Expressing Gratitude

When Liu Qian's father and elder brother arrived at the Zhang family's home, the sun was already high in the sky.

Liu the Butcher was chatting with Zhang Cai in the small courtyard, basking in the sun. The wall around the Zhang family's courtyard was quite low, so Liu the Butcher spotted Mr. Liu and Liu Kai, being led by villagers, from quite a distance. Both of them were dressed in brand new attire. Liu Kai followed behind his father, holding several large gift boxes.

Liu the Butcher quickly got up, greeted Zhang Cai, and went out to welcome his elder brother. Zhang Cai called into the house, "Child's mother, Liu Qian's father is here."

Upon hearing the shout, Liu Qian didn't drop her needlework like Liu Yueyue and dash out from the inner room. Instead, she carefully placed her half-finished item on the table, let Guo Sufi go out first, and then followed.

By the time Liu Qian reached the courtyard, Liu the Butcher and Liu Yueyue had already ushered their father and elder brother to the fence gate, where Zhang Cai was waiting with his cane. After introductions and pleasantries, Liu Qian walked up to her father and elder brother to pay her respects. Mr. Liu took his daughter's hand and carefully examined her expression. He saw that her familiar face bore no trace of the incident from two days ago, and her eyes held no panic or fear, only slight redness around the rims. Mr. Liu couldn't help but feel guilty, realizing he hadn't considered things thoroughly enough. He patted his daughter's shoulder and said, "You've suffered, my child."

Liu Qian wiped her eyes and smiled, saying, "Daughter is fine. It's all thanks to Young Master Xiaolong and his family's strong support that we escaped that disaster."

Mr. Liu gestured for Liu Kai to hand over the gift boxes and said to Zhang Cai and Guo Sufi, "Great kindness needs no thanks. These humble gifts are merely a token of our appreciation. We hope our benefactors will accept them."

Zhang Cai quickly pushed the gift boxes back, politely saying, "We just happened to be there and didn't exert ourselves much. Besides, others were involved in helping us too."

Mr. Liu insisted on handing them over, saying, "We still owe you a great debt. If it weren't for your help, my children would have met with disaster long ago, and those two young heroes might not have been able to intervene."

Seeing them pushing the gifts back and forth, Liu the Butcher grew anxious. He reached out and took the boxes, saying, "There's no need to be so polite. Elder Brother Zhang, my elder brother's intentions are sincere, you shouldn't refuse." With that, he carried the gift boxes into the main hall.

Mr. Liu smiled at Zhang Cai and said, "My second brother has a fiery temper. I hope Elder Brother Zhang won't mind."

Zhang Cai also smiled and replied, "Not at all. Your brother is a man of character. We are the ones who are too formal. Please, let's talk inside."

Zhang Cai invited Mr. Liu into the main hall. The Zhang family's main hall was very small, with only a few chairs, so there was no formal seating arrangement. Everyone sat down casually.

After settling in, Mr. Liu once again expressed his gratitude for the Zhang family's kindness. He then took out some loose silver from his bosom and placed it on the small table in the room. He said, "Elder Brother Zhang, your family's injuries were sustained while saving my daughter from the ruffians. It is only right and proper that we take responsibility. Please take this silver for medical treatment. Our family is not wealthy, so this is all we can offer. I hope Elder Brother will understand."

This time, Zhang Cai was resolute in his refusal. He said, "Xiaohua must have told you what happened. The ruffians already compensated us with silver, but we were afraid they would come back to demand it, so we didn't dare to use it. The Young Hero Wen who saved us already gave us plenty of silver, enough for medical treatment and medicine. We absolutely cannot accept this silver." Liu Kai added from the side, "Uncle Zhang, one matter is separate from another. This silver is something we should give. It's not right that you were injured saving my sisters, and we stand by idly without covering any medical expenses. That makes no sense!" Liu the Butcher also scratched his head and said, "Elder Brother Zhang, you should just take it. In a few days, I'll also bring you some silver and some meat."

Zhang Cai said, "Younger brothers, please, absolutely not. We didn't save people for money. Moreover, we already have money for our injuries. We absolutely cannot accept this."

Thus, they went back and forth, refusing and insisting, entangled in a discussion for a long time, with Zhang Cai steadfastly refusing.

At this point, Liu Qian spoke up, saying to Mr. Liu, "Father, since Uncle Zhang won't accept this silver, please take it back for now. I have an idea. Would you like to hear it?"

Mr. Liu said, "Of course. You've been exceptionally intelligent since you were young. What good idea do you have this time?"

Liu Qian said, "Uncle Zhang's family was injured saving us. Let Liu Yueyue and I stay here to take care of Uncle Zhang and his family until their injuries are completely healed. Firstly, Uncle Zhang's family has three injured people, and there's an elderly person to care for. Aunt Guo can't manage alone. If we help out here, the household can run normally. Secondly, Uncle Zhang and the other two have difficulty moving and need someone to attend to them. This is what we should do. What do you think?"

Mr. Liu pondered for a moment and said, "I hadn't considered this thoroughly. Qian'er's idea is very good. What do you think, second brother?"

Liu the Butcher patted his chest and said, "Very good, very good. I was thinking the same thing."

Liu Yueyue also nodded in agreement.

The matter was settled for the time being.

