Zheng Chuan hesitated, unable to make a decision, and said tentatively, "You're not going to marry into the family, are you?"
Xu Zifan nodded. "I'm sorry, I don't want to marry into the family. It will bring a lot of trouble, and the trouble will last for many years. My parents will also have opinions about us because of this. I hope that if we get married, our future life will be a warm and loving family, instead of constantly dealing with these conflicts and having thorns planted in our hearts. I don't really care about myself, but other people's opinions and views will have a great impact on us. I don't want to go against the world when there's no need to."
Seeing that Zheng Chuan was still hesitating, he said, "How about this, don't think so much about it. You don't understand these things at all, and you're worrying too much about this. Now everyone thinks you're a man, so we don't need to be reserved when we're together. Let's spend more time together, and you can also find out more about marriage and taking in a son-in-law. Then you can make a decision according to your own heart, how about that?"
Having some time to consider things, Zheng Chuan felt relieved and immediately nodded, "Okay, then you can't look at other women before I make a decision."
Xu Zifan smiled at her, "Of course, I'm not interested in other women either."
Zheng Chuan's gaze drifted elsewhere, and he felt his heart skip a beat. He wasn't interested in other women, so why was he interested in her?
Xu Zifan also invited Zheng Chuan to check on the new house. Zheng Chuan was in good physical condition, and Xu Zifan had also gathered some good herbs from the mountains to treat her. She was now able to move around freely, and as long as she didn't engage in strenuous exercise, she would be fine. No one could tell that she was injured. So, when Xu Zifan moved the next day, Zheng Chuan went there early.
She felt that dressing as a man had one advantage: it allowed her to get to know the Xu family members in advance, understand what kind of people they were, and whether they were suitable to be family.
Zheng Chuan always kept to herself in the village, so the Xu family was surprised to see her. Xu Zifan greeted her naturally and led her into the courtyard, where the two stood together and talked. Everyone else couldn't help but glance at Zheng Chuan a few times while they were busy. Xu's mother was pleased that her youngest son had made a good friend, so she specially made Zheng Chuan a bowl of sweet soup and greeted her with a smile.
"Zheng Chuan, please make yourself at home. This is your first time visiting, and it's so messy. Please don't mind."
Zheng Chuan quickly accepted the bowl with both hands and thanked her earnestly: "Thank you very much, Aunt Xu. Today is your housewarming celebration, and I'm here to help. Please let me know if there's anything I can do for you."
Xu's mother was surprised. It was the first time she had heard Zheng Chuan speak so much and be so polite. She waved her hand and smiled, "There's nothing else to do. You talk to Zifan for a while, and we'll leave once his two older sisters arrive."
After finishing her speech, Xu's mother called on Xu Dalang and Xu Erlang to help. Although there had been some unpleasantness over the loan, several days had passed, and moving was such a big event that they still needed to save face; otherwise, the villagers' gossip would be enough to cause them a lot of trouble. Xu Erlang and Su Qianyun even pretended to be happy for Xu Zifan, hoping to reverse some of their bad reputation.
Many villagers came to help, while others came to watch the excitement. Zheng Chuan's appearance became a topic of conversation among them. Everyone said that Xu Zifan was extraordinary; he could chat and laugh with someone so menacing, showing no signs of being a weak scholar. The courtyard was bustling with people, when suddenly someone shouted, "Xiao Lan and Xiao He are back!"
Mrs. Xu quickly wiped her hands on the hem of her clothes and hurried outside, asking, "My daughter's back? Where is she?"
Xu Xiaohe, holding her three-year-old daughter, walked forward with her husband, smiling, and said, "Mom, here we are. We met my eldest sister and brother-in-law at the village entrance, and we came together." Her husband, He Yao, looked into the yard and exclaimed, "Oh, everything's all packed up? My brother, who sent the message, didn't say much. How come you've moved to town already? Mom, are you all going? Did you strike it rich?"
Xu Xiaolan, holding her six-year-old son's hand, walked over with her husband, called out "Mother" once, and then fell silent. Her husband, Li Sheng, was similar in temperament to Xu Dalang, and also called out "Mother." The couple were both taciturn, and although they were three years younger than Xu Erlang, they didn't look as energetic as Xu Erlang and his wife, and it was clear that they were not living a comfortable life.
There were quite a few people around. Xu's mother glanced at them and led them into the courtyard, saying, "A lot has happened in our family lately. Let's talk about it slowly when we get to the new house. First, let me tell you that our family has split up. My wife, Xiaolian, and I are now living with our third son. Today is the day he moves to town, and we'll go with him to help take care of him." At this point, Xu's mother finally smiled. "By the way, our third son found a job at the Jishetang clinic in town. He'll be working as an accountant and will also be assisting Doctor Tong in treating patients. He'll be living in town from now on."
Both Xu Xiaolan and Xu Xiaohe's families were very surprised. Xu Xiaohe, who was cheerful, praised Xu Zifan as soon as she saw him: "Third brother, you're really capable! I didn't expect you to be the first to move to town. Did you buy the house or rent it?"
Xu Zifan laughed and said, "It's rented. I can't find a suitable house right now, so I can buy one later when I do. This house was rented to me by Dr. Tong's apprentice. It's much cheaper than other places, and the clinic is taking care of me."
Xu Xiaohe said happily, "The fact that the clinic is willing to take care of you shows that they think highly of you, and it also shows that you are capable. Indeed, you have grown up a lot in just a few months. Studying really is useful. So, are you still going to take the imperial examination to become a scholar?"
