◎ Marriage ◎ 

As soon as He Dazhuang heard that Liang Baozhen’s new marriage partner had come to visit, he rushed over in a fit of anger. 

The last time he went to Lai Fengxia to ask her to propose marriage on his behalf, she had been coaxed out in a few seconds and kept saying she was busy. Now, while he was taking a break, Liang Baozhen had found another partner? 

However, he arrived a little late. When He Dazhuang reached the Liang family yard, Xu Shengjie had already left. He only vaguely heard Liang Baoying praising the two of them as a good match.

Bah! 

Well-matched, my foot! 

He Dazhuang’s face twitched with anger. He spat on the ground, feeling aggrieved. If he couldn’t compete with the respectable people in the city, could he not handle Liang Baozhen’s current suitor? Regardless of which village he came from, he would make sure to give him a lesson. 

Anyway, the marriage hasn’t happened yet. With Dong Jiayan’s example, as long as you are thick-skinned enough, anything is possible in time. 

“Brother Zhuang, what should we do? Are you going in?” One of his little brothers, who had been swatting mosquitoes outside, scratched his itchy arms until they were red. 

Thinking of Liang Baozhen’s temper with the hoe and the splash of well water last time, He Dazhuang was still a little timid. “No, you two stay here. I’ll climb up and take a look.” 

He immediately climbed against the wall to spy. He peeked through a crack in the wall and saw Liang Baozhen, who was alone at home, busying herself in the yard. His mind was in turmoil as he recalled what had happened in the neighboring village a few days ago. 

“If Baozhen were to take a bath right now, and I saw it… that would be quite a sight.” 

If Liang Baozhen was seen by him and her reputation was ruined, would she then have no choice but to marry him… 

The more he thought about it, the more he felt there was a chance. He Dazhuang couldn’t contain his excitement but was also a little afraid of the Liang family. None of them were easy to deal with. If he was caught, would he be beaten half to death? 

While hesitating, he suddenly felt a burning gaze on him. 

He turned his head and saw a tall man in an olive green military uniform. He exuded an imposing presence. Such a figure was uncommon in Damei Village. One look was enough for him to know he couldn’t afford to offend this man.

“What are you doing? Get down!” Xu Shengjie said coldly. Seeing this man with a lewd expression and hearing his filthy words made Xu Shengjie furious, and his face grew even more hostile. 

When He Dazhuang heard those cold and harsh words, his legs immediately went limp. He grabbed the cracks in the wall with his hands but couldn’t keep his balance and he almost fell to the ground. Fortunately, his two little brothers supported him and prevented him from falling flat on his face.

  

“Hello, brother, where are you from? Are you here to visit someone from our village?” 

The stranger in the military uniform was most likely here on home leave. He spoke politely and bowed unconsciously. 

Xu Shengjie ignored him and prepared to clean up the dirty situation. 

“Why are you climbing the wall in the Liang family courtyard?” 

Xu Shengjie had a stern face, and his words were as cold as ice, making He Dazhuang feel cold under the scorching sun. He shivered and said, “No… I didn’t do anything.” 

“I saw you climbing the wall in the Liang family courtyard to watch a woman bath. Go find your team leader now.” 

“Hey! How could I peek at someone taking a bath! I was just leaning on the wall…” He Dazhuang mumbled as he slowly backed away from Xu Shengjie. Hearing that this man wanted to find the team leader, he was even more unwilling to stay. He glanced at the man in front of him and suddenly ran outside at an arrow-like speed. 

He Dazhuang might not have many skills, but he was very good at escaping. A few days ago, Liang Baojun had tried to catch him and beat him up but failed. 

He Dazhuang had just run a few meters away, still feeling proud of himself, when he suddenly felt someone grab his arm. Then he was pulled back with an impossible force and staggered sideways. 

Looking closely, it was the man in the military uniform! 

A cornered dog will jump over the wall. He Dazhuang immediately got angry and threw a punch at him, “Who the hell are you? It’s none of your business if I’m leaning over the wall to look at my future wife! I advise you to mind your own business!” 

Xu Shengjie narrowed his eyes, tightened his grip, and grasped He Dazhuang’s fist with one hand. Veins popped out on his hand as he slowly exerted force. “Future wife? You really dare to dream.” 

“Ow, ow,  ow, it hurts!” The arrogance on He Dazhuang’s face gradually turned into a look of pain. He kept begging for mercy, feeling that his hand was about to be broken. “I was wrong, I was wrong! Brother, please forgive me! Help, help!” 

