Chapter 23 : The Wedding  

In the two days leading up to her wedding, Fang Xiaoluo not only steamed buns but also fried some long-lasting pastries. This way, while she was away, Fang Shijun could still consume a bit of the spring water every day, which would undoubtedly benefit his health.  

Time flew by, and the day before the wedding arrived. Shen Zheng made a special trip to discuss the schedule and important details with Fang Xiaoluo and her family.  

He also told her that he had arranged for someone from Changqing Photography Studio to come early the next morning to style her hair and do her makeup.  

Initially, Fang Xiaoluo had planned to handle everything herself, but she hadn’t expected Shen Zheng to think of every detail.  

Finally, it was May 25th, the sixth day of the fourth lunar month, the day of Fang Xiaoluo’s wedding.  

At dawn, the Fang family was already up.  

Zhang Xinyan started kneading dough early to prepare noodles for Fang Xiaoluo.  

After getting up and washing up, Fang Xiaoluo changed into her new outfit: a white undershirt, a red skirt, and a matching red blazer. The ensemble was festive and strikingly beautiful.  

Fang Yamei and Fang Yating hovered around her, full of excitement.  

Fang Yating reached out to touch her red skirt. “Big Sister, your clothes are so pretty!”  

Looking at the set, which reflected 1980s wedding fashion, Fang Xiaoluo smiled. “When you and Yamei get married, your outfits will be even more beautiful.”  

Fang Yamei blushed, looking a bit shy, while Fang Yating’s eyes widened with excitement. Her sparkling gaze was full of anticipation. “Really?”  

Fang Xiaoluo chuckled. At this time, young girls all thought brides were the most beautiful.  

Thinking back to her life before transmigrating, it struck her how times had changed.  

What did people say online back then?  

The reason novels and dramas always ended with the wedding was that life afterward was a mess of chaos and squabbles.  

Young people didn’t just avoid having children, they were avoiding marriage altogether.  

But to Fang Xiaoluo, Shen Zheng seemed like a responsible person. Besides, she had the option of not having children.  

“Of course, it’s true,” she said earnestly. “By then, there will be so many beautiful clothes to choose from. Study hard, get into a good university, and you can buy whatever you want in the future.”  

The two girls listened seriously and nodded enthusiastically.  

Outside, the noise grew louder as villagers gathered to join in the celebration.  

Just then, the makeup artist arrived.  

Sitting in front of the mirror, Fang Xiaoluo noticed the doorway was packed with curious onlookers eager to see how beautiful the bride would look.  

Handing the comb to Zhang Xinyan, she said, “Mom, why don’t you comb my hair first?”  

Taking the comb, Zhang Xinyan looked at her daughter’s increasingly radiant reflection in the mirror. Her heart ached, and her eyes grew warm.  

“One stroke for a smooth life, free from worries of wealth.”  

“Two strokes for a healthy, worry-free existence.”  

“Three strokes for children and longevity.”  

“Four strokes for harmony and mutual respect.”  

Fang Xiaoluo clearly saw a tear fall from Zhang Xinyan’s eye.  

“Mom,” she called softly.  

Zhang Xinyan smiled. “Look at me, today is your big day!”  

Turning, Fang Xiaoluo grasped her mother’s hand, her face full of warmth. “Mom, I can always come back to visit, and you can come see me too. It’s not like the old days anymore.”  

Zhang Xinyan nodded. “You’re right.”  

She handed the comb to the makeup artist and stepped aside.  

The makeup artist deftly styled Fang Xiaoluo’s thick, glossy hair into an elegant updo, spraying plenty of mousse to hold it in place. The air filled with a pleasant fragrance as every strand was meticulously secured.  

Fang Xiaoluo looked at the iconic red plastic flowers that were now adorning her hair. It was very similar to the ones from the photoshoot, and it actually looked quite nice.  

The makeup artist lightly applied a thin layer of powder to Fang Xiaoluo’s face.  

“You have such great skin, no need for too much powder. This way, you look even more beautiful.”  

“Okay.”  

The makeup artist shaped her eyebrows and applied red lipstick. Fang Xiaoluo was already beautiful, but now, with the makeup, she looked even more radiant and stunning.  

Outside, the children who had gathered to watch clapped their hands and ran out.  

“The bride is so beautiful!”  

“Oh, oh, the bride looks like a fairy!”  

Zhang Xinyan kept praising, “My daughter is so beautiful.”  

Fang Xiaoluo smiled. “Mom, you gave birth to such a beautiful daughter.”  

Zhang Xinyan went to cook the hand-pulled noodles and fried a couple of eggs, then brought them over to Fang Xiaoluo. “Xiaoluo, eat. I don’t have any other wishes, I just want you to live a smooth and happy life.”  

“Thank you, Mom.”  

Fang Xiaoluo finished the big bowl of noodles and ate the fried eggs too.  

“Mom, your cooking is really good.”  

“It’s not as good as my daughter’s cooking,” Zhang Xinyan said, taking the bowl and chopsticks from her.  

Fang Xiaoluo responded, “It’s different, this is Mom’s cooking.”  

After Fang Xiaoluo finished eating, Fang Qiang sat across from her and handed her a red-envelope containing money. “Don’t refuse it.”  

Fang Xiaoluo knew that this must be the money Fang Qiang had saved up, or possibly borrowed from someone. After all, over the years, he had been working hard and contributing to the family.  

Otherwise, how could he, at 22 years old, still be single? A young man as capable and good-natured as him should have had no trouble getting married, but because the family had nothing to offer, and with their father partially paralyzed and younger siblings still in school, it had been a heavy burden. No one was willing to marry their daughter into such a family.  

Fang Xiaoluo didn’t refuse and accepted the envelope. “Thank you, Brother.”  

Fang Qiang smiled, looking like the sunshine boy he was, after all, just 22 years old.  

“If something’s bothering you in the future, don’t keep it to yourself. Just come home, or send a message, and we’ll come get you,” he said warmly.  

Fang Jie walked over. “That’s right. I promised you before that I’d take care of you for life. Don’t feel embarrassed if you ever come back from your in-laws’ house. The real embarrassment is suffering in silence.”  

“Okay, I’ll remember that,” Fang Xiaoluo replied, solemnly. Fang Qiang and Fang Jie both nodded in satisfaction.  

Then, Fang Shijun came over with an envelope. “Xiaoluo, this is the dowry from your mom and me. Even though you have everything now and don’t lack anything, this is our token of love, and you have to accept it.”  

Looking at Fang Shijun’s trembling hands, which were covered with deep calluses from years of hard labor, Fang Xiaoluo suddenly felt a lump in her throat. Tears welled up in her eyes. She reached out and took the envelope. “Thank you, Dad. Thank you, Mom.”  

Fang Shijun smiled as he looked at his eldest daughter, feeling a sweetness in his heart. “Good daughter, don’t cry. Today’s your big day, and we don’t want others to see you upset.”  

“Here comes the car!”  

“There are so many cars!”  

“Captain Shen is here to pick up the bride!”  

Hearing the excited voices of the children, Fang Xiaoluo looked out the window. Not long after, several cars pulled up to the doorstep.  

Then, Shen Zheng, wearing a green military uniform and a red flower pinned to his chest, stepped out of one of the cars, holding a bouquet of flowers.  

The flowers were fake, made of plastic, but they looked beautiful.  

Fang Jie called out, “Quick, quick, block the door!”  

With a rush, Fang Jie and a few of the young men surrounded the door, blocking it tightly.