Chapter 42

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Chapter 42: Proposing Marriage

     

The person who came in was Zhang Xiaolong. The two of them had been standing at the gate, listening to Grandmother and Mother’s conversation. Liu Qian’s face was flushed with embarrassment. Zhang Xiaolong had been watching Liu Qian’s expression while listening, and when he saw his grandmother’s disappointed look, he couldn’t help but grab Liu Qian’s hand and rush into the courtyard. Moved by a sudden inspiration, he said: “Qianqian won’t be going home.”

     

Liu Qian’s face was bright red as she tried to pull her hand back, but for some reason, she didn’t go through with it. Instead, she obediently followed Zhang Xiaolong into the courtyard. As they ran, she thought to herself: “Thank heavens, the paper window has finally been broken through. I was worried about how to respond if Guo Sufei asked me again. Now, all those worries have vanished in Zhang Xiaolong’s impulsive act. Zhang Xiaolong is really my lucky star, it must be fate.”

     

Everyone looked at the two who had rushed into the courtyard in confusion. When they stopped in front of Grandmother, they saw Zhang Xiaolong holding Liu Qian’s hand and immediately showed knowing expressions. So that’s what was going on. Zhang Xiaolong noticed the teasing glances from everyone and only then realized he was holding Liu Qian’s soft hand. For a moment, he didn’t know whether to let go or keep holding on.

     

Guo Sufei saw her son’s awkwardness and quickly asked: “Xiaolong, when you said Qianqian isn’t going home, was that Qianqian’s own decision?”

     

Zhang Xiaolong hesitated, unsure how to answer. At that moment, the small hand he was holding gently scratched his palm. He understood and happily said: “Yes, Mother, it was Qianqian who told me.”

     

Everyone was overjoyed, and even Grandmother couldn’t stop smiling.

     

Guo Sufei walked up to Liu Qian, still in disbelief, and asked: “Qianqian, this is a lifelong decision. You must think it over carefully and make sure you won’t regret it later.”

     

Others didn’t think much of it, understanding that Guo Sufei was just confirming Liu Qian’s feelings. Liu Qian felt amused in her heart, thinking how sincere and simple this family was. Such words should have come from her own family, yet they were the ones saying it. Knowing she couldn’t hesitate like last time, Liu Qian finally nodded slightly, then freed herself from Zhang Xiaolong’s hand and ran out.

     

Seeing this, Guo Sufei quickly gave her son a push and said: “Still not chasing her?”

     

Zhang Xiaolong snapped out of his daze and said: “Alright.”

     

But after taking a few steps, he came back and said: “Father, give me some money. We were going to buy meat, but I didn’t bring any silver.”

     

Zhang Cai quickly took out some small pieces of silver from his pocket and handed them to him. Xiaolong took the silver and quickly ran out, chasing after Liu Qian, who was clearly waiting for him just outside the courtyard.

     

Grandmother chuckled as she heard Zhang Xiaolong run off into the distance and said: “That child really is fated to be with Qianqian. Even forgetting to bring money turned into an opportunity. Earlier, from what you said, I almost thought he had no chance with Qianqian.”

     

Guo Sufei also sighed and said: “Yes, last time I asked Qianqian about her feelings, she seemed unwilling, and I didn’t know how to bring it up again. But now, everything is resolved.”

     

Zhang Cai also joyfully said: “Xiaohua, go to the village entrance and bring back some wine for me too, let me also celebrate.”

     

Zhang Xiaohua replied: “Okay.”

     

He got up and ran out. Guo Sufei asked: “Did you give Xiaohua any money?”

     

Zhang Cai glumly said: “No, wait for him to come back.”

     

In the following days, the Zhang family exuded a harmonious atmosphere. Whenever Liu Qian saw Zhang Xiaolong, her face would blush slightly, and she would deliberately avoid him. Zhang Xiaolong, in turn, would find himself inexplicably awkward, leading to quite a few humorous situations. The family members all watched with amusement at the awkwardness between the two, sharing in the sweetness of their budding romance.

     

Grandmother’s mood was also very good, but was increasingly thin, after a few days of not seeing her, one could clearly see she lost weight. Guo Sufei felt happy for her son but couldn’t help but feel sorrow for her mother’s deteriorating condition. It was like living in two different worlds.

     

While others might not have noticed Grandmother’s condition, Zhang Xiaohua could sense that something was wrong with Grandmother. One day, he couldn’t bear it any longer and quietly pulled Guo Sufei aside, saying: “Mother, I need to tell you something.”

     

Guo Sufei found her youngest son’s behavior rather strange and asked: “What trouble have you gotten yourself into now? You’re acting so sneaky.”

     

Zhang Xiaohua retorted: “Mom, when have I ever caused trouble for you?”

     

Guo Sufei affectionately ruffled his hair and replied with a smile: “Then what’s the matter?”

     

Zhang Xiaohua said sorrowfully: “Mom, I can feel something drifting away from grandmother. Every time something drifts away, Grandmother becomes a little thinner. And I also feel that there isn’t much of these things left in grandmother.”

     

Guo Sufei angrily said: “You child, what nonsense are you talking about?”

     

Zhang Xiaohua argued: “It’s true, Mother. I really can feel it. I’ve talked about it with Sister Qianqian before, and she believed me.”

     

“Oh~ What did you Sister Qianqian say?” Guo Sufei asked, surprised.

     

“Sister Qianqian said that it’s because grandmother loves me the most, and I care the most about grandmother, so I can feel her physical condition. But she said it’s hard to explain, anyway, some very close relatives can just know.” Zhang Xiaohua replied earnestly.

