Chapter 20: A Marriage Contract Sealed in Harmony

Eleven o’clock noon.

A car drove towards Erqiao Village.

“Keep going straight down the main road,” Zhou Haoting calmly directed.

On their way back, Old Mrs. Guo specially invited Aunt Ma from Guilin Village to be the matchmaker. She had packed so many things that even a carrying basket wouldn’t hold them all, so he decided to get a car.

Wu Lin, the driver, grinned, showing his teeth. “Brother Hao, is your future wife exceptionally beautiful?”

Years ago, the famously beautiful tofu seller in town had pursued Brother Hao for months, but he hadn’t even glanced at her.

“Just drive,” Zhou Haoting’s low voice was full of warning.

Old Mrs. Guo and Aunt Ma sat in the back, chatting and complimenting each other.

“Mrs. Guo, you can just wait to enjoy your good fortune from now on,” Aunt Ma exclaimed sincerely.

When Mrs. Guo first adopted Zhou Haoting, villagers had advised her against it, saying that he was eight or nine years old, knew everything, and couldn’t be tamed.

However, Zhou Haoting and Mrs. Guo had built a better life together. Aunt Ma had heard that when Zhou Haoting’s family came looking for him, he promised to be Mrs. Guo’s grandson for life.

She hadn’t asked Mrs. Guo about it though. The less you know, the less you worry, and life is easier that way.

Old Mrs. Guo chuckled and nodded. “Ma Fang, isn’t your third son getting married this year? You’ll have another helper.”

“Speaking of which, it makes me angry. He says he’s going to the city to find a job, make a lot of money, and find a cultured wife,” Ma Fang sighed.

As the car rolled along, time slipped away.

With a creak, the car stopped at the gate.

“Grandma, Aunt Ma, we’re here,” Zhou Haoting got out of the car.

A table full of people sat inside the house.

Wen Dafu, who had been working in the fields, had specially invited Wen Hu and his wife to be witnesses.

“I thought I heard a car,” Wen Dafu said, getting up to take a look. Men love four-wheeled things.

Hearing this, Wen Hu also got up to take a look.

As soon as they stepped out, Wen Dafu saw Zhou Haoting, Old Mrs. Guo, and their group, whom he had just seen that morning.

“Mrs. Guo, please come in,” Wen Dafu greeted them with a beaming smile.

Wu Lin enthusiastically introduced himself. “Hello, Uncle Wen, my name is Wu Lin, I’m Brother Hao’s good brother.”

“Good, good… You’ve worked hard, come in and sit,” Wen Dafu pulled them into the main room.

Wen Hu stood aside, smiling as he took the items from Wu Lin’s hands. They were heavy, almost making him drop them.

He muttered to himself: Dafu’s future son-in-law is quite well-off. These days, few villages even have tractors, let alone cars.

Cui Yulan, in the kitchen, heard the noise and took off her apron. “Xiaochao, keep an eye on the food in the pot.”

She hurriedly adjusted her clothes. “Xiaowan, come out with me.”

“Mrs. Guo, why did you bring so many things again?” Cui Yulan hadn’t even stepped inside when she saw the pile of malted milk powder, cigarettes, and alcohol on the table.

Ma Fang cheerfully replied, “Sister Cui, as the saying goes, a thousand-mile marriage is connected by a single thread. Today is a good day, we’ve prepared ten catties of pork… plus a bicycle, a sewing machine, a watch, and a radio.”

“The tickets and money for the bicycle and sewing machine are all ready. Xiaowan can choose what she likes in the city,” Zhou Haoting said, opening a box and taking out a radio and a watch—the latest styles he’d had someone get from the county town.

Wen Dafu and Cui Yulan exchanged glances. This was an engagement, not a wedding, why were there even the “three turns and one ring”? (referring to a bicycle, sewing machine, watch, and radio, traditional wedding gifts)

Wen Hu and his wife stared dumbfounded at the radio on the table. In their village, no girl, whether getting married or engaged, had ever had a radio. Even the village chief’s daughter, who married into the county town, only had a second-hand bicycle.

“Sister Cui, what do you think? If it’s okay, let’s write the marriage contract today,” Ma Fang pressed on.

When she first saw all these things, she was shocked, but seeing the composed Wen Wan, she felt it was appropriate.

Cui Yulan steadied herself. “Okay, the two children are a match made in heaven.” Her daughter certainly deserved the “three turns and one ring.”

“Congratulations, congratulations! As the saying goes, a son-in-law is half a son. From now on, you’ll have another son to take care of you,” Ma Fang clapped her hands happily.

Then, she winked at Zhou Haoting, urging him to bring out the prepared marriage contract.

Zhou Haoting suppressed his excitement, calmly taking out the marriage contract he had written himself.

Two families unite, a marriage contract sealed in harmony…

Wen Wan took the contract, looking at the flowing script, the strong strokes matching Zhou Haoting’s resolute demeanor.

Wen Jianguo, standing beside her, glanced at it. What nonsense is this? It’s completely nonsensical, I can’t understand it…

Wu Lin laughed heartily, clapping his hands vigorously, and everyone else joined in the celebration.

“Jianguo, go to the kitchen and serve the dishes,” Cui Yulan pulled her sharp-eyed son.

Wen Jianguo reluctantly turned around, wondering if his glare had been sharp enough to scare Zhou Haoting.

Humph, his parents were wrong not to tell him, arranging this with someone else. Xiaowan is only eighteen, and he’s twenty-five, an old man. Even if he’s a lifesaver, it’s not right.

“Wen Jianguo, behave yourself, or I’ll deal with you,” As soon as they went out, Cui Yulan grabbed Wen Jianguo’s ear.

Wen Jianguo winced in pain. “Mom… Mom… be gentle…”

Dish after dish was brought to the table.

Cui Yulan and Tian Xiaochao had prepared their best dishes.

“Braised pork, egg and pepper stir-fry, stir-fried pork with garlic sprouts… and finally a plate of crispy fried peanuts.”

Wen Dafu was so happy he opened the Maotai liquor Zhou Haoting had brought. “Brother Hu, let me fill your cup.”

He filled everyone’s cups, even Wen Jianguo got one.

“Xiaowan, are you happy?” Zhou Haoting asked in a low voice while they ate.

Wen Wan smiled sweetly and nodded. “Happy, but you should drink less.” She had just seen Zhou Haoting drink three cups in a row when toasting Wen Dafu.