Marriage – Part One

 

“All right, stop messing around! Everyone, full speed ahead!”

 

Before the words had even settled, Jing Yi held Chuxia with his left hand and Xiao Shu with his right, and he started running without any sense of fairness.

 

“Hey, big brother, you’re cheating!” Xiao An, seeing his big brother take off first, felt like stomping and yelled.

 

“Brother Yi is sneaking off! We won’t take someone like you!” Xiao Shan also refused to lose.

 

As for Xiao Jiang, the quiet one, he didn’t waste words and had already started chasing with long strides.

 

After they took the things from the donkey cart and arrived at the riverbank, the three little boys spent quite a while choosing a spot under a willow tree.

 

A gentle breeze blew, swaying the willow branches, and there were small yellow wildflowers scattered around. It was indeed a great place for a picnic.

 

They first spread a large piece of oil paper on the ground and then laid a thick cotton and linen cloth as a tablecloth.

 

Jing Yi and Chuxia sent their four younger brothers to buy some wild fruit juice nearby since they didn’t bring much water. They also bought some hot fried rice and buns.

 

The newly engaged stayed behind to lovingly set up the table. There was roasted chicken, braised pork, cold pig ears, cold wild vegetables, and some homemade cold cakes and tea eggs from their home.

 

Although Jing Yi had repeatedly told Chuxia that he only needed to bring himself to the appointment, and he would take care of everything, Chuxia, upon hearing it was a picnic, brought some easy-to-carry food based on his instincts. He also brought a variety of dried fruits like melon seeds, hazelnuts, and pine nuts, perfect for snacking during leisure time in the countryside.

 

When the younger brothers returned, Jing Yi went to a barbecue stall that had made his mouth water as they passed by earlier and bought roasted pork, roasted lamb, roasted eggplant, and roasted sweet potatoes. It smelled so good that he bought a large box, believing that everyone’s appetite would surely devour it.

 

“Alright, let’s eat!” Jing Yi, as the temporary head of the family, announced the start of the meal.

 

The four little guys were already quite familiar with each other. They didn’t stand on ceremony with anyone, and as soon as Jing Yi and Chuxia started eating, they began to dig in.

 

Seeing this, Jing Yi quickly handed a chicken leg to Chuxia and Xiao Shu each and let them eat. He didn’t bother with the rest.

 

With two roast chickens, along with so much grilled meat, braised meat, and cold dishes, as well as fried rice and buns, how much each little guy could eat depended on their abilities.

 

The meal was enjoyable and satisfying, relaxing and exhilarating, just a bit rushed.

 

But it’s not their fault either. It’s been past seven or eight in the morning when they ate, and now it’s past twelve. They’ve been running and playing all morning without a break. Of course, they’re hungry.

 

As the meal passed its halfway point, everyone finally slowed down, eating and chatting while also enjoying the scenery and discussing the local customs.

 

“Brother Xiaxia, let’s fly kites together later. Can you hold my hand while we run?” Xiao Shu, with his chubby cheeks, kept eating and talking to Chuxia. He really liked Chuxia, who was gentle and kind to him, unlike those who always ordered him around.

 

“Sure, but let’s take a break first; otherwise, our stomachs might hurt.”

 

Chuxia used a handkerchief to wipe the oil off Xiao Shu’s cheeks, but he didn’t mind his constant chatter. he still had food to finish.

 

“I want to fly kites with you too. Brother Xiaxia, I’m really good at it.”

 

Jing Yi forcefully joined the conversation of the kite-flying duo and handed Chuxia a piece of grilled lamb, placing it against his plump upper lip. He couldn’t help but salivate at the sight.

 

Chuxia had no choice but to take a bite, chewed it, and whispered, “Okay, I’ll eat it myself.”

 

“Brother Yi, aren’t you going to play cuju with us?” Xiao Shan shouted in disappointment.

 

“Yeah! Big brother, you promised to play with me when you’re home!” Xiao An also felt a bit let down. Why did they suddenly switch to flying kites?

 

“None of them are good at passing the ball,” even Xiao Jiang, the quiet one, muttered with a resentful look at Chuxia. This little guy clearly knew which approach was best to solve the problem.

 

Chuxia felt a bit embarrassed but also sweet from being observed.

 

After some thought, he still hoped Jing Yi would accompany him. His desire to be with him took precedence, “Ahem! You guys, can we finish flying kites first and then play cuju with you?”

 

His voice gradually lowered under Jing Yi’s ambiguous and smiling gaze.

 

After finishing the meal and tidying up a bit, the three little boys began chatting animatedly on their cushions. They snacked on dried fruits and sipped on wild fruit juice as if their stomachs were bottomless.

 

Xiao Shu was already lying on a cushion, covered with a recently bought shawl.

 

Jing Yi was worried that he might get tired easily and take a nap after eating, so he had brought a shawl for both Chuxia and Xiao Shu, just in case.

 

Jing Yi and Chuxia sat in a corner on the cushion, close to each other. They held hands and whispered sweet nothings that no one else could hear.

 

Only to see the tall and handsome man take out a jade pendant from his pocket and give it to the handsome and spirited young man. The two of them even leaned close, their hands touching as they examined the jade pendant together.

 

Today, the sunlight was brilliant, and the sky was cloudless.

 

The April breeze was gentle and refreshing, making it a pleasant day.

 

With this gentle breeze, the sounds of birds, and the fragrance of flowers, it felt like feathers lightly brushing against your cheeks as you couldn’t help but close your eyes and fully savor the ease and sweetness of the moment.

 

After the rest, it was time for carefree play. First, Chuxia and Xiao Shu flew kites for a while, and then the two of them took a break since the little child didn’t have much stamina.

