Chapter 46

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Chapter 46: Persuasion

     

The splint on Zhang Xiaolong’s arm had already been removed, but he still used a cloth strap and other materials to keep it fixed in place on his chest. His other hand hung naturally at his side. He stood not far behind Liu Qian, watching the touching reunion between her and Mr. Liu. Although he had a close relationship with his own parents, he had never experienced separation from them and thus didn’t understand the feeling. Now seeing his beloved’s behavior, he felt a sense of relief and knew that his decision this time was the right one.

     

Zhang Xiaohu stood beside Zhang Xiaolong, still holding the jug of water. His eyes roamed around the courtyard as if looking for someone.

     

Mr. Liu lovingly stroked his daughter’s hair, his gaze moving past Liu Qian’s head to Zhang Xiaolong and Zhang Xiaohu. He smiled and nodded at them, then moved his hand from his daughter’s head and gave a slight wave to them, signaling his apologies. Zhang Xiaolong and Zhang Xiaohu naturally nodded in return, waiting patiently.

     

When Butcher Liu saw Liu Qian return and Mr. Liu going up to greet her, he remained seated, continuing to sip his drink. After finishing his drink, he noticed the two brothers standing at the entrance. He then stood up and cheerfully said: “I was wondering who brought Qianqian back. It turns out to be our two great heroes. Come, come on in, join me for a couple of drinks.”

     

Zhang Xiaolong and Zhang Xiaohu laughed and walked towards the square table under the eaves.

     

Liu Qian, who was still enjoying her time with her father, heard the word ‘drink’ and raised her head, saying to Butcher Liu: “Second Uncle, Xiaolong’s injury hasn’t fully healed yet, so he can’t drink. If you want to drink, go find Xiaohu.”

     

Butcher Liu laughed loudly and said: “You little girl, already siding with outsiders.”

     

Liu Qian replied coyly: “Second Uncle~”

     

Butcher Liu said: “Alright, stop calling me that. You hardly ever call me ‘Second Uncle’ normally.”

     

Mr. Liu looked thoughtfully at the young farm boy walking towards him. Zhang Xiaolong still had an unremarkable appearance, but his youthful face was full of vitality. Unlike other farm boys who were often timid, and unlike Zhang Cai’s cautious demeanor, Zhang Xiaolong’s eyes were bright. His clothes were old and worn, but they were clean and neatly washed, fitting him well. His steps were steady and deliberate, giving off a sense of reliability. Mr. Liu naturally understood Liu Qian’s intention in bringing Zhang Xiaolong back. Although he was strongly opposed to this marriage, he couldn’t help but appreciate Zhang Xiaolong as a person.

     

At this moment, Zhang Xiaolong and Zhang Xiaohu approached Mr. Liu and respectfully greeted him. This time, Mr. Liu didn’t stand on ceremony. He gave a simple nod and said: “You’ve had a long journey. It’s getting late, and returning to Guo Village today isn’t feasible. Stay here for the night. Go ahead and keep my second brother company first, I’ll join you after I finish talking with Qianqian.”

     

After the two brothers agreed, they walked under the eaves, each picking up a stool to sit on, and chatted with Butcher Liu. Mr. Liu then said to Liu Qian: “Qianqian, let’s go to the study to talk.”

     

Liu Qian let go of her father’s arm and said: “Dad, you go ahead. I’ll go brew some tea for you. This is what Xiaolong and I brought from Guo Village. Would you like some?”

     

Mr. Liu didn’t say anything, just shook his head with a helpless smile, then went back to the study first.

     

Liu Qian walked to the eaves, took the jug of water from Zhang Xiaohu’s side, glanced at Zhang Xiaolong, and said: “You two go chat with Second Uncle. I’ll go to the kitchen to boil water and prepare some snacks and appetizers for you. You’ve been on the road all afternoon, and I’m sure you’re hungry.”

     

Liu Qian arrived at the kitchen and placed the well water over the fire to boil. While waiting for the water to boil, she looked around the empty kitchen and quickly prepared two simple dishes using whatever ingredients were available. As for snacks, there were only a few leftover pastries, so she brought them out along with the dishes to satisfy the hunger of the two brothers. Butcher Liu happily enjoyed the dishes, sipping his wine and occasionally pouring Zhang Xiaohu another glass, but he didn’t insist on Zhang Xiaolong drinking.

     

Before long, the water boiled, and Liu Qian carefully brewed the tea. Carrying the tea set and the water, she walked towards the study. Before entering the study, she glanced back at Zhang Xiaolong, locking eyes with him. Liu Qian nodded slightly, her eyes filled with affirmation, before turning back and entering the study.

     

Inside the study, Mr. Liu was absent-mindedly flipping through a book. When he saw Liu Qian entering, he put the book down and sniffed, saying: “The water from Guo Village is indeed exceptional. The fragrance fills the air as soon as the tea is brewed. Quite rare.”

     

Liu Qian placed the teacup in front of her father and watched as he savored the aroma of the tea, taking slow sips and closing his eyes to savor the taste. She remained silent, letting him enjoy the moment.

     

After Mr. Liu had taken several sips, she finally spoke up: “Dad, how is the tea?”

     

Mr. Liu responded: “Ah, this tea is certainly much better than what I usually drink. However, it still doesn’t compare to the richness of the tea we had last time in Guo Village. It’s probably because it has been stored for too long and lacks the freshness of newly drawn water.”

