In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

On October 1, 1961, before dawn, the eastern horizon was tinged with a faint bluish-white.

The Yang family's courtyard in Xiangyang Village was already lit. The newly pasted red "囍" character on the window of the main room stood out prominently in the dim light.

Inside the main room, Yang Xiuyuan sat at the octagonal table, the light of his pipe flickering in and out of his hand.

This usually taciturn old man had smoothed out the wrinkles on his face today, and as he occasionally took a puff of his cigarette, the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up in a smile. He had three sons, and now his second son was about to get married, and to a cultured teacher no less. He felt his life hadn't been in vain.

The curtain to the west room was lifted, and Yang Guangming walked out.

He changed into a brand-new dark blue Zhongshan suit, the fabric crisp and the cut fitting perfectly; he had bought it a few days ago at the county department store. He wore a pair of black leather shoes, polished to a shine. His hair was neatly combed, revealing his full forehead and bright eyes. A red ribbon was tied around his left arm, which Feng Guifang had just personally tied for him.

The morning breeze carried the chill of late autumn, but his heart was warm.

"Guangming, is everything ready?" Yang Ximing walked in from outside, also dressed neatly. As the eldest brother, he was in charge of the wedding procession today.

"Alright." Yang Guangming nodded, his voice steady, but a light shone deep in his eyes.

"The carriage is waiting at the village entrance. Grandpa Sun came early this morning," Yang Ximing said, taking out a small cloth bag from his pocket. "The red envelopes are prepared as you said: fifteen one-mao (10 cents) envelopes, five five-mao (50 cents) envelopes, and five one-yuan (1 yuan) envelopes. That should be enough."

Yang Guangming took the cloth bag and weighed it in his hand: "I'll add a few more." He then took out a few red envelopes from his pocket and stuffed them in, "It won't hurt to have more on hand."

At this moment, Yang Yuming also hurriedly came out of the house. He was still wearing his post office uniform, but it was washed exceptionally clean, and even the collar was ironed neatly.

"Second Brother, you look so smart!" Yang Yuming circled around Yang Guangming, his eyes sparkling. "Wearing this outfit, you look just like a high-ranking official in the city!"

Yang Guangming patted him on the shoulder with a smile: "You're so sweet-talking. When we get to Mengjia Village, be quick-witted, help out when you need to, and speak up when you need to."

"Don't worry, Second Brother!" Yang Yuming straightened his back.

Yang Xiuyuan stood up, walked to his son, looked him up and down, and finally patted him on the shoulder forcefully: "Go, and bring your wife back safely."

"Hey."

The three brothers stepped out of the courtyard; it was already dawn. On the village road, the early risers greeted Yang Guangming with smiles as they saw his attire.

"Guangming, are you getting married today? Congratulations!"

"Is the bride a teacher from Mengjia Village? She's so lucky!"

Yang Guangming responded with a smile, her steps light and quick.

A group of people had already gathered under the old locust tree at the village entrance.

A horse-drawn carriage with a canopy was parked by the roadside. The chestnut horse pulling the carriage had a red ribbon tied around its neck and looked very spirited. Grandpa Sun, who was driving the carriage, sat on the shaft smoking his pipe. When he saw them coming, he smiled and tapped his pipe.

Seven or eight young men stood beside the carriage, all of them from the same village and around the same age as Yang Guangming. Some were wearing slightly worn clothes, while others were dressed casually, but all of them had smiles on their faces.

"The groom is here!" someone shouted.

A crowd gathered around, chattering auspicious words.

Yang Ximing, as the person in charge of the wedding procession, began to make arrangements: "Besides the groom, there are three more people in the carriage. The rest of you will follow the carriage, and we'll set off firecrackers along the way to make it more lively."

Yang Guangming took out two strings of firecrackers and gave them to the two young men: "Set off a few every now and then along the road, don't set them all off at once."

"understand!"

With everything prepared, Yang Ximing glanced at the sky; the east was already showing the first hint of dawn. He waved his hand and announced, "The auspicious time has arrived! Let's set off!"

Yang Ximing boarded the carriage and sat in the carriage canopy. Yang Ximing sat on the other side of the carriage shaft, next to Grandpa Sun.

Grandpa Sun cracked his whip, and the chestnut horse strode forward, the carriage slowly starting to move.

"Crackling——"

Firecrackers exploded in the village at dawn, startling the sparrows in the trees. Red paper scraps danced in the air, and the smell of gunpowder filled the air, instantly intensifying the festive atmosphere.

The horse-drawn carriage drove out of the village and headed towards Mengjia Village along the dirt road. Young people walked alongside the carriage, chatting and laughing, occasionally setting off firecrackers, which attracted the attention of villagers who were working early in the morning on both sides of the road.

Sunlight streamed through the carport window. The crops along the roadside had been mostly harvested, leaving the fields empty. In the distance, the village was shrouded in a thin morning mist, appearing and disappearing indistinctly.

