It didn’t want to be separated from Zhao Nuanyue, either. Its cultivation speed increased significantly when it was near her.

"Er..." After a moment of thought, the Little Red Carp said, "I can’t leave here right now! Besides, if you go too far from Nianqiao Village, the Dragon Scale’s power won’t work for you anymore. Let me think... Is there another way?"

"Please," Zhao Nuanyue said, clasping her hands together and giving the Little Red Carp a pitiful look. "Little Red Carp, my stepfather’s family is awful. Nuanyang and I used to work nonstop at home and still didn’t have enough to eat. It was miserable. After the New Year, I’ll be sixteen—seventeen by traditional reckoning. You see how pretty I am, a peerless beauty. What if he gets any wicked ideas... I... my life will be ruined..."

Although it sympathized with its master, the Little Red Carp couldn’t help but twitch a little upon hearing her praise her own "peerless beauty."

’Women are so confident about their looks!’

The Little Red Carp took a closer look at Zhao Nuanyue and realized she truly was beautiful. She had every right to be confident. No wonder she was afraid those villains, her stepfather included, would try something.

"Master, you’re a good person. I trust you, so I’ll lend you the most important item in the Dragon Palace. I just hope you’ll return it to me when you get back." After careful consideration, the Little Red Carp decided to help Zhao Nuanyue. If anything happened to her, Nianqiao Village’s future might truly be doomed.

Zhao Nuanyue nodded eagerly. She would never claim something that didn’t belong to her. The chance to borrow it was already a rare privilege, and she was filled with gratitude.

"Yes, of course. I’ll definitely give it back," Zhao Nuanyue chuckled. "I’m a trustworthy person. As long as you don’t fail me, I will never fail you!" 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Hearing this, the Little Red Carp swished its tail and swam into the back. It returned with a scale in its mouth, placed it before Zhao Nuanyue, and said, "Master, this is another scale left behind by the old master. It’s used to sustain the underground Dragon Palace here in Nianqiao Village. You can take it, but you must return it to me within forty-nine days. If you do, it won’t have any effect on the Dragon Palace."

"Okay, I understand," Zhao Nuanyue nodded. "I’ll be back as soon as I can. There’s a hole in it. I’ll find a string and wear it around my neck. I can’t afford to lose something this valuable."

"Wait, I’ll find you a proper cord." The Little Red Carp’s eyes brightened. It disappeared inside again and returned a moment later with a type of unknown aquatic plant. It was long and thin, like finely shredded seaweed. "Master, this is for you!"

Seeing how serious the Little Red Carp was, Zhao Nuanyue asked curiously, "What’s the story behind this? Does it have some kind of magical power?"

"This is called Dragon Bright Grass. It will grow warm whenever someone has malicious thoughts about you, giving you a chance to be on your guard," the Little Red Carp said proudly. "Pretty amazing, huh? This stuff is the real deal!"

"Wow, that’s amazing! This is perfect." Zhao Nuanyue was thrilled. ’People’s hearts can be so wicked; this is practically tailor-made for me and my brother.’ "Little Red Carp, could you give me one for my brother, too? As you know, he’s not like other children..."

The Little Red Carp felt a pang of reluctance at her words, but then it remembered Zhao Nuanyang’s innocent smile. He was such a pure soul. The carp often played by the water’s edge, and Zhao Nuanyang would just watch it from the bank. It nodded. "All right, then. But just one more. I can’t give them to anyone else."

"Okay, just one," Zhao Nuanyue nodded. "Thank you, Little Red Carp."

The Little Red Carp gave Zhao Nuanyue another stalk, and she left, overjoyed.

’What an incredible haul.’ She was no longer as worried or fearful about her upcoming trip to Jingcheng.

With her train ticket and the letter from home in hand, Zhao Nuanyue went to ask Miao Dahai for leave. Since the village wouldn’t have to pay for anything, Miao Cunzheng naturally didn’t object. He gleefully approved her request, allowing her to stay in the city for a month.

Hua Yusen borrowed the village’s ox cart to take Zhao Nuanyue and Zhao Nuan Yang to the train station. Amid the station’s bustling, jostling crowds, they remained silent.

Hua Yusen helped Zhao Nuanyue get her luggage onto the train, then stood on the platform beneath her window, gazing up at the beautiful girl inside.

The train bound for Jincheng City was about to carry away the girl he loved, taking his heart along with her.

WHOO! WHOO! The train whistle blew, urging those who were about to be parted to say their final goodbyes.

Zhao Nuanyue reached out her hand, her vision blurring with tears as she looked at Hua Yusen. "Goodbye," she choked out. "I’ll be back soon."

"Okay. I’ll wait for you." Hua Yusen felt a sting in his own nose. They had only just confessed their feelings, and now they had to part. He wished time would stand still so he could look at Zhao Nuanyue for just a little longer.

But the train was a heartless beast, letting out a relentless "CLACK-CLACK... CLACK-CLACK..." as its massive body picked up speed, surging ever forward.

Unwilling to let go of Zhao Nuanyue’s hand, Hua Yusen ran alongside the train. But how could two legs ever outrun a machine with countless wheels?

In the cold air, one large hand and one small one finally slipped apart.

Zhao Nuanyue leaned out the window, waving frantically. "Take care! Wait for me to come back!"

Wait for me to come back...

An echo of Zhao Nuanyue’s sweet voice seemed to hang in the air, but the train was already receding, shrinking until it became a black dot that vanished in the distance.

Hua Yusen stood on the platform, utterly dejected, staring down the tracks. In that moment, he was more certain than ever that he had fallen in love with Zhao Nuanyue.

’Even though she was young, even though she had her little schemes and a cunning side, none of it could hide her brilliant kindness and intelligence.’

’Goodbye, my Nuanyue!’

’I hope you come back soon. I’ll be right here, waiting for you!’

Hua Yusen didn’t leave the train station until a staff member came to hurry him along. On the journey back, he felt utterly desolate. Memories of his happy times with Zhao Nuanyue flashed through his mind—so fun, so sweet.

The sweetness of those moments only made his current loneliness and sense of loss all the more bitter.

Hua Yusen picked up three bags of rice from Old Man Sun at the scrap collection station and headed back to Nianqiao Village. By the time he arrived, it was already dark. He quickly unloaded everything from the ox cart into the Dragon King Temple for safekeeping, then went to Miao Dahai’s place to return the cart, leaving a bag of candy on it for Miao Dahai’s children to eat.

He had borrowed their ox cart. Although it was public village property, if Miao Cunzheng hadn’t approved the loan, he would have been out of luck. Since Miao Dahai had made things convenient for him, he wanted to repay the kindness.

However, as Hua Yusen approached the Dragon King Temple, he spotted two shadowy figures scurrying about nearby. Already in a foul mood, Hua Yusen grew even more incensed.