Li Mai's words completely opened Zhou Tao's heart.
She never knew that she could analyze, plan, and work so meticulously when it came to her future marriage.
Unconsciously, following her sister-in-law's words, she carefully considered what her sister-in-law really thought of Lu Qian.
All she could think of were the bright smile on his face and the focused look in his eyes whenever he saw her after they became familiar.
When the apricots ripened, he didn't know where he picked them, but when his older brother and sister-in-law weren't home, he brought them to her shop so she could eat them to relieve her boredom.
When the peaches ripened, he would do the same. He would also buy himself some food when his older brother and sister-in-law were not around, saying that he had seen them while passing by. He would buy some for his sisters and also for himself, thinking that the girls would love to eat them.
And whenever she came to see him, she would always bring a small food box with some of the delicious food prepared at his mansion, so that he could try it. He would say that he thought it was very delicious, and he would persistently ask her if it was good and if she liked it.
There was also the rice jelly that my older brother and sister-in-law made when they came back. It turns out that he treated me much better than I treated him.
It would be a lie to say she wasn't moved, but it wouldn't be entirely true that all her feelings for him were gratitude. After hearing her sister-in-law's words, she realized that perhaps she had already secretly fallen for him during their six months of getting to know each other.
The large differences in their family backgrounds and ages made it impossible for her to ever consider such a thing.
"Sister-in-law, if... if I don't actually dislike him, and even like him a little, will my brother and sister-in-law be very disappointed in me?" Zhou Tao thought it through, bit her lip, and asked Li Mai in a low voice.
She didn't want her sister-in-law to think she was a vain girl who only wanted to marry into a wealthy family, as that would hurt her brother and sister-in-law who cared about her so much.
Li Mai smiled and said, "No, everyone has the right to choose the person they like. But you have to remember that the path you choose for the rest of your life is your own choice. No matter how many difficulties you encounter in the future, you have to grit your teeth and persevere, instead of complaining about fate or blaming your elder brother and sister-in-law for not stopping you when you encounter difficulties or suffer some grievances."
"After all, there is no road in this world that is always smooth. Roads are made step by step by people. Do you understand what I mean, sister-in-law?" Li Mai was afraid that the little girl was too young to understand her meaning, so she spoke in a gentle tone and very directly, explaining the pros and cons to her.
Zhou Tao nodded, a smile appearing on her face. "Sister-in-law, I understand."
"Okay, then live each day happily and wait for him to resolve that matter, come to you, and tell you his feelings. That will be the time for you to make a decision. Right now, you don't need to rush to respond to him. Treat this matter as a test for him."
"When two people want to be together, there will definitely be many difficulties, and these difficulties will certainly test both of them. As lovers, trust, respect and patience are the most basic things."
"I understand, sister-in-law. Then I'll focus on learning the zither from my teacher during this time," Zhou Tao said softly.
"Yes, focus on learning the zither from your master during the day and have lessons in the evening. Your sister-in-law plans to have you help manage the flower shop next year. As for what you need to learn, your sister-in-law will give you the books tomorrow night. Study them carefully."
"As for learning how to manage the mansion or how to cultivate interpersonal relationships, he will find someone to teach you once your relationship with him is established. Since he wants you to enter that family, he certainly won't let you suffer any losses. Just stay true to your original aspirations, learn what you should learn, cultivate your relationship with him, and enjoy the rest of your life."
Zhou Tao smiled and said, "Thank you, sister-in-law. I know what to do from now on."
She was very grateful to her sister-in-law for being so virtuous, treating them, her husband's sisters and brothers, like her own younger siblings. She felt very lucky to have met such a sister-in-law.
“Li Mai smiled and said, “The path you’ve chosen is like climbing a mountain from the bottom. You can rest along the way, but you must never look back, because you’ll get dizzy or even fall. You have to keep climbing until you reach the summit and stand on flat ground. Only then will you realize how beautiful the scenery below or in the distance is from that angle.” Li Mai said with a smile.
Xiao Tao is still young, and she always tries to give her more guidance, not wanting her to get hurt or regret her decision someday.
In this life, not many people can choose which path they want to take. Most people are forced to walk paths they don't like or don't want to take.
Just like her, she was born into the world in her previous life because someone else created her for some purpose, and her life afterward was also arranged for her by someone else with a purpose.
Even in this life, her growth in Lijia Village and her marriage to Zhou Quan were not choices she made herself, but rather paths she was led down step by step by others.
Therefore, nowadays, when she allows others to make their own choices, she doesn't make the choices for them. Instead, she tells them which path to take and what the consequences will be, and then lets them make their own choices.
After Zhou Tao left, Li Mai stood up and walked towards the west courtyard.
Upon entering, I saw Zhou Quan standing under a tree in the west courtyard, staring blankly at the leaves.
Although he left the main courtyard, he used his hearing to listen to what Li Mai and Zhou Tao were saying.
He could hear a lot of her feelings and helplessness in Xiaomai's words, but he also felt that he had forgotten something, which he thought was something from his memories that had been sewn up.
He felt a little silent. Was this the life Xiaomai wanted? It seemed that ever since she married him, there wasn't a single thing she enjoyed doing. Instead, she had to do so many things because the family was poor or the village was in trouble, in order to keep everyone alive.
Hearing footsteps approaching, he turned around to face her and asked softly, "Xiaomai, have you ever regretted marrying me?"
Li Mai shook her head. "No, since I've come this far and intend to climb this mountain, I'll naturally keep going upwards. Looking back won't do me any good; it'll only make me dizzy."
Li Mai knew that he had heard what she had just said. Although his memories of his past life were sealed, Zhou Quan in this life also had the inferiority and loneliness that this man had before. The few questions he asked before lifting the veil on the day of their wedding fully explained what kind of person he was.
“Okay, I will definitely accompany you all the way, so that you won’t get hurt and you won’t regret choosing to climb this mountain with me.” Zhou Quan held her hand and said softly.
Li Mai smiled and nodded slightly. "Okay!"
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