A pig-like wailing sound rang out. Instead of releasing his grip, Xu Shengjie gradually increased the pressure. He looked at the cowardly bully with a cold expression. “Do you still dare to look?” 

“I won’t dare to do it again!” He Dazhuang almost knelt down. “I won’t dare to do it again! Ahhh, please let me go! If I look at the Liang family again, you can dig my eyes out!” 

Xu Shengjie had seen a lot of people like him. Even if they were criticized and denounced ten times in the commune, it would be useless. If he dared to do it again, he would deal with him harshly. 

After releasing his hand, Xu Shengjie looked at He Dazhuang, who nearly collapsed with his elbow in his hand, and snorted, “If this happens again—whether with the Liang family or any other family in the village—if you dare to have such thoughts again…” 

After seeing how powerful the man in front of him was, He Dazhuang quickly shook his head and replied, “No… There won’t be a next time!” 

After Xu Shengjie walked away, He Dazhuang was helped up by his two little brothers. His arm felt numb, especially his elbow and palm, and it hurt a lot. “Damn, that guy is too harsh. Who is he? Does the Liang family have soldiers in their family?” 

The little brother was also startled and supported He Dazhuang while guessing, “Could it be Liang Baozhen’s partner?” 

Liang Baozhen’s partner? 

He Dazhuang grimaced in pain as he walked back, thinking that he would need to recuperate for a while. Could he really be Liang Baozhen’s partner? He’s too formidable! 

*** 

Liang Baozhen, who had heard the noise a long time ago, opened the door and watched the scene outside through the crack. Outside, He Dazhuang was howling and begging for mercy as Xu Shengjie twisted his arm. She couldn’t help but smile. 

Finally, someone who can deal with this kind of person! 

However, when she heard Xu Shengjie mention the words “future wife,” Liang Baozhen’s ears flushed a bit. By the time the person left, all she could see was his broad back, striding toward the village entrance. 

Once things outside finally settled down, Liang Baozhen closed the yard gate and locked it, then went back to her room. 

The busy farming season had recently ended, so Song Chunhua decided to keep Liang Baozhen indoors to avoid sun exposure. She feared that getting sun-tanned might make her look less good at the wedding. 

Sitting at her table, Liang Baozhen rested her chin on one hand, thinking about Xu Shengjie, who had visited her house today. In her dream, he was already in his thirties, much calmer and more composed, but now he had a youthful demeanor. Especially when he taught He Dazhuang a lesson, he even showed a hint of fierceness. 

A breeze blew in through the window, ruffling the strands of hair on Liang Baozhen’s forehead and making her oval face look even more delicate and charming. She gazed at the clear blue sky outside, with white clouds drifting by, and felt that everything wasn’t too bad. 

Turning around, she saw the red dress and red pants on her bed. They had been made for her last wedding. When Song Chunhua saw the clothes, she was reminded of Chen Siming. If fabric tickets hadn’t been so hard to get, she would have torn the cloth to make a new one. 

Liang Baozhen got up, found a pair of scissors and a needle and thread, and began altering the red pants… 

*** 

Xu Shengjie took the bus back to the city, and when he arrived at Crescent Alley, he happened to meet Aunt Zhang from the courtyard. Aunt Zhang lived in the west wing of the courtyard and worked at the steel plant. All her family members were formal employees, and their living conditions were good. 

Everyone in the courtyard knew that Xu Shengjie had gone to meet a potential match, so seeing him now, she couldn’t help but ask, “Xiao Xu, you’re back? How did the visit go?” 

“Aunt Zhang, we’ll get the marriage certificate and hold a wedding in a few days. Please remember to come and support us.” 

“Oh! That’s wonderful! Let me congratulate you in advance.” Aunt Zhang, with her kind nature, added, “Remember to call me if you need help with the banquet.” 

“Yes, thank you.” 

After exchanging a few words at the courtyard entrance, Xu Shengjie hurried home. 

Zhou Yun was sitting at the door waiting for him to bring back good news. After listening to her grandson, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. “Is the girl pretty good?” 

Xu Shengjie remembered Liang Baozhen chopping pumpkins vigorously with a knife and nodded, “Yes, she’s good.” 

It’s rare for her grandson to praised anyone, Zhou Yun was relieved. She rubbed her hands, paced in the room, and thought about the marriage. “We can’t be stingy with the betrothal gift. Should we give 166 or 188? And should we buy her a watch or a sewing machine? I have saved the industrial ticket you sent back before, so you should be able to buy one. Also, we need to get her a new dress. Don’t the girls outside like to wear blouses now? You can take her to buy one too.”

 

Xu Shengjie took a sip of the cooled boiled water and listened to his grandmother’s detailed arrangements. 

