Chapter 49: Engagement

Zhang Xiaolong said with a smile, "It's just our well water! I saw how happy Mr. Liu was when he drank the tea, even happier than if we had given him ten taels of silver. In the future, we can give him more well water, not only to satisfy his taste but also to ensure his health. By the way, Father, this time when you go, you might as well suggest that Mr. Liu move to Guo Village. I think he had this idea last time, but he was a bit hesitant. Now that Liu Qian has come over, I believe he would be willing to come. This way, I can take care of him and Liu Qian more conveniently. What do you think?"

Zhang Cai and Guo Sufei exchanged a glance and said, "I will definitely mention these things when I go. For now, you keep these silver notes and tokens. If we really need them, you can exchange them."

Zhang Xiaolong thought for a moment and said, "Alright, I'll keep them."

With that, he put the silver notes and tokens in his pocket.

Since Zhang Xiaolong did not agree to use the silver notes, the preparation of the Zhang family's engagement gifts became much simpler. They just prepared a few simple gifts according to local customs. On this early morning, Zhang Cai and Guo Sufei put on new clothes, took the prepared gifts, and set off for Bayili Gou to prepare for the most important engagement of Zhang Xiaolong's life.

When Zhang Cai and Guo Sufei arrived at Mr. Liu's house, they were warmly welcomed. When they presented the simple engagement gifts, Mr. Liu did not mind at all. He respectfully accepted them without showing any contempt or displeasure, which greatly reassured Zhang Cai and his wife. There was no one else in the Liu family's hall except for the family members, including Mr. Liu's butcher brother. It seemed that Mr. Liu was not the type who liked extravagance or formalities. Liu Qian was not in the hall, probably hiding out of shyness.

The entire engagement process was simple but not simplistic, following all the local customs without any deviation. As the ceremony approached its end, it was time to discuss the wedding date. Zhang Cai and Guo Sufei asked Mr. Liu to decide, with one request: to have the wedding as soon as possible, as Grandma's health could not wait much longer. Her last wish was to see her grandson's wedding.

Mr. Liu thought for a long time, took out the almanac, and carefully examined it, his brows furrowed. Zhang Cai and the others held their breath. After a while, Mr. Liu raised his head and said, "According to the almanac, the end of this month is a good day, but after that, it would be June. Is the end of this month too rushed? And by the end of June, the elderly lady..."

As expected, Zhang Cai and Guo Sufei also frowned. Guo Sufei asked hopefully, "Is there no good day in between?"

Mr. Liu replied, "There are good days in between, but none of them match Xiaolong's and Qianqian's birth dates."

Zhang Cai sighed and said, "Sigh, then it has to be June. There are only a few days left until the end of this month, and we haven't even started preparing the wedding house. How can we get everything ready in just a few days?"

Mr. Liu nodded and said, "That's true. What about the elderly lady?"

At that moment, a voice came from outside: "Father, I think we should set it for the end of this month."

Everyone looked up to see Liu Qian entering. She had been listening outside the whole time.

Liu Qian's face was slightly red as she said, "Uncle, Aunt, seeing Xiaolong's wedding is Grandma's last wish. As her juniors, we should fulfill her wish. The complexity of the wedding is up to us. An overly elaborate ceremony is not necessary. A simple wedding is more practical for us. You don't need to prepare a new house right away. We can find a place for now. Besides, Father, you were thinking of moving to Guo Village, right? This is a good opportunity. We can find a plot of land next to the Zhang family's courtyard, build a few houses, and enclose a yard. That would be a home. Once the courtyard is ready, you can move in, and I can move in with Xiaolong. This way, I can take care of you and also help Uncle and Aunt. What do you think?"

Liu Qian's idea seemed unconventional, but upon careful consideration, it was quite feasible. Grandma's health would not last until June. If she passed away, the mourning period might delay the wedding. Since she was eager to see her grandson's wedding, it should be held at the end of this month. The Zhang family's financial situation made a grand wedding impractical, but a simple one could be prepared easily with the help of the villagers. The most challenging part was the new house. Normally, a new house should be prepared for the newlyweds, but if Mr. Liu also moved to Guo Village, a new courtyard would need to be built, which would take several months. Since Liu Qian wanted to take care of her father, the courtyard would have to be built. Therefore, it made sense to combine the two.

