Chapter 259: Li Pingle Gets Married

In the spring of the 61st year, the steps were slow, but they finally came. The willows along the river sprouted a few goose‑yellow buds, adding a rare splash of brightness to the grayish Four Nine City. The Sunday sun also seemed a bit warmer than usual, lazily spilling over the windows of Xi Kua Yuan.

Today is the day Li Pingle and Chen Jianghe formally go on a match‑making meeting. Unlike the first two "family banquets" that carried an investigative tone, this time both sides knew exactly each other's intentions.

Chen Jianghe arrived a little earlier than the appointed time, still wearing that work uniform faded to white, but freshly laundered and spotless, with every button fastened meticulously.

In his hand he carried not some frivolous trinket, but a small cloth bag of this year's freshly harvested golden millet, only two or three jin, and in these lean times it was the most sincere and solid gift.

"Director, sister‑in‑law, Comrade Pingle." Chen Jianghe entered, greeting politely, his gaze lingering a moment on Li Pingle before snapping away, his ears flushing slightly.

Li Pingle also deliberately changed into a half‑new floral cover‑shirt today, hair neatly combed, a hint of maidenly shyness on her face; compared with the first two meetings she was less restrained and more poised. She replied softly, "Officer Chen."

Lin Xueqing smiled and ushered them inside, pouring tea. Li Ping'an sat nearby, not intervening much, only occasionally steering the conversation, leaving more space for the two youngsters.

At first the atmosphere remained subtly tense. But Chen Jianghe had clearly prepared; he didn't boast, instead started from Li Pingle's work at the Textile Factory, asking concrete questions like "Is the three‑shift system hard?" and "Which kind of fabric is hardest to weave?" showing sincerity and thoughtfulness.

Li Pingle answered briefly at first, then gradually opened up, and when she recounted amusing incidents from the factory, the corners of her eyes would curl slightly.

Chen Jianghe also shared some observations from his patrols with the Security Section, as well as his habit of reading and copying articles in his spare time. His speech was measured and clear, bearing a composure that seemed older than his years yet never dull.

Li Ping'an listened quietly beside them, nodding inwardly. This youngster truly understood how to interact better than Zhao Tie Zhu, especially with female comrades, gauging the balance perfectly—showing himself while fully respecting the woman's feelings.

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting warm patches between them. The room's atmosphere shifted from the initial polite awkwardness to a natural, harmonious ease, occasionally punctuated by Li Pingle's faint giggle.

The meeting lasted nearly a whole morning. After seeing Chen Jianghe off, Li Ping'an and Lin Xueqing turned to the younger sister.

Li Pingle's cheeks were flushed, eyes sparkling; she lowered her head, fingers twining around the hem, voice like a mosquito's buzz yet clear as she expressed her wish: "Brother, sister‑in‑law… I… I think he's quite good."

One sentence said it all.

Since both sides were willing, the subsequent steps fell into place. Li Ping'an took the lead, meeting Chen Jianghe's family (the Chen family were urban poor, parents honest laborers, overjoyed that they could marry Li Ping'an's sister), then went to the street office to apply for marriage registration. These days, free‑love unions are the new trend; as long as the backgrounds are acceptable, the street office usually does not object.

Next came the preparation of the dowry. Even in hard times, the Li Family could not be too stingy when marrying off a daughter.

Li Ping'an and Lin Xueqing had long prepared; Lin Xueqing produced years‑accumulated cloth vouchers and cotton vouchers, plus some that Li Ping'an managed to obtain, and hired someone to stitch two thick new cotton quilts, the covers patterned with festive peonies. They also, through connections, bought a brand‑new red iron‑clad hot‑water kettle, bright as rubies.

The biggest item was Li Ping'an tapping some contacts and savings to acquire a sewing‑machine ticket! When the brand‑new 'Butterfly' sewing machine was carried into Xi Kua Yuan, even Lin Xueqing was stunned!

