Chapter 42: Proposal

It was Zhang Xiaolong who came in.

The two stood at the door, listening to the conversation between Grandma and Mother. Liu Qian's face turned bright red, while Zhang Xiaolong listened and watched Liu Qian's expression. When he saw Grandma's disappointed look, he couldn't help but pull Liu Qian's hand and rushed into the courtyard, saying with a sudden inspiration, "Qianqian won't be going home."

Liu Qian, her face flushed, wanted to pull her hand back but, for some reason, didn't. Instead, she obediently followed Zhang Xiaolong into the small courtyard. As she ran, she thought, "Thank all the gods and Buddhas, this layer of paper has finally been broken. I was still worried about how to respond if Guo Sufei asked me again. Now, in Zhang Xiaolong's impulsiveness, it's all gone. This Zhang Xiaolong is truly my lucky star, it must be fate."

Everyone looked at the two who had rushed into the courtyard, puzzled. When they stood in front of Grandma, they saw Zhang Xiaolong holding Liu Qian's hand, and their faces immediately showed understanding. It was like that. Zhang Xiaolong, seeing everyone's ambiguous looks, noticed the soft hand of Liu Qian in his own, unsure whether to let go or continue holding it.

Guo Sufei, seeing her son's embarrassment, asked, "Xiaolong, when you said Qianqian won't be going home, was that Qianqian's own decision?"

Zhang Xiaolong, pulling a face, didn't know how to answer. At this moment, the small hand in his grip gently scratched his fingers. He understood and said happily, "Yes, Mother, Qianqian told me."

Everyone was overjoyed, and Grandma couldn't stop smiling.

Guo Sufei walked up to Liu Qian and, still not believing, asked, "Qianqian, this is a lifetime decision, you must think it through, don't regret it later."

Others didn't think much of it, knowing that Guo Sufei was confirming Liu Qian's thoughts. Liu Qian, however, was delighted inside. This family was truly simple; these words should have been said by her own family, but they said 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 Sufei quickly pushed her son, saying, "Hurry up and chase her."

Zhang Xiaolong, as if waking from a dream, said, "Okay."

But after a few steps, he came back, saying, "Father, give me some silver, we need to buy meat, I didn't bring any silver."

Zhang Cai quickly took out some silver from his pocket 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.

Grandma, hearing Zhang Xiaolong run far away, said with a smile, "This child, he really has a connection with Qianqian. Even without silver, he can turn it into an opportunity. I thought from what you said earlier that he and Qianqian had no chance."

Guo Sufei also sighed, "Yes, last time I asked Qianqian, she seemed unwilling. I didn't know how to ask again. Now, it's all settled."

Zhang Cai, also happy, said, "Xiaohua, go to the village entrance and get some wine for me, let me be happy too."

Zhang Xiaohua said, "Okay."

He got up and ran out. After he ran far, Guo Sufei asked, "Did you give Xiaohua any silver?"

Zhang Cai, feeling depressed, said, "No, wait until he comes back."

In the following days, the Zhang family was filled with joy. Whenever Liu Qian saw Zhang Xiaolong, her face would turn slightly red, and she would deliberately avoid him. Zhang Xiaolong would also be at a loss, causing many funny moments. The family watched the two with amusement, sharing in the sweetness of their love.

Grandma's expression was good, but she was gradually becoming thinner. After a few days, it was noticeable. Guo Sufei was happy for her son but sad for her mother, feeling like she was in two different worlds.

Others didn't know Grandma's condition, but Zhang Xiaohua could sense something was wrong. One day, he couldn't hold back and secretly pulled Guo Sufei, saying, "Mother, I have something to tell you."

Guo Sufei, puzzled by her younger son's actions, said, "What trouble have you gotten into? Why are you being so sneaky?"

Zhang Xiaohua, angry, said, "Mother, when have I ever caused you trouble?"

Guo Sufei patted his head and smiled, "Then what is it?"

Zhang Xiaohua, sad, said, "Mother, I can feel something leaving Grandma. The more it leaves, the thinner she gets. And I can feel that there's not much left."

Guo Sufei, angry, said, "You child, what nonsense are you talking?"

Zhang Xiaohua argued, "It's true, Mother. I really can feel it. I've told Sister Qianqian before, and she believes me."

"Really? What did Sister Qianqian say?" Guo Sufei asked curiously.

"Sister Qianqian said it's because Grandma loves me the most, and I care about her the most, so I can feel her condition. But she said it's hard to explain, and some close relatives can just know," Zhang Xiaohua answered seriously.

Guo Sufei, hearing this, left Zhang Xiaohua and hurried to find Zhang Cai. Zhang Xiaohua, seeing that his mother took his words seriously, was also happy and went to accompany Grandma.

