resting her chin and watching her grandfather and dad’s figures until they were out of sight.
“If you’re so reluctant, you can always come again next time,” her brother commented.
Ruan Shu straightened up, her fingers lightly pinching the paws and soft belly of her toy cat.
“I don’t want to disturb them. My dad already spent a lot of time with me today. He’s very busy with work, and I don’t want to cause him trouble.”
Ruan Fengsi had never seen anyone so soft-hearted, always putting others first. But that was just Shushu—always thinking of others, soft-hearted in her quiet way, which made everyone feel a pang of tenderness for her.
“Grandpa Butler said more mooncakes are ready. Big Brother, let’s bring some to Third Brother. We’ll also send some to Second Brother, Big Cousin, Brother Yu Sheng, Brother Yu Huan…”
She carefully counted each person, even remembering to include Almer, her mouth curling up into a sweet smile.
“This way, everyone will get to eat mooncakes and celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival together.”
Whether she was crying or smiling, there was always a quiet calm to her, a gentleness that made people ache when she was sad and filled them with warmth and comfort when she smiled.
This was a feeling Ruan Fengsi never experienced with anyone else.
Indeed, his little sister was a true healing angel.
“Alright, whatever you say goes!”
He would reach for the stars if she asked! After all, those mooncakes were just made by the kitchen’s robotic helpers.
By the time they returned with the mooncakes to the First Military Academy, the sky had already darkened.
At that moment, Ruan Ling’an was in training, specifically in combat training, as the competition season was approaching, and the entire school was intensifying their efforts.
When he saw an unfamiliar caller ID come through, he didn’t hesitate to hang up.
Then his older brother called.
Ruan Ling’an glanced at the screen and hung up again.
He even went so far as to block them—no one was going to disturb his training (or rather, his fighting).
On the other end of the rejected call, Ruan Shu and Ruan Fengsi stared at the screen, speechless.
After exchanging a glance, Ruan Fengsi, now visibly annoyed, got out of the car with Ruan Shu in his arms.
At the academy gates, the guard, noticing him, immediately raised his weapon and blocked his path.
“Hold on, what do you think you’re doing?”
The guard even glanced at the little girl in Ruan Fengsi’s arms, clearly suspecting him of being a human trafficker.
Had human traffickers become this bold these days?!
“Little girl, what’s your relationship with him?”
Ruan Shu, looking confused, replied, “He’s my brother.”
After several rounds of questioning, Ruan Fengsi realized they had mistaken him for something unsavory, which only made his expression darker and more intimidating, resembling an infamous villain even more.
Only after verifying his identity did the guard, looking rather embarrassed, let them pass.
He couldn’t really be blamed for this misunderstanding!
Ruan Fengsi asked, “Do I really look like a human trafficker?”
Ruan Shu glanced at him, then answered in a small voice, “Not really.”
Ruan Fengsi: Exactly, clearly, it was just the guard’s perception.
Then he heard the girl muttering, “Maybe a bit like a space pirate leader.”
Ruan Fengsi: “…”
Some space pirates do engage in human trafficking!
And now, he was supposedly the leader of bandits.
“Well, thanks a lot.”