He felt calm, yet also a strange sense of anticipation. He had waited a long time for this day, and prepared for it for a long time. From their reunion at the train station, to inviting her to his home for dinner, to his visit, and finally establishing their relationship, everything had progressed naturally.

Now, I'm finally going to officially marry her.

Meng Yining's gentle smile appeared before his eyes, and Yang Guangming's lips unconsciously curled up.

A friend from the same village came over and winked, "Brother Guangming, are you thinking about your bride? You're smiling so sweetly."

Yang Guangming snapped out of his daze and chuckled, "You're so sharp-eyed."

Another person laughed and said, "Guangming, I heard that the bride is a teacher, a well-educated and reasonable woman. You are truly blessed."

"Of all the couples who have gotten married in our village in recent years, your wife is the best in terms of terms of looks and qualifications," someone chimed in.

Sunshine waved his hand dismissively: "When fate brings you together, nothing can stop it."

The carriage bumped along, and time flew by amidst laughter and conversation.

Mengjia Village is not far from Xiangyang Village; in less than twenty minutes, you can already see the outline of Mengjia Village.

A group of people had already gathered under the old locust tree at the village entrance. Seeing the carriage approaching, someone ran back into the village to report the news.

Firecrackers went off again, this time from Mengjia Village. Red confetti drifted in the air, and the smell of gunpowder mingled with the morning scent of grass and trees, creating a festive atmosphere that infected everyone.

The carriage stopped at the village entrance.

Yang Guangming got out of the car and straightened his clothes. Yang Ximing and several young men also got out of the car and stood behind him.

Several people came out to greet them from Mengjia Village, led by Meng Zhigang. He was wearing a slightly worn military uniform today, looking particularly smart, with a smile on his face.

"Guangming, you're here!" Meng Zhigang stepped forward and patted Yang Guangming on the shoulder. "You must have had a long journey."

"It's no trouble at all, brother," Yang Guangming said with a smile. "Where's Yining?"

“We were waiting at home,” Meng Zhigang said, looking at Yang Ximing, “Ximing, you’re here too, welcome, welcome.”

Yang Ximing stepped forward and shook hands with Meng Zhigang: "Brother Zhigang, today we are family."

“Yes, we’re family.” Meng Zhigang smiled and greeted the young people behind Yang Ximing.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Meng Zhigang said, "Let's go, everything is ready at home. According to custom, we have to go through a few hurdles before we can see the bride."

Sunshine nodded, already mentally prepared.

The group entered the village and headed towards the Meng family's house.

The Meng family courtyard was already packed with people. Relatives, friends, and neighbors had all come to see what was going on. When Yang Guangming and his group entered, all eyes turned to them, and whispers began to murmur among themselves.

"Is this the groom? He looks very dashing!"

"I heard he's a manager at a pharmaceutical factory; he's young and promising."

"Yining is lucky to have found such a good partner."

With a smile on his face, Yang Guangming nodded to everyone.

Upon reaching the entrance of the main room, the first hurdle arrived.

Meng Yining's cousins ​​blocked the doorway, grinning and holding out their hands: "Red envelopes! No red envelopes, no entry!"

Yang Ming was prepared; he took out several red envelopes from his pocket and handed them out one by one. Each envelope contained a dime, not much, but enough to make the children happy.

"Thank you, brother-in-law!" The children, overjoyed to receive the red envelopes, made way for them.

Upon entering the main room, Meng's parents sat in the main seats, their faces beaming with smiles. Other relatives of the Meng family were also present, filling the room to capacity.

Yang Guangming stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "Father-in-law and mother-in-law, I've come to pick up Yining."

Father Meng nodded, a satisfied smile on his face: "Guangming, I'm entrusting Yining to you today. From now on, you two must take care of each other and live a good life together."

"I definitely will," Yang Guangming solemnly promised.

Meng's mother's eyes were a little moist, but she held back her tears: "Guangming, Yining has a good temper, but she is also a little temperamental. Please bear with her."

"Don't worry, Mother, I'll give way to Yining." Yang Guangming changed his address and called her that naturally.

Upon hearing this, Mencius' mother almost burst into tears again, nodding repeatedly, "Good, good."

After saying a few more words, it was time to go see the bride.

Meng Yining was in the inner room, and several young girls, all of whom were her cousins, were guarding the door.

As the sunlight streamed in, a girl with two braids smiled and reached out her hand: "Groom, want to pick up your bride? Not so easy, you'll have to get past us first."

Yang Guangming smiled and said, "Feel free to make any requests you may have."

"First, you have to say ten things to praise the bride, and none of them can be the same," the girl said.

This was no challenge for Yang Guangming. He looked at the closed door and slowly said, "Yining is gentle and kind, Yining is knowledgeable and reasonable, Yining is hardworking and capable, Yining is beautiful and generous, Yining is understanding, Yining is skillful, Yining is filial to her parents, Yining loves her work, Yining... is the person I like the most in my life."

The last sentence brought laughter to everyone inside and outside the house. A soft, reproachful voice came from inside the door, but the sweetness in it was palpable.

"Well said!" the girls clapped. "The second challenge is to sing a song, a love song."

