Chapter 156 (1/2)
Chapter 156: 156
Zhao Han looked towards the direction of Yu Xiaocao for a second . Once he went to the capital, he wasn’t sure when he would see her again . He believed he would always remember that thin and weak, yet simultaneously strong figure . Even in the pits of suffering, that little girl always had a sweet smile on her face, and she always managed to bring people hope as well as create many surprises . . . he didn’t know whether he would be able to see her again in the future!
After they finished their meal, the old general, Zhao Zimo, left early to go back . Zhao Bufan and Yu Hai gazed at the moon together as they drank small sips of alcohol . Their eyes were hazy with drunkenness and they chatted incoherently amongst themselves . Auntie Zhao pulled Madam Liu into one of the rooms to discuss some private womanhood matters .
After Zhao Han and Yu Hang finished their conversation, he noticed Xiaocao busily putting away the bowls and chopsticks . At last, he couldn’t help himself and advanced a step to say, “Xiaocao, do you have time to talk for a bit?”
Xiaolian noticed the complicated look in Zhao Han’s eyes and grinned, “Little sister, go ahead! I’ll finish up here myself!”
Yu Xiaocao washed her hands clean, used a cotton towel to wipe them dry, and then headed towards Zhao Han .
“Tomorrow, I’ll be leaving here . Can you go on a walk with me?” Zhao Han lowered his head and looked at the delicate little girl in front of him who only reached the height of his chest . His voice was soft and gentle, as if he was afraid he might startle her .
Yu Xiaocao nodded and took the lead, walking towards the gate .
The cool and refres.h.i.+ng evening breeze blew merrily through the trees . The newly grown foliage rustled gently in the wind . At night, the West Mountain seemed to be a giant, black monster, and it towered over the edge of Dongshan Village . At times, it also seemed like the village’s protector, with its head lowered watching a small child…
Two figures could be seen in the gloomy light of the stars, one tall and one short, one st.u.r.dy and one weak . They slowly strolled along the rugged dirt road . Zhao Han lowered his head to look silently at the quiet Xiaocao . He ended up being the first to break the silence, “I’m about to go, do you have anything you want to say to me?”
At this moment, Yu Xiaocao’s heart was full of sorrow and reluctance . It could be said that Zhao Han was one of the first friends she had since she transmigrated over to this world . It was he who taught her how to set traps and helped her acquire her first bit of wealth . It was he who protected her and her younger brother from the strong bully, Heizi, and became their patron saint . It was he who trusted and pardoned her despite her many odd actions and idiosyncrasies, and who never doubted or questioned her!
Having a friend who supported her unconditionally, it was unlikely she would find another one in the future, right? All sorts of feelings welled up in her heart and out of all of the thousands of words in the world, only one came to mind at this moment, and that was ‘precious’ .
As Zhao Han gazed at that tiny, pale, little, smiling face, that was raised up towards him and had two bright, large eyes full of regret, he had a sudden, reckless impulse to hug Xiaocao and carry her away .
However, reason prevailed in the end and prevented him from taking that crazy action . Zhao Han said with a bit of hope in his voice, “Xiaocao, come with us to the capital! Over there, you can fully use your talents and start a new career . Haven’t you always held Jiang Siniang’s Exquisite Garments as an example of women showing their talents?”
Yu Xiaocao’s large, limpid eyes seemed to speak stories to him as they looked at him . In them, he could see his eager and earnest reflection within her pupils . However, in the end, Xiaocao slowly shook her head . Then again, what sort of qualifications did he have to ask her to go with him?
Yu Xiaocao had managed to sense Zhao Han’s feelings of loss of disappointment . She softly pulled on his sleeve and said, “Brother Han, I know you don’t want to be apart from me, s.h.i.+tou, and the rest of us . We also don’t want to see you go . However, in the capital, you and Uncle Zhao, and the rest of your family can become who you are all truly meant to be and achieve your dreams and aspirations . We can only silently support and bless you here . ”
She paused for a second as she turned her head around to look at the dark shadows of Dongshan Village . A light sigh came out of her before she continued, “I am not the same as you! My G.o.dfather had previously tried to persuade me to go to the capital and accompany my G.o.dmother . He said he wanted to give me a good life there . However, Dongshan Village is my home, my parents, brothers and sister are all here . I can’t give them up and live a luxurious life on my own . If there’s a day that I leave Dongshan Village, it will have to be by my own skills and achievements, so I can bring the entire family over . That way, we can all enjoy a comfortable life together . Do you understand what I’m trying to say?”
Zhao Han’s mother was a n.o.bly born miss from a wealthy family in the previous dynasty . From childhood, she had been instructed in the three injunctions and four virtues . Thus, Zhao Han had always seen women as weak, delicate, sweet-tempered people who relied on their husbands completely . In front of Xiaocao, who constantly strove for improvement, he suddenly realized that women, too, could be independent and strong . They could also, for the sake of their families, work to support the sky as well…
Under the dim starlight, Yu Xiaocao’s confident little face seemed to emit a slight fluorescence . It illuminated the dark mountain forests and also lit a light that couldn’t be extinguished within Zhao Han’s heart .
“Okay! I respect your decision! Then I hope, in the not-so-far future, that we will meet again in the capital . I still believe, that in the capital, you will be able to develop much more rapidly!” Zhao Han drew back his gaze and buried the disappointment he felt deep within his heart . He didn’t know when they would be able to meet again .
Yu Xiaocao revealed a brilliant smile that seemed to be brighter than the full moon . The sound of her voice seemed to echo endlessly within the forest thickets, “We absolutely will! Let’s clap our hands together and make an oath: meet again at the capital!”
A st.u.r.dy and stiff palm crisply hit against a fair and soft palm, causing a sharp and clear sound to appear . That noise seemed extremely loud within the night and startled a bunch of birds that were resting in nearby shrubbery .