Fate

Mr. Liu asked with concern, "Qianqian, are you feeling unwell?"

Liu Qian smiled and said, "Father, I'm fine. I was just a bit distracted. What were you asking me just now?"

Mr. Liu said, "Did you bring this tea from home?"

Liu Qian understood what her father meant and replied, "Yes, Father, it's the kind you always drink. I brought it for myself last time I visited. Do you think the tea tastes particularly good?"

Mr. Liu took another sip and said, "Yes, it doesn't taste like the tea I drink at home at all. The aroma is truly enticing."

Mr. Liu had no particular hobbies in his life except for enjoying tea. He drank many kinds of tea and kept a good stock at home, which was why Liu Qian also liked drinking tea. However, the tea he was drinking today was very different from what he usually drank. It had an indescribable fragrance. The tea leaves were his usual kind, so he figured the difference must be in the water used for brewing. Mr. Liu was surprised. Although Guo Village was far from Baligou, it was only half a day's journey. How could the water quality be so different?

Mr. Liu asked, "Qianqian, why does the water in Guo Village taste so much better than the water in our Baligou?"

Liu Qian blinked at Mr. Liu and said, "Yes, Father, the water here is indeed clear and delightful."

Liu Qian knew that her uncle was famously straightforward and couldn't keep secrets. If he found out about something, it would be as good as all the villagers in Baligou knowing. She had already warned him not to spread the word about her experiences in Lu Town, and now she wondered if the people in Baligou already knew everything. The matter of the well water absolutely could not be leaked.

Seeing Liu Qian wink at him, Mr. Liu tacitly stopped asking further questions.

However, Liu the Butcher overheard and interjected, "What's so difficult about that? Just have Zhang Xiaolong deliver a bucket to you every day."

Mr. Liu chuckled and said, "Second Brother, setting aside the half-day journey from Guo Village to Baligou, even if it could be delivered, the tea brewed with that water might not taste this good."

Seeing Liu the Butcher's confused look, he continued, "The best water for brewing tea is freshly drawn from the river. If it sits for too long, it loses its vitality, and the tea's aroma disappears."

Liu the Butcher looked dismissive and said, "You scholars are so particular. I don't feel that way at all. What do you think, Old Brother Zhang?" After speaking, he picked up his teacup and drank it all in one gulp.

Zhang Cai on the other side also chuckled and said nothing, finishing the tea in his cup.

Liu Qian stepped forward and poured everyone another cup.

Mr. Liu picked up the freshly poured cup of tea, brought it close to his nose, and inhaled deeply. Then, he took small sips, savoring it with great pleasure.

Liu the Butcher mocked, "What's so good about this bland water? It's not as satisfying as drinking wine."

Mr. Liu pursed his lips and said, "How can you understand my joy? Our interests are different, so let's not talk about it. It's a pity, having tasted this tea today, how can I possibly enjoy tea in the future?"

Liu the Butcher was amused and said, "What's so difficult about that? Why don't you move to Guo Village and live here? I heard Guo Village doesn't have any teachers. If you come, they'll be delighted to welcome you."

Mr. Liu's eyes lit up and he said, "You coarse fellow, you can also come up with good ideas. That's well said. The ancients said, 'Eating three hundred lychees a day, I would not regret living long in Lingnan.' It's rare for me to encounter such good water and tea. To become a resident of Guo Village for the sake of this good tea would not be a bad story."

What was said carelessly was heard with intent. Mr. Liu's phrase "rarely encounter" was like a lightning bolt striking Liu Qian's heart, shattering the knot of worry that had been troubling her for many days. Yes, a rare encounter. Just a few days ago, she had felt a connection with Zhang Xiaolong, and now she was back in a dead end, doubting that connection again. Thinking about it carefully now, from meeting Zhang Xiaolong, him getting injured saving her, her taking care of him out of gratitude, discovering the precious well water, to her father's current willingness to come to Guo Village, all of it had completely dispelled her final concern: not wanting to marry far away to take care of her father. She knew that only the Zhang family had this well water, and no other place in Guo Village could get it. Thinking about the miraculous effects of the well water, her heart pounded. This was the guarantee of her father's health! Didn't all of this indicate that she and Zhang Xiaolong were destined to be together? This fate was decreed by heaven, wasn't it enough to make her proud?

With one thought, all things became clear, and the heavy stone in Liu Qian's heart was lifted by heaven.

At this moment, she finally noticed everyone's reaction after her father finished speaking. Seeing that no one understood, Liu Qian explained, "Lychees are a legendary delicious fruit that only grows in the Lingnan region. After eating these lychees, the ancients couldn't forget them and lamented that if they could eat lychees every day, they would willingly move to Lingnan."

Everyone then understood.

Zhang Cai said with surprise, "If Mr. Liu wishes to reside in our Guo Village, we will certainly welcome you. I will report to the Guo Clan Chief of Guo Village and arrange a place for my brother."

Mr. Liu quickly said, "Brother, there's no rush for this matter. We'll talk about it later. Let fate decide, haha."