Yang Guangming cleared his throat and began to sing "The Bright Sun of September," a popular song from that era. He sang earnestly, and the tender emotions in the lyrics quieted everyone present.

"On that bright, sunny day of the ninth month, an eighteen-year-old brother sat by the river..."

The song echoed in the courtyard, simple yet moving. When it reached the lines, "This departure will take me over mountains and seas, this departure will last for three or two years, and I will not return," Meng Yining listened from inside the house, a warm feeling welling up in her heart. She knew that Yang Guangming had chosen this song to tell her that this departure would last a lifetime, and he would treat her well.

When the song ended, applause erupted.

"You've passed." The girl stepped aside, and Meng Yining went inside.

Yang Guangming looked at Meng Yining and extended his hand: "Yining, I've come to take you home."

Meng Yining looked up at his gentle yet firm gaze, and the nervousness and shyness in her heart slowly subsided. She placed her hand in his palm and softly replied, "Mmm."

The two held their hands tightly together.

Next was the part where we said goodbye to our parents.

Meng Yining walked up to her parents and knelt down. Her mother finally couldn't hold back her tears. Her father's eyes also reddened, but he forced himself not to cry.

"Father, Mother, your daughter is getting married today." Meng Yining's voice choked with emotion. "I won't be able to stay by your side often after this, so please take care of yourselves."

Meng's mother held her daughter's hand, sobbing uncontrollably: "Yining...when you get to your husband's family, you must be filial to your parents-in-law...and live a good life..."

"I will, Mother." Meng Yining's tears also fell.

Meng's father took a deep breath and said, "Yining, once you marry into the Yang family, you'll be one of them. Be diligent, be sensible, and live well with Guangming. Don't worry about things at home; your brother and we'll take care of things."

“Father…” Meng Yining cried even harder.

Yang Guangming walked to her side and said solemnly, "Father, Mother, don't worry, I will treat Yining well. I will never let her suffer any injustice in this life."

Mr. Meng nodded and helped his daughter up: "Okay, okay...we're relieved."

After saying goodbye, it's time to set off.

Meng Yining's dowry has already been moved out, mainly consisting of two new quilts, several sets of clothes, a washbasin, a thermos, and a small wooden box containing her books and miscellaneous items. There aren't many things, but they are all neatly arranged.

The young men that Yang Guangming brought helped carry it onto the carriage.

Surrounded by her elder brother, sister-in-law, and sisters, Meng Yining stepped out of the house. The sound of firecrackers rang out again, even more enthusiastically than before.

She glanced back at the home she had lived in for over twenty years, at her weeping mother and her father who was trying to hold back his grief, and at the familiar village, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

But starting today, she will have a new life.

Meng Zhigang stayed by her side and said softly, "Yining, don't be sad, this is a happy occasion. If you miss home in the future, you can come back to visit anytime."

Meng Yining nodded and wiped away her tears.

When they reached the carriage, Yang Guangming helped her into it.

Meng Yining got into the car, accompanied by one of her cousins ​​as a bridesmaid. Two other young women from the Meng family, who were also part of the wedding party, got in as well.

Yang Guangming sat down next to Meng Yining and took her hand. Her hand was a little cold and trembling slightly. He squeezed it tightly, giving her warmth and strength.

Meng Yining sensed his feelings and gradually calmed down.

The curtain was lowered, and the carriage slowly started moving.

Firecrackers were set off in Mengjia Village to send off the bride, creating a loud and cheerful atmosphere. Amidst the sounds of firecrackers and the farewells of relatives and friends, the horse-drawn carriage drove out of Mengjia Village.

On the way back, the atmosphere became much more relaxed.

The young people walking along chatted and laughed, occasionally setting off a few firecrackers. Inside the carriage, the Meng family girls chattered away, easing Meng Yining's tension.

Yang Guangming held Meng Yining's hand tightly, without letting go. Although they didn't speak, the warmth of their intertwined fingers conveyed a thousand words.

Soon, the carriage returned to Xiangyang Village.

A large crowd had already gathered at the village entrance. It wasn't just Yang's relatives and friends; almost half the village had come to watch the spectacle. Entertainment is scarce in the countryside, so weddings are always big events, especially since Yang's three sons had all become successful, making this wedding even more anticipated.

Firecrackers exploded, and red paper scraps fell like rain.

The carriage stopped not far from the front door. Yang Guangming got out of the carriage first, and then turned around to help Meng Yining down.

The crowd erupted in cheers as soon as the bride appeared.

"What a beautiful bride!"

"This red dress makes her look like someone from a painting!"

"Guangming is truly blessed!"

Feeling embarrassed by the stares, Meng Yining lowered her head and tightly gripped Yang Guangming's arm. Yang Guangming protected her and smiled at the onlookers, saying, "Uncles and aunts, please make way, the bride is shy."

Everyone laughed and made way for them.

Yang Ximing led the way, protecting Meng Yining, while the bridesmaids and two girls who accompanied the bride followed behind. The group headed towards the Yang family's courtyard.

