Sweet Rebirth: The Little Healer

”Heh heh, Little Pan, why are you asking about that?” Uncle Xu’s eyes held a gossipy glint as he looked searchingly at the female guard. As the museum’s unofficial purveyor of inside information, he was extremely curious.

Seeing his question, the female guard blushed, a bit embarrassed. ”I almost fell out of a tree just now, and that young man saved me,” she explained. ”I want to thank him, but he didn’t tell me his name, so I came to ask around!”

”Oh!” The gossipy glint in Uncle Xu’s eyes intensified. ”So that’s what this is about!”

Although the female guard had only been working here for two months, she was very diligent and had already gotten to know everyone in the area. Seeing Uncle Xu’s intensely curious gaze, her face turned an even deeper shade of red.

”Uncle Xu, please just tell me,” she pleaded, looking at him expectantly. ”I’ll bring you a bottle of my dad’s prized wine tomorrow.” To get Zhao Nuanyang’s name, she was already resorting to a little sweet-talking bribery.

Even though she was blushing, the female guard stood her ground and didn’t leave just because of Uncle Xu’s teasing.

Seeing the young woman’s embarrassment, Uncle Xu decided to stop joking. ”That young man is an outstanding member of the younger generation here at our institution. His name is Zhao Nuanyang,” he said. ”He’s nineteen this year, and not married yet!”

Hearing Uncle Xu’s words, the young woman’s eyes grew brighter and brighter.

Not only did she learn his name, but she also heard that he wasn’t married.

Immediately, however, she grew anxious. ’Not being married is good news, but does he have a girlfriend?’

Even someone as bold as her was too embarrassed to press the question.

”Thank you, Uncle Xu! I have to get back to my patrol. I’ll see you tomorrow!” the female guard said with a smile. She gave a wave and took her leave.

”Heh heh, you be careful then, Little Pan,” Uncle Xu chuckled. ’If she shows up again tomorrow,’ he thought, ’she must be interested in that Zhao Nuanyang.’

’Ah, to be young!’

The female guard was extra diligent on her patrol that day. She was in such a good mood that she found herself unconsciously humming a little tune.

After returning home that evening, the female guard’s good mood still hadn’t faded. She snuck into her father’s study, filched a bottle of wine, and took it back to her room.

The next day, she brought it with her to work. Although it was winter, the morning sun was bright and clear. A female officer in a police uniform was wandering near the museum, and she presented the bottle of wine to Uncle Xu.

”Uncle Xu, I told you I’d bring you some wine. This is from my father’s private collection.” The female officer didn’t care in the slightest how much the bottle cost; all that mattered was whether she could get more information out of him.

When Uncle Xu saw the wine, he was stunned. ’Whoa, this is the good stuff! An ordinary family wouldn’t have a bottle like this!’

’This young officer must come from an impressive family!’

If it had been a bottle of ordinary *erguotou*, Uncle Xu would have accepted it without a second thought. But this was an expensive bottle, and he didn’t dare to take it.

”Little Pan, this wine is too valuable. You should take it back. I can’t possibly accept it,” Uncle Xu said. Although he was sorely tempted, he knew he couldn’t take it. Still, his eyes lingered on the bottle, full of reluctance.

Seeing him refuse, the female officer grew anxious. ”It’s really no big deal, we have more at home,” she said hurriedly. ”Don’t be fooled by the fancy bottle—it’s just regular *erguotou* inside.”

At these words, Uncle Xu’s eyes lit up. He chuckled twice. ”Well, in that case, I’ll accept it!”

Just as they were speaking, Zhao Nuanyang rode up on his bicycle to start his shift. He stopped at the gate, waiting for Uncle Xu to let him in.

After all, this was a museum filled with antiques and national treasures. Security checks began right at the main gate, with two more inspections required once inside.

”Well now, Xiao Zhao, you’re in early today.” Having accepted the female officer’s wine, Uncle Xu naturally had to start earning it. ”I hear you’ve been working hard. Be careful on your bike!”

Hearing Uncle Xu’s words of concern, Zhao Nuanyang smiled. ”Thanks for the reminder, Uncle Xu. I will be.”

As he spoke, Zhao Nuanyang noticed the short-haired female guard from yesterday.

”Hello, Mr. Zhao.” Seeing him look her way, the female guard grew a little nervous. ”I’m Pan Ling’er, the officer assigned to patrol this area. If you ever run into any trouble, feel free to find me.”

”Heh!” Zhao Nuanyang chuckled, recalling the guard’s ”heroic feat” from the day before. ”I don’t think I’ll have any trouble. I don’t have any cats that need rescuing!”

”Huh?” Pan Ling’er froze for a second, but when she saw Zhao Nuanyang’s smile, she realized he was joking. ”Heh heh...”

Uncle Xu had finished his inspection, so Zhao Nuanyang pushed his bike through the gate, nodding at both Uncle Xu and Pan Ling’er.

Pan Ling’er watched him go, mesmerized by his steady stride. She wanted to say something more, but the words wouldn’t come!

Still, Pan Ling’er was very satisfied. She knew Zhao Nuanyang’s name, where he worked, and she had even managed to speak with him. That was more than enough. From now on, during her daily patrol, she could see him at eight o’clock—the best time of day, just as the sun was rising.

At this thought, Pan Ling’er’s steps became lighter, and her mood grew even more cheerful.

And just as she’d hoped, Pan Ling’er made it a point to patrol near the museum around eight o’clock every day, and she saw Zhao Nuanyang almost every time. Each sighting was enough to keep her in a good mood for the rest of the day. On the rare occasions he had a day off, not seeing him would leave her feeling down all day long.

The simple-hearted guard didn’t yet realize this was what having a crush felt like; all she knew was that she wanted to see him.

Little Red Carp was on vacation from school, so she went with her sister to Immortal Grass Hall every day.

While Zhao Nuanyue was at work, Little Red Carp would stay by Madam Sun’s side.

With Madam Sun looking after her, Zhao Nuanyue could work without worry.

That evening, the four of them were sitting around the table for dinner. Zhao Nuanyue quickly put a piece of meat into her brother’s bowl. ”Nuanyang, what have you been so busy with lately?” she asked. ”You haven’t had a day off in three straight weeks!”

Zhao Nuanyang swallowed his food and replied softly, ”The museum recently acquired a lot of new artifacts, but many of them are damaged, and we have to restore them. The higher-ups want it all done before the end of the year, so I probably won’t get a day off until after the New Year.”

”Oh, so that’s why,” Zhao Nuanyue said with a nod. ”Well, make sure you eat more and take care of yourself!”

”Thanks, Sis.” Zhao Nuanyang accepted, eating the food his sister had placed in his bowl. ”It’s busy, but the museum director said we’ll be getting a big bonus and lots of benefits this year. We’re going to have a very prosperous New Year!”

Hearing this, Zhao Nuanyue and Hua Yusen exchanged a smile. Their family didn’t lack for anything, but they were still thrilled that her brother was earning his own money through his abilities.

”A prosperous New Year! A prosperous New Year!” Little Red Carp exclaimed, her voice full of cheerful praise for her brother’s contribution. ”Oh, boy! That means we’ll have lots of delicious food to eat!”