Chapter 34

Chapter Thirty-Four: Destiny

Mr. Liu asked with concern, "Qianqian, are you feeling unwell?"

Qianqian smiled and said, "Father, I'm fine, I was just a bit distracted. What did you ask me just now?"

Mr. Liu said, "Is this tea you brought from home?"

Qianqian understood her father's meaning and said, "Yes, Father, it's the kind you often drink. I brought it for myself when I came last time. Do you think this tea is particularly good?"

Mr. Liu took another sip and said, "Yes, it doesn't taste like the tea I drink at home. This tea is really fragrant."

Mr. Liu had no particular hobbies in life except for his love of tea. He had tried many kinds and kept a good supply at home, which was why Qianqian also liked tea. However, the tea he drank today was different from what he usually drank. It was incredibly fragrant, and he suspected it was because of the water used to brew it. Mr. Liu was puzzled; although Guo Village was far from Bali Gou, it was only a half-day's journey. How could the water quality be so different?

Mr. Liu asked, "Qianqian, why is the water in Guo Village so much better than the water in Bali Gou?"

Qianqian blinked at Mr. Liu and said, "Yes, Father, the water here is indeed clear and refreshing."

Qianqian knew that her uncle was known for his straightforwardness and couldn't keep secrets. If he knew something, it would be known by all the villagers in Bali Gou. She had already instructed him not to spread the news of her encounter in Lu Town, but she wasn't sure if the villagers in Bali Gou already knew. She couldn't let the secret about the well water leak out.

Mr. Liu, seeing Qianqian wink at him, tacitly stopped asking.

But Mr. Liu's brother, the butcher, interjected, "That's easy, just have Zhang Xiaolong deliver a bucket of water to you every day."

Mr. Liu laughed and said, "Brother, aside from the half-day journey from Guo Village to Bali Gou, even if the water could be delivered, it might not taste as good for tea."

Seeing the butcher's puzzled look, he continued, "The best water for tea is freshly drawn from the river. If it sits for too long, it loses its vitality, and the tea won't be as fragrant."

The butcher looked disdainful and said, "You scholars have so many rules. I don't feel that way. What do you think, Brother Zhang?" He then drained his teacup in one gulp.

Zhang Cai chuckled but didn't say anything, and he also drank the tea in his cup.

Qianqian went up to refill everyone's cups.

Mr. Liu picked up the newly poured cup of tea, brought it to his nose, and sniffed it carefully. He then took a small sip, savoring it, feeling incredibly content.

The butcher mocked, "What's so good about this bland water? Drinking alcohol is much more satisfying."

Mr. Liu pursed his lips and said, "How can you understand my joy? Different people have different interests. It's a pity that after drinking this tea today, how will I be able to enjoy tea in the future?"

The butcher laughed and said, "That's easy, why don't you move to Guo Village? I heard there's no teacher in Guo Village. They would welcome you with open arms."

Mr. Liu's eyes lit up, and he said, "You, a rough man, can come up with such a good idea. As the ancients said, 'If I could eat three hundred lychees a day, I would gladly live in Lingnan.' It's rare to find such good water and tea. To become a resident of Guo Village for the sake of this tea would be a fine story."

His words were unintentional, but they struck a chord with Qianqian. It was as if a bolt of lightning had struck her heart, unraveling the knots that had troubled her for days. Yes, it was rare to find such a connection. A few days ago, she had felt a connection with Zhang Xiaolong, but now she was in a dead end, even doubting this connection. Now, as she thought about it, from the moment she met Zhang Xiaolong, his injury, her care for him, the discovery of the precious well water, to her father's willingness to move to Guo Village, all her concerns about leaving her father behind were dispelled. She knew that the well water was unique to the Zhang family and couldn't be found elsewhere in Guo Village. Thinking about the miraculous effects of the well water, she was even more excited. This was the guarantee of her father's health. Everything pointed to her having a connection with Zhang Xiaolong. This connection was predestined, and she had no reason to doubt it.

With this realization, the heavy burden in Qianqian's heart was lifted.

At this moment, she noticed the reactions of the others after her father spoke. Seeing their confusion, Qianqian explained, "Lychees are a legendary fruit that only grows in Lingnan. After eating lychees, the ancients were so fond of them that they said they would gladly move to Lingnan if they could eat lychees every day."

The others were enlightened.

