Ruan He gently patted her head. “But Grandpa would rather you just be an ordinary child who grows up happily. Right now, every race across the universe is troubled by the X contaminants, and so far, only you have this unique ability. If those people found out about it…”
He hugged his granddaughter tightly. “Even if it costs me my life, this old man won’t let you be threatened!”
Ruan Shu was surrounded by her three family members, each giving her endless reminders to protect herself at all costs, to refrain from using her Jingshen recklessly, and especially not to reveal her unique ability.
Ruan Shu nodded earnestly, indicating she understood.
But this still didn’t ease the concerns of her three guardians—they knew her all too well. She had a soft heart and was easily moved.
“If you really come across someone you want to save, you must tell us, understood?”
Ruan Shu: “Yes, yes.”
Ruan Qingran added, “I’ll study that special energy. If I can create a substitute, that would be ideal.”
With a substitute, people’s attention wouldn’t be focused on Ruan Shu.
While her family was worried, Ruan Shu herself felt quite pleased with her ability. She was even eager to try healing her grandfather and father’s Jingshen.
But they refused.
Ruan Xiao gently patted her little head. “Your Jingshen was just used; don’t overdo it.”
Besides, with an F-level Jingshen, her usage time was short. Shushu was already quite tired today.
Ruan Shu obediently replied, “Oh,” then looked at him eagerly. “Then, can I try tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow I have to go to the military headquarters.”
Ruan Xiao’s tone softened noticeably when he spoke to his daughter.
“And my Jingshen is stable right now; I won’t have any issues going without treatment for now.”
“What about Grandpa?”
She’d heard that Jingshen deteriorates with age, and pollution levels increase.
“Let’s leave it for today. Ask him tomorrow if you’d like.”
Ruan Xiao didn’t object to her treating his father’s Jingshen; after all, it had been over 500 years since his dad retired and stopped using his own.
Ruan Shu nodded. Her Jingshen might be limited, but she didn’t want to waste it. Treating her family’s Jingshen a little each day made her feel at ease.
But it felt like she’d forgotten something important…
As Ruan Shu tilted her little head, trying to remember, she saw her elder brother returning with a dark expression.
Ruan Shu: …She knew what she’d forgotten—she’d forgotten to tell her brother that they were already back!
Judging by his expression, he must’ve gone to the hospital.
“Elder Brother…”
Seeing her brother’s furious look, as though he might tear down the house, Ruan Shu clasped her hands and apologized, looking a bit pitiful.
“Elder Brother, I know I was wrong. Q_Q”
Ruan Fengsi shot her a sidelong glance. “You’re sorry? And what exactly are you sorry for? It’s not like you just came back with your cousin and didn’t bother to tell me. After I finished today’s work, I went to pick you up, only to find no one there. And now, here I am, still feeling like an unimportant big brother you couldn’t even remember.”
His words dripped with sarcasm, though he never explicitly blamed her.
Ruan Shu’s guilt only deepened.
She hurried over, grabbing his hand and apologizing with wide, earnest eyes.
“I’m sorry, Brother. Shushu truly knows she was wrong. I promise I won’t do it again.”
Ruan Fengsi raised an eyebrow. “You won’t do it again, huh? You think there will be a next time?”
Ruan Shu shook her head quickly. “No, no, there won’t be.”
She dashed off to pour him a glass of water, fetched some fruit, and then transformed into her cat form to massage his arm. She was all over him, kneading his arm earnestly with her little paws.
“Meow, meow, meow…”
‘Big Brother, how’s the pressure?’ she asked with hopeful eyes.
In the past six months, thanks to the generous meals in the Ruan family, Ruan Shu’s cat form had grown a bit plumper and slightly larger. Her fur was now as smooth and soft as silk, with no dryness or tangles, making her irresistible to hold.
Seeing that her brother still hadn’t responded, she took the initiative to push her paws, tail, and even her soft little chin and belly into his hands. ‘Come on, give me a pet! Petting a cat is the best way to feel happy, Big Brother, so don’t be mad.’
Ruan Fengsi couldn’t help but enjoy the little cat’s massage, giving her paws a gentle squeeze, scratching under her chin, and rubbing her soft, snow-white belly. His anger finally began to dissipate.
But the real source of his irritation was Ruan Qingran—how dare that guy take his sister away without a word!
Just as he was fuming, he saw the culprit appear.
Ruan Fengsi’s eyes flared up, and he gently placed the cat back on the sofa. “Stay here. Big Brother has something to take care of.”
He cracked his knuckles ominously and, with a menacing expression, turned to face Ruan Qingran, storming toward him with an air of barely concealed wrath.
“Ruan Qingran!”
With a swift kick, he aimed at Ruan Qingran, who blocked it, and the two immediately started fighting.
“Take it outside,” Ruan Qingran suggested calmly.
Ruan Fengsi sneered darkly. “Sure, kid. After I dropped Shushu off with you, what did I say? I said I’d come pick her up, but you just brought her back without a word. Do you think I’m a fool?”
Ruan Qingran maintained his composure. “There was a minor incident. I forgot.”
Cursing under his breath, Ruan Fengsi followed him outside, continuing to fight.
Ruan Shu, though worried, wasn’t nearly as frantic as she might’ve been before.
In situations like this, all she could do was prepare some medical supplies.
The little fairy cat hopped off the sofa, transforming back into her human form, and quickly ran upstairs to fetch the first-aid kit. She was quite experienced with this by now.
As she came back down, lugging the medical box, the fight outside had escalated; the two were going at it more fiercely than ever.
The reason for the escalating brawl…
“Ruan Fengsi, how long has it been since you trained? Just because you’re a CEO now doesn’t mean you can forget your military roots. You’ve slacked off on your training, look—your agility has dropped so much you couldn’t even dodge that punch!”
“And Ruan Qingran, even though you’re a doctor, don’t forget you’re a military doctor. When Ruan Fengsi exposed that opening just now, you completely missed it!”
Yes, a spectator had joined the fray, not only critiquing them both but stirring the pot, seemingly enjoying the chaos.
Ruan Shu: “…”
“Grandpa, please step back a bit, or you might get caught up in the fight.”
Stop stoking the flames…
Ruan He stood tall and proudly replied, “Nonsense! Don’t underestimate your grandpa just because of his age. Even if you add those two together, they still couldn’t beat me!”
“Grandpa is the best! Would you like some fruit? I’ll grab you some.”
Seeing his granddaughter, Ruan He promptly shifted his attention away from his two troublemaking grandsons.
“Look at your brothers. So much trouble! Grown men still getting into fights.”
Ruan Shu: “…”
I heard what you just said, Grandpa.
Even Ruan Fengsi and Ruan Qingran were speechless, their rebellious expressions dropping as they shot each other a glance, barely holding back an eye roll.
Both of them bore visible scrapes and bruises, and Ruan Shu quickly ran over with the first-aid kit in hand, ready to tend to their injuries.