Father's Land Mother's River

Chapter 145 Wedding Night
The scale of the dinner was much smaller, Liu Zhixin was in charge of entertaining his in-laws and his family, and Liu Zhitai was in charge of entertaining the helping men in the village.

Due to geographical restrictions, the journey is long, and the traditional etiquette of marriage has been simplified, but the necessary steps still have to be taken.Father Meng and mother Meng will live in Liu's house for a day, and return to Mengjiazhuang with the bride and groom the day after tomorrow, which is regarded as a return home.

Meng's father, uncle, and Meng Xiangxiang's two elder brothers were accompanied by Liu Zhixin and Liu Xiaonan's three uncles; Meng's mother and Meng Xiangxiang's two sister-in-laws were accompanied by Jiang Changling and Liu Xiaonan's three aunts.Men and women each sat at a table, Guan Xiaoyun, Liu Xiaonan's younger sister, Liu Erya's girl, and Meng Duoduo were in charge of serving the food.

Liu Xiaonan and Meng Xiangxiang offered cigarettes and wine to the elders, and Liu Zhixin said to his son and daughter-in-law: "Don't eat, you two, go to your uncle's house and toast your third uncle and the others. For your two marriages, your third uncle and the uncles in the village Brothers, put down the work at home and have been busy at our house for two days."

Meng's father also said: "We are all family members, there is no need for you two to surround the front and back, go to entertain the folks in the village more, don't lose your courtesy."

Liu Xiaonan and Meng Xiangxiang came to the uncle's house in the east courtyard, and when they reached the middle of the courtyard, Liu Erya walked out the door with a smile on her face.

Liu Erya felt that she was far-sighted. On New Year's Day that year, Liu Xiaonan brought Yue Xuelian and Meng Xiangxiang home at the same time, and she persuaded Jiang Changling that the two girls should be treated equally, and one of them might become a wife.Look at it now, isn’t this what you said?

Liu Erya took Meng Xiangxiang's hand: "My niece and daughter-in-law need to be cultured and have a temperament, she is so beautiful."

Meng Xiangxiang said, "My aunt has been troubled these days, thank you, aunt."

Liu Erya said politely: "Why are you being polite to Auntie, Auntie has long been looking forward to your marriage."

Liu Xiaonan said: "If I marry someone else, my aunt will still say the same thing."

Liu Erya smiled and slapped Liu Xiaonan, and Meng Xiangxiang secretly patted Liu Xiaonan on the back.

Walking into the house, Liu Zhitai was eating and drinking with Guan Deyu and his uncles and brothers in the village.Liu Xiaonan and Meng Xiangxiang bowed to everyone at the same time, then lit cigarettes and toasted according to seniority and age.When it was the turn of the fourth brother, the fourth brother said that the wine should be poured less, and the cigarettes would be free.

Liu Xiaonan poured some wine for the fourth brother, patted the generous shoulder of the fourth brother, feeling a little uncomfortable.The fourth brother does not smoke or drink, is hardworking and kind, missed the only chance of marriage in his life, and is still single in his forties.When people of the same age get married, the fourth brother helps serve the dishes, and when people younger than him get married, the fourth brother still helps serve the dishes.

Today Liu Xiaonan got married, and the fourth brother still served the dishes with a group of young people.Liu Xiaonan asked the fourth brother to put down the plate and have a good drink, but the fourth brother refused. I am happy that my brother is getting married, and I can only do this for my brother.

Liu Xiaonan asked Meng Xiangxiang to light cigarettes for the fourth brother. It doesn't matter whether he can smoke or not. This is necessary gratitude and respect.He said to Meng Xiangxiang: "If the fourth brother hadn't fished me out of the river back then, I wouldn't be where I am today."

Meng Xiangxiang handed the fourth brother a cigarette with both hands, lit a match and lit the fire, and said to the fourth brother: "Xiao Nan has mentioned the fourth brother to me, thank you for your kindness, and I will remember the fourth brother." .”

The fourth brother took a puff of cigarette, choked so much that he coughed again and again, choked it out, and said: "What kind of favor is it? I led Xiaonan to the river. Xiaonan almost made a mistake. I have been feeling sorry for Xiaonan today. It makes me feel better to be so promising."

Liu Qishun said from the side: "Fourth brother, you don't know how to pretend to be a smoker, wasting a cigarette for nothing."

The fourth brother fought back: "I have to take a sip of the wedding cigarettes ordered by my younger siblings. They are your uncles and aunts. In front of everyone, let me see if you dare to ask your uncle to pour you wine and your aunt to drink for you." You light a cigarette."

Liu Qishun said: "I don't dare. I pour the wine and light the cigarettes myself. Can I still show you jokes?"

The fourth brother joined him again: "In the past, when uncles and aunts got married, nephews should kowtow to express their congratulations."