“Have you and your aunt matched the dates?” 

“Yes, either in seven days, or the next good date will be in three months.” Xu Shengjie put down the porcelain bowl, pulled out a stool, and sat down. “Three months is too long; let’s just go with seven days.” 

“That was a bit rushed, but at least I have prepared some things.” Zhou Yun suddenly felt that the burden on her shoulders was heavy. She had been busy all her life and could not rest. Now she had to take care of her grandson’s wedding. She immediately trotted out and said, “I’ll ask your Aunt Meng to help. By the way, let’s set up two tables in the yard and ask your cousin to come when the time comes.” 

Xu Shengjie’s cousin is a chef of a state-owned restaurant in the city and helps with wedding banquet preparations in his spare time. 

“I’ll talk to him; it should be fine.” 

When Xu Shengya and Xu Shengwei returned home and saw their brother back. They surrounded him and kept asking questions. 

“Brother, where is my sister-in-law?” 

Xu Shengjie: “…” 

Aren’t they being a bit too quick? They’re accepting it faster than he is. 

Ignoring the two, Xu Shengjie took out a handful of sweet sorghum from the bag and gave it to his sister. “Xiaoya, come here. Sister Liang asked me to bring this to you.” 

Sweet sorghum! 

Xu Shengya took it with both hands, put it to her nose, and sniffed it. She seemed to smell a sweet fragrance and smiled so much that her eyes narrowed into slits. “Wait until my sister-in-law comes over; I’ll thank her later.” 

*** 

Three days before Liang Baozhen’s wedding, the Dong family next door held their wedding first. 

However, Dong Jiayan’s marriage was a bit strange. Chen Siming never showed up from beginning to end. On the day of the wedding, firecrackers were set off at the Dong family’s door, but Dong Jiayan went to the city alone. 

A lot of people from Damei  Village who came to watch the fun were a little puzzled. Why didn’t the man even enter the door? 

Dong Xingqiang and He Yujiao were rarely generous, but they handed out candies to the nearby villagers. As the saying goes, you shouldn’t hit a smiling person, especially someone who shares their food. Everyone also offered a few words of congratulations, making the atmosphere festive. 

Dong Jiayan was upset but couldn’t do anything about it. Chen Siming really wasn’t interested in the marriage, but it didn’t matter. She didn’t care. As long as she can marry into the Chen family, all the suffering will be worth it. 

On their wedding night, after some tender moments, Chen Siming felt a little better. Although he was married, it was done unwillingly. He hugged Dong Jiayan and thought of Liang Baozhen again. “Jiayan, Baozhen…” 

Dong Jiayan now felt secure in her position since she was Chen Siming’s legitimate wife. “Stop thinking about Baozhen. She’s getting married in three days and has already forgotten about you.” 

“In three days?” Chen Siming murmured to himself. He had heard that Liang Baozhen had a new partner, but he didn’t expect her to get married so quickly. Could it be that she did it on purpose for him to see? 

Counting the days, three days were not far off. He rolled his eyes and came up with an idea. 

*** 

Three days later, Liang family’s house was bustling with activity early in the morning, with kerosene lamps lit in every room. 

Liang Zhigao was boiling water to cook the dumplings, Liang Baoying and Liang Baoling were helping Liang Baozhen get ready in her room, and Liang Baojun and Song Jianguo were entertaining the villagers who came to watch. 

The people of Damei Village have always loved joining in the fun and helping out, especially during happy events. They are quick to pitch in and lend a hand.

 

Song Chunhua and her second sister-in-law He Xuemei checked everywhere again and immediately corrected anything that was wrong. 

He Xuemei is the wife of Liang Zhigao’s second brother Liang Zhihua. She gets along well with Song Chunhua. Although they live separately, their relationship is still good. Today she came to help before dawn. 

“Chunhua, congratulations, you have chosen a good son-in-law this time.” 

“Baozhen will enjoy a good life from now on.” 

Auspicious words flowed freely, and Song Chunhua was overjoyed. She smiled broadly and called out to her daughter from the window, “Are you done with the preparations? I think my son in law is almost here.” 

“She will be there soon.” Liang Baoling, feeling impatient, quickly shouted back. 

Song Chunhua watched her three daughters quarreling through the glass window, her lips curled up. When she turned around, she saw a tall figure appear in the distance. 

She tapped on the window again and reminded, “Baozhen, Xiao Xu is here!” 

The author has something to say: 

★You have an invitation letter, please check it out ★ 

The wedding of Xu Shengjie & Liang Baozhen will be held today. We look forward to your presence ^O^