On the bluestone path outside the courtyard gate, a grand wedding procession was slowly approaching. At the head of the procession were musicians, dressed in brightly colored clothes, beating drums and gongs with deafening force, playing cheerful suona horns; the joyous music echoed throughout the entire village. Closely following behind was the groom, Gu Yanchen, riding a tall horse.

Gu Yanchen wore a sharp gray suit with a large red silk flower pinned to his chest, which accentuated his gentle features and handsome appearance. He was already handsome and refined, but the suit added to his scholarly air. His gaze swept through the crowd and landed on Shen Nianxi by the window, his eyes filled with a gentle smile, like the sunshine of autumn.

Gu Yanchen was a teacher at the county middle school, gentle in nature and erudite. He met Nianxi at a book exchange fair, and the two hit it off immediately, chatting happily. Later, Gu Yanchen often came to the Shen family's courtyard under the guise of borrowing books, helping Lin Wanqiu manage the workshop and accompanying Nianxi to read and take walks. His steadiness, reliability, gentleness, and thoughtfulness gradually won Nianxi's heart.

Lin Wanqiu was extremely satisfied with her son-in-law. She could tell that Gu Yanchen genuinely cherished Nianxi and treated her like a precious treasure. Such a man was worthy of entrusting one's life to.

As the wedding procession reached the courtyard gate, Gu Yanchen dismounted, straightened his suit, and wore a nervous yet expectant smile. Behind him were his groomsmen, including Shen Nian'an and several young men. Shen Nian'an, dressed in a light gray suit, stood tall and imposing, his brows carrying a hint of elder brotherly authority. He walked to Gu Yanchen's side, patted him on the shoulder, and said with a slightly teasing tone, "Teacher Gu, marrying my sister won't be so easy."

Gu Yanchen smiled, his eyes full of determination: "Don't worry, I will definitely treat Nianxi well."

The words had barely left her lips when the courtyard gate opened. Su Yue'e, holding Shen Nianzu, stood inside, chuckling and teasing, "Yan Chen's here? Come on in! But if you want to marry our Nianxi, you'll have to get past us first!"

The guests in the courtyard burst into laughter. Caught up in the lively atmosphere, Shen Nianzu waved his chubby little hands and babbled, "Auntie! Uncle!"

The soft, sweet child's voice brought another round of laughter from the crowd.

Gu Yanchen entered the courtyard, his eyes eagerly searching for Shen Nianxi's figure in the crowd. When he saw the pomegranate-red figure standing in front of the carved window, the smile in his eyes deepened, and his pace quickened involuntarily.

Seeing Gu Yanchen's anxious expression, Lin Wanqiu smiled and shook her head, then turned to Nianxi and said, "Alright, it's time to go out."

Shen Nianxi took a deep breath and nodded. Her palms were slightly sweaty, and her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would burst out of her chest. She looked at Gu Yanchen walking towards her, at the tenderness and expectation in his eyes, and a smile bloomed on her lips like a flower.

Shen Tingzhou walked to his daughter's side, bent down slightly, and said in a low and gentle voice, "Dad will carry you out."

Shen Nianxi paused for a moment, her eyes suddenly reddening. She knew that according to local custom, when a bride leaves home, she must be carried by her brother or father, symbolizing that the daughter's last journey to her parents' home is escorted by her closest relatives.

She nestled against her father's broad back, her nose pressed against the back of his neck, inhaling the familiar scent of soapberry. His back was still straight, but not as strong as before. Over the years, he had worried so much for this family, for her mother's career.

Shen Tingzhou carried his daughter on his back, walking step by step out of the main room and towards the center of the courtyard. His steps were steady, as if he were carrying the weight of the entire world. He looked at Gu Yanchen standing in the courtyard, his gaze solemn, his tone carrying a hint of entrustment: "Yanchen, I'm entrusting my daughter to you. From now on, if you dare to bully her, I won't let you off the hook."

Gu Yanchen nodded quickly, his voice firm: "Uncle, don't worry, I will take good care of Nianxi and treat her well for the rest of my life."

Shen Tingzhou nodded and carefully put his daughter down.

Gu Yanchen immediately stepped forward and tightly grasped Shen Nianxi's hand. His palm was warm and dry, carrying a reassuring strength. Shen Nianxi looked up at him, her eyes full of smiles, her cheeks slightly flushed.

The guests in the courtyard burst into applause, the thunderous applause mingling with the sounds of gongs, drums, and suonas, creating the most beautiful wedding march.

The wedding ceremony was simple yet warm. There was no extravagant display, only the sincere blessings of family and friends.

On the octagonal table in the main room sat a pair of red candles, their flickering flames casting a red glow throughout the room. A large red "囍" (double happiness) character was pasted on the wall, exuding a strong festive atmosphere. Shen Nianxi and Gu Yanchen stood side by side before the table, bowing deeply to the portrait of Chairman Mao on the wall, and then bowing to Lin Wanqiu and Shen Tingzhou to offer them tea.

"Dad, Mom, please have some tea." Shen Nianxi handed a cup of hot tea to Lin Wanqiu, her voice choked with emotion.

Lin Wanqiu took the teacup, looked at the perfect couple before her, and her eyes welled up with tears again. She took a sip of tea and felt a deep sweetness in the tea, a sweetness that reached her very heart. She took out a red envelope from her pocket, handed it to Nianxi, and said with a smile, "Good child, live a good life from now on."

Shen Tingzhou accepted the tea from Gu Yanchen and drank it all in one gulp. He handed Gu Yanchen a thick red envelope, his tone tinged with relief: "From now on, I'm entrusting Nianxi to you."

Gu Yanchen solemnly accepted the red envelope and nodded: "Thank you, Uncle and Aunt."

Next came the toasting ceremony. Shen Nianxi and Gu Yanchen held hands and went from table to table toasting the guests. At each table, they were greeted with words of blessing.

The old Party Secretary, holding his wine glass, looked at the newlyweds before him, beaming from ear to ear: "Nianxi has always been a well-behaved and sensible girl. Yanchen is also a good boy. You two are truly a match made in heaven!"

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