Chapter 7: All of This Is Thanks to You

I looked at Jiang Ruohe, initially wanting to retort, but then I realized it was perfectly normal for him to misunderstand.

After all, Grandpa had come over right after I was discharged from the hospital. The old man felt sorry for me and naturally assumed Jiang Ruohe had mistreated me.

“Xiao Wan, where did you get hurt? Grandpa didn’t mean to.”

Jiang Mingzhe was full of concern, apologizing to me repeatedly before turning to glare at Jiang Ruohe.

“Look at this. Even though you’ve treated Xiao Wan so poorly, she still defends you. You’re really going too far. Do you want to be sent to Africa?”

I inwardly sighed in dismay. Grandpa’s protectiveness would only make Jiang Ruohe dislike me even more. He might even think I deliberately took that hit from Grandpa’s cane for him. When I looked up at Jiang Ruohe, sure enough, he was staring at me with disgust, making me feel even worse.

I knew that the more I explained, the more he would think I was scheming. If I didn’t explain, Grandpa would side with me even more, and Jiang Ruohe would still believe I had ulterior motives. In his mind, my character was already set in stone there was no changing it.

After some thought, I decided I had to clarify things, no matter how much he detested me.

“Grandpa, you’ve really misunderstood. He treats me very well. It was my idea to come back here to recuperate because the hospital was too noisy. I discussed this with Ruohe. Please believe me, it’s true.”

I walked over to Jiang Ruohe and linked my arm with his. Though his eyes were filled with resistance and warning, I pretended not to notice. Leaning my head against his shoulder, I smiled at Jiang Mingzhe and told him how exceptionally good Ruohe had been to me these past few days.

Jiang Mingzhe seemed somewhat skeptical, asking if it was true and insisting that I should speak up if I felt wrong.

“He really treats me very well. Darling, isn’t that, right?”

I turned to Jiang Ruohe, whispering in his ear and asking if he truly wanted to go to Africa.

The look Jiang Ruohe gave me was bordering on hatred as he wrapped his arm around my waist and brought his face close to my ear.

“Yu Xiaowan, all of this is thanks to you. If I get sent to Africa, I’m definitely taking you with me.”

I shuddered, but he only held me tighter.

“Grandpa, Xiao Wan and I are doing just fine.” That strained smile of his was clearly a struggle to maintain.

Jiang Mingzhe still scolded Jiang Ruohe a few more times, urging him to treat me even better. Jiang Ruohe nodded in agreement.

“I see Aunt Liu has prepared dinner. I’ll stay over tonight. Could you please prepare a guest room for me?” Jiang Mingzhe said, looking at Aunt Liu.

Aunt Liu nodded and immediately went upstairs to set up the guest room, which was right next to my bedroom.

During dinner, Jiang Ruohe’s phone on the table vibrated twice. I glanced over and saw it was Huang Minwei calling. Jiang Ruohe declined the call.

Jiang Ruohe finished his meal quickly and stood up to leave, but Jiang Mingzhe stopped him and asked where he was going.

“A client wants to discuss something with me.”

“Stay home and take care of Xiao Wan. Let Assistant Wang handle it.”

Jiang Ruohe grunted in acknowledgment and went upstairs. As he ascended, Jiang Mingzhe watched him with a complicated expression before snapping out of it and smiling at me, urging me to eat more.

When I entered the room, Jiang Ruohe was showering in the bathroom. His phone rang on the nightstand again it was still Huang Minwei calling. She was probably extremely anxious about him being alone with me.

After Jiang Ruohe stepped out, he immediately called Huang Minwei back. Soon, I could hear Huang Minwei sobbing over the phone saying she was afraid of being alone in the hospital and that her stomach was hurting.

“But Grandpa is here…”

Watching Jiang Ruohe patiently comforting Huang Minwei, I stood up, took a bedsheet from the wardrobe, and opened the window. Turning to Jiang Ruohe, I mouthed silently that he could leave.

A flicker of complex emotion crossed Jiang Ruohe’s eyes before he immediately said he would go keep Huang Minwei company.

He hung up, walked to the window, and turned to glare at me with a warning.

“If Grandpa finds out about this, I won’t let you off.”

I gave him a faint smile.

“Don’t worry. I’d rather you go to Huang Minwei than stay in the same room with you.”

Jiang Ruohe stepped closer, pinched my chin with his hand, his face cold.

“If you’re so unwilling, why did you go through all the trouble to climb into my bed and break up Minwei and me back then?”

💝 Support the Team

Zephyr Yizelle

✍️ Translator

🍵 Ko-fi