Jiang Shiyue: “…”
Jiang Shiyue waved the money in his hand towards Chen Dingguo and Wu Xiu'e, "Grandpa, Auntie, do you think 600 yuan is the best gift for marrying a daughter-in-law in the surrounding area?"
Chen Dingguo nodded, hesitated for a moment, and finally didn't say anything.
Jiang Shiyue guessed that what he didn't say was that the five hundred yuan was Zhao Caifeng's savings over the years. Chen Jiadong and Chen Shanhe were about the same age and were at the age of marriage.
In the 1970s, the entire process of holding a wedding in the countryside was still quite complicated.
Most young people's marriages are still arranged by matchmakers and parents.
From blind date to marriage, you may only meet once or twice, but the whole process may span two years.
Jiang Shiyue, who had been working non-stop for two days and was so busy that he felt dizzy but had no idea what he was busy with, took advantage of the rain outside and lay on the kang with Li Chuntian because he could not work.
Yangyang sat on the kang far away from them with some disgust, holding a few notebooks in his hands.
He had finished reading all the books he brought with him and started reading the notebook that Chen Shanhe casually threw to him.
On rainy days, the fan can't be used, but a room full of ice cubes is still cool.
Wu Xiu'e knocked on the door and came in, saying that she wanted to talk to Jiang Shiyue.
"Yueyue, even though you and Shanhe already have a child, we will do the wedding as we should. We will never let you down."
Jiang Shiyue surrendered with a bitter face, "No! Let's keep it simple!"
Jiang Shiyue, who originally thought that she would only have one wedding in her life and wanted it to be grand and perfect with no regrets, changed her mind after only spending one night writing the invitations.
Writing hundreds of copies by hand is more tiring than copying textbooks at school.
Now I just think that naked marriage is actually pretty good.
Chen's relatives and friends are spread throughout the commune, and some are also in other communes.
Rural transportation is underdeveloped, and the best means of transportation is bicycle.
The Chen family had only one bicycle, which was taken away by Zhao Caifeng.
Chen Shanlin asked Chen Jiadong to find Zhao Caifeng, and he, Chen Shanhe and Lu Zheng walked to the homes of relatives and friends to deliver invitations.
Even though it's raining today, I still have to go out to deliver wedding invitations.
While the man was busy outside, Jiang Shiyue and Li Chuntian were not idle either.
Jiang Shiyue's injury had not yet fully recovered, so he was in charge of the literary work, which included writing couplets, invitations, and the word "囍".
Li Chuntian was also drafted into the army and followed Wu Xiu'e to make wedding buns, cut lace patterns, spin cotton thread, and fluff cotton, etc.
After a tiring day, I fell asleep immediately and no longer had any expectations for this important event in my life, the wedding.
"How can that be?" Wu Xiu'e refused without a second thought. "You've come all the way here with Shanhe, and your family is too far away to come and see you off. We absolutely cannot let you suffer any more. We should have what others have. But..."
Wu Xiu'e sighed awkwardly, "Your situation with Shanhe is a bit special. You two don't live at home all year round, and you don't make your own living there. Some customs don't apply to you. For example, here, when we get married, we have to prepare bedding for the newlyweds, at least six beds including blankets and quilts. Your parents' home is far away, so I thought of making ten beds for you. However, you will be leaving in a few days, and it would be inconvenient to carry so many blankets. If they are left at home, they will easily be damaged by mice and moldy. The key point is that we only have four days left, so we really don't have enough time to finish it. I want to discuss with you. I will buy the cotton and quilt covers for you, but let's not make some of them for now. When you and Shanhe arrive in the future, I will make them and send them to you, okay?"
Li Chuntian raised his hand, looking curious. "What do you mean by 'all covered with blankets'?"
Wu Xiu'e lifted up the kang sheet and explained everything to Li Chuntian from bottom to top. "This is a straw mat. It's used on the kang to keep out dust and moisture. The layer on top is called a blanket. It's for comfort and is thicker than ordinary quilts. Usually, two blankets are used to keep it comfortable. The top layer is the kang sheet, which is similar to what you call a bed sheet in the city, but it's a bit bigger. A blanket and a blanket refers to a blanket and a quilt. With the blanket and blanket, there are six beds, usually three beds and three blankets, or two beds and four blankets. Anyway, these two things make up six beds."
Li Chuntian exclaimed, "Wow!" "That's a lot."
Jiang Shiyue shook her head like a rattle, "Auntie, there's no need to save some money. Look, you said it yourself, Chen Shanhe and I are away from home all year round. We are in the military compound and use the items issued by their unit.
Chen Shanhe will most likely change his job when he returns. If he does, moving all these quilts will be a hassle, and we won't have anywhere to store them. Besides, I've been accepted into university and will be going to the south, where it's too warm to afford thick quilts. The school should also provide daily necessities. Making so many is a complete waste. Just listen to me, make one blanket and two covers!"
"It can't be an odd number." Wu Xiu'e disagreed.
"Then there's the bedding and the blanket." Jiang Shiyue waved her hand, stopping Wu Xiu'e from speaking. "Auntie, listen to me. To tell you the truth, I have to clean up this house, not just because Chen Shanhe and I are getting married. Our family of three has been home for half a month, and we have to return to the city in another half a month. This house is for you and Grandpa to live in. Clean it up so you two can live comfortably."
"Ah?" Wu Xiu'e waved her hands repeatedly, looking at the newly renovated house. "It would be a waste to let the two of us live in such a nice house."
"Auntie, Chen Shanhe said this is an adobe house. If it's left empty for a long time, it will turn alkaline and easily cause the house to collapse. Besides, only if it's constantly occupied will it be lively."
"This..." Wu Xiu'e was still hesitant.
"Auntie, we agreed that you and uncle would live here! You can't give it to Chen Jiadong as a wedding house, or I'll be angry." Jiang Shiyue wanted to sign and seal the house in the first place to clarify the ownership, in order to prevent Zhao Caifeng from coming to occupy the house that had just been cleaned up.
“…”
Wu Xiu'e returned to the east wing, and Chen Dingguo asked her, "What did Jiang Shiyue say? Does she agree?"
Wu Xiu'e said "Ah?" and then realized that she went to persuade Jiang Shiyue but was persuaded by Jiang Shiyue in the end.
With a complicated expression, he said to Chen Dingguo, "I agree, but I agree a little too much."
Chen Dingguo: "What do you mean?"
"She said there was only one bed and one blanket. She also said that the whole process should be simplified, and all we need is a wedding ceremony and a banquet."
**
Jiang Shiyue, who was talking until his mouth was dry, had just seen Wu Xiu'e off and picked up the porcelain jar when he heard someone calling at the door.
"Is anyone home? Shanhe? Is Shanhe home?"
Jiang Shiyue and Li Chuntian hurriedly put on their shoes and got off the kang. They heard Wu Xiu'e calling from outside, "Is that Gangzi? Is there something he wants to talk to us about in Shanhe? He went out to announce the good news and will be back in a while!"
"Auntie, the school in our production team collapsed, and several children are trapped underneath. I heard that a female doctor has come to your house, and I'd like to ask her to take a look first."
Li Chuntian, who had just reached the door, quickly turned back, grabbed her first aid kit, and rushed out, carrying the messenger with her, shouting, "Lead the way! I'm the doctor you're looking for."
"Auntie, I'll go and take a look." Jiang Shiyue, who couldn't run fast, fell behind a few steps and took Yangyang's hand and chased after him.
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