Proposal of Marriage

The one who came in was Zhang Xiaolong.

The two of them had been standing at the doorway, listening to Grandmother and Mother talk. Liu Qian's face had flushed scarlet, while Zhang Xiaolong listened and watched her expression. When he saw Grandmother's disappointed look, he could not help taking Liu Qian's hand and rushing into the courtyard. As though blessed with sudden inspiration, he declared, "Qianqian won't be going home."

Liu Qian's face burned red as she tried to pull her hand free, but for some reason, she did not do so. Instead, she obediently followed behind Zhang Xiaolong and ran into the small courtyard. As she ran, she thought, Thank all the gods and Buddhas in heaven—the paper window has finally been pierced. Not long ago, I was still worrying about how I should respond if Guo Sufi asked me again. Now, Zhang Xiaolong's impulsiveness has scattered all that worry like ashes in the wind. Zhang Xiaolong really is my lucky star. It must be fate.

Everyone looked at the two who had charged into the courtyard in bewilderment. Only when they stopped before Grandmother did they notice that Zhang Xiaolong was holding Liu Qian's hand. Understanding expressions immediately appeared on their faces. So that was it. Seeing everyone's suggestive looks, Zhang Xiaolong finally noticed the soft, smooth hand in his own. For a moment, he did not know whether he should let go or keep holding on.

Seeing her son's embarrassment, Guo Sufi quickly asked, "Xiaolong, when you said Qianqian wouldn't be going home, was that Qianqian's own wish?"

Zhang Xiaolong pulled a face, not knowing how to answer. Then the little hand in his grasp lightly scratched his fingers with hers. He understood at once and said happily, "Yes, Mother. Qianqian told me so herself."

Everyone was overjoyed, and Grandmother was so delighted that she could not close her mouth.

Guo Sufi walked over to Liu Qian, still hardly daring to believe it. "Qianqian, this is a matter for the rest of your life. You must think it through carefully. Don't regret it later."

The others did not think much of it, knowing that Guo Sufi merely wanted to confirm Liu Qian's wishes. Liu Qian herself was secretly delighted first. This family truly was simple and honest. Those words should have come as a warning from her own family, yet they had said them first. Liu Qian also knew that she could no longer hesitate as she had last time. At last, she nodded slightly, then broke free from Zhang Xiaolong's hand and ran out.

Seeing this, Guo Sufi quickly gave her son a shove. "Why aren't you chasing after her?"

Zhang Xiaolong seemed to wake from a dream. "Right."

But after taking only a few steps, he came back and said, "Father, give me some silver. We're going out to buy meat, but I didn't bring any money."

Zhang Cai hurriedly took out a few bits of loose silver from his clothes and gave them to him. Xiaolong accepted them and quickly ran out, chasing after Liu Qian's figure, which was clearly waiting for him outside the courtyard.

After Zhang Xiaolong had run far away, Grandmother said with a smile, "That child truly has fate with Qianqian. Even forgetting to bring silver could turn into an opportunity. From what you said earlier, I thought there was no hope for him and Qianqian."

Guo Sufi also sighed. "Yes. I asked Qianqian what she thought last time, and she seemed unwilling. I didn't even know how to ask her again. But now, everything has been settled."

Zhang Cai also said happily, "Xiaohua, go buy me some wine at the village entrance too. Let me be happy as well."

Zhang Xiaohua said, "All right."

He got up and ran out. Only after he had gone far away did Guo Sufi ask, "Did you give Xiaohua any silver?"

Zhang Cai said gloomily, "No. We'll wait until he comes back again."

Over the next few days, the Zhang household was filled with harmony and joy. Whenever Liu Qian saw Zhang Xiaolong, her face would flush faintly and she would deliberately avoid him. Zhang Xiaolong, meanwhile, would become inexplicably flustered and make quite a few jokes of himself. The family watched the pair's awkwardness with amusement, sharing in the sweetness of their love.

Grandmother also seemed to be in good spirits, but she grew thinner by the day. After only a few days apart, one could tell she had lost another round of weight. Guo Sufi was happy for her son while grieving for her mother—a world of ice and fire.

Others could not make out Grandmother's condition, but Zhang Xiaohua could sense that something was wrong. This day, he could no longer hold himself back. He secretly pulled Guo Sufi aside and said, "Mother, I need to tell you something."

Guo Sufi found her younger son's behavior strange. "What trouble have you gotten into? Why are you sneaking around like this?"

Zhang Xiaohua said angrily, "Mother, when have I ever gotten you into trouble?"

Guo Sufi patted his head and smiled. "Then what is it?"

Zhang Xiaohua said sadly, "Mother, I can sense something drifting away from Grandmother. Each time a little of it drifts away, Grandmother gets a little thinner. And I can feel that there isn't much of it left in her."

Guo Sufi said angrily, "You child, what nonsense are you talking about?"

Zhang Xiaohua argued, "It's true, Mother. I really can sense it. I told Sister Qianqian about it before, and she believed me."

"Hm? What did your Sister Qianqian say?" Guo Sufi asked curiously.

"Sister Qianqian said it was because Grandmother loved me the most, and I cared about Grandmother the most, so I could sense her physical condition. But she said it was hard to explain. Anyway, some very close relatives can simply know such things," Zhang Xiaohua answered solemnly.

After hearing this, Guo Sufi left Zhang Xiaohua behind and hurried off to find Zhang Cai. Seeing that his mother took his words seriously rather than treating them as he had imagined she would, Zhang Xiaohua was also very happy. He went to keep Grandmother company.

