Chapter 309: He Yushui Gets Married

Xu Damao's naked incident at the canteen still hasn't fully settled, that greasy scandal remains a long‑standing joke in the Siheyuan and even in the men's restroom of the Steel Rolling Mill. In the Central Courtyard, the Sha Zhu Family, however, suddenly exudes a different kind of joy—He Yushui is getting married!

The match is that local police officer Zhang Weiguo. After dating for a while, both felt the other could live a steady life, so they discussed making it official.

These days, new things are encouraged and waste is shunned, and besides, the He Family has just added two mouths crying for milk, and Sha Zhu has had his wages docked, so they really can't afford to splurge.

So the wedding was kept simple: a few tables set up in the courtyard, inviting close neighbors and factory colleagues they got along with, to fulfill the proper etiquette.

The organizing naturally fell on sister‑in‑law Ma Dongmei. Sha Zhu is a rough sort; aside from the work at the Stove, he's clueless about everything else.

Ma Dongmei, though brisk‑tempered and sometimes annoyed by Sha Zhu's clumsiness, is the one who can hold things together at crucial moments. She straightens her still‑recovering, agile waist, handles everything inside and out, directing Sha Zhu to clean the courtyard, borrowing tables, chairs and benches, and calculating how much meat and vegetables to buy so as not to be impolite nor wasteful.

"Zhuzi, go to the Li Family and borrow two plates! Remember, pick the ones without cracks!"

"Hey! Got it!"

"Also, tell Aunt Wang next door that we'll borrow her big pot tomorrow!"

"Alright!"

Ma Dongmei's voice echoed through the Central Courtyard, carrying a busy yet fulfilling joy. Though she was tired, her heart was warm.

Seeing her younger sister‑in‑law find a good match made the sister‑in‑law's face glow. She used the most common and pragmatic method today, going door to door to notify, smiling: "Uncle/Aunt, tomorrow we're holding Yushui's wedding in the courtyard with two tables; if you're free, drop by, have a candy, share the joy!"

There was no flashy red‑golden invitation, just a sincere verbal notice. Everyone understood that nowadays no family is affluent; one representative per household fulfills the social niceties without overburdening the hosts. The neighbors laughed and promised: "Will be there! Congrats, Dongmei!" "Yushui that girl is blessed!"

However, on the actual day, two families in the back courtyard remained especially low‑key.

Xu Damao's family, of course, didn't show up. Since the "naked incident," Xu Damao has become the courtyard's "invisible man," rarely leaving his front or back doors except for work, fearing gossip.

Invite him to the wedding feast? Only if Sha Zhu personally carried him on an eight‑pallet sedan chair and ensured no one brought up the matter at the table—obviously impossible.

In the end, his daughter‑in‑law Wang Cuihua, clutching a fifty‑cent contribution, wore little smile, hurried over to sit briefly, drank a cup of sweet water, ate a couple bites of vegetables, then excused herself saying she had family matters, and left. No matter how you look at that silhouette, it exuded resentment and grievance.

Even more lamentable was Second Elder Liu Haizhong's family. The former Liu Haizhong was the courtyard's most gregarious person, always eager to join the fun and make his presence felt at such occasions.

But now, the blow of his eldest son absconding with the money has left him utterly despondent; he can't even bear to be seen drinking, and whenever he spots people in the courtyard he wishes he could crawl into a crack in the ground.

Finally, Er Da Ma came alone, holding a small hand‑kerchief-wrapped, presumably scraped‑together fifty‑cent contribution, her eyes rimmed red.

She clasped Yushui's hand, uttered a few auspicious words like "live well," her voice choked, and watching Ma Dongmei bustling about, thinking of her own family's bleakness, she almost shed tears again.

She didn't stay long, forced herself to eat a little, then shuffled back to the back‑courtyard's now lifeless house.

The absence of these two families was like unintentional blanks on a festive painting, silently reminding everyone of the recent and ongoing misfortunes in the courtyard. Still, the overall atmosphere remained lively.

Sha Zhu showcased his household skill; despite limited ingredients, he somehow produced Red Braised Pork, Vinegar Stir‑fried Cabbage, home‑style tofu, and vermicelli‑braised meat, filling the Central Courtyard with aroma. Ma Dongmei, cradling her little son, greeted the guests, her face radiating a genuine smile.

Groom Zhang Weiguo wore a brand‑new blue police uniform, looking spry, and came with a few colleague friends to fetch the bride. Though the ceremony was simple— the couple bowed before the Chairman Statue and offered tea to Sha Zhu and Ma Dongmei— the solemnity and joy were undiminished.

He Yushui wore a red cotton‑blend shirt, serving as the bride's attire, her face showing the shy happiness of a newlywed. She watched her bustling sister‑in‑law and her brother, still loud‑voiced and imposing yet clearly trying to display a "brother‑as‑father" authority, her eyes slightly reddening.

"Brother, sister‑in‑law, I'm leaving, you… be well." Her voice was a little hoarse.

"Go on, go on, live well with Weiguo! If he dares to bully you, brother will beat him up!" Sha Zhu jabbed his fist, his eyes a bit watery. The sister who had relied on him since childhood now also had her own home.

Ma Dongmei slipped a small bundle into Yushui's hand, containing a pair of pillowcases she had secretly prepared for her and a piece of fabric, "Don't worry about home; come back often when you can."

The wedding procession, amid neighbors' blessings and chatter, cheerfully left the Siheyuan.

The banquet tables were set; although each household sent only one person, the courtyard housed over a dozen families, plus a few factory colleagues, filling three large tables. Adults exchanged auspicious words, children scrambled for the rare candies and meat dishes on the tables, the atmosphere was lively.

Li Ping'an also came. He gave a two‑yuan gift, the courtyard's sole generous present.

First Elder Yi Zhonghai naturally attended to preside over a few remarks, uttering some platitudinous lines about "revolutionary partners, advancing together." Yan Bu Gui carefully weighed the cost of the dishes against the contribution money, feeling the arrangement was worthwhile and ate with a clear conscience.

Sha Zhu weaved through the banquet, toasting elders and leaders; though his demeanor still bore the chef's boldness, the joy in his eyes could not be hidden.

Only occasionally, his gaze drifted toward the back courtyard, his mouth curling slightly as he muttered inwardly: "Xu Damao's grandson, at least he's sensible enough not to cause trouble! Liu Pangzi… hum, serves himself right!"

This simple wedding, without an eight‑pallet sedan chair or phoenix‑crown bridal veil, featured only a plain banquet and sincere blessings. It was like a warm ray of sunshine, briefly dispersing the gloom that had settled over the Siheyuan because of Xu Damao's scandal and the Liu family's tragedy, allowing people to breathe and feel the modest hope and warmth that still linger in life.

After the banquet, Ma Dongmei directed Sha Zhu and the neighbors who stayed to help clean up the aftermath. Watching the courtyard gradually quiet down, she massaged her sore waist, her face bearing a satisfied smile.

In any case, this wedding was finally completed smoothly. As for those who were absent and the matters left behind, let them drift away with the evening's cool breeze. Life, after all, must move forward.