Notes on Longevity

Chapter 10 Zhenghe married Shuang while still in high school; the past fades away like the wind.
Inside the opera house, in the actors' quarters, the troupe leader and Yang You'an stood quietly by Ping An's bedside, watching the doctor taking Ping An's pulse.

Soon, the doctor put Ping An's hand back under the covers, got up and said to the two of them, "It's just a cold. I'll write a prescription, and you can get the medicine according to the prescription."

"Thank you, doctor."

After handing the doctor's prescription to Yang Youan, the troupe leader said to him, "There's nothing to do today, and the child hasn't woken up yet. Come with me for a walk."

"Yes."

Yang Youan bowed and said.

After leaving the room where Ping An was kept, I turned left and headed straight for the main hall where I had previously entertained guests, intending to leave my residence and take a walk in the front courtyard.

But as they passed one of the rooms, the troupe leader stopped and looked inside. There he saw a young woman dressed in a blue and white dress, holding a teacup, staring blankly in one direction, seemingly looking at something.

The troupe leader turned around, ready to continue walking forward, but found that Yang Youan beside him was not moving at all. He was about to speak when he realized that Yang Youan was also staring blankly at the woman.

The troupe leader looked at the woman again, and when he turned back, his face was full of smiles. He patted Yang Youan's arm, signaling him to continue walking.

The lobby wasn't actually far, and the troupe leader deliberately slowed his pace, but time seemed to stand still at that moment, creating space for the two of them to talk and chat within the short ten-step distance.

"Actually, you don't have to wait until after high school to marry Shuang'er. Right now, at this moment, I can arrange your marriage."

The troupe leader looked at Yang Youan with a smile and a sense of satisfaction.

“But I think it’s better to wait until I pass the imperial examinations before marrying Shuang’er.” Yang You’an smiled, but unexpectedly, this sturdy scholar, skilled in both literature and martial arts, was acting coquettishly and swaying his body like a woman.

"I know what you're thinking, but have you considered this: if you don't become the top scholar this time, will you still marry Shuang'er?"

The troupe leader feigned a slight frown.

"Of course I'll marry her!"

Yang Youan spoke with great emotion, "How could I not marry her! Uncle, I swear to you, no matter whether I become the top scholar in the imperial examination this time, I will marry Shuang'er!"

Yang Youan raised one arm, pointing four fingers toward the sky above the eaves, his body trembling slightly as he faced the troupe leader.

His words startled the troupe leader, who then burst into laughter, "If that's the case, why not choose a good time and get married before spring arrives? Why wait?"

"I imagine that if I pass the imperial examination and become the top scholar, I will wear a bright red scholar's robe, ride a BMW, and be followed by a group of fathers-in-law who will congratulate me. I will come to propose marriage in a grand and glorious manner, which will not only make you look good, but also give Shuang'er a scene from a story novel where the top scholar marries a young and beautiful bride."

Yang Youan gesticulated wildly as he spoke, the beautiful scene he had just described appearing in his mind. He smiled foolishly, unaware that Shuang'er had already half her body sticking out of the doorway, covering her mouth with one hand and secretly laughing as she watched him.

Not only Shuang'er, but everyone in the courtyard who lived in any of the rooms stood at their doors watching him. As soon as he finished speaking, they clapped and cheered, "Well said!"

"Young Master Yang, I know you mean well, but what we really want to see is for you and Miss Shuang'er to get married soon. We're all looking forward to your wedding!"

"Yes! Get married soon and come to our wedding banquet!"

"marriage!"

"Let's go to the wedding!" The voices, which had initially been reserved for just two people, suddenly filled the courtyard with excitement. Although it wasn't yet Chinese New Year, and there were no red lanterns or firecrackers, the courtyard was already brimming with the festive atmosphere of the holiday.

Just then, a smiling girl appeared out of nowhere. She pulled Shuang'er, who was also standing at the door grinning foolishly, and slowly walked towards Yang You'an.

Shuang'er was pulled by the girl towards Yang You'an. Although they met and talked every day, discussing the past and the future, this was the first time she had walked towards him in front of so many people.

She lifted her sleeve to cover her face, but still chuckled softly, tentatively revealing half of her blushing, smiling face.

When their eyes met, both of them trembled uncontrollably, feeling an urge to rush over and hug each other tightly.

Finally, Shuang'er walked up to Yang You'an under the girl's guidance. The troupe leader also consciously took a few steps back and looked at them with a smile.

"Get married!" The two approached and their eyes met. Suddenly, the girl shouted, startling them. But as soon as her voice fell, their faces lit up with smiles, their cheeks redder than blooming red roses.

People scattered in the courtyard braved the snowflakes and came out into the yard. With everything covered in white, after a young girl's innocent voice rang out, they all shouted loudly and excitedly, "Get married! Get married!"

Yang Youan looked at the woman before him with a serious expression and a slight tremor at the corner of his mouth, and said, "My life after the age of fifteen was given to me by you and the troupe leader, and I owe you a debt. But if I speak of you today, will you join me in getting our hair soaked in snow and wearing icy clothes, and petition the heavens above and the earth below, so that we may be united in marriage? Are you willing?"

"I have long admired you, sir; I admire your reading and poetry, your writing and prose; I admire your secluded life, your love of chatting with crickets about the world and the past. I have also dreamed that if one day we could be united in marriage, I would follow you wherever you go."

"it is good!"

As soon as the two finished speaking, the crowd applauded and cheered. A voice, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, asked the couple, "When are you two planning to get married?"

The two laughed, and Yang Youan shielded Shuang'er behind him, opened his chest as if embracing the heavens and earth, and shouted loudly to the crowd: "I, Yang Youan, hereby swear that I will definitely pass the imperial examination this time. When that time comes, I will wear red clothes, ride a fine horse, and come to welcome Shuang'er in glory."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the courtyard scoffed at Yang Youan. Normally, this scoff would have been a sign of disdain, but at this moment it was a sarcastic remark.

After that, someone said, "Since Young Master Yang is so confident, then we'll wait for the day you pass the imperial examination and then we'll drink your wedding wine!"

"We'll wait!" the crowd echoed.

"Alright! When that time comes, we'll drink until we drop!"

Yang Youan gestured as if he was drinking, but someone immediately chimed in, "That won't do! What will happen to the bride if you get drunk!"

"Yes, that's right!"

What should be done about the bride?

Yang Youan was a little confused by everyone's rambling remarks. He turned to look at Shuang'er, smiled, and immediately replied, "Then I won't bother with you guys!"

Everyone laughed.

The troupe leader, standing to the side, also watched Yang You'an, who was facing the crowd in the courtyard, with a smile. He was very satisfied with this future son-in-law, not just because he could pass the imperial examinations and become an official in the future, but because he truly loved his daughter.

And it all started in that hot summer five years ago.

(End of this chapter)