Back then, this item was one of the 'three great luxuries' comparable to later‑era extravagances! Not only was it pricey, the ticket itself was rare. This dowry, throughout the Siheyuan and even the entire Alley, was absolutely top‑tier.

"Brother, this… this is too valuable!" Li Pingle touched the smooth, icy‑cold sewing‑machine panel, feeling both delighted and at a loss.

"Take it, keep it." Li Ping'an said calmly, his tone bearing the weight of an elder brother as a father, "With this, life will be easier later." He knew that with this sewing machine, his sister would have far more confidence in her new household.

As for the wedding, in these hard times a grand ceremony was impossible and would draw envy. After discussion the two families decided to set up two tables in the small courtyard of Chen Jianghe's home, invite close relatives and friends for a simple meal, and call it done.

The cook, Li Ping'an directly asked Sha Zhu. Upon hearing he was marrying off his sister, Sha Zhu pounded his chest and agreed, "Don't worry! Leave it to me! I'll make a solid dish even with limited ingredients!"

However, this pragmatic low‑key arrangement, when it reached the No. 95 Siheyuan, caused quite a stir.

The biggest voices came from Jia Zhangshi and Yan Bu Gui.

Jia Zhangshi, hands on hips at her own doorway, began berating, "Yo ho! The Li Family marries off a daughter in total secrecy! Is it because they're afraid of us old neighbors stealing the limelight? A sewing machine is brought in, yet they won't even spare a piece of Wedding Candy? Truly becoming more and more stingy!"

Yan Bu Gui was even angrier, pacing the house and complaining to his spouse, "Unbelievable! Absolutely unbelievable! The Li Family lad doesn't know any etiquette! For a marriage as big as this, how can they not invite the courtyard neighbors? I was hoping for a… ahem… a lively gathering to share the joy!"

He had even deliberately only drunk half a bowl of thin porridge the night before, waiting for today's 'feast', only to have his hopes dashed, feeling hungrier and harboring deeper resentment toward Li Ping'an's 'immaturity.'

Central Courtyard's Yi Zhonghai heard the rumors but said nothing, merely shaking his head, thinking Li Ping'an's handling was indeed not thorough enough, not uniting the neighbors. Rear Courtyard's Liu Haizhong, on the other hand, felt it didn't concern him and thought the Li Family's low profile was fine, avoiding trouble.

Li Ping'an ignored all the idle gossip and strange looks. He knew these people's character; inviting them would only waste food and bring no benefit. His resources and goodwill would be reserved for those who truly deserved them.

On the wedding day, Chen Jianghe's small courtyard was indeed bustling. Two tables were set, the dishes not lavish, but under Sha Zhu's skillful hand the limited ingredients—mostly vegetables, tofu, plus a bit of wild boar meat and mountain delicacies secretly supplied by Li Ping'an—were made tasty and fragrant, the aroma drifting far. Attendees were genuine relatives from both families and a few close friends and colleagues, creating a warm and sincere atmosphere.

Li Pingle wore a red cover‑shirt hand‑altered by Lin Xueqing, while Chen Jianghe wore a half‑new Zhongshan suit, a small red flower pinned to his chest. In front of friends and relatives they held a simple ceremony. No elaborate rites, yet full of hope for a new life.

Seeing his sister's happy, shy smile, seeing her stand beside the steady, reliable Chen Jianghe, Li Ping'an felt a great weight lift from his heart. He raised his glass and said to Chen Jianghe, "Treat my sister well."

Chen Jianghe solemnly took the cup and drained it in one gulp, "Brother, rest assured!"

The Li Family of Xi Kua Yuan, amid a modest but joyful celebration and a few sour glances from outside the courtyard walls, successfully married off their daughter. A new family was born, a new chapter of life quietly turned in these still difficult times. For Li Ping'an, having completed his sister's lifelong affair, the burden on his shoulders seemed lighter, allowing him to focus more on his work and the future of this small household.