Sweet Rebirth: The Little Healer

In an impoverished backwater like this, just getting enough to eat was a blessing. Adopting a child? Wouldn’t that just make life even harder?

A baby might not eat much, but they take up so much time. How would she work? Was she planning on taking the Little Red Carp with her everywhere?

Besides, it was already hard enough for an unmarried young woman with a simple-minded brother to find a husband. Now she’d picked up an infant to be her sister!

The burden was too heavy. No man would be willing to take that on!

After the meal, Zhao Nuanyue held the Little Red Carp, and with her brother and Hua Yusen in tow, went to the home of Li Guihua, the director of the Women’s Federation.

Li Guihua had also just finished her meal. Seeing Zhao Nuanyue arrive with a baby in her arms, she grew curious. After looking the child over, she realized it wasn’t one of the village kids and asked, ”Nuanyue, whose child is that?”

”Aunt Li, she’s one of ours now. She’s my sister,” Zhao Nuanyue replied. ”I found her by the river last night. Mr. Hua and I waited all night, but no one came looking for her, so I want to adopt her.”

”What?” Li Guihua exclaimed in shock. ”Good heavens, who could be so heartless as to abandon a child? Besides, you’re an unmarried young woman. How can you adopt an infant? How will you ever get married?”

As she said this, Li Guihua glanced at Hua Yusen, who was standing nearby.

”It’s fine. Last night, while I was sleeping, I faintly heard a child crying in the distance. I ran outside and found her by the river. We’re connected by fate, so I want to adopt her.”

Seeing how resolute Zhao Nuanyue was, Li Guihua still felt it was her duty as an official to try and reason with her. ”Nuanyue, raising a child isn’t like raising a dog or a cat. You have to treat her like your own sister and raise her to adulthood. That’s not an easy thing to do.”

’Even though she knew it wouldn’t be easy, Zhao Nuanyue would never give the Little Red Carp to someone else.’

”I know, Aunt Li,” Zhao Nuanyue answered in a clear, serious voice. ”The Little Red Carp is just a baby, and she’s very easy to care for, so I can raise her. I may not be old, but I’ve been raising my younger brother since I was a child. I can raise the Little Red Carp well.”

Seeing that Zhao Nuanyue was so determined and unwilling to change her mind, Li Guihua stopped trying to persuade her. She nodded and said, ”The child does seem fated to be with you. Since you want to raise her so badly, then you can care for her for now, at least until her family comes looking. We’ve been talking for a while now, and she hasn’t cried once. She seems like a sensible child, so she probably won’t be difficult to look after.”

”That’s right, the Little Red Carp is very well-behaved and adorable,” Zhao Nuanyue replied. ”She hasn’t cried at all since last night. Little Red Carp, say thank you to Grandma Li.”

”Thank you, Grandma Li,” the Little Red Carp said in a sweet, childish voice, a lovely smile gracing her face.

Oh, how older folks love a child’s smile. Li Guihua beamed. ”This child is so bright. She’ll have a promising future. I can process a temporary certificate for you to formalize the provisional adoption. If no one comes looking for her after three months, I’ll help you with the official adoption procedures and add her to your household registration. By the way, Mr. Hua, what are your thoughts on Miss Zhao adopting this little one?”

Hua Yusen smiled. ”I have no objections. If Nuanyue wants to raise her, then she should. The child is quite adorable, and I like her very much myself.”

Since Hua Yusen didn’t object, Li Guihua had no further worries and took them to the village office to get the paperwork done right away.

Miao Dahai happened to be in the village office. He had just returned from a patrol and was somewhat relieved to see that the water level in the village had dropped significantly. When he saw Zhao Nuanyue arrive with a child, he was in the mood to joke around.

When he heard that this was a child Zhao Nuanyue had found by the river, he was stunned. After examining the baby carefully and confirming she wasn’t from the village, he approved Zhao Nuanyue’s request to adopt her.

”Mr. Hua, you’re an educated man. Do you think the water level will rise again?” Miao Dahai asked, looking out at the gloomy sky. Though it wasn’t raining at the moment, dark clouds were gathering, and it looked like another downpour was imminent.

Hua Yusen glanced outside and said, ”I remember it rained heavily last year, too—even more than it has now—but I don’t recall the water level ever getting this high.”

”Exactly, I find it strange, too. It’s not just last year. A few years back, we had a storm that lasted for more than ten days straight, and even then, the water in our village didn’t get as high as it is now.” Miao Dahai sighed, worried that if the water continued to rise, it would endanger all of Nianqiao Village.

Listening to their conversation, Zhao Nuanyue reflected silently. ’Of course the water level is higher this year. It’s because the outlet of the underground river was washed open. Luckily, the Little Red Carp and I blocked it, which is why the water is slowly receding. Otherwise, the opening would have just gotten wider and wider, causing a massive flood in Nianqiao Village even without any more rain.’

”We shouldn’t dwell on it now. While the water level is lower, we need to organize the villagers to drain the fields as quickly as possible. We have to get as much water out as we can, or this season’s crops will be completely ruined,” Hua Yusen reminded them. This was no time for sighing.

Miao Dahai nodded repeatedly. ”You’re right. I’ll go get some men to start draining the water right now.”

Because of the heavy rain, the women were told to stay home, while every able-bodied man was called out to help drain the water.

After getting the paperwork for the Little Red Carp sorted out, Zhao Nuanyue headed back to the Dragon King Temple with her. On the way, however, the Little Red Carp secretly used her Spell to make the water in the fields flow toward the drainage ditches as much as possible.

The Little Red Carp remembered the Old Dragon King’s words clearly: bring blessings to the local people, do good and benevolent deeds. Not only would this help others, but it would also earn her merit!

The Spiritual Energy was thin here, so the merit she could earn was also small, but something was better than nothing! Every little bit added up, and it would all be useful eventually.

When they got back to the Dragon King Temple, Hua Yusen went out with Yang Guanghui and Zhao Nuan Yang to help drain the water. With Hua Yusen looking after him, Zhao Nuanyue wasn’t worried about her brother.

The few elderly people had to head to the livestock brigade, and Zhao Nuanyue, not feeling at ease, took the Little Red Carp and went with them.

By the time they reached the livestock brigade, it was pouring rain again, so everyone had to work indoors, chopping fodder.

But that was fine, too. At least it was cool today.

Zhao Nuanyue set the Little Red Carp down to play by herself and started helping the others with their work.

Though the Little Red Carp was tiny, her steps were steady. She toddled around the adults, helping to pass them bundles of hay.

”This little one is so well-behaved and easy to care for. I haven’t heard a single cry from her,” Old Madam Qian praised. She wiped her hands and stretched them out. ”Come here, Little Red Carp. Come to Grandma.”

The Little Red Carp happily ran over and threw herself into Old Madam Qian’s arms. ”Hello, Grandma.”

”Oh, my sweet little granddaughter,” Old Madam Qian cooed, her heart melting at the sound of the Little Red Carp’s sweet, childish voice.