Chapter 11

Shen Qiujü said, “Yes, yes, we need to hurry. Changhuai, Xiaoqiao, we just discussed it and decided we should hold your wedding banquet before you leave. Here, once the banquet is held and the bridal chamber is entered, that’s considered a proper marriage.”

“You see, if you two go all the way to Nanya Island, we won’t know when we’ll see you again. If we hold the banquet at home, it’ll also let Changhuai’s father see it and put his mind at ease.”

Zhou Changhuai thought for a few seconds, looked at Wen Qiao, and said, “I’m fine with it. I’ll do whatever Xiaoqiao wants.”

Wen Qiao knew the elders meant well and didn’t want to spoil their mood, so she nodded. “I’ll go along with everyone. I have no objections.”

Shen Qiujü breathed a sigh of relief, then smiled and urged her eldest son, “Alright, Changgui, leave the chicken for now, I’ll handle it. You go notify your uncles and invite them over for dumplings tonight so we can discuss how to host the banquet.”

Zhou Changgui replied, “Got it. I’ll head out right now.”

Tian Baoxia laughed. “Then I’ll pick some Chinese cabbage. We’ll make dumplings with both chive filling and cabbage filling.”

“Good. Go ahead,” Shen Qiujü said. “With this pheasant, plus a pot of sweet potato porridge and a mixed-vegetable salad, there’ll be enough for everyone.”

Wen Qiao stood up. “Auntie, Sister-in-law, let me help too.”

“No need,” Shen Qiujü waved her off. “You sit and have some tea with Changhuai. Chat a bit. Changhuai, take care of your wife.”

Zhou Changhuai gently pulled Wen Qiao back to her seat. “Let them handle it. They’re happy doing it.”

“That’s right,” Shen Qiujü added warmly. “It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this happy.”

Just then, Zhou Zhiyong came running back with a vegetable basket, his younger sister Zhou Xiaojü right behind him. On top of the chives lay some cucumbers and several bright red tomatoes, all looking fresh and crisp.

Wen Qiao’s mouth watered at the sight of these naturally grown vegetables.

The children rushed over. Zhiyong spoke first. “Second Aunt, we picked cucumbers and tomatoes for you! Do you want to try some?”

“Second Aunt, I just ate a tomato in the backyard,” Xiaojü added eagerly. “It’s super sweet!”

Wen Qiao stroked Xiaojü’s cheek with a smile. “Perfect timing. I was just thinking these tomatoes look delicious. Second Aunt would love to taste one.”

Xiaojü beamed, picked two of the best tomatoes, and handed them over. “Second Uncle, you try one too! I’ll wash them for you.”

Zhiyong put the basket on the table, fetched water from the tank, and held it steady while his sister carefully scrubbed the tomatoes clean.

Meanwhile, Wen Qiao opened the bag of candy and biscuits they had bought. When the children came back, she let them help themselves.

Zhiyong peeled a candy and ran to Shen Qiujü, speaking in a sweet little voice. “Grandma, open your mouth! Have some candy. Second Uncle and Second Aunt bought it for us. Grandma gets the first piece.”

Shen Qiujü chuckled and bit into the candy. “Thank you, Zhiyong. So sweet! Remember to thank your Second Uncle and Aunt.”

Zhiyong nodded solemnly, then ran back to the table. “Thank you, Second Uncle, Second Aunt!”

Only then did he and his sister each unwrap a candy for themselves.

Wen Qiao took a bite of tomato and exclaimed, “So sweet! This is honestly the best tomato I’ve ever had. You wouldn’t believe it, but where I’m from, you can’t buy tomatoes this sweet at all.”

Zhou Changhuai bit into his own, puzzled. To him it tasted completely normal.

“You mean where you’re from—Guangyuan City?” he asked. “The tomatoes there aren’t sweet?”

Wen Qiao realized she’d slipped and forced a smile. “Yeah… in Guangyuan City, the tomatoes just aren’t sweet.”