     

Guo Sufei, upon hearing this, left Zhang Xiaohua and hurried to find Zhang Cai. Zhang Xiaohua, seeing that his mother took his words seriously and didn’t dismiss them as mere imagination, felt happy. He went to keep his grandmother company.

     

Guo Sufei relayed Zhang Xiaohua’s words to Zhang Cai. After some contemplation, Zhang Cai said: “I’ve heard of such things before. What Xiaohua said might be true. It seems we need to make some preparations.”

     

Guo Sufei nodded sadly upon hearing this.

     

However, she quickly asked Zhang Cai: “What about Qianqian and Xiaolong? Firstly, Mother wants to see Xiaolong get married. Secondly, if Mother really passes away, Xiaolong’s relationship with Qianqian will have to be put on hold, and who knows what unforeseen circumstances may arise.”

     

Zhang Cai suggested: “How about this, let’s go to Liu Qian’s house in a few days to propose. It would be best if we could do it before Mother passes away. If not, at least we’ll have this matter settled.”

     

Guo Sufei nodded in agreement and said: “I’ll ask Qianqian’s opinion first.”

     

That evening, Guo Sufei talked to Liu Qian about the proposal. She had expected Liu Qian to hesitate like last time, but to her surprise, under the lamplight, Liu Qian, though very shy, nodded without hesitation. Guo Sufei felt relieved and pleased. Liu Qian was truly a good child, able to let go of her reservations and make a wise choice, knowing that Grandmother wanted to see her and Xiaolong together. This made Guo Sufei firmly believe that Liu Qian was indeed the best daughter-in-law her family could ask for.

     

The next day, Zhang Cai prepared gifts and took Zhang Xiaohua to Liu Qian’s home in Baligou to discuss the engagement. Zhang Xiaohua was also excited, as he missed the pork belly from Liu Butcher’s house.

     

Baligou was quite a distance from Guo Village, and Zhang Cai and Zhang Xiaohua hurried along the road. By the time they reached the village entrance, the sun was already high in the sky. Zhang Cai, still recovering from his illness, was feeling a bit overwhelmed, so he sat down to rest on a large rock at the entrance of the village.

     

Zhang Xiaohua, on the other hand, seemed unfazed, not even showing any change in his breathing. This not only made Zhang Cai envious of the resilience of young people’s bodies. In fact, when Zhang Xiaohua came last time, he had been quite breathless, much worse off than Zhang Cai was now. Yet, Zhang Xiaohua didn’t seem tired at all this time.

     

After Zhang Cai had rested for a while, they both got up again and under Zhang Xiaohua’s guidance, they arrived at Mr. Liu’s house.

     

Mr. Liu’s house looked the same as usual, with the door left open. However, despite Zhang Xiaohua’s repeated calls, there was no response from inside. Assuming there was no one home, Zhang Xiaohua and Zhang Cai entered with their gifts. As they stepped into the courtyard, Zhang Cai noticed the neatly arranged flowers and plants, though none were in bloom yet, indicating the elegance of the courtyard and the refined taste of its owner.

     

He couldn’t help but feel impressed, thinking that only such an environment could nurture such an outstanding child as Liu Qian. Of course, there was also a sense of anticipation, imagining his own courtyard to be like this. As he admired the courtyard, Zhang Xiaohua’s gaze shifted toward the wing room beside the courtyard. Zhang Xiaohua’s reasoning was simple, since the courtyard door was unlocked, someone must be at home. However, since no one had responded to their calls, they must be busy with something. What could a scholar be busy with? Probably writing or painting. Liu Qian had mentioned that their house had a study, adjacent to the main hall. Perhaps Mr. Liu was in the study.

     

As expected, in the right-wing room, they saw a familiar figure working diligently. It was indeed Mr. Liu, sitting with his back to the door, writing something at the desk. Zhang Xiaohua grabbed his father’s arm as they were about to walk into the main hall, pointing towards Mr. Liu’s back. Zhang Cai halted his steps, following Zhang Xiaohua to the door of the study. Zhang Xiaohua raised his foot to enter, but Zhang Cai held him back, gesturing for silence before standing still. Zhang Xiaohua understood his father’s gesture, realizing that he didn’t want to disturb Mr. Liu. So, he stood quietly by his father’s side.

     

The father and son stood at the door of the study for a while, but Mr. Liu continued with his work without showing any signs of stopping. Zhang Xiaohua started feeling bored and was about to say something to his father when they suddenly heard footsteps approaching from the courtyard entrance. They turned around and saw that it was Liu Qian’s brother, Liu Kai, returning home.

     

Upon entering the house, Liu Kai noticed the two figures standing in the courtyard, and upon closer inspection, he recognized Zhang Cai and his son. A smile spread across his face as he quickly approached them, offering a respectful greeting. Glancing at his father, who was busy in the study, Liu Kai felt a bit embarrassed and said to Zhang Cai and his son: “My father is always like this. Once he gets busy with his work, he forgets everything else around him. When he’s done, he’ll naturally come out. Please, Uncle, come into the main hall and have a seat.” Then, accepting the gifts, Liu Kai politely escorted Zhang Cai and his son into the main hall, where he served them tea and water.

     

Zhang Cai and Zhang Xiaohua had been walking for almost a whole morning, and they were indeed thirsty. As they accepted the tea and gulped it down eagerly, they thought: “This tea doesn’t taste as good as the one we have at home.”

     

Liu Kai, seeing the two men finish their tea and take a brief rest, finally asked: “Uncle, what brings you to our house today? Didn’t Qianqian come back with you? I hope she’s doing well.”

     

Zhang Cai quickly responded: “Qianqian didn’t come back with us today, but she’s doing fine at our house. I came today to discuss something with Mr. Liu.”