Xu Zijiang hurriedly ran to the storeroom. Since there weren't many people there yet, he was afraid that if he took out all the bowls and chopsticks, they would block the way and he wouldn't be able to wash them all in a short time. Now that more people had come to help, the yard was almost overflowing, so the washing speed was naturally very fast.
Xu Zijiang hurriedly brought out the bowls, chopsticks, and plates for everyone to wash. After finishing one task, other things needed to be done. Xu Zijiang had been busy since he got up, and it wasn't until after 6 o'clock that he could finally catch his breath. By then, he was hungry, and since the porridge was cooked and some dishes were prepared, Xu Zijiang quickly urged everyone to eat first.
He announced in a hearty voice.
"Everyone, stop what you're doing for a moment and eat first. Don't go hungry. You'll have the energy to work for me if you're full. Don't skimp on food for me. I can't let you work on an empty stomach today since I'm having a happy occasion."
Xu Zijiang brought out the porridge, along with stir-fried cured pork, egg and lean pork soup, and smashed cucumber. Having brought out two meat dishes was practically an early feast. However, everyone knew Xu Zijiang was generous, and today was his auspicious day, so no one refused, and they happily took their bowls and ate.
They all praised Xu Zijiang highly.
"Captain Xu, you're so generous!"
"Yes, yes, we're so lucky! I've never had such a delicious feast before!"
Everyone chimed in, praising Xu Zijiang to the skies, saying he was unparalleled.
Xu Zijiang smiled helplessly and wiped the sweat from his forehead with his strong, smooth arm.
"Everyone, hurry up and eat. Stop joking around. We'll need you all to get back to work after we finish eating."
"Don't worry, don't worry, I guarantee you'll be able to bring your wife back safely and smoothly, and make sure Yu Zhiqing is satisfied with you. I absolutely won't let you make a single mistake!"
The uncles and aunts loudly assured him, while Zhou Chunrong and Wen Hongjuan, a married couple, joked with Xu Zijiang while eating.
"Don't worry, at this point, your wife can't escape."
"Of course my wife won't run away. I just want her to enter the family with dignity."
Xu Zi said proudly.
"We know you love your wife. Alright, alright, there's not much work for you to do. Just leave it to us. If we don't know anything, we'll ask you again. You should go take a shower and get dressed. Don't go to pick up your wife all sweaty and smelly. If Yu Zhiqing finds you repulsive, she won't go with you."
Xu Zijiang looked down and sniffed his clothes. After all that work, he was indeed covered in sweat and smelled strongly of it. No, Xu Zijiang, always obedient to advice, immediately grabbed some water and went to take a bath.
He scrubbed himself in the shower for ages, almost thinning his thick skin in the process. He even used up a brand new bar of soap, flattening it in half. He didn't miss a single hair or toe, making himself smell amazing. Then he started changing clothes and styling his hair. He'd said he'd spend an hour getting ready, but it took him a full two and a half hours. He looked incredibly handsome and radiant.
Even Yu Jiu probably didn't dress as meticulously as him.
On the other side, Yu Jiu also got up early to get ready, but not as early as Xu Zijiang. She got up at 6 o'clock, and after getting up, she carefully drew her eyebrows and applied her lips, making her already flawless skin even more perfect and beautiful.
"Yu, educated youth, come here, let me do your hair. I'm good at it. I've done the hair of several brides in our team, and they're all doing very well now. They all say I'm a lucky person!"
The old woman took a comb and first smoothed Yu Jiu's hair. The way the old woman combed the bride's hair at the wedding had a symbolic meaning. She then styled Yu Jiu's hair and opened her face, something she had agreed upon with Xu Zijiang beforehand. Yu Jiu knew this, so she didn't object and sat there obediently, letting the old woman do her hair.
The old woman carefully combed her hair, from beginning to end, symbolizing family happiness the first time, a house full of children and grandchildren the second time, and so on...
The older woman muttered incantations as she combed Yu Jiu's hair, and then she began to style it. The hairstyle she created didn't look old-fashioned at all. Although there were no other decorations on her head, only a simple wooden hairpin, it complemented the flower bud at the back perfectly. Compared to Yu Jiu before, the hairstyle suddenly became much more dignified, exuding the elegant temperament of a bride.
After she finished styling Yu Jiu's hair, she helped her with facial contouring, but the procedure was a bit painful.
"Yu Zhiqing, just bear with it for a little while, it will be over soon, it's just a simple facial opening."
"Okay, Auntie."
Yu Jiu closed her eyes and tilted her head slightly back, making it easier for her aunt to work. The old aunt smeared some wood ash on Yu Jiu's forehead, then used some kind of thread to scrape back and forth on her forehead. After scraping her forehead, they moved on to other areas; just styling her hair and opening her face took an hour.
Once all this was done, the old lady could retire gracefully. She was very skilled; although Yu Jiu's face stung slightly while she was scraping, the redness subsided after applying a damp towel for two minutes.
Nowadays, especially in rural areas, people don't usually wear much makeup for weddings. At most, they might lighten their complexion and put on some lipstick. Yu Jiu was already fair enough. And her face was flawless, just a fair and delicate complexion that didn't need any extra powder. So Yu Jiu didn't wear any; she had already finished her eyebrows and applied lipstick.
She was already very beautiful, dignified and pretty, with a touch of bridal shyness, like a beautiful figure who stepped out of a painting.
Yu Jiu examined herself in the mirror, quite pleased with her makeup. After finishing, she changed into new clothes: a pink and white ruffled blouse paired with a light blue floral skirt—a simple yet refreshing outfit. She had some red clothes she had originally planned to wear, but hadn't she been busy with a lot of important things lately?
To avoid further trouble and being used against her, Yu Jiu decided to keep a low profile and temporarily put the dress away. She replaced the red shirt with this pink and white one, which was just as beautiful. It didn't look out of place with her updo and even made her look more delicate.
She possessed both the elegance of a woman and the vivacity of a young girl. Among all the wedding processions, her outfit was already considered exceptionally beautiful, and she wouldn't be outshone even in the city.
Nowadays, everyone is poor. It's already a blessing to have a new dress to wear when getting married, let alone dressing up so carefully. Most people get married in ordinary, plain, and old-fashioned clothes.
So as soon as she finished dressing up, she stunned everyone again. They all stared at her with wide eyes, unwilling to look away, as if they would be missing out if they didn't take a second look.
"Xiao Jiu, you're already pretty enough, but I never imagined you could be even prettier just by changing your clothes and putting your hair up! Ahhh, I wish I were half as pretty as you! I promise I'll look in the mirror every day!"
Yu Caihong exclaimed "Wow!" Her mouth gaped open, her envy practically bursting out of her throat.
Yu Jiu usually dresses plainly and simply in the team, but even so, it can't hide her pretty face and curvy figure. I thought she was already the most beautiful, but I didn't expect her to be even more beautiful!
The only thing that can truly defeat one's own beauty is oneself after dressing up!
"It's not that exaggerated. You can go look in the mirror now. You're beautiful as you are."
Yu Jiu covered her mouth and smiled very politely.
She rarely wore lipstick, and was a little unaccustomed to it at first. She couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh, a smile that was still a coy, half-concealed one, her head slightly lowered, her eyebrows curved, her eyelashes thick and curled, complementing her elegant, fair swan neck, and further down her slender waist…
Oh my god, how can she be so beautiful! Not to mention the men, even the women can't resist! Everyone present couldn't help but wipe their mouths, afraid that drool would drip down and make them look embarrassed!
"Hey, the captain's here! The groom's here~~~ Everyone make way! Time to get the bride~~~"
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