Then, Mr. Liu took another sip of tea and revealed the true purpose of their visit to the Zhang family. He looked at Zhang Cai and said, "Brother, our main purpose for coming this time is to bring Qianqian home for a while. This child has been here for some time and must miss home. Our side also needs her to go back and tidy things up. Yueyue was supposed to come much earlier, but she didn't come with Qianqian last time because our home also needed a girl to take care of things. This time, let her come and switch places with Qianqian. What do you think?"

Zhang Cai did not dare to respond and quickly looked back at Guo Sufi.

Guo Sufi looked at the sincere expressions of Mr. Liu and Liu the Butcher, as well as Liu Yueyue's expressionless face, and already had a plan. She smiled at Mr. Liu and Liu the Butcher and said, "Brothers, we appreciate your intentions. Qianqian has been a great help to us during her stay here. Xiaolong and Xiaohu, as well as my husband, have recovered well from their injuries and can move around without much difficulty. Qianqian no longer needs to take care of Xiaolong and the others here. If Mr. Liu wants Qianqian to return, I will pack her things, and she can return with you this afternoon. There's no need for Yueyue to stay either."

Upon hearing Guo Sufi's words, Liu Yueyue showed a clear hint of joy. Liu Qian, looking up, inadvertently saw the disappointment on Zhang Xiaohu's brow, and her heart skipped a beat. She thought to herself, This Zhang Xiaohu is usually quiet and I haven't heard him inquire about Yueyue. Seeing his expression now, it might be a bit troublesome. I should remind Zhang Xiaohu later that my sister's feelings are clearly not here.

Liu the Butcher was somewhat displeased and said, "Sister-in-law, what are you saying? Wasn't it agreed before that Yueyue should also do her part? Now that the time has come, how can we let her slack off?"

Guo Sufi smiled and said, "Brother Liu, I know you are a straightforward person. If we had any difficulties, would we hide them from you? Look at these two children and your brother Zhang; they are all radiant and can move around easily. There's really no need for your daughter to stay."

Mr. Liu smiled at this point and stopped Liu the Butcher's persistent insistence, saying, "Since Sister-in-law says so, she must truly not need the child to stay. Second Brother, there's no need to insist. As for whether Qianqian will return with us later, we should ask her opinion first."

Liu Qian pondered for a moment and said, "How about this, Father? I won't go home with you this time. Yueyue can take care of things at home, and it should be fine. I've only been out for less than a month. Although I miss home, it's not to the point where I absolutely must see you. Moreover, Xiaolong's injury is in its final stage, and I can't just leave it unfinished. I'll go back after he has completely recovered."

As soon as these words were spoken, Liu the Butcher couldn't help but stand up and say, "Did you and your father conspire about this just now? Why do you speak so similarly to your father?"

Liu Qian asked in surprise, "Second Uncle, what do you mean by that?"

Before Liu the Butcher could speak, Liu Yueyue said, "Sister, on the way here, the two elders were making a bet. Your father said you definitely wouldn't come home, and my father said you would. My father asked why, and your father said that Qianqian has always disliked doing things halfway since she was little. She's only been in Guo Village for less than a month, and Zhang Xiaolong's injury is probably not healed yet. In such a situation, she definitely wouldn't go home. So, what you said is very similar to what your father said, and my father is naturally very angry, thinking you colluded."

Liu Yueyue, with her sharp tongue, saying "your father" and "my father," made everyone laugh.

Liu Qian said to Liu the Butcher, "Second Uncle watched me grow up, how can you not know my temperament?"

Liu the Butcher said helplessly, "I only remember you as a snot-nosed little girl. Who knew that in a few years you and Yueyue would grow into young ladies? How can I remember your temperament? I thought you hadn't left home, so you would miss home, but you miss your own father even more."

While they were talking, Guo Sufi saw that it was getting late and went out to prepare lunch. Liu Qian and Liu Yueyue naturally went out to help, leaving the men to chat inside.

The Zhang family's meal was still simple and was ready in a short while. Zhang Xiaohua also returned from buying wine from outside the village, which naturally made Liu the Butcher beam with joy.

After lunch, the sun in the sky had already begun to set in the west. Mr. Liu and his two companions bid farewell and returned to the village. Mr. Liu invited Zhang Cai, saying, "Brother, tomorrow is the second day of the second lunar month, the day the dragon raises its head. There's a temple fair in Baligou. Why don't you come over to my place tomorrow for a small gathering?"

Zhang Cai thought for a moment and declined, "Although my injuries have greatly improved, they have not fully recovered yet. Traveling far might cause problems. Moreover, the elders at home are ill, so it's best not to be too far away. When I have time in the future, I will definitely visit."

Mr. Liu knew it was a valid reason and did not insist further. They parted ways at the village entrance, and Liu Qian, along with Zhang Xiaohua, escorted them for a distance along the road.

Then, they reluctantly parted, watching their relatives gradually disappear into the distance.