A widower's entertainment

Chapter 341 [Marriage] (Please Subscribe)
Jincheng, houses near Beicheng Street.

Zhang Aiqin was surprised to see Lin Youcheng, as she had never met him before. Although she disapproved of her daughter marrying a widower, she still greeted him politely when he arrived with many gifts, serving him tea while observing him closely.

"Have a cup of hot tea to warm yourself up."

"Thank you auntie."

Looking at Lin Youcheng, a forty-year-old man, calling her "Auntie," Zhang Aiqin felt a little uneasy for some reason. She knew he was considerably younger than her, and just like Xie Zelin's first impression of Lin Youcheng, she was surprised that he looked alright, not at all like the middle-aged widower she had imagined. Of course, this was mainly because Lin Youcheng was good-looking; otherwise, he wouldn't have married and had children so young during the Down to the Countryside Movement. Although he was older now, he still had the good looks, and he had always paid attention to physical exercise.

"It's a bit presumptuous of you to come here so suddenly."

Xie Zelin didn't speak, looking at Lin Youcheng. He was also surprised that Lin Youcheng would come at this time, but in his heart, he thought it was a good thing that Lin Youcheng had made a special trip. No matter what, they still had to talk in person, especially since Lin Youcheng wanted to marry his daughter. How could he not come to Tianjin?

Lin Youcheng looked at Xie Zelin. They had met before, and Xie Zelin had disagreed then. He didn't know what Xie Zelin's attitude would be now, but he still had to come. He stood up and said, "Shuhua and I really intend to get married and live together. We sincerely hope that you two can agree."

"I will treat Shuhua well in the future."

Seeing that her father, Xie Zelin, remained silent, Xie Shuhua couldn't help but say, "Dad, please agree to my relationship with Youcheng."

Zhang Aiqin watched Xie Shuhua speak up for Lin Youcheng and carefully observed the two of them. Her thoughts began to waver. At least for now, this man seemed alright. Although he was a bit older, perhaps older men would be more caring. Of course, this thought only flashed through Zhang Aiqin's mind. Although she was doing it for her daughter's good, seeing her daughter so determined to be with Lin Youcheng, what could she do to object?

Everyone says that marriage is a matter of personal freedom nowadays, and neither she nor Xie Zelin, as parents, could stop it.

Zhang Aiqin turned her gaze to Xie Zelin, clearly indicating that the outcome of this matter ultimately depended on what Xie Zelin had to say.

Xie Zelin was well aware of this as well. Looking at Lin Youcheng and his daughter Xie Shuhua, he couldn't help but sigh. He didn't know if his insistence on opposing it would be of any use. Thinking of what his daughter had said before, he looked at Lin Youcheng and said, "Writer Lin, you know I told you before that I disagree with this matter."

"dad--"

Upon hearing this, Xie Shuhua immediately wanted to say something.

Xie Zelin raised his hand, interrupting Xie Shuhua, and continued looking at Lin Youcheng, saying, "I think you understand why I disagree. But I also know Shuhua's personality; even if her mother and I object, it will be difficult to change her mind."

At this point, it was clear that Zhang Aiqin had already realized that Xie Zelin's tone had softened somewhat.

Actually, she had guessed that this would be the outcome, since they both knew their daughter very well.

Xie Zelin looked at Lin Youcheng, then glanced at Xie Shuhua, and asked, "Shuhua, are you really sure you want to marry him?"

Xie Shuhua glanced at Lin Youcheng, her eyes full of smiles, and then nodded solemnly.

When Xie Zelin saw Xie Shuhua nod, he understood that Xie Shuhua had made up her mind. He then looked at Lin Youcheng, and before Xie Zelin could say anything, Lin Youcheng immediately said, "I promise I will treat Shuhua well in the future."

Xie Zelin knew that this matter was difficult to change. As a father, he could only compromise in the end when faced with his daughter. Of course, this was also because Xie Zelin was a teacher and not a stubborn old man. Moreover, Lin Youcheng's conditions were not bad, except that he had six children.

Although people nowadays don't have as many customs regarding marriage and don't think about dowries, Lin Youcheng's status as a great writer and his qualifications are undeniable and certainly not lacking.

Xie Shuhua was overjoyed to see that her father had finally had to agree. Of course, she also knew that her parents had only agreed because of her insistence.

