Chapter 24: Heart Matters

Liu Qian continued to explain: "Mr. Wu obtained the treasure, but he is weak and lacks the ability to protect it. In such a situation, one is at the mercy of others, like fish on a chopping block. Without any means to fight back, one can only submit. On the other hand, Wen Daxia is highly skilled in martial arts and has the strength to protect his treasure. However, it still depends on the opponent's abilities. If the opponent is stronger than Wen Daxia, his things will be taken, but he won't necessarily lose his life. If the opponent is weaker, they won't be able to take anything. Additionally, it depends on the value of the treasure. There are always people better than you, and if the treasure is valuable enough, someone will come to take it."

Zhang Xiaohua excitedly said, "Sister, that means if one knows martial arts, they are stronger than those who don't, and they have the ability to protect their belongings. The stronger one's martial arts, the more valuable things they can protect."

Liu Qian smiled and said, "Yes, Xiaohua is right."

Zhang Xiaohua continued, "If I knew martial arts, Father, Elder Brother, and Second Brother wouldn't have been injured during the market day, and Sister wouldn't have been bullied."

Liu Qian's expression turned somber, and she said, "But how easy is it to master martial arts?"

Zhang Xiaohua optimistically said, "Don't worry, Sister, I will definitely learn martial arts to protect you all."

Liu Qian also smiled and said, "Good, then we will rely on Zhang Daxia to protect us."

She then added, "Sometimes, martial arts should be kept secret like treasures. It's necessary to keep some things hidden for the last moment to save your life."

Zhang Xiaohua thought for a moment and said, "Sister, you are so smart, how do you know so much?"

Liu Qian said, "All of this is written in books. The more you read, the more you understand. Xiaohua, you can read more books in the future and know more. Besides, what's the use of knowing a lot? In the face of absolute power, everything is as fragile as paper."

Liu Qian, perhaps not paying much attention, combined what she read in books with her recent experiences and told Zhang Xiaohua. Zhang Xiaohua also didn't pay much attention, just listening, but these views deeply influenced her in the future.

As they talked, the two had already returned to the front of the Zhang family's courtyard. The sun had set, and the last rays of light were swallowed by darkness. A cold wind blew, and Zhang Xiaohua thought, "The family must have gone back inside." She said, "Sister, you've read so many books. In the future, tell me more and teach my brothers to read and write, or you'll have nothing to talk about."

Liu Qian casually agreed, "Sure, I'll take care of it."

Then she felt something was off, "This Xiaohua, she has some cunning." But she thought, "This wall is too low. Everything inside can be seen from outside. I should make it higher when I have time." She didn't realize she was already thinking like a housewife.

The small house was still warm and cozy. Zhang Cai, Zhang Xiaolong, and Zhang Xiaohu were talking on the kang. Since Liu Qian arrived, the three of them had been sleeping together. Guo Sufei was busy preparing dinner. Zhang Xiaohua carried the bucket of water into the courtyard and was seen by her mother at the stove. Her mother asked, "Why did you bring the bucket back from the well?"

Zhang Xiaohua said, "Mother, this is well water. Sister Liu said she brought tea from home, and we can use this well water to brew it."

Guo Sufei said, "What's so good about tea? It's bitter and not as good as plain water."

Zhang Xiaohua laughed and said, "Mother, you haven't tasted good tea. You think all tea tastes like the tea at Old Guo's house at the village entrance. The tea I had at Sister Liu's house was very good."

Liu Qian also said, "Auntie, try it, and you'll see."

Guo Sufei, seeing Liu Qian speak, also smiled and said, "Okay, if Qianqian says it's good, we'll try it too."

Then, Liu Qian put the well water in a pot and placed it on the fire to boil.

The three people in the inner room heard Zhang Xiaohua and also came out to see if they could help.

Soon, the water boiled. The Zhang family didn't have a teapot, so Liu Qian had to put a little tea in a bowl and pour hot water over it.

Zhang Cai and the others looked at the light green tea water, smelling the faint tea aroma, and were puzzled, "Is this tea? Why does it smell so good?"

Everyone endured the heat, sipped the tea, and finished a bowl in a few sips. They all wanted more, but Liu Qian said, "Drinking too much tea at night can affect your sleep. If you want more, wait until after dinner."

Everyone naturally listened to the expert.

Liu Qian also carefully brought a small bowl of tea to her grandmother, letting her taste it a little.

