Choice

The Zhang family had a lively evening, the most spirited they'd had since the New Year.

The weight that had been pressing on everyone's hearts was temporarily lifted. At dinner, Zhang Cai even poured himself a few drinks to celebrate his son's recovery. After the meal, they busied themselves with farm work under the oil lamp, eagerly discussing how to cultivate the fields in the spring, how to fertilize the newly cleared land on the slopes, and the division of labor among the three brothers, Zhang Xiaolong, Zhang Xiaohu, and Zhang Xiaolong. It was as if spring plowing was happening tomorrow, filled with the promise of hope.

Under the flickering lamplight, no one noticed Liu Qian's melancholic expression.

Nor did they notice Zhang Xiaohua's thoughtful gaze.

The next morning, as soon as it was light, Liu Qian reluctantly got out of bed. She had been restless all night, finally falling asleep just before dawn. Upon waking, she found her eyes were a little red and her complexion wasn't good. Guo Sufi even asked with concern if she was sick.

After breakfast, everyone went about their own tasks. It was already February, and the weather had warmed up. Zhang Cai and the others inspected the farm tools, checking for any that needed repair. The seeds in the cellar also needed to be brought out and dried in the sun. The ice in the river had melted, the ground in the fields should be thawing and ready for plowing, and spring was on its way.

Just as Liu Qian was helping Guo Sufi spread the crop seeds out to dry in the sun, she suddenly heard someone call her: "Qianqian~"

What a familiar voice. She quickly looked up, her gaze passing over the still low walls of the Zhang family's courtyard. She saw her Father, her Uncle Liu the Butcher, and her cousin Liu Yueyue, who had already arrived at the gate.

She cried out in surprise, "Father~" then, like a swallow, she flew to the doorway, grabbed her Father's hand. She hadn't seen her family in nearly half a month; how could she not miss them? Seeing them now, her eyes turned red and her nose stung.

Liu Yueyue said from the side, "Sister, what about me? Didn't you see me?"

Liu Qian also took her hand and said, "Of course I saw you. How could I not see you? I have a sister as beautiful as a celestial being, how could I not see you?"

Liu Yueyue giggled and said, "Sister, look at you. You haven't seen Father for just a few days, and your eyes are already red. Don't you dare say I cry easily anymore, you're no better. Oh, your complexion is so poor. Did you suffer here? But wait, your skin seems smoother and fairer than before, and you've even gained a little weight. In just ten days, your beauty is catching up to mine!"

Liu Qian playfully chided, "You little rascal, always flattering me with sweet words."

Liu Yueyue became anxious, "Really, Sister, I'm not lying. If you don't believe me, look in a mirror."

Liu Qian's heart stirred, and she didn't reply.

How could Mr. Liu and Liu the Butcher notice this? They just thought it was two children playing and laughing.

At this moment, Zhang Cai also came out with his family to greet them.

Mr. Liu quickly stepped forward to pay his respects and asked Zhang Cai, "Brother, it's been a while. Are you in good health?"

Zhang Cai returned the greeting, "Thanks to your good wishes, Brother, I'm all better now. Look, I've even discarded my cane."

Then he had Zhang Xiaolong, Zhang Xiaohu, and Zhang Xiaohua come forward to greet them in turn.

Mr. Liu had seen them the last time he visited, but at that time, the two brothers were lying in bed. Seeing these two young men with such dignified bearing now, he couldn't help but praise them in his heart: "These two children, though their looks are ordinary, possess a rare inner composure. Without formal education, they have such an aura. They are indeed teachable!" He quickly helped the three up and said with a smile, "It's wonderful to see that the injuries of you two worthy nephews have also greatly improved. However, Nephew Xiaolong, you injured your muscles and bones, so you must still be very careful. It will take a hundred days of rest before you can work. Don't overexert yourself for the sake of the current farm work. Ah, by the way, why have you removed the splints after only ten days?"

Zhang Xiaolong moved his arm and said, "Uncle, I will heed your words. Look, there's no major problem with my arm now. Although I can't do heavy labor, I estimate that in a few more days, ordinary farm work should be fine."

Liu the Butcher chimed in, "Nephew, your body is extraordinarily strong! Wang Er from our village fell on his backside while chopping wood on the mountain and had to lie in bed for half a year. You've only been a few days and you're already better? Let me see."

Saying this, he reached out to grab Zhang Xiaolong's arm. Liu Qian, standing nearby, became anxious and quickly blocked her uncle's hand, scolding, "Uncle, your hands are used to handling fat pigs weighing over a hundred catties. Xiaolong's arm has just healed; if you grab his arm like this, you might break it again."

Liu the Butcher awkwardly withdrew his hand and said with a self-deprecating laugh, "Then I won't look, I won't look."

Liu Yueyue, seemingly noticing something, nudged Liu Qian with her elbow, winked at her, and smiled mischievously.

Liu Qian's face flushed, and she felt awkward.

