Proposing Marriage

Zhang Xiaolong, who had just entered, The two stood at the doorway listening to the Maternal Grandmother and Mother's conversation. Liu Qian's face turned bright red, while Zhang Xiaolong listened and watched Liu Qian's expression. When he saw his Maternal Grandmother's disappointed look, he couldn't help but pull Liu Qian's hand and rush into the courtyard, saying with sudden inspiration, "Qianqian isn't going home."

Liu Qian, her face flushed, wanted to pull her hand away, but for some reason, she didn't. Instead, she obediently followed Zhang Xiaolong into the small courtyard. As she ran, she thought, "Thank heavens and all the deities, this final barrier has finally been broken. I was worried about what I would say if Guo Sufi asked me again, but now it's all gone with Zhang Xiaolong's impulsive action. Zhang Xiaolong is truly my lucky star, or perhaps it's fate."

Everyone looked at the two rushing into the courtyard with confusion. When they stood firmly before the Maternal Grandmother, they saw Zhang Xiaolong holding Liu Qian's hand, and their faces immediately showed understanding. So that's how it was. Seeing everyone's knowing glances, Zhang Xiaolong finally noticed Liu Qian's smooth hand in his. For a moment, he didn't know whether to let go or keep holding it.

Guo Sufi saw her son's awkwardness and quickly asked, "Xiaolong, you said just now that Qianqian isn't going home. Is that Qianqian's own decision?"

Zhang Xiaolong pulled at his face, unsure how to answer. At this moment, the small hand in his grasp gently tickled his fingers. He understood and said happily, "Yes, Mother, Qianqian told me herself."

Everyone was overjoyed, and the Maternal Grandmother was so happy her mouth couldn't close.

Guo Sufi walked up to Liu Qian and still asked with disbelief, "Qianqian, this is a lifelong matter. You need to think it through clearly and not regret it later."

Others didn't think much of it, knowing Guo Sufi was just confirming Liu Qian's thoughts. Liu Qian was secretly delighted. This family was truly simple. Her own family should have been the ones to remind her of this, yet they were saying it first. Liu Qian knew she couldn't hesitate like last time. She finally nodded slightly, then broke free from Zhang Xiaolong's hand and ran out.

Seeing this, Guo Sufi quickly pushed her son, saying, "Aren't you going to chase her?"

Zhang Xiaolong snapped back to reality and said, "Okay."

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

Zhang Cai quickly took out some broken silver from his embrace and gave it to him. Xiaolong took it and ran out quickly, chasing after Liu Qian, who was clearly waiting for him outside the courtyard.

Hearing Zhang Xiaolong run off, the Maternal Grandmother smiled and said, "This child, he really is fated with Qianqian. Even without money, it turned into an opportunity. Just now, from your words, I thought he had no chance with Qianqian."

Guo Sufi also said with emotion, "Yes, I asked Qianqian's thoughts last time, and she seemed unwilling. I didn't know how to ask her again. This is good; it's all resolved."

Zhang Cai also happily said, "Xiaohua, go and get me some wine from the village entrance too. Let me be happy."

Zhang Xiaohua said, "Okay."

He got up and ran out. After he had run far away, Guo Sufi asked, "Did you give Xiaohua any money?"

Zhang Cai said dejectedly, "No, we'll wait for him to come back."

For the next few days, the Zhang family was filled with a harmonious atmosphere. Liu Qian would blush slightly whenever she saw Zhang Xiaolong and deliberately avoided him. Zhang Xiaolong would also be inexplicably flustered, leading to many amusing incidents. The family members watched their awkwardness with amusement, sharing in the sweetness of their budding romance.

The Maternal Grandmother also looked well, but she was visibly thinning day by day. Within a few days, one could tell she had lost a significant amount of weight. Guo Sufi was happy for her son while also feeling sad for her mother, a true mix of joy and sorrow.

While others couldn't discern the Maternal Grandmother's condition, Zhang Xiaohua could sense something was wrong. One day, he couldn't bear it any longer and secretly pulled Guo Sufi aside, saying, "Mother, I need to tell you something."

Guo Sufi found her younger son's behavior strange and asked, "What trouble have you gotten into? You're being so sneaky."

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

Guo Sufi patted his head and asked with a smile, "Then what is it?"

Zhang Xiaohua said sadly, "Mother, I can feel something leaving the Maternal Grandmother. As it leaves, the Maternal Grandmother gets thinner, and I feel like there isn't much of that 'something' left in her."

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

Zhang Xiaohua argued, "It's true, Mother. I really feel it. I used to tell Qianqian sister about it, and she believed me."

"Oh? What did Qianqian sister say?" Guo Sufi asked curiously.

"Qianqian sister said it's because the Maternal Grandmother loves me the most, and I care about the Maternal Grandmother the most, so I can sense her physical condition. She said it's hard to explain, but some very close people can just know," Zhang Xiaohua replied earnestly.

Upon hearing this, Guo Sufi dropped Zhang Xiaohua and hurried to find Zhang Cai. Zhang Xiaohua, seeing that his mother was taking his words seriously and not dismissing them as he'd expected, was very happy. He went to accompany his Maternal Grandmother.

