Sweet Rebirth: The Little Healer

Zhao Nuanyue understood why a child as sensible and obedient as Little Red Carp was crying so miserably—it stemmed from a deep-seated insecurity. After all, Nuanyue was the only true family Little Red Carp had. So, when faced with the little girl’s tantrum, Zhao Nuanyue had to be even more patient than usual, hoping to dispel the fear and loneliness in her heart.

Zhao Nuanyue coaxed her for quite a while before Little Red Carp finally quieted down in her sister’s arms.

Her nose was red, her eyes were red, and her whole little face was flushed.

Zhao Nuanyue touched her cheek to Little Red Carp’s and whispered softly in her ear, ”Little Red Carp, are you afraid that if I leave, I won’t come back? Or do you think that now that I’m married, I won’t care about you anymore and will grow distant?”

Little Red Carp nodded and said earnestly, ”Yes. I’m afraid you won’t want me anymore, that you’ll grow distant and stop thinking about me! Even though you’ve said it so many times, my heart still feels empty. When I realized you weren’t back at noon, it hurt so, so much!”

Hearing her little sister’s words, Zhao Nuanyue knew Little Red Carp wasn’t joking. She was being completely serious. ”Little Red Carp, don’t be afraid. I’m here, and I’ll always be here! Even after I’m married, I’ll never ignore you. You’ll always be in my heart. Besides, now you have a brother-in-law, which means there’s one more person to dote on you!”

”Really?” Little Red Carp asked, only half-convinced. She felt herself becoming more sensitive and worried by the day. ”Did I make Brother-in-law mad by crying and making a fuss like this?”

Draped over Zhao Nuanyue’s shoulder, Little Red Carp peeked furtively at Hua Yusen behind them.

”Of course not,” Zhao Nuanyue soothed her gently. ”You’re just a kid, and it’s natural for you to be dependent on adults. Your brother-in-law isn’t angry, so don’t you be so sensitive, Little Red Carp! We’ll always be a happy family.”

”But... but where will you live after you’re married?” Little Red Carp asked, getting to the heart of the matter. ”I know that when a woman gets married, she has to go live with her husband’s family. If you go to live with Brother-in-law’s family, then only Brother and I will be left in this courtyard. Without your cooking, all we’ll have to eat is Brother’s rice porridge. I’ll waste away!”

Hearing this, Zhao Nuanyue hesitated. She felt a pang of uncertainty and looked toward Hua Yusen.

Hua Yusen understood immediately. Nuanyang had a history of being reclusive, and Little Red Carp was still so young; it was understandable that Zhao Nuanyue couldn’t bring herself to leave them to go live with the Hua family. So, Hua Yusen smiled. ”Nuanyue, don’t look so troubled. When we get married, we’ll stay with the Hua family for a couple of days to meet the clan, and after that, I’ll move in here with you. We can just go have dinner with my parents once a week.”

”Really?” Zhao Nuanyue was stunned. ”Can we really live here after we get married? Won’t your parents have a problem with that? And... won’t you feel like you’re a live-in son-in-law?”

After all, the Hua family was a prominent one. A move like this might invite ridicule.

”Heh, being a live-in son-in-law isn’t determined by whose house you live in! Don’t let your imagination run wild. Since I married you, that makes Nuanyang my little brother and Little Red Carp my little sister,” Hua Yusen said with a smile. ”Besides, Nuanyang is very introverted and only really opens up around his family. Little Red Carp is still too young to be away from you. While it’s not out of the question for them to move in with the Hua family, I think they would feel too restricted there. So, the best compromise is for me to move in here!”

Zhao Nuanyue was deeply moved by his explanation. The problem had been perfectly resolved.

”Brother-in-law, you’re the best!” A smile finally broke across Little Red Carp’s face, and her red-rimmed eyes twinkled with happiness.

”AHEM...” Hua Yusen coughed twice to cover his awkwardness. ”Little Red Carp, you know that when a man and a woman get married, they have to live together. That means your sister and I will be sharing a room. You’re a big girl now, so you’ll need to have a room of your own.”

”Uh-huh, I know that!” Little Red Carp nodded eagerly, beaming. ”I know! You two have to make babies!”

Little Red Carp just had to say the most shocking things!

”Ah?” Zhao Nuanyue’s face flushed red. Even though it was true, hearing her little sister say it so bluntly was still terribly embarrassing.

”Hey, it’s the middle of the day and I’m starving. I’ll take you all out to eat!” Hua Yusen said with a laugh, quickly using lunch to change the subject. ”Today’s lunch is to celebrate your sister and me getting our marriage certificate. We’re a legal couple now. From now on, I’m your brother-in-law, and you’re my little brother and sister. If you behave, I’ll praise you, but if you misbehave, I’ll discipline you.”

”Okay, okay! You’re our brother-in-law, so you have the same rights as Sister!” Little Red Carp was completely satisfied. Her sister was staying, her brother-in-law was moving in, and she was even getting cake for lunch. Her mood instantly lifted, and she’d completely forgotten how she’d been sobbing her heart out just moments before.

Seeing Zhao Nuanyue struggling to hold Little Red Carp, Hua Yusen extended his arms. ”Here, Little Red Carp. Let me carry you and give your sister a rest.”

”No, it’s okay!” Little Red Carp waved her hands dismissively. ”Sister, you can put me down. I can walk by myself!”

Zhao Nuanyue set Little Red Carp on the ground. She took her to wash her face and re-braid her pigtails, then called out to Zhao Nuan Yang. ”Nuanyang, hurry and get ready! Your brother-in-law is treating us today. We’re going to have a big feast and celebrate. No more crying in secret, okay?”

Zhao Nuan Yang nodded. ”I wasn’t crying. I was just sad because Little Red Carp was so upset!”

Zhao Nuan Yang would never admit that, just a moment ago, he had been just as insecure and upset as Little Red Carp. But he was older now; he couldn’t throw a tantrum and wail without a care in the world like she could.

Zhao Nuanyue didn’t call her brother out on his lie. Instead, she reached out and patted his head. ”You’re a good boy, Nuanyang. I know you’re strong!”

His sister believed him. Zhao Nuan Yang smiled. ’She actually believed me and didn’t realize I was lying.’ Suddenly, he didn’t feel so bashful anymore.

”You’re the best, Sister!” Zhao Nuan Yang said with a smile, his gaze shifting to Hua Yusen, who stood not far from Zhao Nuanyue. ”Brother-in-law is great, too. Thank you, Brother-in-law!”

”Don’t mention it. Now, let’s all go eat. We can’t let Little Red Carp go hungry!” Hua Yusen smiled. He loved Zhao Nuanyue, and by extension, he was more than willing to care for Nuanyang and Little Red Carp. ”Hurry up, you two. I’ll go start the car!”