Sweet Rebirth: The Little Healer

Seeing his mother like this, Hua Yulin smiled wryly. He looked at his father, who was still sipping tea and reading the newspaper, and asked, “Dad, aren’t you going to stop her?”

Hua Zhiqiang just lifted his head, looked at his bewildered second son, and said in a grave and meaningful tone, “Men handle outside affairs; women handle inside affairs. When it comes to matters at home, your mother has the final say.”

‘The truth was,’ he thought, ‘you can never win an argument with a woman at home over these kinds of things. It’s better not to say anything from the start, since no major problems will come of it anyway. My second son isn’t married yet. Once he is, he’ll understand the profound meaning behind it all.’

Hua Zhiqiang would never admit that he couldn’t win an argument against Feng Wanru and was simply unwilling to waste his breath on her.

Hua Yulin was baffled. ‘His father’s words seem to hold some deeper meaning!’

Hua Yulin was about to say more when he heard a commotion outside. He stood up, and through the glass window, he saw his older brother and sister-in-law, Zhao Nuanyue, arriving with Little Red Carp.

Hei Hu, the dog in the courtyard, saw Little Red Carp and immediately ran up to greet her.

Hua Yulin walked out to greet his older brother and sister-in-law. When his gaze fell on his sister-in-law’s pinned-up hair, his heart ached, though it was something he had expected.

‘They were finally together.’

Hua Yusen was delighted to see his younger brother. He quickened his pace and asked, “Yu Lin, how is everything at home?”

“Brother, don’t worry. Everything at home is fine,” Hua Yulin replied. “Sister-in-law, Nuanyang, Little Red Carp, Mom and Dad are inside! Hurry and come in!”

“Hua, hello!” Little Red Carp said with a giggle. “Long time no see.”

“Little Red Carp, long time no see,” Hua Yulin said with a smile, pinching her cheek. “Aunt Li made lots of pastries; I’ll go get them for you!”

Everyone knew she was a little foodie.

Hua Yusen and Zhao Nuanyue brought Little Red Carp inside. Hua Zhiqiang was already on his feet, and he said with a cheerful laugh, “Nuanyue, Nuanyang, Little Red Carp, you’re here!”

“Hello, Uncle. And Auntie?” Zhao Nuanyue asked with a smile, a gift from her master’s wife in her hand.

When Hua Zhiqiang saw that Zhao Nuanyue had her hair pinned up, and then noticed the way his son was looking at her, he understood what had happened. He chuckled and said, “Still calling me Uncle? It’s about time for a change, isn’t it!”

Zhao Nuanyue was a bit flustered but knew she would have to face this moment sooner or later.

“Dad, Big Brother and Sister-in-law’s wedding was postponed, and Sister-in-law has been very understanding and hasn’t held it against us. But you can’t skimp on the gift for the change of address,” Hua Yulin said with a laugh, easing the slightly awkward atmosphere.

Hua Zhiqiang burst into laughter. “I had it ready a long time ago,” he said. “We just didn’t have a chance to give it to Nuanyue because Yu Sen suddenly had to leave on a mission. Wait here, I’ll go upstairs to get it and tell your mother to come down.”

Zhao Nuanyue was deeply moved. Hua Zhiqiang’s attitude showed her that he had truly and completely accepted her.

“Thank you!” Zhao Nuanyue said gratefully, watching him go upstairs.

When Hua Zhiqiang got upstairs, he went to Hua Yusen’s room, where Feng Wanru was tidying up her son’s everyday clothes.

“Wanru, Yu Sen and Nuanyue are here with Nuanyang and Little Red Carp. Stop tidying up and come on down,” Hua Zhiqiang said. Looking at his busy wife, he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Her impulsive nature hadn’t changed one bit. “Oh, and I saw Nuanyue has her hair up. They’ve probably consummated the marriage, so we can’t pretend we don’t know. The wedding hasn’t happened, but they have the certificate. We should give Nuanyue the gift for the change of address now. Let’s have her do it today. It would be awkward to wait until she’s pregnant!”

When Feng Wanru heard that Zhao Nuanyue and the others had arrived, she stopped what she was doing. Her face broke into a wide smile. “You’re right, you’re right! The gift is on the dresser in our room. I’ll go get it. I can finish these clothes later.”

‘Feng Wanru had come to terms with things. Right now, nothing was more important than having grandchildren!’

Feng Wanru went to her room, retrieved the gift, and came downstairs with Hua Zhiqiang. She greeted Zhao Nuanyue warmly and even gave Little Red Carp a new set of clothes she had prepared as a present.

Hua Zhiqiang and Feng Wanru sat in the seats of honor.

Hua Yusen led Zhao Nuanyue to kneel before his parents. At a word from Feng Wanru, Aunt Li had already brought over two cups of tea. It was time for the daughter-in-law’s tea ceremony. After they drank the tea, she would truly be a woman of the Hua family.

‘Zhao Nuanyue felt no hesitation about kneeling and kowtowing to Hua Zhiqiang and Feng Wanru. They were Hua Yusen’s parents. They had given life to the man she loved most, raised him, and now he was her husband, her partner for life.’

“Dad, Mom, please have some tea.” Zhao Nuanyue took a cup from the tray Aunt Li held and presented it to Feng Wanru.

“Good, good!” Feng Wanru beamed, handing a box to Zhao Nuanyue. “Inside is the address-change gift. It’s what my mother-in-law gave me, and now I’m passing it to you. I hope you and Yu Sen will live in harmony and bless the Hua family with children soon.”

“Yes, Mom! Thank you.” Zhao Nuanyue reached out and accepted it, her heart filled with joy.

Next, it was Hua Zhiqiang’s turn to drink the tea and present his gift.

Although only immediate family was there to witness it, everyone treated the occasion with great importance. From this day forward, Zhao Nuanyue was the daughter-in-law of the Hua family, in name and in law.

“Nuanyue,” Feng Wanru said with a warm smile, “I had intended to arrange the wedding for you and Yu Sen as soon as possible. However, I went to see Master Yuan, and he said there are no auspicious dates for your wedding this year. He chose a date for you next year instead: the second day of the second lunar month, when the dragon raises its head. He says it’s a very good day. What do you think?”

“Mom, for a matter this important, it’s best for you and Dad to make the arrangements. My own mother isn’t here, and my master and his wife will go along with whatever you decide. So, we’ll have the wedding on whichever day you think is best,” Zhao Nuanyue replied softly, her tone perfectly obedient.

‘Feng Wanru had already presented it as a decision. Objecting now would only displease her.’

‘They already had the marriage certificate and she’d already formally addressed them as ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad.’ Zhao Nuanyue didn’t really care when the wedding ceremony was held.’

Zhao Nuanyue’s attitude and reply delighted Feng Wanru. Having such a sharp and perceptive daughter-in-law made her feel at ease, as if everything was finally falling into place.

“Alright then. I’ll go speak with your master one of these days, and I’ll also write a letter to inform your mother.” Feng Wanru was showing Zhao Nuanyue a great deal of respect. This was the way to win her daughter-in-law’s affection and ensure a harmonious home where all things prosper.

“Thank you, Mom!” Zhao Nuanyue said, grateful. She could feel Feng Wanru’s goodwill.

Once the simple ceremony concluded, Aunt Li said with a smile, “Master, Madam, it’s time to eat.”

“Excellent! Let’s eat,” Feng Wanru said with a smile. “This is the first meal since Nuanyue and Yu Sen got married. We must make it a feast and celebrate properly!”

Seeing his mother and wife getting along so harmoniously, Hua Yusen was also filled with happiness.