Chapter 158: Chapter 158: Arousing Affection and Concern
In an impoverished backwater like this, just getting enough to eat was a blessing. Adopting a child? Wouldnât that just make life even harder?
A baby might not eat much, but they take up so much time. How would she work? Was she planning on taking the Little Red Carp with her everywhere?
Besides, it was already hard enough for an unmarried young woman with a simple-minded brother to find a husband. Now sheâd picked up an infant to be her sister!
The burden was too heavy. No man would be willing to take that on!
After the meal, Zhao Nuanyue held the Little Red Carp, and with her brother and Hua Yusen in tow, went to the home of Li Guihua, the director of the Womenâs Federation.
Li Guihua had also just finished her meal. Seeing Zhao Nuanyue arrive with a baby in her arms, she grew curious. After looking the child over, she realized it wasnât one of the village kids and asked, "Nuanyue, whose child is that?"
"Aunt Li, sheâs one of ours now. Sheâs my sister," Zhao Nuanyue replied. "I found her by the river last night. Mr. Hua and I waited all night, but no one came looking for her, so I want to adopt her."
"What?" Li Guihua exclaimed in shock. "Good heavens, who could be so heartless as to abandon a child? Besides, youâre an unmarried young woman. How can you adopt an infant? How will you ever get married?"
As she said this, Li Guihua glanced at Hua Yusen, who was standing nearby.
"Itâs fine. Last night, while I was sleeping, I faintly heard a child crying in the distance. I ran outside and found her by the river. Weâre connected by fate, so I want to adopt her."
Seeing how resolute Zhao Nuanyue was, Li Guihua still felt it was her duty as an official to try and reason with her. "Nuanyue, raising a child isnât like raising a dog or a cat. You have to treat her like your own sister and raise her to adulthood. Thatâs not an easy thing to do."
âEven though she knew it wouldnât be easy, Zhao Nuanyue would never give the Little Red Carp to someone else.â
"I know, Aunt Li," Zhao Nuanyue answered in a clear, serious voice. "The Little Red Carp is just a baby, and sheâs very easy to care for, so I can raise her. I may not be old, but Iâve been raising my younger brother since I was a child. I can raise the Little Red Carp well."
Seeing that Zhao Nuanyue was so determined and unwilling to change her mind, Li Guihua stopped trying to persuade her. She nodded and said, "The child does seem fated to be with you. Since you want to raise her so badly, then you can care for her for now, at least until her family comes looking. Weâve been talking for a while now, and she hasnât cried once. She seems like a sensible child, so she probably wonât be difficult to look after."
"Thatâs right, the Little Red Carp is very well-behaved and adorable," Zhao Nuanyue replied. "She hasnât cried at all since last night. Little Red Carp, say thank you to Grandma Li."
"Thank you, Grandma Li," the Little Red Carp said in a sweet, childish voice, a lovely smile gracing her face.
Oh, how older folks love a childâs smile. Li Guihua beamed. "This child is so bright. Sheâll have a promising future. I can process a temporary certificate for you to formalize the provisional adoption. If no one comes looking for her after three months, Iâll help you with the official adoption procedures and add her to your household registration. By the way, Mr. Hua, what are your thoughts on Miss Zhao adopting this little one?"
Hua Yusen smiled. "I have no objections. If Nuanyue wants to raise her, then she should. The child is quite adorable, and I like her very much myself."
Since Hua Yusen didnât object, Li Guihua had no further worries and took them to the village office to get the paperwork done right away.
Miao Dahai happened to be in the village office. He had just returned from a patrol and was somewhat relieved to see that the water level in the village had dropped significantly. When he saw Zhao Nuanyue arrive with a child, he was in the mood to joke around.
When he heard that this was a child Zhao Nuanyue had found by the river, he was stunned. After examining the baby carefully and confirming she wasnât from the village, he approved Zhao Nuanyueâs request to adopt her.
"Mr. Hua, youâre an educated man. Do you think the water level will rise again?" Miao Dahai asked, looking out at the gloomy sky. Though it wasnât raining at the moment, dark clouds were gathering, and it looked like another downpour was imminent.
Hua Yusen glanced outside and said, "I remember it rained heavily last year, tooâeven more than it has nowâbut I donât recall the water level ever getting this high."
"Exactly, I find it strange, too. Itâs not just last year. A few years back, we had a storm that lasted for more than ten days straight, and even then, the water in our village didnât get as high as it is now." Miao Dahai sighed, worried that if the water continued to rise, it would endanger all of Nianqiao Village.
Listening to their conversation, Zhao Nuanyue reflected silently. âOf course the water level is higher this year. Itâs because the outlet of the underground river was washed open. Luckily, the Little Red Carp and I blocked it, which is why the water is slowly receding. Otherwise, the opening would have just gotten wider and wider, causing a massive flood in Nianqiao Village even without any more rain.â
"We shouldnât dwell on it now. While the water level is lower, we need to organize the villagers to drain the fields as quickly as possible. We have to get as much water out as we can, or this seasonâs crops will be completely ruined," Hua Yusen reminded them. This was no time for sighing.
Miao Dahai nodded repeatedly. "Youâre right. Iâll go get some men to start draining the water right now."
Because of the heavy rain, the women were told to stay home, while every able-bodied man was called out to help drain the water.
After getting the paperwork for the Little Red Carp sorted out, Zhao Nuanyue headed back to the Dragon King Temple with her. On the way, however, the Little Red Carp secretly used her Spell to make the water in the fields flow toward the drainage ditches as much as possible.
The Little Red Carp remembered the Old Dragon Kingâs words clearly: bring blessings to the local people, do good and benevolent deeds. Not only would this help others, but it would also earn her merit!
The Spiritual Energy was thin here, so the merit she could earn was also small, but something was better than nothing! Every little bit added up, and it would all be useful eventually.
When they got back to the Dragon King Temple, Hua Yusen went out with Yang Guanghui and Zhao Nuan Yang to help drain the water. With Hua Yusen looking after him, Zhao Nuanyue wasnât worried about her brother.
The few elderly people had to head to the livestock brigade, and Zhao Nuanyue, not feeling at ease, took the Little Red Carp and went with them.
By the time they reached the livestock brigade, it was pouring rain again, so everyone had to work indoors, chopping fodder.
But that was fine, too. At least it was cool today.
Zhao Nuanyue set the Little Red Carp down to play by herself and started helping the others with their work.
Though the Little Red Carp was tiny, her steps were steady. She toddled around the adults, helping to pass them bundles of hay.
"This little one is so well-behaved and easy to care for. I havenât heard a single cry from her," Old Madam Qian praised. She wiped her hands and stretched them out. "Come here, Little Red Carp. Come to Grandma."
The Little Red Carp happily ran over and threw herself into Old Madam Qianâs arms. "Hello, Grandma."
"Oh, my sweet little granddaughter," Old Madam Qian cooed, her heart melting at the sound of the Little Red Carpâs sweet, childish voice.