Chapter Seventy-Seven: Simple Minds, Simple Blessings

When Liu Xiaoqin heard what Zhang Can said, her eyes lit up, but she quickly asked with concern, “Then… what about the shop?”

Zhang Can replied calmly, “Don’t worry about the shop. I can hire an accountant for now, and you can manage it later. It’s our own family’s business, so we can do whatever we want with it. Besides, what’s more important, the shop or a life? Once your father has his surgery and recovers, we’ll start preparing for the wedding!”

“Ah…”

Liu Xiaoqin was taken aback, her face flushed crimson, but the joy in her eyes was impossible to conceal. Zhang Can’s words were a clear confession of his feelings for her. She had still been worried about Zhou Nan, thinking how could she ever compare to such a wealthy and privileged young lady?

After a moment’s hesitation, Liu Xiaoqin still asked timidly, “Zhang… you… about that Miss Zhou…”

“Let’s not talk about her!” Zhang Can, knowing what she meant, interrupted her at once. “She and I aren’t meant to be. I know you think she’s better than you in every way, and I get that. But I’ve also thought about it—if she’s better than you, then she’s also better than me. Who am I, really? I’m just a farmer, lucky enough to have made some money. Only you and I belong to the same world. So let’s not talk about this anymore. Go bring your parents here. Don’t worry about spending money; the one thing I don’t lack right now is money. Treat them well, bring them to the hospital here for treatment and surgery!”

Then Zhang Can pressed the bank card Zhou Nan had given him into Liu Xiaoqin’s hand and, for the first time, addressed her parents as “Father-in-law” and “Mother-in-law.” This completely set Liu Xiaoqin’s heart at ease. If Zhang Can had remained ambiguous, she would have been worried—the expenses for her parents were no small matter, a heavy burden. But now, with his words, he had accepted not just her but her family as well. Her heart warmed, and tears streamed down her face once more.

A woman’s tears are truly endless—no wonder they say girls are made of water!

Zhang Can sighed inwardly. Liu Xiaoqin’s filial piety and steadfastness were qualities he admired, and he’d always liked her even before this. He had feelings for her, but he also couldn’t deny a certain attachment to Zhou Nan. He wondered to himself if he was the unfaithful type, if there was something wrong with his character. How could he fall for two women at once?

After packing, Zhang Can felt even more tenderness for Liu Xiaoqin’s thoughtfulness and diligence. He helped her pack a bag, carried it for her, and went down the stairs together. He told his sister, Zhang Hua, to stay at home and get ready to start work at the shop the next day.

Zhang Hua muttered in the living room, “I’m scared to be alone… Why can’t I go with my sister-in-law and just come back together…”

Unfortunately, Zhang Can didn’t hear her grumbling. He went to the parking lot, drove out, picked up Liu Xiaoqin, and headed for the airport. On the way, he called the airline and booked tickets directly. It was four in the afternoon, and the next flight to their provincial capital back home was at 5:10. The route was a busy one, so flights ran frequently. If they hurried, they wouldn’t have to wait long at all.

Seeing Liu Xiaoqin’s gentle form, her eyes still brimming with tears, Zhang Can comforted her softly, “Don’t worry. Medical technology is advanced these days. There’s a good chance your father will recover. Stop worrying so much—try to be a little happier.”

“Mm…” Liu Xiaoqin, though still weeping, nodded meekly. This made Zhang Can’s heart ache for her all the more. A woman’s tears are a weapon, especially a beautiful woman’s.

Zhang Can sighed again and said, “After we bring your parents here, we’ll face everything together and live a good life.”

The simple address of “your parents” made tears pour down Liu Xiaoqin’s face once more. Zhang Can’s words were a public acknowledgment of her status. She didn’t know why, but even though she had been thoroughly defeated by Zhou Nan earlier that day and thought the days ahead would only be more difficult, Zhang Can had instead chosen this moment to reaffirm his feelings for her.

She could guess at his reasons, but the excitement and happiness in her heart were real and overwhelming. Liu Xiaoqin could hardly suppress her sobs; her face was streaked with tears.

Zhang Can reached for a tissue from the box on the dashboard and handed it to her. “Wipe your tears. A crying woman isn’t very pretty.”

“Pfft!”

Liu Xiaoqin couldn’t help but laugh, quickly taking the tissue to wipe her tears. With teary eyes and a smile, the gloom lifted and sunshine broke through—it was a sight that made Zhang Can’s heart stir. If he weren’t driving, he would have pulled her close and kissed her passionately right then.

Maybe that’s just human nature. No one is perfect, and there are no purely good or purely evil people as in the movies. Such people are fictional. Sometimes, wild thoughts flared up in Zhang Can’s heart. For delicate and beautiful women like Liu Xiaoqin, he longed to possess them, but this desire came from affection. A woman should be both presentable in public and passionate in private to truly capture a man’s heart.