The courtyard was also crowded with people. A table was placed at the entrance of the main room, with a portrait of the leader on it; this was where the wedding ceremony would be held.

Yang Guangming and Meng Yining walked to the table and stood there.

Yang Xiuyuan and Feng Guifang sat in the main seats, their faces beaming with undisguised smiles. Their eldest brother, Yang Ximing, and sister-in-law, Cheng Shulan, stood to the side, along with their third brother, Yang Yuming.

The master of ceremonies was an elderly village clerk, educated and knowledgeable in traditional customs. He cleared his throat and announced loudly, "The auspicious hour has arrived; the newlyweds may begin their wedding ceremony—"

The crowd fell silent.

"Worship the heavens and the earth-"

Yang Guangming and Meng Yining turned around and bowed towards the door.

"Second worship high hall-"

The two turned to Yang Xiuyuan and Feng Guifang and bowed deeply.

"Husband and wife pay homage——"

Standing face to face, Yang Guangming looked at Meng Yining, and Meng Yining also looked up at him. Both of them had gentle smiles in their eyes, and then they bowed at the same time, their heads gently touching.

"The ceremony is complete—send them to the bridal chamber!"

Applause and cheers echoed throughout the courtyard.

With Yang Guangming holding Meng Yining's hand, they walked towards their new house surrounded by people.

The new house was set up in the east wing, which was the room where Yang Guangming used to live. Feng Guifang had already tidied it up. The walls were covered with red "囍" characters, new bedding was laid on the kang (a heated brick bed), and paper-cut window decorations were pasted on the windows. Although it was simple, it was full of festive cheer.

The two went inside and the door was closed, but the sounds of lively laughter could still be heard outside the window.

The room finally quieted down.

Yang Guangming released Meng Yining's hand, walked to the table, poured two glasses of water, and handed one to her: "Are you tired? Have some water."

Meng Yining took it and said softly, "Thank you."

The two sat down on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), speechless for a moment. Although they had been in a relationship for almost half a year, becoming husband and wife felt different. There was a touch of shyness, a hint of nervousness, and a sweet warmth all around.

Looking at her lowered profile, Yang Guangming said softly, "Yining, from today onwards, you are my wife."

Meng Yining blushed and nodded: "Mm."

"I will be good to you," Yang Guangming said, holding her hand. "Forever."

Meng Yining looked up into his earnest eyes, a warm feeling welling up inside her. She grasped his hand in return, whispering but firmly, "I will be good to you too, for the rest of my life."

The two looked at each other and smiled, and the tension and shyness they had felt earlier vanished in that smile.

Feng Guifang's voice came from outside: "Guangming, Yining, come out and greet the guests!"

Yang Guangming responded and said to Meng Yining, "Let's go out, the wedding banquet is about to begin."

"it is good."

The two straightened their clothes and left the bridal chamber.

Six tables have already been set up in the courtyard.

In these difficult times, being able to set up a six-table wedding banquet is already considered a generous gesture. Apart from the two tables for the bride's side, the groom's relatives and friends only prepared four tables, inviting close friends and prominent figures from the village.

The staple food was steamed buns made from a mixture of wheat and water, yellow and white, steaming hot. There were eight dishes, laid out on the table in abundance.

Two main dishes were the most eye-catching: a large pot of stewed chicken with mushrooms, the chicken was tender and the mushrooms were soaked in the broth, and the aroma was irresistible; and a large pot of braised fish, each fish was a foot long, and the reddish-brown broth was glistening and tempting.

The other six dishes were stir-fries: stir-fried eggs with chives, stir-fried cured pork with garlic sprouts, braised eggplant, stir-fried green beans, stir-fried green peppers, and cucumber salad. Although they were all home-style dishes, they were oily, plentiful, and appetizing.

Such a standard is absolutely unprecedented in rural wedding banquets over the past two years. Many guests were secretly amazed when they saw the dishes on the table, thinking that the Yang family had really prospered, being able to hold such a dignified wedding banquet even in such a difficult year.

As newlyweds, Yang Guangming and Meng Yining were required to toast each table. However, in this era, excessive drinking was not customary; it was mainly a formality to receive blessings from relatives and friends.

It started with the two tables where the bride was being escorted. All the guests from the Meng family were close relatives, and they were all happy for Meng Yining, seeing her marry into such a good family. They offered many words of blessing and instructed Yang Guangming to treat Yining well.

Yang Guangming readily agreed, his attitude sincere.

Then came the groom's four tables. The Yang family didn't have many relatives; they were mainly village officials, respected elders, and some friends of the three Yang brothers.

At each table, Yang Guangming led Meng Yining in toasts and introduced her to relatives and friends. Meng Yining was poised and spoke appropriately, winning everyone's favor.

"Guangming found a good wife; she's educated and sensible."

"Yes, judging from his demeanor, he's definitely a teacher."

"A perfect match, a handsome man and a beautiful woman!"

Hearing these compliments, Yang Guangming felt very pleased, and Meng Yining also smiled.

