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The sixth day of the sixth lunar month in 1990 is an auspicious day for marriage.

Before dawn, Li Shuihua was pulled out of bed.

Aunt Wang, a blessed woman from the village, brought several of her daughters-in-law into the house carrying washbasins and combs.

Shuihua was groggily pushed onto the stool, and a warm towel was placed on her face before she fully woke up...

Today is her wedding day.

"Girl, close your eyes." Aunt Wang twisted two cotton threads together and began to "open the face" of the water droplets.

The fine thread scrapes across the face, causing a slight stinging sensation, which is said to make the bride radiant.

Shuihua clutched the hem of her clothes, listening to the faint sound of the thread scraping against the downy fibers.

The outside was already bustling with activity. Her father, Li Laoshuan, had gotten up unusually early and was directing several relatives to hang red lanterns and paste up the character for "double happiness".

"Shuihua's skin is so good, she doesn't even need to have it squeezed," Aunt Wang said with a smile to the person next to her. "Look at her face, it's like a peeled egg."

The women chimed in with their own opinions, and someone took out rouge and applied it to the water droplets.

Shuihua looked at herself in the bronze mirror. Her cheeks were painted bright red, and her eyebrows were drawn thick and black, making her almost unrecognizable.

"Come on, try on your wedding dress." Aunt Wang took a brand new red jacket out of the trunk.

Shuihua stood up and let them help her put on her wedding dress.

The fabric is the finest corduroy, soft and thick to the touch, with delicate intertwined floral patterns embroidered on the cuffs and collar.

This was sent by the Su family; it's said they spent thirty yuan to have it custom-made at a tailor shop in the county.

"It fits perfectly!" Aunt Wang stepped back and examined it closely. "The Su family really spared no expense; this fabric is enough to make two sets of clothes."

"..."

Shuihua looked down at the red dress she was wearing and suddenly felt a sense of disorientation.

A month ago, she was still the Li family girl, wearing patched clothes and worrying about getting water every day; today, she is going to wear this gorgeous dress and become the Su family's daughter-in-law.

Fate took such a sudden turn that she was caught off guard.

"Oh dear, don't cry! Your makeup will be ruined!" Aunt Wang hurriedly pressed the corners of her eyes, which were streaked with tears. "A bride should be happy; crying is bad luck."

Shuihua took a deep breath and forced back her tears.

Just then, the sounds of firecrackers and suona horns rang out from outside, growing louder as they approached.

"Shuihua, the wedding party is here!" someone shouted, and the room immediately erupted into chaos.

Aunt Wang hurriedly put a red veil on Shuihua's head, while women crowded at the door to look out, and children screamed and ran around asking for wedding candy.

Shuihua's vision was blocked by the red cloth, and she could only see her clasped hands and the small space under her feet.

She was helped to the courtyard gate, surrounded by the noise of people and firecrackers.

"The bride is coming out!"

"Young Master Su looks very energetic today!"

"We haven't seen such a spectacle in our village for years!"

Through the gap under the veil, Shuihua saw a pair of shiny leather shoes stopped in front of her.

Then, a hand with distinct knuckles reached out and gently grasped her cold fingers.

"Shuihua, I'm here to pick you up." Su Ning's voice was soft, but it reached her ears clearly.

Shuihua's heart suddenly skipped a beat.

The hand was warm and dry, and when it held her, the pressure was just right—neither too tight nor too loose.

She was led towards the bridal sedan chair, hearing envious gasps of admiration from those around her.

"Look at the Su family's sedan chair, it's brand new!"

"I heard the wedding procession has more than twenty people!"

"Of course! We brought six donkeys!"

As Shuihua sat in the bridal sedan chair, the moment the curtain was lowered, she secretly lifted a corner of her veil and saw Su Ning riding on a donkey tied with a red ribbon, his back as straight as a pine tree.

Today he was wearing a brand-new navy blue Zhongshan suit with a large red flower pinned to his chest, making him stand out in the dusty Yongquan Village.

The sedan chair swayed and started its journey, the cheerful sound of suona horns echoing through the mountain valley.

Shuihua lowered her veil, then suddenly remembered something and pulled a small cloth bag from her sleeve...

Inside was the withered ear of wheat that Defu had given her.

She stroked the ear of wheat, then gently tucked it into the gap in the sedan chair.

Let the memories of the past remain on the road.

……

The Su family courtyard was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and more than twenty tables of food and drink were set up inside and outside the courtyard.

This was an absolutely rare spectacle in the rural areas of Xihai Gu in the 1990s.

Almost everyone in the village came, even distant relatives who don't usually visit each other brought their families to the feast.

