Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 123 - 122 Slow in Speaking

Chapter 123: Chapter 122 Slow in Speaking

In Tang Garden, small bridges sprawl over flowing water, intricate carvings decorate the eaves, and bamboo trees cluster together, their beauty captivating. The begonias are indisputably the most abundant sight. Some trees still bear fruit, their bright red orbs filling the air with a sweet and sour aroma.

Upon arrival at Yiran Courtyard, the wall is covered with withered climbing roses and the bamboo on the right sways gently in the wind. To the left, several towering ginko trees cluttered with sparse golden leaves – the ground underneath is layered with a carpet of the same color. The main path, made of bluestone, is flanked by dozens of Four Seasons Begonias, their branches filled with clusters of light red flowers. Under the eaves hang cages, each one housing a cheerful bird. Outside one of the red-painted windows hangs an exquisite cage, home to the Ten Brocade Sparrow.

Despite the vibrant scenery, there is an artificial air and it feels like something is missing.

Inside the house, Chu Hanyan has just finished her breakfast and sits idly on a Luohan Bed, hugging her toy, Yanzi. Seeing the visitors arrive, she turns away. Despite her seemingly vacant gaze, Chen Afu notices the redness around her eyes – she looks deserted.

Zhui Feng, recognizing Chu Hanyan, lets out a loud squawk and tries to approach her. Afraid that it may frighten Chu Hanyan, Dabao quickly restrains it, saying, "Just greet Yan’er from a distance, don’t scare her by coming too close."

Meanwhile, Qi Qi and Hui Hui, unable to contain their excitement, fly onto the Luohan Bed and chirp incessantly at "Yan’er".

Mrs. Song gives Chen Afu a meaningful glance, silently implying, "Our girl is still sulking."

Chen Afu moves closer and squats down, saying, "Oh, are you still upset with Aunt Chen and Dabao? Let’s move past our differences so we can keep you company again."

Chu Hanyan doesn’t turn her head but pouts slightly, her chubby hand clenching the doll’s arm as she mumbles, "Birds... flew away, Auntie, Dabao... also flew away."

Chen Afu laughs, "Auntie and Dabao don’t have wings, how could we fly away? Even if we did, we’d never want to leave you ... unlike ..."

She had almost mentioned Jin Bao’s name but remembering his pettiness, she instead says, "... unlike Qi Qi and Hui Hui, who bolted for the wilderness as soon as they got the chance."

Only then does Chu Hanyan turn her head, glancing at Chen Afu and then Dabao before finally resting her gaze on Chen Afu, she pouts and says, "Auntie, Dabao, scared... scared you’ll fly away." Upon finishing her sentence, her bottom lip quivers and her eyes well up with tears.

Chen Afu’s heart shatters, she hurriedly pulls Chu Hanyan into an embrace, "Yan, don’t worry, Auntie and Dabao won’t fly away. We won’t leave you." She turns to Dabao, "Did you hear that? Yan’er is scared we’ll leave her."

Dabao quickly takes Chu Hanyan’s hand and swears, "Yan’er, don’t worry. I won’t fly away. I’ll always be there for you." He then adds solemnly, "Forever."

Chu Hanyan looks at Dabao and manages a slight smile. Immediately after, she burrows back into Chen Afu’s arms, pressing her head into Chen Afu’s chest.

Chen Afu, feeling helpless, says, "Auntie made a delicious dessert that you’ll definitely love."

Mrs. Song hurriedly interjects, "She just had a meal and shouldn’t eat anything else yet. It won’t digest well."

Chen Afu responds, "It’s fine. These small snacks are easily digestible, and I won’t give her too many."

With Chu Hanyan nestled in one arm, Chen Afu uses the other to pull out a golden silk cake from her food box. The cake cut into small squares, barely two fingers in width.

The little girl’s nose works wonder. She pops out from Chen Afu’s hold, spots the golden silk cake, and mumbles, "Bird... Jin Bao." Saliva glistens at the corner of her mouth.

Chen Afu places the cake in her hand, "This is a golden silk cake. It’s very delicious - you should try it."

Chu Hanyan takes the cake and starts taking small bites.

Chen Afu seizes the opportunity to set her down. She wipes off the saliva trickling down the edge of Chu Hanyan’s mouth and suggests, "Zhui Feng can perform for us, let’s go watch it outside." She then leads the young girl outside.

From this moment on, Chen Afu will have to assume the role of a caregiver.

The first step was to get her outdoors more often, using her own two legs to walk around.

They sat down beneath a ginkgo tree, where sunlight filtered through the leafy gaps, casting warm beams all over them. It was a fine way to soak up some calcium.

Mrs. Song was somewhat skeptical about this approach. From her rural upbringing she knew that the sun was harsher in the countryside than in the city. What if a young lady from a well-to-do family were to darken her skin with the sun’s rays! However, Master had previously instructed her to follow Master Chen’s lead on everything pertaining to their young mistress. Hence, despite her doubts, she held her peace while instructing Miao’er and Qiao’er to drag over a few brocade stools.

Chen Afu then asked Miao’er to call over the Luo siblings as he thought their presence would add to the merry atmosphere.

Chasing Butterfly was creating much mirth as he cavorted and fumbled about on the golden ’carpet’, triggering a fit of giggles from the little ones. Tiny Qi Qi and Hui Hui, attempting to mimic their hilarious antics, brought even more cheer to the gathering.

Chu Hanyan had not deigned to watch Chasing Butterfly’s tomfoolery, having been engrossed in devouring her golden pastry. She then approached Chen Afu and shyly voiced her desire for more.

Breaking off another small piece of the pastry, Chen Afu cautioned her, "You can have a bit more, Yan, but not too much, okay? We must save some for Jin Bao, shouldn’t we?"

Accepting the sweet snack, Chu Hanyan responded in a questioning lilt, "Is Jin....Bao...fond of it?"

Chen Afu softly laughed, "Of course, he is! Everything that Yan likes, Jin Bao likes as well. That’s why he’ll come flying to us as fast as he can when spring arrives next year, so he’d be able to see Yan again."

Glimmers of joy sparked in Chu Hanyan’s eyes as tiny dimples bloomed on her face.

After enjoying the pastry, she did not ask for more, which only signified how much she was yearning for Jin Bao’s return.

In a short while, Luo Mei and Luo Mingcheng had arrived and Chen Afu had generously provided each of them with a piece of the golden pastry.

Pulling Chu Hanyan closer, Chen Afu tenderly brushed her hair and asked her, "Do you like swallows wearing floral dresses?"

Chu Hanyan cast an absent gaze at the swallow doll in her hand, only managing a faint, "Ah."

Chen Afu then pulled her closer into her arms, her hands clutching the doll, "How about Auntie sings ’The Little Swallow in Floral Dress’ for you, Yan? Dabao and Jin Bao love this song as well."

And so, she started to sing:

A little swallow dressed in flowers,

Each spring-time it comes our way...

All the while gently tapping to the rhythm of the song with Chu Hanyan’s hand holding the doll.

With its simple lyrics and cheerful tune, the song managed to captivate everyone except Chu Hanyan.

After singing the song several times over, it was only from the third round that the previously blank expression in Chu Hanyan’s eyes started to melt away, replacing itself with a slow-to-emerge, pure warm smile. Her eyes stayed fixed on Chen Afu throughout.

Seeing the little girl engrossed in the performance, Chen Afu decided to stop singing.

As soon as Chen Afu paused, Chu Hanyan’s eyes welled up again. She whispered, "More----please, slow down, Auntie."

The poor girl had apparently never listened to a song before.