After toasting, the two sat down at the main male and female tables respectively and began to eat.

Feng Guifang kept putting food on Meng Yining's plate: "Yining, eat more, you must be hungry after the journey. This chicken has been stewed all morning, it's very tender, you should try it."

"Thank you, Mother." Meng Yining took it and ate it in small bites.

The meal was eaten very early, starting at ten o'clock, and everyone enjoyed it immensely. In these times of year, being able to have a hearty, flavorful meal is a rare treat.

The two tables of people accompanying the bride ate the fastest, finishing their meals around 11:00 AM. According to custom, after finishing their meal, the people accompanying the bride should go to the bridal chamber to see the bride and the groom's relatives one last time, give them some final words of advice, and then leave.

Meng Yining's brother and sister-in-law, bridesmaids, and two bridesmaids followed Yang Guangming and Meng Yining back to their new home.

Meng Zhigang, as the eldest brother, spoke first: "Yining, from today onwards, you are a member of the Yang family. You must be filial to your parents-in-law, respect your husband, and get along well with your sisters-in-law. If you encounter any difficulties, just tell the family. Your brother will always be your support."

Meng Yining's eyes reddened again: "Brother, I understand."

Meng Yining's sister-in-law, who was accompanying her to the wedding, also said a few heartfelt words, nothing more than telling Meng Yining to be diligent, sensible, and adapt to life in her new family as soon as possible. After giving her these instructions, the wedding party was about to leave. Meng Yining saw them off at the courtyard gate, watching her family members' departing figures, and tears welled up in her eyes again.

Yang Guangming put his arm around her shoulder and gently comforted her, "Don't be sad. If you miss home in the future, I'll often go back with you to visit."

"Mm." Meng Yining wiped away her tears, feeling much more at ease.

After seeing off the bride's family, the main part of the wedding ceremony was over. The guests gradually dispersed, and the courtyard slowly quieted down.

Feng Guifang, along with Cheng Shulan and several other women, helped clear away the dishes, while Yang Guangming and the three Yang brothers, Yang Ximing and Yang Yuming, helped move tables and chairs.

Meng Yining wanted to help, but Feng Guifang stopped her: "Yining, you're the bride today, you don't need to do any work, go inside and rest."

"Mom, I'm not tired. Let me help out," Meng Yining insisted.

"Then...then you can help wipe the table, it's an easy job." Feng Guifang couldn't refuse her, so she gave her a simple task.

Meng Yining picked up a rag and began wiping the table diligently. Yang Guangming watched this with satisfaction. Meng Yining wasn't the spoiled type; she was hardworking, sensible, and capable of living a stable life.

By the time we finished tidying up, it was already past 1 p.m.

Yang Guangming and Meng Yining returned to their new house and had just sat down to catch their breath when they heard the laughter and chatter of young people outside.

"Brother Guangming, sister-in-law, may we come in?"

Yang Guangming and Meng Yining exchanged a glance, knowing that the wedding night pranksters had arrived.

"Come in," Yang Guangming said.

The door opened, and five or six young men rushed in; they were all fellow villagers who were close to Yang Guangming.

They had mischievous smiles on their faces; they were clearly there to make a ruckus during the wedding night.

"Brother Guangming, sister-in-law, congratulations!" everyone said in unison.

"Thank you, brothers," Yang Guangming said with a smile. "Please sit down, what are you standing for?"

There weren't enough chairs in the room, so a few young people sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), their eyes darting back and forth between Yang Guangming and Meng Yining, their smiles meaningful.

One of them spoke first: "Brother Guangming, today is your and your wife's wedding day, we should celebrate! According to the old custom, we should have a wedding night prank!"

Yang Guangming was prepared: "Okay, how about it? But let me make it clear first, don't go too far, your sister-in-law is easily embarrassed."

"Don't worry, don't worry, we know what we're doing. The first activity is eating apples."

"Brother Guangming, sister-in-law, you two eat this apple together, and you have to bite into it at the same time, without using your hands. If you can't bite it, you'll have to perform a little talent."

Yang Guangming looked at Meng Yining. Meng Yining's face was already red, but she still nodded.

One of the friends, holding the apple stem, slowly moved between the two.

The two leaned closer, face to face, with an apple between them, so they could clearly see themselves reflected in each other's eyes.

The friend holding the apple shouted, "I'll count to three, then we'll bite together!"

"Ah."

"one two Three!"

The two men moved forward simultaneously, biting precisely on either side of the apple. With a snap, the apple was broken in two.

"Great!" Everyone applauded.

The village boy persisted, "No, no, biting too neatly is boring. We have to perform!"

"That's right, put on a show!" the others cheered.

Yang Guangming smiled and said, "Okay, what should we perform?"

"Sing! Sing love songs!" someone shouted.

Yang Guangming looked at Meng Yining: "Yining, shall we sing together?"

Meng Yining blushed even more and whispered, "I...I can't sing well."

