Chapter 101 Goodbye, Mr. Cheng
Soon, the one-month deadline arrived.
Shen Yan didn't even need to ask; he knew who Xiao Lingdang would choose. And over the past month, he had indeed seen that Aman genuinely treated Xiao Lingdang like his own daughter, and even Fu Yunxiu was increasingly showing signs of being a father.
If the stepmother were still alive, she would probably prefer that Xiaolingdang have a perfect family, rather than stay with him, a lonely man!
"You can leave now." Shen Yan stood in the hall, the family of three behind him making him appear even more lonely.
"And what about you?" Fu Yunxiu asked.
"I'm planning to go back to the capital. I've been away for so long, it's time to go back." At least let his mother know that she has a granddaughter.
After Shen Jiao's death, his mother never looked at him again. She hated his inaction at the time, which led to Shen Jiao's death.
Now that his daughter is leaving, he's truly all alone.
Shen Yan gave a wry smile, but when he faced Xiao Lingdang, he smiled broadly and said, "Xiao Lingdang, before you leave, can you give Uncle Shen a hug?"
The little bell didn't reply, but instead answered with actions.
Two short arms wrapped around Shen Yan's neck, so tightly that he could hardly breathe.
But Chen Yan smiled.
At least he knew that Little Bell was actually reluctant to part with him, and that was enough.
"Good girl." He placed a kiss on Xiaolingdang's forehead and then handed her over to Aman.
"Take good care of her. If anything happens, just come to me."
"Thank you," Fu Yunxiu said.
Shen Yan didn't reply, but gave him a meaningful look. Fu Yunxiu understood what he meant, and the smile that had been on his face vanished instantly.
Yes, once he stepped out of this courtyard, it was time for him and Aman to go their separate ways.
Although he had been trying to get Xiaolingdang to rely on him these days, he could tell that Xiaolingdang actually relied more on Aman. Whenever Aman was around, her eyes never left her.
Therefore, even though he is Little Bell's father, it seems he can't really get close to the mother and daughter.
"Aman." After the two came out from under the eaves, Fu Yunxiu hesitated for a long time before finally speaking.
Aman was asking Xiaolingdang what she wanted to eat when she heard him speak, and she stopped in her tracks. "What's wrong?"
Fu Yunxiu said, "A few days ago, I sent a letter to Elder Cheng."
"Master..." Upon hearing these two words, Aman felt a surge of guilt. "Is Master... alright?"
“Everything is fine, it’s just that he’s getting old, and his health isn’t what it used to be,” Fu Yunxiu said. “These past two years, Old Cheng has been staying in Yongzhou, building himself a thatched hut, and spending his free time treating patients in the nearby villages. Aman…”
Fu Yunxiu looked at Aman, "Old Cheng... misses you a lot. He's been mentioning you a lot these past two years."
"It is my fault for being unfilial." Aman lowered her head in shame. As his disciple, she should have stayed by his side to take care of him in his old age.
"I wrote to you this time, partly to let you know that you are still alive, and partly because of Xiaolingdang's asthma. You said that Xiaolingdang's symptoms are a congenital weakness, and if she can be properly cared for, there may be a chance of recovery."
Aman didn't reply.
She genuinely wanted Xiaolingdang to get better. She had originally planned to personally take Xiaolingdang to apologize to her master when she was a little older.
But going to Yongzhou means seeing many familiar people and things.
Aman was indeed somewhat timid.
But Little Bell's illness... and Master...
Aman couldn't make up his mind for a moment.
Let me think about it some more!
"Going back to Yongzhou to treat Xiaolingdang's illness, do you mean that Xiaolingdang's asthma can still be cured?" Upon hearing Aman's words, Chen Baixun was so happy that he almost jumped up from his chair.
Back then, in order to cure Xiaolingdang's asthma, he consulted all the famous doctors. But no matter which doctor examined her, the conclusion was always the same: they couldn't cure it and said that the disease would burden Xiaolingdang for the rest of her life.
Over the past few years, although Xiaolingdang has been lively, she has not lived as freely as other children. She cannot tolerate heat or cold, and she cannot play games that are slightly stimulating.
Several times, he saw Little Bell watching other little girls kick shuttlecocks with envy, dust flying everywhere, while she could only watch from afar.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's get going!"
