Chapter 45: Initiative

The next morning, the sun rose as usual.

The Zhang family was preparing for the spring plowing, and Zhang Xiaolong was clearly distracted. He kept glancing at Liu Qian, who appeared completely at ease. Liu Qian's composure made Zhang Xiaolong even more uneasy, and he finally found an opportunity to pull her aside and asked softly, "What do you plan to do?"

Liu Qian, with a hint of teasing, smiled and said, "What do you mean, what to do?"

Zhang Xiaolong, slightly displeased, said, "Your father is coming to take you back. Are you planning to go home?"

Liu Qian replied, "Of course, if my father comes to take me, I will naturally go back to my own home."

Zhang Xiaolong's face turned pale, and he said, "I knew it. The things you said before were just to comfort me so that I would recover faster. Now that I'm better, you're no longer lying to me. You're going back to your comfortable home, and I guess our little courtyard doesn't have anything to attract you."

Liu Qian, seeing that Zhang Xiaolong was really taking it seriously, quickly put away her teasing expression and said, "Xiaolong, how can you say that? Do you think everything I said before was just to comfort you? Don't you know what I really think?"

Zhang Xiaolong was taken aback and said, "It's not that I don't trust you, but at this critical moment, you're so calm, while I'm on the verge of burning up with worry. Of course, I want to ask you what you plan to do."

Liu Qian smiled and said, "You, who usually seem so smart, end up being so conventional. Isn't there a saying, 'When water comes, the earth yields; when soldiers come, the general resists'? Of course, my father wants me to go back and will come to take me, but whether I go or not is still up to me. Usually, my father follows my wishes, and this time is a bit unexpected. I think I should wait for my father to come and ask him properly. Once I understand the reason, there will naturally be a solution. Why rush?"

Zhang Xiaolong smiled and said, "I'm not like you, so confident. I naturally get anxious when I care. I think we should take the initiative and talk to your father. It's better than just waiting for him to come."

Liu Qian looked at Zhang Xiaolong and praised him, "You're right. Taking the initiative will put us in control. If we wait for my father to come, we might be at a disadvantage, and there might be other unforeseen changes. Hmm, how about I go home first and see the situation?"

Zhang Xiaolong, a bit embarrassed, said, "I just had a little thought, not as deep as yours. Besides, I think I should go with you. My injuries are mostly healed, and a half-day's walk on the mountain path shouldn't be a problem."

Liu Qian thought for a moment, her eyes brightening, and said, "That's an even better idea. We'll go together to find my father and see what he's up to."

Zhang Xiaolong, not without worry, said, "Qianqian, what if your father insists on you going back?"

Liu Qian, with a sly smile, said, "He won't. I have my ways to deal with my father. He will agree."

Zhang Xiaolong, still uneasy, said, "I'm talking about if, what if?"

Liu Qian, serious, said, "Xiaolong, you know my heart. We haven't said everything to each other, but you must believe me. I... I will stay with you."

As she said this, her face turned red, and she lowered her head involuntarily.

Zhang Xiaolong, gathering his courage, reached out and held her hand, saying softly, "Qianqian, you're so good."

This time, Liu Qian didn't let him hold her hand and pulled away, saying, "You should think about when to go to Bali Gou." With that, she ran off.

Zhang Xiaolong watched Liu Qian's back, savoring the moment, and his earlier unease was long gone.

When Zhang Xiaolong returned to the group, he was already brimming with determination. He walked up to Zhang Cai and said, "Father, Liu Qian's father didn't say when he would come to take her, right?"

Zhang Cai looked at Zhang Xiaolong and said, "Yes, he just said he would come in a few days, but didn't specify the date."

Zhang Xiaolong said, "Father, I want to go to Bali Gou with Liu Qian to talk to her father."

Zhang Cai, taken aback, frowned and said, "Is this your idea or Liu Qian's?"

Zhang Xiaolong said, "It's my idea. I just talked to Liu Qian, and she agreed."

Zhang Cai's frown immediately relaxed, and he smiled, saying, "Good boy, you have a plan. When I was young, I didn't have your courage. Well done, hahaha."

As he laughed, Guo Sufei walked over and asked, "What's so funny, dear?"

Zhang Cai said, "Our son is growing up and knows how to find a wife for himself."

