Chapter 107: You Lied to Me

Chapter 107: Chapter 107: You Lied to Me

When Hua Yusen saw Zhao Nuanyue crying, he quickly reached out to wipe her tears away. "Why are you crying all of a sudden?" he asked with concern. "Everything’s fine with me. I really wasn’t punished."

Hearing Hua Yusen’s words, Zhao Nuanyue only cried harder. She choked on her sobs and stammered, "You... you lied to me..."

"I didn’t lie to you, really... really..." Hua Yusen explained hastily, flustered. He couldn’t bear to see Zhao Nuanyue upset, nor could he stand to see her tears.

Zhao Nuanyue ignored his explanation, accusing him in an aggrieved tone, "You did lie to me! You did! If you hadn’t been punished, Mr. Liu would have told me. There would’ve been no reason to hide it. You’re back now, but I know you must have received a severe punishment. You’re just not telling me because you’re afraid I’ll worry and you don’t want me to feel guilty. Isn’t that right?"

"Er..." Hua Yusen was taken aback, a mixture of amusement and exasperation washing over him. He truly didn’t want Zhao Nuanyue to be sad or feel guilty, but his girl was clearly very sharp; she had figured out the gist of it. ’Looks like I won’t be able to placate this silly girl unless I give her a proper explanation.’

"You just lie to me! You won’t tell me anything! Don’t you know that this just makes me more upset and worried?" Zhao Nuanyue grew frantic and rushed to add, "Maybe... maybe to you, I... I’m not important at all... You don’t care about me, so... so that’s why you won’t tell me..."

The thought made Zhao Nuanyue even more miserable.

At the same time, a part of her felt she was being a bit dramatic. ’After all, Hua Yusen and I weren’t that close before, so I didn’t have many expectations. But things are different now, so I expect more.’

Hua Yusen’s brief moment of hesitation was all it took for Zhao Nuanyue’s mind to race and conjure up so many possibilities.

"Okay, okay, don’t be upset anymore," Hua Yusen quickly consoled her. "I wasn’t hiding it from you on purpose..."

"You did it on purpose," Zhao Nuanyue retorted. "You know I worry about you. If you had told me, maybe I could have helped."

Hua Yusen smiled, took out a handkerchief, and dried the water on Zhao Nuanyue’s hands. Then he pulled a small box of plum blossom-scented vanishing cream from his pocket, dabbed a little onto her skin, and gently massaged it in.

"Nuanyue, I know you care about me. Don’t be angry anymore. I’ll tell you," Hua Yusen said, his hands never stopping. "I was punished. I was supposed to be promoted, but now, not only did I not get promoted, I was demoted. Da Tou used to be my subordinate, but now he’s my superior, so..."

Hearing this, Zhao Nuanyue breathed a sigh of relief. ’For someone like Hua Yusen, a temporary promotion or demotion isn’t that important.’

Zhao Nuanyue listened, then shook her head. "You’re my hero. No matter what happens, I believe you’ll have a bright future. I may not be able to help you now, but I’ll work harder so I’m not a burden, and one day, I’ll be able to help you."

"Honestly, just you being safe and healthy is the biggest help to me," Hua Yusen said with a smile. "Just having you by my side makes me feel incredibly happy. For now, let’s just enjoy being together."

"Mm, it’s so good to be together." ’I know things aren’t as simple as he makes them sound,’ Zhao Nuanyue thought. ’There are still many hardships ahead of us. We can only overcome these difficulties one by one and find happiness if we hold fast to our convictions.’

This was Zhao Nuanyue’s wish, one she hoped with all her heart would come true.

"Alright, it’s getting late. You should get some rest," Hua Yusen said with a smile. "First thing tomorrow, I’m taking you and Nuanyang to make New Year’s visits around the village."

Hearing this, Zhao Nuanyue grew hesitant. "Maybe we shouldn’t?" she said haltingly. "We were supposed to be home for the New Year, but we came back early. People will definitely have some unkind speculations."

"It’s fine. Just say things were chaotic back home, so you returned," Hua Yusen chuckled. "They might speculate privately, but they won’t ask outright. After all, during the New Year, nobody wants to be the fool who twists the knife."

Hearing Hua Yusen’s analogy, Zhao Nuanyue smiled and retorted, "That’s not necessarily true. An enemy wouldn’t just twist the knife once, they’d do it many times."

"Heh, don’t worry," Hua Yusen chuckled. "Wang Dadan and Li Siming fell and broke some bones. They’re stuck at home recovering, so they won’t be stirring up any trouble. I taught them a little lesson after you left, to make sure they understand that doing bad things has consequences."

"You’re amazing," Zhao Nuanyue praised. ’With him around, I feel so safe.’

When they woke up the next morning, Zhao Nuanyue, Hua Yusen, and Zhao Nuan Yang made dumplings with everyone. After eating, the couple went to Miao Dahai and Li Guihua’s home to pay their New Year’s respects.

When Miao Dahai saw Hua Yusen and Zhao Nuanyue, he was taken aback for a moment but quickly composed himself. ’Something must have happened with their families, otherwise they wouldn’t be back now.’

’It’s the New Year, and things aren’t easy for these young people,’ Miao Dahai thought. He shot a look to the others in the room, signaling them not to ask any prying questions that would make things uncomfortable.

No one there was mean-spirited, so after the New Year’s pleasantries were exchanged, they didn’t ask why the couple had returned.

After the greetings, Miao Dahai looked at Zhao Nuanyue and Hua Yusen and said in a heartfelt, serious tone, "It’s been hard on you, having those people assigned to live with you. The village is aware of the situation, and when work is assigned next year, you will certainly be rewarded. You’ve done a very good job, and we hope you’ll continue to do so."

Zhao Nuanyue listened and replied earnestly, "Since it’s a task assigned to us by the village, we will do our best to complete it."

"Good," Miao Dahai said with a smile.

These words were spoken in front of everyone, open and aboveboard.

"Yes, I’ll make sure they know," Hua Yusen acknowledged. Miao Dahai’s tone was serious, but he was also encouraging them to pick themselves up and take care of themselves.