Chapter 59: Chapter 59: Outliving Your Opponents Is Victory
However, the village’s decision was exactly what Zhao Nuanyue and Hua Yusen had hoped for.
Hua Yusen nodded. "We’ll follow all the village’s instructions!"
"Good, good!" Miao Dahai nodded. "This brings the matter to a close. Since you’ve accepted this task, you’ll give them their monthly grain rations directly from now on. Let them cook for themselves and reform themselves through their own labor."
"Yes!" Hua Yusen was overjoyed. ’This couldn’t be better.’
’It’s good they’ve moved over. No more delivering food in the middle of the night and losing sleep over it.’
’They’re just in the backyard now. We can just open a back gate to deliver things. It’s incredibly convenient.’
Seeing Zhao Nuanyue and Hua Yusen agree, Miao Dahai called a few men over to clean the backyard of the Dragon King Temple. Although it was dilapidated, the side rooms inside all had heated beds covered with mats and straw, but they could no longer be used. Besides, these people were supposed to be undergoing reform. If their living conditions were too good, it wouldn’t be appropriate. So Miao Dahai didn’t have anyone light the beds, merely instructing that more straw and old bedding be sent over.
Miao Dahai moved with great speed, escorting the five individuals to the tidied-up courtyard. He then retrieved their grain rations from Ma Po’s house and brought them over, telling them to cook for themselves. Of course, the small pot they were given was on loan from the village.
After Miao Dahai and his men left, Zhao Nuanyue and Hua Yusen closed the gate. They could finally see the undisguised joy in each other’s eyes.
’Finally, things will be a little easier. The elders won’t have to suffer so much anymore.’
Zhao Nuanyue quickly moved the brazier from her house into the main hall of the Dragon King Temple, which was more spacious. She then called the elders over to sit on chairs and warm themselves by the fire. The rooms in the back still needed tidying up, so they weren’t ready to be lived in just yet.
Old Sir Qian led his wife over, overjoyed. "We finally have a roof over our heads!"
"Indeed," He Qiang said with a sigh. "Even though the heated beds can’t be lit, with the thick straw and bedding underneath, it’s much better than living in a shack."
Zhao Nuanyue smiled and called her brother over. "Nuanyang, please pour some water for the grandpas and grandma here. Hua Yusen and I are going to the back to tidy up a bit more. Oh, and if someone knocks on the gate, remember to come find me."
"Mhm!" Zhao Nuan Yang nodded. Even though the sudden arrival of so many people made him feel awkward and uneasy, having his sister nearby helped him feel a bit more settled. He went to the kitchen, fetched some bowls, and poured hot water for everyone.
The elders were all sharp and perceptive from their long years. They could tell from Zhao Nuan Yang’s behavior that he wasn’t a typical boy. Still, he was clearly kind and very polite.
Zhao Nuanyue and Hua Yusen spent another two hours cleaning for the elders until the rooms were spotless. Gu Qingyu was given his own room, Old Sir Qian and his wife shared another, and He Qiang and Sun Haoran took the third.
Once everything was tidy, Zhao Nuanyue started making lunch.
It was supposed to be lunch, but by now it was already almost three in the afternoon.
They had been eating fish balls for several meals in a row, and worried everyone was getting tired of them, Zhao Nuanyue cooked a thick rice porridge. She served it with side dishes and a delicious radish and wild pheasant stew. It would have tasted even better with steamed rice, but that would use up too much of their supply, and there wouldn’t be enough for so many people.
After the meal, Hua Yusen went to wash the bowls.
Even with hot water, washing the dishes always left Zhao Nuanyue’s hands red and frozen.
’He... he couldn’t bear to see it...’
Zhao Nuan Yang went back to his room to continue drawing, not wanting to be around so many people.
Meanwhile, everyone was gathered in the main hall of the Dragon King Temple, warming themselves by the fire and chatting animatedly. Now that they had a new place to shelter from the wind and rain, a fire to warm them, food when hungry, and water when thirsty, their spirits were much improved.
"Elders," Hua Yusen began, "the village will likely send people to inspect things frequently from now on." This was the reality of their situation. "In order to deal with those inspections, we might have to say some harsh things. Please don’t hold it against us."
He Qiang smiled. "Sigh, I’ve come to realize that being defiant only hurts us in the end. Mr. Hua and Mr. Zhao are kind-hearted and looking out for us, so we can accept it even if you have to say some unpleasant things. After all, when we were on the verge of death, who could afford to care about such matters? You might be helping us out of sympathy, pure kindness, or perhaps for some other reason, but I’ve seen how hard you’ve both worked these past few months. I’m just a humble art teacher with no other skills. If I ever get out of here, or when conditions allow, I will give each of you one of my paintings."
Hua Yusen smiled. "Alright, it’s a deal."
’You can’t just be selflessly kind to someone; you have to see if they’re willing to accept it.’ By speaking plainly, He Qiang had made it easier for himself to accept their help with a clear conscience. The truth was, the people Hua Yusen truly wanted to protect were Gu Qingyu, and Old Sir Qian and his wife. Sun Haoran and He Qiang were just incidental.
Hearing this, Sun Haoran also smiled. "This old man has no other skills, but my abilities as a National Doctor are decent. When the opportunity arises and conditions permit, I will make some pills to restore vitality and strengthen one’s constitution. They can prolong one’s life and are very hard to come by. I’ll give you some as repayment then. But these are just promises for now; we have to wait until we can return home. Sigh, who knows when that will be."
Professor Qian was deeply moved. "Xiaohua, Xiao Zhao," he said, "I have nothing to give you. I feel so ashamed!"
"Uncle Qian, you are my elder, the parents of a dear friend of mine. It’s only right that I take care of you," Hua Yusen said, grasping the old man’s hand. "Focus on your health. This village is remote, and while it has its share of troubles, its isolation also means you can live a relatively stable life here. I’ve heard that after the New Year, come springtime, you’ll be expected to work in the fields. So for now, don’t overthink things. Just focus on building up your strength and staying alive. As long as you’re alive, there’s hope."
Gu Qingyu nodded. "That’s right. As long as we’re alive, there’s hope. If you give up, you’ll never see that hope come to fruition. We have Xiaohua and Xiao Zhao helping us now; we haven’t reached rock bottom. I survived much worse conditions back in the day, so I can definitely survive this!"
’He’s an important figure, after all. To have endured so many trials and still persevere.’
’As for who was right and who was wrong, that’s for future generations to judge.’
’But the greatest victory is simply outliving all your enemies. If you’re still standing in the end, you’ve won.’
Elder Gu was exactly that kind of person.
"I can’t help with much else," Zhao Nuanyue said softly, "but I can do my best to cook nutritious food for everyone to help you regain your strength. I know things are difficult now, but they will get better. It’s like my brother and me. To escape the abuse from my stepfather’s family, I chose to bring my brother here to this little mountain village. I’m not asking for much, just for us to grow up in peace. Once the political situation stabilizes, we’ll find a chance to go back."
