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Chapter 56: The Wedding
“Train Station”
Xu Muzhou and Xiao Qingru had arrived early, waiting eagerly.
Meeting her in laws for the first time, Xiao Qingru couldn’t help but feel nervous. Xu Muzhou noticed this and subtly shielded her from passersby’s gazes, giving her hand a comforting squeeze. “Don’t worry,” he whispered. “My parents have great personalities and they already like you.”
“But we haven’t even met yet.”
“Trust me, they’ll like anyone I care for. Just like how your parents accepted me as their own, my parents will do the same for you.”
His reassurance calmed her considerably. Xiao Qingru had spoken to her mother in law twice on the phone, sensing that she was straightforward and kind hearted. Xiao Qingru hoped to be the kind of daughter in law they would be proud of. Even though they would be living apart and it wouldn’t directly affect her life, she desired a harmonious relationship.
“What time is it now?” she asked, calming herself.
“Twelve o’clock, they should be here any minute.”
Soon enough, two familiar figures emerged in their sight. Xu Muzhou waved to get their attention. “Mom and Dad are here,” he said, smiling.
Xiao Qingru steadied her breathing, then joined Xu Muzhou in walking over to greet them.
The first thing Mrs. Xu noticed about her future daughter in law was how beautiful she was bright, expressive eyes, fair skin with a slight blush, tall and slender. She immediately understood why her son had fallen head over heels for her.
As they greeted each other, Xu Muzhou took the bag from his mother’s back. “Mom, Dad, why did you bring so many things?”
Mrs. Xu handed over the bag. “Since it’s our first trip here, we thought we’d bring a little of everything.”
Xiao Qingru greeted her future in laws with a warm smile. “Mom, Dad, you must be hungry. Let’s go to the state owned restaurant first.”
Seeing her warm, respectful attitude, Mrs. Xu’s heart filled with joy, and her smile grew wider. “I heard the family quarters are quite a ways away. Thanks for coming all this way to pick us up.”
“We came by car, so it didn’t take long. You and Dad must be tired after the long train ride.”
Mrs. Xu reassured her, “Oh, we’re not tired at all. This was much easier than a regular workday.”
With the bag slung casually over his shoulder, Xu Muzhou gestured ahead. “Alright, let’s go have some food. We’ll have plenty of time to chat back at home.”
It was well past the usual lunchtime, so going to the state owned restaurant seemed like the best choice to avoid inconveniencing her parents in law. As they drove there, Xiao Qingru introduced the area and local customs, quickly easing any formalities between the families.
Meanwhile, at home, Xiao’s mother was busy preparing. She’d set up a spare room on the first floor as a guest room for Xu Muzhou’s parents, stocked with fresh towels, new toiletries, and even prepared lamb stew in the kitchen, planning to make lamb noodle soup for dinner. Knowing that not everyone enjoyed lamb, she also made some pork and cabbage dumplings.
As the car engine rumbled to a stop outside, she went out to greet them, warmly welcoming Xu Muzhou’s parents, who both looked smart and capable. Mrs. Xu, sporting a neat, ear length haircut, had an air of strength and dependability.
“Finally, you’re here!” Xiao’s mother exclaimed, shaking hands with her warmly.
Mrs. Xu returned the smile, “We’ve been wanting to come for a while. We’ve heard so much about everything you’ve arranged, and we’re so grateful.”
“Oh, no need to be. It’s all for the kids, and that’s what matters,” she replied, leading them inside.
Looking around the spacious yard and stately house, the Xu parents felt a newfound respect for their in laws. This was the home of a military commander a world they might never have known if not for their children’s connection.
With everyone home, wedding preparations intensified. Their wedding date was set for three days later. Though three days were not long, the Xiao family had long prepared every detail. With Commander Xiao’s respected status, even with their attempts to keep the ceremony modest, they would host ten tables’ worth of guests on the big day.
On the day of the ceremony, Jiang Chuan sat among the guests, watching Xu Muzhou and Xiao Qingru take their vows on stage, each adorned with bright red flowers pinned to their chests. The vivid red made Jiang Chuan’s heart ache, his vision growing misty. From now on, he knew Xiao Qingru would be with another man, sharing life’s storms and triumphs.
Though he told himself not to come, knowing it would hurt, he couldn’t resist seeing her as a bride, watching her radiant smile one last time.
As applause thundered around them, Xiao Qingru and Xu Muzhou locked eyes, their gazes holding the joy of commitment. No one noticed Jiang Chuan’s sorrowful gaze or the tears glistening in Song Yuan’s eyes as she watched her dear friend embark on a life of happiness.