60s: I have a store

Chapter 556: Bride Pickup and Wedding Banquet

After Erzhu and the others were happy, the old secretary asked, "Are you thirteen families ready to hold a banquet?"

Erzhu and his parents definitely want to hold a wedding banquet, but now there is a problem. If they want to hold a wedding banquet, they have to solve the problem of ingredients. If there is no meat, what is the point of holding a wedding banquet?

Is it just a few stir-fried vegetables? They can't afford to lose this person.

At this time, Erzhu's father said, "Old Party Secretary, we want to sell it, but we don't have any way to get the meat?"

His idea was to ask the old branch secretary to ask Zhou Yimin for some meat, which would just cost him some money at most.

The old Party Secretary thought for a moment and said, "How about this, the thirteen families can have a banquet together, and the money for the ingredients will be divided equally among the thirteen families?"

If we put them together, we can save time and effort, and we don’t have to bother Zhou Yimin so many times.

After hearing this, the people present thought it was a good idea. If the thirteen families could share the money equally, each family's expenses could be reduced a lot.

"Okay, then let's do as you say, old branch secretary."

The old branch secretary nodded, left, and prepared to find Zhou Yimin.

Came to Zhou Yimin's home.

When Zhou Yimin saw the old branch secretary, he hurriedly asked him to sit down and poured him a cup of tea.

"Old Party Secretary, what is it that you came to see me for?"

The old branch secretary got straight to the point and said, "Yimin, Erzhu and the others want to have a banquet together. There are no problems with other aspects, but there is really no way to deal with the meat."

"I don't know, Yimin, do you have any solution?"

If Zhou Yimin has no other choice, he can only use the chickens in the village chicken farm. And since they are all chickens, it doesn't look good.

Zhou Yimin fell into deep thought: "Old Party Secretary, how much meat do you want?"

The old Party Secretary hurriedly took out the menu: "This is the menu listed in the village canteen. The meat must be at least 100 kilograms!"

And that doesn't include the village, there are also some dried fish and other things.

However, this time the wedding banquet is equivalent to inviting everyone in the village to come for dinner, so the consumption is definitely a bit high.

If there is not enough meat, the host will lose face. There are so many people from the whole village eating. If there is not enough meat, only shredded meat or minced meat will be seen on the table.

Zhou Yimin still had a little gap with his expectations, but it was still within an acceptable range: "Okay, old secretary, I'll go get the meat back in a minute."

The old branch secretary was very happy. Zhou Yimin helped him solve another difficult problem. There were still many things to deal with, so he prepared to leave.

But at this time, Zhou Yimin said: "Old Party Secretary, I want to discuss something with you?"

The old branch secretary, who was about to leave, sat down again after hearing Zhou Yimin's words: "Yimin, what's the matter?"

Could it be that Zhou Yimin has some new ideas? You know, the reason why the village has developed so well is that many of the credits are due to Zhou Yimin's ideas. However, the most important thing is that the people of Zhoujiazhuang listen to advice, otherwise no matter how good the suggestions are, they will be useless.

After all, it is the villagers of Zhoujiazhuang who are carrying out the order. If they don't carry it out, it will be in vain.

Zhou Yimin told the old branch secretary directly about Xie Yumei's situation.

The old Party secretary then raised a question: "Yimin, doesn't the village already have a teacher? Is there any need to hire another one?"

Although the village as a whole is moving in a good direction, unnecessary waste should be avoided.

Zhou Yimin then began to explain: "Old Party Secretary, this is the case. If Comrade Xie Yumei is included, our village school will be able to allow children in the village to finish primary school in the village and go to other places for junior high school."

The old branch secretary had not thought that inviting Xie Yumei would bring such benefits. If so, he could accept it.

"Okay, then let's do as you say, Yimin!"

Soon they arrived to pick up the bride and take her back to the village. In the early morning, Zhoujiazhuang was shrouded in a festive atmosphere. In the open space in front of the dining hall, the women of the village were busy.

The white mist rising from the steamer is intertwined with the smoke rising from the stove, and the air is filled with the rich aroma of braised pork, the wheat aroma of steamed buns and the mellow aroma of stewed chicken soup.

Zhou Yimin and Zhou Zhiming drove a tractor and a motorcycle, carrying Erzhu, Dazhu and thirteen other young men with expectant faces, and headed towards the street office.

The tractor rumbled along the country dirt road, raising clouds of dust, but it did not affect the young men's good mood at all.

Erzhu sat on the tractor, and from time to time he touched the handkerchief in his pocket that he had prepared in advance. It was bought specially for Xiulan. Although it was not expensive, it was full of his thoughts.

