CHAPTER 2130: CHAPTER 2128: FEEDING

"But you can’t stay hungry forever. Being too hungry means you won’t have the strength to set up a barrier," Si Yihuan insisted.

Bai Ruozhu reluctantly nodded, knowing she wouldn’t give up easily; she’d leave it to her second brother to talk her out of it. He would surely not let her risk going to such a dangerous place.

As the two were leaving the Diaojiao Building, they encountered a group of people blocking their path.

Bai Ruozhu was momentarily taken aback. Leading the group was Xin Sheng, whom she hadn’t seen for days. Was he still looking for trouble with her? And what were these people here for? After a closer look, she recognized many of them as relatives of past victims.

Xin Sheng’s complexion seemed better; perhaps his mood had improved.

He suddenly stepped forward and bowed to Bai Ruozhu, saying, "Bai Ruozhu, I’m here to apologize."

His tone was sincere: "Though I was manipulated by others to poison your family, at its core, it was driven by my inner demons. I was in a haze all these days, unable to apologize until I finally understood. My son is gone now; perhaps he has already reincarnated. I shouldn’t have imposed responsibility for his death on others."

After speaking, he bowed deeply to Ruozhu, seemingly ready to release his grudges and let go of hatred.

Thinking about it, even Xin Si wouldn’t want his father to live in hatred, tormented by it day and night to the point of sleeplessness, right?

Many among the crowd looked at Bai Ruozhu with eyes filled with shame, having previously caused trouble at Jiao Yunyun’s building, now feeling embarrassed to face Bai Ruozhu.

Bai Ruozhu realized that these people had learned the truth.

A woman with red-rimmed eyes approached Bai Ruozhu and bowed, "It was wrong of us to disturb your family like that two days ago. We only realized you used yourself as bait to catch the culprit, risking your safety for us. Yet we still troubled your family; we’re so sorry."

An elder came forward and bowed, "Thank you for helping us find the culprit. Now those deceased children can rest in peace. We’ll forever remember your kindness. If ever you need assistance from any of our families, don’t hesitate to ask. We won’t stand idly by."

The crowd then collectively bowed to Bai Ruozhu, making her quite embarrassed. She quickly helped the woman and elder at the front and said, "The capture was mainly thanks to the chief and elder’s efforts. As part of the younger generation, I was just cooperating. You’re giving me too much credit."

The apologetic group was even more moved by her humility,

Seeing Bai Ruozhu and Si Yihuan carrying food containers, the crowd guessed they were bringing meals. After a few words, they didn’t disturb them further and bid goodbye with repeated thanks.

Si Yihuan held Bai Ruozhu’s arm and said, "I didn’t think much about what you did before. Hearing everyone now makes me realize how dangerous it was. Please don’t take such risks again."

Bai Ruozhu laughed, "But it was my second brother who volunteered to be the bait. If I don’t go, he will. Can you bear that?"

Si Yihuan was stumped. Unable to respond for a while, her face flushed red. She couldn’t bear Bai Zepei risking himself, nor Bai Ruozhu, in such dangerous situations. Choosing between them would be too difficult for her.

"Alright, alright, joking aside, let’s quickly find your second brother. Haven’t you missed him?" Bai Ruozhu burst into laughter.

Si Yihuan’s face reddened further, "Who said I missed him? It’s only been a little while since I last saw him."

"Fine, you don’t miss him; you just worry about him deeply," Bai Ruozhu teased.

Si Yihuan wanted to argue but realized she was no match for Ruozhu, so she decided to drop it.

Bai Ruozhu led Si Yihuan towards the Confinement Room. From afar, Si Yihuan saw Bai Zepei, who hadn’t rested all night. His eyes showed fatigue, and some sparse stubble appeared on his chin.

Si Yihuan felt a pang of heartache, knowing several more days would be needed. Being in the Wei Hall was truly demanding.

No, rather, their visit to the Jiuli Clan was exceptionally challenging!

Si Yihuan quickened her pace, overtaking Bai Ruozhu, but was stopped by the guards: "No entry for unauthorized personnel!"

Bai Ruozhu quickly stepped forward, "This is my sister-in-law, here especially to see my second brother."

The guards hurriedly made way, secretly glancing at Si Yihuan. That must be the rumored useless wife of Bai Zepei, they thought. Yet she seemed quite attractive and carried herself gracefully.

But what’s the use of being pretty? The Jiuli Clan never lacks good-looking people; they only value strength.

Si Yihuan’s face grew hot. She brought the food container closer, looking at Bai Zepei with a soft voice, "Husband, are you hungry? Want to eat something?"

Her voice was almost a whisper, like a mosquito buzz, and her tiny earlobes turned red.

Bai Zepei had seen her approaching earlier. Unable to shift his focus from setting up a formation, he couldn’t talk. Her concern naturally moved him, but with so many people present, he couldn’t eat.

Si Yihuan blushed further, "You’re not in a position to eat. Let me feed you."

Bai Ruozhu almost burst into laughter beside them. She expected such a situation, but Si Yihuan, usually a bashful young lady, was so driven by concern for her second brother that she didn’t care about appearances anymore.

Other Wei Hall members snickered, and even the Tenth Elder couldn’t help but smile.

Si Yihuan pretended not to hear, bravely holding a small shrimp dumpling to Bai Zepei’s mouth.

Bai Zepei felt embarrassed being laughed at by so many, but he couldn’t reject his loving wife, so he opened his mouth and ate the dumpling. Indeed, eating made him feel better, refreshing his spirits.

Si Yihuan then served him soup spoonful by spoonful. As the warm soup filled his stomach, Bai Zepei felt even more at ease. He had never thought of eating as so enjoyable; perhaps being fed was different?

The surrounding chuckles gradually faded; the aroma reached their noses after starving all night, making stomachs rumble.

No one mocked Bai Zepei anymore, only looking on with envy, longing for such treatment.

Embarrassed by consuming alone, Bai Zepei winked at Si Yihuan, signaling her to share with everyone.

Si Yihuan paused. It wasn’t stinginess but pondering how to share. Was she supposed to feed them too? Impossible!

She declared, "My husband wants everyone to have some. Let’s see who can help feed a little."