HLnovel Chapter 780 Ma Qiushan and Hu Youyu leave the courtyard
Chapter 780 Ma Qiushan and Hu Youyu leave the courtyard
Nana turned off the live stream and let out a long sigh of relief, as if a huge burden had been lifted. She looked out the window and realized that the person had left the window seat sometime earlier.
Just as I was feeling a little lost, there was a gentle knock on the door.
When the door opened, Xu Hongdou, Chen Nanxing, Ma Qiushan, Da Mai, Hu Youyu, and even Xie Zhiyao and Xie Xiaochun were standing outside, holding cut fruit and warm milk.
"Well said!" Chen Nanxing was the first to squeeze in, grinning as he put his arm around Nana's shoulder.
"Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat?" Xu Hongdou handed over the milk.
Ma Qiushan stroked his non-existent beard, shaking his head and saying, "After this battle, public opinion has begun to settle, and inner demons are gradually dissipating. Excellent."
Xie Xiaochun was more direct: "If you get any more random calls in the future, just hang up, or ask me and A Yao to handle it. Don't keep it to yourself."
Surrounded by people, Nana looked at their sincere and concerned faces, and her eyes welled up with tears again, but this time it was from warmth. She took the milk, and the warm touch traveled from her palms to her heart.
"Thank you..." she whispered, her gaze involuntarily drifting towards the courtyard. In the moonlight, the man was leaning against the doorframe of his room, holding a glass of water in his hand. He raised the glass towards them from afar, his face still bearing that slightly irritating yet reassuring smile.
Nana lowered her head, took a sip of milk, and the sweetness spread throughout her body.
She knew that the long winter might really be coming to an end.
In the days that followed, life in Yunmiao Village continued to flow at its own pace, though not without its ripples.
Nana's live stream, like a stone thrown into a pond, stirred up ripples that were far more lasting and complex than anticipated. In the first few days, the internet remained abuzz with supporters and skeptics arguing their points. However, a noticeable change was the decrease in the extremely vulgar, name-calling insults and blatant fabrications. Instead, more debates revolved around whether the donation amount was sufficient and whether the streamer exploited sympathy—though still jarring, at least these discussions were within the realm of open debate and even argument.
Lucy's legal team was extremely efficient, handling evidence collection, notarization, and sending lawyer's letters with a clear and rapid process. When several meticulously worded lawyer's letters, complete with summaries of some evidence, were intentionally or unintentionally "leaked" online and analyzed by some legal bloggers, a new trend began to quietly emerge.
First, the man who had called Youfeng Xiaoguan to hurl insults posted an apology video on a social media account with few followers. He looked haggard and his eyes were darting around. He admitted that he had believed the rumors, acted impulsively, and verbally attacked Nana inappropriately. He sincerely apologized and asked for forgiveness. The video's background resembled a simple rented room, creating a rather "shocking" effect.
It was as if the first domino had been toppled. In the following week or two, seven or eight more accounts that had been the most vocal and outrageous online issued public apologies, either in text or video format. The reasons were varied: "acting on impulse," "being led astray," "deeply realizing that the internet is not a lawless zone"... The veracity of these apologies may be questionable, but the gestures were certainly made.
More importantly, many people who had previously followed suit in mocking and spreading false information have begun to quietly delete their comments or privately apologize to Nana (or the management account she authorized) via platform private messages, fearing they might become the next recipients of a lawyer's letter.
The internet has a good memory sometimes, but most of the time it's terrible!
Take the "Nana fraudulent donation" incident, for example. When it became a negative hot topic that attracted attention and was subject to moral criticism, countless people flocked to it, typing away on their keyboards, wishing they could nail her name to the pillar of shame and repeatedly lash out at her. Even a year later, people are still talking about it and chasing after her to hurl insults.
But when Nana took up legal weapons to prove herself, the internet, which usually had a good memory, seemed to suddenly lose its memory. The "Nana fraudulent donation" incident was quickly covered by new hot topics, as if the incident had never happened!
The clamor subsided, leaving only faint ripples and a scar in the hearts of those involved that needs time to heal. For most onlookers, this was nothing more than a drama that provided a few days of fodder for conversation; once the show ends and the audience disperses, it's time for the next act.
Nana herself seemed much calmer about this. She no longer subconsciously avoided the internet like before. The bar phone at Youfeng Bistro still rang occasionally, but it was mostly for reservations or routine inquiries; those jarring rings seemed to have truly faded away.
She started recording videos and posting them on her social media platforms when the restaurant wasn't busy. Some were singing, but most were about her daily life, which also helped promote Yunmiao Village!
