Chapter 375: Doesn’t Dengdeng like him?
Wan Minglu’s wheat-colored face was tinged with a blush that made one wonder whether it’s from the heat of the recent chase or the embarrassment of not being able to arrest the criminal.
He tried to help Bai Ruozhu up but quickly retracted his hand, his blush deepening thinking he might be crossing a line.
Bai Ruozhu thanked him as she was so engrossed in calming Dengdeng that she didn’t notice his withdrawn attempt. Otherwise, she might have found it amusing, and asked, "If an older lady fell, would you be too embarrassed to help her up?"
In a moment of internal struggle, after standing idly for a couple of seconds, Wan Minglu finally stretched out his hand again...well... to carry Dengdeng. With his cheek tinted in red, he said, "I will hold the child for you. You should get up quickly, the ground is cold. Don’t catch a cold."
Dengdeng continued to wail in Wan Minglu’s arms, making him anxious. He remembered that the child would stop crying and would even giggle when another adult walked around holding him, so why couldn’t he achieve the same?
Growing worried, he started to pace in circles, holding the kid, while Bai Ruozhu rubbed her calf, grimaced in pain, and gradually stood up.
After a few gingerly taken steps, she drew in a sharp breath due to the pain blooming from her leg and the soreness induced by the strenuous run. The vitality of her previous life was missed as she heaved a silent sigh, questioning whether it was this body that was weaker or the lack of physical conditioning.
Since she transmigrated, Bai Ruozhu, with her growing belly, had been cautious and refrained from working out strenuously. She limited her activities to walking in the area around the house. Even after giving birth and completing her confinement period, she didn’t get to exercise much, especially running. She rhetorically enquired if anyone had ever seen a dairy cow running and spilling milk.
"Ruozhu, are you alright? I will first escort you home, and later I’ll report it at the government office. Rest assured, we will certainly apprehend the man," said Wan Minglu quite angrily. He was irate because someone dared to harm Ruozhu. He was determined to catch the perpetrator personally!
"Alright, let’s walk and talk." Bai Ruozhu glanced at Dengdeng, still crying in Wan Minglu’s arms. She longed to hold and comfort Dengdeng but was deterred by her own precarious condition. What if she accidentally dropped the child?
With Dengdeng only ceasing to cry, Wan Minglu felt exceedingly awkward. He swayed the child gently in his arms and said softly, "Sweet child, stop crying. Are you uncomfortable somewhere?"
When Bai Ruozhu had previously sat to check Dengdeng, she could see that he was not hurt. He was only fussing because his nap was disturbed and he was a little frightened. Hence, she had no choice but to limp along with Wan Minglu as they set off.
"What was that man’s issue? Why was he chasing you?" Wan Minglu, unable to soothe Dengdeng, flushed with embarrassment and asked about Bai Ruozhu’s hazardous encounter.
"I don’t know that man too. But he had caused a ruckus at our stall a couple of days ago, claiming to have found a bug in the soup we serve. I then exposed his trick, proving that the bug was planted by him," said Bai Ruozhu, narrowing her eyes. She firmly remembered the man’s face and was resolute in not letting him off so easily.
"We wanted to report him to the authorities then, but he fled. My elder brother tried to chase him but was stopped by me. I left it as such, thinking it was better to avoid trouble. Little did I expect that he would bear a grudge against me and follow me to a deserted alley. Seeing the danger, I sprinted away impulsively, slowing him down in between by tripping him, and kept running. I’m just thankful that you came along, else I can’t even begin to imagine the outcome," shared Bai Ruozhu, beaming gratefully at Wan Minglu.
At this, Wan Minglu stiffened slightly and responded with a hint of bashfulness, "All I did was carry out my duty of patrolling, assisting civilians, and arresting criminals."
Bai Ruozhu remained quiet because she was too tired to continue the conversation.
Observing that Bai Ruozhu had stopped talking, Wan Minglu wondered if she was upset with him. His spirit sank considering that he hadn’t managed to catch the assailant.
The two headed towards the West Courtyard in measured steps. As they traversed the busy streets, several people glanced their way. The sight of a seemingly kind-hearted young officer cradling a whimpering child, with a woman, probably in her early thirties, walking beside him, piqued their curiosity. The woman, dishevelled and limping, with her hair pins conspicuously misplaced, baffled the onlookers.
Feeling irked with the prying eyes, Bai Ruozhu retorted, "Haven’t you seen a woman who slipped and sprained her ankle?"
Her statement dispelled the inappropriate insinuations, leaving the spectators with disappointed faces as they held no gossip value.
A slight twitch played at the corner of Bai Ruozhu’s mouth. Did these people feel disappointed because it wasn’t a scandalous affair as they had assumed?
The walk wasn’t too long, but due to Bai Ruozhu’s injury, their progress was slow. Wan Minglu wasn’t in a rush either and intentionally slowed down his steps, appearing to aid Bai Ruozhu, although he wished the journey to last longer, giving him more time to spend with her.
Once they reached the West Courtyard, Fang Guizhi rushed over to Bai Ruozhu, taking in her haggard appearance. Startled, she held onto Bai Ruozhu’s arm and asked, "Ruozhu, what happened? Did you fall on the way?"
Bai Ruozhu waved her hand, "I’m fine, I’ll explain later. Could you please take care of Dengdeng for a while and let Brother Minglu return to his duties. I wouldn’t want to delay him."
"It’s not an issue. My duty for today is only to patrol. I will update the incident to Superior Li at the government office later." He blushed slightly as he said this.
Dengdeng, now in the arms of Guizhi, ceased crying after a bit of coaxing.
Upon witnessing Dengdeng’s transformation, a sense of unease welled up within Wan Minglu. His spirits dampened, wondering if it was his inability to take care of a child or the child’s sheer dislike for him.
But he had carried his elder brother’s child before and he had handled that perfectly well.
Bai Ruozhu discerned Wan Minglu’s silent discomposure. She could only smile ruefully. She had no idea why Dengdeng, the little master, disliked Wan Minglu so much. Could it be because he is a government officer? Just as modern children are scared of police officers, did ancient children fear official officers?
"By the way, a couple of days ago when we were at the Wang Family seeking fairness, I mentioned that they had sent someone to create a nuisance at our stall. They didn’t seem keen on denying it too. I guess this man has some connection with the Wang Family," Bai Ruozhu added, recalling her experience.
Wan Minglu frowned in response, "This Wang family is really asking for trouble. Rest assured, I will catch the man at the earliest. He will then be duly punished by the government officer."
Bai Ruozhu nodded, "Thanks a lot, Brother Minglu. You should get going and continue with your job. I won’t keep you for tea anymore but do visit for a meal after work."
Wan Minglu was visibly elated by her invitation. He nervously looked at Bai Ruozhu and then quickly looked away in embarrassment, mumbling, "That would be too imposing on your family."
"Not at all, it’s me who should be thanking you. My parents, too, would have definitely invited you for a meal if they were here," said Bai Ruozhu, laughing.