     

After that, Liu Qian didn’t say anything further, and Mr. Liu focused solely on enjoying his tea, remaining silent.

     

After sitting in silence for a while, Mr. Liu thought for a moment and then smiled as he spoke: “Qianqian, coming back in such a hurry, is there something you want to tell Dad?”

     

Blushing, Liu Qian replied: “Dad, you’re asking even though you already know. If I didn’t come back, wouldn’t you have to come to fetch me in a few days?”

     

Mr. Liu sighed and set down his teacup on the table: “Qianqian, from childhood to now, Dad has always indulged your temperament and hasn’t interfered much with you. But this time, Dad didn’t listen to you. You should understand Dad’s intentions.”

     

Liu Qian pondered for a moment before responding: “I guess Dad’s intention is to prevent me from enduring hardships at the Zhang family, doing farm work every day. And you’re also worried that Zhang Xiaolong is a rough rural guy, afraid that my future life won’t be as comfortable as it was at home?”

     

Mr. Liu nodded and said: “Living together isn’t just about one person, it’s about both people’s lives. If one person enjoys reading while the other hopes to farm, then the direction of life diverges, and naturally, the days become dull and don’t last long. Moreover, the Zhang family is quite impoverished. You must have realized during this time that life isn’t as comfortable as in Baligou.”

     

Liu Qian nodded and said: “Dad, what you said is all true. I’ve considered all of this. I even discussed it with Zhang Xiaolong’s mother. Her advice was similar to yours, she also hopes that I will think it through carefully.”

     

Mr. Liu exclaimed: “Did she really say that?”

     

Liu Qian replied: “Of course she did. I didn’t expect Auntie, who is a rural woman with limited literacy, to be so understanding and reasonable.”

     

Mr. Liu sighed: “Indeed, it’s rare. No wonder she raised such generous children.”

     

Mr. Liu continued: “Actually, these are things you can’t fully grasp. They are just experiences passed down by us older folks. With your personality, even if we say it, it may not necessarily work. Only when you encounter setbacks will you understand your father’s painstaking efforts. But your mother’s situation, although it happened a long time ago, is still vivid in my memory. If I had the ability, I wouldn’t have let your mother suffer and leave us so early. So, I don’t want your mother’s tragedy to happen to you again.”

     

Liu Qian, confident in her words, continued: “Father, perhaps this is your obsession. But if you had the capability, would you still be the same person you are now? Would Mother be happy being with you? If she is not happy, even if you live together for a lifetime, what value does that hold? Mother respects you, loves you, and spent only a short dozen years with you. Yet, the happiness she received is something others cannot attain in a lifetime. So, tell me, which one is her choice?”

     

Liu Qian continued: “Father, in fact, I have always believed that the fate of one’s life is already predetermined. Whether in sorrow or happiness, it’s all part of life. Human life is a trajectory, where various paths intersect to form the entirety of one’s existence. Mother’s trajectory is destined to involve your presence, and your trajectory is also destined to include happiness with Mother. You have always blamed yourself for Mother’s passing, for not being able to take care of her well. But in reality, since the moment Mother met you, the life of our family began, and Mother’s happiness and ending were already predetermined. Any attempt to change it would be futile. If in the past, Father had been passionate about officialdom, naturally, you would have neglected Mother. Mother might not have left us early, but would she have lived happily?”

     

As Mr. Liu fell into contemplation, Liu Qian continued: ”Actually, I have also been pondering over my encounter with Zhang Xiaolong. I mentioned it to Yueyue before. Since the moment I met Zhang Xiaolong in the fabric store, our paths have been intertwined. I believe Father must be aware of what happened during that time, so I won’t go into detail. I can only describe what happened between Xiaolong and me as fate. And, there’s another crucial thing that perhaps Father is unaware of.”

     

Mr. Liu paused for a moment and asked: “What is it?”

     

Liu Qian replied mysteriously: “Father, do you find the water in Guo Village particularly delicious?”

     

Mr. Liu responded: ”’Yes, but what does that have to do with anything?”

     

Then Liu Qian told Mr. Liu about Grandmother’s illness and their trip to Lu Town for treatment. Mr. Liu was visibly surprised and asked: “Are you sure it’s the effect of this well water?”

     

Liu Qian replied: “Of course it is. Just look at Zhang Xiaolong’s arm, and you’ll know. Have you ever seen anyone with all their arm bones broken who could recover so quickly in just one month? Besides, Yueyue mentioned last time she saw me that my skin had noticeably improved compared to before. I can feel it myself now.”

     

Mr. Liu frowned, no longer pressing the issue, while Liu Qian continued: “Father, think about it. This well water is a priceless treasure. Your health has always been fragile, especially since Mother passed away, it has never been the same. Ensuring your well-being has been my lifelong wish. And now, with this well water, a long and healthy life is not an extravagant hope. This well water was dug out by the Zhang family, it belongs to the Zhang family. Don’t you think this is another opportunity given to me and Xiaolong by the heavens?”

     

“And besides, Eldest Brother has not settled down yet, and we don’t know if my future eldest sister-in-law will be virtuous. If I marry into the Zhang family, and you move to Guo Village, wouldn’t it be a win-win situation? On one hand, I can take care of you, and on the other hand, you can enjoy the blessings from above. Wouldn’t that solve all the concerns in my heart?”