Guo Sufei didn't quite understand and asked Zhang Cai to repeat what Zhang Xiaolong had said. She was also very happy and said, "That's a good idea. When do you and Qianqian plan to go?"

Zhang Xiaolong said, "Mother, Mr. Liu said he would come soon. I think we should go before he arrives. I was thinking of leaving now."

Guo Sufei looked at the sky and said, "If you leave now, you won't be able to return today. How about after lunch? I'll go cook with Qianqian. Oh, if Qianqian isn't here to help, I won't know how to cook. Xiaolong, you must keep Qianqian here."

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

Lunch was quickly finished, and Zhang Xiaolong and Liu Qian started to prepare to leave. At this moment, Zhang Xiaohu spoke up, "Brother, it might not be safe for the two of you to go alone. How about I go with you?"

Moreover, Zhang Cai also said, "Xiaolong, you should take some things with you. It's not good to go empty-handed."

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

Hearing that Zhang Xiaohu wanted to go, Liu Qian's eyes brightened, and she said to Zhang Xiaolong, "Let Xiaohu go with us. Three people will be safer, and you won't need to buy anything. Just take some well water from home for my father."

Zhang Xiaolong slapped his forehead and said, "How could I forget? Your father loves this water the most."

Zhang Xiaohua jumped up from her chair and said, "I'll go get some fresh water. You two prepare the container."

When Zhang Xiaohua brought back the well water, Zhang Xiaolong borrowed a sealed bottle from a neighbor and filled it with the well water. This bottle was naturally carried by Zhang Xiaohu.

Thus, the three of them set off.

There were two routes from Guo Village to Bali Gou. One was along the river, through a bamboo forest, and over several hills, passing by a few villages. The other was a straight road over a small bridge, heading towards Luzhen, and then through a village, continuing on the main road to Bali Gou. The small path was rugged and hard to walk, but it was much shorter. The main road, while easier to walk, was two to three times longer.

Zhang Xiaolong and his companions naturally chose the small path.

It was now spring, and the river had thawed. The clear stream flowed gently, and the sound was pleasant to the ear. Birds were chirping, and the combination of the water and bird sounds made the walk especially light. Zhang Xiaolong and Liu Qian held hands, walking in front, free from the worries of home, enjoying the feeling of holding each other's hands. They looked around, admiring the spring scenery, and talked incessantly. Zhang Xiaohu, a distance behind, carried the bottle of water, smiling as he watched his brother and future sister-in-law, feeling both envy and anticipation for a beautiful encounter in Bali Gou.

Zhang Xiaolong's heart was filled with honey. He hoped the journey would never end, allowing him to enjoy this afternoon's happiness forever. He had never felt such joy in walking, nor found the usual scenery so beautiful. He had never thought that Liu Qian's voice was more beautiful than the sound of the river and the birds. He had never realized how close Guo Village was to Bali Gou, as it seemed they had just started walking when they arrived. When Liu Qian let go of his hand, he was still dazed, asking why. Only when Liu Qian blushed and said that her hometown, Bali Gou, was just ahead did he realize that this dreamlike journey had come to an end.

Liu Qian led Zhang Xiaolong and Zhang Xiaohu into the village. People who knew her greeted her, and some girls and aunties stared at Zhang Xiaolong and Zhang Xiaohu, making Liu Qian blush and the two men feel awkward. Since no one asked who they were, she couldn't explain, though she didn't mind their speculation. However, her home was still far from the village entrance, and by the time she got home, the news about Zhang Xiaolong would likely have spread throughout the village.

When Liu Qian brought Zhang Xiaolong and Zhang Xiaohu home, it was quite coincidental. Mr. Liu and Mr. Liu the Butcher were sitting in the courtyard, drinking tea and talking. Liu Qian, upon entering, saw her father sitting on a small stool under the eaves, pouring tea from a teapot into a cup. Mr. Liu the Butcher, sitting opposite, held his usual wine gourd, occasionally taking a sip.

Seeing her father, Liu Qian's eyes welled up, and she called out, "Father~" and ran over.

Mr. Liu was also taken aback, but upon seeing it was Liu Qian, he was delighted. He put down the teapot and stood up to greet her. Although it hadn't been long since they last met at the Zhangs' house, this time it felt different because Liu Qian was coming home. Liu Qian ran into her father's arms, hugging his arm like a child, while Mr. Liu lovingly stroked her hair, saying, "You're back, that's good."