Proactive

The next morning, the sun rose as usual.

The Zhang family was busy preparing for spring plowing, but Zhang Xiaolong was clearly distracted. He kept glancing at Liu Qian, who, for her part, acted as if nothing was amiss. Liu Qian's composure only made Zhang Xiaolong more uneasy. He finally found an opportunity to pull her aside and softly asked, "What are you planning to do?"

Liu Qian seemed to be teasing him, smiling as she replied, "Do what?"

Zhang Xiaolong was a little displeased. "It's about your father coming to pick you up. Are you planning to go home?"

Liu Qian said, "Yes, my father is coming to pick me up, so naturally, I'll go back to my own home."

Zhang Xiaolong's face turned a little pale. "I knew it. Everything you said before was just to comfort me, to help me recover faster. Now that I'm healed, you don't need to lie to me anymore. You're going back to your stable home. This little courtyard probably doesn't hold any appeal for you."

Seeing that Zhang Xiaolong was actually taking it seriously, Liu Qian quickly dropped her playful expression. "Xiaolong, what are you saying? Do you really think everything I said before was just to comfort you? Don't you know my true feelings?"

Zhang Xiaolong was taken aback. "It's not that I don't believe you, but at a time like this, you're so calm, while I'm burning with anxiety. Of course, I want to ask if you have any solutions."

Liu Qian smiled. "You, you always seem so smart, but in the end, you fall into clichés. Isn't there a saying, 'When water comes, use earth to block it; when soldiers come, use generals to block them'? Of course, Father wants me to go back and will come to pick me up, but whether I go back or not is up to me. Father has always indulged my decisions. This time, it's a bit unexpected. I think I should wait for him to arrive and have a good talk. Once I understand the reasons, there will naturally be a solution. Why the rush?"

Zhang Xiaolong smiled. "Unlike you, I'm not so confident. My concern makes me flustered. Besides, I think we should proactively go and talk to your father properly, rather than just waiting here for him to show up."

Liu Qian looked at Zhang Xiaolong and praised him. "You're right. Taking the initiative puts control in our hands. If we wait for my father to come, we'll be at a disadvantage, and who knows what other complications might arise. Hmm, how about I go home first to assess the situation?"

Zhang Xiaolong felt a bit embarrassed. "I just had that little thought. It's not as deep as you think. Also, I was thinking, I should accompany you. My injuries have greatly improved, and walking for half a day on a mountain path shouldn't be a problem."

Liu Qian pondered for a moment, her eyes lighting up. "That idea is even better! Let's go together to see your father and find out what he's really up to."

However, Zhang Xiaolong said with some worry, "Qianqian, what if your father absolutely refuses to change his mind and insists that you go back?"

Liu Qian said slyly, "He won't. I have my ways of dealing with my father. He'll agree."

Zhang Xiaolong was still uneasy. "I'm talking about a hypothetical situation. What if?"

Liu Qian said with a serious expression, "Brother Xiaolong, you must know my feelings. We haven't said everything explicitly to each other, but you have to believe me. I... I will stay with you."

As she finished speaking, she blushed and involuntarily lowered her head.

Zhang Xiaolong mustered his courage, reached out, and took her delicate hand. He said softly, "Qianqian, you're so good."

This time, Liu Qian didn't let him hold her. She pulled her hand away and said, "You should focus on when we're going to Baligou." With that, she ran off.

Zhang Xiaolong gazed at Liu Qian's retreating figure, savoring the moment. His earlier unease had completely vanished.

When Zhang Xiaolong reappeared in everyone's sight, his mind was already set on action. He walked up to Zhang Cai and said, "Father, did Liu Qian's father say when he'll come to pick her up?"

Zhang Cai glanced at Zhang Xiaolong and replied, "Yes, he said he'd come in a few days, but didn't specify a date."

Zhang Xiaolong said, "Father, I'd like to go to Baligou with Liu Qian to have a good talk with her father."

Zhang Cai was taken aback. He frowned and asked, "Is this your idea, or Liu Qian's?"

Zhang Xiaolong replied, "It's my idea. I discussed it with Liu Qian just now, and she agreed."

Zhang Cai's brow immediately relaxed. He smiled and said, "Good boy, you've got a plan. When I was young, I didn't have your courage. Not bad, hehe."

As he was laughing, Guo Sufi walked over and asked, "Dear, what's so funny?"

Zhang Cai said, "Our son has grown up. He knows how to find a wife for himself."

Guo Sufi didn't quite understand. Zhang Cai repeated what Zhang Xiaolong had told him to Guo Sufi, who was also very happy. "That's a good idea. When are you and Qianqian planning to go?"

Zhang Xiaolong said, "Mother, didn't Mr. Liu say he'd be here soon? I think we should go before he arrives. If it's possible, let's go now."

