Chapter 211 - 201: Wedding Interlude
This is just a small interlude.
After dinner, Li Weimin and Li Weiqiang’s families, totaling eight people, set out.
They split into two groups, one went to Wu Fengying’s house, and the other went to Han Qi’s house.
Since Gu Ruhai had a car, Li Weimin and Li Weiqiang took the two cars to drive everyone there, which was quicker and more convenient.
They left at eight and returned at nine.
When they came back, it seemed that both Li Weimin and Li Weiqiang didn’t look well, their expressions were a bit sullen, but perhaps because there were outsiders present, as the village people were all at home helping out.
Gu Xiaoying and Gu Xiaoqing were both helping to make dumplings, otherwise, there wouldn’t be enough food for those joining the morning’s wedding procession.
Seeing her uncles’ expressions weren’t good, Gu Xiaoqing quietly nudged Li Xuemei, who was busy chatting with her sister-in-law Liu Fen, both of them were engrossed in a lively conversation. When Gu Xiaoqing pushed her, she turned around curiously about to ask her daughter what she wanted, then saw Gu Xiaoqing glance over there and purse her lips.
Li Xuemei looked over and saw her two brothers sitting on the edge of the kang, not speaking, but smoking.
So she immediately understood what her daughter meant.
Putting down the dumpling skin in her hand, Li Xuemei wiped her hands and walked over to ask, "Brother, why are you sitting there smoking all alone? If something’s up, just say it, don’t ruin the mood on such a good day."
Li Xuemei also noticed that her two brothers had something on their minds, otherwise they wouldn’t be acting like this.
Looking around, there wasn’t anyone else nearby, otherwise, Li Xuemei wouldn’t have spoken this way.
Li Weimin and Li Weiqiang both sighed.
Li Weimin scratched his head, a bit embarrassed, and said, "Sis, I can’t bring myself to say it. That family really put us on the spot."
Li Xuemei immediately understood that this matter surely involved her family, so she smiled and said, "Come on, just say it. As an aunt, if I can help solve it, we will, if not, we can figure something out together."
It must be that they were presented with some unreasonable demand today, otherwise, Li Weimin and Li Weiqiang would not be like this. Given their current economic status, it really shouldn’t be so difficult for them.
So this matter wasn’t about money, it must be something else.
Li Weimin looked down for a long time, then suddenly slapped his thigh, turned around, and left.
Still not saying a word.
Li Xuemei was left puzzled.
She turned to Li Weiqiang, "Brother, come on, speak up. Surely the problem is the same for both of you, otherwise, you wouldn’t be equally troubled. Just say it."
Li Weiqiang took a deep drag of his cigarette and said, "Sis, the girl’s family requested that we use a car to pick her up tomorrow, or else their daughter won’t come out."
Li Xuemei didn’t think much of it, her first reaction was that these two nieces-in-law aren’t easy to deal with, not even through the door, and already trying to exert control over the husband’s family. Good thing they’re not marrying into our family, if they were, Li Xuemei would surely refuse.
I’d like to see if your daughter dares not to come out. The marriage certificate is already obtained; at worst, it’d just be an embarrassing situation. Could we really let a daughter-in-law hold us in such a way?
But this was an affair in her brother’s household, so Li Xuemei couldn’t say such things. If she did, it would be perceived as the aunt stirring up trouble.
Li Xuemei laughed, "What’s this about? Aren’t the cars right here? We have two cars at home. I’ve said it; tomorrow morning we’ll clean them up, polish them, hang red cloth, and put flowers to use the cars to fetch the bride."
Li Xuemei made the decision right then.
Li Weiqiang said, slightly embarrassed, "Sis, it’s all our fault. Insisting on driving to the bride’s house. They only got bold after seeing the cars. Our village usually uses tractors, having a pickup truck is something already impressive, and who dares to demand a car for the procession?
This is all trouble caused by me and big brother."
Li Xuemei comfortingly patted Li Weiqiang’s shoulder, "Brother, don’t say that. A son’s wedding is a rare happy event in a lifetime. If I, as an aunt, don’t help, who will? I haven’t forgotten how my three kids wouldn’t have made it without you two brothers back in the day. This is nothing. Even if we didn’t have cars, I’d get one from the county for you. Plus, having cars for the wedding procession gives our family a good face; let the villagers see the Li Family’s flair."
Her words immediately soothed Li Weiqiang’s earlier dejection - such is the kindness of his sister and brother-in-law.
Gu Ruhai walked in just then and heard the story, saying with a laugh, "Brother, don’t worry. Use the car as you please, it’s just for a wedding! Let’s make the Li Family proud. Later, let’s find a few young men to clean the cars till they shine, hang big red flowers like those in the city, spruce the car up beautifully ready to pick up the bride tomorrow, dazzling everyone."
Li Weiqiang nodded.
That settled it.
That night, Li Weimin and Li Weiqiang actually enlisted some handy village wives to clean the inside and outside of the cars till they gleamed, and made two large red flowers from red silk, tying them onto the cars’ hoods.
It looked really impressive and made the villagers envious.
No family’s marriage procession was ever so grand before; it truly was over the top for the bride-to-be’s sake.
Early the next morning, amidst fireworks and firecrackers clearing the path, Li Jianguo and Li Jianhui set off with the wedding procession.
They each wore a gray suit, these were custom-made in the city, pure wool fabric, styled after the city’s latest fashion trends, featuring three buttons.
Underneath, they wore red shirts with red ties, small red flowers pinned to the lapel, pockets holding a thick stack of red envelopes.
A large group of young lads from the village also joined to fetch the bride.
Gu Xiaoqing and others waited at home for the procession’s return.
The chefs on that side had already begun their work.
This time, Li Weimin and Li Weiqiang hired chefs from the town, whose skills were notably superior to village chefs.
The women had no less been hustling about, setting up dozens of tables, wiping chairs and benches clean, placing platters of sunflower seeds, peanuts, and candies on the tables.
The alcohol and cigarettes would be served when everything was ready.
The chefs were busy at work; for the wedding banquet, there’d be eight cold dishes, eight hot dishes, along with the staple foods and soups.
The cold dishes had already begun.
Large bowls were set ready, and beside them, stacks of washed and polished dishes.
In a while, the dishes would be served, with many village women ready to lend a hand.
The Li Family was known for its generosity.
Many in the village had good relations with Li Qinghai’s family, so not helping was out of the question. (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com), your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please read on m.qidian.com.)