“Brother,” Aman looked at him with some difficulty, “this matter is not so simple.”
Seeing her conflicted expression, Chen Baixun immediately understood the reason. "Oh, I see. You're afraid of going back to Yongzhou and seeing old friends, right?"
"Hey, if you ask me, you should just get back together with Fu Yunxiu. Even though he was the one who was heartless back then, didn't you almost marry that guy surnamed Feng too? You each got one chance, so it's even. Besides, look at what happened back then. In such a dangerous situation, he was willing to risk his life to protect you. It's clear that he has truly repented and genuinely likes you. And you've seen his attitude over the past six months."
“Brother,” Aman interrupted his rambling, “the relationship between Fu Yunxiu and me is not as simple as you think.”
"I think it's simple, but you're overcomplicating it. Anyway, you married that guy surnamed Feng because Xiaolingdang liked him. Now Xiaolingdang calls Fu Yunxiu 'Dad' all the time, and you still... sigh, okay, okay, I won't say anything more."
Under Aman Daoren's gaze, Chen Baixun finally shut his mouth.
But before leaving, he added, "Anyway, you need to think it through yourself. Is Xiaolingdang's health more important, or are other things more important? At the beginning of the month, you weren't the one who made the mistake back then, so why are you afraid to meet old friends?"
After Chen Baixun left, Aman pondered for a long time.
Perhaps he's right; what happened back then wasn't her fault. At most, she was just cowardly.
Aman watched the little girl playing happily with Aunt He in the yard. Her innocent face was full of naivety, while Aunt He's voice, reminding her to slow down from time to time, was really jarring.
Her little bell shouldn't be like this. She should carry on her mother's legacy and live a more carefree and unrestrained life.
"Little bell." Aman waved.
When the little girl heard her mother calling her, she quickly turned and ran over.
"Slow down." Aman squatted down, letting the little girl bump into him. He took out a handkerchief and wiped the fine sweat from her forehead. "Look, you're all sweaty."
“Little Bell,” Aman sat back down in her chair and looked at her seriously, “Mother wants to take you to Yongzhou. There’s an old man there who can cure your asthma. Do you want to go?”
"Is it the great-grandfather that Mother always talks about?" the little girl asked, looking up at her.
"Yes." Aman nodded.
“Then Little Bell is willing to go.” The little girl wrapped her arms around her waist. She didn’t want her mother to be constantly worried and sighing because of her illness, and besides, her mother said that the great-grandfather was her mother’s master, and his medical skills were excellent.
*
Fu Yunxiu was overjoyed to learn that Aman had agreed to return to Yongzhou.
At least during the time he was on the road, he could stay with the mother and daughter.
The journey from Bingzhou to Yongzhou was long, and Aman, feeling sorry for Xiaolingdang's first long trip, traveled very slowly. The group enjoyed sightseeing, and it was a month and a half later when they finally arrived in Yongzhou.
Yongzhou remains as prosperous and bustling as Aman remembered it.
It was already late, and since Old Cheng lived in the western suburbs of the city, it would be too late for him to get there. Fu Yunxiu suggested that the mother and daughter stay in the city for the night and visit Old Cheng the next day.
“How about we go back to Wutong Garden…” Fu Yunxiu said nervously.
Aman looked around at the still brightly lit inns and said, "Let's just find any inn to spend the night. No need to go to all that trouble."
Fu Yunxiu wanted to say it wasn't troublesome, but ultimately he had no right to say so, so he could only nod and say, "Alright, then you and your daughter settle in first, and I'll come to pick you up tomorrow."
Aman chose a superior room and asked the waiter for hot water. After a long journey, she could finally rest for a while.
After settling everything in, Fu Yunxiu was still worried about the mother and daughter staying at an inn, so he also chose a guest room next door. He took Mantou to the Marquis's residence to let them know that he had returned.
The next day, Mantou arrived in a horse-drawn carriage to pick him up.
Old Cheng's house is in the western suburbs, surrounded by bamboo and trees, with few other houses, making it very quiet.
When the group arrived at their destination, Aman got out of the car and saw Old Cheng sweeping the yard through the fence. Immediately, her nose tingled and tears welled up in her eyes.
