Chapter 1143: Wang Xin Gets Married

Niu Dali was not very happy; he even felt like dying, utterly hopeless and devoid of any joy in life.

He squatted in the corner by the large cooking pot where the aroma was strongest, yet he had not the slightest desire to sneak a bite, merely smoking continuously.

"Look at him," Cai Xiao said, eating a slice of meat while not forgetting to share some with the children.

He was the king of the courtyard's children because he could truly play along with them, playing piaji (a type of round paper card) and shooting marbles; in Wang Yan's absence, he was number one.

Smacking his lips as he spoke, he said, "It looks like his soul has already left; do you think we should find a great immortal to examine him?"

"You're just mocking him," Wang Yan said with a laugh, shaking his head.

At present, the only thing making Niu Dali wish for life or death was clearly Yao Yuling; what made him truly want to die was the complete loss of hope, which was Yao Yuling marrying Wang Xin.

It was today, in the transition between spring and summer of 1980, with clear skies and gentle breezes; everyone was happy, except for Niu Dali, for whom it was a desolate autumn and a freezing winter.

During Ma Yan's academic promotion banquet earlier, Wang Yan's culinary skills had been affirmed; for some time past, whenever the courtyard held a major banquet, he had taken charge of the cooking, earning unanimous praise, so naturally, for Wang Xin's wedding today, he was the undeniable choice.

Wang Yongge had, well in advance, early on borrowed and exchanged to accumulate various ration tickets, and furthermore, a month ahead of time, he had finalized the menu with Wang Yan and reserved certain items.

Ma Yan, cracking melon seeds on the side, remarked, "Brother Dali is indeed devoted, it's just that his taste isn't great."

Although Wang Yan's appearance meant she had not joined Yao Yuling in liking Wang Xin, she still looked down on Yao Yuling; more than once she had told Wang Yan that she found Yao Yuling too pretentious, flirtatious, promiscuous, and cheap.

"Look at him acting like a pug; is that called devotion? Let me tell you, in this current situation, if Miss Xiao threw over a bone, he would eagerly rush to bite it; just look at how infuriating he is."

Wang Yan smiled and said, "Even heroes cannot pass the beauty test; he has been suffering for two years, with today being the most painful, but after today, he will be fine."

"That's doubtful," Cai Xiao said, shaking his head repeatedly; "looking at him, he's just short of tying a rope to hang himself; how can that end well?"

Ma Yan said, "Comrade Cai Xiao, Wang Xin has already married; are you still looking for a match? How long do you intend to keep searching?"

"Can this kind of thing be forced? Doesn't one need a toad and a mung bean to match eyes before proceeding?" Cai Xiao said; "and don't talk about me; my own brother is the same age as Wang Xin, old enough to register for marriage, so what are you two still waiting for?"

"We're waiting until graduation from university; we'll marry immediately after graduating," Ma Yan said with a smile; "it's only a matter of two years, so you should hurry up."

"We'll definitely be faster than you, that's for sure."

"Then we two will be waiting."

"There's one thing I'm particularly curious about, dear sister-in-law."

Ma Yan rolled her eyes: "What is it?"

"I'm really going to say it."

"Go ahead and say it."

"You two have been together so long; haven't you ever, um... done that thing?"

Ma Yan, not understanding, asked: "What thing?"

"Just that thing."

"Did you understand what he meant?" Ma Yan asked doubtfully, looking at Wang Yan, who was wielding a large ladle over there.

The latter smiled and said, "He's asking whether we two entered the bridal chamber ahead of schedule."

"Get lost; how do you have the nerve to say that?" Ma Yan, using irritability to mask her embarrassment, kicked Cai Xiao, then turned to look at Old Cai beside her; "Uncle Cai, you heard that, right? This child is acting like a hooligan; you must discipline him properly."

"When we get back, I'll kick him to death," Old Cai said with a simple smile.

"This is a major event for human reproduction; what is there to be embarrassed about?" Cai Xiao muttered to himself.

"Enough, I can't chat with you; Uncle Cai, just hurry up and get him a wife," Ma Yan said, glaring at Cai Xiao, then hitting Wang Yan once before turning and walking away.

"See how wronged I am," Wang Yan said, shaking his head helplessly.

"Well, she wouldn't be embarrassed to hit me, would she?" Cai Xiao said, still gloating; "though I do understand you; if you two had gone even slightly too far, your father-in-law would probably beat you to death; but surely he wouldn't really kill you? If you ask me, you should just be shameless and act like a rascal; everyone knows you two are together anyway, so what difference does it make whether it's a day earlier or later?"

"Get lost; if Old Ma breaks my legs, will you pay the medical bills? If you're longing for a Miss, hurry up and find a partner yourself; stop researching other people's business."

