Chapter 378: Is this the rhythm of fighting for favor?
By the time dinner was ready, Fang Guizhi quickly said to Lin Ping, "I’m going to wake up Ruozhu."
"Go ahead, let her continue to rest after she’s eaten. She must be exhausted from the shock today." Lin Ping said with a worried expression.
Fang Guizhi had already dashed off to Bai Ruozhu’s room and gently shook her awake, "Ruozhu, it’s time to eat."
Bai Ruozhu’s dense eyelashes fluttered, like two black butterflies fanning their wings, which made Fang Guizhi stop and stare. She had never noticed before how Ruozhu was becoming more and more beautiful, her skin even smoother, and her hair lush and black. Her aura had also changed. Even when she slept with her eyes closed, she seemed quietly beautiful.
Maybe that’s why the two men outside were in such a rush to see her, Fang Guizhi thought, chuckling to herself.
"Why are you laughing at me? Did I drool in my sleep?" Bai Ruozhu opened her drowsy eyes and asked as she looked at Fang Guizhi.
Fang Guizhi must have been hallucinating earlier, otherwise, she wouldn’t have thought that Ruozhu was so refined. Look at her now, what a mess!
"Hurry up and get up, I’ll help you comb your hair. There are visitors here to see you." Fang Guizhi said as she searched for a comb.
"Who came? Is it just Brother Minglu?" Bai Ruozhu was a bit reluctant as she slowly got out of bed. It was indeed warmer under the covers as the weather had turned cold.
Fang Guizhi fetched a jacket for her to put on and grinned, "There’s another important person."
Bai Ruozhu instinctively straightened up and turned to look at Fang Guizhi, "The one with the mask?"
Fang Guizhi stifled her laughter and nodded, "Why don’t you find out for yourself?"
Bai Ruozhu gave her a side-eye, "So you’re putting on a show for me now, alright then, I won’t ask. I will find out when I leave the room anyway."
Without further ado, she started getting dressed, moving noticeably faster than before.
Fang Guizhi helped her tidy her disheveled hair, twisting it elegantly into a bun and inserting the hairpin.
"Your hairpin is really beautiful. When did you buy it? I don’t remember you mentioning it." Fang Guizhi said enviously, admiring the hairpin on Bai Ruozhu’s head.
Bai Ruozhu’s face flushed slightly, she quickly turned to Guizhi and said, "I bought it before my brother’s wedding. If you like it, I’ll buy one for you too."
Fang Guizhi heard this and quickly replied, "No need, I was just asking. Don’t waste your money on this."
Bai Ruozhu laughed. That should shut Guizhi up.
Once she was ready, she picked up Dengdeng and left the room with Guizhi. Little Dengdeng, who had cried himself to fatigue, was still asleep, his tiny face streaked with tear tracks.
As soon as they stepped into the main hall, all eyes were on Bai Ruozhu. Jiang Yichun’s heart tightened and he blurted out, "Are you alright?"
Bai Ruozhu was taken aback. Why did he speak up first? She was somewhat annoyed by his impetuousness, but when she met his concerned gaze, she couldn’t bring herself to be upset with him.
The room fell silent. They all stared blankly at Jiang Yichun, then at Bai Ruozhu, unsure of what was happening. Wan Minglu, on the other hand, looked crestfallen once again.
"I’m fine. The man didn’t catch me. But when I realized I couldn’t escape, I tripped him and ended up injuring my own leg," Bai Ruozhu said with a self-deprecating smile. "I guess I’m all bark and no bite."
Wan Minglu quickly intervened, "How can you say that? You’re braver than most women. Had you not tripped him, I might not have been able to save you in time."
Wan Minglu covertly glanced at Jiang Yichun, thinking to himself that he must seize every opportunity for Ruozhu, he would not back down!
Bai Ruozhu had noticed the tension between the two men and stole a glance at her family. Seeing the bewilderment on their faces and Guizhi giving her a knowing wink, she couldn’t help but feel anxious. How did she wind up in this situation? If she had known, she would have gritted her teeth and pretended not to be injured.
"Have you applied medicine to your leg?" Jiang Yichun’s voice was icy cold. Although it sounded emotionless, everyone detected his concern for Bai Ruozhu. After their several interactions, they could tell that Jiang Yichun was not the type to go out of his way to show concern for others.
Bai Ruozhu quickly glanced at him, signaling him not to make it so obvious. How was she going to explain this to her family?
"I’ve applied the medicine already. I have some excellent wound ointment. It should heal quickly," Bai Ruozhu quickly responded.
"That’s good." Jiang Yichun glanced at her and Guizhi, then said, "Why are you still standing? Don’t you intend to eat?"
Bai Ruozhu gritted her teeth, thinking to herself, ’Would I be standing here like a fool if it weren’t for you constantly questioning me?’
Fang Guizhi helped Bai Ruozhu to her seat. Only then did Lin Ping snap back to reality, taking Dengdeng from Bai Ruozhu and holding him in her arms, saying sympathetically, "You and the child must have been terrified. That man deserves to be fried in a wok!"
Bai Ruozhu wasn’t inclined to meet her parents’ gaze at that moment. She gave a vague response and quickly took her seat.
"Let’s start eating then, Sir and Brother Minglu, please make yourselves at home. I apologize if our simple meals don’t live up to your expectations. Just let us know if there’s anything that doesn’t suit your tastes." Bai Yihong said, chuckling awkwardly. He must have found the situation embarrassing too.
Bai Ruozhu picked up her bowl and chopsticks and started eating. She wished she could bury her head in the food and ignore everything else.
Under the table, Bai Zehao kicked Wan Minglu and gave him a meaningful look. Minglu looked confused, unsure of what he meant. Frustrated, Bai Zehao decided to make his move.
"Second Uncle, could you help Ruozhu get some of that pork trotter? It’s her favorite, and it’s closer to you." Bai Zehao said with a smile.
Minglu finally understood what his brother-in-law meant. He quickly shot Bai Zehao a grateful look and was about to get the pork trotters for Bai Ruozhu, but a pair of chopsticks had already reached the plate, swiftly picking up a juicy piece that was cooked till soft and placed it in Bai Ruozhu’s bowl.
"So you like pork trotters." Jiang Yichun said indifferently, but there was a trace of laughter in his eyes. He was sitting next to Wan Minglu, wasn’t he close to the plate too?
Of course, he figured out from this interaction who Bai Ruozhu’s older brother was helping. He glanced back at Bai Zehao and asked, "Brother Zehao, would you like a piece too?"
Bai Zehao shivered instinctively. Those eyes were clearly laughing, and his tone was much more pleasant than before. Yet, he felt as if he had been swept over by a blast of cold wind and been hit by a surge of frosty chill. Did he inadvertently offend this important person?
Bai Ruozhu glared at Jiang Yichun and snapped, "My older brother doesn’t like pork trotters!"
She thought - are you trying to pick on my older brother? Don’t you know how fiercely protective I am when it comes to my family?