Chapter 25: The Day of the Wedding

Next was Wei Dai’s turn. He took Wen Jiajia through the alleys of the county town and finally returned home with two geese and half a sheep.

Wei Dai got busy. He returned to Fuyang, returned his bicycle, and then took a ride back to Hegou Township from the village.

Hegou Township started selling fish, and Fuyang just happened to want to buy some.

Wei Dai even left half of the mutton, saying only: “Save it for the New Year and eat it slowly.”

Since they had already obtained the marriage certificate, Wen Jiajia certainly wouldn’t be polite to him. She accepted the mutton and put it in a large vat in the backyard to cool.

Mutton is a winter tonic and is best eaten in winter.

There were about 7 pounds of mutton. Wen Jiajia weighed it and thought it should be stewed four or five times.

_

In Hegou Township.

Wei Dai’s parents were actually a little jealous.

Seeing their son hurriedly asking for leave and coming back in the snow, the first thing he did after getting off the car was to rush to the girl’s house and take her to get the marriage certificate…

Now that they think about it, this damn kid didn’t even bring the girl from the Wen family home formally for them to take a look at her.

But they can only be jealous.

The younger son was so strong that they dared not raise any objection. They knew that although they would live with the older son in the future, the younger son would bring them face.

The youngest son was even crueler, saying that if they continued to lend money without restraint, he would no longer give them money and would only give food to his parents like most people in the village, and would only give the food to his eldest brother’s family.

His own children knew him well, and Wei Dai really did what he said.

Since they couldn’t rely on their son, they placed their hopes on their daughter-in-law.

It looked like Wei Dai was being controlled by the Wen family girl. They would probably have to live by their daughter-in-law’s orders. In this case, they dared not complain at all.

The Wei family raised two pigs. They had been raising pigs for the past two years, always preparing for Wei Dai’s wedding.

On the day Wei Dai came back, Wei Chengcai asked the villagers to slaughter pigs. The two pigs weighed about 400 kilograms, and including Wei Lao Da and Wei Xiao Mei’s families, the entire Wei family could gather about 30 kilograms.

Don’t underestimate the 30-plus kilograms of meat. It is enough to prepare 12 tables of food, not to mention that Wei Dai also took home two big geese.

Wei Xin returned to her parents’ home with her son in her arms. She saw her father busy borrowing tables and chairs, her mother cleaning the kitchen, her eldest brother going to ask for help, and her eldest sister-in-law taking care of the child. She looked around but couldn’t see where her second brother was.

“Where is he? He went to the county town again. He was acting mysterious, carrying a big bag and going out. I don’t know what he was doing,” Cai Ruyun said. She swept the kitchen wall with a small broom. “Xin’er, sit further away. It’s dusty here. Don’t let Xiaochi choke on it.”

Wei Xin was curious about this sister-in-law. She walked away holding her son and said, “I haven’t seen the second sister-in-law yet. Every time she comes to pull fish, I always have this and that. I heard people say she is very pretty.”

Cai Ruyun smiled and said, “Still a high school student.”

Wei Xin understood immediately that her brother liked cultured girls, and his second sister-in-law, whom she had never met, must be a very cultured person.

As they were talking, Wei Wenzhu came out of the house, called out “Auntie,” and went to the kitchen with a broom to help her grandmother clean.

When Wei Xin saw her niece, she couldn’t help but think of her elder sister.

She wanted to ask her eldest sister if she would come back, but was afraid that Wenzhu would be unhappy if she mentioned her.

“There’s nothing for you to do. Go back to your room and do your homework.” Cai Ruyun pushed Wei Wenzhu out of the kitchen. “Your second uncle brought you some biscuits. Eat them yourself.”

Out of pity for her granddaughter having an unreliable mother, Cai Ruyun always treated her well and kept her well.

Wei Wenzhu refused to listen and was not allowed to stay in the kitchen. Instead, she went to sweep the main room and the yard.

Wei Xin whispered, “Is the eldest sister coming back this time?”

When her eldest brother got married, her eldest sister didn’t come back. She was dealing with a divorce from her second husband at the time and only sent back a gift.

Cai Ruyun paused and said, “Your second brother is in a hurry to get married, and I haven’t even told your eldest sister about this.”

Wei Xin said, “Mom, you’d better tell her as soon as possible, otherwise my elder sister will keep talking about this for another two or three years.”

Cai Ruyun sighed and stopped talking.

Wei Dai came back soon, bringing a big bag and two pieces of cloth. One was navy blue and the other was blue-green. Wei Xin guessed that he probably brought them for his parents.

On the wedding day, parents have to wear new clothes.

“Brother, have you prepared all the food?”

Wei Dai took the child from her arms and teased him, “Everything is ready.”

Organizing a wedding banquet these days is no more complicated than it was decades ago. Generally speaking, a dozen tables are enough.

As for the dishes, there are four dishes and one soup.

Don’t think it’s too little; more than a dozen tables of four dishes and one soup are already considered a high-standard banquet these days.

Among the four dishes, those with average conditions have one meat dish and three vegetables, while those with good conditions have two meat dishes and two vegetables. As for the soup, it is usually fish soup.

There are plenty of fish in the local area, so fish soup is not only delicious but also easier to obtain than other foods such as chicken and duck.

Wei Xin asked in a low voice, “Will Second Sister-in-law go with you to join the army?”

Wei Dai nodded, “Don’t tell them yet; I haven’t told my parents about this yet.”

Wei Xin agreed, then remembered something and said, “I heard that my second sister-in-law has two children to raise.”

“Yes, I knew it from the beginning.” Wei Dai pulled his finger out of his nephew’s mouth. “She is the only adult left in her family.”

Wei Xin looked at her brother’s smiling eyes and thought that her brother was really in trouble.

