novelraw Chapter 385: The Troubles of the Wealthy Family (Part 2)
Chapter 385: The Troubles of the Wealthy Family (Part 2)
Ji Rui spoke to Mrs. Le’s photo, and as Le Tong listened, her face slowly turned red.This man, wasn’t he saying he brought Baobao to see grandma? How come it feels like he’s kneeling in front of her mother asking for her daughter’s hand?
As Le Tong was beginning to doubt Ji Rui’s intentions, Baobao, who had been kneeling at her side, suddenly stood up, stepped forward, and stood beside Ji Rui in front of the tombstone.
Le Tong was a bit confused, her mind couldn’t process what her beloved son was trying to do.
Due to illness over the past six months, Baobao hadn’t grown much, and he was still only a little taller than Ji Rui’s waist. Standing next to the tall Ji Rui made his small body seem especially frail.
Though the little guy’s body appeared frail, his posture was quite upright and strong. Like Ji Rui, he stared straight at the kind woman on the tombstone.
"Grandma, Baobao knows he might not be the best, and mommy is so good. I can’t promise not to upset her, but I can promise to do my best to prevent anyone from hurting mommy!"
This little guy! He just swapped out the term from Ji Rui’s speech, but otherwise repeated it word for word, speaking so earnestly and formally that Le Tong was both deeply moved and amused.
Of course, Le Tong was sensitive to her son’s self-esteem and Ji Rui’s dignity, but Yang Sheng seemed to have none of those reservations. As soon as Baobao finished speaking, Yang Sheng burst out laughing.
"Hahaha, what are you two up to? Is this a vow meeting? Don’t worry, if you two were placed in a crowd of people, anyone would pick you two out first, the same goes for Auntie!"
Ji Rui and Baobao turned their heads in perfect unison, their father-and-son gaze falling on Le Tong’s face.
Le Tong finally understood—this father and son were trying to take the opportunity to sell themselves in front of her mom?
But no matter how brilliantly the salesman pitches, the decision still lies in the hands of the customer. No one has to buy just because the pitch was great!
This was Le Tong’s mindset now. She had been kneeling for a while so she suddenly stood up, avoided the gaze of father and son, placed a few incense sticks in front of her mother’s grave, and then started to burn the pile of spirit money and offerings she bought last night.
Actually, she wasn’t superstitious, but from time to time, she would still come to the grave to burn some food, clothes, and other items for her mother.
And her longing for her mother would be regularly released through these actions.
At first, Ji Rui only watched, but later, he squatted silently by Le Tong’s side, helping to place some of the spirit money into the bowl. Seeing this, Baobao imitated them, squatting on Le Tong’s other side, grabbing some spirit money with his small hands and throwing it into the flickering flames.
...
As they left the cemetery, the clock pointed exactly at ten o’clock.
"Boss, where to next?"
A bunch of food and items for the picnic were prepared, but no one had mentioned any locations.
Le Tong looked around, about to suggest sitting on a random open and flat grass plot to soak up the sun since the air was nice.
"Take the next intersection onto the highway, get off at the second exit south, and turn left and drive straight." Ji Rui seemed to have prepared in advance, accurately describing the exact route to their next destination.
Le Tong didn’t really have a destination in mind, so upon hearing Ji Rui’s clear direction, she couldn’t be bothered to ask further, sitting with Baobao and listening to him chirp away about a bunch of things.
Ji Rui quietly observed Le Tong for a while. When their son paused to catch his breath, he grabbed his arm and pulled him over.
"Le Tong, it’s about an hour’s drive, get some sleep."
Last night, the two of them had been busy with Tai Cheng’s matters until midnight before going to bed. This morning at six, Ji Rui got up and noticed that Le Tong had already packed everything for their trip, including all the food. Seeing the pile of items on the floor and coffee table, Ji Rui felt a slight pang of heartache. When did this woman get up, already dealing with everything early in the morning?
Now, for sure, Le Tong was tired. She had woken up at four that morning, spending the whole morning bustling about. If she wasn’t exhausted, she would have to be superhuman instead of a regular person.
When Baobao saw mommy slowly closing her eyes, he immediately shut his mouth and stopped making noise. After a while, the now quiet little guy also closed his eyes and fell asleep in Ji Rui’s arms.
Xiao Li saw via the rear-view mirror that Le Tong and Baobao were asleep and thoughtfully switched on some soft, gentle music. In the car, the lingering and soothing tune flowed in the tiny space; even though no one spoke, the atmosphere was so warm that one wished to linger in it.
"Rui, to be honest, I really envy you..."
Sitting in the front passenger seat, Yang Sheng sighed softly.
Ji Rui freed up a hand, reached over the seat, and patted Yang Sheng on the shoulder, but he said nothing.
"Rui, when I go back this time, Grandpa might latch onto me, you make sure to come save me then."
Yang Sheng said it in such a low voice, but Ji Rui heard every word clearly.
"Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to you."
Yang Sheng chuckled lightly, "Rui, just hearing you say that already makes my heart content! But if something happens, don’t go head-on against my grandpa. No matter how ruthless and merciless he is, he wouldn’t lay a hand on his own grandson. Don’t you dare foolishly rush into a knife’s edge."
Only then did Ji Rui understand, Yang Sheng’s initial words were merely a lead-up, really aiming to ask him not to interfere no matter what happens later.
"Yang Sheng, do we really need to discuss this? What I should handle and how to handle it, I know well in my heart. But you also have to trust me, I won’t let anything happen to you, just as I won’t let anything happen to myself. I have a mother and son to take care of, right?"
Ji Rui’s words were softly spoken, but anyone could hear how tender his tone became at the end.
"Hmm, I understand!" Yang Sheng exhaled a long breath, indeed, talking it over with this man beforehand was pointless, he wouldn’t back down from what he should handle.
And he knew clearly what Yang Sheng’s trip back was for, as clear as a mirror in his mind.
"Indeed, being stuck in a wealthy family is no place for anyone, too many troubles drive you insane!"
Rarely annoyed, Yang Sheng ruffled his hair and leaned back, closing his eyes.
This time, Ji Rui didn’t say anything more, nor made any extra moves, just gently turned his head to glance at Le Tong, seeing her sleeping soundly. He stretched his hand back to pull out a thin quilt, covering one end over Le Tong and the other end over Baobao.
Le Tong slightly shifted her body, unconsciously leaning towards Ji Rui.
A flicker of light flashed across Ji Rui’s eyes; imperceptibly, he moved a bit, reaching out his long arm, simply pulling Le Tong into the crook of his shoulder.