Chapter 33

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

 

Chapter 33: Choice

     

That evening, the Zhang family had a lively and cheerful atmosphere, unlike anything they had experienced since the New Year.

     

The burdens weighing on everyone’s hearts were temporarily lifted. During dinner, Zhang Cai even poured himself a few drinks to celebrate his son’s recovery. After the meal, the family busied themselves with some farm work under the oil lamp. They excitedly discussed the upcoming spring planting, how to cultivate the crops in the fields, how to fertilize the newly opened land on the slope, and the division of labor among the three brothers, Zhang Xiaolong, Zhang Xiaohu, and Zhang Xiaohua. It was as if the spring plowing would start the very next day, and their hearts were filled with hope.

     

Under the flickering lamplight, no one noticed the look of loneliness on Liu Qian’s face.

     

Nor did they notice the contemplative expression in Zhang Xiaohua’s eyes.

     

The next morning at dawn, Liu Qian reluctantly got out of bed. The anxiety from the previous night had caused her to lose sleep, and she had only fallen asleep at daybreak. Upon waking, she found her eyes a bit red and her complexion poor. Guo Sufei, noticing this, asked with concern if she was feeling unwell.

     

After breakfast, everyone went about their own tasks. It was already February, and the weather was warming up. Zhang Cai and the others inspected the farm tools to see if any were broken or needed repair. They also took the seeds out of the cellar to give them a bit of sun. The ice in the river had melted, and the fields were likely thawed and ready for cultivation. Spring was just around the corner.

     

Just as Liu Qian was helping Guo Sufei spread the crop seeds out in the sun to dry, she suddenly heard someone calling her: “Qianqian~”

     

Such a familiar voice. She quickly looked up, her gaze crossing over the still low walls of the Zhang family home. She saw her father, her uncle Butcher Liu, and her cousin Liu Yueyue, who had already walked up to the front door.

     

She exclaimed in surprise: “Father~” And then, like a little swallow, she flew to the door and grabbed her father’s hand. Having not seen her family for nearly half a month, how could she not miss them? Seeing them so suddenly, her eyes turned red and her nose felt sour.

     

Liu Yueyue said from the side: “Sister, I’m here too. Didn’t you see me?”

     

Liu Qian also held her hand and said: “I saw you. How could I not? I have such a beautiful little sister like you, how could I miss seeing you?”

     

Liu Yueyue giggled and said: “Sister, look at you. It’s only been a few days since you last saw your father, and your eyes are already red. You can’t tease me about crying anymore, you’re no better. Aiya, your complexion looks so poor. You haven’t been suffering here, have you, but wait, that’s not right. Your skin seems more delicate than before, and you’ve gotten a bit fairer and slightly plumper. How is it that in just ten days, your beauty is almost catching up to mine?”

     

Liu Qian scolded: “You little brat, always trying to flatter me.”

     

Liu Yueyue became anxious and said: “I’m serious, sister. I’m not making it up. If you don’t believe me, just look in the mirror.”

     

Liu Qian’s heart stirred, and she didn’t respond further.

     

How could Mr. Liu and Butcher Liu pay attention to such things? They thought it was just the two children joking around.

     

At this moment, Zhang Cai also came out to greet them with his family.

     

Mr. Liu quickly stepped forward to greet Zhang Cai, asking: “Brother Zhang, I haven’t seen you for a long time. Are you in good health?”

     

Zhang Cai returned the greeting, saying: “Thanks to Brother’s blessings, I’m doing well now. Look, I’ve even thrown away my crutches.”

     

Then he asked Zhang Xiaolong, Zhang Xiaohu, and Zhang Xiaohua to come forward and pay their respects.

     

When Mr. Liu last visited, he had seen everyone, but at that time, the two brothers were lying in bed. Seeing them now, these impressive young men, Mr. Liu couldn’t help but admire inwardly: “These two children, though their appearance is ordinary, their demeanor is remarkable. Without formal education, they possess such qualities. They are indeed worthy of teaching.”

     

He quickly helped the three of them up and said with a smile: “It seems that the two nephews’ injuries are well on their way to recovery. This is a joyous occasion. However, Xiaolong, you injured your tendons and bones. You still need to be careful. It will take at least a hundred days of rest before you can work. Don’t risk injuring yourself for the sake of immediate farm work. Oh, by the way, how come you removed the splint after just ten days?”

     

Zhang Xiaolong moved his arm slightly and said: “Uncle, I will take your words to heart. Look, my arm is already much better. Although I can’t do heavy work, I reckon in a few more days, I should be able to handle regular farm tasks without any issues.”

     

Butcher Liu chimed in: “Nephew, your body is truly exceptional. Our villager Wang Er fell while chopping wood on the mountain and had to lie in bed for half a year. You boy, have only been in bed for a few days, and you’re already better? Let me take a look.”

     

Seeing as he moved to grab Zhang Xiaolong’s arm, Liu Qian became anxious and quickly blocked her uncle’s hand, saying: “Uncle, your hands are used to handling hundreds-pound pigs. Xiaolong’s arm is fragile. If you grab it like that, you might injure it again.”

     

Butcher Liu awkwardly withdrew his hand and chuckled self-deprecatingly: “Alright, I won’t look.”

     

Liu Yueyue, noticing something, nudged Liu Qian with her elbow, winked mischievously, and flashed a playful smile.