Zhang Cai said excitedly, "If Mr. Liu wants to move to our Guo Village, we will welcome you. I'll inform the Guo family patriarch and arrange a place for you."

Mr. Liu quickly said, "Brother, there's no rush. We can discuss it later. Let's leave it to fate, ha ha."

Then, Mr. Liu took another sip of tea and revealed the true purpose of his visit. He looked at Zhang Cai and said, "Brother, the main reason we came this time is to take Qianqian home for a while. She has been here for some time and must be missing home. We need her to help tidy up at home. As for Yueyue, she was supposed to come earlier, but she had to stay home to help. This time, we want her to come and switch places with Qianqian. What do you think?"

Zhang Cai didn't dare to respond and turned to look at Guo Sufei.

Guo Sufei, seeing the sincere expressions of Mr. Liu and the butcher, and the indifferent look on Liu Yueyue's face, understood. She smiled and said, "We appreciate your intentions, Brother. Qianqian has been a great help here. Xiaolong and Xiaohu, as well as our head of the household, have recovered well and can move around freely. Qianqian doesn't need to stay to take care of them anymore. If Mr. Liu wants Qianqian to go home, I'll pack her things and send her back with you this afternoon. There's no need for Yueyue to stay."

Hearing this, Liu Yueyue's face lit up with joy, while Qianqian, glancing at Zhang Xiaohu, noticed his disappointment. She thought to herself, "Zhang Xiaohu is usually quiet and hasn't shown any interest in Yueyue. Seeing his reaction now, it might be a bit troublesome. I should remind Zhang Xiaohu that my sister's heart is not here."

The butcher, however, was not pleased and said, "Sister-in-law, you make it sound like we're being unreasonable. We already agreed that Yueyue should help. Now that she's here, how can we let her slack off?"

Guo Sufei laughed and said, "Brother, I know you're a straightforward person. If we had any difficulties, we wouldn't hide them from you. Look at these two children and your brother Zhang. They are all in good health and can move around freely. They really don't need your daughter to stay."

Mr. Liu also laughed and stopped the butcher from insisting, saying, "Since Sister-in-law has said so, it must be true that the children don't need to stay. Brother, there's no need to insist. As for whether Qianqian will go home with us, let's ask her opinion first."

Qianqian thought for a moment and said, "Father, I'll stay here for now. Yueyue can take care of things at home. It's only been a month since I left, and although I miss home, it's not necessary to go back just yet. Besides, Xiaolong's recovery is in the final stage, and I can't leave it unfinished. I'll wait until he is fully recovered before going home."

As soon as she finished speaking, the butcher stood up and said, "Did you and your father plan this? Your words are so similar to his."

Qianqian was puzzled and said, "Uncle, what do you mean?"

Before the butcher could speak, Liu Yueyue said, "Sister, on the way here, the two elders were making a bet. Your father said you wouldn't go home, and my father said you would. My father asked why, and your father said that Qianqian has never liked to leave things unfinished. Since you've only been in Guo Village for a month and Zhang Xiaolong isn't fully recovered, you wouldn't go home. Your words are so similar to your father's, which is why my father is upset, thinking you two are in cahoots."

Liu Yueyue, with her quick tongue, made everyone laugh with her "your father" and "my father."

Qianqian said to the butcher, "Uncle, you've seen me grow up. How could you not know my personality?"

The butcher said helplessly, "I only remember you as a little girl with a runny nose. How could I know what kind of person you've become? I thought you would miss home, but you're more like your own father."

As they spoke, Guo Sufei saw that it was getting late and went out to prepare lunch. Qianqian and Liu Yueyue naturally went to help, leaving the men to chat in the house.

The meal at the Zhang family was simple, and it was quickly prepared. Zhang Xiaohua bought some wine from outside the village, and the butcher was delighted.

After lunch, the sun was already setting. Mr. Liu and his two companions bid farewell and returned to the village. Mr. Liu invited Zhang Cai, saying, "Brother, tomorrow is the Dragon Head-Raising Day. There's a temple fair in Bali Gou. Why don't you come over for a small gathering?"

Zhang Cai thought for a moment and declined, "Although I'm much better, I'm not fully recovered. Walking far might cause problems, and my elderly family members are still ill. It's best not to be away from home. I'll visit you when I have the time."

Mr. Liu understood and didn't insist. They parted ways at the village entrance. Qianqian and Zhang Xiaohua accompanied them for a while before parting with reluctance, watching their loved ones gradually disappear into the distance.