Chapter 165: Xiaosi’s New Injury
"You’re not that kind of person, and besides, can you really appreciate twenty taels?" Bai Ruozhu smiled and asked. Some people can instantly be seen as poor characters at first glance, but some can be recognized as trustworthy just as quickly.
Bai Ruozhu regarded Yu Hongxiu as part of the latter category.
The two discussed further details until Mr. Xie emerged from Bai Zepei’s room. Upon hearing this, Yu Hongxiu quickly got up and said, "It seems they are about to leave. I’ll visit you again in a couple of days. If you have time, please come to see me in town."
Mr. Xie and his wife were temporarily living in the town, not far from the County Government Office.
"Sure, it’s a deal then." Bai Ruozhu smiled and escorted her to the door. Before leaving, Yu Hongxiu affectionately stroked little Dengdeng’s hand. Her eyes reflected her love for children.
Once Mr. and Mrs. Xie had left, Bai Ruozhu and her mother cleaned the kitchen. Bai Ruozhu then told her mother how she had asked Yu Hongxiu for help. As soon as Lin Ping’er heard the news, she promptly expressed her gratitude, saying, "Blessed be Heaven, help has finally come for poor Guizhi."
"I used the bonus and advanced her the silver for her servitude. She’ll repay us later." Fearing her mother would ask about the matter of the silver, Bai Ruozhu took the initiative to explain.
"The silver is a small matter, and we’re not in immediate need of it. As long as no one is hurt, the silver doesn’t matter. Also, don’t let her stress about it." Lin Ping’er generously stated.
On this point, Bai Ruozhu greatly admired her parents’ values. They too had once been poor and had viewed silver as very important. But even then, they would never prioritize money over familial relations or someone else’s life.
Bai Ruozhu nodded, saying, "I understand."
In the evening, Xiaosi came for dinner again. Bai Ruozhu had saved some food for him. His mouth greasy with food, he mumbled, "Sister, Grandpa scolded you when he came home."
Bai Ruozhu didn’t take the comment seriously. It would have been strange if the old man hadn’t scolded her.
"He said you are too cunning and deliberately put my dad in an awkward position," Xiaosi continued.
It occurred to Bai Ruozhu that Bai Yibo was Xiaosi’s biological father. She’d always felt sympathy for Xiaosi and treated him like a younger brother, forgetting about their relationship. Now that Xiaosi brought it up so directly, she was suddenly at a loss for words.
"My dad accused you of flattering Mrs. Xie and said that you and Er Lang are unfilial, intent on killing Grandpa with anger sooner or later. He even threatens to denounce you all to the clan," Xiaosi further reported. His face remained expressionless, as if the word "dad" meant nothing more than a title to him and bore no real relevance.
Bai Ruozhu felt somewhat less embarrassed and began to consider Xiaosi’s words. What would happen if the matter was brought up to the clan? Sure, wouldn’t the old man worry about losing his own face? No, if they had moved out separately, then any sanctions would be directed solely at their family.
Upon this consideration, Bai Ruozhu found the old mansion even more despicable and unconscionable, and felt an even stronger urge to distance herself from these scoundrels as soon as possible.
Having gobbled up his food in a few bites, Xiaosi tried to dash off, but Bai Ruozhu stopped him, saying, "Don’t rush off. There’s still soup."
"Hiss..." Xiaosi inhaled sharply, wincing in pain.
Bai Ruozhu quickly released her grip. She hadn’t pulled that hard, so why was Xiaosi hurt? He must be nursing an injury!
She hastily let go, but grabbed his other arm, slowly rolling back the sleeve of the arm he had cried out in pain from earlier.
"I’m fine!" Xiaosi blocked Bai Ruozhu’s hand, his face revealing a hint of stubbornness, as if he didn’t want Bai Ruozhu to see something.
Bai Ruozhu gave him a stern look, which was highly unusual for her. Xiaosi seemed a bit scared of her, shrinking back and letting go of her hand.
With the sleeve rolled up, a burn was revealed on his arm, causing Bai Ruozhu to let out a startled cry.
"Who did this?" Bai Ruozhu immediately questioned. However, she didn’t ask how it happened, as she didn’t believe it was an accidental injury. It must have been inflicted by someone else!
Xiaosi’s eyes darkened, and he remained silent. Only then did Bai Ruozhu notice that Xiaosi looked nothing like Da Lang or Er Lang, except for his tightly pursed lips, which resembled Er Lang’s, but Xiaosi’s were thinner and paler.
Hearing the commotion and unaware of what had happened, Lin Ping’er, thinking Bai Ruozhu had burned herself, quickly rushed into the kitchen, only to see the burn on Xiaosi’s arm.
"How did you get hurt so badly? Ruozhu, quickly treat him," Lin Ping’er exclaimed in alarm.
Bai Ruozhu sighed, leading Xiaosi out of the kitchen and into the main hall to sit down. She then returned to her room for some herbal medicine and bandages, then started to dress Xiaosi’s wounds.
The injury was fresh, probably occurring either today or last night, but fortunately, there were no signs of infection.
Bai Ruozhu cleaned the wound and applied some herbal medicine for burns.
"Tell me, who did this?" Bai Ruozhu asked again, but this time her voice was tinged with frustration.
However, Xiaosi continued to keep his mouth shut. Bai Yihong and Bai Zehao, Bai Zepei all saw this and began to worry for Xiaosi.
"This won’t do, I must go to the old mansion and have a word with them. Xiaosi is still a child! How could they treat him like this?" Bai Yihong couldn’t stand it anymore and stood to leave.
Bai Zepei, however, stopped Bai Yihong, "Father, even if you went, they may not admit their wrongdoings. And even if they did, it would only make them dislike Xiaosi more, possibly escalating their abuse."
Bai Yihong hesitated and, with much agony, sat down, releasing a deep sigh.
Looking at the stubborn Xiaosi, Bai Ruozhu suddenly burst into tears, sobbing and muttering to herself, "What kind of hellish place is this? There’s no child protection organization. How is a child like this supposed to resist when he’s being abused?" She sobbed so hard her words were garbled, and her family couldn’t quite understand her, only catching phrases about abuse and inability to resist.
Lin Ping’er also wiped away tears as if wanting to take Xiaosi away and raise him herself, considering him an incredibly pitiable child.
Seeing Bai Ruozhu crying, Xiaosi was dumbstruck. His usually stoic face filled with anxiety. He reached out to wipe away Bai Ruozhu’s tears, but she slapped his hand away, saying, "Who did this? Are you covering up for them or what?"
Xiaosi, thinking she would ignore him, nervously blurted, "It was Er Lang. I’m not covering for him. I just don’t want you to be upset. Please don’t cry."
Upon hearing this, Bai Ruozhu wept even harder. Just because Xiaosi had supported her, Er Lang held a grudge against Xiaosi. She had never expected Er Lang could be so ruthless and violent.
After crying for a while, Bai Ruozhu wiped her tears away. Staring intently at Xiaosi, she asserted, "From now on, don’t hide anything from me. Otherwise, I won’t bother with you anymore. If you get hurt, come to me for treatment. I know how to heal fast."
Xiaosi nodded vigorously. What he feared the most was that Bai Ruozhu would ignore him. To him, Bai Ruozhu was like a ray of sunlight, illuminating his otherwise dark and depressing corner of the world.