Chapter 9 Chen Gengnian ~ I've come to marry you! Lin Qing'an...
Lin Qing'an, dressed in a bright red wedding gown, rode in an oxcart sent by Chen Gengnian to the Chen family home.
Although the fabric of his wedding dress wasn't top-tier, it wasn't bad either. Lin Qing'an had fair skin, and the red dress made his skin look even more like porcelain. His simple, half-updo was adorned with the silver hairpin that Chen Gengnian had bought for him at a high price that day. On the hairpin was a small red bean, which swayed in the bright sunlight, overshadowing even the red mole on his earlobe.
The wedding dress was made by Chen Yuetao with the help of women she was on good terms with in the village. The production period was short and urgent, and more than a dozen women and tailors worked through two whole nights to finish it. Although it was rushed, every stitch and every thread was extremely meticulous and not perfunctory at all.
Not many people accompanied him to the wedding, but they were all people who sincerely wished him well.
Lin Jing was one of them.
"Ah Qing, are you nervous?" Lin Jing asked.
Lin Qingan nodded and answered truthfully, "Nervous."
Upon hearing this, Lin Yanfeng quickly reassured him, "It's okay, brother, we're here with you."
Lin Qing'an took a deep breath before nodding.
Lin Jing and Lin Yanfeng followed the oxcart, one on each side. Lin Yanfeng's new clothes fit him perfectly, and the light blue color made his skin tone stand out. He had fair skin, just like Lin Qing'an, but his features were much more rugged than Lin Qing'an's. Although he was young, he had a relaxed and upright demeanor.
Lin Jing, dressed in a dark blue coarse cloth outfit, with her long hair tied up high, looked incredibly dashing, despite her masculine appearance.
The oxcart soon arrived at the path leading to Chen Gengnian's house. Lin Qing'an jumped off the cart, holding a bouquet of wildflowers he had picked early in the morning from the fields. He led the group behind him toward Chen Gengnian's house.
Before Lin Qing'an even reached Baifu, it came running over. However, Lin Qing'an didn't have time to tease it. After handing it over to Lin Yanfeng, he shouted at the top of his lungs, "Chen Gengnian~ I've come to marry you!"
Chen Gengnian stood at the gate of the courtyard, smiling as he watched the people running towards him, a certain part of his heart filled with emotion.
He was somewhat dazed; it had only been a few days, yet he had been completely subdued by this person.
As Lin Qing'an approached his doorstep, he tripped over a stone and wobbled unsteadily. Chen Gengnian was about to go out to help him when someone grabbed him before he could take a step. At that moment, Lin Qing'an regained his balance.
"Hey, young man, you can't go out. The groom hasn't entered the house yet, so you can't step out the door. You have to wait for the groom to carry you!" Chen's sister-in-law reminded Chen Gengnian again in his ear.
Since he is marrying into the family, the rules will naturally follow those for a woman who is getting married.
Chen Gengnian had no choice but to wait obediently.
"Here, these are the flowers I picked." Lin Qingan handed the bouquet to Chen Gengnian and asked, "Aren't they pretty?"
Chen Gengnian nodded, "Yes, it looks good."
He always had a smile on his face, which captivated Lin Qing'an, making her gaze linger on him.
The ceremony on the Chen family's side was very simple. They only needed to kowtow to the other party's parents, and then the marriage would take place when the auspicious time arrived.
The relatives who helped in the morning had already eaten and were just waiting for the groom to come and pick them up. Besides, they were all from the same village, so after helping one side, they had to go help the other.
Lin Qingan and Chen Gengnian knelt before Chen Yuetao and kowtowed respectfully.
Lin Qing'an assured Chen Yuetao, "Mother, don't worry! Nian-ge and I will be happy."
Chen Yuetao wiped away her tears and helped the two of them up, saying in a hoarse voice, "Oh, alright, alright, Mother wishes you a long and happy life together."
Lin Qing'an hugged Chen Yuetao and comforted her, "Don't cry, Mom. We still have to go there in a while. You can't let the villagers see your red eyes! Okay, okay, don't cry."
Chen Gengnian moved his lips several times but could not say anything. He looked at his mother, whose hair had turned white from the hardships of the past years. Chen Gengnian turned his face away and dared not look at her anymore.
"The auspicious time has arrived!" someone shouted. "The groom can now carry his new husband on his back."
As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Qing'an was suddenly lifted into the air, and Chen Gengnian picked him up horizontally. He subconsciously wrapped his arms around Chen Gengnian's neck, and the distance between them was very close.
"Wasn't I supposed to carry you on my back?" Lin Qingan asked softly.
Chen Geng chuckled softly and whispered in his ear, "The same."
Since the other party had said so, Lin Qingan did not refute it, after all, with his current physique, he really couldn't do that kind of work.
