Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty-Chapter 57 - 56 Ten Golden Sparrows

Chapter 57: Chapter 56: Ten Golden Sparrows

Chapter 57 -56: Ten Golden Sparrows

After hearing Chen Dabao’s description, Chen Afu became more certain that the little girl called Yan was suffering from what was described in his former life as autism. It was not too severe, she was just speech impaired, slow to respond, and unable to communicate with others. With proper correction and medication, the ailment was curable.

In her previous life, a colleague’s child suffered from autism. The doctor said it was lucky that the case wasn’t severe and there was a possibility of improvement. To accompany her child, the colleague resigned from her job. Chen Afu later heard that the child really got better and even started schooling.

That child called Yan’er, however, was pitiful. Suffering from this illness without the constant care of a mother. If that “uncle” was her father, there was little chance of him always being by her side. As her grandmother became a nun, she wouldn’t be able to be with the child often either.

But, she was able to attract Yanzi and make Yanzi feel affectionate towards her. Perhaps she was blessed after all. If she wanted to see Yanzi again, she would have to wait until next spring.

Chen Afu thought about making a doll of a smiling Yanzi to gift her. As long as she gets better, the people around her wouldn’t worry about Dabao and Jin Bao anymore.

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Chen Afu was very familiar with Jin Yanzi and had seen her smile. Therefore, the doll she was making should resemble the smiling sparrow that the girl saw.

She spent over an hour making the Yanzi doll, even forgetting to cook dinner.

The doll sported a tail as long as a pair of scissors, bright blue wings and back, a moon-white belly, a chest alternating between blue and white, a little blue head ringed with red. Curved eyes, slightly upturned mouth corners, a sharp beak in wheat yellow that was half-open, revealing a little pink tongue.

At a glance, the doll really looked like a smiling sparrow.

Dabao and Alu were excited and fought to get a look at the doll.

Mrs. Wang looked at the doll and laughed, said, “Afu is so crafty. Even a sparrow can smile, and it’s so endearing.”

Jin Yanzi returned just before it was pitch dark.

After dinner, the Chen family, including Chen Ming, Alu, Dabao and Chen Afu, was in the east room of the old yard. Chen Ming was teaching Alu, Dabao, and Chen Afu how to read. Qi Qi and Hui Hui were snuggled up next to Chen Afu, occasionally reciting a line or two. Zhui Feng was sitting on her lap. Mrs. Wang was not sewing but watching her husband, children, and grandchildren smiling.

Suddenly, they saw four birds flew in from the window. Jin Yanzi was leading, followed by three other birds.

Once Jin Yanzi returned, Zhui Feng immediately jumped off Chen Afu’s lap and dashed out.

Of the three birds trailing behind, two were indistinguishable though their calling was pleasing to the ears. Chen Ming said they were larks.

The other bird was slightly larger than a sparrow, with gorgeously colorful feathers of at least ten different sorts. Even under the dim oil lamp, they could see the feathers shining, resplendent like brocade.

My goodness, this was everyone’s first time seeing such a beautiful bird. It was even more beautiful than the kingfisher that had been brought back earlier and much more so compared to Qi Qi. Despite Qi Qi’s beautiful feathers, they were bold and vivid in bright red and green.

This bird, like a fairy among birds, was beautiful, elegant, and refined. Its call was melodious and pleasant as well. Though the sound was not loud, it was soothing to the ear.

It was greatly delightful to the eye and pleasing to the ear. It would be an apt description for this bird.

No one knew what kind of bird it was.

Jin Yanzi chirped, “You should put them in the cage immediately. They are not as smart as Qi Qi and Hui Hui. If they go out, they won’t be able to find their way back.”

Chen Afu rushed to the New Courtyard to bring two bird cages over. She placed the beautiful little bird in the small cage and the two larks in the large one.

Jin Yanzi hung herself on Chen Afu’s clothes and murmured to her, “Give the Cloud Brocade Sparrow to Yan’er. Although the little girl is small, she appreciates it and is pitiable. When I’m not around, let the Cloud Brocade Sparrow accompany her. Keep the two larks at home, hanging them under mommy’s window. They were too lonely in the space. When they hear the larks singing, they would feel as if they were still in the forest, and life wouldn’t be so hard.”

So this bird was called a Cloud Brocade Sparrow. The name was quite fitting.

Chen Afu stroked Jin Yanzi’s little head and nodded. She told Chen Ming and the others, “This little bird is extraordinary at first sight. Why not gift it to the young lady in Tang Garden? With the company of this bird, perhaps she won’t feel so upset anymore and the people in Tang Garden won’t keep targeting Dabao and Jin Bao.”

The rest of them all nodded their approval. Although they also liked this gorgeous little bird, they were willing to offer it up if it would stop the Tang Garden folks from eyeing Dabao and the others.

Chen Dabao looked at the bird and said, “This little bird is as beautiful as Yan’er. It is like giving a treasured sword to a hero.”

Everyone burst into laughter. Chen Afu teased him, “You are stumbling in the outhouse-shit’s going everywhere.”

Chen Ming also laughed, “Ms. Chu is a girl. The saying goes, ‘a delicate beauty bestows gifts on a fair lady.’

Chen Dabao was embarrassed and chuckled, “From now on, I will surely strive to study without slackening.”

Chen Afu fetched the pearl meatballs from the kitchen for Jin Yanzi. Her little belly was full after only two meatballs. The leftovers were a treat for the big-bellied Hui Hui.

Prior to midnight, the sad Jin Yanzi went to the space. Chen Afu accompanied her in, originally intending to spend some time comforting her wounded little heart. Unexpectedly, her sorrow was momentary as she immediately threw herself into the building of her nest.

It seemed that whether humans or animals, if life was enriching, there was no extra time to grumble or complain.

Chen Afu laughed, then left the space.

When Chen Dabao woke up the next morning and didn’t see Jin Yanzi, he asked, “Mother, did Jin Yanzi go back to the forest?”

Chen Afu shook her head, “She should be heading south. I saw her join a flock of birds flying from north to south just a while ago.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Dabao became uneasy, tears started welling up in his eyes. He refused to go to the old yard for meals and stuck to Chen Afu.

Upon hearing that Jin Bao had flown south, Alu’s eyes reddened, Chen Ming and Mrs. Wang heaved sighs too. They all expressed, “We’ve been with Jin Bao for so long, we really can’t bear to see her leave.”

Everyone ate breakfast amidst sighs and whimpers, with no taste for the food.

After breakfast, Chen Dabao went back to his room to write big characters. He would join Alu in learning from Chen Ming when it came to reading and recognizing words. But when it came to writing, each of them would practice in their own quiet rooms.

Chen Afu went to feed Qi Qi and Hui Hui, who were both whining and refusing to leave their birdcage.

Dabao, standing by the side, pouted and said, “It must be because Jin Bao left, they’re feeling upset.”

Only Zhui Feng was jumping and howling around the yard as if it had gone mad. Perhaps it hadn’t forgotten how it was disgracefully caught by Jin Yanzi with two of its legs tied together and hauled back in a rainy night.

Chen Afu fed the newly arrived three birds, and then went to the backyard to feed the chickens when she heard a knock at the door.

When she opened the courtyard gate and saw who it was, she was taken aback. It was Manager Luo, the person who had come the day before.