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Tan Erqian paused for a moment, gently closed his eyes, and slowly said, “Unless that person is willing to risk life and death for Little Qiyue, and can ensure she will be happy and live a joyful life forever.”
Tan Sanyuan fell silent, not speaking.
At that moment, Tan Yiliang, who had been snoring, suddenly spoke up, “You two little ones, what are you talking about, marriage or no marriage, you’re barely old enough to understand. I don’t know where you two heard such things!”
Tan Erqian quickly tried to smooth things over, laughing, “Big brother, we heard it in the plays at the county.”
Tan Yiliang, half convinced, turned over and said, “Alright, enough. It’s getting late. We’ll be busy tomorrow morning. Go to sleep quickly.”
“Yes, big brother,” Tan Erqian replied softly.
Tan Sanyuan, too, didn’t make a sound.
Tan Erqian thought he had fallen asleep and quieted down.
However, under the cold moonlight, Tan Sanyuan’s black, bright eyes were still thoughtfully gazing ahead from the window.
The consequence of a sleepless night was that the next morning, Tan Sanyuan woke up with eyes swollen like buns.
He went to school, still with his puffy eyes, accompanied by the fourth and fifth brothers.
They had only just left when Liu Shiye arrived, carrying some ink, brushes, paper, inkstones, and books from famous authors.
Old Tan, who had been busy with the construction of the house next door, saw him arrive and, without even washing his hands, hurried over and said, “Liu Shiye, what brings you here?”
Liu Shiye glanced inside the house and then smiled warmly, “I happened to be in the village today, so I brought the ink, paper, and books I promised you.”
Old Tan looked down and saw that it was indeed what he had expected. He quickly said, “Oh, Liu Shiye, you really brought it! We can’t possibly accept this.”
Liu Shiye slowly entered the house, placed the bundle down, and smiled, “It was just on the way. Brother Tan, you don’t need to worry about it.”
In reality, it was not just on the way. He had purposely come today because there was some free time at the yamen, so he had traveled from the county just for this.
Although the day was sunny, due to last night’s rain, his clothes and cloth shoes had some mud on them.
The cold wind on the road, combined with the chill, had left Liu Shiye’s ears and cheeks reddened from the frostbite.
Old Tan noticed this, but couldn’t quite figure out the reason behind it.
At that moment, Wan Chunmei, carrying some washed cabbage and radishes, just happened to enter the room. Upon seeing Liu Zhoucheng, she stepped forward with a smile, saying, “Liu Shiye has arrived.”
Old Tan quickly pulled her aside and whispered, “Quick, quick, go pour a cup of hot water. Liu Shiye must have come from the cold wind.”
“Alright, I understand,” Wan Chunmei immediately understood his intention. She put down what she was holding and hurriedly went to pour some hot water.
After Liu Zhoucheng took the cup, he cupped it in his hands and took a sip to warm himself. The coldness seemed to leave his body, and he set the cup down. Glancing around the room, he asked, “Why aren’t your children here?”
Wan Chunmei smiled and replied, “The third, fourth, and fifth are at school, and the first and second have gone to the fields.”
Liu Zhoucheng picked up the cup again, took another sip, lowered his gaze slightly, and asked, “And where are the sixth and seventh?”
Wan Chunmei answered, “My little Sister took them to the vegetable garden to deliver water. They should be back soon.”
A trace of disappointment crossed Liu Zhoucheng’s face. He finished the remaining hot water, stood up, and said, “Brother Tan, Sister Wan, I should be heading back now.”
Old Tan quickly stood up to stop him, saying, “Liu Shiye, since you’re here, why not stay for lunch?”
Liu Zhoucheng declined, saying, “No need, no need, I still need to rush back to the county.”
Old Tan’s expression grew serious, and he asked, “Liu Shiye, are you perhaps avoiding us because you find our humble farm food unappetizing?”
“No, no, not at all!” Liu Zhoucheng quickly denied.
Old Tan took advantage of the moment to smile, “Then, just stay for a simple meal.”
Liu Zhoucheng found it difficult to refuse any longer. He glanced toward the door and, following his own desire, nodded and said, “Alright then, I will graciously accept your offer.”