Ma Defu stood at the gate of the courtyard, holding the red envelope that Zhang Shucheng had asked him to pass on, but hesitated to step inside.

The aroma of meat and laughter wafting from inside gave him a stomachache.

He was supposed to go find Debao and the others today, but Director Zhang said that as a village official, he had to attend the wedding.

"Defu, what are you doing standing here? Come in!" Ma Hanshui came out of the courtyard and grabbed his son. "The Su family specially reserved a seat of honor for the cadres. Director Zhang is here too."

Ma Defu was dragged into the courtyard by his father, Ma Hanshui.

Upon seeing them, Su Daqiang immediately greeted them warmly: "Director Ma! Defu! We've been waiting for you! Please take your seats!"

The courtyard was bustling with people, but Ma Defu's eyes couldn't help but search for that figure.

Finally, he saw splashes of water at the entrance of the main room...

She had already removed her veil, and wearing her red wedding dress, she was bowing her head to receive the blessings of her elders. The sunlight shone on her, making her a dazzling red.

"Crack!" The teacup in Ma Defu's hand fell to the ground and shattered.

"How could you be so careless!" Ma Hanshui frowned and quickly told people to clean up.

Zhang Shucheng patted Ma Defu on the shoulder: "Young man, cheer up. You're here today representing the government to offer your congratulations, don't lose your composure."

Ma Defu nodded reluctantly and mechanically followed his father to his seat.

Cold dishes are already laid out on the table...

Pig's head meat, mixed shredded vegetables, braised tofu, and even rare preserved eggs.

This is something that can only be seen during the Chinese New Year in Yongquan Village.

"The Su family is really extravagant," Li, the accountant at the same table, clicked his tongue. "I heard they bought half a carcass of pork!"

“Of course,” someone chimed in, “The Su family’s brick kiln has made a fortune these past two years. Shuihua is so lucky! She’ll be a young mistress after marrying into the family…”

Ma Defu picked up his glass and drank it all in one gulp; the cheap liquor burned his throat.

He recalled the scene last year when he and Shuihua worked together in the wheat field, sharing a mixed flour bun.

Shuihua laughed and said that when the harvest is good next year, she must try what pig's head meat tastes like.

"The bride is about to toast!" the emcee announced loudly.

Ma Defu looked up and saw Shui Hua and Suning toasting each table.

Shuihua changed into a pink dress, her hair was styled into a woman's bun, and she wore a proper smile.

Su Ning, who was beside her, was composed and occasionally whispered a few words to her, which made Shui Hua smile slightly.

That smile stung Ma Defu's eyes. In his memory, Shui Hua rarely smiled like that...

She wasn't shy or timid, but relaxed and natural, as if the person next to her could truly make her happy.

When it was the cadres' turn to offer a toast, Ma Defu had already drunk three cups.

He stood up, trying to make his voice sound normal: "I wish you...I wish you a long and happy life together."

Su Ning gave him a deep look, then raised her glass: "Thank you, Officer Ma. Shui Hua and I will definitely live well."

He emphasized the words "Ma Ganbu" (a nickname for a cadre), and there was a subtle understanding in his eyes.

Shuihua lowered her head, simply said "Thank you, Brother Defu," and then turned to the next customer.

After the toasting ceremony, the emcee announced that the dowry would be revealed.

This is the highlight of the wedding in Xihai Gu, where the bride's family displays the betrothal gifts and dowry to everyone, showcasing the strength of both families.

In the center of the Su family courtyard, a long table was set up, displaying an astonishing array of items: deeds to three water cellars, a robust donkey, five hundred yuan in cash, two bolts of Dacron fabric, a Butterfly brand sewing machine, a Red Lantern brand radio, and various household items.

The most eye-catching items were the sewing machine and the radio...

In the early 1990s, this was an absolute rarity in rural areas, known as the "one sound" among the "three turns and one sound".

"Good heavens! A sewing machine!"

"There's even a radio! You can listen to operas there!"

"The Li family is really going to make a fortune this time..."

The women gathered around the sewing machine, marveling at it, while the men were more interested in the radio.

Li Laoshuan stood to the side, his face beaming with a smug smile, as if he had never been so smug in his life.

Ma Defu stood on the periphery of the crowd, coldly observing everything.

He suddenly noticed that Shuihua did not proudly display her dowry like other brides, but stood quietly beside Su Ning, her eyes wandering, seemingly indifferent to these enviable possessions.

Just then, Suning made an unexpected move.

He led Shuihua to the center of the crowd and announced loudly, "Fellow villagers, today is a joyous occasion for Shuihua and me. I would like to take this opportunity to announce something."

The noisy crowd gradually quieted down.

