Chapter 43

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Chapter 43: Hitting a Wall

     

Liu Kai casually asked: “What is it about?”

     

Zhang Cai smiled and replied: “I’d better talk to Mr.Liu first.”

     

Liu Kai smiled and nodded, then continued to ask Zhang Cai about Liu Qian’s well-being. Zhang Cai answered each question in turn, while Zhang Xiaohua chimed in, calling Liu Kai ‘Big Brother Liu’ and praising Liu Qian, which made Liu Kai beam with pride.

     

After sitting with Zhang Cai for a while, Liu Kai glanced at the time and said: “Uncle, Xiaohua, please continue to sit here for a bit. I’m not sure when my father will be finished. I need to go inform my uncle. It’s better if we have lunch at his place.”

     

Zhang Cai waved his hand and said: “Nephew, no need to be so formal. A simple meal will do.”

     

Liu Kai stood up and replied: “That won’t do, Uncle. Since you’ve come all this way, we must show proper hospitality. I still remember that Xiaohua loves braised pork. I’ll make sure you get your fill at lunch today.”

     

Zhang Xiaohua stuck out his tongue playfully and said: “Thank you, Big Brother Liu!”

     

Liu Kai laughed and said: “You little sweet-talker.” Then, he quickly walked out, leaving Zhang Cai and Zhang Xiaohua in the house.

     

The two continued to sip tea and wait. After a while, Mr. Liu still hadn’t come out.

     

Just then, a loud voice came from outside the door: “Brother Zhang, you’re finally here!”

     

Zhang Cai and Zhang Xiaohua both smiled, this was surely Butcher Liu.

     

Zhang Cai and Zhang Xiaohua quickly stood up. Just as they reached the door, they were met by Butcher Liu, who strode in energetically. Butcher Liu warmly grasped Zhang Cai’s hand and said: “Brother Zhang, it’s been a few days since we last met. I’ve really missed you. How’s your leg? Judging by how you look, it must be all healed now.”

     

Zhang Cai smiled and replied: “Yes, thanks to your blessings, my injury has healed. This morning, I walked from Guo Village to here without much pain in my leg.”

     

Butcher Liu said: “Good people are blessed by heaven. Brother Zhang, you’re an honest man and will surely be rewarded. By the way, how are the injuries of your two sons?”

     

Zhang Cai said: “Xiaohu’s injury has completely healed, and Xiaolong’s is almost recovered too.”

     

Butcher Liu responded: “That’s great news! With spring plowing coming up, there’s no need to worry now. Come on, let’s go inside and talk.”

     

The group then entered the house and sat down again. Just as they settled, Butcher Liu hadn’t even had a chance to take a sip of water when Mr. Liu also entered the room. Zhang Cai and Zhang Xiaohua quickly stood up again and stepped forward to greet him. Mr. Liu returned the greeting and invited them to sit down.

     

Mr. Liu apologized: “Brother Zhang, you’ve been here for a while, haven’t you? I was in the middle of painting a piece and couldn’t come out to greet you. My apologies for the lack of hospitality.”

     

Zhang Cai quickly said, “It’s alright, Brother. You’re busy with important matters. We can wait inside, besides, Liu Kai is here to keep us company. He just stepped out a moment ago. Is your painting finished?”

     

Mr. Liu glanced at Butcher Liu and replied: “Almost there, but that loudmouth interrupted my train of thought. I’ll continue this afternoon.”

     

Butcher Liu innocently responded: “I had no idea you were painting. Besides, I’ve always had this booming voice. If it weren’t for me waking you up, you’d have left Brother Zhang hanging here.”

     

Mr. Liu said: “You always have a point. I won’t say anything more.”

     

Then he said to Zhang Cai: “I also have this problem. When I’m writing or painting, I tend to forget what’s happening around me. It’s been like this for years, and I can’t seem to change it. Here, have some tea.”

     

Afterward, he took a sip from his own teacup and lamented: “This tea is much inferior to the tea we had at Brother Zhang’s place last time. I really miss the tea we had then.”

     

Zhang Cai chuckled and said: “Then, Brother Liu, you should visit Guo Village more often, or even consider moving there. You can have tea every day.”

     

Mr. Liu smiled and replied: “Many things are easier said than done.”

     

After chatting for a while and inquiring about each other’s well-being, Mr. Liu finally asked: “Brother Zhang, is there something specific you came to Baligou for this time?”

     

Zhang Cai replied: “Brother Liu, indeed, I came this time with a very important matter to discuss with you.”

     

Mr. Liu nodded and said: “Brother, please go ahead and tell me.”

     

Zhang Cai continued: “Qianqian has been staying with us for quite some time now, and everyone in our family has grown very fond of her. Moreover, my eldest son, Zhang Xiaolong, and she have developed feelings for each other. So, the reason I came this time is to discuss with you whether we can arrange a marriage between our children.”

     

After speaking, Zhang Cai fixed his gaze on Mr. Liu, hoping to see a smile or a sign of joy on his face.

     

However, instead of the expected expression, he didn’t see any sign of approval. On the contrary, Mr. Liu visibly hesitated, furrowing his brows, suggesting a hint of refusal. Butcher Liu, who typically had a quick tongue, remained silent this time. His eyes shifted between Zhang Cai and Mr. Liu, his expression somewhat intriguing. After a moment, Mr. Liu spoke up, saying: “Brother Zhang, you’re a straightforward person, so I’ll be frank with you. Let’s speak openly without hiding anything. Are you okay with that?”

     

Zhang Cai naturally agreed.