 

Then it was the men’s time to play cuju, and the competition was particularly intense. The three young men were having a blast.

 

Jing Yi and Chuxia didn’t stop them either. In the countryside, boys around the age of eleven start taking on responsibilities. Although the Jing family and the Lin family didn’t require these three to carry any significant burdens, they couldn’t play as recklessly as they did when they were younger. They had been sent to the town’s school to learn reading and writing, and when they returned home, they continued with their chores.

 

However, Jing Yi felt that at eleven, they were still just fifth-grade elementary school kids, and they deserved to be indulged.

 

Around five o’clock in the afternoon, Jing Yi reluctantly took the satisfied yet reluctant group back.

 

They had previously agreed with both sets of parents that they would all return to stay in town, and it would take less than half an hour to get there by car.

 

This picnic had left a lasting impression in the hearts of the six people. In the following years, they would come out to play around late spring and early summer. As more people joined in over the years, it even evolved into an annual outdoor gathering for the Jing and Lin families. The fun was simply irresistible.

 

……

 

Time flew by, and it was already autumn of the next year.

 

October in the golden autumn was the season for lovers to become a married couple.

 

“Is the groom ready?! We need to set off! We can’t miss the auspicious time!”

 

In the main courtyard, it was still the matchmaker Hua they had hired before, energetically urging the groom’s entourage to depart.

 

She hadn’t been wrong. In the two short years from the engagement to the wedding, while the Jing family’s main residence was still in Xiwan Village, everyone in Fuyang Town now knew about the Jing family’s Little Restaurant and the Jing Hotpot Restaurant.

 

“Here we are, matchmaker Hua.”

 

Jing Father and Jing Mother successively lifted the curtains of the main house. Today, they had dressed up as well. They wore bright red and brand-new clothes, and the outer garments they wore were made of silk, shimmering in the morning sunlight.

 

Jing Mother even wore a silver hairpin and silver bracelets, while Jing Father hung a jade pendant with the character “福” (happiness) around his waist.

 

However, no matter how much they decorated themselves, it couldn’t outshine the radiant smiles on their faces.

 

“Oh, big sister, you and big brother look so full of joy today! Your face and body are radiating happiness!”

 

Upon seeing Jing Mother, Matchmaker Hua continuously showered them with auspicious words and rainbow-like compliments, making Jing Mother unable to contain her laughter.

 

Relatives and friends in the courtyard also teased and praised with good-natured jokes when they saw them.

 

At this moment, only genuine relatives and close friends were in the Jing family’s courtyard. The wedding ceremony was set for noon, followed by the banquet. Guests who had been invited would arrive later. Those who were here now were the ones who could help with preparations and were genuinely close.

 

“Where’s Jing Yi? The groom needs to come out quickly. My brother-in-law must be getting impatient!”

 

The one joking loudly was Jing Feng, who had now grown into a young man. Two years of experience had stripped away his youthfulness, making him more mature, but he still loved to laugh and joke.

 

“Yeah! Come out quickly, Xiao Yi. Let Uncle Meng have a look and see if your face is red!”

 

“Hahaha! Jing brother, come out quickly! Don’t be shy.”

 

Jing Feng’s teasing seemed to be the starting signal, and from then on, it was like poking a hornet’s nest. Everyone rarely had the chance to see Jing Yi being bashful or losing, especially in the past year. Jing Yi had become more dignified with his expanding business, so this opportunity was rare, and everyone wanted to witness it.

 

“Now you’re having a great time, but just wait until it’s your turn to get married next year. I won’t go easy on you,” Jing Yi said playfully as he stepped out.

 

Dressed in a bright red groom’s attire, it perfectly accentuated his impressive figure, his handsome and clean-cut face radiating both clarity and solemnity.

 

With a silver hairpin on his head, a jade pendant and sachet around his waist, and his long hair tied neatly behind his head, he appeared both energetic and composed.

 

“Brother! Spare me, please! Let’s go and receive my brother-in-law quickly! Look, even my second aunt can’t wait.” Jing Feng was taking advantage of Jing Yi’s good mood today and continued to be mischievous. He even dared to tease Jing Mother.

 

“You little rascal!” Jing Mother was not the least bit upset; in fact, she was quite delighted. “But you’re right! Go and receive him quickly. Your father and I can’t wait either!”

 

To welcome the groom, Jing Yi had rented four tall and sturdy horses from the horse market. Seated on these horses were four unmarried young men from Xiwan Village who had a close relationship with Jing Yi’s family: Jing Feng from Third Uncle’s family, Jing Cheng from the village chief’s family, Liu Xianzhi from Second Uncle’s family, and Meng Hong from Second Uncle’s family.

 

These young men weren’t very skilled at riding, but they had practiced for a while in advance to avoid making a fool of themselves.

 

Following behind them was Jing Yi, also on horseback. He had bought this horse in the summer from the horse market and had been taking care of it for a few months, so they had become quite close. The horse wore a big red flower around its neck, and its reddish-brown mane matched the festive occasion perfectly.

 

Behind them were a horse-drawn carriage and six donkey-drawn carts. The carriage was reserved for the groom, with its sides covered in light red cotton fabric. Unlike the traditional custom of sealing the carriage windows, it had deep red gauze curtains instead. Four small red lanterns adorned the corners, adding a highly decorative touch.

 

Among the six donkey-drawn carts, the first two were pulling Matchmaker Hua Sao, Xiao An, Xiao Shu, and several women and men from Xiwan Village who had a close relationship with the Jing family. They were known as “all-encompassing people ” who brought good luck.

 

The remaining four carts carried items like wedding candies and cakes, as well as vehicles for receiving guests who came to witness the ceremony.