Chapter 57: The Splendid Sparrow

After hearing Chen Dabao’s description, Chen Feng became even more convinced that the little girl named Hanyan was indeed suffering from autism, as mentioned in her past life. However, it wasn’t too severe, just involving language barriers, slow responses, and difficulty in communicating with others. With proper correction and medication, it could be cured.

In her previous life, Chen Feng had a colleague whose child had autism. The doctor said it wasn’t too severe and there was a possibility of improvement. Her colleague even resigned from her job to accompany her child. Later, she heard that the child had indeed improved significantly and even started going to school.

However, this little girl named Hanyan was truly pitiable. Afflicted with this condition, she lacked the constant care of a mother. If that “hero” was her father, he definitely couldn’t be there for her all the time. Her grandmother was a nun and couldn’t be there for her regularly either.

Yet, the fact that she could attract the attention of the golden swallow and make it feel compassion for her might be a form of blessing. It’s just that she would have to wait until next spring to see the golden swallow again.

Chen Feng thought of making a smiling golden swallow doll for her. As long as the little girl was well, the people around her wouldn’t miss Dabao and Golden Treasure.

Chen Feng was so familiar with the golden swallow and had seen its smile, so the doll she made should look similar to the smiling swallow the little girl had seen.

She spent more than an hour making the little swallow doll. She didn’t even go for dinner.

The tail, like a pair of scissors, was long. The wings and back were a beautiful blue, the belly was moon-white, the chest was blue and white, and the small blue head had a ring of red. Its curved eyes, slightly upturned mouth, and pointed brown-yellow beak, slightly open, revealed a small pink tongue inside.

At first glance, the little doll really looked like a smiling swallow.

Dabao and Chen Lu were both keen to take a look.

Mrs. Wang took a look and said with a smile, “A’Feng’s thoughts are so clever. The swallow can even smile, and it’s so endearing.”

The golden swallow returned just before it got completely dark.

After dinner, Chen Feng’s family sat in the east room of the old courtyard. Chen Ming was teaching Chen Lu, Dabao, and Chen Feng to read. Qiqi and Gray squeezed in beside Chen Feng and occasionally recited a sentence or two, and Zhui Feng clung to her legs. Mrs. Wang didn’t do any needlework in the evening, but instead sat and watched her husband, children, and grandchildren laugh.

Suddenly, they saw four little birds fly into the room from the window. The golden swallow led the way, followed by three other birds.

As soon as the golden swallow returned, Zhui Feng jumped down from Chen Feng and dashed out.

The other three birds, two of which looked similar, had sweet and pleasant calls. Chen Ming said they were bulbuls.

The other bird, slightly larger than a sparrow, had splendid and colorful feathers, with at least ten different colors. Even in the dim lamplight, its feathers gleamed, brilliant like satin.

Heavens, everyone was seeing such a beautiful little bird for the first time. It was even more beautiful than the parrot they had brought back last time, and much more beautiful than Qiqi. Although Qiqi’s feathers were beautiful, they were predominantly bright red and green, particularly vibrant.

This bird, like a fairy among birds, was exquisitely beautiful and otherworldly. Its call was melodious and gentle, not loud, but soothing to the ears.

The term “a feast for the eyes” couldn’t be more fitting for this bird.

Chen Ming and the others didn’t know what kind of bird it was.

The golden swallow chirped, “Quick, put them in the cages. They aren’t as clever as Qiqi and Gray. If they run out, they won’t find their way home.”

Chen Feng quickly went to the new courtyard to get two birdcages and put the beautiful little bird in the small cage, and the two bulbuls in the larger cage.

The golden swallow hung on Chen Feng’s collar and murmured, “Give the cloud brocade sparrow to Little Hanyan. Although she’s young, she can appreciate it and is also pitiful. In my absence, let the cloud brocade sparrow keep her company. The two bulbuls will stay at home, hanging under Mommy’s eaves. It’s too lonely in the space, but when they hear them sing, they’ll feel as if they are still in the woods, and life won’t be so difficult.”

So, the bird was called the cloud brocade sparrow, a fitting name indeed.

Chen Feng patted the little head of the golden swallow and nodded. She said to Chen Ming and the others, “This little bird is extraordinary. Let’s give it to the girl at Tangyuan. With this bird’s company, maybe she won’t be so sad, and the people at Tangyuan won’t miss Dabao and Golden Treasure anymore.”

The others all agreed. Although they also liked this beautiful little bird, they were willing to offer it if it meant the people at Tangyuan wouldn’t miss Dabao and Golden Treasure anymore.

Looking at the bird, Chen Dabao said, “This bird looks as beautiful as Little Hanyan. Giving it to her is like bestowing a treasure upon a hero.”

This brought laughter from everyone. Chen Feng teased him, “Clattering porcelain in a latrine – you’re making a fuss over nothing.”

Chen Ming also laughed and said, “The young lady should be presented with rouge and powder.”

Embarrassed, Chen Dabao chuckled, “I will definitely study hard and not be lazy in the future.”

Chen Feng went to the kitchen and took out some pearl balls for the golden swallow to eat. Its stomach was small, so two were enough. The leftovers were then given to the plump Gray.

Before midnight, the pitiful golden swallow went back to the space. Chen Feng accompanied it inside, thinking she would stay a little longer to comfort its injured heart. However, to her surprise, after a brief moment of sadness, it immediately plunged into the construction of its house.

It seemed that whether it was animals or people, as long as life was fulfilling, there was no spare time for sorrow.

Chen Feng smiled and left the space.

The next morning, Chen Dabao didn’t see the golden swallow and asked, “Mom, did the golden swallow go back to the woods again?”

Chen Feng shook her head and replied, “It should have gone south. I just saw it fly into a flock of swallows flying from north to south.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Dabao became uneasy, and tears filled his eyes. He sniveled and clung to Chen Feng, refusing to leave her to go to the old courtyard for breakfast.

Upon hearing that Golden Treasure had flown south, Chen Lu’s eyes also turned red. Chen Ming and Mrs. Wang sighed. They all said, “After spending so much time with Golden Treasure, it’s really hard to let it go.”

Breakfast that day was eaten in a mournful atmosphere, with no enjoyment in the food.

After breakfast, Chen Dabao went back to his room to practice writing large characters. While he learned to read and recognize characters alongside Chen Lu under Chen Ming’s guidance, when it came to writing, they each practiced quietly in their own rooms.

Chen Feng went to feed Qiqi and Gray, but the two little fellows were also sniffling and stayed in their birdcage.

Dabao pouted and said, “It must be because Golden Treasure left. They’re feeling uncomfortable too.”

Only Zhui Feng was happily jumping around, howling in the courtyard as if gone mad. Perhaps it still hadn’t forgotten how it had been humiliated, with its legs tied by the golden swallow and brought back in the rain that night.

Chen Feng fed the three new birds and then went to the backyard to feed the chickens, when she heard a knock on the door.

She opened the courtyard door and was surprised to see that it was the steward Luo who had come yesterday.