Afterward, Mr. Liu and Liu Kai went to the inner room. Zhang Xiaolong and Zhang Xiaohu were still lying in bed. They had woken up when they heard Liu the Butcher shout earlier, but Guo Sufi and the others had stopped them. Now, seeing someone enter, they knew it was Liu Qian's father and brother, and they quickly got up. This time, Liu Qian did not come forward to help Zhang Xiaolong. Guo Sufi carefully helped her son sit up on the kang.

Mr. Liu then carefully observed the courageous young man. Zhang Xiaolong was a very spirited young man, about the same age as Liu Kai. He had an ordinary appearance, with thick eyebrows and large eyes like Zhang Cai. However, his eyes were bruised, and his mouth was split open from being hit. But from the determination in his eyes alone, one could tell he was a steady person. His clothes were not new and had some patches, but they were washed very cleanly, making them comfortable to look at. Zhang Xiaolong's arm was still in a splint, and he couldn't move it freely. His hands rested on his chest. Looking at these slightly rough hands, one could tell he was a skilled hand in the fields.

Mr. Liu looked at this young man, whose age and height were similar to his own son's, but whose demeanor was vastly different, and he couldn't help but nod in approval. Only such an outstanding child could step forward in times of danger.

Zhang Xiaolong felt uneasy as Mr. Liu stared at him, a little flustered. After watching for a while, Mr. Liu finally spoke, thanking him for saving his daughter and hoping he would recover well. Then, after a brief conversation, he left the small room. As he walked, he said to Zhang Cai, "Elder Brother Zhang has good sons. You are blessed."

Zhang Cai beamed, unable to close his mouth. Even leaning on his cane, he didn't forget to be humble, "The same to you, Elder Brother. Your son is also excellent, excellent."

It was nearing noon, so Zhang Cai instructed Guo Sufi to prepare a meal to entertain Mr. Liu and his party. The Zhang family's financial situation was significantly worse than Mr. Liu's, so the meal was naturally quite simple. Zhang Cai expressed his apologies. Mr. Liu and Liu the Butcher were both hearty individuals and didn't mind the simple fare during their conversation. They ate and drank heartily. Only Zhang Xiaohua was the happiest, having meat to eat for two consecutive days, wishing such days would come more often.

After the meal, Mr. Liu and his party chatted with Zhang Cai for a while longer. Then, as it was still early, they took the two young ladies and headed back to Baligou.

The Zhang family was left with only the injured members lying in bed.

Fortunately, it was the middle of winter, and at this time of year, people usually stayed indoors to keep warm, with no farming or weeding to be done. But that afternoon, everyone felt something was missing. As dusk gradually fell and Guo Sufi prepared to cook dinner, she realized that the help of the two young ladies was absent that day, and less food needed to be prepared. She felt a sense of melancholy. It was strange how the atmosphere of the house had changed. There were originally six people in the family, and for many years, they hadn't felt anything significant. But in the past few days, with the addition of two young ladies, the house had become livelier than ever before. Now that they were gone, the liveliness had also disappeared. It was only then that they realized how good it was to have liveliness, and they actually missed the days when there were more outsiders.

After a hasty dinner, Zhang Xiaohua and his mother served their two elder brothers. They sat around the oil lamp. Guo Sufi opened her mouth and said, "I wonder if Liu Qian and the others have eaten yet?"

Zhang Cai said, "Judging by the sky, they've probably just arrived home. It's too late for them to cook, so they'll likely eat at Liu the Butcher's place."

Zhang Xiaohua said, "For sure. Maybe there'll be pork belly tonight too."

Guo Sufi said, "By the way, Xiaohua, you've been to their house. What is their home like?"

Zhang Xiaohua described the situation of Liu Qian and Liu Yueyue's home based on his understanding.

In fact, Guo Sufi had always wanted to ask about Liu Qian's family situation but found it difficult to ask Liu Qian directly. She hadn't had a chance to ask when she saw Liu the Butcher yesterday. Today, seeing the demeanor and bearing of Mr. Liu and Liu Kai, she had a knot in her heart. After hearing Zhang Xiaohua's words, the knot tightened further, and she frowned. She said worriedly to Zhang Cai, "Old man, do you think Liu Qian would fancy our Xiaolong?"

No one else interjected, and Zhang Xiaolong's face also darkened. Zhang Cai said, "That depends on fate. Our words are useless. Let's leave it to destiny."

Zhang Xiaohu spoke up, "Mother, I think Liu Qian is very thoughtful and must have read a lot. She's definitely well-educated and can do a lot of housework. She's much better than the boisterous Liu Yueyue. Judging by how she took care of eldest brother, there might be a little something there."

Zhang Xiaohua said, "Second brother, you have to marry wives one by one. Don't be too impatient. Even if you don't mention Liu Yueyue, Mother will consider her for you."

Zhang Xiaohu's face flushed slightly, and he kicked Zhang Xiaohua with his foot, saying, "We're talking about eldest brother's affairs. Don't interrupt. There's nothing between me and Liu Yueyue."

Zhang Cai, however, said, "Second son, even if there were something between you two, you must think of your elder brother first. Given our family's situation, marrying one wife is already difficult. You'll probably have to wait for yours."

Guo Sufi interjected, "Old man, what about those banknotes..."

Zhang Cai interrupted her, giving her a glare, "Don't mention that. That's for returning to others."

Afterward, everyone felt a sense of weariness. Before long, they blew out the oil lamps and went to sleep.

Zhang Xiaolong tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep, unsure if it was the pain from his injuries or the worries in his heart. However, his restlessness did not affect Zhang Xiaohua's still flickering dreams.