Consent

Mr. Liu said, "Qianqian, whether your father drinks this Well Water, whether my health is good, whether I can live to a hundred—those are all minor matters. What I most want to see is for you to live your whole life safe and steady, happy and blessed."

Liu Qian said, "Father, if I can live a stable life while also caring for you and ensuring your good health, then why shouldn't I do it? Besides, marriage is a gamble to begin with. A person's true nature may be something you can see at a glance, or something you may never see at all. You can only judge another's goodness or badness from the surface. If you gamble right, then happiness is yours. Those so-called well-matched families are merely people's interpretation of successful marriages from the past. How many unhappy lives in this world have come from being well matched in family status? The beauty of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai lies only in the legend. Perhaps when it came to real life, they might not have been as loving as Father and Mother. Zhang Xiaolong may not possess Liang Shanbo's grace and dash, but he is steady and kind. With those scholars from before, I saw only their surfaces and found it hard to look deeper. But with Xiaolong, I can see his essence at a glance, and I am willing to continue the bond between us."

Mr. Liu was stunned by what he heard. "Qianqian, I taught you to read and study from childhood, but now I don't even know whether that was right. You've read so many books that you've left me with nothing to refute you with."

Liu Qian said with a smile, "Father, these are only a few thoughts of mine. Compared to your learning, enough to fill five cartloads, I am still far behind."

Mr. Liu smiled and said nothing more. But Liu Qian continued, "Actually, there is another thing about the Zhang family that has moved me—the harmony of their household and the elders' tolerance. Marriage is not merely a world for two people; it is also a process of blending into Xiaolong's family. During my time with the Zhang family, I have received so much care from the two elders, even from Xiaolong's grandmother. I feel they are all sensible people who consider others first in everything. Only a family like this can let its younger generation find happiness and truly live well. I think that in the Zhang family, I can be as free and happy as I was in Baligou. Sometimes, I even feel I may be more at ease there than in Baligou."

At this, Mr. Liu smiled again and scolded her, "You little girl, you haven't even left yet, and you're already speaking ill of Baligou. No wonder people say girls' hearts turn outward."

Liu Qian said coquettishly, "Father, that isn't what I mean. I only mean that with the Zhang family, I can receive things I could not receive in Baligou. Perhaps it is because our home has no mother."

Mr. Liu grew despondent. "Yes, Qianqian, it has been hard on you. You had no mother's affection from childhood, and your Second Aunt is such a rough, uncultured woman. She gives little care even to Yueyue, let alone you. That is your father's failing as well."

Liu Qian comforted him, "Father, don't be sad. I've already grown so much. Perhaps from now on, someone will cherish me. You always say Second Aunt is rough and uncultured, but isn't Xiaolong's mother the same? Yet she is especially thoughtful, gentle in nature. The difference between people can be that great. Of course, I am not saying Second Aunt is bad. Isn't Second Uncle's household all managed by her? Their days are far more prosperous than ours. Perhaps Xiaolong's mother and I are simply kindred spirits. I already have the feeling of having a mother."

Mr. Liu nodded. "You have always been so strong-willed. It is rare for someone to win your admiration like this. It seems this is also one reason you chose Zhang Xiaolong."

Liu Qian nodded, her face flushed red.

Mr. Liu let out a long sigh. "For Zhang Xiaolong to meet you and save you—that was heaven's timing. For the Zhang family to dig a well and uncover immortal water—that was the advantage of the land. For the Zhang family members to get along so well with you—that was harmony among people. You have said it all. What else can I possibly say?"

Liu Qian asked delightedly, "Then, Father, does that mean you agree?"

Mr. Liu smiled. "You have stayed with the Zhang family for over a month now. Those who know the truth say you are righteous and stayed to repay a kindness; those who do not know have no idea how they might spin the story. For you to have such an ending is very good indeed—satisfying both sides and making a fine tale. And with your temperament, if I refused, would you imitate Cui Yingying?"

Liu Qian smiled prettily. "But Father is not that stubborn old Madam Cui."

Mr. Liu said, "Stop being glib. The moment I saw you return, I knew you had come fully prepared to persuade your father. Otherwise, you would have hidden away in the Zhang family's home and avoided seeing me long ago."

Liu Qian said, "How could I? Father, didn't your daughter come back of her own accord?"

The father and daughter chatted idly for a while longer. Then Mr. Liu said, "It is getting late. Go arrange tonight's meal. Have your Second Aunt and Yueyue come over to help as well. Today, we should have a reunion. Oh, and hurry and tell Xiaolong too. I imagine he is feeling terribly anxious right now."

Hearing this, Liu Qian said happily, "Then Father, come out with me. You can talk with them too and get to know each other better."

Afterward, Liu Qian supported her father as they left the study together.

