Country Love: Xie Dajiao, 37, is pregnant!

The car that picked up the bride drove back to the gate of Zhao Si's house. The villagers who had been waiting in the yard lit firecrackers, and the crackling and popping sounds were deafening. At this time, the drum and gong team also started, and the smell of gunpowder mixed with the festive atmosphere filled the whole village road.

Liu Ying wore a long-sleeved wedding dress, her black hair styled in a bridal updo. Her feet didn't touch the ground as she slowly walked inside, stepping on the red carpet that stretched from the front door to the house.

A table was set up in the center of the courtyard, with the Zhao and Liu families standing on either side, and Wang Changgui presiding over the meeting in a loud voice:

"First bow to Heaven and Earth—thanking them for their blessings and abundant harvest!"

"A second bow to the parents—to express gratitude for their nurturing kindness!"

"Husband and wife bow to each other—may they treat each other with the utmost respect from now on!"

"The ceremony is complete!"

Zhao Si, dressed in an old-fashioned Zhongshan suit, stood to the side of the offering table.

He was so happy today that his lips kept twitching, and he didn't know what to do with his hands. He was nervous because it was his first time being a father-in-law.

Liu Neng stood to the side, hands behind his back, pretending to be calm and putting on a serious face as a father-in-law, but his eyes were fixed on his daughter.

The newlyweds were led into the bridal chamber, and Liu Ying, according to custom, sat on the kang (a heated brick bed) covered with a bright red wedding quilt, symbolizing that she was to sit on the kang and enjoy good fortune. Of course, this was an old saying, and she would have to change her clothes and go out to toast the guests later.

Xie Dajiao brought over a mahogany wedding platter, which was piled high with red dates, peanuts, longans, and chestnuts.

She grabbed a handful of dried fruit and scattered it on the bride's kang (heated brick bed), reciting auspicious words:

"A handful of dates, a handful of chestnuts, may you have a son soon, sweet as honey; a handful of peanuts, a handful of sugar, may the young couple's life be prosperous and long-lasting!"

The room was filled with cheers and applause, and the atmosphere was festive.

After the wedding ceremony, firecrackers went off again, and the Zhao family's banquet officially began, bringing a lively atmosphere to the entire Xiangyashan area this winter.

Two large blue canvas tents covered the Zhao family's courtyard completely, and more than a dozen tables were packed full of people.

Not only did all the older farmers and women from the village attend, but a whole bunch of young men, women, and teenagers from the village also flocked to join in the fun. The aisles around the tables were packed with people, and children chased and played around the yard. The noise and chatter were deafening, and the lively atmosphere of the rural feast was impossible to suppress.

The chef we hired, a country chef, was dressed very lightly despite the cold weather. He was stirring the meat with a large iron ladle, flames leaping out from the edge of the wok, and the aroma of meat wafting far and wide from the oil.

The village women helping in the kitchen moved back and forth carrying large platters, and one steaming plate of hearty dishes after another was served, the aroma of meat, vegetables, baijiu (Chinese liquor), and tobacco mingling together.

Liu Neng, dressed in a suit and holding a cigarette, busied himself welcoming and seeing off guests, his mouth never stopping. He greeted everyone he met with polite pleasantries. Zhao Si, holding a wine bottle, poured wine for everyone, making sure no one drank less. The two of them worked together in harmony to greet the guests inside and outside, performing all the proper etiquette of the host.

To make the wedding more lively, the Zhao family specially spent money to hire a duo-turn opera troupe, and a simple wooden stage was set up on the side of the tent.

As soon as the gongs and drums sounded, the suonas blared loudly and high-pitchedly. A male and female Errenzhuan performer dressed in red and green came on stage to sing. They started with a festive little song called "Double Happiness". They sang and danced, their handkerchiefs fluttering. The guests below the stage clapped and cheered, and the atmosphere became more and more lively.

The banquet was also quite impressive, a top-tier rural wedding feast, with four cold dishes, eight hot dishes, and twelve main courses, all hearty dishes typical of a traditional country banquet, with generous portions and large plates, and unlimited white wine and beer.

There were just too many people. According to local custom, the banquet was divided into three waves. The first wave consisted of elders, close relatives, and village officials. The second wave was for young people of the same age in the village. The third wave, which didn't require many tables, consisted of women, children, and scattered neighbors.

Once one group finishes eating, the table is cleared and cleaned, and the next group immediately takes their seats. The tables are rotated throughout the day to ensure that everyone can sit down and eat in peace.

The singing continued in the inner courtyard. Two long tables with gift banners were specially set up against the wall at the main gate, where two family members with neat handwriting sat and formally registered the red envelopes given as gifts.

After accompanying the newlyweds in toasting the first round of guests, Lin Chen immediately pulled out a thick red envelope and handed it to Zhao Yutian and Liu Ying.

Zhao Yutian felt the thickness and realized it was wrong. When he opened it, Liu Ying was also dumbfounded.

"Brother Chen, what are you doing? There's way too much!"

"Yeah, Brother Chen, just a little something will do."

Lin Chen smiled and pushed the red envelope back:

"Take it if you want. I'm happy for you two getting married. Don't dawdle, hurry up, there'll be a second batch later."

Zhao Yutian sighed. The debt was only getting bigger. Liu Ying stared at him expectantly, but Zhao Yutian ignored her and simply stuffed the red envelope into his suit pocket.

During a break in the Errenzhuan (a traditional folk art form) performance, the host politely invited village officials to come on stage and say a few words.