Chen Gengnian carried the person in front, while Chen Yuetao and Lin Yanfeng walked together. Behind them were several uncles and aunts carrying baskets and quilts, as well as villagers who had come with Lin Qing'an to welcome the bride. Everyone knew each other, and they chatted and laughed all the way, creating a warm and happy atmosphere.
The oxcart was still waiting below, but Chen Gengnian continued walking forward without stopping.
Lin Jing called out from behind, "Hey, Brother Nian, aren't you going to put A Qing on the oxcart?"
Chen Gengnian didn't reply, saying, "No, I'll carry it back myself."
"Hahaha...what a greenhorn!"
The laughter and teasing were left behind, and Lin Qing'an, lying on his back, secretly blushed.
"Ah Qing, when we have money in the future, we will definitely hold a grand wedding banquet for you."
Chen Gengnian's sudden words made Lin Qing'an feel inexplicably guilty. He was supposed to be in charge of the wedding banquet, but he not only failed to do so but also did not contribute a single penny. If anyone should be wronged, it was Lin Qing'an who wronged Chen Gengnian.
"No need, it's fine as it is." Lin Qing'an leaned on Chen Gengnian's broad and strong shoulder and said sincerely, "I am very happy. When we have money in the future, we will expand the house at home and the house at my mother's side as well. Then our family will have two homes."
"Do you really want Mother to live with us?"
Lin Qingan bit Chen Gengnian's shoulder through his clothes, saying as if punishing him, "If you ask me a question like that again, I'll lift up your clothes and bite you."
Chen Gengnian didn't say anything more. Lin Qingan felt that he seemed very tired, and could clearly feel the rise and fall of his back. So she asked, "Are you tired? Should I get down?"
Chen Gengnian stammered, "No...no."
Lin Qingan then noticed that the wheat-colored skin on his neck was getting hot, and it felt burning hot when his face was slightly closer.
Lin Qing'an smiled maliciously.
Just as they were about to reach her doorstep, she pretended to be shy and buried her face in the back of his neck, giving him a quick kiss amidst the crowd of onlookers.
The moment his face touched the back of Chen Gengnian's neck, his heart was pounding wildly like it was on a drop tower. He tried his best to control his emotions and not embarrass himself, but as he stepped into the courtyard, the warm touch on the back of his neck made him slip and almost fall to the ground. He subconsciously grabbed those thin legs to keep from falling.
Lin Qing'an held him tightly.
The onlookers who were nearby also helped, which prevented him from falling.
Lin Qingfeng chuckled. He really thought this person was too innocent, even more so than himself, who had never been a virgin.
Chen Gengnian quickly carried the person to the main hall of the Chen family, where red candles and incense burners had been prepared long ago, just waiting for the newlyweds to take their seats and pay their respects.
But Lin Qing'an's parents...
Let's see what he does in a bit!
"That's right, without our uncles and aunts watching over him, how is he supposed to complete this ceremony today!"
Zhang Cuiping and Zhou Caixia stood by and watched the show. The two families had already agreed that neither of them would act as the officiant today, to see what Lin Qingan would do!
Lin Yongwu still cared about his reputation; he couldn't bear to be gossiped about in front of the whole village. So, ignoring Zhang Cuiping's attempts to stop him, he pushed her aside and went to sit on the chair.
But before he could take two steps, Lin Qingan called out to stop him.
"Second Uncle, what are you going to do? If you want to sit in that seat, I'm sorry, you're not worthy and I won't trouble you!"
"Lin Qing'an!" Lin Yongwu was furious to be spoken to like this in public, so he pointed at Lin Qing'an and yelled, "You unfilial son, say that again!"
Lin Yongwu's hands were still trembling and he hadn't had time to pull them back when his fingers were suddenly grabbed by a strong force and pried down.
"Ouch—! It hurts, it hurts... Don't break it, don't break it..."
Lin Yongwu felt that if he didn't speak up, his finger might break off.
"Stop causing trouble, or I won't hesitate to break your arms and legs right here!" Chen Gengnian's eyes were extremely cold, as if they were soaking in an extremely cold glacier, and any one of them could take a person's life.
Chen Gengnian's actions frightened Lin Yongxin and Zhou Caixia, who were itching to make a move, so they obediently stepped back, not daring to provoke him.
"You cripple, you useless piece of trash, let go of my man!" Zhang Cuiping cursed and lunged forward to tear Chen Gengnian apart, but was quickly pulled away.
Those around him who heard the curse secretly broke out in a cold sweat, and a bloody scene from the past instantly flashed through their minds.
A few years ago, Chen Gengnian hunted a bear. It happened to be the middle of the year, and seeing that the villagers hadn't had much meat, he put the bear up for sale cheaply in the village. Wang Shu's second aunt thought it was too expensive, and after picking and choosing for a long time, she started making up stories. Chen Gengnian got angry and refused to sell it to her.
So she cursed him for a while, and Chen Gengnian's knife, which he used to cut meat, suddenly pierced her in front of him with a bang, and Wang Shu's second aunt fainted instantly from fright.