Outside, dusk had already settled. Oil lamps had long been prepared beneath the eaves. Liu the Butcher and the other two were still seated and talking, while someone else sat nearby with his back to them—it was Liu Qian's elder brother, Liu Kai. Zhang Xiaolong's eyes had swept over the study door countless times. He had not heard a word of what Liu the Butcher and the others were saying, consumed only by worry over his and Liu Qian's future. When Liu Qian and Mr. Liu came out, he naturally saw them first and unconsciously rose to his feet. Seeing Zhang Xiaolong stand, Liu Qian gave him a sweet smile and nodded faintly. Zhang Xiaolong knew it had worked out, and his heart burst into bloom. At that moment, Liu Kai also noticed the movement behind him. He hurriedly turned around and saw his sister, whom he had not seen in many days. Naturally delighted, he leapt up and rushed over. Only when he reached her did he inspect her closely and ask, "Qianqian, we haven't seen each other in so long—why do you feel completely different from before you left? It isn't just that you've become fairer. Your eyes are clearer, and your whole bearing is more ethereal. How does this look like you merely went to care for someone's injuries?"

Hearing this, Liu Qian happily glanced at Mr. Liu. Mr. Liu nodded knowingly, and Liu Qian said, "Not at all, Brother. It has only been a long time since we last met. In a few days, you'll see that your sister is no different from before."

Liu Kai suddenly understood. "That makes sense. After three days apart, one must look at a scholar with new eyes. Perhaps that is exactly it."

Liu Qian skipped over the subject. "Brother, what are we having for dinner tonight?"

Liu Kai jumped up. "I was so busy talking to Second Uncle and Zhang Xiaohu that I forgot all about it. I'll go notify Second Aunt's family right now."

Liu Qian stopped him. "Father wants us to eat at our house, as a reunion. I'll go to the village entrance to buy some things. You go to Second Aunt's house and see what they are making. Bring it over together, and have them come help as well."

Liu Kai agreed and hurried off.

Liu Qian was going out to buy things, and Zhang Xiaolong naturally wanted to go with her. But Mr. Liu stopped him. "Xiaolong, don't leave just yet. Come with me to the study."

Thus, Zhang Xiaohu went with Liu Qian to the village entrance, leaving Liu the Butcher alone to drink. Watching everyone bustle about, he happily sipped his wine and felt that life was truly colorful.

Zhang Xiaolong followed Mr. Liu into the study with some apprehension. Liu Qian's glance just now had already told him the pleasing result. This prospective father-in-law of his seemed to want to put him in his place and give him some instructions. Though he had prepared himself mentally, it still felt as though a little man inside his chest were constantly drawing water from a well.

Once inside the study, Mr. Liu asked Zhang Xiaolong to sit, but did not sit himself. Frowning, he paced around the room. After perhaps two or three circuits, Mr. Liu finally spoke. "Xiaolong, you probably already know my attitude."

Zhang Xiaolong said cautiously, "Yes."

Mr. Liu continued, "Then I will not say much more. In truth, I called you here because I want to give you a few instructions."

Zhang Xiaolong replied with utmost respect, "Please speak, Uncle. I will keep every word firmly in my heart."

Mr. Liu seemed very satisfied with Zhang Xiaolong's attitude. Smiling, he said, "Qianqian grew up in Baligou. Our family cannot be called immensely wealthy or noble, but Qianqian has never suffered much hardship since childhood. She knows little about work in the fields, which is different from your family's circumstances. In the future, you must be more accommodating in this regard."

Zhang Xiaolong immediately said, "Please rest assured. Our family has little land to begin with, and Xiaohua's plot was all reclaimed on the hillside. There is not much farm work. I dare not promise that Qianqian will never have to work in the fields, but I will certainly do the heaviest work. Qianqian only needs to handle the lighter tasks around the edges."

Mr. Liu said, "At least you are speaking honestly, rather than spouting nonsense about never letting Qianqian work. In fact, Qianqian is not a girl unable to endure hardship; she simply was never made to work in the fields before. Once you live together, just take good care of her. I do not expect you to give her an exceptionally good life. I only ask that the two of you live in harmony, sweet and loving. There is also the matter that you have not read many books. In knowledge and experience, there is quite a gap between you and Qianqian. That is your shortcoming, and it will inevitably affect your life together in the future. I do not ask you to become a xiucai or win the title of tanhua. I only hope you learn to recognize characters and read more good books, so that you and Qianqian will have common topics to discuss and can communicate well. Furthermore, it is certainly good to stand up for justice, but from now on, you will no longer be alone. The safety of your entire family rests upon your shoulders. Whenever you encounter injustice, first consider in your heart whether it is something within your ability to handle. Otherwise, if regrets arise, it will become the sorrow of the whole family."

After that, Mr. Liu went on and on about many more things. Zhang Xiaolong could only nod and agree. Though he did not agree with some of the views, he knew that this prospective father-in-law meant well and could not argue back. One spoke while the other listened, until the sky gradually turned completely dark and they could no longer see things clearly. Just as Mr. Liu was about to light a lamp, someone knocked on the study door.