Worries

Liu Qian continued her explanation, "Mr. Wu got the treasure, but he's as weak as a chicken and doesn't have the ability to protect it. That situation is like being at someone's mercy, with no power to fight back, only able to surrender. Great Hero Wen, on the other hand, is skilled in martial arts and has the ability to protect his own treasure. Of course, it also depends on the opponent's skill. If they are stronger than Great Hero Wen, his possessions will be snatched away, but Great Hero Wen might not necessarily lose his life. If they are weaker than Great Hero Wen, they naturally can't take his things. Also, it depends on the value of the treasure. After all, there's always someone better out there. If a treasure is too valuable, there will always be someone who can counter you to snatch it."

Zhang Xiaohua excitedly said, "Sister, does that mean that being skilled in martial arts is always better than not being skilled, giving you the ability to protect your own things? And the stronger your martial arts, the more valuable things you can protect?"

Liu Qian smiled and said, "Yes. Xiaohua is right."

Zhang Xiaohua continued, "If I knew martial arts, then during the last market day, Father, Eldest Brother, and Second Brother wouldn't have gotten hurt, and Sister wouldn't have been bullied."

Liu Qian's expression turned a little somber upon hearing this. "But how can martial arts be cultivated so easily?"

Zhang Xiaohua optimistically replied, "Don't worry, Sister. I will definitely learn martial arts to protect you all."

Liu Qian also became amused and said, "Alright, then from now on, we'll have to rely on Great Hero Zhang for protection."

She then continued, "Sometimes, martial arts should be like treasures; you can't reveal all your secrets to others. Keeping a bit back for the final moment to save your life is also necessary."

Zhang Xiaohua thought for a moment, looking thoughtful, and said, "Sister, you're amazing. How do you know so much?"

Liu Qian replied, "These are all written in books. The more you read, the more you understand. Xiaohua, you can read more in the future, and you'll know more. Besides, what's the use of knowing a lot? In the face of absolute martial power, anything else is just paper."

Liu Qian, perhaps without much thought, combined what she had read in books with her recent experiences and told them to Zhang Xiaohua. Zhang Xiaohua didn't pay much attention, merely listening, but these viewpoints deeply influenced him later on.

As they spoke, the two had already returned to the entrance of the Zhang family courtyard. The sun had already set, and the last rays of light were struggling before being swallowed by darkness. A cold wind picked up. Looking over the wall, Zhang Xiaohua figured his family had already returned indoors. He chuckled inwardly, his afternoon task finally completed. He said aloud, "Sister, since you've read so many books, you must tell me more stories in the future. You also need to teach Eldest Brother to read and write, otherwise, you'll all have nothing to talk about."

Liu Qian casually agreed, "Okay, I'll take care of it."

Then she felt that the way she said it sounded a bit odd. This Xiaohua, he had some cleverness after all. However, she then thought, "This wall is too low. Anything happening inside the courtyard is completely visible. I need to make it higher when I have time." She was completely unaware that she was already developing the mindset of a housewife.

The small house was still warm. Zhang Cai was talking with Zhang Xiaolong and Zhang Xiaohu on the kang. Ever since Liu Qian arrived, the three of them had been squeezing together. Guo Sufi was already busy preparing dinner. Zhang Xiaohua brought the bucket filled with water into the courtyard and was spotted by his mother by the stove. She asked him, "Why did you bring the bucket from the well?"

Zhang Xiaohua replied, "Mother, this is filled with well water. Sister Liu said she brought some tea from home and wants to brew it with this well water."

Guo Sufi said, "What's so good about tea? It's bitter and unpalatable. Plain water is better."

Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said, "Mother, you haven't tasted good tea. Do you think all tea tastes like the tea from Old Guo's place at the village entrance? The tea I drank at Sister Liu's house last time was very delicious."

Liu Qian also chimed in, "Auntie, you'll know once you try it."

Guo Sufi, seeing Liu Qian speak, also smiled and said, "Alright, if Qianqian says it's good, then we'll benefit from it and try it."

Then, Liu Qian filled a pot with well water and placed it on the fire to heat.

The three people in the inner room heard Zhang Xiaohua and also got up to come out, to see if they could help with anything.

The water quickly boiled. The Zhang family didn't have a teapot, so Liu Qian had no choice but to put a small amount of tea leaves into the bowls they ate from and pour hot water over them.

Zhang Cai and the others looked at the brewed tea, which had a light green color, and smelled the faint aroma. They couldn't help but wonder, "Is this really tea? Why is it so fragrant?"

They endured the heat and sipped the tea. In just a few gulps, they finished a bowl of tea and wanted more. Liu Qian said, "If you drink too much of this tea, you won't sleep well at night. If you want to drink more, have a little after the meal."

Everyone naturally listened to the expert.

Liu Qian also very thoughtfully brought a small bowl of tea to the Maternal Grandmother, letting her have a little taste.

