Chapter 359: A Woman’s Choice, He’s Back
Chapter 359: Chapter 359: A Woman’s Choice, He’s Back
Faced with Zhao Nuanyue’s compliments and praise, a rare blush appeared on Madam Sun’s face.
"Don’t praise me so much. For people of my generation, it was basic for the man to manage external affairs and the woman to manage the home," Madam Sun said with a sigh. "Now, influenced by the idea that ’women hold up half the sky,’ women here have stepped out of their homes to work. Their status has improved greatly. Many women have even achieved excellent results in important positions, proving they are no less capable than men. This places higher demands on modern women. They must not only manage the home but also handle external matters. So, Nuanyue, I can only teach you about managing the household. As for the outside world, that’s something I don’t understand. You’ll have to learn that on your own."
Hearing Madam Sun’s words, Zhao Nuanyue thought about the things Madam Sun usually explained to her. It gave her a much better understanding of navigating social relationships and managing the inner workings of a household. She had learned a great deal. This experience would have a significant impact on how she handled things in the future.
Even Feng Wanru would praise Zhao Nuanyue endlessly after observing her conduct, often telling Hua Zhiqiang in private that Zhao Nuanyue carried herself with the grace of a great family!
"Thank you, Madam Sun. As you know, my mother has a gentle and frail nature, so she couldn’t teach me these things at all. All these years, I’ve just been gritting my teeth and pushing through, fueled by resentment. I didn’t handle many things properly. After listening to your guidance, I’ve come to understand that there are often other, more effective and tactful ways to resolve matters." Zhao Nuanyue spoke with ease, forgetting her worries about her master and Hua Yusen. At this moment, she felt nothing but gratitude for Madam Sun.
"I’m glad you find it useful. There’s still much to learn about the social customs and ways of doing things in a large household. I’ll teach you bit by bit in the future, so when you join the Hua family, you’ll be able to handle everything with ease," Madam Sun said with a smile. Suddenly, she thought of Cao Jingya, whom she had raised. "Sigh. You’re a smart child. You know what’s right and what’s wrong and can distinguish between them clearly. But your Second Senior Sister, Cao Jingya, is completely blind, her head full of mush. She used to be such a clever child, but then she met that man, lost herself, and didn’t hesitate to betray her own school and sect-mates. She might not regret it now, but she absolutely will in the future."
"You’re right, Madam Sun. A woman can have love, but she can’t lose herself in it," Zhao Nuanyue said. "I understand your kind intentions. Thank you."
Seeing that Zhao Nuanyue was an understanding person, Madam Sun smiled and said, "Alright, it’s getting dark, so I won’t keep you. You should hurry home. When you get back, tell Nuan Yang to come straight here for dinner after he gets off work tomorrow."
Zhao Nuanyue didn’t stand on ceremony with Madam Sun. She knew that whenever she came for a meal, she would be sure to bring something, so as not to affect the food budget for her senior brothers at Madam Sun’s home.
Sun Haoran was highly regarded by Gu Qingyu and was receiving more and more benefits. At the same time, Zhao Nuanyue brought over fish almost every other day, so the meals at Immortal Grass Hall were excellent.
Tang Kai Xuan, Liu Wenqiang, and the others were all especially fond of Zhao Nuanyue and her brother. They were particularly fond of the Little Red Carp. If she didn’t visit for a few days, someone would inevitably start nagging for Zhao Nuanyue to bring her over.
Zhao Nuanyue picked up the Little Red Carp and returned home. She had the Little Red Carp do her homework at the stone table while she started cooking in the kitchen.
Hearing footsteps outside, Zhao Nuanyue assumed her brother, Zhao Nuan Yang, was back. "Nuan Yang," she called out, "go out back and cut some Dragon Wisdom Grass!"
Normally, when Zhao Nuanyue said this, Zhao Nuan Yang would answer right away, but today, there was no reply.
Just as Zhao Nuanyue was about to turn and see why her brother was ignoring her, a hand suddenly grabbed hers.
"Ah?" Zhao Nuanyue cried out. "Let me go!"
"Nuanyue, it’s me." Hua Yusen’s voice came from behind her, his familiar scent enveloping her. "I came back late. I’m sorry for making you worry."
Hearing his familiar voice, the heavy weight on Zhao Nuanyue’s heart finally lifted. ’He’s finally back. I don’t have to be scared and worried anymore.’
"Hua, you’re back. This is wonderful," Zhao Nuanyue said excitedly, turning to hug Hua Yusen tightly. "I missed you so much after you left. I thought of you when I was eating, and I thought of you when I was sleeping!"
"Me too," Hua Yusen nodded, eagerly expressing his own longing through his actions. He wanted to show the girl before him that he had returned, safe and sound.
The Little Red Carp, who was doing her homework at the stone table, smelled the meat in the wok burning. The two of them were still lost in their lovey-dovey moment. In order to have a delicious dinner, the Little Red Carp decided to be the "big stick" that breaks up the lovebirds.
"The food’s burning! The food’s burning!" the Little Red Carp shouted from outside, not wanting to watch the scene of her sister and big brother-in-law reuniting.
Hearing the Little Red Carp’s shouts, Zhao Nuanyue’s eyes flew open. She gave Hua a hard push and said, "Let go of me! The food’s burning!"
"Haha!" Hua Yusen chuckled. "Let me help you then!"
Zhao Nuanyue turned her head and looked at the meat in the wok. It had turned black and was inedible. They could have had braised eggplant with pork, but now that the meat was burnt, they could only have stir-fried eggplant.
With Hua Yusen staring at her, Zhao Nuanyue’s face turned beet red, and she completely forgot how to cook. "Go to the lake and get some Dragon Wisdom Grass!" she said.
"Okay, okay!" Hua Yusen agreed and walked out of the kitchen.
The Little Red Carp saw her big brother-in-law emerge from the kitchen looking satisfied and smiling from ear to ear. She felt a little peeved. "Big Brother-in-law, did you bring a present for the Little Red Carp?" she asked.
"Ah?" Hua Yusen froze. He had forgotten all about that. He had been so busy with important matters, focused only on finishing quickly so he could come back, that he had completely forgotten to bring gifts for Zhao Nuanyue and the Little Red Carp. "Oh, I was in such a hurry, I left them at home. I forgot to bring them."
’Hmph. It’s obvious he never even thought about bringing presents.’
But, since Hua Yusen was her big brother-in-law, after all, the Little Red Carp decided not to expose his lie for her sister’s sake.
Under the Little Red Carp’s distrustful gaze, Hua Yusen beat a hasty retreat to the lake to cut the Dragon Wisdom Grass.
When Zhao Nuan Yang got home, he was also delighted to see that Hua Yusen was back. He had happened to pass a shop selling braised meat and bought some, which was perfect for a welcome-home meal for his future brother-in-law.
His sister and future brother-in-law were getting married in a month. As the wedding preparations were gradually completed, Zhao Nuan Yang was very happy, but also a little reluctant to let her go.
Lately, Zhao Nuan Yang had been coming home in the evenings, eating dinner, and then immediately starting to paint. He was creating a painting to give to his sister and brother-in-law as a wedding gift.
"Hua, my sister said she heard you’d be back in a week. How come it ended up being more than two?" Zhao Nuan Yang asked. Zhao Nuanyue had been curious about the same thing, but she had been too busy to ask.
At the dinner table, three pairs of eyes—Zhao Nuanyue’s, Zhao Nuan Yang’s, and the Little Red Carp’s—all turned to look at Hua Yusen.