Aman pushed open the door and went in, then knelt down on the ground with a thud, saying, "Grandpa."
Old Cheng turned around when he heard the voice, and looked at Aman kneeling on the ground. He was momentarily dazed before he realized, "Aman, is it really you?"
Although Fu Yunxiu had written to him a few days ago, Old Cheng still couldn't quite believe it when he actually met him.
“It’s me,” Aman kowtowed deeply to Old Master Cheng. “It’s my fault for being unfilial and causing you worry.”
"What are you saying, child? Get up." Old Cheng helped Aman up, his cloudy eyes filled with tears. He looked Aman over and over, and after a long while, he finally nodded. "It's good that you're alive, it's good that you're alive!"
Fu Yunxiu entered just in time, carrying Xiao Lingdang. Seeing this scene, he couldn't help but be moved.
Aman was worried that Old Master Cheng would blame her for leaving without saying goodbye and disappearing without a trace. But as an elder, Old Master Cheng truly regarded Aman as his granddaughter. Now that he knew she was still alive, he was overjoyed and would never blame her.
"When I heard that brat say he found you, I couldn't believe it. Now, it's so good, so good!" Old Cheng could see that Aman had been doing very well these past few years, and he was very gratified.
"Oh, right, Grandpa, this is my daughter, Xiaolingdang. Xiaolingdang, come here." Aman beckoned, and Xiaolingdang broke free from Fu Yunxiu's hand and ran to Aman's side.
“Mother.” Little Bell looked up at her. Aman said, “Little Bell, this is the great-grandfather that I told you about. Now, kowtow to the great-grandfather.”
"Grandpa." Little Bell imitated her mother and kowtowed to Old Master Cheng properly.
"Oh, good child, good child." Old Cheng helped Xiaolingdang up, and his hand naturally touched her pulse. After a slight pause, he instantly knew what was going on.
"It is indeed a congenital weakness. Although it is difficult to treat, it is not impossible to cure."
"So, Little Bell can be like the other children from now on," Aman said with delight.
“I’m confident about this. Let’s go inside and talk. I’ll take a good look at him.”
The three of them, grandfather, grandson, and granddaughter, happily entered the house together. In the courtyard, only Fu Yunxiu stood there alone, as if he were invisible.
But he was already used to it.
Ever since Old Cheng returned three years ago and learned that he had lost Aman, he had never given him a kind look. Even when he was bedridden, he remained indifferent to him.
But in the end, wasn't all of this his own doing?
Fu Yunxiu gave a wry smile, picked up the broom that Old Cheng had left aside, and dutifully began sweeping the courtyard.
The two of them, grandmother and granddaughter, haven't seen each other in a long time, so I shouldn't go and upset her.
Inside the house, Aman recounted his experiences over the years to Old Cheng in detail. When he heard that Aman had been chased and nearly lost his life, Old Cheng could no longer sit still.
"Damn it, it's all because of that brat who's been attracting all sorts of women that you've suffered this undeserved misfortune. I'll go chase him away." As Old Cheng spoke, he was about to get up and shoo him away, but Aman grabbed him and said, "It's alright, Grandpa, I'm fine."
Along the way, Aman also heard from Mantou that Old Master Cheng had a falling out with Fu Yunxiu because of her. Thinking about how much Old Master Cheng used to value Fu Yunxiu, Aman didn't want to be the villain who caused this rift between the grandfather and grandson, so she stopped them.
Unexpectedly, Mr. Cheng misunderstood.
"Girl, you mean... you've forgiven him?"
Aman felt awkward for a moment, then said, "It has nothing to do with this. I just don't want to see you pretending not to want to see him when you clearly care about him."
Old Cheng felt his secret had been exposed, and he lowered his head in embarrassment, muttering, "Who cares about him?"
Since Aman had nowhere to live, Old Cheng simply let the mother and daughter stay at his place, which would also make it convenient for Xiaolingdang to receive treatment.
Little Bell really liked it here, following Old Cheng around every day, pointing at the pile of medicinal herbs and asking all sorts of questions. Old Cheng was quite willing to answer her questions, and even said that if Little Bell liked it, he could teach her medicine in the future and make her the most skilled female physician in Yongzhou.