“Xiaoqin, there’s something else I need to tell you,” Zhang Can said, turning his head slightly as he drove, remembering something suddenly.

By now, Liu Xiaoqin was feeling much better. Though her face still bore traces of tears, her expression was bright and joyful. Hearing Zhang Can’s words, she nodded eagerly. “Go ahead. Whatever it is, I’ll do my best.”

Zhang Can shook his head. “It’s not something I need you to do—it’s about your family.”

“My family? What could be wrong with my family?” Liu Xiaoqin asked, surprised. What could Zhang Can know about her family that she didn’t?

“It’s about your sister,” Zhang Can said as he drove, his voice calm.

“My sister? Xiaoli?” Liu Xiaoqin was taken aback, then asked in confusion, “What about her? Isn’t she working out of town with her boyfriend? We don’t even know where she is. Her boyfriend’s family opposed their marriage, so she ran away from home. With my father’s illness, and my sister struggling to make ends meet, there’s nothing she can do…”

Zhang Can couldn’t help but sigh. How could two sisters be so different? Liu Xiaoli had abandoned her family, eager to marry into a wealthy urban family, leaving her loved ones in dire straits. Yet her younger sister never spoke ill of her, always trying to cover for her. Perhaps she saw herself as the family’s last hope, so she kept their troubles hidden. Family shame shouldn’t be spread, after all, and Liu Xiaoli was still her sister.

Zhang Can pitied Liu Xiaoqin, who bore so many burdens by herself. If not for him, in their small hometown, how many wealthy families would be willing to spend hundreds of thousands to save a father-in-law? As the saying goes, a married daughter is like water spilled out; once she’s wed, she belongs to another family.

In those wealthy households back in the county, how many men didn’t keep mistresses and lovers on the side? Zhang Can was sure that if Liu Xiaoqin took a single misstep, she would be lost, and ten or twenty years later, she’d be a different person altogether. But now that she was with him, could she truly find happiness?

Zhang Can smiled slightly. “You don’t need to hide anything for your sister. I just wanted to tell you that I saw her and her boyfriend in Jincheng. I meant to take you to meet them, but things have been busy these past two days and I forgot. When you come back from the provincial capital, I’ll take you to see her. She’s your sister, after all.”

Liu Xiaoqin froze, then asked anxiously, “You… you really saw my sister? Is she… is she doing well?”

It was clear Liu Xiaoqin still cared deeply for her irresponsible sister—blood is thicker than water, after all. Sisters with the same parents can’t help but worry about each other.

After a moment’s thought, Zhang Can replied, “She’s… alright, I suppose. Nothing serious. They’re working and getting by like most people do.”

He hesitated, deciding not to tell Liu Xiaoqin about her sister’s true situation, not wanting to worry her. If he weren’t going back to bring her parents, he might have told her everything, but since she’d be traveling alone and her parents were both weak and had never traveled far, it was better not to upset her now.

Liu Xiaoqin relaxed a little and nodded. “Thank you. Once I’m back, I’ll go see her. And…” She glanced at Zhang Can, hesitating, “Please, if you can, look after her. My sister is a little headstrong, but she’s a good person. She just wants a better life…”

“Of course!” Zhang Can agreed at once. If Liu Xiaoli truly needed help, how could he refuse? She had been his first crush, the earliest dream of his youth—something never forgotten. But now, he no longer loved her. He’d seen the vanity and emptiness inside her, her obsession with wealth, and his fondness had soured into dislike.

From Liu Xiaoli’s haggard face, he realized that life is short—a few decades pass in the blink of an eye. The reckless youth he once was is gone, and the old him only cared for a girl’s looks. Now, he valued a woman’s inner beauty much more.

Perhaps it was because he was now wealthy—very wealthy—and had the ability to see through people, that money no longer seemed as important. He couldn’t deny that he had always struggled for money, but once you have enough for your family to live happily, what more is there to chase? He had no desire to be counted among the richest or be fettered by money. Happiness in life was what mattered most.

Liu Xiaoqin leaned gently on the dashboard, tears still in her eyes, but her face was filled with joy. After a while, she spoke in a low voice, “Zhang Can, thank you—thank you so much!”

Zhang Can replied mildly, “There’s no need to thank me. If you must, wait until your father recovers. Then live a good life with me.”

Liu Xiaoqin, her face hidden, softly murmured her assent. She hadn’t answered outright, but in her heart, her answer was clear. For the rest of her life, she would cherish and love this man, and spend her days with him. She didn’t want to say it out loud—she feared Zhang Can would think she was only grateful. But she knew, deep down, that while gratitude would always be there, it had never lessened—only grown. Yet her feelings for Zhang Can were no longer gratitude, but true love.