Dazhu kept tidying up his clothes, muttering to himself what to say when he saw the girl he liked.

Under the old locust tree in front of the street office, the sound of cicadas chirped one after another, and the sunlight shone through the gaps between the branches and leaves, casting mottled light and shadows.

Director Li stood on the steps, looking up at the old-fashioned watch on his wrist from time to time. The pointer on the dial was almost reaching ten o'clock.

She looked towards the end of the street again, her eyes full of anticipation, and whispered, "It's about time. I hope nothing goes wrong."

The thirteen girls beside him, including Xiulan, had already dressed up carefully. Although they were dressed simply, they all looked neat and tidy.

They stood together, some nervously twisting the corners of their clothes, while others talked to each other in low voices.

Xiulan looked into the distance, feeling both expectant and anxious. She wondered what Erzhu would think when he saw her and what her future life would be like.

"Sister Xiulan, do you think the young men in Zhoujiazhuang are really as down-to-earth and capable as Director Li said?" Aqiao beside her asked softly, with a hint of uneasiness in her eyes.

Xiulan came back to her senses and smiled, comforting her: "Of course, otherwise Director Li wouldn't have gone to so much trouble to bring us together."

On the other side, Alian, the girl that Dazhu likes, was fixing her hair in front of the glass door of the street office.

Thinking that she would soon meet the boy who had attracted her heart at the blind date, her cheeks flushed unconsciously.

"Alian, don't be nervous, relax." Director Li came over and patted her on the shoulder. "The young men in Zhoujiazhuang are all honest. You two will definitely get along well."

The girls' luggage was very simple, just a few sets of clothes wrapped in a worn-out bag and placed at their feet.

From time to time, they looked towards the end of the street, hoping that Zhou Yimin and others would appear soon.

The waiting time seemed extremely long, and with every passing minute, everyone's anticipation grew stronger.

Suddenly, the sound of a tractor was heard in the distance, and the girls stood up straight and stretched their necks to look. When they saw the familiar figure gradually become clear, they all smiled.

Director Li also breathed a sigh of relief and walked quickly forward, saying, "Finally you're here. The girls have been waiting anxiously!"

Xiulan looked at Erzhu who was getting closer and closer, her heart beat faster involuntarily, and her hands were clenched tightly together, feeling both nervous and excited.

Soon, they arrived at the street office.

From a distance, I saw Director Li and 13 other girls, including Xiulan, standing at the door waiting. The girls had dressed up carefully today, and although they were dressed simply, their faces were filled with happy smiles.

When Director Li saw Zhou Yimin and his team coming, he quickly stepped forward and said with a smile, "Finally you're here. Everyone has been waiting anxiously!"

In the subdistrict office, special matters were handled promptly and the staff quickly processed marriage certificates for thirteen couples.

Filling out forms, stamping, and pasting photos, a series of processes were completed quickly in a cheerful atmosphere.

When Erzhu took his and Xiulan's marriage certificate with trembling hands, he looked at the photo of both of them on the certificate. The corners of his mouth lifted up uncontrollably and he couldn't stop the silly smile on his face.

Xiulan lowered her head shyly, her cheeks as red as ripe apples, but her eyes were full of joy.

Dazhu held the marriage certificate tightly and turned to look at the girl next to him. They smiled at each other, with only each other in their eyes.

Zhou Yimin looked at this happy scene, walked to Director Li, and said enthusiastically: "Aunt Li, you are a matchmaker, are you interested in attending the wedding banquet prepared by our village?"

Director Li smiled helplessly, shook his head and said, "Yimin, I won't go. The Street Office still has a lot of things waiting for me to deal with, and I have to prepare for the largest blind date event in the city, and there is still a lot of preparation to do."

Zhou Yimin nodded in understanding. He knew Director Li was busy with work, so he didn't force him.

Afterwards, Zhou Zhiming drove a tractor carrying thirteen couples to Zhoujiazhuang.

On the tractor, the newlyweds were talking and laughing, looking forward to a better life in the future.

Zhou Yimin's motorcycle was carrying Xie Yumei and her younger brother Xiaobao.

Xie Yumei sat on the back seat of the motorcycle holding Xiaobao, looking at the scenery along the way, her heart full of emotion.

She didn't expect that her life would change so much after this blind date conference.

Xiaobao looked around excitedly and laughed happily from time to time.

After returning to Zhoujiazhuang, Zhou Zhiming drove the tractor directly to the canteen.

The dining hall was bustling with activity. The women in the village were still busy preparing meals. When they saw the newlyweds coming back, they stopped what they were doing and gathered around to congratulate them.

