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

Firecrackers crackled and popped at the doorway, filling half the alley with smoke. The crackling sounds were mixed with the laughter of children, who covered their ears and scrambled through the smoke to retrieve duds. Afu rode a mule ahead of the bridal sedan chair, dressed in a bright red auspicious robe with a red silk flower tied at his chest. His hat was slightly askew, and Su Xiaoqing caught up to him at the courtyard gate to straighten it. The smile on his face hadn't faded since he entered, and he kept muttering something. As he drew closer, it became clear that he was repeating the same phrase over and over—"We're getting married today, we're getting married today."

The bridal sedan chair stopped at the courtyard gate. The curtain was lifted, and Zhao Qinghuan stepped out, supported by the matchmaker. She wore a bright red wedding dress, her face hidden by a veil, but her gait revealed her as a capable young woman—steady steps, straight back, and no stage fright. Stepping over the brazier, stepping on the roof tiles, and crossing the threshold, Zhao Qinghuan moved nimbly, crossing in one swift motion. The matchmaker beside her repeatedly uttered auspicious wishes.

The wedding ceremony has begun.

First bow to heaven and earth, second bow to parents, husband and wife bow to each other. When Afu bent over, his forehead almost touched the ground. Su Xiaoqing, watching from the side, burst into tears. Chen Xiaohe handed her a handkerchief, which she clutched in her hand without wiping her tears.

The bride was led to the bridal chamber. Qingqing had already told Su Xiaoqing to arrange for her to accompany Zhao Qinghuan, worried that Zhao Qinghuan might feel uncomfortable being alone in the bridal chamber. Su Xiaoqing was extremely busy, but upon hearing this, she nodded repeatedly, saying, "Alright, alright, you go keep her company. I was just worried about having no one to keep her company." Qingqing carried a plate of pastries and pushed open the door. Zhao Qinghuan was sitting on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), her veil already lifted, wringing a handkerchief in her hand. Hearing the door open, she looked up, saw Qingqing enter, and smiled. The two had met a few times before. They had chatted briefly when Qingqing came to deliver silk flowers. The day before the wedding, when Su Xiaoqing went to the Zhao family to deliver the dowry gifts, Qingqing went along and chatted with Zhao Qinghuan for a while; the two seemed to get along well.

Qingqing placed the plate on the kang table and said, "Qinghuan, my mother and aunt were worried you were hungry, so they asked me to bring you a plate of pastries. Have something to eat first. We'll have a proper meal after the guests leave, so please eat something now and don't go hungry." Zhao Qinghuan had gotten up early to do her hair and makeup, and after a whole morning of fussing, she was quite hungry. Without being polite, she took a piece of osmanthus cake and ate it, mumbling, "It's delicious!" Qingqing then poured her a cup of tea and handed it to her.

Qingqing sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), watching Zhao Qinghuan eat the cake. She waited for Zhao Qinghuan to swallow before speaking. Her voice wasn't loud, but it was clear, as if she were introducing something very important.

"Qinghuan, listen to me while you eat. Let me introduce you to the family. You've just married into the family and aren't familiar with it yet, so I'll tell you so you'll have a general idea. Your mother and aunt manage the household. Your grandparents give advice on important matters, but don't worry about the small things. Everyone in the family is still in good health. Your grandfather has some old problems with his back and legs, but he can move around without any problems, so we basically don't let him do any heavy work."

Zhao Qinghuan put down the pastries and listened attentively. Qingqing recounted the family's situation in detail—the production of fields, fruit trees, vegetables, watermelons, and cantaloupes; the medicinal herbs were managed by Afu, from harvesting to processing; the general store was run by her aunt and uncle; the embroidery was also done by the two of them; her grandparents would set up the stall in the county town during spring planting and autumn harvest, while her father or uncle would usually look after it; in addition, there were several shops rented out, providing a fixed monthly income. Occasionally, her father and uncle would also take on some carpentry work, all from regular customers, so they never lacked business. In short, there was almost no one idle.

