Hua Kai knew who this was. It must be her aunt Hua Fengxiang, who had married into the city. She didn't know much about her aunt, but she knew that she wasn't close to her family. In any case, keeping as little contact as possible was the best way to get along.
Hua Zhongzhi looked at his daughter, then at the person behind her: "Why didn't Jianshe come?"
Hua Wanhu helped Hua Fengxiang carry her bag and said, "It's not right that my brother-in-law isn't coming today."
“Jianshe is in a meeting today, so it’s not easy for him to take leave. How can his status be the same as that of the farmers? It’s enough that I’m here.” Hua Fengxiang didn’t seem to care about them at all.
Hua Kai pouted and said, "You look down on farmers? Farmers look down on you too."
Hua Fengxiang entered the courtyard, stopped when she saw Hua Kai, frowned and thought for a long time: "This isn't Hua Kai, is it?"
Hua Kai politely addressed her as "Little Aunt" and then said, "I am Hua Kai."
Hua Fengxiang's eyes widened in surprise: "How come this girl has changed so much? Did she go out to work or what? Did she make money? Did she broaden her horizons?"
Hua Kai said, "I'm in high school now, so I've certainly seen more of the world. I don't have much money, but after all, there's a wealth of knowledge in books, right, Auntie?"
Hua Fengxiang was a little confused by Hua Kai, because this girl had never really existed before, and she had hardly ever spoken to her. Now, she was responding to every single thing Hua Fengxiang said with three sentences in return. For a moment, Hua Fengxiang really didn't know what was going on.
At this moment, Gu Lanyan also came over: "Fengxiang is back."
When Hua Fengxiang saw Gu Lanyan, she was startled again: "Sister-in-law?"
Gu Lanyan said, "Look at Fengxiang, she doesn't come back often, she almost doesn't recognize me anymore."
Hua Fengxiang found Gu Lanyan and Hua Kai increasingly strange. Without saying anything to them, she said, "I'm going inside to see my mother." With that, she grabbed the child and ran into the house. She needed to ask Gu Lanyan and Hua Kai what was wrong.
Hua Kai and Gu Lanyan smiled after exchanging glances.
The wedding party arrived shortly afterward in a minivan, which was quite impressive, considering that at that time, many weddings in the village still involved bicycles, so this was considered a motor vehicle.
Hua Qingsheng led several young people to set off firecrackers at the door.
Hearing the firecrackers, everyone inside got busy.
Wang Shengli, dressed in a suit with a red flower pinned to his chest that read "Groom," followed by several young men from the village, entered the courtyard to greet his bride.
The courtyard instantly became lively. Since both the husband's and wife's families lived in the village, most of the people who came knew each other, so they were not so reserved.
Wang Shengli entered the house and addressed Hua Wanhe and Huo Yanping as "Mom and Dad," and Hua Zhongzhi and Zheng Shuzhen as "Grandpa and Grandma."
In fact, Hua Wanhe and his family weren't stupid. They knew that Wang Shengli had used tricks to get Hua Wanhe to gamble, but since things had already come to this, they could only smile and accept the marriage.
But Hua Lin, lying on the kang (heated brick bed), was crying with tears streaming down her face. She didn't like this marriage. A few days ago, she tried to run away, but her family stopped her and even hid her clothes. She had no money and nothing. The house was locked at night, and people stayed at home during the day. Anyway, she just couldn't run away.
Looking at Wang Shengli now, she felt a lot of resentment, especially when she thought about the scene where she plotted against Hua Kai and Wang Shengli. If it had worked, Hua Kai should be marrying Wang Shengli now. Why was Hua Kai allowed to go to high school?
Hua Kai was also watching the commotion from inside the house. Hua Lin looked at Hua Kai with hatred in her eyes, but it was no use; she had no ability to take revenge.
Hua Kai smiled as she looked at Hua Lin. She knew what Hua Lin was thinking, but she didn't care because Hua Lin had never intended to make things easy for her, and she wasn't a bodhisattva herself.
Outsiders didn't know what was going on, and seeing Hua Lin crying, some older women came to comfort her, saying, "Look at you, child. Your parents' home and your husband's home are only a few steps apart. You can come back so easily."
Huo Yanping also felt reluctant. After all, this was her own daughter, and now she was married to someone she didn't like. But she was powerless to do anything about it. As a mother, she also felt guilty for not protecting her child.
Amidst the cheers and jeers, Wang Shengli carried Hua Lin out of the house, followed by the wedding party. Some carried bedding, others carried wedding basins, and still others carried red envelopes filled with daily necessities. It was unclear what was inside. In any case, there were six people in total carrying these things, and they followed the bride out to the car.
There were two children, a boy and a girl, on the bus, which looked quite festive.
Watching Hua Lin get into the car, Zheng Shuzhen also cried. She felt resentful. She had always thought that her granddaughter was much better than Hua Kai, but now, looking at Hua Kai and then at Hua Lin, the contrast became apparent.
Several prominent members of the bride's family were also required to accompany the wedding procession. Hua Wanhu and Hua Fengxiang were, of course, essential, one having a job and the other having married into the city. Hua Qingsheng also had to go, as it was customary for her brother to attend.
There was also a third maternal uncle of the Hua family, who was a respected elder in the village. There was only one seat left in the van.
Zheng Shuzhen said to Hua Wanhai, "Fourth brother, get in the car quickly."
Unexpectedly, the third uncle in the car said to Hua Wanjiang, "Wanjiang, you are the eldest uncle, so you should ride with us. You can walk the rest of the way; it's not far."
Hua Wanjiang tried to decline, but the driver spoke up: "Brother Wanjiang, get in the car. Your children are so successful. So many people in the village envy you. If Huakai has time during the holidays, could you tutor my little rascal?"
The driver worked at the township supply and marketing cooperative. He had become familiar with Hua Wanjiang because he often bought Hua Wanjiang's cakes, so he started talking to Hua Wanjiang directly.
Hua Kai knew this was all about connections, and now Hua Wanjiang was quite well-connected in the village.
She said to the driver, "Uncle, have your child come during winter break, I'll help him catch up on his studies." Then she said to Hua Wanjiang, "Dad, don't keep them waiting, get in the car."
Hua Wanjiang was now confident, so he got into the car and sat next to his third great-uncle.
The driver thanked him happily, closed the car door, and drove off.
Zheng Shuzhen and Hua Wanhai, who were standing outside the car, were really embarrassed. Zheng Shuzhen had just told Hua Wanhai to get on the car, but in the end, even though it was her third uncle or the driver, Hua Wanjiang went with them.
Feeling embarrassed, Hua Wanhai went straight back to his room.
Zheng Shuzhen was so angry that her hands were shaking. It wasn't just embarrassing, but also because she couldn't accept other people's recognition of Hua Wanjiang.
But whether she accepts it or not is irrelevant; that's just reality.
Zheng Shuzhen couldn't hold back her anger and burst into tears.
Others who didn't know the situation might have thought that Zheng Shuzhen was reluctant to part with her granddaughter, and everyone said that the grandmother and granddaughter had a good relationship.
Wang Min, Hua Wanhu's wife, came over with her two daughters, Hua Shuang and Hua Lu, to help Zheng Shuzhen.
Wang Min said very dutifully, "Mother, don't be sad. Linlin is not married far away, so you can see her often. If you miss Linlin, let Shuangshuang and Lulu stay here and keep you company."
Zheng Shuzhen could only nod, not wanting to say anything, and was helped back into the house.
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