Chapter 99: A Marriage Proposal 

Zhou Huaishan's ability to be so carefree made Zhao Dacheng admire him even more. 

With the righteous loyalty of a good brother, Zhao Dacheng nodded firmly, "Great! Whatever you want to do, I’ll do it with you!"

He said it like he was ready to live and die together with Zhou Huaishan. Is this how dandies talk?

Either way, after their exchange, the tension in the air eased considerably.

After dinner, everyone went about their own activities. 

Shen Li had sent so many books, and Zhou Huaihai's release from prison had clearly shaken Zhou Huaishan. When he voluntarily declared that he would start studying the next day, Zhou Qing naturally agreed.

Since he was committed to studying, they wouldn't need to sell the Spring Festival couplets anymore. 

After dinner, Zhou Huailin went to Cheng Wu's house to let him know that they wouldn’t be selling couplets the next day.

Meanwhile, Zhou Ping was in his room, rubbing his hands together, eagerly staring at the small box Shen Li had sent him.

What could be inside?

Taking a deep breath, Zhou Ping closed his eyes and quickly opened the box. 

Slowly, he opened his eyes and immediately saw a small bow lying inside.

The moment he saw the bow, Zhou Ping jumped up in excitement, "Awesome!"

He immediately picked it up and tried to draw it. However, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t pull it fully back.

The more he struggled, the more excited he became.

After several attempts, he gave up and kissed the bow, "What a great bow!"

Setting the bow aside, he pulled out a few books from the box. 

Now that Zhou Ping knew a decent amount of characters, he skimmed through the books and realized they were military strategy texts.

"Dang! My big brother really knows me well. How does he always know exactly what I want?"

Flushed with excitement, Zhou Ping eagerly dived into the books, though he didn’t understand much.

While Zhou Ping was happily absorbed in his reading, Zhou Huailin and Zhao were opening their own boxes. Each contained two sets of winter clothes and a pair of cotton boots. Zhao’s box also had some jewelry.

Zhou Huailin looked at the bright clothes and jewelry in Zhao’s box and tugged on her arm, teasing her to try them on. 

The couple was clearly enjoying themselves.

Zhou Qing and Zhou Yao were also eagerly opening their boxes. 

Zhou Yao’s box contained a set of jewelry, a winter outfit, and two books aimed at young girls for literacy learning.

Zhou Yao showed little interest in the jewelry and clothes, knowing they weren’t suitable to wear in the village. 

But the books? They could help her broaden her horizons.

Since Zhou Ping had started learning under Zhou Huaishan, Zhou Yao had also learned quite a few characters. 

She sat under the lamp, reading, while Zhou Qing looked at her own box, her heart racing a little.

What could Shen Li have sent her?

For a moment, Zhou Qing hoped that her gift might be different from everyone else's. This thought made her cheeks flush slightly.

What is going on?!

Am I... developing feelings?

As soon as that thought crossed her mind, Zhou Qing pinched herself. 

What was she thinking?

Face reality!

Shen Li is a young boss with family connections in the capital and wealth from his family's mines. How could someone like that fall for someone as plain and poor as her?

Rolling her eyes at her own foolishness, Zhou Qing opened the box.

The moment she saw what was inside, her heart skipped a beat.

Inside the box was a bright red winter outfit. The clothes were neatly folded, and on top of them was a letter.

On the letter, written in Shen Li’s own handwriting, were the words: "I’ll be back before the New Year, wait for me."

Zhou Qing's face instantly grew hot.

Looking at those words, her heart pounded uncontrollably.

What’s wrong with this guy? Why should I care when you come back?

She quickly slammed the box shut, resting her hands on the lid, trying to steady her heartbeat.

In her mind, the words from the letter floated vividly. 

So annoying.

Zhou Yao, puzzled, looked at Zhou Qing. "Big sister, what did Brother Shen send you?"

Zhou Qing quickly laughed, "Same as yours."

"Then why are you acting so strange?" Zhou Yao frowned, tilting her head as she looked at Zhou Qing, sensing something was off.

Zhou Qing sighed, collecting herself. "I’m just worried that Father might change his mind about studying tomorrow."

With that, she put away her box. "You keep reading. I’ll go make sure Father goes to bed early."

Leaving that behind, Zhou Qing hurried out of the room, afraid that Zhou Yao might notice her burning ears.

Outside, the cold wind blew against her face, cooling down some of her agitation and clearing her mind.

From nearby, Zhou Huaishan and Zhao Dacheng's mischievous laughter echoed, drawing Zhou Qing’s attention.

Why am I thinking about such nonsense?!

Right now, her priority was making sure her father studied hard. Only if he succeeded could she have a better life.

Even if she did develop feelings for Shen Li, nothing could come of it until her father made a name for himself. 

Without material and social equality, it would be hard to achieve spiritual equality.

The next morning, after breakfast, Zhao Dacheng left early. 

Spurred by Zhou Huaihai’s release, Zhou Huaishan cut short his ten-day break and began another round of intense study.

A whole box full of books!

To read and memorize all of them!

Shen Li, you’re a devil!

The day after making such grand declarations of ambition, Zhou Huaishan sat at his desk, holding a book with a face full of melancholy.

"Daughter, why is there no basic trust between people? Why must reading always lead to exams?"

"Get reading! As long as we trust each other, that’s enough. If you don’t memorize this section by lunchtime, you won’t be eating. Trust me."

Meanwhile, at Cheng Wu’s house.

Originally, Cheng Wu had planned to propose to the Zhou family the day after they finished selling Spring Festival couplets. But that morning, his sister suddenly came down with a fever.

She had been feverish and groggy for days, only recovering fully today. 

When his sister got well, his marriage was back on the agenda.

Early in the morning, Cheng Wu's mother took a box of pastries and went to the Zhou house.

In ancient times, marriage proposals were formal and required a matchmaker. 

But Cheng Wu's family was one of the wealthier families in Qingyang Village, and his mother worried that if she sent a matchmaker and the Zhou family refused, it would be embarrassing.

After much thought, she decided to go personally to test the waters. If the Zhou family agreed, she would then hire a matchmaker to complete the formalities.

If they refused...

Well, Wu had said that both Zhou Qing and Zhou Huaishan already had their eyes on him, so they should agree, right?

Nervously clutching the pastry box, Cheng Wu’s mother stepped into Shen Li's house.

As she entered, Zhou Ping was in the yard, practicing archery with the small bow Shen Li had gifted him.

"Auntie, my parents went to town to buy New Year’s supplies."

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Zhou Ping greeted Cheng Wu’s mother.

"I’m here to see your second uncle," Cheng Wu’s mother smiled. "Ping, what are you up to so early, working up such a sweat? Your second uncle has already passed the exam. You should follow his example and study more. My son Hu has been up early reading."

Zhou Ping grinned but didn’t explain. He simply said, "Second Uncle is inside reading."

With that, he returned to practicing his archery.

Cheng Wu’s mother, holding her box, headed toward the main house.