I Overhear Animals' Thoughts to Feed My Family

Second Uncle Niu and Second Aunt Niu heard this and began to feel uneasy. ’Aren’t they going to feed us?’ Fortunately, Zhao Ergou quickly put their worries to rest.

"Er Gouzi, is this your wife’s family? Which one is your wife?"

"Aunt Wang, this one is my wife."

"Oh my, so pretty! Welcome to our Dragon King Pond!"

Aunt Wang, who was passing by, didn’t even stop. She said a few words and continued on her way, a dustpan still in her hand. Soon after, a constant stream of people greeted Zhao Ergou, each one incredibly enthusiastic. The Niu’s also noticed something unusual: there were actually militiamen with rifles standing guard on the roadside. As they passed one, he even joked with Zhao Ergou.

"Er Gouzi, I’m standing guard for your wedding today! You’d better remember this favor."

"Haha, Brother Li, I’ll definitely remember."

If it had just been an isolated incident, they would have let it go. But everyone they met was this enthusiastic, as if the entire village was preparing this wedding for Zhao Ergou. This left Second Uncle Niu and Second Aunt Niu completely baffled. They exchanged glances, sensing that something wasn’t quite right. ’What kind of person did Guizhi marry to deserve such an impressive reception?’

Zhao Ergou led the Niu’s toward the sea, explaining the arrangements they saw along the way.

"This is the grain-drying ground. Brother San said we’ll hold the ceremony here later and receive everyone’s blessings. Over there is the public canteen where we’ll be hosting the midday feast. Brother San has arranged for lots of delicious food, so you all have to eat your fill."

When they reached the seaside, a crowd had gathered around two houses. Most were young women. One house was for receiving the bride’s family, while the other held the three brides. As soon as Niu Guizhi was escorted into the brides’ room—which was Zhao Wendong and Lin Zhiyin’s house—she saw two beautiful sister-in-laws waiting for her.

"Guizhi’s here! Quick, put some of this on. It smells wonderful."

"Your hair, we need to do your hair too."

"And this red dress. You’ll put on the red dress in a bit."

Seeing a group of people in the room fussing over her and helping her get ready, like a young lady of old receiving her attendants, Niu Guizhi’s parents were extremely satisfied. ’This kind of treatment, this kind of scene... forget the countryside, even a wedding in the county town wouldn’t be like this!’ The two of them saw that their second brother’s family, who had been chattering nonstop before, had been silent for a long time. They exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with amusement.

When they went next door, Lin Huaimin and Wang Lulu were already waiting. They warmly welcomed them to come rest on the *kang*. Second Uncle Niu’s son was stunned the moment he walked over. He saw all sorts of delicious things laid out at the head of the bed-stove: sunflower seeds, hawthorn berries, various nuts, and even candy and cigarettes. And these were just small snacks for the bride’s family.

"This... this... Big Brother, what kind of son-in-law did you find?"

Second Uncle Niu couldn’t hold it in any longer. He pulled Niu Yuesheng’s father aside and asked in a low voice.

"Hahaha, a good son-in-law, of course."

Niu Yuesheng’s father finally burst out laughing. After being lectured by his younger brother the whole way here, seeing his brother’s astonished expression now was incredibly satisfying.

The snow on the entire grain-drying ground had been swept clean. The snow on the paths connecting a few key areas had also been cleared, revealing the neat dirt ground. Zhao Wendong was standing with Zhao Weiguo on a small, temporarily built platform, watching the busy militiamen below.

"Dongzi, isn’t this setting a little too simple? And it’s so cold out here. Is it really okay to have the leaders freezing out here?"

Zhao Wendong smiled dismissively. "Uncle Weiguo, it can’t be helped. The conditions are what they are. Let Secretary Jiang and the others overcome it themselves. I’m guessing a lot of people will show up—your dear nephew here has that much pull, at least. We’ll need at least two seatings for the feast in the canteen, and this is the biggest open space in our village."

"Haha, alright then. You’re the main character today. We’ll listen to you."

Zhao Weiguo shook his head with a wry smile. ’Telling Secretary Jiang Weimin to just "overcome the hardship" and leaving him out in the freezing wind... probably only Zhao Wendong would dare to do something like that.’

As time passed, the first wave of guests began to arrive. People were stationed at the village entrance to receive them, and with militiamen and villagers pointing the way, the guests could easily find Zhao Wendong.

"Haha, Dongzi, we’re here!"

Liangzi rushed over and gave Zhao Wendong a hug. The two slapped each other on the back a few times. Zhao Wendong looked at the bags Liangzi’s father and mother were carrying and said chidingly, "Uncle, Aunt, you’re not strangers. Just coming is enough. Why did you bring things?"

"It’s your wedding, Dongzi. How could we not bring a little something? Hahaha."

"Mom, Dad, why don’t you go to the house and help out? I’ll stay with Dongzi."

"Alright."

Liangzi’s parents went to Zhao Wendong’s house with their things; they were also eager to see Zhao Dashan. Zhao Wendong had his second brother accompany them back. He and Liangzi then turned to greet a group of approaching young men with stylish hair. This was the gang of "hooligans" from the Commune they were closest with, led by the thick-browed, big-eyed Zhang Dadan.

"Brother Dong!"

The group shouted affectionately, and Zhao Wendong greeted each of them in turn.

"Brother Dong, that giant snowman your village built is fucking awesome! So tell us, Brother Dong, what can we do to help?"

Zhang Dadan volunteered eagerly. He was carrying a cloth satchel, its contents bulging mysteriously.

"How about you and Liangzi help entertain the brothers?"

"You got it!"

Zhang Dadan happily accepted. The arrival of Liangzi and his friends seemed to open the floodgates. More and more guests began to appear. Guan Yongguang’s family also arrived, and after a quick greeting with Zhao Wendong, they went off to help with the work. Even Sun Defu tagged along, trailing after the Guan Yongguang family like an attendant.

The leaders and committee cadres from the various production teams under the Commune also began to show up. Zhao Weiguo was in charge of greeting and arranging these guests. Fortunately, Dragon King Pond had plenty of people to help. And none of these guests came empty-handed; they all brought gifts to show their goodwill. Soon, the gift registry, set up in the brigade headquarters, was crowded with people.