For many years after that, no one dared to curse Chen Gengnian like that again.
If they knew that Chen Gengnian had simply slipped, they would be incredibly embarrassed.
Chen Gengnian's face grew colder and colder, and the force in his hand gradually increased. Lin Qing'an was so angry that he jumped up and down, wanting to rush over and kick him.
But then, the village chief arrived.
"What are you doing!" The village chief yanked Zhang Cuiping and Lin Yongwu apart, angrily scolding, "Today is your nephew's big day, what are you making such a fuss about! Lin Lao Er, if you and your wife cause any more trouble, don't blame me for being impolite!"
"That's right, that's right! Lin Yongwu, what kind of behavior is this! Not only do you not help your own nephew get married, but you also lead the trouble. I think you're just deliberately bullying this kid because he has no one to back him up!"
After one person took the lead, the other villagers all sided with Lin Qing'an, and some even spat at Lin Yongwu.
"Bah! This kind of troublemaker should be kicked out of Linjia Village. He's a disgrace to our village!"
"Yeah yeah..."
Lin Yongwu and Zhang Cuiping, who were already furious, were now completely caught in the crossfire of public criticism. They argued back and forth for a long time but couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal. In the end, they slunk home with their child.
"Oh dear, even though I rushed as fast as I could, I still made it so late. Luckily, thankfully I made it in time!"
A deep, powerful voice came from outside the door. Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a slightly overweight old man stepping over the threshold and walking into the yard with a smile.
Almost everyone present recognized this man; he was Wang Hongbo, the village head in charge of their village.
In an instant, the crowd, which had just calmed down, began to whisper among themselves again.
Just as Lin Qing'an and Chen Gengnian were about to step out to greet them, Wang Hongbo loudly stopped them, saying, "Hey, you can't come out. Once you go in, you can't turn back. Just stay there. I'll be right in."
Meanwhile, Chen Yuetao, Lin Jing, Lin Yanfeng, and their group, who had been lagging behind Lin Qing'an and the others, also arrived.
As soon as I entered the house, I saw the village headman walking towards the main hall.
Across the crowd, the village head received a grateful look from Chen Yuetao, and he reassured her with a smile.
Chen Yuetao was not surprised, because she had received news yesterday that the village head was coming to be the witness for Qingge'er and Anian's wedding.
After Ah Nian accidentally saved his daughter, the two families became very close and often exchanged gifts.
Lin Qing'an turned around and saw Chen Yuetao, sweetly calling out, "Mom, come and sit down!"
Chen Yuetao nodded, walked over gently and virtuously, sat down next to the village head, nodded to him, and waited silently without saying a word.
Today, the village chief is acting as the best man on both sides. He glanced at the village head, who smiled and said, "Since the auspicious time has arrived, let's begin!"
The village chief nodded and began to sing loudly.
"Today, the newlyweds pay homage in the hall."
"Bowing to Heaven and Earth~ Bowing~"
Lin Qingan and Chen Gengnian turned around, bowed to the outside, and then turned back.
"Second bow to the parents - second bow"
The two bowed again to the village head and Chen Yuetao.
"Husband and wife bow to each other~ bow~"
Lin Qingan and Chen Gengnian looked at each other face to face and bowed with smiles in their eyes and brows.
The next second, a force of moderate intensity struck, and their foreheads gently bumped together.
A burst of laughter erupted, and before the two could figure out what was going on, they heard the village chief's voice again.
"The newlyweds touch heads together, may their love last a lifetime."
"The ceremony is complete. The newlyweds enter the bridal chamber. May their love last a hundred years, and may they have many children, a dragon and a phoenix bringing good fortune."
Chen Gengnian reached out and took Lin Qingan's hand, and they were led towards the new house. Both of their palms felt slightly damp.
Lin Qingan took a deep breath; it turned out he wasn't the only one who was nervous.
Chen Yuetao's eyes reddened as she watched the two people enter the house hand in hand, but she felt incredibly satisfied and happy.
These tears are for happiness.
Inside the house, there was an auntie in charge, and Lin Qing'an and Chen Gengnian sat side by side on a bench, waiting obediently.
A wooden basin in front of them was filled with millet, with a large red candle and two red eggs stuck in it. The firelight flickered on the couple's bright red wedding clothes. The aunt brought two glasses of white wine and handed them to the couple.
Smiling, she recited: "Husband and wife drink from the same cup, may you have everything you need every day and every year!"
Chen Gengnian and Lin Qingan intertwined their arms, listened to each other's heartbeats, and drank the cup of wine that carried their blessings.
The aunt in charge took the two red eggs and left the house. By then, all the rituals were complete.
Lin Qingan and Chen Gengnian became a legally married couple.
Inside the house, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Outside, the villagers had already started their feast, taking their seats and chatting and laughing, creating a lively atmosphere.
In just a few days, the Lin family's grief was forcibly suppressed by today's celebration.
Those who have departed must be happy for today's celebration!
A note from the author:
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