Wang Changgui was impeccably dressed today, wearing a clean suit. Despite being freezing, he strode onto the small stage with his back straight, picked up the microphone, and cleared his throat:

"Dear friends and family of Xiangyashan, today is a joyous occasion for the wedding of Zhao Yutian and Liu Ying, two young people from our village. First of all, on behalf of the village committee, I wish the newlyweds a long and happy life together and many children!"

"Zhao Yutian is hardworking and his flower nursery is thriving. Liu Ying is virtuous and sensible, and their two children are a perfect match. Congratulations to Zhao Si and Liu Neng, good news is on their way! I hope all the neighbors in the village will stay close and live in harmony, and that everyone's life will be as prosperous as this feast today! Everyone, eat and drink well!"

The audience erupted in applause and cheers, the applause mingling with the sounds of suonas and drums.

The bigwigs at the main table were seated neatly, with Xie Guangkun, Wang Laoqi, Zhao Si, Liu Neng, and the village officials sitting at the same table.

Xie Guangkun had been pouting and muttering to himself from the audience that when Yongqiang got married, the scale of the wedding had to be bigger than today's.

After Liu Neng and Zhao Si sat down, Xie Guangkun grabbed Zhao Si's shoulder and patted him hard, speaking loudly as if afraid he wouldn't hear him:

"Fourth brother, you've really made a name for yourself today! Not only has your Yutian achieved something, but he even got Lin Chen to be his best man. Your Zhao family has really made a name for itself in Ivory Mountain today!"

Zhao Si shouted in Xie Guangkun's ear:

"That's because the young people get along well!"

Wang Laoqi sat to the side, slowly echoing the sentiment while holding his wine glass. He was a steady, quiet man, and said with a smile:

"Both children are good children, and they are a good match. From now on, your two families should stay in touch, as you are now one family."

After two glasses of baijiu, Liu Neng's face was flushed, and his head was slightly unsteady. He went from table to table toasting, showing off his son-in-law to everyone he met, practically wagging his tail in the air.

"My son-in-law, Zhao Yutian, is doing very well in his flower nursery business, and he always listens to me! My Yingzi is sure to be blessed after marrying him!"

Zhao Si sat at the main table the whole time, covering his mouth and grinning like an idiot. Not only did his lips twitch back and forth, but his shoulders also kept shaking. He was laughing so hard that he never put down his wine glass. He was flattered by everyone, and his face was beaming. He had never been this happy at his own wedding.

Lin Chen was the busiest person there, dutifully accompanying Zhao Yutian as he went from table to table toasting and deflecting drinks.

Village elders and young people of similar age took turns urging him to drink. He spoke tactfully and appropriately, drinking when he could and politely declining when he couldn't. After a round of toasts, Zhao Yutian remained sober, though he had drunk quite a bit.

At the guest table on the side, Xie Dajiao sat calmly watching the excitement.

She was dressed in thick clothes to protect her lower abdomen, and her eyes kept glancing at Lin Chen.

Lin Chen would turn back to look at her every now and then, and walk over to whisper some instructions:

"Don't always stand in the crowd and join in the fun. Find a quiet bench to sit and rest. Don't push and shove. If you get tired, just go back to the supermarket and lie down for a while."

"I'm fine. What will I do if I act so dramatic now?"

At a table not far away, Wang Xiaomeng and Xie Xiaomei were huddled together, busy distributing wedding candies and pouring soft drinks and tea to the elderly around them. Every now and then, they would glance at the busy Lin Chen, exchange a smile, and then quietly watch the excitement.

In the far corner of the greenhouse, at a table by the side, Xiangxiu sat with Wang Yun, standing out conspicuously.

The young people around her were playing around and making noise, but she sat quietly, sighing from time to time, wondering when she would be able to get married. She was getting a little anxious because Li Daguo's apartment was still unsettled.

Wang Yun saw right through her little scheme, but didn't point it out. Instead, he patted her hand gently while eating sunflower seeds to comfort her.

The commotion lasted until 3 p.m., when the last wave of banquets finally came to an end.

Inside the greenhouse, cups, plates, bowls, and chopsticks were scattered haphazardly, and leftover food littered the tables. The smell of firecrackers and gunpowder still lingered in the courtyard. Guests left one after another, while Zhao's relatives stayed behind to tidy up the tables and chairs and clean the courtyard.

Zhao Yutian was dizzy from drinking, clinging to Lin Chen's arm and refusing to let go. His tongue was stiff, and his eyes were unfocused.

"Brother Chen... thank you so much for today, you've been running around helping me with everything..."

Lin Chen said with a smile:

"What's our relationship? No need for all that formalities. From now on, just settle down and live a good life with Liu Ying, and make the flower nursery bigger. Now that you're married, you can't act like you used to."

"I know, I know..."

Lin Chen and Xie Xiaomei left Zhao Si's house. The leaves on the roadside trees were all fallen, and in the distance, children were setting off firecrackers that hadn't gone off yet, making sporadic noises.

Although winters in Xiangyashan are very cold, the village always seems to be bustling with activity.

Some are newly married, some are running their own businesses, and some are cherished and loved.

Farmers don't pursue great wealth and status throughout their lives. This kind of steady, ordinary life is the most practical and reliable goal for ordinary people.

Once it was past four o'clock in the afternoon, the lively atmosphere of the Zhao family's wedding banquet completely dissipated.

The troupe of Errenzhuan (a traditional Chinese folk art form) packed up and left, while the villagers who had eaten at the feast went home in small groups, burping with satisfaction. The people who prepared the feast hurriedly took down the canvas of the wedding tent, rolled it up, and loaded the tables, chairs, benches, pots, pans, and other utensils onto the truck and drove away.

Less than half an hour later, the once bustling Zhao family home became deserted.