The hall roared with laughter, no one thought that the simple and honest fourth brother would fight back so powerfully, and they were all waiting to see Liu Qishun's statement.Liu Qishun admitted defeat: "The past is the past, and the present is the present." Picking up the wine glass, he said, "Uncle and aunt, I wish you a happy wedding." After speaking, he drank it down.

Liu Xiaonan poured wine for Liu Qishun, and said to Meng Xiangxiang: "Qishun is our aunt's nephew, there is a difference in seniority, let me tell you slowly. Qishun and I grew up together in the same courtyard. Qishun’s children can play soy sauce, let’s put aside seniority and light a cigarette for Qishun.”

Meng Xiangxiang handed over the cigarette with both hands, lit it, and said to the embarrassed Liu Qishun, "In terms of age, I'm much younger than you, so I should."

Guan Deyu said to Liu Xiaonan: "Xiaonan, your third uncle is happy to get married and has been thinking about giving you a special gift. After thinking about it, I contacted the township screening team and found the two movies you wrote. Tonight Show it together for everyone to see, it's third uncle congratulating you on your wedding. You and your nephew and daughter-in-law hurry back to eat, and say a few words to the big guy before the screening. Third uncle is waiting for you at your uncle's house."

Guan Deyu's special gift was beyond Liu Xiaonan's expectations. He and Meng Xiangxiang returned home, had a quick meal, put on a sweater and were ready to go.The elders were having a lot of fun talking about some old topics of the Liu family in the two places, and they didn't want to go to the movies.Guan Xiaoyun and Liu Erya's girls had already seen it, Meng Duoduo was not interested, only Meng Xiangxiang's brother and sister-in-law followed with their children.

Meng Xiangxiang's two elder brothers and sister-in-law are both simple farmers, and they don't talk much, which forms a clear contrast with Meng Xiangxiang's two sisters.Liu Xiaonan asked Meng Xiangxiang to take his brother and sister-in-law first, and then went to his uncle's house to find Guan Deyu.Guan Deyu and the others were already full, and they all went to elementary school together.

The village hasn't played an open-air movie for several years, and the autumn harvest is almost too busy, so it's rare to catch up with the excitement.After dark, men, women and children moved their benches and came to the playground of the village primary school early to wait.When Guan Deyu and Liu Xiaonan arrived, the screen was already full of people.

The projectionist adjusted the projector, turned on the lights, and the school playground was brightly lit.Guan Deyu picked up the microphone and said: "Two movies will be shown in a row tonight. Since working alone, we rarely have the opportunity to sit together and chat together. Taking this opportunity, I have a few words from my heart to tell you Said. Everyone sat on the bench and turned backwards."

The villagers turned around giggling, facing the projector and their backs to the screen.Guan Deyu asked loudly: "Do you know who wrote the two movies shown tonight?"

Someone shouted: "It was written by our Liuzi Street people."

Guan Deyu said: "This sentence is a good answer. I love to hear it. It was written by us Liuzi Street people. This is the pride of all Liuzi Street people. I don't need to say more. Everyone knows that these two movies are It was written by Liu Xiaonan. However, everyone looked back and looked at Liu Xiaonan eight years ago. After two years of exams, he failed to pass anything. He was sluggish all day long, except that he could write couplets for everyone during the Chinese New Year, and doing farm work. Do whatever you want.

"I clearly remember that the township asked him to attend the Agricultural Broadcasting School, but he refused to attend; the township asked him to be a private teacher, but he still refused. His father got angry and scolded him, and I also tried my best to mobilize him. But he is stubborn Stubborn, he didn’t say anything, he couldn’t listen to anything. My heart was cold, and I thought that this kid spent three years in high school in vain, and he was about to fail. It’s only been a few years, and he published a book , Write a movie, become a writer.

"I don't mean to praise him here. Back then we were all wrong, and it wasn't purely wrong. It was because our concepts were outdated. Our eyes were only on the few acres of land at hand, and we didn't see the outside world. Let's talk again It is not wrong to stare at the few acres of land at hand. If we can change our inherent concepts, we will still have great development.

"I have to mention another person here, that is Liu Zhixin. In the first year of working alone, they interplanted potatoes in the cornfield and covered them with film. I didn't think much about it, and I laughed at him. You are a mine worker. What are you pretending to be an old farmer? What happened? Everyone has seen the increase in corn production and income, and the income from picking up a crop of potatoes. After retirement, I built a vegetable greenhouse. It’s tiring, why not tired? The income is there, Quite impressive. However, our village only has a vegetable greenhouse like Liu Zhixin's.

"We in Liuzi Street are neither lazy nor wicked, but there hasn't been much change in the past few years. It's my responsibility, and it's also related to our old ideas. I've discussed it with brother Liu Zhixin. If there is anyone If he wants to build a vegetable greenhouse, he is willing to provide free technology and on-site guidance.”

"Good!" Everyone applauded.