Aman was happy to see this happen, and if Xiaolingdang really wanted to, it wouldn't be impossible.
Everyone else was quite happy, but Fu Yunxiu was the only one who suffered.
He had been by Aman and her daughter's side for the past few months. Now that he had suddenly returned to Wutongyuan, the entire courtyard was so empty and quiet that it didn't seem like a place where people could live.
If you go to the medicine shop to find Aman, you'll often be bullied by Old Cheng.
Two out of the three sentences mentioned the outrageous things he had done in the past, which scared Fu Yunxiu so much that he almost knelt down and kowtowed to him, begging him to stop talking.
If things continue like this, Aman doesn't know when she'll be able to forgive him.
After being cornered by Old Master Cheng once again, Fu Yunxiu had no choice but to try and win over Xiaolingdang.
"Little Bell, how about Daddy brings a rabbit for you to play with tomorrow?"
"Bunny!" Little Bell's eyes lit up at the mention of rabbits.
"Yes, Rabbit. As long as you take Grandpa with you to find grass for Rabbit whenever Dad comes over, okay?"
The little girl was completely focused on the rabbit and didn't care what Fu Yunxiu was saying; she just kept nodding.
The next day, Fu Yunxiu indeed brought a large rabbit. It was very robust, weighing about eleven or twelve pounds, and Xiao Lingdang had a hard time carrying it.
Aman recognized the rabbit at a glance.
"Fu Bao'er?"
“Yes, it’s Fu Bao,” Fu Yunxiu said.
"You actually... still keep it?" Aman asked, somewhat surprised.
“This is the only thing you left me,” Fu Yunxiu said.
However, Old Master Cheng did not give Fu Yunxiu a chance to get emotional, "Alright, alright, what do you mean by 'only one'? If you hadn't been so ungrateful, things wouldn't have come to this."
"..." Fu Yunxiu was speechless after being choked by Old Master Cheng's words, and immediately cast a pleading look at Xiao Lingdang. However, Xiao Lingdang was preoccupied with the rabbit in her arms and had no time to pay attention to him.
Helpless, Fu Yunxiu could only give a wry smile, "Grandpa, please stop teasing me."
"Who's your grandpa? Go away!" Old Cheng's disdainful look, as if to say "don't come near me," successfully amused Aman.
When Fu Yunxiu saw Aman smile, he couldn't help but smile too.
Seeing her parents laughing, Little Bell joined in, her giggles making even Old Master Cheng, who had been feigning disdain, burst into laughter.
Beneath the old window frames, the old and young alike beamed with smiles. This scene, however, was witnessed by those keeping watch not far away.
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Author's Note: The story is nearing completion, so I'm posting a pre-order link. Please subscribe to my author page.
The Daily Life of a Transmigrated Lacquer Girl
Ming Zhao, a working-class woman, transmigrates into the body of Jiu Niang, the youngest daughter of the Ming family in the Great Feng Dynasty.
The Ming family was a renowned lacquerware family, but unfortunately, they had few descendants. This branch even had three daughters in a row, and with no one to carry on the family line, the grandfather, Mingde, eventually died with regret.
Ming Zhao, who transmigrated from another era, received a favor from her grandfather. In order to repay her and carry on her last wish, she and her childhood sweetheart and fiancé, Zhou Yuanqing, searched through ancient books and studied diligently. Finally, they created a set of exquisite ancient lacquerware to use for the World Trade Conference.
Zhou Yuanqing said that the two of them would get married when he returned this time.
Mingzhao, awaiting marriage, received not the joyous news of her fiancé, but the news that he had been ambushed and killed on the way, and that the lacquerware had disappeared without a trace.
The newly appointed magistrate, Shen Tingsi, was in charge of investigating the matter and eventually discovered that the murderer was a Japanese.
*
Mingzhao said that at first, he just wanted to fulfill his grandfather's last wish and let him rest in peace. Later, he wanted to find a way out and pass on this skill.
Shen Tingsi: When I first met Mingzhao, I thought she was just a young lady living in the shadow of her parents. Later, I found that she was just like her name, wise and intelligent, and dazzling.
[The wise enlighten others with their own wisdom.]
It's probably the story of an inspirational young lady and her loyal magistrate.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
