Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty

Chapter 37: Chapter 36: Meeting Again Chapter 37: Chapter 36: Meeting Again Having crossed through time for so long, this was the first time Chen Afu had touched a silver coin and she was quite excited. She slipped the silver into her bosom, or rather, into the void she carried.

Noticing the envious glares around her, she couldn’t help but feel a little uneasy. She tightened her grip on Dabao’s hand and began to look for Jin Yanzi. Where had that little bird flown to this time?

Chen Dabao initially allowed himself to bask in the joy of their lucky find, but noticing the covetous looks from the crowd, he quickly sobered and tugged at his mother’s hand to whisper, “Mother, be careful, the eyes of the man selling dragon kites have turned red looking at us.”

Chen Afu cast her gaze around for Jin Yanzi. Suddenly, she spotted Jin Yanzi circling above a beautiful woman who was nearly at the temple gate.

Thinking of the phoenix hairpin on the woman’s head, her heart lurched. Releasing Dabao’s hand, she pinched the palm of her left hand, and sure enough, Jin Yanzi responded by diving into her sleeve and chirped, “What are you calling me back for? Can’t you see I’m busy?”

Chen Afu whispered, “People have seen the silver I’ve earned. What if they try to harm me? You must stay close and protect me.”

Jin Yanzi huffed, “You are too much. I need to find you another bodyguard to avoid all this trouble.”

Chen Dabao, thinking his mother was talking to him, puffed up his little chest and said, “Mother, don’t worry, I will protect you.”

Chen Afu, holding Dabao’s hand, swiftly made her way down the hill. Jin Yanzi was nestled securely against Chen Afu’s collar, appearing as nothing more than a tiny swallow embroided on her dress at a glance.

It was midday, and few people were on the road. Despite the dense shade in the mountains, the sunlight piercing through the leaves was still scorching. Excited and nervous, plus the heat, Chen Afu felt her clothes soaked with sweat.

Seeing Dabao struggling to keep up in his oversized trousers, she bent down to pick him up and carry him.

Dabao twisted away, “Grandma said I’m to protect you, it would be too shameful if people saw you carrying me.”

Then, Chen Afu realized they were being followed by two men who stayed just two steps behind them. Dabao seemed to sense the same danger and instinctively tightened his grip on his mother’s hand.

There were a few huge boulders ahead, about 200 meters away, perfectly positioned to obscure the view of passers-by. As they moved closer to the boulders, Chen Afu became more nervous. She slowed her pace, hoping more people would join them on the road. Unless it was absolutely necessary, she didn’t want to reveal Jin Yanzi.

Perhaps the men had chosen that spot for whatever they planned to do, as they slowed their pace and continued stalking them.

As the boulders were within reach, a group of people suddenly appeared, approaching them from lower down the mountain – about a dozen on horseback and two horse-drawn carts. Chen Afu was relieved. The luck afforded to those who crossed through time was not to be underestimated after all, and she hurriedly pulled Dabao along with her.

When they reached the boulders, they crossed paths with the group. A man amongst them caught Chen Afu’s eye; she recognized him instantly, remembering him as the hero who had saved her when she first crossed over. He was wearing a moon-white robe embroidered with flowers, a golden belt, his cold and proud demeanor was reflected in his handsome face, making him particularly eye-catching on horseback.

Chen Dabao recognized him as well and excitedly called out, “Benefactor, benefactor, it’s us again.”

The man paused, looking somewhat stunned at Dabao as if the child was talking to him.

Dabao let go of Chen Afu’s hand, bowed to the man and said, “Don’t you remember, benefactor? A few months ago, in the county town, you saved my mother. My mother has fully recovered her health now, thank you…” As he spoke, he bowed several more times.

While Dabao was speaking, a small head popped out of the window of the cart in front of them. A little girl, about four or five years old, appeared. Her skin was as white as snow, she had plump cheeks, a cherubic mouth, and a pair of big round eyes reminiscent of freshly-picked black grapes…though moist, they appeared lifeless.

This child was so beautiful it could steal one’s heart. But the blank look in her beautiful eyes evoked a pang of sadness.

Jin Yanzi’s tongue was faltering again, cooing, “Such a lovely little sister, even lovelier than Dabao.” Then, it suddenly flew onto the back of the hand that the girl had resting on the carriage window.

The girl’s eyes finally moved a bit, turning towards Jin Yanzi, and it seemed like her face showed the slightest stir of emotion, as she murmured softly, “Birdie—smiled, Birdie—smiled.” Her voice was soft and mellow, spoken at a snail’s pace. Her little mouth opened and closed, like peach blossoms fluttering in the March breeze.

Jin Yanzi also cooed a couple of times towards the little girl, with a tone so sweet it could make people’s knees go weak.

The man, who had grown tired of listening to Chen Dabao prattle on, heard the girl speaking. His face lit up with joy and he hurriedly dismounted his horse, coming over to the carriage and bending down smiling, “Yan’er, were those words from you just now?”

His voice was very soft and gentle, extremely cautious as if afraid to frighten the girl. At this moment, the frost in his eyes had melted into spring water, and his face was warm with smiles like sunlight so radiant.

The girl ignored his attempt at pleasing her, continuing to stare absentmindedly at Jin Yanzi, repeating the same sentence, “Birdie—smiled.”

The man, hearing her, became even happier. He laughed and said, “It truly is Yan’er speaking, do you like this bird? Daddy will catch it for you right away.”

Finishing his words, he tried to grab Jin Yanzi. His hand was quick, but Jin Yanzi was quicker. With a swift flash, Jin Yanzi was already flying up in the sky.

The girl, seeing the bird suddenly fly away, had large droplets of tears rolling down her eyes, her mouth puckering up. She slowly said, “Birdie—flew away, Birdie—flew away….”

The man, realizing he had scared the bird away, had a face turning green with regret. He quickly climbed into the carriage, pulling the girl close, coaxing her, “I’m sorry, it was daddy’s fault, I was too impatient. Be a good girl, Yan’er, we’ll first pay grandma a visit, and then when we return, daddy will catch a bird for Yan’er.”

The girl had no other words, it was still the same sentence, “Birdie—flew away….”

The carriage rumbled away.

Chen Afu sighed, “Even wealthy homes have their pitiful souls.” She thought that the girl was not like an intellectually disabled child, but most resembled what her past life called autism.

Dabao, looking at the departing carriage, said, “Mother, that little sister is really pitiable, she likes Jin Bao so much, can we just lend Jin Bao to her for some days?”

Chen Afu replied, “We don’t even know that girl, how can we lend her Jin Bao? Moreover, her father even tried to capture Jin Bao, it’s better for us to keep our distance.”

Dabao pouted, “Oh, I see.”

Jin Yanzi flew down and perched on Chen Afu’s clothes again, complaining grudgingly, “Unbearable kiddo, trying to be generous with my presence! Do you think I’m some piece of furniture that can be lent out? However, that little sister was indeed very lovely.”

The two men who were previously following them saw the child “acquainted” with those riding big horses, and they were already scared off. Chen Afu led Dabao to Lingyin Temple’s entrance. The crowd here was still as large as ever, only the stalls selling items had lesser people, whereas the food stalls were exceptionally bustling.

Mrs. Wang and Alu were already quite worried, but seeing them arrive, Alu called out loudly. They still had one needlework basket that remained unsold.

Dabao, excited, ran over, crouching and whispering into Mrs. Wang and Alu’s ear, “My mom is so capable, all the needlework bags are sold, we earned a lot of money.”

………

Thanks to Xiaohuan’er for the sachet, thank you Hera@Qianlin and Miracle123 for the wallets, much appreciated!