Guan Deyu went on to say: "Tonight there is a movie called "Father's Land and Mother's River", which plays our Liuzi Street. I hope that after watching it, you can reflect on our Liuzi Street. There are mountains, waters and land. Why? Can't we get rich together?
"Today is Xiaonan's big wedding day, so I said a few more words from the bottom of my heart. Next, let's invite the bride and groom to say a few words, okay?"

"Good!" The applause was warm.There was also a high-pitched voice: "Let the bride and groom give us a kiss first."

burst out laughing.Liu Xiaonan took the microphone from Guan Deyu and said, "Who yelled that sentence just now? Third sister-in-law, why are you laughing secretly with your head down? Do you dare to stand up in public? Don't think I can't hear it because there are so many people. When you married third brother back then, I was in high school, and I was too innocent to go to the bridal chamber. Why, did third brother owe you?"

They laughed again.After the laughter subsided, Liu Xiaonan said: "There are so many children at the scene, I cannot agree to the third sister-in-law's request. First of all, I would like to thank my parents, brothers and sisters for watching the movie I wrote. My wife Meng Xiangxiang and I thank everyone."

Liu Xiaonan and Meng Xiangxiang bowed to everyone.Liu Xiaonan said: "The third uncle also said just now that I was thinking of leaving the countryside with all my heart, but none of my novels left the countryside. It was because I went out that I realized that my roots were in Liuzi Street, deeply rooted in the countryside. Stuck in this land where I was born and raised. I just want to say a word to the little brothers and sisters present who are studying. Study hard, read good books, and go out to see the outside world. The outside world is far away. It's more exciting than we imagined, don't take a big detour like me. Thank you everyone!"

After the applause, Meng Xiangxiang took the microphone and said: "I am very happy to be the daughter-in-law of Liuzi Street. My name is Meng Xiangxiang, Meng of Mencius, Dream Xiangxiang. I also came from the countryside. I will regard Liuzi Street as a My own home. Thank you!"

A big boy stood up and said, "Uncle Xiaonan, didn't someone say that those who make missiles are not as good as those who sell tea eggs, and that reading is still useful?"

"Let me answer this question for you." Meng Xiangxiang picked up the microphone again and said, "There is indeed a trend of thinking in society that reading is useless. It is because some people only see the immediate benefits and do not see the longer-term future. I worked as an intern teacher in the High School Affiliated to the Provincial Normal School for one year, and I was deeply impressed. Compared with urban children, our rural children lack more social resources. This is a congenital deficiency that is difficult to change. My personal experience tells you that only hard work and knowledge can completely change the fate of our rural children, so don’t believe those negative words.”

After Meng Xiangxiang finished speaking, he was called over by several young sister-in-laws and sat with them.They were worrying about their children's studies, so they knew a little about Meng Xiangxiang's experience, which just happened to let her talk to the children.

Movies began to be screened, and the first film was "Father's Land, Mother's River".Liu Xiaonan sat beside Guan Deyu, surrounded by several childhood playmates and classmates.He took out cigarettes for everyone to smoke, and after distributing them around, he stood in the shadow outside the crowd.

On the wedding night, re-watching this movie made him have to think about the ins and outs of this movie, although he didn't want to think about those past events again.

The subtitles of the opening title of the movie clearly stated that it was adapted from Liu Xiaonan's novella of the same name, written by Liu Xiaonan.Although the subtitles flashed by, it still hurt him deeply. From the novel to the script, from the title to the content, there was another person—Yue Xuelian.

When they met at the PEN meeting and became acquainted, she participated in his novel writing; when adapting the script, she cooked for him and discussed and debated with him. The scenes that used to be, with the extension of the movie lens, scenes after scenes in his unfolded in front of you.

Liu Xiaonan looked up at the starry sky.The night sky in late autumn is deep and vast, and the stars are shining brightly. A few dazzling meteors dragged their long tails across the night sky and disappeared at the end of the sky.

In the late autumn night, the cool air had turned into cold air, but warmth rose in his heart.The beauty of the past is still beautiful, and it will not change in the slightest because of the passing of time and the passing of time. Why deliberately forget it?

He thought of the traditional wedding he had envisioned, which had fascinated her so much and looked forward to it so much.Now that each has held a different wedding, let's make it a common memory!

Meng Xiangxiang looked for it, and stood in front of Liu Xiaonan, with stars shining in his eyes, and said softly, "I only fully understood this movie after hearing what Uncle San said."

"At that time, I was quite stupid." Liu Xiaonan took off his suit jacket and put it on Meng Xiangxiang's body: "Tonight we will accompany everyone to watch the movie, and it will probably take most of the night. Our wedding night will be in my school Spent in the open air in elementary school."

"It's so romantic!" Meng Xiangxiang put the suit jacket back on Liu Xiaonan's body: "I'm not cold, but those sister-in-laws are very enthusiastic. In the elementary school you attended, watching the videos you wrote, there are so many How meaningful our wedding night is with folks by our side."

(End of this chapter)