Although Xie Zelin had no choice but to agree to the matter because of his daughter, there were still some things he wanted to say and some instructions he wanted to give to Lin Youcheng. He talked to Lin Youcheng about some other things.

Zhang Aiqin wouldn't have any more objections, since Xie Zelin had already given his consent. However, looking at her daughter, she was still a little worried, unsure of what the future held. But seeing the happy smile on her daughter Xie Shuhua's face, she didn't say much, just held Xie Shuhua's hand and patted it gently.

The room was peaceful. Xie Zelin and Lin Youcheng were giving each other some instructions, and his soon-to-be son-in-law naturally nodded obediently in agreement. No matter what kind of literary luminary he was, he was still very polite to his future father-in-law at this moment.

It seemed to be snowing again outside. Everything was quiet and still. On this auspicious day, the two of them truly pledged their lives to each other.

……

Xie Zelin and Zhang Aiqin finally agreed to Lin Youcheng's relationship with Xie Shuhua. So, some things needed to be discussed and decided not to be delayed indefinitely. It wasn't like later generations who required exorbitant dowries, and the traditional three essential items for a wedding, like bicycles, were outdated. Lin Youcheng wouldn't lack the new three essential items, and acquiring them would be very simple.

The "four essentials" for weddings in the 1990s were quite different from those in the 1970s and 80s. The "three turns and one sound" of the 1970s and the "three machines and one vehicle" of the 1980s evolved into the "four major home appliances" of the 1990s. These four items included not only color televisions for listening and watching, but also washing machines for practical use, and refrigerators for enjoying life. Clearly, these were all present in the courtyard houses of Xinghua Hutong, and these were relatively small items. The truly essential item was probably the house itself.

Of course, most importantly, Xie Zelin and Zhang Aiqin are honest people who didn't think about making any demands or even planning a big wedding. Moreover, Xie Shuhua's family doesn't have many relatives, so they just wanted to have a simple wedding.

As the son-in-law, Lin Youcheng naturally made all the arrangements. Tianjin is not far from Beijing. Lin Youcheng even planned to buy plane tickets for Xie Shuhua's relatives to go there, but Xie Zelin refused. He didn't care about such formalities or high-profile arrangements, and they all went directly to Beijing by train.

It must be said that wedding ceremonies in the 1990s were not as complicated as those in later years, with wedding planning companies and wedding photos. Xie Shuhua did not have many requirements and thought it would be simple for both families to witness the ceremony together.

Lin Youcheng naturally had no objections. He specifically informed his eldest brother, Lin Youcai, and second sister, Lin Youfeng. Originally, he wanted them to fly to the wedding, but now tickets required purchase at the ticket office with identification documents, and only handwritten forms and cash payments were accepted. His brothers, Lin Youcai and Lin Youfeng, weren't so particular, thinking the wedding date of April 18th was still early, so they bought train tickets instead of the extravagant idea of ​​flying to Beijing for Lin Youcheng's wedding. Lin Youcheng's friends in Beijing had also heard the news of his upcoming marriage.

Undoubtedly, this has been a topic of discussion among many in Beijing's literary circles. After all, Lin Youcheng is a widower writer, and his remarriage has naturally surprised many.

Of course, despite the surprise, some friends were happy for Lin Youcheng, as it was indeed not easy for him.

Of course, some people will still talk about the age difference between Xie Shuhua and Lin Youcheng, and also about how Xie Shuhua studied at the Lu Xun Academy of Literature's graduate program in creative writing. These discussions are inevitable, after all, Lin Youcheng and Xie Shuhua are indeed fifteen years apart, and he is a divorced man with a child, while Xie Shuhua is a first-time bride.

These discussions will continue to exist to some extent, but most of them will be blessings.

On April 18, 1991, the fourth day of the third lunar month, an auspicious day for marriage, Comrade Lin Youcheng and Comrade Xie Shuhua got together.

The courtyard in Xinghua Hutong was naturally decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, with red "double happiness" characters and couplets pasted on it, making it look very lively. The pomegranate tree in the courtyard was also sprouting green buds, full of spring and ready to welcome the new spring.

Xie Zelin had already been called "Grandpa" by Lin Zhaoqing's children, but now he was facing six children calling him "Grandpa" at the same time. Although he was still a little flustered, he was much better than Zhang Aiqin.

