Yang Ruxin soothed the children before sitting face to face with Zhou Jiang in the living room.
"Miss Yang..."
"General Zhou, there’s no need for formalities, just call me Xinxin," Yang Ruxin said with a smile, "After all, Dabao and Xiaobao call me ’Sister Xinxin.’"
"Alright," Zhou Jiang was a straightforward person and not one to mince words, "Xinxin, you are a lifesaver to the Zhou Family."
"It was fate that I met them," Yang Ruxin chuckled, "General Zhou, the reason I wanted to speak with you alone wasn’t to discuss favors, but rather to talk about those two children."
Zhou Jiang couldn’t help but sigh, "I have failed them."
"At first, I also found it strange. Dabao is such an intelligent child; how could he not know his own father’s name?" Yang Ruxin smiled, "Later, I had someone investigate, and only then did I learn they were children of the Zhou Family, just that..."
"I never expected my elder brother and sister-in-law to harm such small children." Zhou Jiang’s face was filled with sorrow, "If they hadn’t met you, they might have been in grave danger by now, and I would be too ashamed to face my wife..."
"That’s why you must understand the children’s feelings. You’re constantly at war, and with the children in such a household, living with such an uncle and aunt, how could they not live in fear?"
"Hehe..." Zhou Jiang could only offer a bitter laugh.
Let’s set aside the conversation in the house for the moment and return to the courtyard outside.
"Brother, do you think Xinxin can persuade father?" Zhou Ying looked up at her brother with a troubled face. She was very happy to see her father, but she didn’t want to return to that home because she knew as soon as the father left, the uncle and aunt would sell them again.
Zhou Xiao also looked dejected, finding this question difficult to answer.
"Dabao, do you really have to go?" Sanni felt a heaviness in her heart, and though she didn’t want to ask, she couldn’t help herself.
"Do you want me to leave?" Zhou Xiao looked at Sanni.
"Do whatever you want," Sanni suddenly became irritated, "So what if you’re the General’s son? If you’re going to leave, then just scram..." She turned and ran out.
Zhou Xiao didn’t even think before he chased after her.
"Why are you following me?" Sanni stopped by the riverbank, "Go back and be your Young Master Zhou." In truth, she didn’t want to admit that she felt inferior; he was the General’s son, a young general, while she was just a village girl. Though he was nice to her now, what about the future? She feared he would forget about her as soon as they parted.
"I won’t." Zhou Xiao grabbed Sanni’s hand, "I’m not any Young Master Zhou, I’m your protector Dabao..."
"Nonsense!" Sanni shook off Zhou Xiao’s hand, "You’re leaving anyway, who cares about you being the protector?"
"As long as you don’t want me to leave, I won’t leave," Zhou Xiao insisted, grabbing her hand again, "Mengmeng, I’ve said I’d be your protector for life."
"Really?" Sanni looked up at Zhou Xiao, "For a lifetime?"
"Yes," Zhou Xiao nodded, "If you don’t believe me..." He paused, then suddenly leaned closer to Sanni and kissed her cheek, "I’ve sealed it with a kiss." Despite speaking confidently, his neck had turned red.
"You..." Sanni’s face flushed, and she covered half of her face with her hand, "How dare you take liberties with me, you..." She raised her leg and kicked towards Zhou Xiao.
"Ouch!" Zhou Xiao stumbled from the kick and then let out a pained cry as he crouched on the ground.