By the time the car reached its destination, the two of them had even fewer words to say than before.
Jiang Li was preoccupied. She held the gift bag on her lap so tightly that it was wrinkled.
Several times she wanted to ask about Ruru's condition, but the words got stuck in her throat.
She could sense that Qiao Jinrun didn't want to say much.
The car stopped in a narrow alley that could only allow a car to pass through. Only then did Qiao Jinrun look up at Jiang Li. "We're here."
Jiang Li's wild thoughts came to an end. She nodded solemnly, opened the car door, and got out, looking around at the surroundings.
This was indeed a very old residential area.
The buildings here were not very tall. They were densely packed together. The paint on the walls had peeled off, showing their age.
Jiang Li hesitated and asked, "Dr. Qiao, is this your home?"
"Yes. My parents and younger sister live here." Qiao Jinrun replied naturally. "I usually live in a rented apartment in the city center of Beicheng. It's more convenient for work."
He opened the trunk, which was filled with some vegetables, fruits, and a carton of milk.
"Let's go."
Seeing that he was carrying so many things, Jiang Li offered to help, but he refused. "You're a girl. You don't need to do this."
"In my family, neither my mother nor my sister needs to do physical work. It's a rule."
Hearing this, Jiang Li pursed her lips.
She had never had such a privilege.
Since she could remember, Jiang Li had taken on most of the housework at home. She also had to take care of her good-for-nothing gambling father and her lazy younger brother.
Her mother told her that this was the responsibility she should bear as the eldest sister and as a woman.
It was a lie to say that she wasn't envious of Qiao Jinrun's family.
"You're a good brother," Jiang Li said seriously after a two - second pause.
There was a smile in Qiao Jinrun's eyes. He said casually, "Ruru used to say the same thing."
"Let's go upstairs."
He said it so casually that Jiang Li didn't notice the word "used to".
The apartment was so old that there was no elevator.
And Qiao Jinrun's family lived on the sixth floor.
Finally, they reached the sixth floor. Noticing the fine sweat on Jiang Li's forehead, Qiao Jinrun felt a little apologetic. "Sorry for making you climb so many stairs."
"It's okay," Jiang Li waved her hand. Her tone was light and humorous. "It's just like exercise. Climbing stairs is good for shaping and losing weight."
Qiao Jinrun couldn't help laughing. "Seriously, you don't need to lose weight. Your figure is already perfect and beautiful."
Jiang Li was not modest at all. "Thank you for the compliment. I deserve it."
As if he didn't expect her to be so proud, Qiao Jinrun shook his head helplessly. "Big star Jiang, you're completely different from what the media reported."
Jiang Li blinked her eyes. "How did they report about me?"
"Understanding, gentle, generous, humble, and low - key," Qiao Jinrun said meaningfully. "It seems that we really can't completely believe the media."
The real Jiang Li was more like a little girl. She was afraid of injections because of the pain. She could be proud and a bit willful.
Qiao Jinrun walked to the door, freed one hand, and knocked on it. A few seconds later, the door opened, and a slightly overweight middle - aged woman walked out.
"Jinrun, you're back?"
Qiao Jinrun called out, "Mom, I've brought a friend to see Ruru."
The middle - aged woman quickly pulled Qiao Jinrun and Jiang Li into the house, invited them to sit on the sofa, and then quickly carried the vegetables and fruits into the kitchen.
Jiang Li quickly glanced around the house. It was a two - bedroom, one - living - room layout. The living room wasn't very big, and it already seemed a bit crowded with just a few people.
"My mother's surname is Xie. Her name is Xie Yumei. You can just call her Aunt Xie," Qiao Jinrun said.
Jiang Li nodded.
When Xie Yumei came out with hot water, there was a warm smile on her face. "What's your name, girl?"
Obviously, she didn't recognize Jiang Li.
"My mother doesn't watch much TV," Qiao Jinrun explained.
Jiang Li could tell.
The TV in the living room was an old model, and there was a layer of dust on the set - top box. It didn't seem like it was often turned on.
"Aunt Xie, my name is Jiang Li. You can just call me Xiaoli," she said gently.
"So you're Jiang Li," Xie Yumei slapped her forehead suddenly and couldn't help laughing. "I know. You're a star. My daughter has liked you since you debuted."
"Is it Ruru? Where is she now?" Jiang Li shook the gift bag in her hand. Her smile grew wider. "I brought her a gift. I hope she'll be happy."
As soon as she finished speaking, Xie Yumei's expression became a bit unnatural. She glanced at Qiao Jinrun sitting beside her.
"Ruru is in her room. I'll take you to see her," Qiao Jinrun finished the water in his cup and got up slowly.
Jiang Li, who had just relaxed, felt her heart tighten again.
When they pushed open the door and saw the girl lying on the bed, Jiang Li suddenly realized why Qiao Jinrun always used the word "used to" when talking about his sister.
"Ruru was in a car accident when she was eleven. Now she's in a vegetative state."
She stood there stupidly at the door, looking at the little girl with her eyes closed, lying on the bed calmly, as if she was sleeping.
Sleeping in a sleep from which she would never wake up.
Time kept passing, but she was forever trapped at the age of eleven.
Jiang Li felt her eyes sore and her eye sockets swollen. She lowered her eyes. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
Her voice was calm, but there was still a faint sob. She murmured, "I was even planning to come here and play games with Ruru."
"Sorry," Qiao Jinrun took off his glasses, rubbing his temples. "I just didn't know how to tell you. I was afraid you'd think I was lying to you."
He walked to the desk, took out a pink cartoon diary from the drawer, flipped to a page, and handed it to Jiang Li. "But she really liked you."
Jiang Li took the diary with a trembling hand. The childish and cute handwriting on it read, "Sister Jiang Li is so beautiful. I want to be like her in the future."
The date was four years ago.
At that time, Jiang Li had just debuted. Because of her first movie, she won the rookie award of that year and was in the limelight.
From this short sentence, Jiang Li could almost see Ruru writing these words seriously.
An innocent little girl's longing for growing up, for life, and for the future.
Jiang Li sniffed. Her voice finally couldn't help but choke. "Why did you read a little girl's diary without permission? It's so impolite."
Qiao Jinrun: "..."
This girl was really cute sometimes.
When leaving the bedroom, Jiang Li placed the teddy bear she had brought on Ruru's bedside, the place closest to her.
"I heard that at night, the teddy bear by the bedside will turn into a knight to protect the sleeping princess," Jiang Li gathered her emotions. Her words were full of blessings. "It will definitely protect Ruru well."
"Yes, it will."