Dinner was still simple fare. Well, that's not right. The tea today was indeed good tea, and the Zhang family members drank it with great joy. That night, except for the Maternal Grandmother, Liu Qian, and Zhang Xiaohua, everyone else collectively suffered from insomnia. The Maternal Grandmother and Liu Qian hadn't drunk much, and although Zhang Xiaohua drank the most, he counted sheep like everyone else before Zi Shi. After Zi Shi, he immediately turned over and fell asleep, with his dreams flashing.

After dinner, Guo Sufi cleaned up the bowls and plates and then boiled well water to make tea for her family. She herself held a small bowl of tea and went to the small room where the Maternal Grandmother lived.

As soon as she entered, the Maternal Grandmother heard her and asked, "Is that Sufi?"

She replied, "Yes, Mother. I brought you a bowl of tea that Liu Qian brought."

The Maternal Grandmother said, "Didn't you already have some before dinner? Qianqian said not to drink too much of this at night."

Guo Sufi said, "I know, Mother. I came over for something else too."

The Maternal Grandmother asked curiously, "What is it that's so mysterious?"

Guo Sufi said, "Mother, what do you think of Liu Qian? Why did you speak so directly to her this afternoon?"

The Maternal Grandmother sighed, "Ah, Sufi, I just think Liu Qian is too good. She's a capable hand at managing a household, educated and sensible. Xiaohua said she's also very beautiful, and their family is well-off. Our Xiaolong doesn't deserve her."

Guo Sufi sighed, "Yes, Mother, I think so too. However, I feel like she's quite satisfied with Xiaolong. I just haven't found an opportunity to ask her carefully, and you said it so directly this afternoon, I don't know how to bring it up again."

The Maternal Grandmother said, "Liu Qian is one aspect, and we also have to consider her family's intentions. Xiaohua said their family are scholars and not good at farming. His uncle is also a butcher. It seems difficult to communicate with us farmers. Moreover, their family is wealthy, not like our poor family. It's really hard to say."

Guo Sufi whispered, "I feel it's hard to talk to her family, which is why I want Liu Qian and Xiaolong to spend more time together. If time passes and they develop feelings, it might be beneficial for us."

The Maternal Grandmother was silent for a while, then sighed deeply. "Sufi, I know what you mean, but lately, I've been feeling weaker and weaker. Many nights I've dreamed of your father coming to find me, asking me to join him. I feel my time is short. That's why I said that this afternoon. I really want to see my grandson get married, and even see our family have four generations living together."

Before she finished speaking, Guo Sufi's tears began to flow. She choked back a sob, wiping her tears, and said, "Mother, don't think too much. Perhaps you're just dreaming because you miss Father. Your health is fine, you'll definitely see your great-grandchildren."

The Maternal Grandmother stroked Guo Sufi's hair and said kindly, "Sufi, I know my own body. I've lived so long, watched you grow up, watched you get married, have children, and then watched Xiaolong, Xiaohu, and Xiaohua be born and grow up. I'm already very content. What I said this afternoon was just a sudden impulse. It's indeed inappropriate to bring this up after the young lady has only been here a few days. Treat her well, and perhaps she will end up with our Xiaolong. That would be Xiaolong's good fortune, and our family's good fortune as well."

Guo Sufi said a few more words to her Maternal Grandmother before getting up to leave. She picked up the now-cold tea, tested it with her mouth, found it undrinkable, and regretfully poured it onto the courtyard. She looked back at her mother's shadow in the dark room, her heart filled with bitterness, and tears flowed down her cheeks again. She knew very well that ever since she had children, her entire heart and soul had been devoted to Zhang Cai and her children. She had rarely paid attention to or considered her own mother. She always felt that she was under her mother's sheltering tree, with her mother to rely on. Hearing her mother's words so suddenly, she realized how much she had overlooked and how little she had given her mother. One only cherishes things when they are lost, and the ordinary things by one's side are what should be cherished the most.

Now, whether it was regret or disappointment, she felt an emptiness in her heart. Some things were breaking, and she couldn't grasp them with her hands.

Guo Sufi walked into the main hall in a daze. Liu Qian was doing needlework under the lamp. She looked up and saw Guo Sufi's unusual expression. She quickly got up, took the empty bowl from her, and asked, "Auntie, is something wrong?"

Guo Sufi forced a smile and said, "It's nothing, I'm just a bit tired." Then, she glanced into the small room where Zhang Cai and the others were. Liu Qian, seeing that she wouldn't say anything, sat back down, continuing her work while watching Guo Sufi.

The men in the small room were drinking tea and doing farm work, with one lying down to recover from his injury. Guo Sufi didn't say much, only remarking, "When you're done, go to bed early. Xiaohua, take good care of your Maternal Grandmother tonight."

Everyone responded, "Okay," without looking up.

Guo Sufi didn't pay them any mind and went straight back to her own room without doing needlework in the main hall.

Liu Qian became increasingly puzzled, not knowing what had happened over there. Since Guo Sufi wouldn't say, she couldn't force the issue.

When it was late and everyone had tidied up and gone to bed on the kang, Liu Qian finally returned to her room. The lamp in the small room was still lit. Guo Sufi had already fallen asleep. Liu Qian blew out the oil lamp and lay down.