bioinnovel Chapter 262 The Wedding Ends!
Chapter 262 The Wedding Ends!
"kowtow--!"
The master of ceremonies' shouts could be heard from inside the main room.
He wasn't a professional emcee; he was the village's most senior elder, Third Uncle.
The old man, over seventy years old, wearing a faded Zhongshan suit, stood in the center of the main room, his voice full of energy.
"I bow to Heaven and Earth!"
Dazhuang and the bride knelt down in the main room.
"Bowing to the parents a second time!"
My second uncle sat in the armchair, his lips trembling for a long time before finally saying only, "Okay."
My second aunt was wiping away her tears.
"Husband and wife bow to each other!"
Dazhuang turned around and bowed deeply to the bride.
The bride blushed and returned the greeting.
"Send them to the bridal chamber—!"
Firecrackers went off again.
The children were running around the yard.
Wang Hao's eyes also turned red for some reason.
Zhang Yan saw it.
He didn't say anything.
I took out my phone and snapped a picture of the yard.
Red silk, lanterns, the character for "happiness," white smoke from firecrackers, and a courtyard full of people.
Send it to Nie Qingcheng.
No accompanying text.
A reply came back three seconds later.
"It's so beautiful."
It paused for two seconds.
Another one.
"I want one too."
Three words.
Zhang Yan stared at the screen for two seconds.
Type: "What kind do you want?"
"Not too big. Not too many people. Just a small place for the two of us."
Zhang Yan thought about it.
"it is good."
"real?"
Why would I lie to you?
There was silence for about ten seconds.
Then a voice message.
Five seconds.
Her voice was softer than usual.
"Then come back quickly."
Zhang Yan put his phone back in his pocket.
look up.
Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the canvas of the canopy.
It landed on his face.
It's warm.
……
The banquet has begun.
The six round tables were packed full.
The dishes were served one by one.
The banquet in the mountains is not fancy, but the portions are large and plentiful.
Whole chicken, whole fish, braised pork, stewed pig's trotters, steamed pork belly, assorted preserved meats, stir-fried dried bamboo shoots with pork, and egg dumpling soup.
Every single dish is a real hearty hit.
Wang Hao and Zhang Yan sat at the same table.
There were also several young people of similar age at the table, who had come from nearby villages to attend the feast.
They looked at Zhang Yan with great curiosity.
She was fair-skinned and quiet, clearly not from the mountains.
"This is my college classmate!" Wang Hao introduced loudly, "My good buddy!"
Several young people raised their glasses.
"Come on! Let's have a drink!"
Zhang Yan smiled, picked up his glass, and clinked glasses with everyone.
The rice wine went down my throat.
Not intense.
But drinking too much will still make you feel intoxicated.
After a few drinks, the young man next to me started talking more.
"What university did you attend?"
Jiangda University.
"Wow, what a great school!"
Do you have a girlfriend?
"Got it."
"From the city?"
"Um."
"Is she good-looking?"
Zhang Yan picked up a piece of braised pork.
"good."
Wang Hao coughed suddenly on the other end.
I almost choked on my tears.
Again.
It's that "not bad" again.
The meal took almost two hours.
Da Zhuang, the middle-aged man, came to offer a toast.
He carried a large, rough earthenware bowl and started eating with anyone he saw.
Her face was already flushed when she walked up to Zhang Yan.
"Brother! Thanks for coming! One bowl!"
Zhang Yan did not refuse.
I picked up the bowl, clinked it against mine, and drank it all in one gulp.
Dazhuang patted his shoulder, laughing so hard his eyes disappeared.
"Great job! I'll definitely come to the city to visit you sometime!"
"at any time."
Da Zhuang happily floated away and went on to toast the next table.
The banquet ended.
It was a little after 3 p.m.
The guests gradually left.
The yard was littered with firecracker debris, peanut shells, and cigarette butts.
Several aunties were tidying up the table.
Wang Hao leaned against the door frame and let out a burp.
"I'm so full."
Zhang Yan threw the mineral water bottle in his hand into the trash can.
"That's enough, let's go."
"Leave now?" Wang Hao was a little surprised.
"The last bus in town will be gone soon."
Wang Hao thought for a moment and nodded.
"Too."
The two went back inside to pack their things.
They didn't have much stuff. Zhang Yan only had a canvas backpack. Wang Hao had a rolling suitcase.
Before leaving, I went to say goodbye to my second uncle and aunt.
