Like him, Ruan Qingran was equally shocked. None of them had expected that Shushu was hiding such a painful secret in her heart, dealing with it all on her own, silently digesting it alone.
“Don’t say anymore.”
Ruan Xiao held her trembling little body close, his voice hoarse. “Shushu has been so well-behaved. This is their fault.”
Ruan Shu clung tightly to her father’s neck, her hot tears falling one after another on his neck.
In a soft, pitiful voice, she seemed to murmur unconsciously, “I never asked them to buy me toys or clothes. I never begged for a birthday celebration, or asked them to take me out to play. Other kids have parents who attend parent-teacher meetings, parents who drop them off and pick them up from school. But I could go home on my own. When I got sick, it hurt so much, and the medicine was so bitter, but Shushu drank it all without complaint.”
“But they still didn’t want me. During National Day, they left. I didn’t know where to go, and then… then I died.”
“I’m sorry, Daddy. I think I forgot to drink the Meng Po soup, so I still remember my past life’s parents, but I’m afraid to tell you. Shushu’s really scared.”
“I really, really like you and my brother now. I’m scared that if I tell you, you’ll think I’m not your daughter, that I’m some kind of monster, and you’ll stop wanting me.”
Ruan Shu’s small body and voice trembled violently. She closed her eyes, unable to bring herself to look at her father’s face.
A warm hand fell on her head, gently rubbing it, and the familiar voice sounded by her ear.
“Don’t be afraid. I will always be your daddy.”
Ruan Shu could no longer hold back; she cried out her grievances, no longer silent as before.
Shen Yu stood up, quietly stepping outside. His emotions surged within him, feeling an intense sorrow as well.
Just from Ruan Shu’s few simple words, he could picture the suffocating life this child had endured before.
Ruan Qingran also walked out, his whole demeanor cold and tense. As Ruan Shu’s brother, he felt the pain even more deeply.
Once outside, they saw Ruan Fengsi standing by the doorway, his entire being cloaked in a dark, oppressive aura.
It was clear he had been standing there for a long time; he had probably heard every word Ruan Shu had said.
For a moment, none of the three said a word.
“Bang!”
Ruan Fengsi punched the wall, producing a dull, muffled sound. His eyes were red, like a furious lion.
“What the hell is this!”
His voice was low and hoarse, filled with an anger that radiated a chilling killing intent.
But this anger had nowhere to go.
Because, in that story, the parents in question didn’t exist in this world.
Even if they were seething with rage, they had no idea where to direct it.
Ruan Qingran clenched his fists, veins bulging on the back of his hand.
Shen Yu patted Ruan Qingran’s shoulder in a gesture of comfort. “It’s better that she let it out and cried instead of keeping it all bottled up.”
Ruan Shu was truly a child who made everyone’s heart ache. Although it all sounded surreal, anyone could sense the deep grievances and despair buried in that little girl’s heart.
Letting it all out would help her feel much lighter.
Indeed, after Ruan Shu shared her deepest secret, she relaxed completely. As she cried, she slowly drifted off to sleep, wrapped in her father’s embrace.
No longer burdened by worries, she slept deeply. Her body, guided by instinct, transformed into a snow-white ragdoll cat, curling up tightly in her father’s arms, seeking comfort and safety.
Ruan Xiao lowered his gaze, gently cradling the small ragdoll cat in his palm. His emotions surged, yet, like Ruan Fengsi, he couldn’t find a way to vent his frustration.
Dingdong…
At that moment, a message from his subordinate came through.
Guagua: Marshal, we’ve captured the person.
Ruan Xiao’s eyes turned dark and intense, though his fingers continued softly stroking the plush, snow-white fur of the ragdoll cat in his lap.
No one in the Ruan family left the house that day. They all stayed close by Ruan Shu, and while she slept, they convened a family meeting.
The atmosphere was heavy, filled with an inextinguishable rage that simmered like a volcano ready to erupt.
“We’ll hold off on her school arrangements for now,” Ruan Xiao said. “From now on, let’s try to keep her close as much as possible.”
He finally understood why Shushu was so clingy. When she died, she was just a twelve-year-old child—such a young age.
Moreover, Ruan Shu was completely different from them—soft, fragile, and in need of her parents’ protection. Yet in her most vulnerable times, she had faced nothing but harm and criticism.
Because of her deep-rooted lack of love, Ruan Shu longed for family affection, needing it so much that she cautiously sought out those who had hurt her, even after being pushed away repeatedly.
So, after arriving in this world, any kindness shown to her, no matter how small, she clung to, treasuring it as if it were precious.
Ruan Fengsi looked at the small bundle of a ragdoll cat. “Dad, it’s not convenient for you at the military headquarters. I can take her with me all the time.”
Even if it meant bringing her along to company meetings, he didn’t care.
Right now, Ruan Fengsi had only one thought—he would protect his sister, never allowing her to suffer even the slightest harm again.
Ruan Qingran chimed in, “I can take care of her too.”
Ruan Fengsi’s brows knitted tightly. Already in a bad mood, he turned domineering and fierce.
“You have surgeries every day. Where do you have time to look after her? Are you going to bring her into the operating room?”
That… wouldn’t really work.
Ruan Qingran’s face remained cold, his gaze cool as he cast a glance at Ruan Fengsi.
The two locked eyes for a moment, only to be interrupted.
“When one of you is busy, Ruan Fengsi can take care of her,” Ruan Xiao interjected. “And whenever anyone has free time, they can take Shushu out and show her more of the world.”
Ruan Xiao looked down at the soft bundle sleeping peacefully in his arms—so small she could probably fit into a coat pocket.
If Shushu could openly embrace her star beast form around others, perhaps he could carry her wherever he went, slipping her into his pocket.
The moment he thought about it, Ruan Xiao couldn’t control the idea.
He needed Shushu to understand that her star beast form was not some sort of misfit creature. On the contrary, everyone adored her in this form.
With this plan settled, Ruan Xiao brought up another matter.
“Lu Ren has been found.”
Lu Ren—the doctor who had been deceived by Xiao Yuanyi into helping steal Ruan Xiao’s genetic material.
In an instant, Ruan Fengsi’s gaze turned cold and fierce. “So we can deal with both of them together, right?”
In truth, he was more eager to deal with Xiao Yuanyi. After all, from the moment his sister arrived in this world, she had faced nothing but hostility from that woman.
“Which prison is that woman in? I want to pay her a visit.”
Ruan Xiao glanced at him. “No need. I went to see her not long ago.”
Frustrated, Ruan Fengsi headed straight to the training room after the family meeting and took out his anger there, going through several pieces of equipment in the process.
Only after working up a sweat did he stop, the dark rage within him barely starting to dissipate.