“Is that so? Well, on Nanya Island they’re as sweet as these. I’ve planted some in the backyard—they’re already bearing fruit. Once you’re there, you can pick them anytime. I even planted cucumbers too,” Zhou Changhuai said matter-of-factly.

“You know how to grow vegetables?” Wen Qiao asked in surprise.

“Isn’t it pretty simple?” he replied.

Shen Qiujü interjected with pride. “Xiaoqiao, our Changhuai has been helping with farm work since he was little—growing vegetables, cooking, laundry, he can do it all. Later, just let him handle it. A husband should cherish his wife.”

“Mom, you don’t need to tell me that,” Zhou Changhuai said. “I already planned to do all the housework myself.”

Wen Qiao rested her chin in her hands, gazing at him dreamily. “I really hit the jackpot. You actually do chores—and you’re willing to do them for me.”

Her praise made Zhou Changhuai’s ears turn red. “I’m not doing chores for you. This is our home, and I’m the man—I should do more.”

“Exactly!” Shen Qiujü agreed. “A wife is for loving, not for housework. Changgui does a lot of chores at home too. He even washes all his wife’s and kids’ clothes.”

“Papa also carries all the water!” Zhiyong piped up.

“And he waters the vegetables in the backyard,” Xiaojü added proudly.

“Well, well! My daughter’s praising me now,” Zhou Changgui joked as he walked into the yard. “Mom, I’ve told everyone. Both uncles’ families will come for dinner tonight. Aunties will help you cook. I’m heading up the mountain with my cousins to see if we can catch more pheasants or rabbits for tomorrow’s feast.”

Wen Qiao tugged Zhou Changhuai’s hand. “I want to go to the mountains too!”

“Sure, come along!” Zhou Changgui said immediately.

The two children chimed in that they wanted to go as well, and Zhou Changgui agreed.

Seeing Wen Qiao’s excitement, Zhou Changhuai said, “Alright, let me change clothes first.”

When he came back, the group set off together to meet the cousins and head into the mountains.

Along the way, Wen Qiao craned her neck to look everywhere, marveling like she’d entered a whole new world. In her heart she sighed—this was what a real mountain should look like. The ecology was pristine, filled with clear birdsong.

Watching her wide-eyed wonder, Zhou Changhuai felt puzzled. Why did she seem like this was her first time in the hills? The educated youths had been stationed here for four years—surely they’d gone foraging or hunting before.

As they walked, Zhou Changhuai noticed Wen Qiao chatting and laughing with everyone. It struck him as odd—when had she become so lively?

Catching his brother alone, he whispered, “Big Brother, has Xiaoqiao always been this talkative?”

Zhou Changgui blinked. “So you noticed too? I actually caught on last night by the river. It’s like she’s a different person—she never used to be like this.”

“What was she like before?” Zhou Changhuai asked.

“Cold. Quiet. She barely spoke, never smiled. I’ve never seen her laugh before. Maybe it’s because she likes you, so she’s nice to us too. Lucky guy—you’d better treat her well.”

Zhou Changhuai frowned in thought.

Changgui nudged him and lowered his voice. “Tell me the truth—are you really cured? Mom’s worried sick that if Xiaoqiao finds out, she’ll call off the marriage.”

Zhou Changhuai’s lips twitched. “I’ve already said—I’m fine.”

“Alright, I believe you,” Zhou Changgui said. “But tomorrow night, on your wedding night, you’d better prove it. Make sure Xiaoqiao’s satisfied—only then will your life together be happy.”

“You know what to do, right? Need me to give you some tips?”

Zhou Changhuai stiffened. “Brother, stop worrying. I know what to do.”

Changgui chuckled. “Good. Just remember—take it easy. Xiaoqiao’s delicate, not like the village girls around here.”

Looking at his petite wife walking ahead, Zhou Changhuai grunted, “I know. Don’t say another word.”