"It's alright, I'll take you." Yang Guangming squeezed her hand, then cleared his throat and began, "On a bright sunny day like September 9th—"

He sang a line, gesturing for Meng Yining to repeat. Meng Yining's voice was initially soft, but with Yang Guangming's encouragement, it gradually grew louder. The two sang in harmony, their voices tender and affectionate, which quieted down the other young people.

When the song ended, applause erupted.

"Well sung! We'll have another performance!"

Next came a few classic games: the couple had to pass peanuts between their mouths without dropping them; the bride and groom recounted how they met and fell in love...

Each game made Meng Yining blush deeply, but Yang Guangming, thick-skinned as ever, cooperated and completed the games, making everyone laugh. Seeing the bride and groom's embarrassment was the greatest joy for those who were making a ruckus at the wedding night.

After making a scene for over an hour, the young people were finally satisfied and prepared to leave.

"Brother Guangming, sister-in-law, I wish you a long and happy life together and many children!" one person said in a leading voice.

"Thank you, brothers." Yang Guangming handed out the wedding candies he had prepared in advance to them, "to share in the joy."

A handful of fruit candies for each person was considered a generous gift in those days. The young people happily accepted them, exchanged a few more jokes, and finally left the bridal chamber.

The door closed, and the room finally became completely quiet.

Meng Yining breathed a long sigh of relief, sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), her face still flushed: "Finally they're gone... The wedding night pranks were terrifying."

Yang Guangming sat down next to her and smiled, "It's all just for fun, no ill intentions. Tired?"

"A little." Meng Yining rubbed her face. "I've been laughing too much, my face is stiff."

Yang Guangming reached out and gently rubbed her cheek: "Relax, you've had a hard day."

His movements were natural, and Meng Yining did not flinch; instead, she felt a sweet warmth in her heart.

The two sat quietly for a while, enjoying this rare moment of peace.

Feng Guifang's voice came from outside the window: "Guangming, Yining, what do you want to eat tonight? Mom will make it for you."

Yang Guangming opened the door: "Mom, just have something simple for dinner, you've had a long day."

"Not tired at all, it's your big day, you should eat something good." Feng Guifang said with a smile, "I steamed some buns with cabbage and vermicelli filling, and also cooked millet porridge. We'll be eating in a bit."

"Thank you, mother."

The door closed again.

Meng Yining said softly, "Mother is so good."

“Yes, my mother is straightforward but kind-hearted. You’ll understand once you get to know her better,” Yang Guangming said. “My sister-in-law is also a very good person, honest and hardworking. You’ve met my third brother; he’s simple and honest, but he’s not malicious. Our family is small and easy to get along with.”

Meng Yining nodded, feeling much more at ease. Marriage is not just about marrying a husband, but also about marrying into a family. It was a blessing that her in-laws were easy to get along with.

In the evening, Feng Guifang made a lavish dinner for the first time ever: a bowl of cabbage and vermicelli buns, a pot of millet porridge, and a small dish of pickled vegetables.

The dough for the steamed buns was a mixture of two types of dough, but the filling was flavorful and oily. The millet porridge was thick and fragrant.

This was Meng Yining's first family reunion dinner after marrying into the family, so it had a special meaning.

After we finished eating and cleared away the dishes, it was already completely dark.

There are no entertainment activities in the countryside, so everyone goes to sleep when it gets dark. Especially today, after a busy day, the whole family is exhausted.

After washing up, the two returned to their room, blew out the kerosene lamp, and the room fell into darkness.

The two lay on the kang (a heated brick bed), covered by the same quilt. The bride's heart was pounding, and her whole body was burning hot.

……

Early in the morning.

In the darkness, Yang Guangming held Meng Yining's hand: "Yining, today is our wedding day."

"Mmm," Meng Yining's voice was very soft.

"I will be good to you for the rest of my life."

"I know."

"Go to sleep, we have to go back to your parents' home tomorrow."

"it is good."

The two fell silent, their hands still clasped. Physical exhaustion and inner contentment intertwined, and they quickly drifted off to sleep.

I slept very soundly and peacefully that night.

The next day, according to custom, the bride had to return to her parents' home.

Yang Guangming and Meng Yining got up early, got ready, and brought the prepared gifts: two pounds of pastries, two pounds of brown sugar, a piece of cured meat, and candy for the children.

The two set off for Mengjia Village. This time they didn't take a horse-drawn carriage; they walked. Along the way, they met acquaintances who greeted them with smiles and words of congratulations.

When they arrived at the Meng family home, Meng's parents were already waiting. They were overjoyed to see their daughter and son-in-law return.

The main purpose of the bride's return visit is for her to visit her parents' home and let her family see if their daughter is doing well in her husband's family. Meng Yining looked great and had a smile on her face, which reassured her parents.

They had lunch at the Meng family's house, chatted for a while in the afternoon, and then Yang Guangming and Meng Yining said their goodbyes. According to custom, one cannot stay overnight on the day of the return visit; one must return home on the same day.

It was already evening when we returned to Xiangyang Village.

