Xu Xinghe couldn't refuse, so she went into the inner room.
The bride, Wang Xiulan, was sitting on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), wearing a brand-new red cotton-padded jacket and black cloth shoes embroidered with small red "double happiness" characters. A large red flower was pinned to her chest, which made her complexion look exceptionally rosy.
Her hair was styled into a bun, with some face cream applied and her eyebrows subtly drawn, making her look young and beautiful, with a touch of shy joy.
"Xiulan, look who's here!"
Wang Xiulan looked up, immediately stood up, and quickly stepped forward to grasp Xu Xinghe's hand, her voice full of joy, "You must be Comrade Xu Xinghe? I've heard Jianguo and Mother talk about you before, saying you're a capable person from the military, but I didn't expect you to be so beautiful!"
"You're the prettiest one. You're the bride today, the most dazzling one," Xu Xinghe replied with a smile.
These words made Wang Xiulan even happier. Her cheeks flushed, and she couldn't help but turn around and look at herself in the small mirror on the table. She then gently smoothed her hair with her hand.
The two sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) and chatted for a few minutes.
About half an hour later, a commotion suddenly broke out outside the courtyard gate, with someone shouting, "The auspicious time has arrived! The bride should leave now!"
Aunt Mei hurried in, "Xiulan, it's time to go out and hold the ceremony!"
Wang Xiulan nodded, took a deep breath, and walked out of the house in small steps.
The courtyard was already packed with people. The groom, Li Jianguo, was also dressed in red and stood in the middle of the courtyard. When he saw Wang Xiulan come out, his face turned bright red, and he scratched his head helplessly.
Today's ceremony was presided over by the factory manager of Li Jianguo's factory, who was also the matchmaker who brought the young couple together.
He cleared his throat, picked up a copy of Chairman Mao's quotations, and said loudly, "Today is the auspicious day for Comrade Li Jianguo and Comrade Wang Xiulan to get married. Let's first sing 'The East Is Red,' and then learn a passage from Chairman Mao's quotations. May the two comrades respect and love each other and make progress together!"
"The East is Red, the sun rises..." The people in the courtyard sang in unison, their loud voices echoing in the sky above the town.
After the song, the factory director led everyone in reciting a quote, then loudly announced, "The ceremony begins! The newlyweds bow to the portrait of Chairman Mao!"
Li Jianguo and Wang Xiulan stood side by side and bowed deeply three times to the portrait of Chairman Mao hanging on the wall inside the room, their movements neat and solemn.
"Bowing to both sets of parents!"
The two then turned to their parents standing to the side and bowed to each of them. Aunt Mei and Wang Xiulan's mother couldn't help but wipe away their tears, but their faces were full of smiles.
"Husband and wife bow to each other!"
The two exchanged a shy glance and bowed to each other. Immediately, a burst of enthusiastic applause and cheers erupted in the courtyard, and the children ran around them cheering, bringing the atmosphere to a climax.
"Let's start the feast!" With Aunt Mei's shout, the neighbors who were helping out filed out of the kitchen carrying enamel basins and plates.
The aroma of the hot food instantly filled the courtyard.
Although there were no delicacies, each dish was very generous in portion.
Jiang Linchuan had already moved a chair for Xu Xinghe. When the dishes were served, he first picked up a piece of scrambled eggs and put it in her bowl, saying, "See if you like it."
Xu Xinghe nodded, took a bite, and savored the tenderness of the egg mixed with the freshness of the scallions, filling her mouth with aroma.
The wives of soldiers at the next table, watching this scene, couldn't help but whisper and tease, "Look how much Commander Jiang cares for Comrade Xu. They're not even married yet, and he's already so doting. He'll definitely be a good husband in the future!"
Xu Xinghe heard this, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she quietly moved closer to Jiang Linchuan.
Jiang Linchuan calmly took her hand that was under the table.
Not long after they started eating, Li Jianguo and Wang Xiulan walked into the room with two wine glasses.
The glass contained bulk liquor bought from the town's supply and marketing cooperative; the quantity was small, and it was more about the ritual.
The newlyweds went around toasting each table. At each table, Li Jianguo would scratch his head somewhat embarrassedly, while Wang Xiulan would blush and say a few polite words.
The neighbors didn't urge them to drink, and instead told them to go to the next table.
Just as things were getting lively, a familiar voice suddenly came from the courtyard gate, "Congratulations! I'm late!"
When everyone turned around, they saw that it was Political Commissar Wang.
He was dressed in civilian clothes and carrying a cloth bag, clearly having just finished his business at the military headquarters and rushed over.
Aunt Mei hurriedly went to greet him, "Political Commissar Wang, your presence is a great honor for our family. It's not late at all! Please have a seat!"
Political Commissar Wang waved with a smile, and as soon as he sat down in the empty seat, Li Jianguo and Wang Xiulan came over with wine glasses, their attitude even more respectful than before.
"Political Commissar Wang, thank you for attending our wedding. This toast is for you!" Li Jianguo held up his wine glass with both hands, his back slightly bent.
Political Commissar Wang stood up with a smile, took the wine glass, and said, "Jianguo, Xiulan, happy marriage! May you live a good life together from now on, work hard in the factory, and contribute more to the country!"
After saying that, he took a small sip and then advised the two of them, "You're young, drink less alcohol and eat more food."
After toasting Political Commissar Wang, the newlyweds walked towards the table where Xu Xinghe and Jiang Linchuan were sitting.
"Commander Jiang, Comrade Xu, thank you so much for coming to our wedding!" Li Jianguo said sincerely. "Xiulan and I both used Comrade Xu's frostbite cream last winter. We'll drink this cup to the last drop, you can drink as you please!"
As he spoke, he and Wang Xiulan exchanged a glance, then he tilted his head back and drank the wine in his glass in one gulp.
Jiang Linchuan also picked up his teacup and raised it to the two of them, saying, "Happy wedding! I have work this afternoon and can't drink alcohol, so I'll use tea instead. I wish you a long and happy marriage."
Xu Xinghe didn't drink either. "I wish you a healthy baby soon and a happy and harmonious life together."
Li Jianguo and Wang Xiulan thanked them repeatedly and then went to the next table.
Jiang Linchuan withdrew his gaze, turned his head to look at Xu Xinghe, and asked in a low voice that only the two of them could hear, "Judging from their behavior, what kind of wedding do you want for us in the future?"
Xu Xinghe was picking up a piece of cucumber with her chopsticks when she heard this, she paused and looked up at him.
Sunlight filtered through the old elm tree in the corner of the courtyard, casting dappled shadows on his face, his strong eyebrows and eyes full of seriousness.
Xu Xinghe put down her chopsticks, gently rested her fingertips on her chin, and thought about it seriously.
She never truly got married, let alone had a wedding, until she died in her previous life.
In this life, she naturally hoped for a more fulfilling life, but due to Jiang Linchuan's status, she couldn't be too extravagant, since the current trend emphasized simplicity.
As she thought about it, she suddenly covered her mouth and laughed, her eyes gleaming with mischief. She leaned close to Jiang Linchuan's ear, her breath hot, and said, "I want a grand sedan chair carried by eight men and a ten-mile-long red bridal procession."
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