Chapter 26: Madam Ruan

 Chapter 26: Old lady Ruan

The sudden kneel made Shu Yu, who was standing at the door, startled.

The other villagers were also taken aback and whispered to each other, "Is she really Er Ya, from Lu Lao Er's family?"

"I think so. Look at how Old lady Ruan is crying, it seems like she truly regrets what she has done."

"Old Ruan is a wicked woman, she doesn't treat Er Bai's wife well either. Is it possible that she went through all this trouble just to help her find her daughter?"

"Why else would she do it? She had no reason to deceive Er Bai's wife about this. Given the situation in Er Bai's family, what benefit would she gain from lying?"

The villagers thought about it and realized it made sense. Why would old Ruan go through all this trouble if she didn't have a good reason to?

One of the villagers asked Lu Lao San, who was just there to watch the commotion, "San Lu, what do you think?"

Lu Lao San glanced at the courtyard and smirked, "What can I say? My unfortunate niece has been missing since childhood, it's been over a decade now. Who knows what she looks like now. I certainly can't tell, but my sister-in-law should be able to recognize her own daughter, right?"

The villagers nodded, "Exactly, Er Bai's wife should know if Er Ya has any distinguishing marks on her."

Just then, Old lady Ruan happened to lift the girl's sleeve and said to Ruan Shi, "Look, my child. Look at her arm, are these two moles not the same as when she was a child? She's been through a lot outside, look how thin she is, so pitiful."

When Ruan Shi saw the girl's arm, her eyes widened in disbelief. She quickly grabbed the girl who had been helped up by Madam Ruan and asked in a trembling voice, "You, you really are Er Ya?"

The girl nodded and cried, "Mom, Er Ya missed you so much. I've been wandering outside for all these years, always wondering where my parents are and why they haven't found me yet. I really wanted to go home. It rained and thundered outside, and there were so many bad people who bullied me, beat me, and didn't give me any food. I was so hungry that I had to drink water to fill my stomach. I had nowhere to sleep, so I curled up under the bridge. It was really like shouting into the void and praying to a deaf god."

"Stop, don't say anymore," Ruan Shi couldn't bear it. She had been thinking about this scene day and night, it was breaking her heart.

The girl saw her distress and quickly held her, "Okay, I won't say anymore. Mom, I'm back now, our family is reunited, and I have a father, a mother, and a home. I'm not alone anymore."

Old lady Ruan nodded repeatedly on the side and said, "Yes, yes, seeing you mother and daughter reunite makes me feel much better too."

Ruan Shi was supported by two people, one on each side. Her head was pounding, and her thoughts were in chaos.

Lu Erbai and the old lady were both absent, and she was no match for old lady Ruan. She didn't even have a chance to speak, as she was interrupted by old lady Ruan who didn't give her any opportunity to ask the questions she had in mind.

old lady Ruan even ran up to Da Hu and San Ya, looked at them with a kind smile, holding two candies in her hand that she didn't know how long she had kept them, and said, "Da Hu, San Ya, your second sister has returned. Are you happy? Come on, these are candies that grandma prepared for you. They will make your mouth sweet."

The twins looked at each other and couldn't help but take a step back.

old lady Ruan's face flashed with displeasure, but she quickly put on a smile again and said, "Take it, this is specially bought by grandma for you to eat."

As soon as she finished speaking, the candies in her hand were suddenly slapped to the ground.

old lady Ruan exclaimed, "Who is so ignorant!"

As she lifted her head, she met the cold gaze of Shu Yu.

(End of this chapter)