Guo Sufi met Zhang Cai and told him what Zhang Xiaohua had said. Zhang Cai pondered for a moment and said, "I've heard of such things before. What Xiaohua said might be true. It seems we need to make some preparations."

Guo Sufi could only nod sadly.

However, she immediately asked Zhang Cai, "What about Qianqian and Xiaolong's matter? Firstly, Mother wants to see Xiaolong get married. Secondly, if Mother really passes away, then Xiaolong and Qianqian's matter would be delayed, and who knows what might happen."

Zhang Cai said, "How about we go to Liu Qian's house to propose in a few days? It would be best if we could do it before Mother leaves. If not, at least we can settle this matter first."

Guo Sufi also nodded in agreement and said, "Then I'll ask Qianqian's thoughts first."

That evening, Guo Sufi discussed the proposal with Liu Qian. She expected Liu Qian to hesitate as she had before, but to her surprise, Liu Qian, though shy under the lamplight, nodded her consent without hesitation, which greatly comforted Guo Sufi. She's such a good child, able to take responsibility. Knowing the Maternal Grandmother wanted to see her and Xiaolong wed, she put aside her reservations and made a wise choice. This further convinced Guo Sufi that the daughter-in-law her entire family had chosen was truly the best in the world.

The next day, Zhang Cai prepared gifts and, taking Zhang Xiaohua with him, headed to Liu Qian's home in Baligou to discuss the engagement. Zhang Xiaohua was also very happy, as he missed the streaky pork from Liu the Butcher's shop.

Baligou was some distance from Guo Village. Zhang Cai and Zhang Xiaohua hurried along. By the time they reached the village entrance, the sun was already high in the sky. Zhang Cai's body, still recovering from his illness, was truly struggling. He sat on a large rock at the village entrance to rest, while Zhang Xiaohua seemed unaffected, his breathing unchanged. This made Zhang Cai envy the young people's bodies. In fact, Zhang Xiaohua had been out of breath the last time he came, much better than Zhang Cai, but he definitely didn't feel completely exhausted like he did this time.

After Zhang Cai had rested, the two of them set off again. Led by Zhang Xiaohua, they arrived at Mr. Liu's home.

Mr. Liu's home was as it always was, and the door was open. However, after Zhang Xiaohua called out for a long time, there was no response from inside. Zhang Xiaohua thought no one was home and walked in with Zhang Cai, carrying the gifts. As he entered the courtyard, Zhang Cai saw the well-arranged flowers and plants. Although it wasn't spring and no flowers were in bloom, the courtyard's exquisiteness and the owner's refined taste were evident. He couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion. Only in such an environment could a child as outstanding as Liu Qian be raised. Of course, he also harbored a hope that if his own small courtyard could be arranged like this, and he could spend his old age in such an environment, his life would be fulfilled. While Zhang Cai was observing the courtyard, Zhang Xiaohua's eyes drifted towards the side rooms next to the courtyard. Zhang Xiaohua's logic was simple: since the courtyard gate wasn't locked, they must be home. And since no one answered after calling for so long, they must be busy with something. What could a scholar be busy with? Nothing more than writing or painting. Liu Qian had mentioned that their family had a study next to the main hall, so perhaps Mr. Liu was in the study.

As expected, in the side room on the right, he saw a familiar back – it was Mr. Liu. He was facing away from the door, bent over his desk, writing something. Zhang Xiaohua pulled his father, who was walking towards the main hall, and pointed at Mr. Liu's back. Zhang Cai then stopped. Turning, he followed Zhang Xiaohua to the study door. Zhang Xiaohua raised his leg to go in but was stopped by his father. Zhang Cai made a shushing gesture and then stood still. Zhang Xiaohua understood that his father was afraid of disturbing Mr. Liu, so he stood silently beside his father. The father and son stood at the study door for a while. Mr. Liu continued with his work, showing no signs of stopping. Zhang Xiaohua began to feel a bit bored and was about to say something to his father when he suddenly heard footsteps approaching from the courtyard gate. They both turned and saw Liu Kai, Liu Qian's elder brother, returning.

Liu Kai entered the house and saw the two of them standing in the courtyard. After a careful look, he recognized them as Zhang Cai and his son. A smile appeared on his face, and he quickly stepped forward to greet them. He glanced at his father, who was busy in the study, and said apologetically to Zhang Cai and his son, "My father is like this. Once he gets absorbed in his work, he forgets everything around him. He'll come out after he's finished. Please, Uncle, have a seat in the main hall." Then, he took the gifts and politely led Zhang Cai and his son into the main hall, where he served them tea.

Zhang Cai and Zhang Xiaohua had traveled for almost the entire morning and were indeed thirsty. He took the tea and drank it down in gulps, thinking as he drank, "This tea doesn't taste as good as ours."

After they finished their tea and rested for a bit, Liu Kai asked, "Uncle, why have you suddenly come to our house today? Hasn't Qianqian returned with you? Is she doing well?"

Zhang Cai quickly replied, "Qianqian didn't come back with us today. She's doing very well at our house. I've come today to discuss something with Mr. Liu."