Sweet Rebirth: The Little Healer

Gu Qingyu’s words made Zhao Nuanyue feel immensely happy.

”Yes, I’ll remember,” Zhao Nuanyue said with a light laugh. There was no trace of sadness on her face; as long as she could be with the person she loved, that was all the happiness she needed.

Maybe this was what it meant to love someone completely—to set aside all external hardships and simply cherish one another with a true heart.

After discussing Zhao Nuanyue’s situation, Gu Qingyu turned to Zhao Nuan Yang.

”Nuanyang, I heard from Old Yang that you’re working very diligently. He said you’re a quick study and hasn’t stopped praising you,” Gu Qingyu smiled at Zhao Nuan Yang. ”Since there aren’t any art schools available now, I arranged for you to do some work related to painting and calligraphy at the museum. My hope is that you’ll learn well from them. They are all people of genuine talent.”

”Thank you, Elder Gu. I will learn all I can from Teacher Yang and the other masters,” Zhao Nuan Yang said earnestly. ”Though I haven’t been there long, I genuinely enjoy the work. It has broadened my horizons and expanded my knowledge. In terms of technique, my Senior Brother He introduced me to my mentor, Master Hu, and I’ve made great progress. Everyone says I have a talent for painting, and since I love it, I’ll continue to devote myself to studying there.”

”Excellent!” Gu Qingyu nodded, deeply pleased. His efforts had not been in vain.

At that moment, an orderly brought in some snacks—four different kinds in total, all for Little Red Carp.

Little Red Carp ate while listening to everyone’s conversation.

Hearing Gu Qingyu’s praise, Zhao Nuan Yang smiled.

”Elder Gu, my brother brought a painting of his that he’d like to give you!” Zhao Nuanyue said with a light laugh. ”We were trying to figure out what gift to bring you, and Nuanyang suggested a painting. I hope you won’t find it too crude, but we would be honored if you could offer him some pointers.”

”Oh?” Gu Qingyu was indeed pleasantly surprised. ”Bring it out and let me see. I can’t say I can offer guidance, but if Nuanyang painted it, I must add it to my collection.”

Gu Qingyu was already speaking so kindly before he had even seen the painting, which made Zhao Nuanyue, Zhao Nuan Yang, and Little Red Carp very happy.

Zhao Nuanyue got up and helped her brother unroll the painting, spreading it out on the table.

Gu Qingyu stood up, walked over to the table, and looked at the plum blossom standing proudly in the snow.

He was silent for a long time, just looking quietly. The defiant spirit of the plum blossom touched his heart.

”A fine painting. I will certainly treasure it,” Gu Qingyu said slowly, patting Zhao Nuan Yang’s shoulder. ”Nuanyang, keep up the hard work. You have the potential to become a master of your generation!”

”I will work hard, Elder Gu.” Zhao Nuan Yang nodded. This was what he loved, and he was determined to study hard.

After they finished looking at the painting, the orderly came over just in time to tell them to come for the meal.

Little Red Carp had already eaten half of the snacks and was almost full.

”So, does Little Red Carp enjoy these snacks?” Gu Qingyu asked with a chuckle, taking her hand and stooping slightly.

”I do! Little Red Carp likes them very much.” Little Red Carp nodded. ”But I can’t eat them often. You can’t buy them outside. My sister can make snacks, but she can’t get the ingredients.”

Gu Qingyu was especially fond of Little Red Carp and said, ”Alright then. I’ll have someone send you snacks often, how about that?”

Hearing this, Zhao Nuanyue felt it was inappropriate and tried to object, ”Elder Gu, wouldn’t this be against the rules?”

”Haha, those are all from my personal ration. I can’t possibly finish it all. Giving some to Little Red Carp will make her happy,” Elder Gu said with a light laugh. ”Little Red Carp is a lucky little girl. Whoever she’s close to will have smooth sailing.”

