Sweet Rebirth: The Little Healer

”Don’t mention it, I just did what little I could.” Zhao Nuanyue continued what she was doing, making Li Qiong look absolutely perfect. Then, she helped Li Qiong change into the red coat, navy blue pants, and black leather shoes she had gifted her earlier.

Once she was all dressed, Li Qiong spun around in the room and asked, ”Nuanyue, am I ready now?”

”Yes, you’re all set. Now just sit on the edge of the bed and wait for Li Jianjun to come get his bride,” Zhao Nuanyue said with a grin. ”You must be hungry. I’ll go make you something to eat!”

”I’ll have to trouble you then. I am a little hungry,” Li Qiong said with a smile. ’I’ve got a busy day ahead of me,’ she thought, ’I need to eat plenty.’

But when Zhao Nuanyue got to the kitchen, Yang Guanghui and Zhao Nuan Yang had already made breakfast and even boiled several eggs for Li Qiong.

They gave the eggs to Li Qiong to eat and ladled half a bowl of rice porridge for her. They didn’t dare give her anything else, fearing it would be unlucky for her to need the restroom in the middle of the ceremonies.

After breakfast, just as Zhao Nuanyue finished clearing the dishes, a crowd of women and children arrived outside, chattering excitedly as they came to watch the festivities.

Zhao Nuanyue brought out several pounds of candy from the house and gave them to Little Red Carp and Zhao Nuan Yang to hand out to the arriving crowd, so everyone could share in the celebration.

Adults and children alike were even more delighted to receive the tasty candy, and they showered them with auspicious words.

Li Qiong had originally thought the villagers would go straight to Director Li’s house and that her own location wouldn’t be very lively. However, Zhao Nuanyue’s arrival had drawn a crowd to the Dragon King Temple, adding to its energy. As a result, her departure from the Dragon King Temple was also a bustling, festive affair.

Li Qiong was the bride, so she stayed inside. Zhao Nuanyue took charge of greeting the guests outside.

Around nine in the morning, Li Jianjun arrived with a group of young men from the village, marching over in a grand procession to fetch the bride.

To make the bride-fetching more lively and fun, Zhao Nuanyue had Little Red Carp, as a junior representative of the bride’s side, block the door. The rule was that Li Jianjun couldn’t enter and the bride couldn’t come out until he offered a gift, a playful challenge for him.

Li Jianjun scratched his head, not expecting to be challenged by Little Red Carp of all people.

In his haste, one of his buddies by his side gave him an idea. ”Jianjun,” he said, ”wait here. I’ll go find Director Li and have her prepare a red envelope. We’ll put some money inside for Little Red Carp. It’s both lucky and festive.”

”Yeah, yeah!” Before Li Jianjun could even agree, Little Red Carp started clapping her hands. ”I want a red envelope! I want a red envelope...”

Seeing that this was a way to get past Little Red Carp, Li Jianjun told his buddy to hurry up and do it.

Director Li wasn’t stingy. She quickly prepared a red envelope and tucked five yuan inside.

The young man took the red envelope and came speeding back on his bicycle.

Li Jianjun took the red envelope and handed it to Little Red Carp. ”Little Red Carp,” he said, ”now that you have your red envelope, you’ll let me pass, right?”

”Okay, okay!” Little Red Carp nodded. ”I took the money, so of course I have to do my part. I can’t go back on my word!”

”Haha!” Li Jianjun gave the red envelope to Little Red Carp. But just as he was about to rush in, she blocked him again. ”Little Red Carp, you said you’d keep your word! Let me in! Why are you still blocking the door?”

”I’m a kid, so I can say whatever I want without consequences. You shouldn’t take it so seriously!” Little Red Carp said, blinking her big, mischievous eyes and grinning at the flustered Li Jianjun. ’Oh boy, teasing the groom is so much fun.’

’Thinking about it now, Hua Yusen got off way too easy when he married my sister. That was a bargain for him. After the New Year, when my sister and brother-in-law have their wedding ceremony, I’ll have to come up with a few more challenges to make things difficult for my eldest brother-in-law.’

It was a joyous day, so he couldn’t get angry. Li Jianjun could only force a smile. Besides, Little Red Carp was so adorable that he couldn’t bring himself to scold her. So he asked in a gentle, coaxing voice, ”Little Red Carp, what do I have to do for you to let me pass?”

”Answer my questions to my and Ms. Li Qiong’s satisfaction, and I’ll let you in,” Little Red Carp said, deliberately adding this new condition.

’Just answering questions?’ Li Jianjun felt a wave of relief. ’That shouldn’t be too hard.’

”Alright, go ahead and ask. I’ll answer you seriously!” Li Jianjun said with a smile. He glanced at his watch; there was still enough time, so he wouldn’t miss the auspicious hour.

Seeing Li Jianjun’s good attitude, Little Red Carp was quite satisfied. She tilted her head in thought and then asked, ”Alright, listen carefully. My questions are very simple. First one: Why do you like my Ms. Li Qiong?”

”Ooh, that’s a great question! Answer it, answer it!” the village women urged, eager for some drama. They waited for Li Jianjun’s reply, their faces full of gossip.

They were all very excited, not just because of Little Red Carp’s creative questions at Li Jianjun and Li Qiong’s wedding, but also because the previously oppressive social atmosphere had left everyone feeling pent-up, unable to do this or that.

But now, this bold and entertaining wedding had given them a chance to let loose.

Li Jianjun’s face flushed red when he heard Little Red Carp’s question. He knew that it wasn’t just Little Red Carp and the guests outside who wanted to hear the answer—Li Qiong, inside, wanted to hear it too.

His future domestic harmony and lifelong happiness depended on this. So, Li Jianjun took it seriously, thought for a moment, and replied, ”Li Qiong is a good person. She’s good to her friends, good to her family, good to me, and good to my family. That’s why I want to be her husband, to cherish her, protect her, and grow old with her.”

Li Jianjun was usually very serious and introverted and didn’t talk much. For him to say such a long speech on a big day like this, in front of so many people—and a speech that was basically a love confession at that—made all the adults and children around them applaud and laugh.

Little Red Carp was strangely moved when she heard his answer. ’Though Li Jianjun and Li Qiong’s love isn’t some grand, earth-shattering romance, it’s like a trickling stream—gentle and everlasting.’

’But it’s not enough for just me to be satisfied,’ she thought. ’I have to ask if Ms. Li Qiong inside is satisfied too.’

”Ms. Li Qiong, are you satisfied with Jianjun’s answer?” Little Red Carp shouted toward the room. ”If you’re not, I’ll make him answer again!”

”Not satisfied, not satisfied, not satisfied!” The onlookers, hoping for an even more entertaining scene and funnier answers, all chimed in to object on Li Qiong’s behalf.

Hearing the jeers from his fellow villagers, Li Jianjun’s serious face looked like it was about to cry.

’Other people’s weddings seem so easy,’ he thought. ’You just fetch the bride, come back, drink with the guests, and then you’re off to the bridal chamber. But me? I’m being tormented not only by the adorable Little Red Carp at the door, but also by all the aunties and sisters-in-law from the village who are just here for the show.’

’They’re just here for the drama and don’t care how big it gets. They’re not considering this groom’s anxious feelings at all!’