As Xu Ruantang struggled, the hand on her waist tightened even more.
She patted Chen Ji's hand and said without a trace of emotion, "Let go."
"Alright, Company Commander Lu knows now and will handle it accordingly."
Chen Ji ignored her completely, and held her in his arms, gently comforting her.
His voice was deep and mellow, and he was speaking close to Xu Ruantang's ear, which made her feel a little itchy. Xu Ruantang even wanted to punch him a couple of times.
Xu Ruantang sighed, "Go and pick up the baby. Can't you see that Xiaobao is still crying? I'll go check on my godmother. She hurt her back. I'll help her to the clinic."
Kind-hearted onlookers helped Aunt Wang walk towards the clinic without Xu Ruantang having to lift a finger.
When I got there, the doctor took one look and said, "Luckily, no bones were broken. It's just a sprain. I'll prescribe some medicine to apply to it and take some medicine."
Xu Ruantang then asked the doctor to examine Xiaobao again.
I only breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that the child was not hurt.
After thanking the several sisters-in-law who had helped, Xu Ruantang helped her godmother while Chen Ji carried Xiaobao home.
Just when things seemed to be settling down, another problem arose. Chen Lin's bodyguard arrived as soon as he got home.
Chen Lin told Chen Ji and Xu Ruantang to go back to the Chen family right now.
"No, I'm busy," Chen Ji refused coldly.
There was an elderly person and a young child in the family, and the elderly person was injured. Chen Lin understood exactly what he wanted to say.
The guard looked troubled. "Commander Chen, I can't explain this to the commander if you don't go to him."
There was no reason to make things difficult for his subordinates, so Xu Ruantang finally came up with a solution.
She and Chen Ji rode the guard's bicycle there. The guard stayed at home to get food for his godmother and help hold the baby.
On the way, Chen Ji instructed her, "He won't say anything nice. When the time comes, hide behind me and just ignore him."
Xu Ruantang was already mentally prepared. Putting aside today's events, Chen Lin couldn't possibly sit idly by when rumors about her circulated in the compound.
"Chen Ji, do you know that there's been a lot of gossip in the compound lately about me having an affair?"
Xu Ruantang, afraid that Chen Ji wouldn't hear her, leaned close to Chen Ji's ear and spoke loudly.
Chen Ji tightened his grip on the handlebars and straightened his body, saying, "I just found out."
"Then you don't doubt me?"
"Nonsense, just ignore it. Don't take it to heart. I'll investigate the source of the rumor."
Xu Ruantang's heart stirred upon hearing this. Chen Ji didn't dwell on whether the rumors were true or false, nor did he blame her for the trouble she had caused. Instead, he comforted her.
"If your dad wanted to stop me from going to work in order to stop the rumors, would you agree?"
Xu Ruantang felt a little regretful, as her collaboration with Qiu Liang had only just begun, and it would be a pity to give up now.
If she quits, can Qiu Liang keep the store running based on what she taught him?
"We have a clear conscience, so why should we pay attention to rumors? Do whatever you want, and I'll handle the rumors," Chen Ji said calmly.
Xu Ruantang was shocked by him again. Most people in this era were conservative and valued their reputation highly.
Especially in families like Chen Ji's, the requirements for a daughter-in-law are naturally quite high.
But he actually let her be herself?
Xu Ruantang's heart was stirred by the evening breeze.
She leaned close to Chen Ji's ear, her tone softening: "Chen Ji, I haven't done anything to wrong you. Qiu Liang has a paralyzed wife who lives in the shop."
They were very much in love. Qiu Liang's wife became paralyzed due to complications during childbirth, and they also lost their child.
I wanted to help them; good people shouldn't end up like this.
Xu Ruantang's voice was carried away by the evening breeze, and she was unusually downcast. "Of course, I also want to make money. This is one of my few opportunities."
No matter how much she boasts, her current identity is still that of a rural girl who only graduated from junior high school, has no place to stand, and no money.
There's so little she can do, so she cherishes every opportunity that comes her way.
She wanted to live in this world, so much.
When they arrived at the Chen family's gate, Chen Ji stopped the car, turned around, and ruffled Xu Ruantang's hair.
"Don't be afraid, I'm here."
He took Xu Ruantang's hand and they went together to Chen Lin's study.
It was just past dinner time, and the house was quiet; everyone must have gone out for a walk.
Chen Lin was sitting in his study drinking tea when he saw the two of them slam their cups down.
"Please sit down!"
His tone was very unpleasant.
Chen Ji held Xu Ruantang's hand without letting go, his face indifferent and his tone flat: "No need, just tell me what's on your mind."
Xu Ruantang discovered that Chen Ji never called Chen Lin, and refused to even use the term "Dad".
Chen Lin glanced at the two of them and asked angrily, "I know everything that happened this afternoon. Third brother's wife, now that you've married the third brother, you should behave yourself!"
Seeing their hands clasped together fueled the fire in his heart.
“The third son is a soldier. I don’t expect you to do much. Just take care of his three meals a day and the children at home. How come you can’t do such a simple thing well?”
Look at the mess you've made of the compound! You not only argued with people, but you also resorted to violence!
Do you know how bad this is for Chen Ji? Just marrying you already has an impact on...
"Stop talking." Chen Ji's voice was icy, and his face darkened further. "My wife did nothing wrong in this matter."
"You!" Chen Lin slammed his hand on the table, stood up, and pointed at Chen Ji, his fingertips trembling. "Does it matter whether he's wrong or not? What matters is the impact on you!"
Chen Lin was furious.
He just couldn't understand how Chen Lin's biological son could look nothing like him!
Doesn't he understand at all which is more important, a woman or his future?!
After all these years of hard work, can't this son see any of it?
"Let's not talk about that now." Chen Lin steadied himself and slowly sat down on the stool. "Third brother's wife, do you work outside? Or at the small shop in the market?"
Xu Ruantang nodded. "Yes, a pastry shop."
“From now on, don’t go anymore.” Chen Lin made the decision directly. “Just stay at home, take care of Chen Ji and the children, and the family will give you the money.”
Xu Ruantang was about to speak when Chen Ji interrupted her.
He gave a cold laugh, his expressionless face radiating an extremely low aura, his eyes clouded with gloom.
"I don't need your help. I've already moved out of the Chen family's house. What my wife wants to do is none of your business, and you don't need to interfere."
Chen Ji didn't give Chen Lin any face at all.
Xu Ruantang wanted to say something more, but Chen Lin told her to leave: "You go out first, I want to talk to Chen Ji alone."
She didn't want to leave. This whole thing started because of her, and it would be such a sin if the father and son really broke off relations because of her.
Chen Ji gently squeezed her hand, turned around and looked at her, "It's okay, wait for me outside."
After Xu Ruantang closed the door, Chen Lin couldn't wait to say, "Son, Dad is doing this for your own good. You should divorce her!"
Don't worry, Dad will give her enough compensation to ensure she has a worry-free life from now on.
Chen Lin believed his tone was good enough; he was speaking earnestly for his son's sake, and his son shouldn't refuse.
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