Chapter 106: A Reunion of Sorts

Chapter 106: Chapter 106: A Reunion of Sorts

These days, posting Spring Festival couplets and peach wood charms was forbidden, so everyone could only focus on cooking at home. Despite the scarcity of resources, skillful women could still prepare delicious food, adding a much-needed festive atmosphere to their homes for the New Year.

Thanks to Zhao Nuanyue’s return, the Dragon King Temple also gained a bit more festive cheer.

Zhao Nuanyue woke up to find it was already noon. Everyone knew she was exhausted, so for lunch, they simply had a light meal of cabbage and meatball soup.

The meatballs had been made particularly well, so the soup was excellent. After lunch, Zhao Nuanyue began preparations for the New Year’s Eve reunion dinner.

Seeing Zhao Nuanyue bustling about, everyone else pitched in to help. She hoped that keeping busy would stop her from thinking about Hua Yusen.

That evening, thanks to Zhao Nuanyue’s hard work, she prepared a six-course meal—four meat dishes and two vegetable dishes. The number six was auspicious, signifying a smooth and prosperous year to come.

There was no alcohol in the house, so Zhao Nuanyue found some brown sugar and poured everyone a bowl of sweet brown sugar water instead.

"Although we don’t have any wine, we can use this brown sugar water to celebrate," Zhao Nuanyue said, raising her bowl. "To a sweet, happy, and healthy new year for all of us."

He Qiang, the talkative one, said, "This is even better than wine! After drinking this sweet water, no matter what hardships we face in the future, as long as there’s hope, our hearts will feel as sweet as this tastes."

"That’s right." Sun Haoran nodded. "Come on, everyone. To a sweet, happy, and healthy year."

Old Sir Qian held the bowl of brown sugar water for his wife. "Rose," he said with a smile, "your favorite. Drink up. Perhaps by next year, you’ll have your health back completely."

"Sweet." Although Old Madam Qian was still a bit muddled, a smile spread across her face after she tasted the sweet water. She turned to her husband and told him how sweet it was.

Seeing his wife’s complexion improve day by day, Old Sir Qian was overjoyed. In his heart, his gratitude for Hua Yusen and Zhao Nuanyue grew even deeper.

Gu Qingyu didn’t say a word, but his stern face was relaxed, and the usual sharpness was gone from his eyes. It was clear he was in a good mood as well.

Everyone finished their bowl of sweet water. Just as they were about to start eating, they heard Guo Datou’s voice from outside.

Zhao Nuanyue went outside and saw a tall man standing across from Guo Datou.

Even though his silhouette was indistinct, and even though he hadn’t spoken a word, Zhao Nuanyue could tell from his tall figure that it was the man she had been longing for day and night.

That’s right. It was Hua Yusen.

"You... you’re back?" Zhao Nuanyue hurried to get behind Hua Yusen, wanting to be closer to him.

But she knew she couldn’t, not in front of so many people. After the initial wave of excitement, she gradually calmed herself.

Hearing Zhao Nuanyue’s voice behind him, Hua Yusen turned his head and saw her standing in the darkness.

There she stood in the dim light, so beautiful.

So beautiful, so perfect.

Even after the punishment, after all the grievances, at this moment, Hua Yusen felt it had all been worth it.

"I’m back," Hua Yusen said softly. He then turned to Guo Datou. "Datou, you can head back. I’ll take it from here."

"Yes," Guo Datou replied.

"The New Year’s Eve dinner is ready. Why don’t you stay and eat with us?" Zhao Nuanyue said. "I heard that after you left, it was this gentleman who looked after the elders. Thank you for all your hard work."

Guo Datou looked a little sheepish. He scratched his head and smiled. "It was nothing, really. I was just doing my duty."

Hua Yusen considered the situation. ’If Guo Datou headed back now, it would be dawn by the time he arrived. Traveling at night was also very dangerous. It would be better for him to stay and eat with them to celebrate the New Year. It would be livelier, and he could leave first thing in the morning.’

"Datou, don’t leave," Hua Yusen said with a smile. "No one is coming here today anyway, so you can stay without any worries. It’s a good chance for us brothers to catch up. You can leave first thing in the morning."

Guo Datou was feeling the cold, too. Compared to making the lonely journey back by himself, he much preferred the idea of staying and celebrating the New Year with his colleague.

"Don’t just stand out here. The food is ready. You two should come in so we can all eat and celebrate the New Year together." Zhao Nuanyue composed herself, fighting back the urge to cry in front of everyone.

’In front of her younger brother, Zhao Nuan Yang, she was the big sister, his pillar of support. She never dared to cry in front of him. She had never been one to show her emotions openly, but with Hua Yusen, she wanted someone to lean on.’

Hearing Zhao Nuanyue’s words, Hua Yusen looked at her. Her eyes were wet with tears. ’Did she suffer again after I left?’

"Alright." Hua Yusen nodded. "Datou, come in."

Guo Datou entered, with Hua Yusen right behind him. Zhao Nuanyue closed and latched the door.

Hua Yusen’s hand secretly found Zhao Nuanyue’s, squeezing it to give her strength and comfort.

As Hua Yusen’s large hand enveloped hers, a reassuring warmth that was uniquely his spread from her palm, and the tears welling in her eyes vanished.

’He’s here now. I don’t need to cry.’

’From now on, I’m not alone. He rushed a thousand miles to save me. That alone was enough to make me grateful to him for the rest of my life.’

Zhao Nuanyue looked up at Hua Yusen’s back. Just then, he turned his head, his eyes meeting hers. He gave her a small smile and a gentle nod.

Hua Yusen’s smile was calming. It made Zhao Nuanyue set aside the countless questions in her mind, and her heart was no longer in a panic.

Everyone was delighted by Hua Yusen’s arrival. On this New Year’s Eve, the meal was plentiful, and these people, all so far from home, actually had a place to belong.

This unconventional reunion gave these displaced people a sense of solace.

In its own way, it was actually quite wonderful.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, they chatted and laughed for a while before each heading off to rest.

While Zhao Nuanyue was washing the dishes, Hua Yusen came over to help her. After they finished the chores, he poured a basin of hot water and guided her hands into it. "Warm your hands," he said softly. "It’ll feel nice."

"Mhm, you warm up too," Zhao Nuanyue said with a smile, pushing his hands into the basin as well. "You’ve had it tough, too. By the way, when I arrived, I went to see Station Chief Liu to ask about you, but he said he wasn’t allowed to tell me anything because of regulations. Now that you’re back, I want to ask... what exactly was your punishment?"

Hua Yusen didn’t want to upset her. He gave a small smile. "It was nothing, really. The good and the bad cancelled each other out. At worst, I didn’t get any credit, but I wasn’t punished either."

Hua Yusen had only meant to comfort her, but when she heard his words, her eyes reddened. Crystal-clear tears welled up and streamed down from those big, expressive eyes. Zhao Nuanyue didn’t wipe them away; she just looked at Hua Yusen.

’No matter how one looked at it, she owed him a great deal once more. In the future, she would repay him, many times over.’