Chapter 253: It’s Tiring, But I Gladly Endure It
Chapter 253: Chapter 253: It’s Tiring, But I Gladly Endure It
She couldn’t wait to get a sugar painting—she just had to have a red carp.
"Goodbye, Grandpa! Goodbye, Big Brother!" Little Red Carp said politely, waving her chubby little hand. "Sister, can we go now? Little Red Carp is hungry!"
"We can," Zhao Nuanyue smiled, then said her goodbyes to the old man and the young boy once more.
Once Zhao Nuanyue and the two children were far away, Mr. Huang turned to his grandson and said slowly, "You see? That little girl is clever, lively, and loves to play. Just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean other children feel the same. So, from now on, don’t be so quick to call people fools."
Leng Che pressed his lips together, then nodded. "Yes, Grandpa."
’Sigh, this child is just too serious.’
’But considering the Leng Family, it’s not surprising he turned out this way.’
’Sigh, it must be fate!’
This time, Zhao Nuanyue treated Liu Wenqiang to a meal. Afterward, she bought a red carp sugar painting, then went to her own house to continue cleaning, airing out her things, and letting in some fresh air.
That evening, she returned to Immortal Grass Hall and chatted with her master and Madam Sun about her day.
The next day, Zhao Nuanyue left Little Red Carp at home for Madam Sun to look after. She then took Zhao Nuanyang to his new job at the Capital Museum. Thanks to Sun Haoran’s connections, Zhao Nuanyang had been assigned directly to the department responsible for managing calligraphy and painting artifacts.
This was exactly what Zhao Nuanyang loved, and he was very happy to be working there.
Zhao Nuanyang was like any other person now, so Zhao Nuanyue was confident that her brother could do this job well.
"Nuanyang, you love calligraphy and painting, so while you’re working here, make sure you listen to your supervisor," Zhao Nuanyue instructed in a low voice. Her brother’s supervisor was a former patient of Sun Haoran, and the two families had a good relationship. He would look out for Nuanyang and tell him what he should and shouldn’t do.
"Okay, Sister, I’ll be sure to listen," Zhao Nuanyang nodded. "When I start earning money and get my salary, I’ll buy clothes for you and Little Red Carp."
Hearing this, Zhao Nuanyue smiled and nodded. "Alright, Little Red Carp and I will be waiting. By the way, if anyone bullies you, you have to tell your supervisor or tell me. Don’t just suffer in silence."
"I know, Sis," Zhao Nuanyang said with a smile. "I’m not that withdrawn teenager I used to be. I’m almost eighteen. I can protect you and Little Red Carp now."
’From this moment on, her brother had truly grown up and recovered.’
’He might be a bit stubborn, but he wasn’t a fool. He understood how the world worked.’
Zhao Nuanyue reached out and patted her brother’s shoulder, then said softly, "Nuanyang, you’re truly amazing."
After dropping her brother off at work, Zhao Nuanyue went straight to the hospital.
This time, Zhao Nuanyue didn’t ask Liu Wenqiang to drive her. After all, her master, Sun Haoran, had many places to go each day and needed the car. So, Zhao Nuanyue chose to ride her bicycle.
When she arrived at the hospital, Zhao Nuanyue began by washing Hua Yusen’s face and cleaning him up. Then she sat by his side and started reading the newspaper to him, guessing which articles he might like and reading them one by one.
When Feng Wanru arrived, she was greeted by the sound of a pleasant voice reading the newspaper from within the hospital room.
After finishing the newspaper, Zhao Nuanyue tidied up, preparing to leave.
She had to be at Immortal Grass Hall that afternoon to begin her apprenticeship.
Feng Wanru came in and asked, "Ms. Zhao, thank you for your hard work."
Everyone has a heart, after all. With Zhao Nuanyue taking care of her son so devotedly, Feng Wanru couldn’t bring herself to give her the cold shoulder.
"It’s no trouble, Aunt Hua," Zhao Nuanyue said with a light, humble laugh. "Perhaps the travel back and forth is a bit tiring, but I’m happy to do it."
Hearing Zhao Nuanyue’s words and seeing her earnest expression, Feng Wanru felt a warmth spread through her heart.
For her son to be in this state, yet still have a woman treat him this way, was a kind of blessing and fortune in itself.
"Heh, I still must thank you," Feng Wanru said softly. "You say you’re very fond of Yu Sen, but I don’t see any sadness on your face, nor have I seen you cry..."
Zhao Nuanyue wasn’t angered by Feng Wanru’s words.
Compared to the condescending disdain Feng Wanru had shown her in her past life, the fact that she could speak to her so calmly now was a significant improvement.
That in itself was a rare feat.
Because she cherished this chance, Zhao Nuanyue was always patient and cautious when dealing with Hua Yusen’s family.
"Not all sorrow needs to be expressed with tears and a sad face. I shed all my tears when I first heard that Hua had his accident," Zhao Nuanyue answered softly. "Instead of weeping, I believe the most important thing is to face the present and the future with composure. Besides, I’ve always believed that Hua is still alive and that he will definitely wake up. This answer may not satisfy you, but I want my actions and my patience to be the proof of my affection for Hua."
Feng Wanru was stunned by Zhao Nuanyue’s response. She had never expected her to say something like that.
From this speech, Feng Wanru could tell that Zhao Nuanyue was a woman with a strong mind of her own. She was also incredibly patient, knowing exactly what she was doing and how to do it. She was the type of person who would persevere until she succeeded.
A woman like that was a rare treasure.
"I may be Yu Sen’s mother, but even I have to face the possibility that he may never wake up. Aren’t you afraid? Don’t you have any regrets?" Feng Wanru asked, looking at Zhao Nuanyue intently, trying to read her true feelings from her expression.
"I don’t think about it that much. Perhaps in your eyes, if Hua Yusen never wakes up, he’ll become an invalid, but I don’t see him that way. As long as he’s still breathing, as long as his heart is still beating, he is alive. He is the man I love," Zhao Nuanyue said firmly. "A lifetime is a long time. Spoken promises aren’t worth much and aren’t always kept. I only believe in what I do from now on!"
These words were as much for herself as they were for Feng Wanru.
A parent’s love for their child is selfless; they would die for them in a heartbeat. But sometimes, that love can be utilitarian too.
Zhao Nuanyue had once taken a bullet for the man she loved, so of course she would continue to care for him. Besides, Little Red Carp had said that Hua Yusen wasn’t truly unable to wake up. Rather, thanks to Little Red Carp’s intervention, his body was slowly absorbing that Spiritual Power. Once he finished absorbing it, Hua Yusen would naturally awaken.
It was just a matter of six months to a year.
Zhao Nuanyue’s words left Feng Wanru utterly shaken.
’As long as he’s still breathing!’
’As long as his heart is still beating!’
’He’s still alive, and he’s the man she loves.’
In any other setting, Feng Wanru would have thought Zhao Nuanyue was being improper and shameless. But here, in her son’s hospital room, at a time when even she and her husband had all but given up hope, another woman was standing here, firmly declaring that the man lying in that bed was the one she loved, and that he would absolutely wake up.