Sweet Rebirth: The Little Healer

Zhao Nuanyang was very grateful for He Qiang’s guidance over the past two years, which was why he had made such rapid progress.

”Alright, I’ll definitely be there when the time comes.” He Qiang nodded, patting Nuanyang’s shoulder. ’By then, Zhao Nuanyang will probably have become my junior brother.’

Zhao Nuanyue said her goodbyes to them both and then led her younger brother and sister back to their room to rest.

Zhao Nuanyue lay in bed, unable to fall asleep for a long time, her mind restless.

Little Red Carp’s eyes were also open. She couldn’t sleep either, feeling uneasy about leaving Nianqiao Village to live somewhere else. She said slowly, ”Sister, let’s go say goodbye to the Old Dragon King!”

”Okay, I’ll take you right now.” Zhao Nuanyue nodded. Even though the Old Dragon King was already gone, their current good fortune was all due to his grace.

This was a fact they never dared to forget.

So, Zhao Nuanyue brought Little Red Carp inside the Dragon Palace, where the two of them knelt before the Old Dragon King’s stone statue and kowtowed three times.

The statue in the Dragon Palace was completely unharmed.

”Sister, I’m actually a little reluctant to leave this place,” Little Red Carp said slowly, her eyes red. ”I remember many years ago, I was just a tiny little carp, bullied by other big fish. I stumbled upon this place by accident. At first, I didn’t dare get close, but I stayed at the edge and watched the Old Dragon King bring blessings to the local people. Later, slowly, I also gained some merit, especially after I saved a child who had fallen into the water. After that, the Old Dragon King awakened my spirit, taught me how to cultivate, and I gradually grew up. I don’t remember my own parents. In my heart, the Old Dragon King is my father, though I don’t have that honor or right.”

Listening to Little Red Carp’s story, Zhao Nuanyue could picture a pitiful little thing cautiously swimming back and forth outside the Dragon Palace. She could also imagine the scene of the Old Dragon King enlightening Little Red Carp as a reward for her good deeds.

All of this was a matter of fate and serendipity.

Zhao Nuanyue couldn’t bear to leave Little Red Carp behind—such a lovable child. So she said gently, ”Little Red Carp, you have taken human form now. You can go and experience the splendors of the mortal world. After we blocked the underground river’s exit last time, a wisp of the Old Dragon King’s Divine Thought told you that the Spiritual Energy is thin now. You no longer have the chance to transform from a carp into a dragon. He also hoped you would have different experiences, which is also a form of cultivation. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to spend this life with us, safe and sound?”

Little Red Carp threw herself into her sister’s arms, burying her head and saying nothing.

Zhao Nuanyue just held the chubby Little Red Carp, patting her on the back to soothe her.

Finally, Little Red Carp nodded. ”Yes, that’s what the Old Master wished for, too. He has already given me everything he could. I’m already so lucky to have become a person like this. Otherwise, I would just be an ordinary fish in the river with only a few memories, completely unaware that there are so many wonderful and interesting things in the world.”

”Mmm, that’s right!” Zhao Nuanyue kissed Little Red Carp’s ear. ”Come with me. I won’t feel at ease leaving you here alone. Besides, there will be more interesting and fun things to do in Jincheng City.”

Little Red Carp lifted her head from Zhao Nuanyue’s embrace, then looked at her cautiously and asked, ”Sister, will you love me forever? In this world, besides the Old Master, I only have you and Brother.”

”Of course I will!” Zhao Nuanyue said immediately. ”Nuanyang is my brother, and you’re my sister. We’ve struggled, fought, and laughed together. My life may only span a few short decades, but I promise you, I will always be good to you.”

Hearing this, Little Red Carp felt as if she had taken a calming pill. She kissed Zhao Nuanyue’s cheek and nodded. ”Sister, I will always be good to you, too.”

Zhao Nuanyue smiled, because she knew Little Red Carp would go with her, and they would never be apart.

”Then let’s go. I’ll bring you back when we have the chance in the future,” Zhao Nuanyue said with a smile. Holding Little Red Carp, she kowtowed again, and then they left the place.

Little Red Carp rested her head on Zhao Nuanyue’s shoulder, watching the Dragon Palace grow more and more distant, and tears fell from her eyes once more.

That night, Little Red Carp slept nestled in Zhao Nuanyue’s arms. Just before drifting off, tears still clung to the corners of her eyes.

Jincheng City was Zhao Nuanyue’s hometown, but this place was Little Red Carp’s.

Zhao Nuanyue knew she had to go back. For Little Red Carp, going to Jincheng City with her was the equivalent of leaving her home and roots behind. ’In the future, when I have money and it’s permitted, I will definitely come back to renovate the Dragon King Temple and restore its worship.’

「The next morning, Miao Dahai arrived at the entrance of the Dragon King Temple, driving his ox-cart.」

Yang Guanghui, Li Qiong, and the others helped carry all of Zhao Nuanyue’s and Zhao Nuanyang’s luggage onto the ox-cart.

”Nuanyue, have a safe trip!” Li Qiong said, her voice choked with sobs. ’My good friends are leaving, one after another.’

Zhao Nuanyue’s eyes were also red. She said, ”Li Qiong, keep it up! I’ll be waiting for you in Jincheng City. Remember what I told you, don’t ever forget.”

”I won’t forget,” Li Qiong nodded. ’Zhao Nuanyue has inside information, so of course I won’t forget. Especially since she left me her entire set of high school textbooks and some workbooks. I have to study hard.’

After that, Zhao Nuanyue said her goodbyes to Yang Guanghui, Old Sir Qian, Old Madam Qian, He Qiang, and the others. Then she climbed onto Miao Dahai’s ox-cart, which swayed as it slowly pulled away from the Dragon King Temple and Nianqiao Village.

Only when the small village was no longer in sight did Zhao Nuanyue finally pull back her gaze.

Little Red Carp took out a handkerchief and wiped her sister’s tears, saying, ”Don’t cry, Sister. We’ll come back in the future.”

Zhao Nuanyue’s tears turned to laughter. Now it was Little Red Carp’s turn to comfort her.

Hearing Little Red Carp’s words from the back, Miao Dahai chuckled and said, ”Aiya, Nuanyue, I still remember when you two first came to Labor County. I was the one who picked you up. Even back then, I thought you were a very sensible girl. It was later proven that you’re not just sensible, but also exceptionally smart. That’s why you’ve made so much progress and gained so much.”

”Yes, I remember you coming to pick us up too, Miao Dahai. It’s all so vivid, like it was just yesterday. I can’t believe two years have passed in the blink of an eye,” Zhao Nuanyue said with a smile. ”Time flies so fast. And just as you said, I received the care of many elders and a lot of help from you and Director Li. What makes me happiest is that Nuanyang has recovered his health and is just like a normal person now. And I even found a treasure—I gained such an adorable little sister!”

After speaking, Zhao Nuanyue planted a kiss on Little Red Carp’s fair and tender cheek.

Little Red Carp kissed her sister’s cheek in return, her big eyes crinkling as she beamed.

”That’s right. Two of you came, and three are going back,” Miao Dahai laughed. ”Little Red Carp is a fortunate one. Meeting you and Nuanyang means she’ll have a happy life ahead. After enduring some hardships in your youth, you’ll all have plenty of blessings in the future!”