Chapter 37: Wife, I’m here to marry you

On the twelfth day of the twelfth lunar month, a good day for marriage.

Tang Xiaoxiao was woken up by her mother before five o’clock.

“Mom, you’re too early. It’s not even dawn yet.” She sat on the edge of the bed and couldn’t help but shiver. The winter in Hunan hadn’t snowed yet, but it was already very cold, damp and cold.

“The time for the groom to pick up the bride is early. If you don’t get up early to get ready, you’ll miss the auspicious time.”

Tang’s mother rubbed her daughter’s face, waking her up.

“Why is it eight eighteen, not nine nineteen? Ten ten would be fine too.” Tang Xiaoxiao hung her head.

“What are you talking about?” Tang’s mother poked her daughter’s fair forehead.

“Ouch.” She poked a red mark. Tang’s mother awkwardly withdrew her hand.

“Mom, is Xiaoxiao up? I’ve boiled the water and put it outside the door.” Tang Mu’s voice came from outside the door.

“Put it outside the door, I’ll get it.”

“What time did my brother get up?” Even the water was boiled.

“He got up earlier than you, you lazy bum.” Tang’s mother said with a smile.

Today, Tang Xiaoxiao was the bride, and she couldn’t leave the room in the morning, so she washed up in the room.

After washing up, Tang Mu came in with a bowl of noodles, with two eggs and a few pieces of green vegetables on top.

After breakfast, she changed her clothes, a red woolen coat that made her look even whiter.

She combed her hair into a modern bride’s hairstyle and adorned it with a few small flower hair ornaments that her mother had bought from the foreign exchange store.

She also put on a beautiful bridal makeup with the cosmetics her mother had bought.

Tang’s mother looked at her beautiful daughter, tears in her eyes. Her baby was getting married today.

“So beautiful!” This was the first thing He Xiaoqian and Liu Fengjuan said when they entered the room.

“Don’t say Song Jingzhi, Xiaoxiao, I want to marry you.” He Xiaoqian said, standing beside her.

“Get out of the way, it’s my turn first.” Liu Fengjuan joked.

“Haha, you girls chat, I’ll go get busy.” Tang’s mother said with a smile.

“Okay, auntie.”

“Xiaoxiao, this is the gift money from Ze Ming and me.” He Xiaoqian handed over two red envelopes.

It was not convenient for men to enter the bride’s room.

“This is from Liu Dong and me.”

“Thank you.”

Tang Xiaoxiao held their hands. She came here for Song Jingzhi.

Although they all lived in the educated youth point and didn’t interact much, Tang Xiaoxiao knew they were good to her.

“Even if I go to the army with him, don’t lose touch. Write letters often.”

“Of course, whoever loses touch will get a spanking.” He Xiaoqian said with a smile.

“Yeah.” Liu Fengjuan nodded vigorously.

A commotion suddenly erupted outside, and guessing it was the groom’s arrival, Liu Fengjuan quickly closed the door.

Tang Mu, Xu Ze Ming, and Liu Dong stood guard at the door.

“Wife, I’m here to marry you.” Tang Xiaoxiao heard Song Jingzhi’s booming voice outside.

“Hey, wait a minute, who are you calling wife? You can’t get my sister that easily, you have to pass my test first.” Tang Mu blocked him with his hand.

“Big brother, didn’t I pass the test that day?”

“That doesn’t count.”

“Then, big brother, please.” Song Jingzhi smiled brightly.

He was wearing the black woolen coat Tang Xiaoxiao had made for him today, a matching couple’s set with hers.

The black coat made him look even taller and more prominent in the crowd, especially his strong features.

“Who will wash the clothes at home in the future?” This was Xu Ze Ming’s question.

“Me.”

“Who will cook?” This was Liu Dong’s question.

“Me.”

“Who will take care of the children?” Finally, Tang Mu asked.

“Still me.”

“What kind of questions are these?” Tang’s father stood beside him, sweating. There were so many villagers around, weren’t they embarrassed?

“Alright, alright, don’t miss the auspicious time.” Tang’s mother said.

“Sister, can you open the door?” Tang Mu shouted into the room.

Tang Xiaoxiao nodded to Liu Fengjuan, who opened the door.

The door opened, and everyone only saw the bride sitting in front of the dressing table, wearing a red woolen coat. Song Jingzhi was stunned.

Tang Mu walked into the room and stood in front of Tang Xiaoxiao.

“Brother will send you off.” He turned his back to her and squatted down.

Tang Xiaoxiao slowly lay on Tang Mu’s back, and Tang Mu carried her.

It was only a few steps from the desk to the door, and Tang Mu walked slowly.

“If he bullies you, call your brother, and I’ll help you get revenge.”

“Okay.” Tang Xiaoxiao nodded.

“Wow, the bride is so beautiful!”

“I’ve never seen such a beautiful bride!”

“Jingzhi is so lucky!”

Tang Mu placed Tang Xiaoxiao on the back seat of Song Jingzhi’s bicycle. Song Jingzhi looked at his bride and smiled.

“What are you grinning about? Get on your bike and go.”

Tang Mu thought his brother-in-law had suddenly gone crazy.

“Oh, oh.” Song Jingzhi got on his bicycle, followed by Tang Mu’s military vehicle, with Tang’s father and mother inside.

Two bicycles followed behind, carrying He Xiaoqian, Xu Ze Ming, and the other two.

These were Tang Xiaoxiao’s family members, the bridal party.

Because the educated youth point and Song’s house were close, they walked past the village chief’s house, circling the village before reaching Song’s house.

The children in the village followed behind, He Xiaoqian and Liu Fengjuan holding candy in their hands.

Sitting on the back of the bicycle, they threw candy to the children along the way. This was called “scattering joy” in the village.

On Song’s side, seeing the long procession of the groom’s party and the bridal party, Song Wei quickly lit the firecrackers.

Before the bride entered the new room, her feet could not touch the ground.

“Wife, we’re home.” Song Jingzhi smiled at Tang Xiaoxiao and carried her into the room.

In Hunan, the bride’s family members were considered honored guests and needed to be entertained by the groom’s side.

Song’s family entertained the village chief and his wife, and the village chief’s eldest son and his wife.

Song Jingzhi put Tang Xiaoxiao on the bed and stood by the bed, looking at her.

“You, don’t keep staring at me, it’s awkward.”

“You’re beautiful.” Song Jingzhi laughed.

“You’re annoying.” Even though they had kissed, she still blushed at his teasing.

“Second brother, Second Aunt asked you to go out and entertain the guests.” Song Xiaolan’s voice came from the door.

Her task today was to accompany the bride.

“Second sister-in-law, you’re so beautiful.” She had known her second sister-in-law was beautiful before, but she was even more beautiful today.

“You’re beautiful too.” Tang Xiaoxiao said with a smile.

“Second sister-in-law, are you a little sleepy?” Song Xiaolan guessed that she must have gotten up early.

“A little.” She didn’t deny it, she was indeed a little sleepy.

“Lean on my shoulder and take a nap. You and Second Brother have to go to the city in the afternoon.” Song Xiaolan patted her shoulder.

“Then I won’t be polite.”

“Come on.”

In the south, the bride only needed to sit in the room, and no one would come in to disturb her.

In the kitchen, Song’s mother had invited several familiar aunts from the village to help.

Song’s family’s banquet was considered one of the best in the village, with ten dishes symbolizing perfection.

There were six meat dishes and four vegetarian dishes, with meat, fish, cured meat, and cured chicken, all prepared by Song’s father and mother in advance.