The couple had already taken their honeymoon leave. From now on, Yang Guangming and Meng Yining would stay in the village, visiting relatives and friends, and getting familiar with the surroundings. Meng Yining was diligent and sensible, helping Feng Guifang with cooking and laundry, and quickly integrated into the Yang family's life.

Yang Ximing and Cheng Shulan treated her very well, and her third brother, Yang Yuming, called her "sister-in-law" affectionately. The whole family was happy and harmonious.

Time flies, and it's already October 4th. My honeymoon is over, and it's time to go back to work.

Early in the morning, Yang Guangming and Meng Yining got up, packed their things, and prepared to return to the county town. Feng Guifang prepared bags and bags of food: homemade steamed buns, pickled vegetables, and dried vegetables.

"Take everything with you. You'll need to buy everything in the city, so every penny saved counts." Feng Guifang said as she packed the things. "Yining, don't overwork yourself at work. Take care of yourself. Guangming, please look after Yining."

"Okay, Mom, don't worry." Yang Guangming took the package. "We're leaving now. Take care, Dad. We'll try to come back next weekend."

"Hey, be careful on the road."

Yang Xiuyuan also stood at the gate of the courtyard, looking at his son and daughter-in-law: "Work hard and live a good life."

"Father, we will."

The two bid farewell to their parents and embarked on their journey back to the county town.

On the way, Meng Yining sighed, "Time flies so fast. It feels like my wedding was just yesterday, and now I have to go back to work."

"That's life, one day at a time." Yang Guangming held her hand. "We'll settle down in the city and live a good life together."

“Mmm.” Meng Yining squeezed his hand.

It was already past nine in the morning when they returned to the pharmaceutical factory. Yang Guangming first took Meng Yining to the entrance of the affiliated primary school.

"I'll pick you up after work this afternoon," Yang Guangming said.

“Okay,” Meng Yining said softly.

The two parted ways and went to work.

When Yang Guangming returned to the security department, he was greeted by his colleagues as soon as he entered.

Section Chief Tian came out of the office with a smile on his face: "Guangming, you're back? Happy wedding."

"Thank you, Section Chief," Yang Guangming said.

He Dongliang leaned closer and lowered his voice: "Guangming, I heard the bride is exceptionally beautiful? When are you bringing her over so everyone can meet her?"

“There’s a chance, there’s a chance,” Yang Guangming said with a smile.

Zhang Jianjun, standing next to him, patted Yang Guangming on the shoulder forcefully and teased him, "Well done, Guangming! You're quick on your feet, getting married right away. How's your newlywed life going?"

"Captain Zhang, please stop making fun of me."

After a few laughs and jokes, they got down to business. Yang Guangming distributed the wedding candies he had brought from the village to everyone; it wasn't much, but it was a token of his appreciation.

The workday passed quickly. After get off work in the afternoon, Yang Guangming went to the entrance of the primary school to wait for Meng Yining.

Meng Yining and several female teachers came out together. Seeing Yang Guangming, she said goodbye to her colleagues and walked over quickly.

"Have you been waiting long?" she asked softly.

"No, I just arrived." Yang Guangming naturally took the cloth bag from her hand. "Let's go home."

The two walked side by side toward Building No. 3. The setting sun cast long, intertwined shadows of them.

When I went up to the second floor, I saw several neighbors cooking in the hallway. I greeted them with a smile.

"Guangming, Yining, are you off work? Happy wedding!"

"Thank you, Aunt Zhang."

"The young couple is a perfect match; they make people happy just looking at them."

Meng Yining was a little embarrassed, but Yang Guangming responded generously, "Aunt Wang, please have some candy."

Yang Guangming prepared candy early in the morning and distributed some to the neighbors in the corridor.

As they reached their own front door, the door across the hall opened, and Officer Zhang came out. Seeing them, he smiled and said, "Guangming, Yining, you're back? Congratulations!"

"Thank you, Officer Zhang." Yang Guangming took out a bag of milk candy from his bag. "These are wedding candies, specially prepared for you."

"Oh my, you even prepared wedding candy for me, how kind of you!" Officer Zhang accepted it, his smile widening.

Just then, the door next door opened, and Technician Li poked his head out. Seeing Yang Guangming and Meng Yining, he adjusted his glasses and said, "Guangming, Yining, congratulations on your marriage!"

"Technician Li, I've also prepared a bag of wedding candy for you," Yang Guangming said.

Zhang, the clerk across the hall, and Li, the technician next door, as well as Wang Tiezhu, all gave wedding gifts, so Yang Guangming treated them specially among the neighbors and prepared a bag of wedding candy for each of them.

We should pick a day another year and invite a few people over for a meal.

Wang Tiezhu's family lived at the west end of the corridor. Hearing the commotion, they came out as well. Wang Tiezhu's wife said quickly, "Guangming, Yining, you're finally back! A wedding is such a big event, it should be lively, and we should hold it at the factory."

Yang Guangming smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, we held it in the village. It was simple, so we didn't bother everyone. We'll treat everyone to a meal another day, and we'll definitely make up for the wedding feast later."