Guo Sufi looked at the sky. "If you go now, you won't be back today. Why not wait until after lunch? I'll go with Qianqian to cook. Sigh, if Qianqian doesn't help me anymore, I won't even know how to cook. Xiaolong, you must keep Qianqian here."

Zhang Xiaolong smiled and said, "Okay, Mother, I definitely will."

Lunch was, as usual, eaten in a hurry. Zhang Xiaolong and Liu Qian tidied up and prepared to set off. At this moment, Zhang Xiaohu spoke up. "Eldest Brother, it doesn't seem very safe for you two to go out alone. Why don't I come along?"

Furthermore, Zhang Cai said, "Xiaolong, you should bring something with you. It's not good to go empty-handed."

Zhang Xiaolong replied, "I know, Father. I'll buy something at the village entrance."

Liu Qian's eyes lit up when she heard Zhang Xiaohu wanted to join them. She said to Zhang Xiaolong, "Let Xiaohu come along too. Three people will be safer. Also, you don't need to buy anything. Bringing some of our well water for my father would be great."

Zhang Xiaolong slapped his forehead. "Look at me, I'm so forgetful. Your father loves this water the most. I completely forgot."

Zhang Xiaohua jumped up from his chair. "I'll go fetch some fresh water right away. You guys get something to put it in."

When Xiaohua returned with the well water, Zhang Xiaolong had borrowed a sealed bottle from a neighbor and filled it with well water. Zhang Xiaohu would carry this bottle.

And so, the three of them set off.

There were two routes from Guo Village to Baligou. One followed the small river, passed through a bamboo forest, climbed a few slopes, and skirted the edges of several villages. The other went over a small bridge to a main road heading towards Lu Town. After reaching a village, they would pass through it and continue on the main road towards Baligou. The small path was rugged and difficult to walk, but it was shorter. The main road, while easier to travel, was two to three times longer than the small path.

Zhang Xiaolong and his companions naturally chose the small path.

It was already spring, and the river had thawed. The babbling stream flowed gently, its sound a pleasant melody to the ears. The birds were also active, chirping merrily, their songs blending with the sound of the water, making their footsteps feel exceptionally light. Zhang Xiaolong and Liu Qian walked hand in hand at the front, seemingly free from their worries at home, enjoying the feeling of each other's hands. They looked around, admiring the spring scenery, and chatted incessantly. Zhang Xiaohu followed a short distance behind, carrying the bottle of water, smiling as he watched his elder brother and future sister-in-law ahead. His heart was filled with envy and a hint of anticipation for a beautiful encounter in Baligou later that afternoon.

Zhang Xiaolong's heart was filled with joy. He wished this journey would never end, allowing him to savor the happiness of the afternoon forever. He had never felt walking to be such a delightful activity, nor had he ever found the familiar mountain scenery so beautiful. He had never realized that Liu Qian's words were more pleasant than the sound of the river and the birds. He had never imagined that the journey from Guo Village to Baligou would be so short, seeming to end almost as soon as they started. When Liu Qian withdrew her hand, he was still dazed and asked why. It was only when Liu Qian shyly said that Baligou, where she grew up, was just ahead that he realized their journey, like walking in the clouds, had reached its end.

Liu Qian led Zhang Xiaolong and Zhang Xiaohu into the village. People they knew greeted Liu Qian along the way. Some young women and older aunties unabashedly stared at Zhang Xiaolong and Zhang Xiaohu, their gazes sweeping over them. This made Liu Qian blush, and Zhang Xiaolong and his companion felt awkward. After all, they hadn't asked who Zhang Xiaolong and Zhang Xiaohu were, so she couldn't explain. Although she thought they could imagine whatever they wanted, she didn't want them to misunderstand so wildly. However, her home was still quite far from the village entrance. She suspected that before long, gossip about Zhang Xiaolong would spread throughout the entire village.

When Liu Qian arrived home with Zhang Xiaolong and Zhang Xiaohu, it happened that Mr. Liu and Liu the Butcher were sitting in the courtyard, drinking tea and chatting. As soon as Liu Qian entered, she saw Mr. Liu sitting on a small stool under the eaves, pouring tea into a cup. Opposite him, Liu the Butcher was holding his usual wine gourd, taking sips from it from time to time.

Seeing her father, Liu Qian's eyes seemed to well up with tears. She called out, "Father~" and ran towards him.

Mr. Liu was also taken aback. When he saw it was Liu Qian who had returned, he was naturally overjoyed. He put down the teapot and got up to greet her. Although it hadn't been long since they last met at the Zhang family's house, this time Liu Qian had returned home, and the feeling was naturally different. Liu Qian threw herself into her father's arms, hugging his arm like a child. Mr. Liu affectionately stroked her hair and simply said, "You're back. It's good that you're back."