When Guo Sufi found Zhang Cai, she told him what Zhang Xiaohua had said. Zhang Cai thought for a moment, then said, "I've heard of things like this before. What Xiaohua said may be true. It seems we need to make some preparations first."

Guo Sufi could only nod sadly.

But she immediately asked Zhang Cai again, "Then what about Qianqian and Xiaolong? First, Mother wants to see Xiaolong get married. Second, if Mother truly passes away, Xiaolong and Qianqian's matter will have to be postponed. Who knows what changes might happen then?"

Zhang Cai said, "How about we go to Liu Qian's home in a few days to propose marriage? It would be best if we could hold the wedding before Mother leaves us. If that truly cannot be done, then at least we should settle the matter first."

Guo Sufi nodded in agreement. "Then I'll ask Qianqian what she thinks first."

That evening, Guo Sufi spoke to Liu Qian about the proposal. She had expected Liu Qian to evade the matter as she had last time, but unexpectedly, although Liu Qian was extremely shy beneath the lamplight, she nodded in agreement without the slightest hesitation. This greatly comforted Guo Sufi. What a good child, able to take things up and put them down. Knowing that Grandmother wanted to see her happy union with Xiaolong, she no longer had any misgivings and made a wise choice. This also made Guo Sufi firmly believe that the daughter-in-law her whole family had chosen was truly the best daughter-in-law under heaven.

The next day, Zhang Cai prepared gifts and took Zhang Xiaohua to Liu Qian's home in Baligou to discuss their engagement. Zhang Xiaohua was also very happy. He greatly missed the streaky pork at Liu the Butcher's home.

Baligou was some distance from Guo Village. Zhang Cai and Zhang Xiaohua hurried as fast as they could, but by the time they reached the village entrance, the sun was already high in the sky. Zhang Cai's body had not fully recovered from his illness, and he truly could not bear it any longer. He sat down on a large stone at the village entrance to rest. Zhang Xiaohua, on the other hand, seemed completely unaffected, without even a change in his breathing. This made Zhang Cai envy the body of the young. In truth, when Zhang Xiaohua had come last time, he had also been breathing hard. Though he had been much stronger than Zhang Cai, he had definitely not felt as tireless as he did this time.

After Zhang Cai had rested, the two set off again. Under Zhang Xiaohua's lead, they arrived at Mr. Liu's home.

Mr. Liu's home looked the same as before, and the gate was open. Yet though Zhang Xiaohua called out for quite some time, no one answered from within. Thinking that no one was home, Zhang Xiaohua and Zhang Cai carried their gifts inside. Upon entering the courtyard, Zhang Cai saw flowers and plants arranged in a pleasing scatter throughout the yard. Though spring had not yet arrived and no flowers were blooming, the courtyard's refinement and its owner's elegant taste could still be seen. He could not help sighing to himself. Only an environment like this could raise such an outstanding child as Liu Qian. Naturally, he also felt some longing. If he could turn his own little courtyard into something like this, then spend his old age in such surroundings, he would be satisfied with this life. While Zhang Cai inspected the courtyard, Zhang Xiaohua's eyes drifted toward the side room beside it. Zhang Xiaohua's logic was simple: since the courtyard gate was unlocked, someone had to be home. Since no one had answered despite his calling for so long, they had to be busy with something. What could a scholar be busy with? Nothing more than writing or painting. Liu Qian had said their home had a study beside the main hall. Perhaps Mr. Liu was there.

Sure enough, in the side room to the right, he saw a familiar back. It was Mr. Liu. With his back to the door, he was bent over a desk, writing something. Zhang Xiaohua stopped his father, who was heading toward the main hall, and pointed at Mr. Liu's back. Only then did Zhang Cai halt. He turned and followed Zhang Xiaohua to the study door. Zhang Xiaohua raised his foot to enter, but his father grabbed him. Zhang Cai made a quiet gesture, then stood still. Zhang Xiaohua understood that his father was afraid of disturbing Mr. Liu, so he stood silently beside him. Father and son waited at the study door for a while, but Mr. Liu continued with his work without any sign of stopping. Zhang Xiaohua began to feel bored. Just as he was about to say something to his father, he suddenly heard footsteps coming from the courtyard gate. They turned to look and found that Liu Qian's older brother, Liu Kai, had returned.

Liu Kai entered the house and saw two people standing in the courtyard. Only after looking carefully did he recognize Zhang Cai and his son. A smile appeared on his face, and he hurried forward to greet them. Glancing at his father, who was busy in the study, he said apologetically to Zhang Cai and Zhang Xiaohua, "My father is like this. Once he gets busy with something, he throws everything around him to the back of his mind. Once he finishes, he will naturally come out. Please, Uncle, come sit in the main hall." He then accepted the gifts, politely ushered Zhang Cai and Zhang Xiaohua into the main hall, and poured them tea and water.

Zhang Cai and Zhang Xiaohua had been walking for nearly an entire morning and were indeed thirsty. They took the tea and gulped it down. As he drank, Zhang Cai thought, This tea really doesn't taste as good as the tea at our home.

After seeing them finish their tea and rest a little, Liu Kai finally asked, "Uncle, why have you suddenly come to our home today? Didn't Qianqian come back with you? Is she doing well?"

Zhang Cai quickly said, "Qianqian did not come back with us today. She is doing very well at our home. I came today because there is something I wish to discuss with Mr. Liu."