Courtyard House: Drunk and tipsy, the whole courtyard exposed at the start.

The entire courtyard of the educated youth settlement was deathly silent.

Everyone held their breath and dared not make a sound, except for the sounds of Zhao Weiguo, Liu Yuanchao and a few others swallowing their saliva, which sounded particularly loud under the bright sun.

Those weren't just a few canvas bags; that was a myth.

That was a level of abundance that those of them, who were eating chaff and bran in the yellow sand, could never even dream of.

Zhang Dabiao seemed oblivious to the stunned expressions on everyone's faces. He dusted off his hands and shouted at Zhao Weiguo, who was still in a daze, "Are you still standing there like an idiot? Go to the commune and the supply and marketing cooperative and buy me all the firecrackers and red paper you can find!"

He pulled a wad of colorful bills and a few ten-yuan notes from his pocket and stuffed them directly into Zhao Weiguo's arms.

"We have enough money and coupons. Use the rest to buy some candy and wine, so we don't run out of wine."

"Huh? Oh! Okay!"

Zhao Weiguo seemed to be electrocuted, suddenly waking up. Clutching the "huge sum of money," he took off running towards the commune, faster than a rabbit, afraid that Zhang Dabiao would change his mind.

"Big Biao... no, Boss Biao has spoken! All supplies will be used up today, no overnight supplies!"

Someone yelled something at the top of their lungs.

The quiet courtyard was instantly ignited.

"Awooo—!"

"Time to eat meat!"

A deafening cheer shattered the dim sky, making the entire educated youth settlement buzz.

The hunger and despair that had been suppressed for too long found an outlet at this moment.

What restraint, what scholar's dignity—all are insignificant compared to a pig's rump weighing over ten pounds and a plate of white rice noodles.

The entire afternoon, the educated youth settlement came alive, with the courtyard bustling with activity.

Under Zhang Dabiao's command, the male educated youths were all working with great enthusiasm, some washing vegetables, some cutting meat, and some kneading dough, as if they had inexhaustible energy.

Captain Ma Erjin squatted in the corner, puffing on his pipe, watching the bustling scene, the muscles at the corners of his mouth twitching.

He wanted to say something, such as that this was too extravagant and wasteful, and did not conform to the spirit of hard work and struggle.

But when he looked at the gleaming pork, he swallowed the words back down.

They brought their own supplies, without spending a penny of public money or taking any advantage of the brigade. What right does he have to criticize them?

Never mind, let him be.

The atmosphere in the female educated youth dormitory was somewhat subtle.

Yang Yibai sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), listening to the bursts of laughter and chatter outside, her fingernails digging deeply into her palms.

She felt like a joke.

She went to great lengths to drag Mu Wanqing into this desolate desert, hoping to see her in the same wretched state as herself.

But the result?

Throughout the entire process, Mu Wanqing never complained or became irritable because of the harsh environment, nor did she hide away to cry.

They naturally integrated into the community, doing their work and eating simple food as usual.

On the contrary, it was people like us who were the first to break down.

Moreover, the man appeared out of nowhere, practically bringing a mobile supply and marketing cooperative with him, turning this despised yellow land into a grand stage for Mu Wanqing all by herself.

This is like pressing her face directly to the ground and rubbing it repeatedly.

"Yibai, what are you daydreaming about? Come and help!"

Classmate Tang Juan carefully took out a small round tin box from her small bag.

She unscrewed the cap, revealing a nearly empty bottle of rouge inside.

"Wanqing, hurry, put some on, you're the bride today."

Su Tiantian also pulled out her treasure, a lipstick that she only dared to apply during the Chinese New Year.

Mu Wanqing sat in front of the mirror, looking at her own reflection—a reflection that was both familiar and unfamiliar—her cheeks flushed like the sunset.

She was somewhat at a loss.

Yang Yibai watched this scene with mixed feelings.

Jealousy gnawed at her heart like a venomous snake, but she dared not, and could not, let it rage today.

She took a deep breath, got off the kang (a heated brick bed), and walked to Mu Wanqing's side.

She took the box of rouge from Tang Juan, dipped a little into it with her little fingertip, and gently, with a slight tremor that she herself didn't even notice, applied it to Mu Wanqing's cheek.

Happy wedding.

She squeezed out those four words through gritted teeth, then quickly turned away, not letting anyone see the humiliation and resentment in her eyes.

As evening fell, when Mu Wanqing, dressed in a brand-new blue Lenin suit, stepped out of the house, the entire courtyard fell silent once again.

The young woman was naturally beautiful and refined. Now, with a touch of makeup and a festive little red flower pinned to her chest, she stood in the dim sunset, so beautiful that it was almost unbearable to look directly at her.

Zhang Dabiao was directing everyone to set up the tables when he turned around and stared wide-eyed.

The male educated youth in the compound looked on with undisguised amazement and envy.

The female educated youths, seeing Mu Wanqing surrounded by everyone's gaze, felt an overwhelming sense of jealousy.

On what grounds?

Why should she get all of this?

Zhang Dabiao pulled a brand-new Seagull camera out of his canvas bag, and without even looking at it, tossed it to Zhao Weiguo next to him.

"Take this and film the whole thing! Don't miss a single detail!"

Zhao Weiguo caught it in a flurry, feeling as if he were holding a gold brick, not a camera.

"Biao...Brother Biao, this...this film roll..."

"Colored film rolls, unlimited quantity, press as many as you like!"

Zhang Dabiao's loud voice echoed throughout every corner of the courtyard.

"What?!"

"Colored...colored film rolls? And there's no limit?!"

The entire venue fell silent once again.

If the previous pork and white noodles were a shock in terms of material things, then the phrase "unlimited colored rolls" is a complete subversion of their understanding.

In an era where people hesitate for ages before taking a black and white family photo, these six words are more impactful than any grand pronouncements.

The sound of firecrackers suddenly broke everyone's thoughts.

Ma Erjin cleared his throat, put his hands behind his back, and stood solemnly in front of the portrait number one hanging on the main wall of the courtyard.

"Ahem! Um... let's officially begin the wedding ceremony!"

Zhang Dabiao walked to Mu Wanqing's side with a smile, took her hand, and the two stood side by side.

Ma Erjin pulled a crumpled little red book out of his pocket, opened it, and forced himself to read a passage of quotations.

He stammered and spoke incoherently, but on this special occasion, he appeared exceptionally solemn.

After reading it aloud, he waved his hand dismissively: "Alright, take the oath!"

Zhang Dabiao turned to look at Mu Wanqing, his eyes filled with an unprecedented seriousness.

"I, Zhang Dabiao, voluntarily agree to marry Comrade Mu Wanqing. From this day forward, we will share both happiness and hardship. Wherever she is, I will be. If she eats coarse food, I will never drink thin gruel. I will protect her for the rest of my life."

Mu Wanqing's eyes welled up with tears.

She sniffed, and with all her might, said clearly, "Me too, Mu Wanqing. Wherever Da Biao goes, I'll go."

"good!"

Thunderous applause erupted in the courtyard.

The banquet officially began.

Four square tables were pushed together and piled high with main dishes.

The pork stew with vermicelli was piled up like a small mountain in the enamel basin.

Stir-fried cured pork with dried bamboo shoots, glistening with oil.

There was also a whole air-dried chicken, torn into strips, steaming hot.

The staple foods are shiny white steamed buns and fragrant rice.

As the officiant, Ma Erjin picked up an enamel mug containing Xifeng liquor brought by Zhang Dabiao.

"Come on! Here's a toast to the newlyweds!"

"Here's to the newcomers!"