Of course, after that, the children stopped calling him "Grandpa" and started calling him "Grandpa Maternal Grandpa." In the south, they call him "Grandpa Maternal Grandpa," but in the north, they still call him "Grandpa Maternal Grandpa" or "Grandma Maternal Grandpa."

Although Zhang Aiqin had long considered and accepted the fact that Lin Youcheng had six children, she was still momentarily dazed when six children suddenly called her "Grandma." Her daughter got married and immediately had six children, and she suddenly had six grandchildren.

Fortunately, these children are all very sensible and polite.

Lin Zhaohuan handed the candy in her hand to Zhang Aiqin with a smile and said, "Grandma, here's some delicious candy for you!"

"Okay, thank you Huanhuan."

Zhang Aiqin accepted the candy from Lin Zhaohuan. Even before eating it, she felt a sweet warmth in her heart. Although these children initially worried her about her daughter, everyone has a heart, and seeing such sensible and polite children, she naturally accepted them.

Of course, Zhang Aiqin knew even better than her daughter Xie Shuhua that as an elder, she had to set a good example for Xie Shuhua and treat these children well. She couldn't let people's hearts be separated by their own. For the sake of her daughter, she also had to treat these grandchildren well.

"Come on, Grandma will show you how to play."

Zhang Aiqin held Lin Zhaohuan's hand and led Lin Zhaole and several other children to play.

Lin Zhaoxi had long known that her father would marry Teacher Xie Shuhua, so she naturally didn't have any thoughts about it. She just kept her feelings to herself. Seeing that her younger siblings were all very happy made her happy too. After all, the feelings she had told Teacher Xie Shuhua that she liked her were her true feelings.

Looking at his grandchildren, Xie Zelin couldn't help but sigh at how prolific Lin Youcheng was, having six children so early in his marriage. He wondered if he and Xie Shuhua would have children of their own.

Of course, this thought only flashed through Xie Zelin's mind. He also knew that regardless of whether Xie Shuhua could have children or not, those children had to be treated well.

After talking with Lin Youfeng for a while, Lin Youcai went over to talk to Xie Zelin, an elder. He knew that Xie Shuhua's parents had previously disagreed, and Lin Youcheng was able to be with Xie Shuhua thanks to her parents' approval.

Although Lin Youcheng did not hold a large banquet, many friends still came to attend the wedding.

People like Yu Hua and Cheng Hong will naturally be there, as will Zheng Xiaolong and others. Putting aside Lin Youcheng's status and identity in the literary circle, the film directors who have worked with Lin Youcheng will also be there to have a drink at his wedding.

Zhang Wei, an editor at *People's Literature*, naturally came. He had worked with Lin Youcheng for a long time, having known him since the early days of *The Devotion of Suspect X*. Although he hadn't managed to secure the rights to that novel, they had truly known each other for many years. Zhang Wei had witnessed Lin Youcheng raising six children alone all those years, and it hadn't been easy for him. Now that he had finally found someone to marry and start a family, he was genuinely happy for Lin Youcheng.

Zhang Wei didn't think Xie Shuhua was young or anything like that. In his eyes, the two of them were a perfect match, a match made in heaven.

"Youcheng, congratulations! I'm really happy for you."

Upon hearing Zhang Wei's words, Lin Youcheng naturally smiled and expressed his gratitude.

With a smile, Zhang Wei asked, "Are you and Shu Hua planning to have another child?"

Lin Youcheng hadn't expected that while he and Xie Shuhua's family hadn't mentioned it, his editor was now genuinely asking about it—this was real pressure to have a child. Of course, Lin Youcheng knew Zhang Wei was just saying it casually, so he smiled and said, "I thought you only knew how to urge me to submit my manuscript."

Upon hearing Lin Youcheng's words, Zhang Wei couldn't help but say, "As for urging me to finish the manuscript, I will definitely still urge him to finish it."

Lin Youcheng smiled, turned to look at Xie Shuhua who was talking to Cheng Hong with a smile on her face, and suddenly thought that if he and Xie Shuhua really had to have another child.

Then, as the father, he'll probably have to prepare a courtyard house for his child.

Of course, there might be more than one set.

(End of this chapter)