Ever since Yu Yin learned that her brother was coming back, she has been looking forward to it every day and has been busy stocking up on delicious food and drinks.
Another crop ripened in the space, and Yu Yin took advantage of the opportunity to go up the mountain to harvest it all and plant another crop. Thankfully, the airflow inside the space was three times faster than outside, otherwise there really wouldn't have been enough time.
While Yu Yin was busy stocking up on goods, she received unexpected news.
"What? Marriage?"
Yu Yin was extremely surprised. A while ago, Ah Xiang had hosted a dinner at Yu Yin's house to thank Wang Wenye and the others. That day, Yu Yin met Ah Xiang's boyfriend, Yang Shu, for the first time. He had the typical demeanor of a soldier: quick in action, upright in posture, and taciturn.
That day, Ah Xiang and her parents brought a lot of ingredients, including several chicks, various mushrooms, wild vegetables, and flowers, many of which Yu Yin didn't recognize. That day, they ate an authentic Dai meal and discovered that flowers are delicious, and wild vegetables, enhanced with dipping sauce, become even more valuable!
The group spent a short day eating, drinking, and having fun. Chu Jianguo also took the opportunity to learn about the real lives of ethnic minorities and the hardships faced by ordinary people from the uncle. Since he was here, he didn't want to just drift through life; he had to do something meaningful to live up to his title of "Little Master Chu of Beijing."
It hasn't been long, how come they're getting married already?
“We didn’t spend much time together, and we didn’t meet often, so we kept in touch through letters. I think he’s a good person, not chauvinistic, and very respectful of women. My dad said that since we were of age, we shouldn’t delay if we felt it was right. Coincidentally, their superiors were also anxious about the personal lives of older unmarried comrades, so we took the opportunity to get married. He’s not high enough in rank, and I can’t accompany him to the military base; I still have to work and live here. He comes back when he has time, and I visit him at the military base when I have time.”
The situation that Ah Xiang and the others are in is the normal procedure at present.
After a successful blind date, they would spend a short time together and, if they felt it was a good match, get married. Unlike in later generations, where couples would date for three, five, or even seven years before eventually parting ways.
"Has the specific time been set?"
"It's all set. We'll hold it on the next day off. It'll be in our village, and he'll come with his comrades. Our marriage application has been approved, and he's coming back a day early so we can get our marriage certificate."
"Congratulations, Ah Xiang!"
"hehe……"
Ah Xiang was a little embarrassed, and smiled to cover up her shyness.
After seeing Ah Xiang off, Yu Yin began to ponder what kind of wedding gift she should prepare for Ah Xiang, as she had no experience with this.
Ah Xiang had no shortage of fabric, and since she and her boyfriend had both issued tickets, they decided to find something new and interesting.
Yu Yin went back to her room and rummaged through her closet. Sure enough, she found something. It was a scarf that her second sister Lu had sent her. The colors were very bright: red, pink, yellow, green... Her second sister Lu had sent her several scarves, but Yu Yin hadn't worn any and had forgotten about them.
Scarves, huh? These are very fashionable items, only sold in department stores in Shanghai. Thanks to my second sister's husband, my second sister managed to snag several, even the flawed ones, and sent one of each color to Yu Yin.
It's decided, I'll give Ah Xiang that red one, with its little gold threads, it's dazzling in the sunlight. I'll fold the scarf again, wrap it in a piece of cloth, and then wrap it in red paper—that's a modern-day gift box.
I won't even mention how excited Ah Xiang was when she saw the gift. It was so beautiful, so incredibly beautiful, and it was a trendy item from Shanghai. Ah Xiang was overjoyed. She never expected Yu Yin to have such a wonderful gift. This sister of hers really put her heart into it.
On the day of A Xiang's wedding, Yu Yin and Lu Shurui arrived at the Dai village early.
Traditional Dai weddings have many customs, but due to the current special circumstances, many steps have been omitted.
Because Yang Shu's rank was not high enough, A Xiang could not accompany the army and had to stay at A Xiang's house temporarily, which happened to conform to the Dai custom of marital residence.
In Dai ethnic minority marriages, the custom of the groom moving to the bride's home is generally observed, meaning the wedding ceremony is primarily held at the bride's family home. Before the wedding begins, the bride and groom visit a Buddhist temple to pray for good fortune, happiness, and a long and happy marriage.
Now, all feudal activities and superstitious practices are opposed, and the step of worshipping Buddha has been omitted.
According to the Dai wedding customs, the wedding begins at the bride's house: a flower carpet is laid on the ground, and a small offering table is placed on it, with fresh flowers and fruit wine on the table.
Now, the floral carpet is gone, with only a few scattered petals. Fresh flowers and fruit wine remain on the small table.
The groom, dressed in a crisp military uniform, and the bride, in beautiful ethnic clothing, stood side by side in the courtyard. The monks chanting sutras and tying silk threads were gone. Only Ah Xiang's superior, the logistics director of the Production and Construction Corps farm, held their marriage certificate, read a passage from the Little Red Book, and officiated at their wedding.
Although many details were missing, the wedding was still very lively. Dai men and women sang blessing songs, while Yang Shu's comrades-in-arms sang an uplifting military song. Finally, everyone, young and old, danced to the music, offering their blessings to the newlyweds.
The union of the Dai and Han ethnic groups is like the unity of all 56 ethnic groups in China. No matter how the situation changes, what remains unchanged is that everyone has a patriotic heart.
Although Yu Yin regretted not being able to see a traditional Dai wedding, it didn't affect her happiness that her best friend and sister had found a good home.
After catching An'an, who was about to go wild, Yu Yin said goodbye to A Xiang and they were going home.
"Ah Xiang, let's go back now and enjoy your wedding night. We won't say anything else."
"Hate!"
The family of four walked home happily. Pingping was pulled along by An'an and ran ahead, while Yu Yin and Lu Shurui followed behind. The afterglow shone on the two little ones, casting long shadows.
Are you having dinner?
"I'm not hungry, I don't want to eat. Make some formula for Pingping and An'an. There's still some steamed egg custard I bought yesterday, that should be enough. If you're hungry, go to the garden and pick some fruit to eat."
"I'm not hungry. I ate quite a lot today. It's my first time attending a Dai wedding, and it's quite interesting."
Lu Shurui found many of the customs of ethnic minorities particularly novel; he had never heard of them before, nor had he ever seen them. Although today's wedding wasn't a traditional Dai wedding, it was still very lively.
After the two little ones finished their formula and were full, Yu Yin and Lu Shurui each took one of them to bathe. As the children grew older, it became necessary to distinguish between boys and girls, so Yu Yin no longer bathed Pingping, and Lu Shurui did the same, being quite careful in front of An'an as well.
Now that the child is asleep, the two of them can finally lie down in peace for a while.
"I wonder how Ah Xiang and the others had their night?"
"They're newlyweds, enjoying their wedding night, how could they not be happy?"
"That's not necessarily true. Don't let Yang Shu's military background fool you; who knows what his abilities are!"
Lu Shurui was speechless. This is too much for you to worry about. You're too idle. Find something to do.
"I don't know how they are doing, I just want to relive our wedding night."
"We didn't consummate our marriage. Weren't we planning to get a divorce back then?"
"Your mouth isn't ready to speak right now, so let me gag you."
The two began their fierce battle, and soon only their panting and the creaking of the bamboo bed could be heard. The night was still long, and it was impossible to determine a winner for the time being.
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