My aunt packed a large bag of things—homemade cured pork, dried mushrooms, pickled bamboo shoots, and a jar of aged chili sauce.
"I'll take it back to school to eat! If it's not enough, I'll send some more next time!"
"Thank you, Auntie." Zhang Yan accepted it.
His second uncle patted him on the shoulder.
"Xiao Zhang, come again next time you have time. Our place isn't wealthy, but the people here are honest and kind."
"I'll definitely come."
Dazhuang changed his clothes inside and came out to see him off.
"Leaving? Not staying a couple more days?"
"Something came up at school," Wang Hao said.
Dazhuang was a little disappointed, but he still smiled.
On the first day of marriage, there's nothing to regret.
We left the hospital.
Wang Hao walked ahead, dragging his suitcase.
Zhang Yan glanced back at Wangjia'ao.
The red lanterns are still hanging.
The "double happiness" character on the door was exceptionally bright.
The distant Qinglong Ridge was bathed in the afternoon sunlight and turned golden.
Deeper into the mountains.
There is a section of stone wall that has been smashed.
There is a huge three-toed claw print.
He turned around and followed Wang Hao.
The two walked down the mountain path, through the bamboo forest, and arrived at the town's bus stop.
The last minibus will depart in ten minutes.
Wang Hao bought two bottles of water.
While waiting for a car by the roadside, he suddenly spoke.
"Zhang Yan".
"Um."
"Thanks. You came back with me."
Zhang Yan glanced at him.
"Don't mention it."
"It's not just being polite." Wang Hao scratched his head, a rare serious expression on his face. "It's just... not many classmates or friends here are willing to come. It's too far, too remote. You're the first."
Zhang Yan remained silent.
In the distance, the sound of a minibus panting as it climbed the hill could be heard.
"I'll come again next time Sister-in-law Dazhuang has her baby."
Wang Hao was stunned for a moment.
Then he grinned.
"OK!"
The minibus has arrived.
The two got into the car.
Wang Hao leaned against the window and started snoring in less than three minutes.
Zhang Yan sat next to him.
He took out his phone.
The signal is back to full strength.
Several messages about Nie Qingcheng were displayed on the screen.
The earliest one was from half an hour ago.
"Have they left?"
Then, ten minutes ago...
Why aren't you replying to my messages?
Then five minutes ago.
"Zhang Yan?"
The last message was posted a minute ago.
"If you don't reply soon, I'm buying a plane ticket."
Zhang Yan smiled slightly.
Typing: "I'm in the car. The signal just came back on. Don't buy it."
The reply came instantly.
What time will you arrive?
"Tomorrow morning."
"I'll come pick you up."
"No need, I can do it myself..."
"I'll come pick you up."
The same words were repeated twice.
Zhang Yan recognized the tone.
There's no room for negotiation.
"it is good."
He leaned back in his seat and scrolled through his phone to the photo album.
I flipped to the photos taken at the wedding today.
Red silk, lanterns, and the character for "happiness".
There's another one he didn't send out.
It is a side profile of Dazhuang and his bride bowing to each other.
The silhouettes of the two people overlapped in the red candlelight.
Not refined.
Not particular.
But it's good.
Zhang Yan glanced at the photos for a few seconds and then exited the album.
The car bumped along the mountain road.
Outside the window are endless green mountains.
On the distant horizon, the sun is setting.
Golden light spread across the mountain ridge.
Then it slowly disappears.
He closed his eyes.
The message from Nie Qingcheng flashed through my mind.
"I want one too."
Ok.
Yes, it will happen.
My phone vibrated again in my pocket.
He didn't rush to look.
The minibus continued its bumpy descent down the mountain, heading towards the county's train station.
Wang Hao was sleeping soundly next to me, almost drooling.
Zhang Yan reached out and pushed his head back to prevent it from tilting against his shoulder.
Then I took out my phone and read the new message.
It was posted by Nie Qingcheng.
There are only four characters.
"I bought an apron."
A picture was also attached.
pink.
It has a cartoon pig printed on it.
Zhang Yan stared at the little pig for three seconds.
Put the phone back in my pocket.
The last ray of light outside the car window disappeared.
A few lights appeared on the mountain road.
He suddenly thought of something.
After returning home.
In addition to braised pork, winter melon and pork rib soup and handmade wontons.
I might have to make a hot pot meal.
Because she must have lost weight again.