People in the village said that Wei Dai got married and had to raise two extra children for nothing, and that he was being taken advantage of.

But Wei Xin felt that it was unclear who would raise this child.

Did the Wen family leave no money behind? How much money could two children spend in a year? By the time she was ready to go to school, her second sister-in-law would probably be able to earn a salary herself.

She didn’t believe that her second brother wouldn’t find a job for her second sister-in-law.

The news that the Wei family was going to do a good deed the day after tomorrow spread quickly throughout the entire Hegou Township. By the next day, everyone in the Fuyang Brigade knew about it.

After releasing the ducks and returning home, Wen Jiajia encountered various inquiries, which almost overwhelmed her.

“Jia Jia, doesn’t your family want to hold this wedding?”

Wen Jiajia: “…No.”

“Why? Oh my god, do we still have to go to Hegou Township to eat?”

Wen Jiajia smiled and said, “Yes, auntie.”

In the past, the woman held one ceremony and the man held another.

Later, when supplies became scarce, only one wedding was held. Although the situation has gradually improved, some families still hold a banquet when their daughter gets married.

But Wen Jiajia was afraid of trouble. She had no relatives at home, and it took a lot of courage to host a banquet by herself.

Wei Dai didn’t say that she must do it, especially when the Wei family was so busy that the whole family had no time to rest. Wei Dai would not let Wen Jiajia do it.

The day before the wedding, Wen Jiajia received clothes from Wei Dai.

She looked at the red wool coat and blinked hard.

“Where did you get it from?” Wen Jiajia couldn’t take her eyes off the clothes.

Wei Dai said, “I asked someone to buy the material from Hai City. I urgently asked a tailor in the county town to make the clothes the day before yesterday. It was only finished today.”

After saying this, Wen Jiajia’s eyes sparkled, and the moment she looked at him, Wei Dai felt that the stars in the sky were not as bright as her eyes.

He asked softly, “How is it?”

How?

Very good!

It was rare to find a skirt that suited her taste so well, and Wen Jiajia couldn’t wait to put it on immediately.

Wei Dai saw her desire and said, “Try it on first. Ahem, I also estimated your size.”

Wen Jiajia looked at him, then turned around and went into the room holding the clothes.

The wool coat is quite thick and can be worn in this kind of weather, but it is hard not to look bulky when you put it on.

Along with the wool coat came a white sweater, a pair of black wide pants, and a pair of black leather shoes.

When Wen Jiajia put on this outfit, she felt that she finally looked a bit like the modern college student in her previous life.

The sweater is a turtleneck sweater, and the pants are somewhat similar to the wide-leg pants worn decades later.

Her favorite coat is bright red, which matches her skin tone very well. It is knee-length, which can also support her height.

It’s a pity that there is no mirror, so Wen Jiajia can’t appreciate herself carefully.

She opened the door, walked out, turned around in front of Wei Dai, and asked him with a smile, “How is it? Does it look good?”

Wei Dai said nothing.

He was stunned by the sight. Of course it was beautiful, more beautiful than he could have imagined.

Wen Jiajia was very satisfied with his expression, so she gave him a kiss without hesitation.

Perhaps getting the marriage certificate gave Wei Dai confidence. The moment his lips touched Wen Jiajia’s, his palms involuntarily rested on her waist, tightening again and again to intensify the kiss.

Half a minute later, Wen Jiajia saw Wei Dai, whose face was redder than a cooked shrimp.

“Go home, see you tomorrow.”

Feeling Wei Dai’s hard body, she pushed him out of the door. It was easy for her to get aroused by having him standing there.

Oh, she can’t be a slut.

With a bang, the door closed. Wei Dai was stunned for a moment and shouted inside, “See you tomorrow!”

The next day.

The fourteenth day of the twelfth lunar month is a good day. Various coincidences and signs make Wen Jiajia feel more and more that Wei Dai had planned this in advance.

Wen Jiajia is an orphan. Because she had a falling out with her adoptive parents, it was impossible for her to invite them to come. So, the person who came to her house that day to preside over all matters was the women’s director, Fang Liuyu.

Her mother, Tian Junxia, also came and teased Wen Jiajia the first time she saw her, “I knew you two could succeed.”

It’s not hindsight; she really felt that way at the time. She had seen her mother act as a matchmaker so many times that she had some idea of which boys and girls could produce a wonderful reaction.

Wen Jiajia was drinking brown sugar egg soup and said with a smile, “I have to thank you, Aunt Tian, so you should have a bowl of eggs too.”

Tian Junxia snorted and laughed, “You want to block my mouth again.”

Not long after, Fang Mingyan also came.

She had been in shock these days and still couldn’t accept that her duck-raising partner was about to resign.

Fang Mingyan said, “I’m one year older than you and I’m still not married, but you’re already married.”

Wen Jiajia said, “You’re almost there too. I just heard from Aunt Tian that your mother asked her to help you keep an eye on someone.”

Fang Mingyan uttered an “ah” and looked a little confused: “It would be better for you to find a partner on your own.” She hasn’t had enough fun yet. Thinking about the marriages of the previous generation, Fang Mingyan actually doesn’t want to get married that much.

Although Fuyang has no worries about food and drink, it is true that men are favored over women. Wen Jiajia has personally experienced that there is far less gender equality here than in the north, and it is normal for Fang Mingyan to be afraid of marriage.

It was a happy day, so Fang Mingyan quickly put it aside and looked at Wen Jiajia’s red wool coat with envy that she almost shed tears.

She touched the V-neck collar and said, “I never thought there was such a dress.”

Wen Jiajia patted her shoulder and said, “Do you like it? I’ll draw a few pictures for you later, and you can try making them yourself.”