     

Mr. Liu continued: “Before Qianqian’s mother passed away, her only wish was for me to find a good family for her daughter. Over the years, there have been many suitors who came to propose marriage, but I didn’t agree to any of them. Firstly, because Qianqian wasn’t satisfied, and secondly, because I didn’t think they could bring her happiness. Additionally, I know that since childhood, Qianqian has loved reading. Her lifelong wish has always been to find an erudite knowledgeable husband. While I believe Xiaolong is a good boy and I trust his character, it seems he isn’t very literate. I’m worried that their interests might not align in the future. Moreover, Qianqian has never done farm work since childhood. While she is proficient in household chores and needlework, she won’t be able to handle farm work in the future if she marries Xiaolong. Furthermore, Qianqian and Xiaolong have only known each other for a month. How could they have developed such strong feelings so quickly? Perhaps Qianqian has some affection for Xiaolong, which is normal, especially since Xiaolong once saved her. But if Qianqian is expected to marry Xiaolong based solely on this slight affection, wouldn’t that be too trivial?”

     

As Zhang Cai listened to these words, his expression became somewhat awkward. He had assumed, based on his previous interactions with Mr. Liu, that he was a reasonable person to talk to. Moreover, seeing how much Mr. Liu admired Xiaolong, and since Liu Qian had agreed, he thought there wouldn’t be any problems on Mr. Liu’s side. But Zhang Cai was mistaken. Mr. Liu’s admiration was merely for the passionate spirit of a rural farmer and didn’t extend to viewing Xiaolong through the eyes of a potential father-in-law. Furthermore, Zhang Xiaolong and Liu Qian lived in different worlds.

     

Though both were from rural areas, one pursued education while the other focused on farming. They lacked a common language, and their future life together would likely encounter barriers. From Zhang Cai’s perspective as the father-in-law, everything seemed natural, but for Mr. Liu, who had to consider marrying off his daughter, careful consideration was necessary.

     

Zhang Xiaohua was also stunned by this turn of events. He hadn’t expected Mr. Liu, who seemed so amiable, to refuse. However, he didn’t know what to say either. He could only look at his father, hoping that his father could persuade Mr. Liu.

     

Zhang Cai said: “Mr. Liu, you’re worrying too much. Marriage is primarily about mutual affection. Since Xiaolong and Qianqian both agree, they will surely live well together. As for your concern about their lack of common topics, can’t that be slowly cultivated? We can encourage Qianqian to teach Xiaolong to read more in the future, gradually cultivating shared interests. Regarding farm work, Qianqian won’t be expected to work in the fields. We have four strong laborers in our family, so Qianqian won’t be forced to do any farm work.”

     

Mr. Liu sighed and said: “As I mentioned earlier, some things are easier said than done. Additionally, Liu Kai hasn’t even settled his marriage yet. It doesn’t seem quite right for Liu Qian, as the younger sister, to get engaged before him.”

     

Zhang Cai also forgot about this aspect. Indeed, in rural customs, the older brother’s marriage should come first before considering the younger sister’s. Since Liu Kai’s marriage wasn’t settled yet, Liu Qian naturally didn’t have the qualification to consider marriage. Zhang Cai found himself at a loss for words.

     

At that moment, Liu Kai returned. Unaware of the awkward atmosphere in the room, he said to Mr. Liu and Butcher Liu: “Dad, Uncle, the meal over there is all set. Please, Uncle Zhang and Xiaohua, come over and have dinner.”

     

Mr. Liu looked at Zhang Cai and smiled, saying: “Brother Zhang, let’s put this matter aside for now. Let’s both reconsider it. Let’s go have dinner first.”

     

Butcher Liu also took Zhang Xiaohua’s hand and said: “Let’s go. Let’s not talk about it for now. Eating is the most important thing. Xiaohua, do you want some braised pork?”

     

Butcher Liu’s family’s meal was naturally more sumptuous than Zhang Cai’s, but Zhang Cai didn’t have much of an appetite. Despite Mr. Liu and Butcher Liu’s hospitable gestures, he didn’t eat much. It was Zhang Xiaohua who ate the most. Firstly, he was in his growing phase, so he naturally had a good appetite. Secondly, he believed that his eldest brother and Liu Qian were a perfect match, and he was confident that they would be very happy together.

     

He firmly believed that this marriage would work out, so he had already set aside Mr. Liu’s rejection as a temporary setback. He didn’t carry the same weight on his mind as his father did. With the table full of food, he gladly indulged in eating. Seeing him enjoy the food so much, Butcher Liu’s wife and Liu Yueyue kept smiling and continuously filled his bowl, urging him to eat more.

     

Although Zhang Cai had little appetite, he felt somewhat uplifted seeing his son enjoy the meal. Mr. Liu occasionally engaged him in small talk, and Butcher Liu frequently raised his cup to him. Liu Kai had already privately asked his father about Zhang Cai’s unhappiness, so he remained quiet at the dinner table and focused on his meal, refraining from saying much.

     

The meal was soon finished, and after a short rest at Butcher Liu’s house, Zhang Cai bid farewell with Zhang Xiaohua. Mr. Liu wanted to insist on them staying a little longer, but seeing that it was already getting late and they had a long way to go, he didn’t insist further. The group escorted Zhang Cai and his son to the village entrance before turning back.

     

At this point, everyone in Butcher Liu’s household also knew the purpose of Zhang’s visit. Liu Yueyue said to Mr. Liu; “Uncle, what Uncle Zhang said is true. Sister really likes Zhang Xiaolong. She even mentioned it when I visited last time.”

     

Mr. Liu sighed and replied: “Girls can’t be kept once they grow up, but this life-changing matter can’t be solved by feelings alone.”