Sweet Rebirth: The Little Healer

In front of her daughter-in-law, Feng Wanru was a bit embarrassed, but in front of her son and daughter, she had no such qualms and asked for it outright.

”Mom, my sister-in-law made these for me. Besides, I’m going abroad and won’t be back for a long time. If you want some, you can just ask her to make it for you,” Hua Yufen refused flatly. ”And anyway, you’re the one who gave me this dark skin. My sister-in-law said it can be used all over my body!”

”You girl!” Feng Wanru was a little angry at her daughter’s words, but the thought that she was about to leave home and go far across the ocean made her let it go.

’Anyway, I’m old. It doesn’t matter if I use it or not. It’s better to let my young daughter have it.’

Hearing the exchange between his mother and sister, Hua Yusen recalled something Zhao Nuanyue had said to him earlier, and he finally understood her meaning.

’Young or old, every woman wants to be beautiful and cares about how she looks.’

”Mom, the face mask Nuanyue made is for younger people; it’s not suitable for your age,” Hua Yusen said. Seeing his mother’s even more disappointed expression, he quickly added, ”Mom, Nuanyue is learning from Madam Sun how to make a mask that’s suitable for your age. She just doesn’t have enough of the medicinal herbs right now. As soon as she has the ingredients and it’s ready, Nuanyue will personally bring it over to you.”

Hearing this, Feng Wanru’s spirits lifted as if she had just drunk a glass of cool water on a sweltering day. She chuckled and said, ”That sounds like a lot of trouble!”

”Well, since you think it’s too much trouble, I’ll just tell Nuanyue not to make it,” Hua Yusen teased, wanting to see his mother’s reaction.

”You blockhead!” Feng Wanru shot her son a glare and said huffily, ”That’s a gift for me from Nuanyue. You stay out of it. You know, the first time I met Nuanyue’s teacher, Madam Sun, I thought we were about the same age. I never would have guessed she’s actually nine years older than me.”

Feng Wanru had always thought she was well-preserved for her age, but she was nothing compared to Madam Sun.

”Haha, I was just joking. I didn’t realize you were so excited about it,” Hua Yusen chuckled. ”Alright, Mom, I’ll tell Nuanyue to speed things up. Now then, let’s not stay up any later. Everyone should get to bed.”

This incident made Hua Yusen realize Zhao Nuanyue’s masterful skill in handling her relationship with her mother-in-law and with the little nun.

’It wasn’t about expensive gifts, but about giving the perfect gift. That achieved twice the result with half the effort.’

The next morning, Hua Yusen went to see Hua Yufen off. Before she left, he said, ”Yu Fen, take care of yourself out there. Ambassador Liao is a steady pragmatist. You’ll learn a great deal under his leadership, so work hard.”

”I will, Brother.” Hua Yufen nodded, her heart fluttering with excitement. ’I can finally get close to him, and no one will think anything of it.’

”Your sister-in-law wanted to see you off, but she had to take Little Red Carp to a parent-teacher conference at her school, so she couldn’t make it,” Hua Yusen explained. It was a simple remark, but it was meant to prevent his sister from forming a bad impression of Zhao Nuanyue.

”Okay, I understand. Please thank my sister-in-law for me,” Hua Yufen said with a smile. ”Oh, and by the way, my sister-in-law is a good woman. You’d better treat her well from now on.”

”Yes, she’s wonderful,” Hua Yusen said with a proud smile. He patted his sister on the shoulder, looking at Fenfen, who was only a head shorter than him, feeling a deep sense of pride. ”And my little sister Fenfen is wonderful too. You’re all grown up now, and you’ll have to walk your own path. But if you ever come to a crossroads and don’t know which way to turn, you tell me, and I’ll give you advice. And if anyone gives you a hard time out there, you tell me that too. Me, Second Brother, and Dad—we’re your support. Don’t be afraid. Just be brave and move forward. Got it?”

Hua Yufen’s eyes turned red as she listened to her brother. She nodded firmly. ”I’ll remember, Brother. I’m leaving Mom and Dad to you. The Hua family is in your and Second Brother’s hands now.”

”Mm, you can rest assured,” Hua Yusen said in a solemn voice. ”As long as I’m here, I’ll make the Hua family stronger and stronger, a pillar of support for us all.” This was his promise to his sister, and the goal he was striving to achieve.

After watching his sister join her colleagues, Hua Yusen had a quick word with Ambassador Liao before leaving.

Hua Yusen didn’t have to report to Elder Gu today, and with his parents at work, the house was empty. Before he knew it, he had driven to Little Red Carp’s school.

He knew Zhao Nuanyue was inside for the parent-teacher conference before Little Red Carp’s summer break.

It wasn’t until nearly noon that the door to the kindergarten classroom opened, and the children began trickling out of the school gate.

”Little Red Carp, you were outstanding. All the teachers and your classmates praised you,” Zhao Nuanyue said, very pleased. ”But that just means we have to aim even higher in the future. We can’t get arrogant or complacent.”

Little Red Carp was not pleased. ’I’ve never been arrogant!’

’My sister is always nagging me. It’s so annoying.’

To change the subject, Little Red Carp sensed that Hua Yusen was nearby. She looked around and said, ”Brother-in-law is here.”

”Huh?” Zhao Nuanyue paused, following Little Red Carp’s gaze. A car was parked over there, and sure enough, it was Hua Yusen. ”Come on, let’s go. I’ll make you something delicious.”

”Hmph.” Little Red Carp was still sulking. ”You mean you want to make something for Brother-in-law, don’t you?”

Zhao Nuanyue didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. ’This little one has such a temper, and she just loves being the center of attention. With a personality like this, what kind of man will ever be able to put up with her proud, prickly attitude when she’s older?’

”Even if I am making it for your brother-in-law, are you saying you won’t eat any?” Zhao Nuanyue said in exasperation. ”Keeping score over every little thing at your age... what will you be like when you grow up? You can’t be like this anymore, understand?”

”HMPH!” Little Red Carp snorted, tilting her cute nose up at Zhao Nuanyue to express her displeasure.

Zhao Nuanyue was exasperated, but decided not to argue with her. ’I’ll just chalk it up to one of her ’cute’ quirks.’

Hua Yusen saw Zhao Nuanyue approaching, so he got out and opened the car door for them.

”Don’t you have work today?” Zhao Nuanyue asked. ”You’ve been away for so long, it might be good to go in early and get reacquainted.”

”I don’t need to. I’ll just start tomorrow,” Hua Yusen replied. ”Since I have the time, I know a place with amazing food. I’ll take you two to try it.”

The moment she heard this, Little Red Carp shot up from the back seat and draped herself over the seatback. ”Brother-in-law, you’re the best!” she declared.

Zhao Nuanyue covered her face. ’Little Red Carp is such a suck-up!’

’The offer of a little food was all it took for Little Red Carp to switch sides. A moment ago, she was huffing and puffing with a huge attitude at the sight of her brother-in-law!’

’Oh, whatever. I’m not going to stoop to her level.’

”Haha, of course your brother-in-law is great,” Hua Yusen chuckled. ”And Little Red Carp is great, too, for helping me take care of your sister. Well done.”

”Mhm, mhm! I’ll take even better care of my sister from now on,” Little Red Carp nodded eagerly, making a solemn promise to her brother-in-law.