"Take the exam, work at the clinic to earn money, and study to prepare in your spare time. You can do both without any problems."
Xu Xiaohe nodded, her smile becoming even more genuine. "You've really grown up. Your parents haven't raised you in vain; you know how to take responsibility for the family now. From now on, when your parents are with you, you must take good care of them."
"Second sister, don't worry. Now that you've familiarized yourselves with the place, whenever you go to town, stop by to see our parents, have a meal, and then head back."
"Take a break." Xu Zifan noticed that his second sister's personality was somewhat strong. Although giving birth to a daughter displeased her in-laws, she probably wouldn't suffer much mistreatment. He looked at his eldest sister, feeling that she was more likely to be mistreated, and said, "Eldest sister, you should visit Mom and Dad more often. They always think of you. Xiaolian is all grown up now and wants to spend more time talking with her two older sisters."
Xiaolian was so engrossed in herbal medicine that she stopped seeing her usual friends and had no patience for casual conversation. However, upon hearing Xu Zifan's words, she immediately nodded in agreement, "That's right, eldest sister, second sister, you haven't come home much since you got married. I miss you so much. Come on, come on, let's go sit in my room and rest for a while. This yard is all dusty, don't let it bother the two children. Come on."
Xu Zifan smiled slightly and said to Li Sheng and He Yao, "Brothers-in-law, please sit here. It's been a long time. How have you been?"
Xu Zifan led his two brothers-in-law to sit on small stools nearby, poured them water, and prepared to inquire about their situation. Zheng Chuan, of course, wouldn't chat with several men, so he didn't follow them. Instead, he went to help Xu's parents with their chores. The two elders were quite surprised. After chatting for a few minutes, they discovered that although Zheng Chuan wasn't very talkative, he always answered them earnestly, and they felt he had a good personality.
The two elders were very curious about how Xu Zifan went into the mountains to dig for medicinal herbs, so they asked Zheng Chuan about it. Zheng Chuan told them what he could, focusing on the interesting things that happened in the mountains and some things that happened during the hunting trip. The two elders had never been into the mountains before, so they found it very novel and were very impressed with Zheng Chuan. They felt even more that their youngest son had made a good friend.
The Xu family had a lot of luggage, so Xu Zifan specially rented a donkey cart and an ox cart from the village. Xu's mother also found someone to choose an auspicious time. When the auspicious time arrived, Xu's father gave a shout, and the two carts headed towards the town one after the other. All the members of the Xu family and Zheng Chuan each carried a cloth bag or bamboo basket and walked alongside the carts.
The courtyard in town wasn't that big, and no one else from the village was invited, but before leaving, Xu Zifan threw a few handfuls of copper coins tied with red strings, as a way of celebrating the housewarming and adding a touch of ceremony.
Fang Daming had taken the day off and was waiting for them at home. As soon as he saw the donkey cart leading the way, he set off firecrackers at the door, and Xu's parents immediately beamed with joy. Although it was just a rented room, this gesture seemed to indicate that he was aiming for a better life, and it was their youngest son whom they had always worried about. How could they not be happy!
The rest of the Xu family found the house fascinating and thoroughly explored it inside and out after entering the courtyard. Su Qianyun's fake smile faded; she was increasingly puzzled about how much money Xu Zifan had earned. She had hoped Xu Zifan was renting a run-down house, but this one, though not spacious, was a comfortable brick and tile structure. Xu Zifan was truly bringing his parents and sister here to enjoy a life of luxury! Even if she had a goal of living in a big house, how long would it take to catch up with Xu Zifan? What made her inferior to him?
Li Sheng and He Yao were both quite surprised. They hadn't been to Yue's family for only a few months, so how come Yue's family had not only split up but also seemed to have become wealthy? Having relatives in town was a very respectable thing. If Xu Zifan really learned how to treat patients and became a resident doctor in the town's clinic, that would be even more respectable and a great thing for them.
Everyone had different thoughts, but on the surface they all praised Xu Zifan for his abilities. Xu Zifan didn't care whether they were sincere or not. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he told the men to unload their luggage. Zheng Chuan was dressed as a man and was injured. He took a few bags of clothes and asked Zheng Chuan to take them to his room. He also asked Zheng Chuan to help move the table so that it would be easier to eat later. He arranged a few light tasks for him.
They didn't talk much, but during her time at the Xu family's house, Zheng Chuan constantly felt Xu Zifan's thoughtfulness and the kindness of the two elders, and the scales in her heart gradually tipped in her favor. Looking out the window at the busy Xu Zifan, she thought that perhaps this really was a good family, and she got along very well with them.
Xu's mother took her three daughters to the kitchen to cook, and asked her two daughters-in-law to help make the bedding in the room. While cooking, she asked how her eldest and second daughters were doing. Xu Zifan was sweating profusely from carrying things. He asked Xiaolian to fetch him a basin of water to wash his hands and whispered, "Find out how your eldest and second sisters are doing. Now that we are capable, we can't let them live a hard life."
Xiaolian's eyes lit up instantly; she understood what Xu Zifan meant—he was going to stand up for her sisters! She nodded excitedly and whispered, "Third Brother, don't worry, I'll definitely figure it out!"
Xiaolian had long disliked her eldest and second eldest sisters' in-laws. Now that her third brother was so powerful, she was determined to stand up for her sisters and see who dared to bully them!