Sweet Rebirth: The Little Healer

Li Qiong and Li Jianjun nodded. ”Yeah, we won’t give up. We’ll study hard.”

Yang Guanghui smiled. ”The best universities are in Jincheng City. If we all get in, we can meet up with the elders and our friends again.”

”Haha, that’s right. When the time comes, I’ll treat you all to authentic Jincheng City street food,” He Qiang said with a smile. ”Just think about what Nuanyue told us before—that things would gradually be set right and we’d get our jobs back. She was the one who kept encouraging us, so I also believe we’ll be able to take the big exam in the near future. You’ve all been working so hard for so long. Don’t give up.”

”Yeah, we’ll never give up.” Yang Guanghui nodded. He was holding in a breath of determination, vowing to make something of himself before returning home in glory.

Miao Dahai also prepared a full meal for the elders before personally seeing them off at the train station.

Before they boarded the train, Miao Dahai sent a telegram to Zhao Nuanyue.

As soon as Zhao Nuanyue got the telegram, she immediately arranged her work schedule and prepared to go to the train station with her brother and sister to welcome the elders.

”Nuanyang, once you greet Uncle He, take him directly to Master Hu’s place. Just say Master Hu has something important to discuss with him.” Zhao Nuanyue paused to think, worried that He Qiang wouldn’t be able to accept the fact that his wife had remarried. ”It’s best to have your master break the news to Uncle He and try to reason with him. Uncle He might actually listen to an elder, and it could keep him from going down the wrong path. If he tries to see his ex-wife and child, follow him. If Uncle He looks like he’s about to do something foolish, you have to talk him out of it.”

Zhao Nuanyang had been worried about this as well, so he nodded at his sister’s words. ”Yeah, I already spoke with Master. He also agreed it’s best to bring Senior Brother straight to his place. With him there, I’m sure Senior Brother will be able to control his emotions and handle this properly.”

”Good.” Zhao Nuanyue nodded. ”Let’s go, all together.”

At the train station, bustling crowds of people were waiting for the next train to arrive.

Zhao Nuanyue had written a large sign and held it high so He Qiang and the others would see it the moment they came out.

Little Red Carp couldn’t see, so Zhao Nuanyue was holding her.

But Little Red Carp was getting heavy. After a while, Zhao Nuanyue’s arms grew sore, and she had to put her down.

All Little Red Carp could see was a forest of legs.

There was no water here, so Little Red Carp couldn’t use her Divine Sense to get a better look.

Zhao Nuanyang and Zhao Nuanyue were craning their necks in anticipation when Zhao Nuanyue suddenly cried out in delight, ”They’re here! Uncle Qian! Aunt Qian!”

Hearing his sister, Zhao Nuanyang joined in, shouting ”Senior Brother! Senior Brother...!” even though he couldn’t see anyone yet.

Zhao Nuanyue and Zhao Nuanyang’s voices were a bit loud, drawing looks from the people around them.

But no one seemed annoyed. They understood the excitement of finally spotting the people you’ve been waiting for. They would have shouted with excitement too, if they were in their shoes.

”Nuanyue! Nuanyang! The two of them came to pick us up!” He Qiang, laden with bags, scanned the crowd from the exit. ”Qian, Madam Qian, please help each other for a moment. My hands are full, so I can’t assist you right now.”

Old Sir Qian and Old Madam Qian also heard Zhao Nuanyue and Zhao Nuanyang’s shouts and looked over in the direction of the sound.

Their hearts surged with emotion. They were finally back in Jincheng City.

”Ah, you’ve worked so hard, Xiao He. You’ve been the one carrying the luggage this whole time,” Old Sir Qian said gratefully. ”The train ride was exhausting, but with you running around for us, it was much easier.”

He Qiang smiled. ”We’ve been through thick and thin together. There’s no need for such formalities. Let’s not stand here blocking the way. Let’s go, let’s get home.”

At that moment, He Qiang had no idea that the home he was so eager to return to was already gone.

It took them a while to get through the crowd, but the three of them finally emerged.

Zhao Nuanyang vaulted over the railing to help his senior brother with the bags. ”Senior Brother, the master mentions you constantly.”

”I’ve been an ungrateful disciple, making Master worry,” He Qiang said, deeply moved. Thinking of his teacher made him feel both happy and sad. ’I have to take good care of him from now on,’ he resolved.

Zhao Nuanyue held Little Red Carp’s hand with one hand and tightly gripped Old Madam Qian’s with the other.

The aides following behind hurried over to help with the luggage.

”Uncle Qian, Aunt Qian, welcome back,” Zhao Nuanyue said with a smile. She was thrilled, and she knew the two elders standing before her must be as well.

They were finally home.

”We’re back... we’re finally back.” Tears streamed down Old Madam Qian’s face, her heart a tangle of emotions.

She was happy to be home, but at the same time, she was overcome with immense grief. Her son was dead. He would never be coming back.

”Grandma Qian, Little Red Carp is happy you’re home,” Little Red Carp said, tilting her little face up toward the crying woman. She felt sad too, but some things had already happened, and there was nothing she could do to help.

’I hope I can help take good care of them from now on.’

Looking at Little Red Carp, Old Madam Qian was reminded of her grandson, still in the Northeast, and her heart ached with longing for him.

”Come here, let Grandma give you a hug.” Old Madam Qian reached out for Little Red Carp. ’Such an adorable child.’

Hearing this, Zhao Nuanyue quickly intervened. ”Aunt Qian, Little Red Carp is so big now, and she’s a bit heavy. Even my arms get tired holding her, so you shouldn’t try. Here, let me take that package for you, and you can hold her hand instead.”

Old Madam Qian looked at how much Little Red Carp had grown and realized she probably couldn’t carry her either. She smiled. ”Alright, then I’ll walk with Little Red Carp.”

After squeezing through the throng of people, they finally made it outside.

The three of them didn’t leave right away. Instead, they tilted their heads back, squinted, and gazed up at the sky.

The sky was just as blue, the wind just as gentle, but they knew that everything had changed.

He Qiang was happy to see Zhao Nuanyue, her brother, and Little Red Carp, but deep down he felt a pang of disappointment. He hadn’t seen his wife and son.

’Maybe my son is at school, or my wife is at work. They probably didn’t have time to come.’

He Qiang comforted himself with this thought and felt a little better.

Liu Wenqiang pulled up in the car, and Zhao Nuanyang asked, ”Senior Brother, which bags are yours?”

”That big bundle is mine,” He Qiang replied. ”It’s full of things we’ve saved up over the years. Not only did Miao refuse to take anything from us, but he also gave us some local mountain delicacies.”

”Haha, that’s good stuff,” Zhao Nuanyang chimed in, loading everything into the car Liu Wenqiang had brought. ”Senior Brother, get in! We’re going to see Master!”

”Huh?” He Qiang was taken aback. ”I’m covered in dust from the road. Let me go home and wash up first, then I’ll go pay my respects to Master.”

Zhao Nuanyang pulled He Qiang toward the car, thinking it was best for Master to be the one to talk to him. ”Master won’t mind,” he insisted. ”Hurry up and get in.”