CHAPTER 382: CHAPTER 347: THE WOMAN QING’ER MENTIONED WAS THE ONE THEY HELPED DELIVER THAT DAY

However, before she could finish speaking, Ruan Mian smiled and pulled her up.

"You’re about to get married, and yet you talk about lifelong service. Have you thought about Mr. Liu’s wishes?"

The conversation shifted to Liu Shu, who immediately chimed in, "I have no objections. Miss Ruan has shown such great kindness to Zhu’er, I will also pledge my loyalty to Miss Ruan in the future."

Seeing the two so sincere and affectionate, Ruan Mian couldn’t help but laugh. "Zhu’er, to me, we have long ceased to have any master-servant relationship; what we share is a deep sisterly bond, having lived and died together."

"In the future, if you ever talk about servant matters with me again, watch out—I might turn against you and then hinder your good match with Mr. Liu."

Her jest brought tears to Cui Zhu’s eyes. She had never dared to dream that she and the young lady would be sisters.

From a young age, fatherless and motherless, she was sold to the Ruan Mansion to serve the young lady, who was but a small child then, and they grew up together.

Back then, the young lady was meek in nature, yet always inherently kind and pure; thus, when she married into the Qi Mansion, she suffered many grievances for the young lady.

Yet as a mere servant, apart from taking care of the young lady to the best of her ability, she could do nothing else.

She could only watch as the people of the Qi Mansion bullied the young lady, and every time she stood up, she faced yet another brutal beating.

Luckily, the young lady eventually came to understand; she seemed to transform into another person, leading everyone out of their predicament, facing adversity with indomitable spirit.

She also taught herself the skills to survive, giving her a different perspective and pursuit in life.

All this is thanks to the young lady, hence the gratitude in Cui Zhu’s heart towards the young lady is something she will remember for life.

Ruan Mian seeing the emotional scene about to unfold, quickly interrupted them.

"In any case, if you and Mr. Liu decide to be together, for us, it is a joyous occasion."

"It’s just that the current circumstances aren’t suitable for organizing your wedding ceremony. Could we wait until the flood completely subsides, and all disaster victims are settled, then we..."

"Of course!"

Cui Zhu promptly spoke up, "For the young lady to agree is already a great gratitude. The wedding ceremony is just about the sense of occasion; we don’t really need it."

"Certainly not, every girl dreams of a wedding ceremony. Since I’ve decided to marry you, Zhu’er, I’ll make sure nothing is lacking."

"I’ve also saved up some silver, and I’m strong and healthy, working with Miss Ruan will ensure we won’t go hungry!"

Liu Shu’s words reassured Ruan Mian completely.

Seeing the loved ones around her finding their happiness, Ruan Mian was naturally pleased, just like when Ruan Qing and General Huo got married previously.

Though nowadays General Huo isn’t with Ruan Qing every day, everyone’s eyes could see their happiness.

She only hoped Cui Zhu could, like Ruan Qing, find someone whose eyes are full of her.

She didn’t stay in the epidemic area for long; after undergoing a series of disinfection processes, she changed into clean clothes and returned to the house.

Yun Xiu had already waited for her at home for quite a while, eager to share his "victory outcomes" when she arrived.

"Sister Mianmian, the relief envoy’s family has suffered greatly; cleaning the outhouse’s sewage isn’t such an easy task. I had water poured from our underground passage, and it all overflowed."

"And as for Zhang Rong’er, the rash on her face is almost disfiguring; she’ll have to endure quite a hardship."

Ruan Mian smiled helplessly, "When you told me your best idea was to ’blast’ the outhouse!"

Yun Xiu scratched his head embarrassedly, as long as making them suffer was enough.

Just as they were about to speak, Ruan Qing suddenly knocked on the door with a serious expression.

Upon entering, Ruan Mian noticed her unusual demeanor, "Ruan Qing, what has happened?"

"Sister, the child... is missing."

"I’ve already had people search all around the house, but there’s no trace, and many inquiries have been made, yet no one has seen the child’s whereabouts. How could such a child disappear without a trace?"

Upon hearing this, Ruan Mian furrowed her brow slightly.

"When was the child noticed missing? What about his mother?"

Ruan Qing hastily replied, "It was only when the woman came crying to me that I knew. She said that when she opened her eyes this morning, the child was nowhere to be seen; usually, the child sleeps beside her."

"Upon inquiry, she also doesn’t know what happened last night and didn’t feel anyone enter the room. All in all, she opened her eyes, and the child was gone."

This was quite strange.

Ruan Mian couldn’t understand who would steal a newborn baby, especially in her Ruan Family’s premises.