Chapter 140: Chapter 140: A Wary Little Gaze

Having just heard Zhao Nuanyue sneeze and cough, Hua Yusen was certain she was sick.

"Nuanyue, if you’re not feeling well, maybe you shouldn’t go," Hua Yusen said, looking at her. He reached out to feel her forehead. She didn’t have a fever, which relieved him slightly.

Zhao Nuanyue shook her head. This was a task for both her and Hua Yusen, and since she was involved today, she had to be there. "I have to go," she said. "I’m the one this is about; it wouldn’t be right for me to be absent. Besides, if I go, I can see how everyone reacts."

"Alright, then I’ll take you," Hua Yusen said softly. He turned to Zhao Nuanyang. "Nuanyang, you wait here at home. Your sister and I are heading into the village for a bit."

Zhao Nuanyang glanced at the hand Hua Yusen had placed on his sister’s shoulder. He walked over, reached out, and removed it. "No," he said. "Nuanyang wants to go too."

With that guarded look in his eyes, he didn’t seem like an autistic boy at all. He was sharp—he could already tell Hua Yusen had designs on his sister.

Hua Yusen was stunned when his hand was removed, an awkward expression crossing his face.

"Haha!" Seeing her brother’s childish antics, the sadness in Zhao Nuanyue’s heart vanished. She whispered in Hua Yusen’s ear, "That’s what you get for getting fresh!"

Zhao Nuanyang then pulled his sister back, positioning her behind him to create a space between her and Hua Yusen.

Hua Yusen was once again embarrassed.

"Nuanyue, look, Director Wu is waiting for us outside. We should hurry. As for Nuanyang, it’s better if he stays home." Hua Yusen didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Looking at Zhao Nuanyang’s guarded expression, he sighed to himself. ’And here I thought I’d won the kid over. All for nothing.’

Zhao Nuanyue didn’t want Nuanyang to go either, so she gently patted his shoulder. "Nuanyang, Sis will be fine. I’m just going into the village with Hua for a bit. I’ll be back soon. It’s not dangerous."

Zhao Nuanyang looked at Zhao Nuanyue, then back at Hua Yusen with suspicion. He finally nodded. "Okay. But come back soon."

"I will!" Zhao Nuanyue nodded. "I’ll be back soon to see what Nuanyang’s been drawing!"

Zhao Nuanyang smiled, but when he saw Hua Yusen’s beaming face, he pulled his sister aside and whispered, "Sister, don’t let Hua touch your hand!"

"Huh?" Zhao Nuanyue froze, her face instantly flushing crimson. "Uh... okay. Sis will listen to Nuanyang."

"Okay. Be good, Sister." Zhao Nuanyang smiled and patted Zhao Nuanyue’s shoulder, just as she often did to him.

Zhao Nuanyue walked out of the room, her face burning. ’So, my little brother has been paying close attention to me and Hua Yusen this whole time.’

Hua Yusen’s intimate gesture today hadn’t escaped Zhao Nuanyang’s notice, and now he was on guard.

’Honestly... what a good little brother!’

Zhao Nuanyue used to think her brother didn’t understand the affections between men and women, but it seemed he was starting to.

Although she was embarrassed, it was proof that her brother was getting better and growing up, which brought Zhao Nuanyue a great sense of relief.

Hua Yusen, for his part, didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. ’Faced with my future brother-in-law’s defensive obstruction, it’s going to take a lot of work to get past his guard.’

When Wu Dazhu saw Hua Yusen and Zhao Nuanyue emerge from the room, he immediately walked over, smiling. "Let’s go. You two performed a great service today. Uncle Miao will probably have high praise for you."

"It was nothing, I was just protecting myself," Zhao Nuanyue said quickly, wanting to show she wasn’t putting on an act. "We shouldn’t keep everyone waiting. Uncle Wu, let’s go."

"Right, right!" Wu Dazhu nodded and led the way out of the Dragon King Temple.

In the courtyard, Li Qiong and Wang Yuan watched them go, full of curiosity and envy.

Zhao Nuanyue hadn’t just gotten involved with a capable man like Hua Yusen; she also had a good relationship with the village cadres and the other villagers.

It wasn’t like that for them. Even when they tried to talk with the local women, they felt a subtle sense of not belonging, as if they were being deliberately ostracized. The thought filled them with sorrow.

Wang Yuan said nothing, simply returning to her room to stare blankly into space.

’What am I going to do now?’

Li Qiong, however, remained in the courtyard with Yang Guanghui. She asked in a low voice, "Yang Guanghui, seeing how capable Mr. Hua is... aren’t you the least bit envious?"

"Heh," Yang Guanghui said, shaking his head. "What’s there to be envious of? I’m not one for taking risks. I may not earn any merits, but at least I won’t make enemies. I just want to live a quiet life here in Nianqiao Village and not get mixed up in all that. After all, I don’t have Mr. Hua’s kind of ability. A man has to know his own limits to avoid making the wrong choices."

Li Qiong sighed in agreement. "You’re right. We really are too weak, too timid, and not capable enough. Wang Yuan and I might be a little older than Nuanyue, but we can’t hold a candle to her. Ever since we arrived in Nianqiao Village last year... Nuanyue showed up with that brother of hers and immediately claimed the largest room, and we couldn’t say a word. Then, with everything that happened later, both Wang Yuan and I ran into trouble. But not only did Nuanyue stay safe, she even saved us. On top of that, she takes good care of her brother and has a good reputation in the village. She’s really something else!"

Hearing her say that, Yang Guanghui thought for a moment that she was being jealous. But thankfully, her expression showed only admiration and gratitude, not resentment. That put him at ease. If she were jealous and resentful, she would be nothing but an ingrate.

"Li Qiong, the truth is, you two were just too careless before. You were poor judges of character, and that’s why you were taken advantage of," Yang Guanghui advised. "But think about Nuanyue. She’s so young, and she came here with a brother in his condition. She’s been on edge the whole time, wary of everyone. That’s how she’s managed to stay safe. In any case, you and Wang Yuan have learned a hard lesson. Just be more vigilant from now on."

"You’re right," Li Qiong said with a sigh. "We can’t blame anyone but ourselves."

Yang Guanghui smiled. "Actually, we have it pretty good here. When I went back to the city, I ran into some old friends. They said they haven’t had a single proper meal since they were sent to the countryside; they just drink water all day to feel full. Nianqiao Village might be remote, but it’s backed by the mountains and surrounded by water. If you’re clever, you can always find enough to eat."

"It’s true. My family back in the city is in the same boat. I went home for a month and only ate meat once, when we made dumplings for the New Year," Li Qiong sighed. "My family works in a factory. It seems like a respectable job, but it’s incredibly hard work."

Yang Guanghui and Li Qiong continued to chat about their respective circumstances, finding some comfort in the conversation.

Wang Yuan, however, hid in her room, unwilling to talk. She just sat there alone, lost in her daze.

This was actually the most dangerous way to be. Bottling everything up alone made it easy to get stuck in one’s own head. It was much better to be like Li Qiong and Yang Guanghui. When they felt down, they talked about it, consoled each other, and found clarity. They didn’t get trapped in obsessive thinking.

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