RYEY – Chapter 53 The Wedding (Part 2)

“Could this silly girl Cheng Qiao have spent all three hundred yuan on her dowry?”

“Look at that thick quilt, and all that fine grain, thermos, candies, and pastries—looks like it’s worth more than three hundred yuan. This silly girl must’ve even spent her own savings.”

“Didn’t the Li family already give her a bride price? Why send it all back like this?”

“They always said Cheng Qiao was a naïve sweet girl—turns out it’s true. That rascal really lucked out this time.”

Chai Jianmin’s bloodshot eyes were glued to the thick cotton quilt in the chest. He had been searching high and low for cotton ration tickets so he could patch up the stiff quilts and clothes at home, but hadn’t managed to get even a tuft.

And yet Cheng Qiao had quietly managed to put together such a thick quilt—it was infuriating. If not for all the village women standing around, he would’ve forced Cheng Qiao to hand it over.

Skinny Monkey and Li Huan also arrived. Skinny Monkey set off firecrackers at the entrance of the educated youth dormitory—this meant the dowry was about to be sent off. Auntie Wang quickly rallied everyone to help carry the dowry out the gate.

Uncle Niu sat atop the ox cart, his wrinkled face grinning from ear to ear. Today, that little rascal had slipped a whole pack of cigarettes into his pocket. A whole pack!

Watching the chests he himself had built being carried one by one onto the cart, Uncle Niu’s grin grew even wider. Qian Longxin hurriedly pulled Zhao Xiaobei up onto the cart, slipping Uncle Niu a small red envelope.

“Uncle Niu, thank you for your hard work today. This is a red envelope from the bride.”

Uncle Niu gave it a squeeze, and from experience knew there was a yuan inside. He chuckled merrily. “I know you—you’re Qian Longxin from Xiangqian Village, Qian Longkun’s younger sister.”

Qian Longxin also laughed. The day Cheng Qiao was pushed off the cart by Chen Chunhua, they’d crossed paths and she’d loudly introduced herself.

“Uncle Niu, you’ve got such a good memory. Today we’re helping Cheng Qiao deliver her dowry.”

Uncle Niu nodded with a smile. The more sisters escorting the bride, the better. Once Zhang Yuefang had double-checked that the dorm cabinets were all locked, she quickly climbed onto the ox cart. With Uncle Niu’s shout, the old ox started plodding toward Li Huan’s house.

A crowd of children surrounded the cart, Li Le among them. Qian Longxin, Zhao Xiaobei, and Zhang Yuefang tossed candies and snacks from their basins into the air.

“Oh! Grab the wedding candy!”

The children cheered, rushing to scoop up the sweets. The well-behaved ones tucked them carefully into their pockets, while the mischievous ones tore open wrappers, popped the candies straight into their mouths, then smoothed out the wrappers to keep as treasures.

Li Huan watched the lively scene with a smile, pleased at Cheng Qiao’s generosity. When his gaze fell on her face, his grin only grew brighter.

He couldn’t take his eyes off her—today she looked so beautiful. He ached to pull her into a warm embrace, to kiss her deeply.

But he knew that if he dared, someone would surely report him for hooliganism. Even if it was his own fiancée, it wouldn’t matter.

“Cheng Qiao, let’s go get our certificate first.”

“Mm~”

Cheng Qiao climbed onto the bicycle decorated with a big red bow, and they pedaled toward the county. Soon, they were holding marriage certificates in their hands—papers that looked just like award certificates. Both broke into wide grins.

In her previous life, Cheng Qiao had never registered her marriage with Li Huan. No matter how many times he brought it up, she’d scoffed. Register? Dream on.

“Wife, now you’re officially mine. I’m so happy.”

Standing beside her, Li Huan looked at their names side by side on the certificate, his chest swelling with pride.

“Comrade, please have some candy.”

They’d been grinning for so long they forgot they were still inside the Civil Affairs Bureau. Hastily, they pulled White Rabbit toffees from their pockets and handed them out to the staff.

Everyone who received candy congratulated them: “Grow old together,” “Have children soon.” Surrounded by blessings, they left for the supply and marketing cooperative, where marriage certificates entitled them to buy fabric and more candy.

Qiu Min had already dressed in her best clothes and set aside the items the newlyweds would need. When they arrived, she immediately stretched out her hand for money, then passed the goods to Cheng Qiao.

“I’ll ride along with you today. You two lead, I’ll follow behind. Oh, and here’s my gift money—keep it safe.”

Cheng Qiao accepted the one-yuan gift money without hesitation. A whole yuan was generous, but there would be plenty of dealings between them in the future—no need to fuss over details.

A few children squatted by the village entrance. When they spotted Li Huan pedaling back with Cheng Qiao, they ran toward the Li family house shouting: “The bride is here!”

Skinny Monkey and Auntie Wang’s son, Wang Dabin, lit another long string of firecrackers, hanging them between two big trees. As Li Huan approached, they all set them off.

Li Huan shielded Cheng Qiao with his hand as he guided her inside—the firecrackers exploding overhead were no joke. Qiu Min parked her bike and hurried to follow, but a skyrocket suddenly exploded at her feet.

She squeezed her eyes shut in fright. When she opened them again, a man stood before her, arms outstretched like a mother hen protecting her chick.

“Skinny Monkey?”

“Qiu Min, long time no see.”

Skinny Monkey had known Qiu Min for a while, and secretly liked her. But he was an unemployed drifter with too many siblings at home—how could he dare pursue a proper supply cooperative worker?

“What are you doing here?”

They both asked at the same time. After a pause, Skinny Monkey admitted the truth—he was helping Brother Huan build a house.

Qiu Min’s heart tightened. From what she knew, this “Brother Huan” was a black-market dealer. So Cheng Qiao’s man was that Huan.

No wonder the last time Cheng Qiao spent money so freely, her man hadn’t stopped her but urged her to buy more. He wasn’t short of cash at all.

“I’m good friends with Cheng Qiao. She’s getting married today, so I came to her wedding. Skinny Monkey, this Brother Huan of yours… is he the same black-market Huan you mentioned before?”

Skinny Monkey nodded and gave a discreet tug at the hem of her blouse, signaling her to keep quiet. Qiu Min sighed. She was Cheng Qiao’s friend—saying anything would only harm her.

“Come on, let’s go in.”

As the two walked away, Miao Qing stepped out from behind a tree. Watching Skinny Monkey’s retreating back, a smirk tugged at his lips.

“So that’s how it is. Li Huan, Cheng Qiao—I’ll prepare a big gift for you.”