Chapter 405: Chapter 404: My Heart Aches For You

Once the newspapers came out, the story began to blow up.

Reporters swarmed the school, and some parents went to demand an explanation.

After about three days, the school issued a response.

The school cafeteria staff was completely replaced, the vice principal was fired, and the principal received a formal demerit. For all the children affected by the incident, the school would cover their medical expenses and waive their cafeteria fees for the rest of the semester.

Xue Yue found this outcome acceptable. She was relieved now that the staff members involved had been fired.

Shiyi was fine now, too. Ruanruan teased him, "What is with you? Last time you were carried off and almost got lost, and now you get food poisoning. How are you so disaster-prone?"

Shiyi cupped his little face in his hands and sighed. "Tell me about it. I’m lucky I’m tough. This life of mine is a precious one, you know. I thought I was being careful enough. Who would’ve guessed something like this could happen? I didn’t even know uncooked food could be poisonous."

Ruanruan scoffed, "I think you’re just a dummy. Have you never eaten green beans before? When have we ever given you raw ones? And you just foolishly ate so many. I heard lots of the other kids didn’t eat them and were perfectly fine."

Shiyi gave an awkward, sheepish smile. "Heh, I didn’t want to eat them at first, but I saw everyone else was, so I did too. Besides, didn’t Mom tell us not to waste food?"

Ruanruan gave him a disgusted look. "Ugh, you just copy everyone else. You have no mind of your own. And now you’re trying to use ’not wasting food’ as an excuse? Food has to be cooked before you can eat it!" 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"Alright, stop picking on Shiyi. He already feels bad enough. Just be more careful next time," Daya said, her heart aching as she looked at him.

When Daya found out Shiyi had such a close call just from eating a meal, she was scared to death. She immediately suggested to Xue Yue that they have the two children come home for lunch, but Xue Yue refused.

"No one expected this to happen, but we can’t change everything just because we’re afraid of what might. It’s not just that we don’t have the time. Even if we did, every other child manages this way. Why should ours be special? The time spent traveling back and forth just isn’t worth it."

"What if I come back to bring them..."

Xue Yue cut Daya off. "I know your heart aches for Shiyi, but you have your own life and job. Ruanruan has always eaten at school, and hasn’t she been fine? We can’t abandon our principles just because we’re afraid of a ’what if’ scenario."

Xue Yue patted Daya’s shoulder. "Okay, listen to me. This was just an accident. A one-in-a-thousand chance."

Daya had no choice but to drop the matter.

Looking at Shiyi now, she still felt worried.

Shiyi said, "See? Daya is the one who feels sorry for me. You just make fun of me, even when I’m like this."

"Hmph, I’m not making fun of you. My heart aches for you too, you dummy."

Seeing him in that state earlier had scared Ruanruan badly, too. She was just thankful he was okay. With these things happening one after another, Ruanruan felt her heart couldn’t take such shocks, so she could only resort to teasing to remind him to be careful.

A little while later, Qin Haize arrived, with an aide behind him carrying several bags.

He walked right up to Shiyi, examining him closely. "I heard from your sister that you were poisoned. How are you doing now?"

Lying in bed, Shiyi replied listlessly, "I’m fine now."

Qin Haize’s brow furrowed. "Then how come you look so listless? Should I ask my grandpa to find another doctor to examine you?"

Seeing his concern, Shiyi managed a weak smile. "I’m really okay."

Only then did Qin Haize let out a sigh of relief. "That’s good. Seriously, how could something like this happen? My grandpa found out from the newspaper and was furious. He said there was a problem with the school’s leadership. When he heard from me that you were one of the victims, he had me bring you some health supplements. They’re all meant to help you build up your strength."

Shiyi glanced at the items on the table and said to Qin Haize, "Please thank Grandpa Qin for me. I’ll go thank him in person later."

Qin Haize smiled. "We’re all family here, no need to be so formal. I’ll talk to Aunt Xue in a bit and have her follow the instructions to prepare these for you. Hey, why don’t you start training in martial arts with Uncle Xiao Mo? You’d build up your strength and get really tough."

Shiyi shook his head. "Heh, no thanks. I’m in pretty good health."

He knew that Qin Haize trained with his aide every day, waking up just after six in the morning to practice before heading to school. Just thinking about it made Shiyi feel tired. ’I’d rather not put myself through that kind of torture,’ he thought.

Qin Haize leaned close to Shiyi’s ear and whispered, "I’m serious. I’m super tough now. Ten of your sister combined couldn’t beat me."

Qin Haize was referring to the time Ruanruan had given him a bloody nose. He had started practicing martial arts right after that. It wasn’t for revenge, but because he felt so humiliated. He was determined to become strong enough to protect himself—and the people he wanted to protect.

Shiyi’s eyes darted slyly. He turned his head and tattled to Ruanruan, "Sis, Brother Haoze says he wants to fight you. He even said ten of you combined couldn’t beat him."

Ruanruan raised an eyebrow and scoffed at Qin Haize, "You want to fight me?"

Qin Haize frantically waved his hands and explained, "I didn’t! I was just teasing Shiyi! Xiao Luoluo, how would I dare fight you? You’re my boss! I listen to everything you say, don’t I?"

Of course, Ruanruan was just teasing him. She huffed, "Good, you know your place."

Qin Haize grinned. "That’s right. I’m completely loyal to you."

Seeing this, Shiyi shook his head in disgust. "Brother Haoze, can’t you have a little backbone? All that training was for nothing. You’re like a mouse in front of a cat when you’re with my sister."

Qin Haize shook a fist at Shiyi. "A man’s fists aren’t for hitting girls. We’re supposed to protect them. But you, you little punk, just wait till you’re a bit older and see if I don’t beat you up for tattling on me. All those snacks and toys I’ve given you... my kindness was completely wasted."

Shiyi paused. He thought about the tank and airplane models Qin Haize had given him, along with all sorts of other toys that were impossible to buy in stores. He decided he’d better not get on his bad side.

He immediately switched to a placating tone. "Oh, Brother Haoze, I was just joking! You know me, don’t you? Besides, you brought me all these supplements. I’m so grateful I don’t know what to do!"

Qin Haize eyed him skeptically. "Really?"

Shiyi nodded vigorously. "Really! I like you the best!" ’...and your toys,’ he added silently.

Hearing this, Qin Haize laughed too. "That’s good. I’ll keep bringing you good stuff in the future."

Shiyi seized the opportunity to ask, "Brother Haoze, when can I see that new model fighter jet you were talking about last time?"

Qin Haize looked at Shiyi, suddenly starting to doubt the sincerity of what the boy had just said. ’This kid seems to have an ulterior motive,’ he thought. But faced with such innocent-looking eyes, he still answered, "I haven’t seen it yet myself. When I get it, I’ll bring it over for you."

Shiyi said, disappointed, "Oh, okay then."