Chapter 37 Wedding/Drunk

The wedding ceremony was very simple. After Qian Xiaolan was taken to the Gu family on the back seat of Gu Yanqing’s bicycle, the elders from both sides sat down. Qian Xiaolan was completely clueless about the wedding procedures here. She could only follow Gu Yanqing’s lead in a daze. First, she sang “The East Is Red” with Gu Yanqing, and then recited quotations: “We should be modest, prudent, guard against arrogance and rashness, and serve the people wholeheartedly!”

 “Make up our minds, overcome all difficulties, fear no sacrifice, and strive for victory!” Before Qian Xiaolan could feel embarrassed, Gu Yanqing took her to bow three times to the portrait of the great man in the middle of the hall. Then they bowed to the ancestors, bowed to the revolutionary masses, and finally bowed to each other as husband and wife. The ceremony was complete.

The onlookers immediately swarmed out, looking up at the roof, where Gu San Ge was holding a cloth bag of wedding candies ready to throw down. Qian Xiaolan finally breathed a sigh of relief. She guaranteed that this was the most embarrassing wedding she had ever experienced in her two lifetimes. To be honest, if she had known earlier that the wedding ceremony would not only involve singing red songs but also reciting quotations, she would have just gotten a marriage certificate and skipped the wedding. They were like monkeys being watched by so many people. She estimated that her face was probably as red as a monkey’s bottom.

After the wedding candies on the roof were thrown, everyone still looked at Gu San Ge expectantly. Gu San Ge turned the bag over and shook it, and only then did the crowd reluctantly disperse, leaving those who were staying for the banquet. In those days, people advocated for hard work and simplicity, and the two old men’s identities were sensitive, so the banquet was also simple. In addition to the Qian and Gu families, the banquet also invited people close to the Gu family, with eight tables set up. The dishes were four dishes and one soup, plus rice and sweet potato rice. There was rabbit stew with potatoes, the rabbit caught in a trap. There was also pork fat stir-fried with cabbage, pork belly stewed with radish, chives stir-fried with eggs, and kelp bone soup. There weren’t many dishes, but they were all served in large bowls, and they were all meat dishes.

Everyone ate their fill with the sweet potato rice. After dinner, the women and children left the table, and the remaining men drank and chatted. After toasting, Qian Xiaolan was taken to the new room to rest by Gu Yujiao. Gu Yanqing was naturally left behind, listening to the drunken men rambling about how to cherish their wives. Qian Xiaolan stayed in the new room for a while, but she couldn’t stay any longer. She wanted to help everyone clean up the house. “Xiaolan, you don’t need to do anything today. Go back and rest.”

 The three sisters-in-law didn’t want her to do anything. She smiled and said, “Sisters-in-law, if I don’t do anything, can I just stand here and chat with you? It’s really boring in the room.” The few people who came over exchanged meaningful glances and nodded in agreement. Qian Xiaolan saw their looks and coughed uncomfortably, taking the initiative to start a conversation. She first asked about the children, then asked how many people from the families of the sisters-in-law had come today. As the conversation went on, she didn’t even know what she was talking about. It was all over the place. But as soon as she stopped, she would start to think wildly and become nervous. It was funny to think about it. She had always been decisive and brave in her actions, so why was she so timid now? As she was lost in thought, Gu Dasa pushed her and teased, “Fourth sister-in-law, the fourth brother is calling you. Go over and see what he wants.”

 Qian Xiaolan looked up and saw Gu Yanqing, dressed in a white shirt and blue trousers, standing not far away, beckoning to her. She blushed and went over, “What’s wrong?” “You’re not comfortable being alone. Why don’t you go back and keep our mother company? I’ll send Grandpa and the others back later.” Qian Xiaolan looked around and realized that her mother had left at some point. She nodded, went to greet Hu Guifen, and then went home.

After years of chaos, there were no longer any rules about new brides not being able to go home on the same day. Hu Guifen knew that the Qian family would be returning to the city tomorrow, so she waved them off without hesitation. Back in the courtyard, Rong Qian was making hangover soup. Qian Xiaolan walked over and gently hugged her, “Mom, can’t you stay a few more days?” Rong Qian shook her head, stroking her back, “Not this time. Next time, Mom will save up some vacation time to come and keep you company, okay?” Qian Xiaolan was just asking.

 She knew that her family had been away from their positions for many years, and now they had to start all over again. She was already very happy that they could take a few days off to attend her wedding. “Mom, I can’t be by your side to take care of you. You have to take care of yourselves too. Once I’m settled here, I’ll come and see you.” Rong Qian nodded, “Okay, Mom will wait for you to come home.” Qian Xiaolan thought about packing some things for her family to take back tomorrow, but Rong Qian stopped her. She thought about it and didn’t insist. After all, she knew the address of her home, and it would be more convenient to send it later.

The mother and daughter chatted for a while, and Gu Yanqing and Qian Rongsheng helped the two old men back. They looked drunk, and as they were helped back to their room, one was laughing happily, and the other was shouting, “Son-in-law is really good. Let’s have another drink.” Qian Jingming’s eyes were clear, and he didn’t seem drunk, which made Qian Xiaolan feel a little relieved. However, when she handed him the hangover soup, Qian Jingming stared at her blankly.

After a while, he suddenly hugged Qian Xiaolan’s hand and cried, “Daughter, Xiaoqian, I found our daughter. She looks exactly like you when you were young. Xiaoqian, our daughter is so beautiful. Quickly bring me the beautiful dress I bought for her.” “Xiaoqian, come quickly.

 I caught our daughter. She won’t run away this time.” “Daughter, daughter, I’m your father. Dad finally found you. Dad is sorry for you, woo woo woo…” Qian Xiaolan: “…” Everyone else: “…” Rong Qian watched him cry, wiped her tears, and said to Qian Xiaolan, “Your dad can’t hold his liquor. He usually doesn’t drink. He’s really happy today.”

  Truth comes out after drinking. It’s clear that he’s been suffering in his heart all these years. Qian Xiaolan’s heart softened, and her voice became gentler, “Dad, I’m back. I’m not leaving. Can I take you to bed to sleep?” Hearing the word “sleep,” Qian Jingming immediately jumped back as if he had been electrocuted, “No sleep, no sleep. Who are you? I won’t reveal the experimental data. Don’t try to use beauty tricks on me. Also, I can only be my wife’s. No one else can touch me!” He’s really loyal. Qian Xiaolan twitched her lips and looked at Rong Qian, “Mom, quickly take your man away.” Rong Qian, both sweet and annoyed, took him away. Qian Xiaolan chuckled and looked at the man beside her. Gu Yanqing stepped forward and whispered in her ear, “I will be better to you than your father is to your mother.” Qian Xiaolan didn’t say anything, “Who knows what will happen in the future.” Gu Yanqing took her hand, “I know you don’t believe it now.

 I will prove it to you with my actions.” Everyone went to rest. There was nothing to do back home, so Qian Xiaolan pulled Gu Yanqing into the mountains. Gu Yanqing chuckled, “Wife, your hobby is really unique.” Qian Xiaolan was puzzled. Gu Yanqing leaned in and whispered, “Today is our wedding day. You’re so eager to drag me into the mountains. I’ll suspect that you want to…”