Life flowed slowly and fulfillingly in Yunmiao Village, like the stream beside the village, seemingly calm, yet with a constant flow of fresh water beneath.
Before he knew it, Ma Qiushan's time in the courtyard was drawing to a close. He had finalized a preliminary cooperation agreement with Zhu Suosuo and needed to head to Shanghai to officially launch preparations for the tea brand. On the eve of his departure, everyone in the courtyard gathered together for a simple send-off.
Dinner was again at the communal restaurant, with a more lavish spread than usual, but the atmosphere wasn't somber. Instead, it felt relaxed, like a farewell party for a friend and a wish for a bright future.
Ma Qiushan, dressed in a faded linen Tang suit, was full of energy, his eyes shining with the light of someone who had finally found their direction after a long period of dormancy. He raised his teacup, offering tea instead of wine, and toasted everyone one by one.
"Gentlemen, I have been a great trouble to Yunmiao Village for a long time. I am grateful for your care, especially for the opportunity given to me by President Lin." He solemnly cupped his hands towards Lin Bufan: "I will do my best in Shanghai and live up to your expectations."
Lin Bufan smiled and waved his hand: "Old Ma, no need for formalities. Building up the brand is the best reward."
Xie Zhiyao and Xie Xiaochun also offered their blessings, and Nana, Damai, Xu Hongdou, and Chen Nanxing all raised their glasses. Hu Youyu even patted his chest and said, "Master Ma, on your opening day, I'll be there to sing for you for free!"
Amidst the laughter, if you were to ask who was most reluctant to see Maqiushan leave, it would probably be Sang Biao.
There's no way around it, Ma Qiushan is just too good at being a lackey.
If Ma Qiushan hadn't stubbornly refused, Sang Biao would have appointed him as the chief eunuch!
The next morning, Ma Qiushan, carrying simple luggage, got into the car arranged by Xie Zhiyao to go to the airport, watched by everyone.
A few days after Ma Qiushan left, Hu Youyu also announced that he would be leaving temporarily.
He received an invitation to an original music festival in Kyoto, offering him the opportunity to perform on stage, which Hu Youyu naturally did not intend to miss.
On the day Hu Youyu left, everyone in the courtyard came out to see him off. He carried his treasured guitar and a small backpack, his face beaming with barely suppressed excitement.
"Teacher Hu, sing well in Kyoto and make our Yunmiao Village proud!" Xie Zhiyao patted his shoulder with a smile.
"Don't worry, Mr. Xie, I definitely won't embarrass myself!" Hu Youyu puffed out his chest, looking very confident!
Since Hu Youyu hasn't found a source of inspiration yet, Lin Bufan decided to lend a hand: "Youyu, come here."
Upon hearing Lin Bufan's call, Hu Youyu immediately ran over: "Teacher Lin, what instructions do you have?"
Lin Bufan put his arm around Hu Youyu's shoulder and led him aside, lowering his voice with a hint of mystery: "Youyu, your teacher has recently had some insights, and after some calculations..."
Hu Youyu immediately perked up his ears and his eyes lit up: "What did you predict? Did you predict that I'll be the hottest performer at this music festival?"
"Whether it will be popular or not is a secret that cannot be revealed! However, I have calculated that you will be destined for romance recently, with the Red Phoenix Star in motion."
"Peach blossoms?" Hu Youyu was initially delighted, but then became somewhat uncertain: "Teacher Lin, are you sure? I've been searching for so long, and there's been no news at all!"
"Of course I'm sure!" Lin Bufan patted Hu Youyu on the shoulder, speaking with the air of someone who'd been there before: "Sometimes, romance comes just like that. Remember, if you happen to meet a... well, a mature and charming older sister at a music festival who needs comforting, who's a confidante, and needs it, don't hesitate or back down, go and comfort her right away!"
Hu Youyu was stunned: "My dear... sister?"
“Yes.” Lin Bufan nodded, his eyes gleaming with a knowing light: “Life’s encounters are unpredictable, and when fate comes, you can’t stop it. When you meet someone, be bold and sincere. Don’t worry, this kind of caring older sister loves a cute little puppy like you with an artistic flair.”
Hu Youyu left, but he no longer had much of his expectations for the music festival; his mind was filled with what Lin Bufan had described as a "caring older sister"!
The courtyard seemed much quieter now that Ma Qiushan's tea-brewing and philosophical discussions and Hu Youyu's wailing were gone.
Damai's lifestyle has remained almost unchanged. She still spends most of her time locked in her room, typing away on her laptop, only coming out to eat and occasionally relax.
