Chapter 194: The Most Important Part of Life
Chapter 194: Chapter 194: The Most Important Part of Life
Zhao Nuanyue understood Li Qiong’s curiosity and wasn’t bothered by it.
"Heh, even if I worry, it’s no use. He still has to complete his mission," Zhao Nuanyue replied slowly, her expression serene. "Missing him is unavoidable, but I have my own life, too. You see, my brother Nuanyang is getting his health back, and I have my adorable little sister, Little Red Carp. My life has never been just about a man. The most important parts are myself, and my family."
Li Qiong was stunned by Zhao Nuanyue’s words.
’My life is never just about a man—I also have myself!’
’Myself!’
Li Qiong suddenly felt enlightened. The gloominess that had plagued her for days vanished, and she broke into a joyful laugh. "Nuanyue, thank you!"
"Huh?" Zhao Nuanyue was taken aback, completely puzzled. "What are you thanking me for?"
"I’ve felt so suffocated these past few days," Li Qiong said with a smile. "Even though I resented my family a bit, I still missed them. In the process, I forgot that the most important person in my life is me. I cared about my family, I cared about my friends, but I completely forgot about myself and lost my way. You’re right. Of course, I am the most important part of my own life."
"Heh, so that’s what it was," Zhao Nuanyue chuckled softly. "It’s wonderful that you’ve figured it out. You saw it for yourself—the people who came for Uncle Gu weren’t ordinary, which means his status must be quite high. He was always talking in private about how important education is, so you should study hard."
"Yes, I will." Li Qiong nodded. "I won’t let my youth go to waste."
Li Qiong returned to her usual cheerful self, and the Dragon King Temple was once again filled with laughter, the sorrow of recent partings beginning to fade.
「In the blink of an eye, the New Year was almost here.」
Li Guihua secretly brought Zhao Nuanyue half a sack of fine flour. "Nuanyue," she said with a smile, "the New Year is just around the corner. Keep this flour to make some steamed buns and pastries."
"There’s no need, Director Li. We have enough food at home," Zhao Nuanyue refused. "I can’t possibly accept this flour."
"What is there to feel bad about?" Li Guihua chided good-naturedly. "Our village has been so peaceful this year, thanks to you and Mr. Hua. Now that Mr. Hua is gone, the reward should naturally go to you."
"But that’s also to your and Miao Cunzheng’s credit. I can’t take all the glory," Zhao Nuanyue said humbly. "Really, it wasn’t just us."
"Alright, stop being so modest," Li Guihua said. "Miao Cunzheng told me to bring this, so just take it. There’s no need for such formalities between us. Now, I have other things to attend to, so I’ll be heading back. If you need anything, come find me. And by the way, make sure to lock up tight at night. Don’t just open the door for anyone."
Zhao Nuanyue tried to get Li Guihua to take it back, but she had already hurried away.
Li Qiong came in and saw the flour—a good thirty jin of it. "Where did so much fine flour come from?" she asked, surprised.
"Aunt Li brought it," Zhao Nuanyue answered. "She said it was a reward because Hua and I contributed to the safety of Nianqiao Village. But you know as well as I do that the peace in the village is really due to the competence of Miao Cunzheng, Director Li, and the other village cadres. I feel guilty accepting it. I tried to get Director Li to take it back, but she was already gone."
"Heh, that’s an easy problem to solve," Li Qiong suggested. "If Director Li won’t take the flour, you can use your skills to make it into pastries or steamed buns and give some to all the village cadres. If you like my suggestion, I can even help you. As far as village officials go, they’re actually pretty decent."
Zhao Nuanyue thought that was an excellent idea!
’Making them into pastries to give away would be the perfect New Year’s gift.’
So Zhao Nuanyue nodded. "Perfect. We have sesame seeds, red beans, peas, and red dates at home. I’ll make some flaky pastries. I’ll make a big batch so we can give some to each family."
"Right, I’ll help you," Li Qiong said happily, and the two of them got to work.
They let the dough rise, kneaded it, and prepared the fillings. The two women laughed and chatted as they worked, their time together feeling full and happy.
The next morning, Zhao Nuanyue and Li Qiong had managed to make two entire baskets of flaky pastries. Each one was the size of your palm. Old Sir Qian, Old Madam Qian, and He Qiang couldn’t stop praising them after a single bite. Little Red Carp and Nuanyang, for their part, simply couldn’t stop eating.
Zhao Nuanyue found some oiled paper and began wrapping them. She made packets of six pastries each. The families of Miao Cunzheng and Director Li would each get four packets; the families of Dong Sanshu, Wu Dazhu, and the two production team leaders would each get two.
As she watched Zhao Nuanyue wrap the pastries, Li Qiong asked, a bit hesitantly, "Is it okay to give them different amounts? Also, we’re only giving these to the village officials. Won’t that make us look like we’re trying to curry favor?"
Zhao Nuanyue couldn’t help but laugh. "Besides the village officials, who else are we familiar with in this village? Except for Liu Lanhua and Wang Cuihua, of course!"
Li Qiong thought for a moment. "No one," she admitted. "Everyone else avoids us. I wouldn’t say they hate us, but they’re definitely not close to us."
"Exactly!" Zhao Nuanyue nodded. "These are the people we interact with regularly, so it makes sense that they’re the ones we’d give New Year’s gifts to. Besides, since we’re girls, we can just go to Director Li’s house and ask her to deliver them to the others for us. That way, we won’t have to worry about gossip."
"That’s true," Li Qiong said with a smile. "Come on, I’ll go with you." She then placed the wrapped pastries into a basket.
Zhao Nuanyue bundled Little Red Carp up in thick clothes, wrapped her in a small cloak, and then carried her as they went out to make their visits.
The snow on the ground was thick. Since the people of Nianqiao Village rarely went out, the deep drifts weren’t an issue, covering the ground in a heavy blanket. Other children were playing in the snow, and Little Red Carp watched them with envy. But the moment her short little legs touched the ground, she sank up to her waist. It was best to just stay obediently in her sister’s arms.
When they arrived at Li Guihua’s house, Director Li’s son, Li Jianjun, answered the door. To Zhao Nuanyue and Li Qiong’s surprise, he was holding a high school math textbook.
Li Qiong smiled. "Well now, Jianjun, are you studying high school math?"
"Y-You’re here. Hello." Li Jianjun was flustered and quickly hid the book behind his back. "I was just... browsing. It’s nothing special."
"Haha, you’re so silly," Li Qiong laughed. "I was just teasing. I’m not going to run around telling everyone. And I suppose I shouldn’t tell *you* that I’m studying my old high school books, too. My grades used to be excellent, so if you get stuck on something, feel free to ask me."
A good-natured smile spread across Li Jianjun’s face. "Okay!" he said.
Li Guihua was inside, busy making cotton-padded shoes with her daughter. Hearing Zhao Nuanyue and Li Qiong’s voices, she came out with a warm smile. "My goodness, what are you two doing out in this cold weather? Oh, and you brought Little Red Carp! Hurry and come inside! Little Red Carp, come give Grandma a hug!"