Dinner was still simple, but the tea was good, and the Zhang family enjoyed it. At night, everyone except the grandmother, Liu Qian, and Zhang Xiaohua had insomnia. The grandmother and Liu Qian didn't drink much, and Zhang Xiaohua, although he drank the most, fell asleep quickly after midnight, dreaming vividly.

After dinner, Guo Sufei cleaned the dishes, boiled more well water, and brought tea for the family. She then took a small bowl of tea to the grandmother's room.

As soon as she entered, the grandmother heard her and asked, "Sufei?"

She replied, "Yes, Mother, I brought you a bowl of tea from Sister Liu."

The grandmother said, "Didn't we drink it before dinner? Qianqian said not to drink too much at night."

Guo Sufei said, "I know, Mother, but I have something else to talk about."

The grandmother was curious, "What is it? Why so mysterious?"

Guo Sufei said, "Mother, what do you think of Liu Qian? Why did you speak so directly this afternoon?"

The grandmother said, "Sufei, I just think Liu Qian is a good girl. She is good at household chores, well-mannered, and, according to Xiaohua, very beautiful. Her family is also well-off, and our Xiaolong doesn't match her."

Guo Sufei sighed, "Yes, Mother, I think the same. However, she seems to be quite satisfied with Xiaolong. I just haven't found the right time to ask her. You spoke so directly this afternoon, and I don't know how to bring it up again."

The grandmother said, "Qianqian is one aspect, but we also need to consider her family's opinion. According to Xiaohua, they are scholars and not good at farming. Her uncle is a butcher, so it's hard for us to communicate. Moreover, their family is well-off, unlike our poor family. It's really hard to say."

Guo Sufei whispered, "I thought it would be hard to talk to her family, so I wanted Qianqian to spend more time with Xiaolong. If they develop feelings over time, it might benefit us."

The grandmother was silent for a while, then sighed deeply, "Sufei, I know what you mean, but I feel my health is getting worse. I've had dreams of your father coming to take me. I feel my time is short, so I spoke that way this afternoon. I really want to see my grandson get married, and even see our family grow to four generations."

Tears streamed down Guo Sufei's face, and she sobbed, "Mother, don't think too much. I think you miss Father, so you had those dreams. Your health is fine, and you will definitely see your great-grandchildren."

The grandmother stroked Guo Sufei's hair and said gently, "Sufei, I know my own body. I've lived long enough to see you grow up, get married, and have children. I've seen Xiaolong, Xiaohu, and Xiaohua grow up. I'm already very satisfied. My words this afternoon were a momentary impulse. It's not appropriate to bring up such matters so soon after she arrived. Treat her well, and maybe she will end up with Xiaolong. That would be a blessing for both Xiaolong and our family."

Guo Sufei talked to her mother for a while, then got up and left, carrying the cold tea. She tried it with her mouth and found it undrinkable, so she poured it out in the courtyard. She looked back at her mother's shadow in the dark room, feeling bitter and tears streaming down her face. She knew that since having children, she had focused all her attention on Zhang Cai and the children, rarely thinking about her mother. She always felt she could rely on her mother, but now, hearing her mother's words, she realized she had neglected her mother too much and given her too little. You only realize the value of something when you lose it, and the things you take for granted are often the most precious.

Now, whether regretful or disappointed, she felt an emptiness in her heart, as if something was breaking and she couldn't hold onto it.

Guo Sufei walked into the main room in a daze. Liu Qian was doing needlework by the lamp. Seeing Guo Sufei's unusual expression, she quickly got up, took the empty bowl from her, and asked, "Auntie, is something wrong?"

Guo Sufei forced a smile and said, "Nothing, just a bit tired." Then she went to check on Zhang Cai and the others. Liu Qian, seeing she didn't want to talk, sat down and continued her work, watching Guo Sufei.

In the small room, the men were drinking tea and doing farm work, with one lying down to rest. Guo Sufei didn't say much, just told them, "Finish your work and go to bed early. Xiaohua, take care of your grandmother tonight."

Everyone responded, "Okay," without looking up.

Guo Sufei didn't pay much attention, lowered her head, and went straight to her room without doing needlework in the main room.

Liu Qian was increasingly puzzled, not knowing what had happened. Since Guo Sufei didn't want to talk, she couldn't force her.

When it was late, everyone went to bed. Liu Qian returned to her room, where the light was still on, and Guo Sufei was already asleep. Liu Qian blew out the oil lamp and lay down.

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End of Chapter 24