“Child, we want to take the child back. Commander Chen’s wife, can you give Gao Xing back to us?” The man was slightly more rational, but he looked very weak.
Xu Ruantang's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. "Uncle and Aunt, please get up first. Whatever you have to say, let's sit down and talk. Otherwise, I'll go inside first!"
She could roughly guess who the two people in front of her were, but she didn't understand why they would suddenly come to her door and ask for her child back.
Just as expected, Xu Ruantang led the two to the guard room, and only after they sat down did they begin to introduce themselves.
They are Gao Ying's parents and Xiao Bao's maternal grandparents.
The reason I came here is to ask Xu Ruantang to let them take Xiaobao away.
Xu Ruantang's attitude was very good, but her refusal was very straightforward: "Uncle, Aunt, Xiaobao is Chen Ji's adopted child. You've come to the wrong person about this. I can't make the decision. Even if I could, a child isn't an object. You can't just take him or get rid of him as you please."
“Besides, wouldn’t it be better for Xiaobao to stay with us?” Xu Ruantang looked at the two elderly people, paused, and then said, “Chen Ji and I treat Xiaobao as our own child. We will treat her well, give her a good life, and give her a complete family.”
The two elderly people in front of me, one was so frail that he looked like he could collapse at any moment, and the other didn't seem to be in very good spirits either.
Anyone who cares about the child would choose to let Xiaobao stay with Chen Ji.
Upon hearing Xu Ruantang's words, the two elderly people exchanged a surprised glance, and then whispered, "Didn't Commander Chen tell you? Xiao Bao's father is back. We will go back to our hometown and raise the child together."
Xu Ruantang had forgotten how she got home; a dense, sharp pain welled up in her heart, more painful than being pricked by needles.
When she arrived at her doorstep, she realized that she had unknowingly returned to Chen Ji's courtyard.
She took out her key, opened the door, and went into the bathroom to wash her hair.
Because her hand was still bandaged, she had been taking separate showers and washing her hair during this period.
After taking a towel outside, Xu Ruantang casually dried her hair a couple of times and then sat on the sofa, lost in thought.
Water droplets trickled down her hair, landing on her shoulders and disappearing onto the sofa.
So Gao Baoliang did not sacrifice himself; after so long, he has returned.
Gao Ying's parents only said that he was coming back, without saying a word else, but that's the truth. He still wants to take Xiao Bao back to his hometown.
Xu Ruantang's mind was a complete mess.
Footsteps came from outside the door. Xu Ruantang looked up and saw the person walking in.
After not seeing him for many days, he was still tall and slender, but his face seemed a little thinner, and his casual clothes made him look even more handsome.
Chen Ji's gaze fell on her, and with a long stride, he walked over and sat down next to her.
Chen Ji removed the towel from her head, then lifted her hair and gently wrapped it in the towel to wipe it.
The scent of the shampoo gradually spread, lingering around Chen Ji's nose.
The woman beside him showed no intention of speaking, letting him do as he pleased, her long eyelashes trembling slightly.
She was too calm. Compared to that, Chen Ji would rather she lose her temper and question him about why he didn't tell her.
As Chen Ji dried his hair, he thought about how to explain things clearly. He wanted to speak several times, but seeing her cool profile, he didn't want to ruin the current atmosphere.
After gently drying the ends of her hair, Ye Lan's voice came from outside the door: "Ruan Tang, Ruan Tang, oh dear, why is this child back here?"
Ye Lan rushed into the house and was stunned to see Chen Ji. She then asked, "Ji'er, you're back?"
"Yes, Mom."
Chen Ji continued what he was doing, but Xu Ruantang dodged to the side.
She stood up, a smile playing on her lips, and said, "Mom, I'm going to the hospital."
Ye Lan hurriedly said, "Oh, Mom came to find you to go to the hospital. I heard someone at the door say you were back, but I couldn't wait for you at home."
Ye Lan glanced at Chen Ji again, "Ji'er, you haven't had lunch yet, have you? Go home, your grandma and the others are home! Ruan Tang and I are going to the hospital; the splints need to be removed today."
Chen Ji withdrew his hand, which was still holding the towel, from mid-air and said helplessly, "Mom, I'll go with my wife. You go home first."
Ye Lan then realized, "That's right, now that you're back, you must have gone to keep my daughter-in-law company!"
As she walked out, she said, "Stepson, take Ruan Tang to a restaurant for a meal before going to the hospital. Don't let my daughter-in-law go hungry."
Ye Lan then realized what was happening and inwardly cursed herself for being so tactless.
She didn't mention bringing the two home for dinner, thinking she would give them enough time alone and take her daughter-in-law out for a nice meal.
As she spoke, Ye Lan patted Xu Ruantang on the shoulder, "Mom will cook something delicious for you when we get home. Come home for dinner after the splints are removed."
As soon as Ye Lan left, Chen Ji took a step toward Xu Ruantang, hooked her belt around her waist and sat her down on the sofa, then continued to dry the water off her hair.
Xu Ruantang closed her eyes, forcibly suppressing her anger that made her want to bite him.
She secretly vowed that if Chen Ji continued to be a silent person, she would also remain silent and see who could outdo whom.
When the two left, it was lunchtime. Chen Ji took her to a state-run restaurant for lunch before heading to the hospital.
Before leaving home, Chen Ji changed into casual clothes.
The checkup results showed that the recovery was going well. The splint was removed, and the doctor instructed me to do proper rehabilitation at home.
When the two returned to the Chen family home, they found that Chen Lin, who was rarely home, had also returned and was currently reading the newspaper on the sofa.
Upon seeing the two, Chen Lin put down his newspaper and said, "You're back, please sit down. I need to talk to you."
Xu Ruantang sat down on the single sofa first.
Chen Lin looked over with some surprise, but seeing her calm expression, he didn't say anything more.
Chen Ji pursed his thin lips and sat down beside him.
"Did you tell your wife about Gao Baoliang's matter?" Chen Lin asked Chen Ji.
Before Chen Ji could speak, Xu Ruantang said, "I know, Gao Ying's parents came looking for us this morning."
"Yes, the military region hopes this matter can be handled properly. After all, the child is the Gao family's biological child, and it is only right to return him to them."
"We've raised this child for so long, and we know you have feelings for each other, but things have come to this. We hope you can handle your personal feelings."
Chen Lin spoke indifferently, as if it were none of his business.
Xu Ruantang felt a tightness in her chest and suddenly stood up, saying, "Xiao Bao was adopted by Chen Ji, so his decision on whether to keep him or leave is up to him. You two can talk."
After she finished speaking, she walked out.
Chen Ji stood up, his expression somewhat cold. "Don't interfere in this matter. I will handle it myself."
After leaving those words behind, Chen Ji chased after him.
Xu Ruantang felt a tightness in her chest and walked aimlessly forward. Before she had taken two steps, someone grabbed her arm.
"Honey, let's go home first, okay?"
Chen Ji's voice was deep and gentle. He bent down slightly and leaned closer, his face showing a hint of anxiety.
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