Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 96 - 95: Willingly (for 300 monthly tickets+)

Chapter 96: Chapter 95: Willingly (for 300 monthly tickets+)

The maid and the old woman knelt in respect when they saw Chu Lingxuan and Manager Luo. One of the maids said, "Miss just woke up, Mrs. Wei is helping her get up."

Chu Lingxuan led Manager Luo into the master room, standing in the center and looking towards the east room. Bright sunlight streamed through the lattice window and shone on the bead curtain, rendering it colorful.

From the other side of the bead curtain, a feminine voice, neither crisp nor pleasing to the ear, but rather low and soft, lulling, came through. For the first time, Chu Lingxuan discovered that a woman’s low tone could be this pleasant.

The owner of the voice was conversing slowly with Chu Hanyan, her words ordinary, but her voice and tone were brimming with caring and casualness...

"...Ah, our Miss is indeed beautiful, such a sight. No other child compares to her, be it Jin Bao or Dabao, none of them can match her..."

When Chen Afu mentioned Jin Bao, Chu Hanyan’s eyes blinked, and she slowly murmured, "Bird—flew away."

Chen Afu laughed, "That bird is Yanzi, Aunt Chen named it Jin Bao," she giggled, then added, "Sounds like a rich peasant, doesn’t it? You think so too, Yan? Ah, you’re so smart. Jin Bao will be back by next spring. Don’t worry, it has a good memory. It will remember our home in Xiangluo village and the beautiful Yan. Yan, do you remember its laughter? Aunt Chen loves its laughter. It’s sweet, just like yours..."

Chu Hanyan woke to see Chen Afu leading Dabao into the bedroom. Unexpectedly, she extended her hand to Chen Afu to hold her. Chen Afu, left with no choice, had to take her from Mrs. Wei, dress her, and comb her hair.

Chen Afu speculated that the child’s sense of smell might be far more acute than she had anticipated. Even though she no longer smelled of agarwood, the girl still felt close to her. She must have smelled the agarwood residue in the storage space. This ability was something only animals like Qi Qi, Hui Hui, and Zhui Feng possessed. Only now, she realized, so did this child.

The saying is still true; when one door closes, another opens. Chu Hanyan’s sense of smell has surpassed that of an ordinary human being.

Chen Afu continued combing her hair while chattering away, seemingly unbothered by whether Chu Hanyan understood her or not. Occasionally, she managed to shift Yan’s attention and coax a word or two out of her.

Chen Afu came to recognize that the child’s autism wasn’t severe. The problem was that no one in her family communicates with her often. Her father was cold by nature, and her grandmother was calm and reserved. Some of the servants were evil-minded, while the rest who meant no harm wouldn’t dare make a ruckus in front of their master. Living in such a tranquil environment only made her more and more solitary over time.

If it had been addressed earlier, the symptoms wouldn’t have been so severe now. Poor child!

Chen Afu conveyed to Mrs. Wei, "So from now on, Sister Luo as well as the other servants looking after Miss should talk to her more, engage more; don’t let her surroundings be too quiet. This way she’s likely to retreat into her world. Only when her world becomes dynamic, vibrant, and full of life, does she stand a chance to blend in and grow lively. Believe me, Miss is a smart girl. She’ll perceive the care and kindness others extend..."

As she finished speaking, Chu Hanyan let out an "ah", her blank eyes darting over to her again.

Chen Afu laughed once more, "See, didn’t Aunt Chen tell you, Miss is indeed a smart girl. She knows Aunt Chen is praising her."

Dabao suddenly exclaimed, "Mother, now I understand why Yan’er would look at me but wouldn’t talk to me. It’s all because I didn’t talk to her enough. But, I’m a man, how could I be as talkative as you?"

After he finished speaking, he seemed quite troubled, causing Mrs. Wei and Qiao’er to start laughing. Even Chu Hanyan’s lips twitched into a smile.

Chen Afu chuckled, "Am I talkative? No, I was only chatting with Yan. What a lot of nonsense! Even Yan’er is laughing at you."

Yan mumbled an "ah" again.

A strange emotion surged in Chu Lingxuan’s heart. This woman was the only one who believed Yan was clever. She was the only one who treated Yan like a normal child. His own family, even him, his mother, his grandfather—they all felt disappointed with Yan, considering her a silly child who might never change. They loved her and wanted to protect her, but they had no idea how to make her happy.

However, this woman could elicit responses from Yan. Even her son and their bird could catch Yan’s attention.

Maybe, his daughter is indeed smart, but he failed to make her world vibrant and lively, to help her blend into society, to make her active...

Madam Chen, he must persuade her to willingly take care of Yan. Only when she’s willing could she truly care for Yan. The tender affection, the vibrant vitality she can give, coupled with seeming unintentional but full of wisdom communication and care, her voice that soothes, her random remarks filled with care, those are all things he and his house cannot offer Yan’er.

Therefore, she must willingly take care of Yan..."

At this moment, an old woman walked in to report, "Sir, the guests from the Capital City have reached the outskirts. They are likely to be here within half an hour. Manager Gui says that there are a total of seven members from the Marquis’ Mansion coming, including the old Marquis himself."

Chu Lingxuan turned to Manager Luo and said, "Uncle Luo, you handle that matter. Also, prepare Yan to meet the elders from the Capital City shortly."

He glanced at the vibrant bead curtain again, whispering something into Manager Luo’s ear.

Manager Luo bowed and affirmed, "Yes."

Then Chu Lingxuan left Yuetao Pavillion.

Only then did the people in the east room realize that Master Chu and Manager Luo were in the hall.

Chen Afu led Chu Hanyan, who was tidied up now, out of the bedroom, followed by Dabao and the rest.

"Grandpa Luo." Dabao called out first.

The birds, Qi Qi and Hui Hui in the courtyard heard their young master’s voice and immediately flew to the door to make some noise. Delighted, Dabao ran over and petted them.

Mrs. Wei sensed that her father-in-law might want some private words with Chen Afu, so she came over to hold Chu Hanyan, saying, "Yan, look, Qi Qi and Hui Hui are calling for you to come play."

Having had a good sleep, Chu Hanyan was calm as Mrs. Wei carried her into the courtyard to see Dabao and the parrots.

Only Manager Luo and Chen Afu were left in the hall now.

Chen Afu chuckled, "Manager Luo, I’ve finished making the sticky rice dates." She implied that their task was completed, and seeing that visitors arrived at the mansion, it was time for them to go home, right?

Manager Luo, smiling, retrieved two silver notes from his sleeve and handed them to Chen Afu, saying, "Madam Chen, this is the payment from our master for the Ten Brocade Sparrows."