Fortunately, at this moment, Mr. Liu noticed Zhang Xiaohua again and affectionately patted his head, saying, "Xiaohua, you've grown taller again in just a few days! I think by the end of this year, you'll be as tall as your two older brothers. And looking at your eyes, they are full of spirit; you seem much more sensible now."

This was indeed true. The first time Mr. Liu saw Zhang Xiaohua, he had just been beaten by bullies and was worried about his Father and brothers' injuries, so his expression was naturally dim and listless. Now that his family's injuries had greatly improved, his mood was naturally better, and with an unknown reason, he naturally appeared different.

Zhang Xiaohua was quite well-behaved. He tilted his head up and said, "Uncle, this is all Sister Liu's credit. She not only took care of Eldest Brother but also helped our Mother with housework, and she taught me many principles and taught me to recognize many characters. With her influence, I naturally became more sensible."

These words made Mr. Liu extremely happy. He laughed heartily and said, "Good child, good child! Brother, I envy you for having such good children."

Zhang Cai said humbly, "We have been negligent in our upbringing, and they have had little formal education. Brother, you jest."

Mr. Liu disagreed, "Not at all, not at all. This is innate temperament, not something that can be cultivated through acquired effort. Even if you had immense wealth, it would be difficult to find such fine sons."

Liu the Butcher chided, "You two stop flattering each other. We're all familiar with each other. I've been walking all morning, and my throat is so dry it feels like it's about to smoke. Let's go inside for some water."

Zhang Cai and Mr. Liu both laughed heartily at this. Zhang Cai quickly ushered everyone into the main hall.

As they sat down to talk, Guo Sufi and Liu Qian went to boil water for tea, and Liu Yueyue followed them.

While the water was not yet boiling, Guo Sufi went into the house to get the tea leaves. Liu Yueyue quietly asked Liu Qian, "Sister, do you have a crush on that Zhang Xiaolong?"

Liu Qian blushed and said, "What do you mean, a crush? How could I?"

Liu Yueyue teased her, "Look at your shy face and your eyes full of affection; I know you're in love. Come on, admit it!"

Liu Qian said, "You little imp, why are you so full of sweet talk? Didn't you come to see Zhang Xiaohu?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yueyue also said seriously, "Sister, you're wrong about that. Have you forgotten what we said before? Although Zhang Xiaolong and Zhang Xiaohu are good people and saved us, our ideal is to marry a learned scholar, suave and handsome. They are farmers; they'll be digging their living from the fields their whole lives. Are we going to be farm women for our entire lives too? Back then, I was quite grateful to Zhang Xiaohu, and I did have good feelings for him. I don't deny it now, but I thought about it carefully later. I don't want to jump into this fire pit. Sister, you need to think clearly too. This is a matter of a lifetime. If you choose wrongly, you'll regret it forever."

Liu Qian's smile faded, and she said sternly, "Yes, Yueyue, that's exactly why I'm so hesitant. Although I hope my husband is a scholar, I've met so many scholars over the years, and none have left as deep an impression on me as this farmer, Zhang Xiaolong. He possesses a temperament and courage that most people lack. I've only known him for a short month, but this short period has been more profound than many people's entire lives. I can't explain my feelings to you; they are beyond words. Actually, your choice is not wrong, and my choice is not wrong either. Everyone has their own freedom; everyone must choose their own path."

Liu Yueyue gave a wry smile, "Sister, I hope your choice is not wrong. In the future..."

Liu Qian interrupted her, "It's too early to say now. I haven't made my final decision yet."

Liu Yueyue didn't press further, and both fell silent.

A moment later, Guo Sufi brought out the tea leaves, and the water had boiled. Liu Qian prepared the tea, and the three of them returned to the main hall together.

Inside the hall, everyone was laughing and chatting animatedly.

Liu Qian poured tea for everyone and sat down silently, lost in her thoughts.

The Zhang family was accustomed to this tea and paid it no mind. Liu the Butcher drank it down like an ox, not tasting its flavor. Liu Yueyue also seemed preoccupied, taking a sip absentmindedly before putting it down, not even noticing Zhang Xiaohu's seemingly casual glance.

Only Mr. Liu, after taking a casual sip, his expression changed dramatically. He took a second sip disbelievingly, frowning deeply. Then, he smelled the aroma of the tea rising from the cup and took a third sip. It was then that he looked surprised and was about to speak.

Zhang Cai saw Mr. Liu take those three sips of tea and hurriedly asked, "Brother, is there something wrong with this tea? Does it not taste good?"

Mr. Liu replied, "Not at all, it's not that it doesn't taste good, it's that it tastes too good. Brother, what kind of tea is this?"

Zhang Cai said awkwardly, "My dear brother, I don't know either. Our family never drank tea before. This tea was brought by Liu Qian from your home."

Mr. Liu turned to Liu Qian and asked, "Qianqian, is this tea from home?"

Liu Qian was lost in her own thoughts. Hearing her Father ask her something, she quickly said, "What is it, Father? What are you asking me?"