Hearing this, Sun Haoran chimed in, ”That’s right. I’m fond of Little Red Carp, and my wife is even more so.”

”Little Red Carp is just so likable,” Gu Qingyu said with a laugh. ”In any case, I feel that ever since Little Red Carp came to the Dragon King Temple, everything has been going smoothly for us!”

Little Red Carp giggled. ”Then I won’t be called Little Red Carp anymore. I’ll just be Xiao Shunxin.”

”Haha, Xiao Shunxin isn’t bad either.” Gu Qingyu roared with laughter. During the meal, he had Little Red Carp sit beside him and constantly put tasty food on her plate.

Even though Little Red Carp had eaten a lot of snacks, she certainly wouldn’t pass up on more delicious food.

After the meal, they took a stroll around the courtyard. Then it was time for Gu Qingyu to rest. After all, he had to meet other people in the afternoon and needed to keep his energy up. So, Zhao Nuanyue, Zhao Nuan Yang, and Little Red Carp got into Liu Wenqiang’s car to go home.

”Liu, can you take Nuanyang and Little Red Carp home, and drop me off at the hospital?” Zhao Nuanyue said. She hadn’t visited Hua Yusen yet today.

”Sure thing!” Liu Wenqiang replied. ”Wait for me tonight. I’ll come pick you up. Don’t try to come back on your own; it’s cold and you’ll be tired.”

”Thank you, Liu,” Zhao Nuanyue said gratefully. She didn’t dare walk on the road alone after dark.

She already had her things ready in the car. When they arrived at the hospital, she got out and went inside.

Little Red Carp had eaten too much and was getting sleepy. She dozed off, but thankfully Zhao Nuan Yang was there to look after her.

Zhao Nuanyue arrived at the hospital to find both Feng Wanru and Hua Zhiqiang there today.

When Feng Wanru saw Zhao Nuanyue, her eyes warmed with enthusiasm. She smiled and said, ”Nuanyue, you’re here. It’s very cold outside, you should wear more.”

”Mm, yes, it’s freezing,” Zhao Nuanyue nodded. ”Aunt Hua, you should also take care of your health.”

’Brings prosperity to her family, her husband, and her sons. A truly blessed girl.’

Those were Master Yuan’s exact words.

Although Hua Zhiqiang didn’t speak, he also nodded at Zhao Nuanyue with a smile.

”There isn’t much news in today’s paper. I also brought a book to read to Hua,” Zhao Nuanyue said, taking out a newspaper and a book.

”Thank you for going to the trouble. What book did you bring?” Feng Wanru asked. She walked over, worried that Zhao Nuanyue might have brought something she shouldn’t, which could lead to trouble.

Zhao Nuanyue held up the book and smiled. ”It’s a book on military strategy, *The Thirty-Six Stratagems*. It has specific case studies and doesn’t involve any messy politics, so it should be fine, right?”

”Yes, that’ll be fine. These days, this is about the only kind of book one can read,” said Feng Wanru, who knew more about these things due to her work in cultural affairs. ”I have some books as well. I’ll bring them for you next time to leave in the ward, so you can read to Yu Sen.”

”Okay,” Zhao Nuanyue agreed with a nod, then began to read the newspaper.

Seeing that Zhao Nuanyue had arrived, Feng Wanru and Hua Zhiqiang left.

Once outside, Hua Zhiqiang said, ”Let’s settle their marriage quickly. I went to pay my New Year’s respects to Elder Gu yesterday, and he mentioned it as well. It’s clear he holds Zhao Nuanyue in high regard, which is very rare.”

”I’ve already asked Master Yuan to help match their birth characters and calculate an auspicious date,” Feng Wanru said. ”Let’s get this settled as soon as possible, so we won’t have to deal with the Li family’s gossip and rumors.”

”Exactly!” Hua Zhiqiang nodded, his mind completely made up. The very sight of the Li family and their hypocritical posturing made him furious.

The New Year of 1975 passed in a flurry of activity.