Erzhu and his companions brought the bride and walked into the dining hall amid everyone's blessings.

Zhou Yimin took Xie Yumei to the house that had been prepared in advance. It was a spacious and bright house with blue bricks and gray tiles. Although it was not luxurious, it was clean and tidy.

Pushing open the door, the room was filled with brand new tables, chairs, beds, and a simple set of daily necessities.

Zhou Yimin took Xie Yumei on a tour of the house, introducing as they walked: "Comrade Xie Yumei, I have prepared all the daily necessities for you here in advance. Take a look, are you satisfied with this environment?"

Xie Yumei looked around, her eyes full of surprise.

Thinking of the small, crowded and dirty living environment in the shelter, and then looking at the warm little house that belonged to her, she could hardly believe it was real.

She said excitedly: "Comrade Zhou, I am very satisfied. Thank you so much!"

Seeing that Xie Yumei was satisfied, Zhou Yimin prepared to leave. Before leaving, he reminded her, "Comrade Xie Yumei, remember to attend the wedding banquet later!"

Xie Yumei nodded quickly to show that she understood.

After Zhou Yimin left, Xie Yumei began to clean up the house.

Although everything was ready, there was still a lot of dust in the house because it had been unused for a while.

She fetched a bucket of water, picked up a rag, and wiped every corner carefully.

Xiaobao was also very sensible and helped pass things around. After more than an hour of hard work, the house looked brand new.

Only then did Xie Yumei feel her stomach growling with hunger.

During this time, she was not full in the shelter, and coupled with the intensive cleaning, the little food in her stomach had long been consumed.

When Xiaobao heard his sister's stomach growling, he took out the candy Zhou Yimin had given him from his pocket.

He didn't eat them all at once, but left a few.

Xiaobao handed the candy to Xie Yumei. Xie Yumei was so hungry that she took the candy and ate it.

Not long after, the wedding banquet was about to begin. Zhou Yimin was worried that Xie Yumei didn't know where to go, so he came to pick her up.

When they arrived at the wedding banquet, the dining hall was already full of people.

The table was filled with sumptuous dishes. The braised pork was bright red in color and fragrant; the white steamed buns were soft and delicious; and the steaming chicken soup exuded an enticing aroma.

Inside the dining hall, the kerosene lamps made the red silk hanging from the ceiling appear even brighter, while the rising hot air, carrying the aroma of food, rolled through the crowd.

The old branch secretary sat at the head of the main table, his calloused hands tightly gripping the armrests of the wooden chair, his cloudy eyes filled with crystal tears.

He straightened his hunched back and looked at the lively scene in front of him, as if he wanted to engrave this happy picture in his heart forever.

When the old branch secretary stood up and announced the start of the wedding banquet, his voice trembled slightly with excitement: "Today is a big day for our Zhoujia Village! Our village has welcomed thirteen newlyweds at once, this is a great joyous event! Everyone, eat and drink to your heart's content, and wish the newlyweds love each other and live together forever!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he led the applause. Although the applause was a little slow, it was full of power, leading the whole audience to respond enthusiastically.

After three rounds of drinks, the old branch secretary held the wine glass and walked to the tables of the newlyweds one by one.

He came to Erzhu and Xiulan, tremblingly held Erzhu's hand, and said in a choked voice: "Child, live a good life and don't let your wife suffer any grievances."

After saying that, he looked at Xiulan kindly and said, "My daughter, if you have any difficulties in the future, just tell your uncle. Our Zhoujiazhuang is your home."

Xiulan's eyes were red, and she nodded her head in thanks. The old secretary's wrinkled face showed a pleased smile, and he patted their hands gently before slowly walking to the next table.

Seeing the young people gathered together laughing and playing, the old branch secretary sat alone on a bamboo chair in the corner and took out the pipe that had accompanied him for many years from his pocket.

He loaded the tobacco leaves slowly and the moment he struck the match, the flame illuminated his weathered face.

As the smoke rose, he looked at the bustling crowd, his thoughts drifting back to the past.

Once upon a time, the young men in the village worried about finding a wife, and the girls had to marry far away because of the difficult life.

Now, thanks to Zhou Yimin's efforts, the village has finally welcomed this grand happy event. How can he not be filled with emotion?

The wedding banquet reached its climax. The old branch secretary stood up again and raised his glass: "Come on, let's toast to the newlyweds! May they live in harmony and have many children for our Zhoujiazhuang!"

Everyone responded, with the sounds of clinking glasses and blessings coming one after another.

(End of this chapter)