Since their last live stream, Nana and Lin Bufan's relationship has become noticeably closer. When Lin Bufan has free time, he often goes to Youfeng Bistro to sit for a while, order a fruit tea, and sometimes looks at his phone, sometimes at Nana.
When Nana was too busy, Lin Bufan would naturally get up to help by handing her something or collecting a cup. After closing time in the evening, the two would walk back to the courtyard together in the twilight, their pace neither fast nor slow. They would occasionally exchange a few words, but most of the time they would enjoy the tranquility of being alone.
Chen Nanxing has changed quite a bit. Ever since that night when his affair was exposed, he has completely given up in front of Xu Hongdou, and his actions have become even bolder and more direct.
Now, she doesn't need to wait for Xu Hongdou to fall asleep at all. Often, after washing up in the evening, she would look at her phone for a while, estimate that it was about time, and then casually greet Xu Hongdou: "Hongdou, you can go to sleep first, you don't need to wait for me. I'm going to go and discuss some life philosophies with Lin Bufan."
Then, under Xu Hongdou's expressionless gaze, he leisurely went out and turned into room number five.
Xu Hongdou's initial feelings of shame, anger, and helplessness gradually gave way to numbness, meaning she has essentially desensitized to the situation.
However, when she really couldn't stand it anymore, Xu Hongdou would bang on the wall twice to protest!
After completing the desensitization process, Xu Hongdou's attitude towards Lin Bufan softened, much like the ice gradually melting in spring. Although it still occasionally emits a bit of cool air, the water underneath is already warm and flowing.
When they meet, they greet each other naturally, and they can join in the conversation. When Lin Bufan makes jokes, they will laugh as before, but when their eyes meet occasionally, they will still look away awkwardly.
It was a sunny afternoon, the sun shining brightly but not too hot. The small restaurant wasn't crowded, and soothing folk music filled the air. Around the large wooden table by the window sat Xu Hongdou, Chen Nanxing, Lin Bufan, and Da Mai. Several half-finished drinks and a small plate of flower cakes sat on the table.
Chen Nanxing was excitedly recounting the amusing things that had happened in the village yesterday, mentioning how a tourist had tied a tie-dyed scarf around his neck as an apron. Xu Hongdou smiled, and Da Mai listened with her eyes crinkling, her pen unconsciously tapping on her small notebook, as if trying to capture some inspiration.
Lin Bufan half-closed his eyes, his fingers lightly tapping an imaginary rhythm on the table.
The door to the small restaurant was pushed open, and the wind chimes tinkled. Xie Zhiyao walked in, followed by a middle-aged man who looked to be in his forties. The man was wearing a polo shirt and casual pants, carrying several beautifully packaged gift boxes. His face showed a hint of travel-worn urgency, and his eyes scanned the surroundings as soon as he entered, quickly locking onto Lin Bufan's table.
Xie Zhiyao led the man over with a smile on her face: "President Lin, Hongdou, Nanxing, and Damai are all here. Excuse me, this is Mr. Li, whom I mentioned before, who is planning to open a guesthouse at the east end of our village."
Upon hearing this, Da Mai was still somewhat confused, but Xu Hongdou, Chen Nanxing, and Lin Bufan, looking at the gift box in Boss Li's hand, probably understood that it was most likely a way to thank Lin Bufan for curing his wife's cancer!
As expected, after Xie Zhiyao finished his introduction, Boss Li put down the gift box, took two steps forward, looked intently at Lin Bufan, his lips moved, but before he could speak, his eyes reddened: "President Lin... President Lin, thank you so... so... so much!"
Lin Bufan stood up, a familiar smile on his face, indicating that there was no need for him to get excited: "Mr. Li, sit down, sit down and let's talk."
Mr. Li didn't sit down. He rubbed his hands together, his voice trembling slightly, "President Lin, I came here specifically to thank you! Your kindness is immense, I... I really don't know how to thank you..." As he spoke, he became increasingly emotional, and his legs bent as if he were about to kneel down.
Lin Bufan reacted quickly, grabbing his arm and saying, "Boss Li, you mustn't! Get up!"
Xu Hongdou, Chen Nanxing, and Da Mai all fell silent, watching this scene. Nana also came over from behind the bar and stood a little distance away.
Xie Zhiyao quickly helped Mr. Li up on the other side: "Old Li, don't do this, President Lin doesn't like these formalities."
Supported by the two men, Mr. Li straightened up, tears streaming down his face. He wiped them away haphazardly with the back of his hand, choking out, "Mr. Lin, my wife... my wife is much better! The experts in Kyoto said she's recovering even better than expected, and she'll be fully recovered in a while! If it weren't for you... if it weren't for your help, my wife and I really wouldn't know what to do..."