Reborn in the 1980s: Nine Stunning Beauties Get Pregnant Before Marriage

During the meal, someone started the conversation, and it quickly turned to the bride.

A man lowered his voice: "How come He Jun ended up marrying a lame wife?"

Someone immediately chimed in, "Isn't it because He Jun himself is a poor man with a bad reputation? What decent girl would want to jump into his door?"

"That makes sense. I heard he had previously asked someone to inquire with the widow Liang Meie, but he was rebuffed."

The man who spoke first chuckled and said, "A limp is no big deal. As long as he can continue the He family line, the marriage is settled."

Chen Yongqiang just kept eating the sunflower seeds in his hand and didn't participate in the discussion.

The conversation at the table shifted from the bride back to the food in front of them.

People craned their necks to look into the makeshift kitchen shed, where two hired cooks were working busily.

"They look quite impressive, but I wonder how good the chef they hired in town is?"

A bystander who knew the situation chimed in, "What can you do? Haven't you heard? He Jun himself is the head chef at a restaurant in town. These two chefs are most likely his apprentices, and their cooking will probably taste just like his."

Chen Yongqiang listened, fully aware of what was going on. He knew that He Jun worked as a cook at the privately owned restaurant in town.

Some time ago, he also supplied He Jun with some mountain products.

However, she gradually grew to dislike He Jun's calculating and flamboyant manner, and since she had also established a more secure connection with Yao Lina from the state-owned restaurant, she eventually broke off all contact with her.

As long as He Jun doesn't provoke trouble, in his eyes, this person is just like the ordinary dish on the table, not worth paying much attention to.

The noise in the courtyard rose several degrees, as the wedding procession returned.

Firecrackers crackled and popped, sending red paper scraps and blue smoke billowing out.

The bride, dressed in red, sat on the back of a bicycle.

"The bride is here! Step over the fire basin before entering!" Village chief Yang Dahai took on the role of master of ceremonies.

The brazier had been prepared long ago and placed at the entrance of the courtyard. The charcoal fire inside was not burning brightly, but it was meant to bring good luck and prosperity.

Just as He Jun was helping the bride prepare to step over the fire basin, a figure emerged from the crowd.

Liu Qiaozhu had a half-smile on his face, seemingly trying unintentionally to sneak past the fire pit before the newcomers.

This subtle action did not escape the notice of Yang Dahai, the person in charge.

He strode forward, grabbed Liu Qiaozhu's arm with his large, iron-like hand, and pulled him back.

Yang Dahai's usual solemn and festive expression turned somber, and he lowered his voice to scold, "Liu the pig! Stand back! This brazier is for the newlyweds to step over, what's your hurry?"

His words were tinged with anger, but he ultimately refrained from lashing out because it was a joyous occasion.

Liu Qiaozhu was pulled so hard he stumbled, grinned sheepishly, mumbled something under his breath, and shrank back into the crowd.

Chen Yongqiang, standing a little distance away, took in the whole scene and understood it perfectly.

This is called "stealing the joy." Some unscrupulous people will try to get ahead of the key moments of the wedding, intending to steal the joy and good fortune of the newlyweds.

Liu Jiaozhu's actions were probably intentional.

After this interruption, Yang Dahai's expression softened, and he regained his spirits: "Make way, everyone! Be careful! The newlyweds stepping over the fire basin symbolizes good fortune and prosperity!"

He Jun seemed to have noticed the little disturbance earlier, but he immediately covered it up with a smile and helped the bride step over the fire pit.

Yang Dahai nodded and led them to the altar table in the center of the main room.

The table was covered with a red cloth, incense, candles, offerings, an old-fashioned mirror borrowed from someone, and a small scale, symbolizing "satisfaction and good fortune".

Next comes the main event: the wedding ceremony.

"I bow to heaven and earth—" Yang Dahai drawled out the words.

He Jun and his bride turned around and bowed towards the sky and earth outside the courtyard.

"Bowing to the parents twice—"

Old He was already sitting in the chair in the center of the main room, and the newlyweds bowed respectfully.

"Husband and wife bow to each other—"

The two bowed to each other. A young man nearby jeered, "Heads to heads! They have to be right next to each other!"

He Jun grinned and actually lowered his head so low that it touched the corner of the bride's veil.

The ceremony was complete. Yang Dahai smiled and announced loudly, "The ceremony is complete! Proceed to the bridal chamber—!"

Several young wives and teenagers laughed and joked as they led the newlyweds to the west room, which was temporarily serving as their bridal chamber.

The ceremony was complete. Yang Dahai smiled and announced loudly, "The ceremony is complete! Proceed to the bridal chamber—!"

The newlyweds were ushered into the west room. Chen Yongqiang's gaze, however, bypassed the noisy crowd and landed on Lin Xiulian.

She was listening intently to Liang Meie's words, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Seeing He Jun's deliberately ostentatious joy and listening to the surrounding people's discussions about the wedding, Chen Yongqiang felt a pang in his heart.

He recalled that when he married Lin Xiuzhen, his family was so poor that they couldn't even afford a decent red dress, let alone a wedding banquet. The two of them quietly became a family.

Now, Lin Xiulian is with him, and although they are both willing to live together, the villagers have gradually come to accept it.

But the lack of a proper wedding ceremony made her feel like something was missing, making her feel somewhat uncomfortable in such a crowded setting.

Chen Yongqiang was thinking to himself: Next year, I must pick a good day to hold a banquet for Lin Xiulian.

He wanted the whole village to know that Lin Xiulian was his lawfully wedded wife, Chen Yongqiang, and that all the proper etiquette must be observed.

"The banquet is about to begin!" Yang Dahai's loud voice cut through the noise of the courtyard, officially announcing the start of the feast.

Today, everyone in Shuangyang Village, from elderly people with canes to naughty children, gathered in the He family's courtyard.

This custom has been passed down for generations. At weddings and funerals, the whole village sits down for a feast. The more people who come, the more honored the host family is, signifying good interpersonal relationships and a strong foundation.

He Jun was determined to make a good impression, so the scale of the wedding banquet was naturally set according to the highest standards in the village, without any ambiguity.

In the countryside these days, when people celebrate weddings, they always put things in pairs. The dishes served must be in even numbers, to symbolize good things coming in pairs.

The He family is having a "two-four-course feast" today. This "two-four-course feast" is quite impressive, with a total of fourteen dishes, which sounds very substantial.

Four cold dishes were served first, followed by four hot dishes, and the chopsticks on the table immediately became crowded together.

The main event was yet to come. Two sweet dishes with a thick batter were served, which are the children's favorites and also the most challenging for the chef's skills.

Next came two stir-fried dishes, and finally, the grand finale consisted of two large dishes: a whole chicken and a braised pork knuckle.

As the fourteen dishes were served one after another, Chen Yongqiang followed the others and tasted each one.

For someone like him who often enjoys delicacies from the mountains and wild game, this meal was only considered average.

It's the standard level for village events—impressive enough, but the taste is really nothing special.

Chen Yongqiang didn't offer much comment, but in his heart he was thinking: what dishes should he serve at his wedding banquet with Xiulian next year to outshine He Jun's?