Zhao Qinghuan's eyes widened slightly after hearing this. She had originally thought that the Chen family was just a farming family that owned a few acres of land and a few shops, which was considered quite good. She hadn't expected it to be like this—almost everyone had their own job, and everyone was contributing to the family. Their income was not only plentiful but also stable.

Qingqing smiled when she saw her surprised expression.

"My mother and aunt are different from other sisters-in-law. They are twin sisters who have been together since childhood and have never been separated. My mother and aunt have both said that even after my grandparents pass away, they will not separate from the family. My mother cannot live without my aunt, and my aunt cannot live without my mother. So don't worry, our family is not the kind of family that is outwardly harmonious but inwardly discordant and quarrelsome behind people's backs."

Qingqing then described her family's habits: Grandpa smoked a pipe but not indoors, only in the yard; Grandma loved cleanliness, wiping the stove so clean you could see your reflection; Mom and her aunt were both busy, but whoever had free time would do more, without complaint. Every morning, there was always a pot of hot porridge in the kitchen, and whoever got up first ate first—no one waited for you—this was the Chen family's rule, unpretentious and comfortable. Zhao Qinghuan listened intently, a smile playing on her lips.

Qingqing handed her the last piece of osmanthus cake, clapped her hands, stood up, and said, "Anyway, everyone in the family is easy to get along with, so don't worry." Zhao Qinghuan took the cake, took a bite, looked into Qingqing's eyes, and said earnestly, "Thank you, Qingqing." Qingqing waved her hand and said, "No need to thank me, we're family now." Then she pushed open the door and left.

Zhao Qinghuan leaned against the kang table, looking around the new room—red candles, red curtains, bright red quilts, red double happiness symbols pasted on the window frame, large red "Fu" characters pasted on the wardrobe, even the bronze mirror on the dressing table was tied with a red string. The fire in the stove was burning brightly, the kang was warm, and the room was cozy. She remembered what Qingqing had said—"Grandma said that even if Grandpa and Grandma pass away, they will not separate the family."

Zhao Qinghuan smiled, finished the pastry in her hand, and patted off the crumbs. She thought to herself, she wasn't afraid to marry into such a family.

The courtyard suddenly became lively. Afu was pushed in by Shitou and Aji, and when he opened the door to the bridal chamber, his face was already flushed. Shitou called out from behind, "Treat your wife well," and closed the door. Zhao Qinghuan lowered her head, her lips curving into a smile. Afu sat down on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), unsure of what to do with his hands. After a moment of silence, Zhao Qinghuan spoke first: "Are you hungry? Qingqing brought some pastries, I saved one for you." Afu smiled, his mouth wide, fine lines appearing at the corners of his eyes—eighteen years old, considered late marriage in the village. He took the pastry Zhao Qinghuan offered, took a big bite, and then suddenly stopped, looking at Zhao Qinghuan, his eyes slightly red. Zhao Qinghuan felt embarrassed by his gaze and lowered her head.

Just then, Su Xiaoqing called from outside, "Afu and Qinghuan, come eat!" Hearing Su Xiaoqing's voice, Zhao Qinghuan and Afu quickly went out. The family was waiting, and when they came out, they saw a table full of dishes on the old house table. Su Xiaoyin invited everyone to sit down and eat. After a busy day, Su Xiaoqing, Su Xiaoyin, and Aji kept putting food on Zhao Qinghuan's plate, afraid that she would be embarrassed to eat. Zhao Qinghuan said, "Thank you, Mom, Aunt, Afu, this is enough, I can't eat anymore." "It's okay, you eat first, and if you can't eat anymore, give it to me." Hearing Afu's words, Zhao Qinghuan buried her head and ate with embarrassment. After the meal, Su Xiaoqing urged the two of them to go back and rest, saying that they were tired after a long day and didn't need them to clean up.