"Then it's settled!" Wang Tiezhu's wife said with a smile, then looked Meng Yining up and down. "Yining looks really beautiful today. Getting married really makes a difference; she looks even better."

Meng Yining blushed and said, "Sister-in-law, please don't tease me."

Yang Guangming also brought a bag of milk candy to Wang Tiezhu's family. Wang Tiezhu's wife accepted it with a smile and said, "Then we won't stand on ceremony, let's share in the joy."

After exchanging pleasantries with their neighbors, the two finally entered their own home.

When the door is closed, the world becomes quiet.

Meng Yining let out a long sigh of relief, leaned against the door, and smiled: "My neighbors are so nice."

"Yes, our neighbors on this floor are all nice, we get along well." Yang Guangming placed the gift on the table. "This will be our home from now on."

Meng Yining looked around the room. She had been here many times, but today felt completely different. From today onward, she was the mistress of this place.

The room was the same as always, with the double bed, wardrobe, dressing table, and dining table and chairs all neatly arranged. But today, it exuded a warm and cozy atmosphere.

"I...I'll tidy up first," she said, and began to organize.

Yang Guangming also put down his things and joined in tidying up. Although the room was usually tidy, today was different, and the two of them worked very diligently.

Meng Yining opened the bundle she had brought, folded the clothes one by one, and put them into the wardrobe. Yang Guangming helped her.

After tidying up, it's time to make dinner.

Yang Ming took some time to go back in the afternoon and took out some ingredients from his space: green beans, cured meat, braised beef, and rice.

To avoid being too high-profile, he only made one dish when cooking in the corridor: stir-fried green beans with cured pork.

The aroma of cured meat still wafted out, but Zhang, the clerk across the street, and Li, the technician next door, were already used to it. They knew that Yang Guangming often managed to get his hands on some good stuff, so they weren't surprised.

Meng Yining had just become the lady of the house and was not yet familiar with everything, so Guangming still cooked the dishes himself.

Soon, the stir-fried dishes were ready. Yang Guangming brought the dishes into the house and took out the prepared braised beef, slicing a plate of it. The staple food was white rice, cooked to perfection.

Two dishes and rice are considered a very substantial dinner these days.

The two sat down at the dining table. This was their first meal in their own home, simple yet significant.

Yang Guangming placed a piece of cured meat on Meng Yining's plate: "Try it, it's my cooking."

Meng Yining took a bite and her eyes lit up: "Delicious! The cured meat is fragrant, and the green beans are flavorful too."

"Eat more if you like it." Yang Guangming put another piece of braised beef on her plate. "This is delicious too, I prepared it specially."

Looking at him, Meng Yining felt a warmth in her heart.

The two ate their meal slowly, sharing their experiences of the day.

"How's school? Do your colleagues know you're married?" Yang Guangming asked.

"Okay, everyone congratulate me," Meng Yining said. "I handed out wedding candy to everyone, but I was a little too generous and there wasn't a single one left."

"Of course, I'll prepare more tomorrow so you can take it to school," Yang Guangming said with a smile. "Even though we didn't invite anyone from the factory to our wedding, we still need to observe the proper etiquette."

"Mm." Meng Yining nodded and then brought up school matters.

Yang Guangming listened attentively, offering suggestions from time to time. The newlywed couple were remarkably compatible, natural, and in sync.

After the meal, Meng Yining insisted on clearing the dishes. Yang Guangming didn't stop her and sat at the table watching her work.

Under the lamplight, Meng Yining's figure was slender and graceful, her movements nimble. Watching her, Yang Guangming felt a surge of satisfaction. This was the life he wanted: simple, warm, and with someone by his side.

After tidying up, the two washed up and prepared to rest.

I've been busy all day and I'm quite tired. But lying in bed, I can't fall asleep.

In the darkness, Yang Guangming grasped Meng Yining's hand: "Yining, today is our first day in our own home."

"Mmm." Meng Yining moved closer to him.

"From now on, this will be our home. Let's work together to make it a good place."

"Okay," Meng Yining replied softly, "I will live a good life."

Yang Guangming turned around to face her. Although he couldn't see her face clearly, he could feel her breath and her warmth.

"Yining, thank you for marrying me."

Meng Yining reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist: "I also thank you for marrying me."

The two embraced tightly, saying nothing more. The warmth of their bodies and the happiness in their hearts intertwined, making them feel incredibly at peace.

From this day forward, they are truly husband and wife. They will face life's ups and downs together, build their little home together, and walk the long road of life together.

The moonlight streamed through the windowpane, creating a peaceful and beautiful scene.

Meng Yining leaned against Yang Guangming's chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, and slowly closed her eyes.

Yang Guangming wasn't sleepy either. He gently stroked Meng Yining's hair, his thoughts drifting far away.

He looked down at Meng Yining in his arms. She was asleep, her breathing even and soft. The moonlight shone on her face, her long eyelashes casting soft shadows under her eyes, and a slight smile lingered at the corners of her lips.

Yang Guangming gently kissed her forehead and then closed his eyes. (End of Chapter)