“As everyone knows, Shuihua is educated and can do accounts. After we get married, I will send her to the county to learn accounting so she can help me manage the brick kiln's accounts.” Su Ning looked around at everyone. “I, Su Ning, hereby promise that I will never be like some people who bring their wives home and then lock them in the kitchen. Shuihua will have her own career and be able to do what she wants!”

These words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.

The older generation looked at each other and whispered among themselves; the young people, however, had shining eyes, especially the girls, whose gazes toward the splashing water were filled with envy.

Shui Hua suddenly looked up, staring at Su Ning in disbelief.

She never expected him to say these things in front of the whole village, and she never expected him to remember her wish to learn accounting.

Ma Defu stood in the corner, feeling as if he had been punched hard in the chest.

Every word Su Ning uttered sounded like a mockery of him…

These were the futures he had promised to Shuihua, but now another man has made them a reality.

The wedding lasted until the sun began to set.

The banquet proceeded in succession, with dishes such as braised pork with vermicelli, stir-fried mutton, and millet cake...

The villagers ate hearty dishes until their mouths were greasy.

Ma Defu used the excuse of looking for Debao and the others to leave the banquet early.

He came alone to the haystack behind the village, the place where he and Shuihua used to meet often.

The setting sun bathed the haystacks in gold, and the faint sounds of laughter from the Su family courtyard could still be heard in the distance.

Ma Defu pulled a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket...

That was his life plan when he graduated from agricultural school, one of the points of which was "to take Shuihua out of the mountains".

Now, this can be crossed out.

It was obvious that the man had appeared, but he wasn't the one.

He took out his pen and drew a heavy horizontal line on that line.

The ink spread out, like a drop of black tear.

……

As dusk deepened, in the Su family's new house, Shuihua sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), nervously twisting her fingers.

The wedding banquet had ended, and the villagers who had helped in the courtyard had gradually left, leaving only a few close relatives to clean up the mess.

The door was gently pushed open, and Su Ning walked in carrying a basin of hot water: "Are you tired? Soak your feet."

Shuihua watched in surprise as he squatted down and placed the basin of water at her feet.

In Xihai Gu, what kind of man would bring a woman water to wash her feet?
She hurriedly pulled her foot back: "I...I can do it myself..."

Su Ning smiled and didn't insist: "Then I'll go outside and tidy up. You rest first."

After saying that, he closed the door and left.

Shuihua was stunned for a while before slowly taking off her shoes and socks and immersing her feet in the warm water.

Her tired feet felt so comfortable after a long day that she sighed with relief.

She looked around the new room—new New Year pictures were pasted on the walls, bright red quilts were laid on the kang (a heated brick bed), and a small framed picture with a black and white photo on the windowsill, which looked like a picture of Su Ning when she was a child.

It all felt like a dream, so unreal.

Shuihua pinched her arm; the pain told her this wasn't a dream.

She really did get married, to a man she had only known for a month, yet who understood her better than anyone else.

Footsteps came from outside the door. Shuihua quickly dried her feet and sat down properly.

Suning pushed open the door and came in, carrying two books.

“Here you go,” he handed the books to Shuihua, “Accounting Basics and Rural Practical Mathematics, I bought them from the county bookstore. Once I’m less busy, I’ll teach you whenever I have time.”

Shuihua took the book, her fingers trembling slightly.

The title page of the book reads "To my beloved wife, Li Shuihua," in neat and powerful handwriting.

Suddenly, her nose stung, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably, making a soft "patter" sound as they hit the pages of the book.

"On such a joyous day! Why are you crying?" Su Ning asked, somewhat flustered. "Did I say something wrong?"

Shuihua shook her head, but her tears flowed even more fiercely.

She wasn't sad, but she had never imagined that in this poor mountain village where women were considered to be wasting their time reading, someone would give her a book as a wedding gift.

"Thank you...thank you..." she said, choking back tears, clutching the book tightly to her chest as if it were a precious treasure.

Su Ning sat down beside her and gently patted her back: "Don't cry, things will get better from now on. I promise."

Outside the courtyard, the last rays of the setting sun disappeared below the horizon of the Loess Plateau.

The light from the windows of the Su family's new house shone through, making it appear especially warm in the darkness.

On a distant mountain ridge, Ma Defu pushed his bicycle silently toward the direction of Diaozhuang.

His shadow was stretched long by the moonlight, cast lonely shadows on the parched earth.

Honestly, Ma Defu knew he couldn't compare to Suning. Suning not only provided Li Shuihua with a wealthy life, but also genuinely respected her.

Even Ma Defu didn't think he could do it, and suddenly realized how ridiculous his love was.

...(End of chapter)