However, Zhang Cai was concerned that Liu Qian, who had not yet entered the Zhang family, was already thinking of living separately with Xiaolong, which seemed like a premature division of the family. Could there be other motives?

But Zhang Cai soon dismissed this thought. What did his family have that Liu Qian could covet? It was just the well. Liu Qian's suggestion for her father to move was out of filial piety. Xiaolong and Liu Qian living separately was inevitable, given that there were three sons in the family. While it seemed early to bring it up, it was reasonable and showed Liu Qian's foresight, which would prevent any resentment from Zhang Xiaohu and Zhang Xiaohua.

Mr. Liu, of course, had no objections. He had been considering his retirement. As a teacher, he would be respected wherever he went. He had heard that no one taught in Guo Village, so he would be welcome there. Moreover, he could rely on his daughter and protect her. Why not? He had been thinking about how to bring up the topic of moving to Zhang Cai, and his daughter's suggestion was timely.

However, there was opposition, and it came from the Liu family, particularly the butcher.

The butcher shouted, "Brother, why are you thinking of moving to Guo Village without even consulting me? We grew up together in Bayili Gou."

Mr. Liu said gently, "Brother, I'm just considering it. Qianqian is getting married far away in Guo Village, where she will be unfamiliar with the surroundings and without anyone to take care of her. I and Liu Kai are living alone without a woman to take care of us, which is not a pleasant life."

Liu Yuanyuan interjected, "Uncle, isn't there me? I've been helping at home recently."

Mr. Liu smiled and said, "Yuanyuan, I know you've been working hard at Uncle's house, but it's not a long-term solution. Your sister is getting married soon, and you will be next. Even if you find a husband in Bayili Gou, you can't come over every day to look after Uncle. Besides, Liu Kai needs to find a wife and start a family. I shouldn't pressure him, but I don't know when he will find one."

Liu Kai blushed and said, "Father, I just haven't found the right one yet."

Mr. Liu glanced at him and said, "Then you should try harder to find one. Let's aim to get both your sister's and your affairs settled this year, and we'll have a double celebration."

Liu Kai did not respond.

Then, Mr. Liu said to the butcher, "Brother, Guo Village is not far, just a half-day's journey. Even if I move there, we can still visit each other easily. Your work as a butcher has nothing to do with my teaching. We have a brotherly bond, so we can visit every ten days or so. We won't become distant because of the distance. If you get tired of Bayili Gou, you can always move to Guo Village to live with me."

Mr. Liu knew the butcher was straightforward and could not keep secrets, so he did not mention the well water. If the water proved effective, Mr. Liu would definitely bring the butcher and others over.

Seeing that everyone had no objections, Mr. Liu set the date with Zhang Cai for the end of this month. They then discussed the specific details. Liu Qian and Liu Yuanyuan left the room.

In Liu Qian's bedroom, Liu Yuanyuan teased, "Sister, are you so eager to marry Xiaolong?"

Liu Qian said, "It's not what you think. Grandma really can't last much longer. She was coughing up blood the last time I was at their house. She has worked hard all her life, and her last wish should be fulfilled. You know their financial situation. A quick wedding is a relief for them and for us. This decision benefits both of us."

Liu Yuanyuan said, "What you told me last time, I've been thinking about it a lot. This connection is really strange. You've only known each other for less than two months, and now you're going to share a kitchen. It's quite amazing."

Liu Qian smiled and said, "You could too. I've noticed that Zhang Xiaohu can't take his eyes off you. I bet he wants to share a kitchen with you too."

Liu Yuanyuan blushed and said, "Sister, don't tease me. I told you at the Zhang family's house that I don't have feelings for Zhang Xiaohu. He saved me, and I'm grateful, but as you said, there's no connection. Besides, Mr. Zhao from Xue Village has already sent someone to propose marriage for his second son, Zhao Yuzhao. I've met Zhao Yuzhao; he's a scholar, well-mannered, and good-looking. Father hasn't agreed yet because of your wedding, but once your wedding is over, I think he will settle my marriage."

Liu Qian was delighted and said, "You've been keeping this a secret from me. I've met Zhao Yuzhao too. He is indeed a good match for you. You have good luck, Yuanyuan."