After fleeing the famine, my older sister and I married the brother next door.

On the day Qingqing got married, before dawn, the lights were already on in the Chen family's courtyard.

Su Xiaoyin was the first to get up. The fire in the stove was burning brightly, and the water in the pot was bubbling away. She first boiled water for washing her face, then heated the red date and lotus seed soup she had prepared the night before in the pot, before turning to call Qingqing. Pushing open the door, she found Qingqing already sitting at her dressing table, the bronze mirror polished to a gleaming shine, reflecting her delicate face. She was wearing a bright red undergarment, her hair loose, holding a wooden comb in her hand, but not moving.

"Mom, I'm a little panicked," Qingqing said softly.

Su Xiaoyin walked over, took the wooden comb from her hand, and began to comb her hair gently. The hair was long and black, slipping through her fingers like satin. Su Xiaoyin's hands were steady, but her eyes were red, though she held back her tears. Su Xiaoqing also came over, carrying a bowl of red date and lotus seed soup, and placed it on the table, saying, "Eat something first; we'll be busy all day, and you can't go hungry." Qingqing ate a few bites but couldn't eat anymore.

As dawn broke, Qingqing changed into her wedding dress. The dress, made with the help of Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing, was made of bright red silk with gold embroidery, and the collar and cuffs were embroidered with mandarin ducks playing in the water. After putting it on, Qingqing twirled in front of the mirror; the skirt spread out like a blooming peony. The three brothers, Shitou, Aji, and Afu, stood at the doorway, none of them coming in. Shitou had his hands in his sleeves, Aji leaned against the doorframe, and Afu stood on tiptoe, peeking inside. Mother Chen came from the main room, took Qingqing's hand, looked her up and down, her eyes reddening. She uttered several "good"s, unable to say anything more.

The dowry was prepared in the first few days. Chen Dashan made two large camphor wood chests and a large wardrobe for Qingqing. The wood was of the finest quality, polished smooth and rounded, and carved with lotus scroll patterns, symbolizing good fortune. Along with the various furniture, bedding, pots and pans prepared at home, they were all lined up in a long row, tied with red silk, looking very festive.

The auspicious hour arrived. Firecrackers crackled and popped outside the courtyard gate, and the smell of gunpowder wafted in, making people cough. Yang Wenhu, dressed in a bright red groom's robe and holding a red silk ribbon, stood at the entrance of the main room, flanked by Shitou and Aji. His face was flushed, and fine beads of sweat glistened on his forehead.

Supported by Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing, Qingqing came out of the inner room. Her head was bowed, her face hidden by a veil, so her expression was obscured. When bidding farewell to her parents, Chen Dashan sat ramrod straight in his armchair, his eyes red-rimmed, but he said, "Go, live a good life." Chen's mother was speechless.

Shi Tou carried Qingqing onto the bridal sedan chair. Yang Wenhu rode in front on horseback, the sedan chair in the middle, and the dowry procession behind. The wedding procession stretched from the entrance of Chenjia Lane all the way to the village entrance, a fiery red dragon.

Standing at the courtyard gate, Su Xiaoyin watched the bridal sedan chair gradually disappear into the distance, and tears finally streamed down her face. Chen's mother stood beside her, tightly gripping Su Xiaoqing's hand; she too wept. Su Xiaoqing leaned against the doorframe, wiping her tears with the back of her hand, repeating this several times, but the tears only flowed more. Chen Dashan walked over, pulled Su Xiaoyin into his arms, and gently patted her back. His voice was a little hoarse, but his tone was resolute: "Don't cry. You'll see Qingqing again in three days when you return to your parents' home. Don't worry, Qingqing has a plan in mind. You must believe in her; she'll be alright."

Su Xiaoyin nodded, wiped away her tears, and turned to enter the courtyard. The courtyard was empty, the green door to the room was open, and the wooden comb she hadn't had time to put away was still on the dressing table. Su Xiaoyin walked over, put the comb into the drawer, straightened the chair, and gently closed the door.

For the past three days, no one in the Chen family has had a good appetite. Chen's mother made Qingqing's favorite braised pork ribs, but after glancing at them on the table, she put them away again. Su Xiaoyin was rolling out noodles, but halfway through, she remembered how much Qingqing loved her noodles, and her hands went limp. Shi Tou was lecturing at the county school when he drifted off into thought, and it took several calls of "Teacher!" from the students for him to snap out of it.

On the day of the return visit, the whole family waited early.

Chen's mother got up before dawn and busied herself in the kitchen all morning. Chen Dashan swept the yard three times, even picking up the fallen leaves from the corners. Shi Tou moved a stool to the gate and sat down at the entrance of the yard, holding a book but not turning a page for a long time. Aji paced back and forth at the alley entrance, with Afu following behind; neither of the brothers spoke.

When the mule cart appeared at the alley entrance, Afu was the first to see it, shouting "You're back!" and turning to run into the courtyard. Qingqing was wearing a new lotus-root-colored dress, her face rosy and her spirits high. Su Xiaoyin watched from afar, and the weight that had been hanging over her heart finally lifted. Yang Wenhu followed behind, carrying large and small bags of gifts for the bride's return visit—two packets of brown sugar, two bolts of fine cotton cloth, a jar of yellow wine, and osmanthus cakes made by Madam Yang herself.

Shi Tou stepped forward to greet Yang Wenhu, patted him on the shoulder, and led him into the main room. Aji poured him some tea and pushed a fruit plate towards him. Yang Wenhu picked up the teacup, took a sip, and called out, "Big Brother." Shi Tou responded, and Aji nodded as well.

Su Xiaoyin and Chen's mother pulled Qingqing into the inner room. As soon as the door closed, Chen's mother took Qingqing's hand and asked how she had been at the Yang family's house these past few days. Qingqing smiled and said that Mr. and Mrs. Yang treated her very well, cooking different dishes every day, afraid she wouldn't get used to the town's food. Mrs. Yang even taught her how to make osmanthus cake, saying she was skillful and learned quickly. They now lived in a new house next to the old one, but they still ate at the old house with Mr. and Mrs. Yang. Mrs. Yang said it was too much trouble for the newlyweds to cook for themselves; they would wait until they got used to it.

Su Xiaoyin asked about the shop again. Qingqing poured herself a bowl of water, took a sip, and slowly began to explain. Yang Wenhu helped out at the cloth shop, taking 30% of the profits each month. She made embroidery at home, using the cloth and thread provided by the shop. After each sale, the public fund took 30%, and she kept 70%. They also received a separate shop from the public fund, which was now rented out, providing monthly rent. Qingqing smiled and said it wasn't much, but enough for her spending money.

Chen's mother nodded repeatedly, her worries finally subsiding. Su Xiaoyin stood up and said, "You two stay inside and talk things out. I'll go help in the kitchen." Qingqing called after her, saying, "Mom, I want to eat the noodles you make." Su Xiaoyin turned her back, nodded twice, and quickly left the room.

In the kitchen, Su Xiaoqing was already busy. The cutting board was covered with chopped vegetables. Su Xiaoyin tied on an apron, scooped up some flour, and started kneading the dough. Su Xiaoqing asked her how Qingqing was doing, and Su Xiaoyin said she was fine, her complexion was rosy, and she had gained a little weight. Su Xiaoqing smiled and said that was good.