Chapter 341: Looking for a Person, or a Fish?

"Perhaps," Zhao Nuanyue said. "Everyone makes their own choices, and once you make one, you have to bear the consequences. Whether they’re good or bad, you have to face them on your own."

Wang Yuan froze at Zhao Nuanyue’s words, her mind wandering.

"Yes, you’re right," Wang Yuan echoed. "You reap what you sow."

’Wang Yuan felt a flicker of fear. To get the life and things she wanted, she had hurt people. Would there be retribution?’

’But she couldn’t worry about that now. She refused to be content with her current life; she wanted a change.’

Although Zhao Nuanyue hoped her words might dissuade Wang Yuan, she knew Wang Yuan wasn’t the type to give up easily. She was certain she wouldn’t.

After that, Wang Yuan and Zhao Nuanyue chatted for a long time about Nianqiao Village, falling back into their old, easy rapport. Just as Zhao Nuanyue was running out of things to talk about, Zhao Nuanyang returned from his grocery shopping.

"Sis, I bought a pound of meat and a whole chicken today!" Zhao Nuanyang said with a smile. "We have plenty of string beans growing in the yard. I’ll go pick some!"

Seeing Zhao Nuanyang bustling about, Wang Yuan felt a bit guilty and quickly said, "Nuanyang, don’t go to so much trouble. We’re practically family; something simple is fine. Remember back in Nianqiao Village? We ate wild vegetables and thin porridge for every meal, and we did just fine, didn’t we?"

"Haha, that was because we had no choice. We couldn’t have eaten well even if we’d wanted to," Zhao Nuanyang chuckled. "But life is better now, so of course we can’t live like we used to. You two keep chatting, I’ll go get them."

"Brother, I’ll help you." Little Red Carp was bored out of her mind. She didn’t want to listen to her sister and Wang Yuan reminisce about the bittersweet past.

They went out to the part of the yard that used to be a flower bed. There were no flowers now—instead, it was planted with vegetables: string beans, eggplants, cucumbers, green beans, pumpkins, and more.

Little Red Carp picked a cucumber, rubbed off its little spines, and took a bite. "Brother, our cucumbers are so delicious," she said.

"Haha, of course they are! We grew them ourselves," Zhao Nuanyang said cheerfully. This little vegetable patch had given him a new hobby: gardening. He did most of the work here, tending to the plants every day.

"That’s not right!" Little Red Carp shook her head. "My sister and I didn’t do anything. It’s because my brother is amazing!"

"Haha!" At first, Zhao Nuanyang was a bit confused, but hearing Little Red Carp’s words, he burst into a hearty laugh. His little sister was just too adorable. "Little Red Carp, how are you so cute? When I have kids, I hope I have a daughter just as adorable as you."

"Hehe, what if you have a son?" Little Red Carp asked. When it came to having children, no one could know for sure whether they’d have a boy or a girl.

"Then I’ll just keep having kids until I get a daughter," Zhao Nuanyang said earnestly. The thought of his wonderful sister, who was about to marry Hua Yusen, made him a little melancholy. Fortunately, his other sister, Little Red Carp, was still little. It would be a long time before she grew up, got married, and had children of her own. For now, he didn’t have to worry about letting her go.

"Haha, you’re so silly, brother!" Little Red Carp clapped her hands and laughed. But a moment later, a thought struck her. ’If my brother gets married and has kids, will he stop doting on me?’

And just like that, Little Red Carp’s laughter died, and her expression turned glum.

’Little Red Carp was just laughing so happily a moment ago. Why the sudden change?’

"Little Red Carp, what’s wrong?" Zhao Nuanyang asked, surprised. "Are you not feeling well?"

Little Red Carp shook her head mournfully. "Brother," she said, looking pitiful, "if you marry some other woman and have children, will you stop caring about me? Will you stop doting on me?"

Zhao Nuanyang froze when he heard her words, and then he suddenly understood why she was so upset.

Zhao Nuanyang quickly set down his basket, scooped up Little Red Carp, and pinched her chubby little cheeks. "You," he said with a chuckle, "always worrying for nothing. You wouldn’t believe me if I said nothing at all would change. But Little Red Carp, you have to remember this: your brother and sister will always have a place for you in our hearts. That’s enough, isn’t it?"

"Umm..." Little Red Carp’s big eyes darted back and forth. Then, in a crisp voice, she declared, "It’s not enough for my brother and sister to have me in their hearts! You have to love me forever, too!"

"Haha, yes, we have our Little Red Carp, and we love our Little Red Carp," Zhao Nuanyang chuckled, then looked at her with adoration. "Little Red Carp will grow up day by day, too. Someday you’ll be a young woman, and you’ll find a man you like, and then you’ll get married and have children..."

Little Red Carp stared at him, dumbfounded. "Brother," she asked, completely bewildered, "I’m a fish. How can I get married? Would I marry a fish, or would I marry a person?"

"Huh?" Now it was Zhao Nuanyang’s turn to be dumbstruck. ’That’s right,’ he thought. ’Little Red Carp isn’t really human. She’s a Carp Spirit. If she were to find a partner, would it be a person... or a fish?’

Seeing that her brother couldn’t answer, Little Red Carp grew glum again.

’The Old Dragon King said he was the last Dragon King on Earth. She was probably the last spirit monster, too.’

Seeing his sister was unhappy again, Zhao Nuanyang quickly said, "Little Red Carp, don’t be scared. Your brother and sister will always be with you. Even if you can’t get married or have babies in the future, I’ll have a baby for you to look after, how about that?"

"No! I want my brother and sister to always play with me," Little Red Carp rejected the idea. Growing up seemed so far away; it was better not to think about it. "Even though I suddenly felt a little sad, my heart feels better now, knowing my brother and sister are by my side."

Seeing his sister being so endearing made Zhao Nuanyang’s heart ache with even more affection for her.

So, Zhao Nuanyang finished picking the vegetables and headed back inside with Little Red Carp. He washed them, and then his sister started cooking.

Since Wang Yuan was there, Zhao Nuanyang and Little Red Carp weren’t needed in the kitchen. Wang Yuan helped Zhao Nuanyue with the cooking, just like they used to in Nianqiao Village.

The atmosphere reminded Zhao Nuanyue of their days in Nianqiao Village. Life had been hard, but it had also been full of joy.

After dinner, Wang Yuan said her goodbyes and left.

"Sigh..." Zhao Nuanyue finally let out a breath, her expression tinged with melancholy.

"Sigh..." Little Red Carp copied her sister, her expression also full of melancholy.

"Sigh..." Seeing that both his older and younger sisters were looking melancholy, Zhao Nuanyang grew melancholy himself.

The bright moon hung high in the sky as the three of them sat quietly in the courtyard.

After a long moment, Zhao Nuanyue finally shook off her somber mood. Turning to see the expressions on her brother and sister’s faces, she asked, "Why are you two so glum?"

"I saw you and Little Sister were both looking sad, so I started feeling down too," Zhao Nuanyang said honestly. "But shouldn’t you be happy that Sister Wang Yuan came to visit? Why the long face?"

"Sigh, it’s *because* she came," Zhao Nuanyue said with a wry smile. "Nuanyang, the next time you see Wang Yuan, act as warm and friendly as always on the surface, but be on your guard."