Chapter 32: Going to Gu Yuelin’s House to Pick Up the Bride

Her face was a little flushed as she nervously took the bicycle.
“I’ll give you a ride. Get on.”

“Then hold the handle, I’m getting on.”

“Okay.”

Feng Mian sat on the back seat, her hands unsure where to rest.

The narrow path was steep and winding, and she was really afraid she might fall off.

On both sides were winter-flooded fields; falling off here wouldn’t be a joke.

Suddenly, the bike hit a stone and shook violently.

Feng Mian was startled and instinctively grabbed Gu Yuelin’s waist.

He tensed up all over, and the bike wobbled even more.

It wasn’t on purpose — he was just a little nervous.

Now Feng Mian was even more worried and slightly regretted her decision.

Since his biking skills weren’t great, maybe she should have just gotten off and walked.

“Gu Yuelin, how about you put me down? I’ll walk.”

Gu Yuelin took a deep breath to steady himself.

He guessed she was scared because he was nervous and riding unstably, so she wanted to get off.

He forced himself to relax and ride better.

“We have a lot to handle today, so you better stay on. It’ll be faster.”

Feng Mian felt the bike wasn’t shaking as much anymore, so she gave in.

After about twenty minutes, they arrived at Gujia Village.

At the village entrance, both got off the bike. Gu Yuelin pushed the bike ahead while Feng Mian followed behind.

At the entrance hung festive red decorations. Not far away, one house was bustling with excitement. Tables filled the courtyard, and many people sat chatting on long benches.

That family’s house was tall, with several large tile-roofed rooms. This must be Gu Xiaoliu’s family.

Feng Xiaomei and the others had left the village before Feng Mian, so they had already arrived.

Feng Mian glanced over and followed Gu Yuelin, walking past the house.

Just as they were about to walk by, a voice suddenly called out behind her.

“Mianmian.”

It was Feng Xiaojing’s voice.

Feng Mian stopped.

Gu Yuelin stopped too.

Feng Xiaojing hurried over and said, “Why are you here alone? Didn’t Grandma come with you?”

“No.”

Feng Xiaojing was momentarily surprised. “Grandma said she’d come with you. I thought Grandpa had some business, so she didn’t leave.”

“Oh, maybe I left early. By the time she came, I was already out.” Feng Mian replied.

Feng Xiaojing nodded, “That’s possible.”

She looked Feng Mian over and complimented, “You look really nice today.”

Then she glanced at Gu Yuelin and added, “Brother-in-law looks good too.”

Gu Yuelin’s face turned a little awkward as he whispered, “Thank you, cousin.”

Feng Mian smiled and nudged Feng Xiaojing, saying, “Go back and enjoy your banquet. I still have things to do, so I’ll go ahead. Remember to come back early tonight to drink our wedding wine.”

“Okay, you two focus on your work. I’ll come back for your wedding wine tonight.”

Feng Mian and Gu Yuelin walked further away.

Feng Xiaojing went back. Feng Xiaomei asked with displeasure, “What were you doing just now? Didn’t Mom say you should stick with me today?”

Feng Xiaojing said, “I saw Mianmian and talked to her for a bit.”

Feng Xiaomei suddenly laughed.

“Oh, I almost forgot, Feng Mian is getting married today too. Look at how many guests they’ve invited?”

Feng Xiaojing’s expression stiffened slightly and she whispered, “They don’t really have guests. We all came to drink your wedding wine. Mianmian doesn’t have other relatives. As for brother-in-law’s side, I heard his family was too ashamed to invite anyone — not a single guest.”

Feng Xiaomei laughed out loud.

“Even a wedding isn’t usually this pathetic. It’s just a disaster.”

She looked out the window — the courtyard was full of guests, and even the fortress wall had quite a few people standing on it.

Although the Gu family’s courtyard was large, there were so many guests it still couldn’t hold them all.

She was happy. She felt she had married well and that the wedding was quite splendid.

…

At Gu Yuelin’s house, it was cold and quiet. His stepmother, Lady Liang, felt ashamed and didn’t allow any relatives to come.

She sat in the main seat of the front room, licking her finger, counting the cloth coupons and meat coupons three times before feeling assured.

“Hmm, just right.”

Feng Mian said, “Then give us the household registration book; we need to go register our marriage.”

“Why the rush? Where’s the watch?”

Feng Mian pulled it out, “Here.”

Lady Liang scowled.

She held the watch, examining it repeatedly.

How did that dead girl manage to get both the watch and the bicycle?

“The watch, the bicycle — both are here now. Isn’t that enough?”

Lady Liang gritted her teeth and decided not to allow them to take the bicycle and watch away.

She took the watch back, wanting to see Feng Mian’s reaction.

Feng Mian said nothing.

Lady Liang gave a signal to her son.

Her son stepped forward to hold the bicycle and said, “Big brother, can I ride it for a bit?”

Feng Mian glanced sideways at Gu Yuelin’s younger brother. He looked about fourteen or fifteen years old and wore an ill-fitting overcoat — the very coat Feng Mian had bought for Gu Yuelin.

So that’s where the coat had gone.

Feng Mian’s expression darkened as she nodded toward Gu Yuelin.

Gu Yuelin said, “Go ahead.”

Gu Yuelin’s third younger brother happily took the bicycle.

Lady Liang’s expression finally improved a little as she handed the household registration book to Feng Mian.

“Eldest son, today that girl becomes part of the Feng family, understand?”

Gu Yuelin gave a low hum in response.

“Normally, we should prepare something for you, but our family is poor. A few years ago, your grandparents passed away one after another, emptying the family coffers. You know the situation at home. Your younger siblings still depend on me and your father to support them. Honestly, we have nothing to give you. As the eldest, you need to understand.”

Gu Yuelin remained silent but nodded.

Feng Mian was speechless. You’ve already sold the girl off, and now you say all these polite things just to make her angry.

“Enough, enough, go ahead,” Lady Liang waved her hand.

“You two hurry. When you’re done, bring it back to me.”

Gu Yuelin sat down on the other side. Without saying a word, their father kowtowed, then quickly pulled Feng Mian away.

Feng Mian could see his face was ashen and his grip on her wrist was tight.

She knew he was holding back something.

But to Feng Mian, it was unnecessary.

His father never truly cared about him, not as much as Feng Mian’s useless uncle.

Her uncle was at least good at smoothing things over — when his wife and mother-in-law fought, he would comfort both.

This man, on the other hand, was like he had no mouth — not a single word all along.

Why bother feeling sorry for someone like that?

And the stepmother was an even bigger piece of work — being able to leave people like that was something to celebrate, like setting off firecrackers.

Gu Yuelin pulled her along quickly, and only when they arrived at the brigade leader’s house did he finally let go and slow down.

Gu Yuelin took a pack of cigarettes and a pack of fruit candies from his pocket and placed them on the table.

“Brigade leader, please help us issue a certificate. We need to register our marriage.”

Feng Mian looked at Gu Yuelin in surprise — he really knew how to handle things.

“Alright, wait a moment.” The brigade leader happily took the cigarettes and candies and quickly prepared the certificate for them.

While writing, he said, “Xiaolin, you’re such a pity, if only your mother were still alive, it would be so much better.”