Chapter 102: It’s Great to Have Sister Here
Chapter 102: Chapter 102: It’s Great to Have Sister Here
With Station Chief Liu’s escort, Zhao Nuanyue and Zhao Nuan Yang finally boarded the train. In addition to the package Xia Yingyu had prepared for her, Station Chief Liu gave them two large bundles filled mostly with everyday necessities—a reward of sorts for the siblings.
Although Zhao Nuanyue was worried about Hua Yusen, she felt a little more at ease after hearing what Station Chief Liu said. At the same time, it was as if she had found her backbone, found her organization, and she felt incredibly grounded. ’As long as I work hard to complete my missions, I can ask the organization for help if I’m ever in danger.’
She was no longer in that old, desperate situation, where her pleas to heaven and earth went unanswered. This was the reward for her return, for enduring this calamity.
The train pushed onward through the night, its wheels going CLACKETY-CLACK, carrying Zhao Nuanyue and Zhao Nuan Yang away from that troubled place.
Zhao Nuan Yang still had a dazed look in his eyes, but Zhao Nuanyue stayed right by her brother’s side, talking about life in Nianqiao Village—the flowers and grass, the fish, the paintings...
Gradually, the tension in Zhao Nuan Yang’s expression eased, replaced by a glimmer of anticipation...
Seeing her brother like this, Zhao Nuanyue couldn’t wait to return to Nianqiao Village.
Although there were disgusting people there like Wang Dadan, Li Siming, and Liu Lanhua, there were also genuinely good people, beautiful natural scenery, the mystical Underwater Dragon Palace Little Red Carp, and opportunities for her and her brother.
It was a place for them to start their lives anew, a place where their hearts could be free.
The train finally chugged into Labor County. After they disembarked, Zhao Nuanyue carried one bundle, while Zhao Nuan Yang carried the two large ones. He actually seemed quite relaxed and not tired at all, a testament to how much stronger the good diet of the past half-year had made him.
Zhao Nuanyue didn’t dare to linger. After leaving the train station, they ate a meal and had some soup at a nearby restaurant, then went directly to find Old Man Sun at the procurement station.
Old Man Sun was taken aback when Zhao Nuanyue mentioned Hua Yusen, but after seeing her letter of introduction, he asked no further questions. He simply found an ox-cart to take the siblings to Nianqiao Village.
Luckily, it hadn’t rained or snowed these past few days, so the road was relatively smooth. They arrived at Nianqiao Village not long after dark; it wasn’t safe to travel at night.
Zhao Nuanyue had intended to ask the driver to stay, but he said he had relatives in the village and would just spend the night with them.
So Zhao Nuanyue gave the man a packet of candy and one yuan as a thank you.
Returning to Nianqiao Village, breathing in the familiar smell of its earth and the faint, fishy scent from the water, Zhao Nuanyue felt a surprising sense of familiarity and peace.
Just as Zhao Nuanyue was lost in thought, Zhao Nuan Yang’s voice came from behind her: "We’re finally back..."
Zhao Nuanyue turned to look at her brother, her face full of pleasant surprise. She grabbed Zhao Nuan Yang’s hand and said, "Nuanyang, you’re talking! Yes, we’re back. I’ll be here with you. We’ll work together and paint together."
"Mm, okay. It’s so good that you’re here, Sis!" Zhao Nuan Yang nodded, showing his first smile since his injury. This was a good start.
It was too cold outside. Zhao Nuanyue knocked on the door and said, "Open up! It’s me, Zhao Nuanyue! I’m back!"
It was late at night. Inside, the few people who had just finished dinner weren’t sleepy yet, so they were warming themselves by a fire in the main hall of the Dragon King Temple. When they suddenly heard a knock on the door, their hearts skipped a beat. They jumped, thinking someone from the village had come to cause trouble again.
Without Hua Yusen and Zhao Nuanyue around, they felt very uneasy.
However, when they came out and heard Zhao Nuanyue’s voice, they finally relaxed.
"Oh! It’s Nuanyue, she’s back! I’ll get the door." The lively He Qiang, after his fracture had healed, had taken on the role of an errand runner. He helped Zhao Nuanyue and Hua Yusen take care of the elders and also taught Zhao Nuan Yang how to paint.
Everyone was also very happy. Finally, they wouldn’t have to eat the bland or strangely flavored meals made by He Qiang and Sun Haoran.
"Nuanyue, Nuanyang, what are you two doing back?" He Qiang asked, beaming. "We thought you wouldn’t be back until after the New Year."
Hearing this, Zhao Nuanyue gave a wry smile and said, "Something happened back home, and it wasn’t suitable for us to live there, so we came back. I’m starving. I’ll tell you all about it after I’ve had something to eat."
"Right, right. You must be tired from your journey. I’ll go start a fire for you," He Qiang said with a smile. ’These two must have gone through a lot, and probably nothing good. Better to talk about it on a full stomach.’
Zhao Nuanyue put their things in their room, then went with her brother to the main hall to greet the elders. "Elders, we’ll all be spending the New Year together this year. Let me go make some food first. We’ll talk about what happened after we’ve eaten."
"Ah, you poor child. Go on, hurry up," Sun Haoran said quickly. "We’ve already eaten, so you don’t need to make any for us."
"Okay." Zhao Nuanyue nodded. "Thank you for your kindness, Elders."
In the kitchen, Zhao Nuanyue saw some fish balls in the cupboard, so she made a cabbage and fish ball soup. She added chili powder, which made it very warming to drink.
"Sis, this is delicious," Zhao Nuan Yang said softly. "I like it here."
Zhao Nuanyue smiled, reached out, and patted Zhao Nuan Yang on the head. "I like it here too. We’ll live a good life here. When things settle down outside, we’ll go home."
"Mmm-hmm." Zhao Nuan Yang nodded, not mentioning their mother again.
Though he didn’t say anything, he understood completely.
’Zhao Jinghai hit me, but Mother is still with that man. It proves that in her heart, my sister and I aren’t important. At least, not as important as Zhao Jinghai and the baby in her belly.’
’Since that’s the case, I won’t mention Mother anymore. I’ll just cherish her memory in my heart. My sister and I will rely on each other.’
’This... this... is pretty good too.’
After she finished eating, Zhao Nuanyue boiled some water to wash up, changed her clothes, and then steeped a pot of chrysanthemum tea before heading to the main hall.
Zhao Nuanyue’s hair was still slightly damp, with drops of water falling from the ends. She sat down in front of the fire to warm herself and said, "I’m sorry to have worried you, Elders, and to have kept you waiting."
Zhao Nuan Yang didn’t sit down. Instead, he diligently served tea to the elders.
In the dry winter, it was indeed very pleasant to drink chrysanthemum tea while warming up by the fire. It was both thirst-quenching and soothing.
"Ah, chrysanthemum tea is so soothing. Everyone, have some," Sun Haoran praised. Here, where medicine and doctors were scarce, being able to drink chrysanthemum tea was a rare treat.
Gu Qingyu didn’t speak, but quietly drank his tea, waiting for Zhao Nuanyue’s story.
Old Sir Qian sipped his tea while calling to his wife, saying with a smile, "Now that Xiao Zhao is back, we’re in for a treat. This fragrant chrysanthemum tea is delicious and so soothing."
Zhao Nuanyue sat to the side, accepted the chrysanthemum tea her brother handed her, took a few sips, and said softly, "Thank you, brother."