Guo Sufei, seeing Zhang Cai, told him what Zhang Xiaohua had said. Zhang Cai thought for a moment and said, "I've heard of such things before. What Xiaohua said might be true. We should make some preparations."

Guo Sufei, hearing this, nodded sadly.

However, she immediately asked Zhang Cai, "What about Qianqian and Xiaolong? One, Grandma wants to see Xiaolong get married. Two, if Grandma really leaves, Qianqian and Xiaolong's marriage will have to be postponed, and who knows what might happen."

Zhang Cai said, "Why don't we go to Liu Qian's house in a few days to propose the marriage? If we can do it before Grandma leaves, that would be best. If not, we should at least settle this matter."

Guo Sufei also nodded and said, "I'll ask Qianqian first."

That night, Guo Sufei told Liu Qian about the proposal. She thought Liu Qian would hesitate like last time, but unexpectedly, Liu Qian, though very shy, nodded without hesitation, which greatly comforted Guo Sufei. She was a good child, knowing that Grandma wanted to see her and Xiaolong get married, and she made a wise choice without any hesitation. This made Guo Sufei even more convinced that the daughter-in-law they had chosen was the best in the world.

The next day, Zhang Cai prepared gifts and took Zhang Xiaohua to Liu Qian's home in Bayili Gou to discuss the engagement. Zhang Xiaohua was also very happy, as he missed the pork belly from the Liu family.

Bayili Gou was a distance from Guo Village. Zhang Cai and Zhang Xiaohua hurried, but by the time they reached the village entrance, it was already mid-morning. Zhang Cai, still recovering from his illness, was quite exhausted and sat on a large stone at the village entrance to rest. Zhang Xiaohua, however, was unaffected, his breathing unchanged, which made Zhang Cai envy the young. In fact, the last time Zhang Xiaohua came, he was also out of breath, much better than Zhang Cai, but not as good as this time when he wasn't tired at all.

After Zhang Cai rested, the two got up again. Led by Zhang Xiaohua, they came to Mr. Liu's house.

Mr. Liu's house was still the same, the door open. But after Zhang Xiaohua called out for a long time, no one answered. Thinking no one was home, he and Zhang Cai took the gifts and walked in. Entering the courtyard, Zhang Cai saw the flowers and plants neatly arranged, though it wasn't spring and no flowers were blooming, the courtyard's elegance and the owner's taste were evident. He couldn't help but feel that only such an environment could nurture a child as excellent as Liu Qian. He also hoped that if his own courtyard could be like this, he would be content to grow old in such an environment. While Zhang Cai was admiring the courtyard, Zhang Xiaohua's eyes were on the side room. His logic was simple: since the courtyard door wasn't locked, someone must be home. Since no one answered after a long time, they must be busy with something. What could a scholar be busy with? Writing or painting. Liu Qian had told him that there was a study next to the main room, so Mr. Liu must be in the study.

Sure enough, in the side room on the right, he saw a familiar back, which was Mr. Liu. He was facing away from the door, writing something. Zhang Xiaohua stopped his father, who was heading to the main room, and pointed to Mr. Liu's back. Zhang Cai then stopped and followed Zhang Xiaohua to the study door. Zhang Xiaohua was about to enter but was stopped by his father. Zhang Cai made a gesture to be quiet and stood still. Zhang Xiaohua understood his father's meaning, not wanting to disturb Mr. Liu, so he stood quietly beside his father. The two waited at the study door for a while, but Mr. Liu continued his work without stopping. Zhang Xiaohua felt a bit bored and was about to say something to his father when he suddenly heard footsteps from the courtyard entrance. They turned around to see Liu Qian's brother, Liu Kai, returning.

Liu Kai entered the house, saw the two standing in the courtyard, and recognized them as Zhang Cai and his son. He smiled and hurriedly greeted them, looking at his busy father in the study, and said apologetically to Zhang Cai, "My father is like this. Once he gets busy, he forgets everything else. He'll come out when he's done. Please come to the main room and sit down." He then took the gifts and politely led Zhang Cai and his son to the main room, serving them tea and water.

Zhang Cai and Zhang Xiaohua, who had walked for almost the whole morning, were really thirsty. They took the tea and drank it down, thinking, "This tea isn't as good as ours."

After Liu Kai saw them finish their tea and rest a bit, he asked, "Why did you suddenly come to our house today, Uncle? Didn't Qianqian come back with you? Is she okay?"

Zhang Cai quickly said, "Qianqian didn't come back with us today. She's doing well at our place. I came today to discuss something with Mr. Liu."