Reunion

"As expected, please wait a bit while I go and inform the doctor and your family. Your body isn't in a good condition right now, so it's best if you refrain from moving too much. Also, don't stress yourself, have a light conversation with your family before they are sent away." 

"Mhmm, I understand." Ruan Ji nodded as she saw the nurse exit the room. It was silent once again before the door opened again, the doctor entered along with her parents following behind. 

"Mom…" 

Subconsciously, Ruan Ji's eyes filled with tears the moment she saw the two people behind the doctor. Her voice was trembling as she called out for them, as if it's been ages since they last met.

"Shh, my daughter. Don't cry, my girl is a good girl, right? Let the doctor see you first, okay dear? Don't worry, don't cry, Mommy is here so no one will hurt you." Ruan Ji's Mother, Song Ning quickly hugged her daughter, assuring her that everything was alright.

It was understandable that she was frightened and panicked after going through a sudden accident. So Song Ning hugged her daughter, soothing her back and patting her like a child, her trembling and shivering slowly calmed down as the doctor started a thorough examination, letting her continue hugging her mother.

Feeling this familiar warmth once again, tears welled up in Ruan Ji's eyes.

It was the same mother, the same person with the same body, same soul that died tragically.

Ruan Ji hugged the dead body on the road that day and cried like a modwoman on the street. It was raining that day, with gloomy weather around her.

Not even an ant was anywhere to be seen, her mother was bleeding from all five organs. 

She cried, shouted for help bitterly, but no one responded to her words.

"Mom, please wait a little more. I will definitely take you to the doctor. Please, please wait… I beg you!" 

Ruan Ji picked up Song Ning and put on her back and started walking quickly. She couldn't run because the wounds would open up even more. In this continuous rain, she couldn't find a single shed to wait into, especially not in a place like this mountainside. 

"Ji'er, it's time you let go of Mom. Promise that… you will… live…"

Her sentence didn't seem to end before her hand that was patting Ruan Ji's head weakly slipped down slowly.

Her entire body froze as she weakly called out her mother.

"Mom? Are you sleeping?"

"Don't worry, take your time to sleep. I'll… definitely take you to see the doctor." 

Ruan Ji bit her lower lip, trying to stay calm as she continued walking towards the highway. Suddenly, the little distance felt as if it's a hundred years long.

It was only after they reached the Ruan estate that her brother forcibly separated her mother from her, and right after they put down Song Ning from her back, Ruan Ji lost consciousness and fainted.

In reality, she already knew what happened, she just didn't have the courage to accept the reality.

The hands that went cold, were now still warm and lively.

'It's alright, Mom. I won't let you experience that anguish ever again.'

"She isn't seriously injured anywhere else, except that both her leg bones were fractured." 

"If it's fractured, then is it too serious? Are you telling me that she may not be able to stand up anymore?" Ruan Ji's father, Ruan Zhang said as he glared at the doctor.

Though it doesn't matter if it's a serious injury. Even if it's the end of the world, he will do everything to help his daughter stand up again!

"It's not that serious actually. Miss Ruan actually passed the most critical stage of bone fractures. But it will take time for her to stand up again. At least more than half a year, if she takes care of herself properly and listens to doctor's, and takes her medication on time, it will eventually heal back to its original state."

"Sigh… is it? Thank god, thank god nothing serious happened…" Ruan Zhang fell down on the chair behind him as he pinched his forehead, taking deep breaths as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his heart. 

After giving out a few more instructions, the doctor left the cabin, giving the people inside some personal space.

All this while, Ruan Ji was completely calm and quiet, clinging to her mother's arms as she looked dazed.

"Sweetheart, how do you feel now? Can you talk with us?" Ruan Zhang finally came over and sat down by the sickbed as he put his hand on her head, reassuring her with a smile as he patted on her head. 

"I'm better than before, Dad. There are many things I would like to clarify as well. But before that, can you call for your lawyer, Dad? I have something to do." 

Ruan Ji's words made her parents anxious, she could see that just by looking at their faces.

She took Ruan Zhang's hand and squeezed it, assuring him that she knew what she was doing.

"I have one more thing to do, Dad, Mom. But, this thing requires both of you to cooperate with me. Are you willing?"

Seeing the look on her eyes, both Ruan Zhang and Song Ning already understood what was happening. 

Ruan Zhang's face hardened as he asked in a cold voice, "Sweetheart, who is it?"

'Who was so daring to hurt our child?!'

Ruan Ji knew very well that the anger wasn't directed towards her, she shook her head calmly.

"There are a lot of them, Dad. But I don't want to involve you and Mom. My revenge, let me do it myself."

After saying that, Ruan Ji looked up at her parents. As expected, they were upset.

"I know that both of you care about me, Mom. I'm not pushing you away. It's just that I want to punish those who hurt me with my own hands!"