Chapter 38: The Wedding Ends

It was almost five in the afternoon, the time Feng Mian had planned to start the meal.

Feng Xiaojing said she would hurry back to eat the wedding sweets, but she still hadn’t arrived.

Feng Mian thought about the trouble at Gu Xiaoliu’s house and sighed.

She guessed that maybe something had delayed her, and she wouldn’t make it.

“Let’s start,” she whispered to Gu Yuelin.

Gu Yuelin quickly invited everyone to eat.

Grandpa Feng Si, as the team leader, had leadership skills and basically controlled the whole scene.

Feng Mian was very grateful to him.

Seeing that he liked to drink, she even prepared a pot of wine just for him, so he could take it home later.

During the meal, someone mentioned how beautiful the bowl she used was.

Feng Mian’s heart skipped a beat—But it’s just a plain old bowl I bought.

“It seems a bit different, nicer than the ones I have at home. The glaze is well done.”

“Mianmian, where did you buy that bowl?”

Feng Mian: “…”

She smiled and said, “At the shop by the West Market entrance.”

“I bought mine there too, why aren’t they the same?”

Gu Yuelin explained, “That kiln fires bowls batch by batch. Sometimes they come out good, sometimes not. Each batch has its differences, so it’s normal.”

Everyone understood and stopped asking, thinking Feng Mian just got lucky.

After the meal, night had fallen, and everyone gradually went home.

Gu Yuelin escorted his friends to the village entrance.

Feng Mian thanked the team leader and his wife, stuffing Grandma Si’s pouch full of sweets.

She kept trying to refuse, but Feng Mian kept stuffing it in.

This was a rural custom that Feng Mian understood.

To prevent her from escaping, Grandma Si held tightly to her wrist.

Though Grandma Si kept saying no, her face was all smiles.

With her pouch stuffed full, Grandma Si kept praising Feng Mian for being sensible and told the young couple to live a good life.

Back at Grandpa Si’s place, Feng Mian chased after him halfway with the wine jug.

Gu Yuelin came back and blocked his path, finally managing to stuff the pot of wine into his hands.

Shaking it, the pot probably held nearly two kilograms.

His face lit up with a smile, but he said, “Ah, eating and drinking and you still want me to take this? I don’t feel right about it. Hurry, take it away, take it away.”

Feng Mian said, “This is for you. We’re not drinking it, it’d be a waste to leave it here.”

“You… ah, this kid of ours…”

After giving the wine to Grandpa Si, Feng Mian and Gu Yuelin quickly left.

Grandma Si looked at the wine in his hand and smiled, “Old man, Mianmian’s a sensible kid. Just take it, if you take it, they’ll feel at ease.”

Grandpa Si said, “We only gave two yuan, a big feast like this with all the food and drinks, two yuan isn’t enough, not even five.”

“You old man, can you say that about a wedding feast? If you feel embarrassed, then treat them better next time. Two kids with no family ties, it’s not easy.”

Grandpa Si nodded, “But Mianmian’s cooking skills are really good. She made delicious food, especially that fish — it smelled amazing.”

“That’s right, that’s right. The two kids are sensible and generous. These tables were really well done. I’ve lived most of my life and it’s the first time I’ve eaten such a good feast. When my eldest grandson gets married, we’ll do it the same way.”

“That’ll cost money. You think so much meat is cheap?”

“Don’t worry, I’m saving up.”

“Well, we don’t have that cooking skill.”

Grandma Si laughed, “Don’t worry about that. I helped her today to trade work. I already told Mianmian that when the eldest grandson gets married, she’ll come help cook.”

“Heh, you’re a clever wife.”

Feng Mian and Gu Yuelin left, and Zhang Shi also said they were about to head off.

Feng Guodong had trouble walking, so Gu Yuelin accompanied them and carried the old master on his back to send them off.

Feng Mian packed a bowl with a full portion of braised pork and half a roasted fish to give to Zhang Shi, along with some candies, oranges, sunflower seeds, and peanuts.

Zhang Shi urged her to take less and let them live well.

Actually, she wanted to advise Feng Mian to save some money, but since it was her wedding day, she didn’t want to spoil the mood.

They traveled all the way to Shangyuanzi Village. Seeing that the courtyard gate was still locked, Zhang Shi frowned.

“It’s already dark; why haven’t they come back yet?”

Feng Mian said, “Maybe something delayed them.”

Zhang Shi said no more, told them to be careful on the dark road, then went inside to take care of the old master.

After finishing all these errands, it was already past seven.

It was just after the New Year, so the days were still short—past seven and it was completely dark.

They walked along the road, one behind the other, shining a flashlight to light their way.

Feng Mian wanted to say something but couldn’t find a topic.

Gu Yuelin’s personality—was he really this quiet or just pretending?

He said nothing.

They went home in silence.

Hearing the clinking of dishes being washed inside, Feng Mian suddenly remembered Sister Lan.

Sister Lan had been busy helping all day without rest.

Feng Mian quickened her pace and hurried inside.

“Sister Lan, let me wash these.”

Lu Lan smiled, “Just these last two bowls. I’ll rinse them quickly and be done, don’t get your hands dirty.”

“Sister Lan, thank you so much for today.”

“We’re neighbors, no need for thanks.”

By the time they spoke, she had finished and was taking off her apron.

“All done, I cleaned the dishes and put them here for you. It’s late, so I’ll head off now.”

“Wait, let me pack you some braised pork.”

“No, don’t take it,” Lu Lan stopped her.

Feng Mian said, “It’s okay, I steamed a lot. If you don’t take it, we won’t finish it ourselves.”

Lu Lan blocked her, “I’m not being polite—I really can’t take it. I ate my fill today and can’t eat any more. If you give it to me, believe me, it’ll be gone in no time.”

Feng Mian understood and said, “But you still brought Rongrong over to eat today.”

“That’s different. When Rongrong and I come, we definitely won’t be polite.”

Feng Mian saw her to the door, and Lu Lan whispered, “I boiled a big pot of hot water for you.”

Feng Mian didn’t think much of it, just glad she wouldn’t have to boil water again to wash her face and feet tonight.

After seeing Lu Lan off, the house suddenly grew quiet.

Things they were embarrassed to face, they had no choice but to face.

They had agreed on their cooperative marriage, but now that the day had come, their feelings were strange—there was a subtle tension between them.

“Hmm, it’s late. Let’s wash up and sleep. Sister Lan boiled water for us.”

It was really a big pot, filling two large hot water bags. After they washed, there was still plenty left.

Feng Mian first went to the bedroom. To avoid showing the two beds, she kept the door locked during the day.

Guests could understand—this was their bedroom, where valuables were kept.

With so many people and distractions, and the hosts busy, locking the door was the safest way to prevent loss.

While Gu Yuelin hadn’t come in yet, Feng Mian quickly moisturized her skin.

Then she crawled under the covers, hugging her hot water bag.

Listening to the sounds of doors and windows closing outside, after a while, Gu Yuelin came in.