Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 98 - 97 The Swallow Builds a Golden Nest

Chapter 98: Chapter 97 The Swallow Builds a Golden Nest

By the time they returned to Chen Shi’s house, it was already late afternoon.

As soon as the carriage entered the alley, a whiff of marinated aroma could be smelled. The coachman, Uncle Qing, took a few deep breaths and said, "I didn’t expect to find such a delightful fragrance here. Whose establishment is this? I would like to buy some to accompany my drinks."

Dabao proudly responded, "This is the smell of my great uncle’s Lu Chuan. Uncle Qing does not need to buy any. When we get home, I’ll make sure you have plenty to enjoy."

Uncle Qing burst into hearty laughter at Dabao’s comment.

When the carriage arrived at Chen San’s Grocery, they saw about seven or eight people buying Lu Chuan. Three others were seated at a small table nearby, eating Lu Chuan or peanuts while sipping their drinks.

Dabao enthusiastically invited Qing to try their Lu Chuan. Overcome by the enticing smell, Qing parked the carriage by the wall of the Clan School’s backyard.

Chen Ming had just returned from selling Lu Chuan at the Clan School. Upon hearing that the visitor was from General Chu’s Mansion, he warmly invited him to enjoy the Lu Chuan and some drinks. However, as Qing had to look after the carriage, he could only dine at the small table by the shop’s entrance.

Chen Ming brought out a small porcelain bowl containing dozens of Lu Chuan, both meat and vegetable. He also fetched some wine from a nearby shop and personally accompanied Qing, encouraging him to eat and drink at the small table. Since Qing still had to drive, Chen Ming didn’t allow him to drink much and only bought half a kilo of wine.

After Chen Afu went back to the yard, Dabao accompanied Qing at the small table like a good host.

Only at dinner time did Chen Shi return from the shop to the backyard. He mentioned that Uncle Qing had been sent off and, as per Chen Afu’s instructions, he had given him a small porcelain bowl of Lu Chuan to bring to Manager Luo.

Because of the special treatment given to Qing and the gifts, many customers who came to buy Lu Chuan had to leave empty-handed, making them unhappy. Chen Ming thus took out some syrup candy from the shop and gave two taels to each customer as an apology, promising to satisfy them first thing tomorrow.

Chen Afu praised Chen Shi privately for being thoughtful and understanding limits.

Now that the household was earning some money, their meals had significantly improved. For dinner, they had noodles with minced meat gravy and bought one kilo of marinated pig’s head from the front street. They couldn’t help it; they couldn’t keep their own Luwei as it was selling so fast.

When Chen Ayu, who went to buy the marinated pig’s head, returned, she laughingly said, "Boss Yang looked at me as if I was a ghost, claiming we’re stealing his business..."

Chen Shi roared with laughter. He was beaming, surprised at how well their business was doing. He mentioned that when they make more money, they would find a shop with a better location. Of course, he also expressed his genuine appreciation to Chen Afu.

After dinner, Alu, who walked with a crutch, and Dabao asked Atang for help with their studies in the hall. Xiao Atang was extremely patient in pointing out their mistakes, which made him feel accomplished.

Seeing his younger son so capable, Chen Shi’s eyes brimmed with pride. He grew even more determined to earn more money to support his son’s school examination journey.

Chen Afu gave one pack of the snacks gifted by the Chus’ Mansion to Chen Shi’s family. Then, she entered her room, bolted the door, and went into the space. She wanted to ask Jin Yanzi for more Yanchen Fragrant Leaves to put into the doll of the big Yanzi.

She also took two pieces of dessert and a few candies. These treats were given by the Chu’s Mansion, they looked and tasted amazing, so the little ones would surely love them.

Bringing these items into her room, Chen Afu felt helpless. This place provided her the only private space where she could disappear.

Upon entering the space, she was shocked to see Jin Yanzi lying on the ground motionless, covering its little head with one large wing, its small body twitching.

Chen Afu gently poked its small body with her finger and asked, "Jin Bao, are you tired?"

Jin Yanzi moved its wing away, only to reveal that it was crying. It was crying so much that its feathers on its head were soaked and its small green eyes were swollen into a thin line. Its small sharp mouth was wide open, and it was sobbing.

Startled, Chen Afu quickly cradled it in her hand and worriedly asked, "What’s wrong, Jin Bao? Don’t scare Mommy."

Jin Yanzi cried even harder, sobbed and said, "Mommy Fu, how could you talk about me like that? How could you say my name sounds like a country bumpkin? I’ve been helping you wholeheartedly, how could you hurt my feelings, sob sob sobs..." It lay on its back in Chen Afu’s hand, spread out its wings, and cried out loud.

So it turned out that she was the one who had hurt its feelings.

Chen Afu was overcome with guilt. All she wanted was to cheer up Chu Hanyan by making a joke with its name, but she ended up hurting its little heart. She made so much money from this small creature, yet made it so upset, which was truly unjust.

Chen Afu quickly apologized, "I’m sorry, Jin Bao’er, mommy was just joking..."

"Even if you’re joking, you can’t build your happiness on others’ pain," Jin Yanzi sobbed.

Chen Afu added, "Yes, yes, it’s mommy’s fault, mommy said the wrong thing, mommy will never say it again, mommy promises..."

Seeing Jin Yanzi still crying, Chen Afu said again, "Jin Bao’er, mommy can sing another song that praises the little swallow. Would you like to hear it?"

"Is it not the one that goes, ’Little Swallow, dressed in blossoms’?" Jin Yanzi lifted her head to ask.

"No, it’s a different one, it’s more upbeat, it speaks very highly of the swallow. Would you like to hear it?" Chen Afu asked.

Jin Yanzi’s sobbing quieted down a bit, and Chen Afu began to sing the old song from her past life with altered lyrics:

The swallow perched on the tree top as the white clouds drifted before its eyes

Can it carry the cloud? Can it build a nest?

Oh, the swallow does not wish to fly and nestles in the deep fragrance of agarwood

There the swallow perched on the tree top as the moonlight shone through the trees

The magpie and the oriole have already fallen asleep

Oh, but the swallow cannot sleep and continues to build a golden nest

...

When Chen Afu sang the first time round, Jin Yanzi stubbornly lay there listening. By the second time, she stood up, her body swaying and wings fluttering, her eyes closed in rapture.

After the third round, Chen Afu asked, "Do you like the song?"

Jin Yanzi opened her eyes, stuck her little wingtips in her mouth, and cooed, "It’s nice, really nice, it praised me for being capable." Speaking with her mouth full made her normally clear voice sound a bit mumbled.

Chen Afu laughed, "In mommy’s heart, you’ve always been this capable."

Jin Yanzi was very moved, her small swollen eyes almost disappeared from smiling, she chirped, "I know, mommy is so kind."

This little creature, so cunning when it was cunning, and so innocent when it was innocent.

Looking at its tiny eyes, even smaller than usual due to the swelling, Chen Afu felt extremely guilty for having tricked the little thing. Seeing its wingtips come out, she gently kissed its small pointed mouth, speaking softly, "Baby, don’t cry like this anymore, it breaks mommy’s heart."

Being kissed the second time in its life, Jin Yanzi was delirious with joy. Moreover, what mommy said was truly touching.

It fluttered its wings in happiness, did a circle around the Yanchen Fragrant Leaves, then landed back on Chen Afu’s hand, cocking its small head to the side and chirping in giggles, "Mommy, you are so kind, so brave, and you appreciate art too!"