Chapter 9 — I Don't Believe That Humanity Has Gray Heads

"Van Tu, do you know why this house was built next to the water?" She shook her head. "My mother is from Giang Nam and loves rivers the most. She said water can wash away dirt and can also purify people's hearts. If you have trouble in your heart, you should live near the water. Looking at the water flowing endlessly, you will understand that there is nothing that cannot be overcome." Giang Van Tu's heart trembled slightly. "You look at that water. Day and night it still flows. flowing, never turning back. Turning back is useless, it's better to move forward." That night, she finally slept well. When I woke up, the sky was blue after the rain and almond flowers were in full bloom. A Dien has already set up breakfast in the yard. A bowl of white porridge, a few small plates of food, and a plate of just-made almond flower cake. "Try it, Aunt Ngo's skills." His eyes were full of laughter. Giang Van Tu took a piece. The cake in your mouth is fragrant, soft, sweet but not greasy. She squinted her eyes and smiled with satisfaction: "It's delicious." This was the first time after leaving the general's palace that she truly smiled. A Dien looked at her, with a smile in his eyes: "If you like it, that's fine." From that day, A Dien started taking her around Giang Nam. Giang Van Tu gradually discovered that the rivers and mountains of Giang Nam were completely different from the vast wilderness of the border in her memory. Everything in Giang Nam is soft and gentle. A Dien knows many things. He knows where the best tea is, which pub has the freshest wine-soaked crab, and which season the lotus flowers are most beautiful. He often took her to listen to the piano. Ngo's voice is soft, humming, singing about the story of a handsome actor, telling stories of love and hatred. She likes to listen and feels extremely free. He taught her to recognize herbs. The medicinal properties of plants growing in Jiangnan's waterways are completely different from those in the borderlands, like a completely new experience. One day, two people went up the mountain to pick herbs and encountered a sudden heavy rain. A Dien pulled her to hide in a cave. The cave is not deep, but just enough for two people to avoid the rain. Rainwater dripped down from the top of the cave, making a tinkling sound. Outside the cave, the rain is like a curtain, so beautiful that people cannot take their eyes off it. But the weather is too cold. Giang Van Tu's clothes were more than half wet, she was so cold that she shivered slightly. A Dien took off his coat and put it on her shoulders, leaving him only wearing a thin layer of clothing. "Aren't you cold?" She asked. A Dien shook his head: "People who practice martial arts are not afraid of the cold." He built a fire to warm her. Giang Van Tu looked stunned. "What are you thinking?" A Dien's voice pulled her back to reality. Giang Van Tu shook his head, moving closer to the fire: "Nothing. Just feel... the rain in Giang Nam is different from the border." "Where is it different?" "The rain on the border is very fast, hitting the body with pain. The rain in Giang Nam is very slow, thick like the tears of a person separating. It doesn't hurt, but it feels cold deep inside." She spoke very softly, but with indescribable sadness. A Dien was silent for a moment, then added another piece of wood to the fire: "Van Tu, Giang Nam has a lot of rain, because the old people say there are too many separations and waiting here. People far from home go on the road, women stay at home waiting. The nostalgia and tears that don't know who to confide in turn into rain, falling year after year." Giang Van Tu's heart trembled slightly. A Dien turned his head to look at her, his eyes gentle: "But the rain will stop. Look, the sky over there is already bright." She followed his eyes. Sure enough, the rain gradually subsided, and sunlight quickly appeared. "Van Tu, I know that over the years there have been troubles in your heart. But it's all over. Since you left that palace, you have been free. Don't continue to let the past bind you." He paused for a moment, his voice softer: "Anyway, I will always be here, by your side, waiting

She thought clearly." "A Dien, thank you very much." "Thank you again." "This time I really want to thank you. Thank you for being with me, and thank you for letting me know that heaven and earth are vast, I don't need to lock myself in one place." On the way back, the two of them walked very slowly, laughing and talking all the way. Giang Van Tu suddenly said: "A Dien, I want to reopen the medical shop." A Dien's steps stopped, joy flashed in his eyes: "Really?" "Yes. Previously on the border, I worked as a healer. When I arrived in Giang Nam, I discovered that this place was humid and hot, and people often suffered from rheumatism, numbness, and pain, completely different from the diseases I used to treat. I want to start studying again, open a small medical shop, cure diseases and save people." When she said these words, there was light in her eyes. "Okay. As long as you want, I will help you.” “I don't need your help, I can do it myself. I'm just new here, I still need you to give me some pointers." "Then I'll give you some pointers. Pointing for the rest of your life is fine." As soon as the words were spoken, both were silent for a moment. Giang Van Tu turned away, his ears were slightly red. A Dien coughed slightly, changing the subject: "In front there is a noodle shop... That house's noodles with sauce are very delicious, do you want to come and taste it?" "Okay." Giang Van Tu suddenly felt that the rock pressing on her chest had become a little lighter. She did not forget, nor forgive.