Sweet Rebirth: The Little Healer

Hearing Miao Dahai’s words, Zhao Nuanyue, Zhao Nuanyang, and the Little Red Carp were all very happy.

”Yes, we’re very blessed,” Zhao Nuanyue said with a smile. ”By the way, Uncle Miao, I heard Aunt Li talk about Nianqiao Village before. She said that for thousands, or at least hundreds of years, the village has had favorable weather and been free from war, making it a blessed land. She also said the Dragon King Temple is several hundred years old and has blessed the local people. I think the reason Nuanyang, the Little Red Carp, and I are so fortunate is probably because we lived in the Dragon King Temple and soaked up some of its good fortune.”

’It really is because we were blessed by the Dragon King Temple,’ Zhao Nuanyue thought. ’I hope Miao Dahai will pay more attention to it after we’re gone.’

’If I hadn’t lived in the Dragon King Temple, how could I have had such a wonderful opportunity?’

Miao Dahai didn’t see Zhao Nuanyue as an outsider. She was a time-tested ”comrade-in-arms,” so he was happy to tell them about the Dragon King Temple in Nianqiao Village.

”Aunt Li didn’t lie to you. For a thousand, or at least hundreds of years, our village has truly been free of war, with favorable weather and simple, honest folk,” Miao Dahai said proudly. ”We have village annals, and it’s all recorded clearly. No lies. Our Dragon King Temple has also been here for several hundred years. It’s thanks to the Dragon King’s protection that our weather has been favorable and we’ve been able to live and work in peace.”

”But... but who smashed the statue inside the Dragon King Temple?” Zhao Nuanyue asked. ’If everyone believes this, why would anyone from Nianqiao Village smash the Dragon King Statue?’

’Wouldn’t that be repaying kindness with malice?’

Hearing this, Miao Dahai snorted coldly. ”Who else could it be? The only scum in Nianqiao Village are Wang Dadan and Li Siming. Back then, Li Siming was the accountant and wasn’t directly involved. Wang Dadan, trying to show off, brought his cousin’s husband and toppled the Dragon King Statue in the temple. That punk was killed by Li Shan. He met a bad end—it was retribution!”

Miao Dahai knew this full well in his heart and cared deeply about the Dragon King Temple.

”Wow, the Dragon King Temple really is powerful!” Zhao Nuanyue replied. ”Later on, when it’s allowed and I’ve earned some money, can we repair the Dragon King Temple?”

”Of course,” Miao Dahai said. ”As for the Dragon King Statue, Wang Dadan was originally going to smash it into gravel to pave a road, but the villagers stopped him, so he didn’t succeed. It’s been kept in a corner of the temple’s main hall ever since. Once the policies loosen up, I’ll rebuild the Dragon King Temple.”

Hearing this, the Little Red Carp was overjoyed. The Dragon King Temple was like the home she grew up in—both the one on the surface and the Dragon Palace below.

”Grandpa Village Chief, you’re the best!” the Little Red Carp said in her sweet, childish voice. ”You’re awesome!”

”Haha, even the Little Red Carp knows it’s a good place. Only those idiots and fools would call it feudal superstition and do something so crazy,” Miao Dahai said with a cold laugh. ”Evil is always repaid with evil; it’s just a matter of time. People need to be decent and have a conscience.”

”Yes, Uncle Miao. When you repair the Dragon King Temple in the future, you must let me know. I want to come help,” Zhao Nuanyue said with a light laugh. ”I’ll contribute money if I have it, or my labor if I don’t. I’m grateful for the kindness the Dragon King Temple and Nianqiao Village have shown me.”

Hearing Zhao Nuanyue’s words, Miao Dahai felt even more pleased. ”Nuanyue, it’s wonderful that you have such a heart!”

Along the way, Miao Dahai drove the ox-cart and chatted with Zhao Nuanyue. Thankfully, the cart had a canopy, so it wasn’t too cold.

Tang Kai Xuan sat on the ox-cart, listening to Zhao Nuanyue and Miao Dahai’s conversation. He didn’t speak, but instead listened intently, carefully observing the apprentice his master had taken in during his time of hardship. From Zhao Nuanyue’s words and actions, he could tell she was a remarkably slick and savvy woman.

’An outsider in the village, with a ’silly’ brother and an adopted little sister, yet she managed to thrive. That’s no simple feat. It’s definitely not special treatment she got just for being good-looking.’

When they arrived at the train station, Tang Kai Xuan had already bought the tickets.

Miao Dahai personally saw Zhao Nuanyue onto the train before getting off. Standing on the platform, he said, ”Nuanyue, Nuanyang, Little Red Carp, I wish you a safe journey. If you have time, send us a letter. We in Nianqiao Village will never forget your kindness.”

”I will, Uncle Miao. Thank you. We left in such a hurry that I couldn’t say goodbye to the other villagers. When I come back, I’ll be sure to apologize to them,” Zhao Nuanyue said, her voice choked with emotion. This was the place where her new life had begun.

It held so much of her joy, and so many of her tears.

The train started to move. Zhao Nuanyue and Zhao Nuanyang waved goodbye to Miao Dahai outside.

The train picked up speed, quickly pulling away from the platform. Miao Dahai’s figure grew smaller and smaller until it disappeared from sight.

At that moment, Zhao Nuanyue, Zhao Nuanyang, and the Little Red Carp all had tears streaming down their faces.

Tang Kai Xuan didn’t understand why Zhao Nuanyue and the others were so emotional, but he could imagine they must have gained something incredibly precious or had a profound experience in Nianqiao Village.

After a long moment, Zhao Nuanyue looked at her brother and sister, and then she smiled.

”Even if we’re reluctant to leave, even if we’re sad, this is all a precious experience and a treasure in our lives.” Zhao Nuanyue took out a handkerchief, wiped her own tears, then her brother’s, and finally the Little Red Carp’s. ”Don’t cry. As long as the three of us are together, we don’t have to be afraid of any hardship. We’ll live happily together.”

”Mhm, happily together!” the Little Red Carp said with a smile, clapping her chubby little hands. She kissed her sister’s fair cheek, then her brother’s handsome face. ”But do we have a home in Jincheng City?”

”Yes, of course we do. We even have a big house!” Zhao Nuanyue said. ”We can give the Little Red Carp a big room of her own.”

The Little Red Carp hugged Zhao Nuanyue’s neck and pouted. ”I don’t want a big room. I want to sleep with Sister. You’re warm, soft, and you smell nice.”

”Er...” Zhao Nuanyue thought for a moment. The Little Red Carp was still young. ”Alright then. When you’re a little older, you can have your own big room.”

”Mhm,” the Little Red Carp nodded. ”Sister is the best.”

Hearing their conversation, Tang Kai Xuan asked, ”Junior Sister, you have a house in Jincheng City?”

”Yes, it was left to us by my biological father,” Zhao Nuanyue replied. ”It’s in a very good location. We’ll go straight to my house today when we get back. It might be completely empty, but that’s okay. It’s my home.”

”You should just come with me to Master’s place. I’m sure his wife has already prepared rooms for you. Besides, your house isn’t going anywhere. It’s probably missing quilts and daily necessities. You can move back in after you’ve bought everything,” Tang Kai Xuan said with a smile. ”Don’t worry!”