     

Liu Qian blushed, not knowing what to do with her hands and feet.

     

Fortunately, at that moment, Mr. Liu noticed Zhang Xiaohua and happily patted his head, saying: “Xiaohua, it’s only been a few days, and you’ve grown quite a bit again. I reckon by the end of this year, you’ll catch up to your two brothers. And look at your eyes, they’re shining brightly. You seem to have grown much more sensible.”

     

That’s true. The first time Mr. Liu saw Zhang Xiaohua, he had just been beaten by bullies and was worried about his father and brother’s injuries. Naturally, he appeared downcast and dispirited. Now that his family’s injuries have greatly improved, his mood naturally lifted. And there’s also an undisclosed reason behind it all, making him naturally stand out.

     

Zhang Xiaohua, looking up, said obediently: “Uncle, it’s all thanks to Big Sister Liu. Not only did she take care of my older brother and help our mother with household chores, but she also taught me a lot of principles and helped me learn many words. With her influence, I naturally became more sensible.”

     

Mr. Liu was greatly delighted by these words, laughing heartily. He said: “Good child, good child. Old Brother, you’re truly fortunate to have such great kids.”

     

Zhang Cai modestly replied: “We’ve been lax in disciplining them, and they haven’t had much education either. Brother, please forgive us for our shortcomings.”

     

Mr. Liu disagreed, saying: “Not at all, not at all. This is an innate temperament, not something that can be cultivated afterward. Even if you have all the wealth in the world, it’s rare to have such fine children.”

     

Butcher Liu interjected: “You two should stop flattering each other. We’re all familiar here. After walking morning, I’m parched. Let’s go inside and have some water.”

     

Upon hearing this, Zhang Cai and Mr. Liu laughed loudly and Zhang Cai quickly ushered everyone into the main hall.

     

As they all settled down to talk, Guo Sufei and Liu Qian went to boil water for tea, with Liu Yueyue following behind.

     

While the water was still heating up, Guo Sufei went inside to fetch tea leaves, leaving Liu Yueyue to quietly ask Liu Qian: “Sister, do you have a crush on Zhang Xiaolong?”

     

Liu Qian blushed and replied: “What crush? No way.”

     

Liu Yueyue teased her: “Look at your blushing face and peach blossoms in your eyes. It’s obvious you’ve got a crush. Why don’t you just admit it?”

     

Liu Qian retorted: “You little troublemaker, why are you so good with words? Aren’t you here to see Zhang Xiaohu?”

     

Liu Yueyue, upon hearing this, responded seriously: “Sister, you’re not thinking this through. Have you forgotten what we talked about before? Zhang Xiaolong and Zhang Xiaohu are good people and they saved us, but our dream was to marry a well-educated, charming, and handsome scholar. They’re farmers, and their lives will be spent toiling in the fields. Do we really want to be farmwives for the rest of our lives? I was indeed grateful to Zhang Xiaohu and did have feelings for him, and I don’t deny that now. But when I thought it through, I realized I didn’t want to fall into that trap. Sister, you need to think clearly about this. It’s a lifelong decision, and if you choose wrong, there’s no going back.”

     

At this moment, Liu Qian put on a serious expression and said: “Yes, Yueyue, that’s exactly why I’m so hesitant. Although I wish my husband to be a scholar, none of the scholars I’ve met over the years have left as deep an impression on me as Zhang Xiaolong, a farmer. He possesses a temperament and courage that most people lack. I’ve known him for just about a month, yet this short time has left a deeper impression on me than many people I’ve known for a decade. I can’t explain my feelings to you in words. Your choice isn’t wrong, and neither is mine. Everyone has their own freedom and must make their own choices.”

     

Liu Yueyue smiled wryly and said: “Sister, I hope your choice is the right one, but in the future…”

     

Liu Qian interrupted her: “It’s too early to talk about this. I haven’t made a final decision yet.”

     

Liu Yueyue didn’t press further, and both fell silent.

     

Before long, Guo Sufei returned with the tea leaves, and the water had boiled. Liu Qian prepared the tea, and the three of them went back to the main hall together.

     

The room was filled with laughter and lively conversation.

     

Liu Qian poured tea for everyone and then sat quietly, lost in her thoughts.

     

The Zhang family, accustomed to this tea, didn’t pay much attention to it. Butcher Liu drank it down like water, not savoring the flavor. Liu Yueyue, seemingly preoccupied with her own thoughts, took a sip absentmindedly and then put her cup down, not even noticing Zhang Xiaohu’s seemingly casual glance in her direction.

     

Mr. Liu took a casual sip at first, then his face changed drastically. Unbelieving, he took a second sip, furrowing his brows deeply. Subsequently, he sniffed the tea fragrance wafting from the cup and took a third sip, finally becoming amazed and about to speak.

     

Zhang Cai observed the three sips Mr. Liu took of the tea and hurriedly asked: ” Brother, is there something wrong with this tea? Is it not good?”

     

Mr. Liu said: “No, it’s not that it’s not good, it’s too good. Brother, what kind of tea is this?”

     

Zhang Cai awkwardly replied: “Brother, I don’t know either. We never used to drink tea at home. This tea was brought by Liu Qian from your house.”

     

Mr. Liu turned to Liu Qian and asked: “Qianqian, is this tea brought from home?”

     

Liu Qian, lost in her own thoughts, heard her father’s question and hastily responded: “What? Father, what did you ask me?”