Chapter 243: I Am the Master of My Own Life
Chapter 243: Chapter 243: I Am the Master of My Own Life
Zhao Nuanyue’s heart was filled with grief. Outside, she had put on a brave face, not wanting anyone to see her sorrow and sadness.
But now, with only her master before her—who knew all about her and Hua Yusen—Zhao Nuanyue no longer had to suppress her sorrow.
"Master, what exactly is Yu Sen’s condition?" Zhao Nuanyue asked, her choked voice making her look even more haggard. "I heard from Senior Brother Tang that Yu Sen is in a coma, but his body is otherwise fine, almost as if he’s just asleep."
"Yes, your Senior Brother Tang wasn’t lying to you," Sun Haoran nodded. "Hua Yusen is indeed in a coma, but he’s fine in all other respects. If it weren’t for the fact that he won’t wake up, he’d be no different from a normal person. You were the one he desperately wanted but couldn’t have before he fell into this coma. So you should spend more time with him, talk to him. Perhaps the stimulation will reach his brain, and he’ll wake up!"
"Yes, I will." Zhao Nuanyue nodded and said solemnly, "I will take good care of him until he wakes up!"
Seeing Zhao Nuanyue so devoted, Sun Haoran worried what would happen if Hua Yusen never woke up. Wouldn’t his disciple be plunged into even greater pain and sorrow?
’Sigh, life is so unpredictable. We can only take it one step at a time.’
’Besides, judging from Hua Yusen’s features, he doesn’t seem like someone who is fated for a short life.’
"As for the situation in Jincheng City, it has stabilized now. You don’t have to worry about being affected," Sun Haoran explained. "Elder Gu previously arranged a job for you at the museum. If you don’t like it, you can still talk to me."
Zhao Nuanyue thought for a moment and said, "Master, I’m studying medicine. Working at a museum... isn’t that a bit outside my field?"
"Haha, you’re right," Sun Haoran chuckled. "Elder Gu wasn’t clear at the time, and the people under him just went ahead and processed it. For now, just wait. In a few days, I’ll handle the paperwork to transfer you to my Immortal Grass Hall to work as an apprentice. Take it slow, no need to rush. By the way, have you read those books I sent you?"
"Thank you, Master!" Zhao Nuanyue nodded repeatedly. "Master, I’ve finished reading all the books you sent me, and I can even recite them from memory. It’s just that I haven’t seen many of the actual items, so I can’t always connect them. Transferring me to the Immortal Grass Hall as an apprentice is perfect; I’ll finally be able to learn all the medicinal herbs."
Hearing this, Sun Haoran was taken aback. He asked in astonishment, "Nuanyue, that was ten books. You can actually recite all of them from memory?"
"Yes, Master. I never lie." Zhao Nuanyue nodded. "If you don’t believe me, you can test me!"
Sun Haoran truly found it hard to believe. So many books, likely containing over a million words—how could Zhao Nuanyue possibly have memorized them all?
It was only after Sun Haoran quizzed her on several prescriptions and medicinal herbs that he finally believed that Zhao Nuanyue’s memory was truly excellent, and her comprehension was just as strong. Zhao Nuanyue then asked him several questions that were so insightful and profound that he was left completely astounded.
"What a good disciple," Sun Haoran said, pleasantly surprised. "Alright, I’ll get the paperwork done as soon as possible. For now, you can start by studying at the Immortal Grass Hall. Once you’re familiar with everything, I will teach you how to read pulses."
"Yes, thank you, Master," Zhao Nuanyue said gratefully. "By the way, this is a letter from Uncle He for you, and there’s another one for his family. After I visit Yu Sen, I’ll deliver it to them personally."
Sun Haoran nodded. "Good. It’s better that you go in person. Their address is still the same; it hasn’t changed!"
The master and disciple chatted for a long time. When Sun Haoran heard about all the things that had happened in Nianqiao Village after they left, he couldn’t help but sigh with emotion.
Good is rewarded with good, and evil is punished with evil.
Sun Haoran felt that he had been able to overcome this ordeal because of the good fortune he had accumulated from his years of practicing medicine with a benevolent heart and performing good deeds.
When Zhao Nuanyue went to Madam Sun’s to pick up Little Red Carp, Madam Sun was so reluctant to let her go that she wished she could keep the little girl with her.
Although these grandmas and aunties were very nice, Little Red Carp still liked her big sister the best.
Little Red Carp snuggled into her sister’s arms, giggling as she patted a pocket on her clothes. "Sister, there’s lots of stuff in here. I’ll give it all to you."
Zhao Nuanyue took the items out to have a look. Goodness, they were all silver bracelets, silver locks, and other similar trinkets. There were quite a few of them.
"Haha, these are all gifts for Little Red Carp. You’re still little, so your big sister will keep them safe for you," Zhao Nuanyue chuckled. Now wasn’t really the time to be wearing such jewelry. In a few years, when things were less strict, she could wear them.
"Okay!" Little Red Carp liked these little trinkets too. "Sister, how about we go to the temple fair tomorrow?"
"We can’t. Yu Sen is sick. He’s unconscious in the hospital, and I have to go see him." Zhao Nuanyue refused Little Red Carp’s request. "He’s the person I love, so for now, I can’t take you to the temple fair. When I’m done with my work, I’ll take you, okay?"
Little Red Carp remembered that back in Nianqiao Village, even though Hua Yusen often competed with her for her sister’s attention, he was actually very good to her. Every time he went to the county town, he would bring back little things that kids liked.
"Okay, then I’ll go with you," Little Red Carp nodded. "I want to see what’s wrong with him. Why won’t he wake up?"
After comforting Little Red Carp, Zhao Nuanyue was about to rest when she heard Zhao Nuanyang’s laughter coming from the east wing, so she went over to check on him.
"Nuanyang, why aren’t you resting yet?" Zhao Nuanyue asked. "You should get some sleep. I’m taking you all to the hospital tomorrow."
"Oh, okay, Sister," Zhao Nuanyang agreed, then carefully put his painting away.
’This little brother of mine is obsessed with painting!’
’But that’s a good thing. It’s much better than before, when he was dazed and withdrawn with his strange, autistic-like behavior.’
Lying on the soft bed with Little Red Carp snuggled up beside her like a little furnace, Zhao Nuanyue couldn’t fall asleep for a long time.
’I’m back!’
’I’m really back!’
’I’ve returned openly and honorably, with my head held high, proud and confident.’
Although Hua Yusen was in a coma and Zhao Nuanyue was very worried, she believed that someone as strong and capable as Hua Yusen wouldn’t be defeated by a setback like this. He would definitely wake up.
Returning to Jincheng City meant facing people and situations far more complex than anything in a simple place like Nianqiao Village.
’This time, my return has nothing to do with my stepfather, Zhao Jinghai!’
’This time, I was able to return with the help of my Master and so many others. It proves that all my hard work in Nianqiao Village wasn’t for nothing!’
’This time, I’ve brought back a healthy brother and a lively, adorable sister. I can build a home all by myself—a warm home that belongs just to me.’
’This time, I don’t have to be afraid anymore.’
Even if the road ahead was filled with difficulties, Zhao Nuanyue believed that as long as she worked hard, as long as she wanted to change things and strived for it, then change was definitely possible!
As she drifted off to sleep, a smile still lingered on Zhao Nuanyue’s lips.
A new Chapter of her life was beginning.
This time, Zhao Nuanyue could say with confidence, ’I am the master of my own life!’