"Right, right, right; Xiao Nian, stop chattering; in a moment your own brother will beat you, and I won't be able to stop him," Old Cai said cheerfully, showing quite a sense of entertainment.

Along with Brother Wang Laowu, who was continuously cooking, the several people burst into loud laughter.

Niu Dali, hovering between life and death, turned his head to look over; he felt even worse because these people's happiness was disturbing him...

As the deputy section chief of Ningyang Station, Wang Yongge still commanded considerable prestige; with his only son getting married, the occasion was naturally even more lively; many people from the railway system came, numerous factories sent representatives, plus other relatives and friends, and some of Yao Yuling's natal family also arrived, filling the entire courtyard, a bustling crowd, very impressive.

With all guests arrived and the auspicious time reached, Wang Xin, hand in hand with Yao Yuling, tied the knot and greeted their friends and guests.

They wore era-characteristic, ill-fitting Western-style suits, distinctive wedding attire; they paid respects to their parents, stepped over the fire basin, and played some games, the entire procedure lively and bustling.

Niu Dali watched until his eyes turned red.

"Don't just drink alcohol; eat some dishes," Cai Xiao said, eating heartily; he was eating together with Wang Yan and the others, the cooks' meal, which was very fragrant; it wasn't that they ate better than others, since everyone had the same, but they ate more.

"How can I possibly eat..."

"Stop provoking him; even eating can't shut your mouth," Wang Yan said, waving his hand; "in a moment, when Old Niu gets angry and beats you, you'll behave."

"No way; Old Silly Ox knows what he's doing; I trust him."

"I don't even trust myself," Niu Dali snorted, continuing to drink his sorrowful wine in silence, ignoring him.

The whole table laughed together without saying anything more; everyone could see just how devoted Niu Dali truly was; although the people in the courtyard generally held a negative view of Niu Dali's devotion, now that he had reached this point, they still very much approved of him.

While everyone here chatted, laughed, ate, and drank, Wang Yan and the others occasionally stood up to help ladle dishes from the large basins, sending some helpers to refill other tables; over there, Wang Yongge, leading Wang Xin and Yao Yuling, began toasting and greeting each table.

Soon they reached Wang Yan and the others' table; the scene was rather awkward, as everyone knew about Niu Dali's situation; furthermore, Old Ma was seated at this table, and since Old Ma already disliked Wang Yongge, his presence today to drink at the banquet was truly granting immense face.

"Come, Old Ma, Old Cai, Wang Laowu, Wang Yan, Xiao Nian, and also Dali; we three offer a toast to all of you; you've been cooking and helping, working hard indeed; I'll drain my glass."

Wang Xin and his wife, their faces glowing with joy, poured wine for everyone at the table; Wang Yongge spoke these polite words and then downed the more than one liang of white liquor in his cup in one gulp.

He showed his cup around in a circle, saying, "Old Ma, drain yours."

Ma Kui said nothing, merely taking a small sip.

"Old Niu, drink," Wang Xin said, holding up his wine cup and smiling at red-eyed Niu Dali.

"Brother Dali, I toast you," Yao Yuling said, holding up her wine cup and smiling at Niu Dali, whose eyes were red but who resolutely refused to cry.

Ever since the two of them started dating, Niu Dali had hardly spoken a word to Wang Xin; every time Wang Xin greeted him, the latter would merely respond with noncommittal sounds, unwilling to offer even one extra sentence.

Niu Dali stubbornly refused to cry, yet the full two and a half liang of white liquor he held in his hand was spilling out; he hastily clinked glasses with Wang Xin and Yao Yuling, then tilted his head back and drained the wine in his cup in one swallow.

"You two live well together, bear noble sons early, and enjoy a hundred years of harmony."

Niu Dali's gaze fixed solely on the radiant and captivating Yao Yuling.

Wang Xin chuckled: "Thank you for your blessings; I wish you too find a good match soon. Come, Ling'er, let's drink."

Exchanging a glance with Yao Yuling, the two of them also drained their cups to the brim.

Wang Xin was drinking wine, while Yao Yuling was drinking water...

Old Cai waved his hand: "Enough, enough, you two hurry and attend to your guests; we are all family here, no need for you to worry about us, go on, go on."

"Alright then, make sure you eat and drink well, you must eat and drink well."

After exchanging a few polite words and some banter, the three members of the Old Wang family took their leave.

"Alright, sit down, you big silly ox, how much longer are you going to stare? Unless you plan to eavesdrop at the wall again tonight before you give up?"

Cai Xiaonian's words were exceptionally poisonous; Old Cai even slapped the back of his head, but Niu Dali no longer had the mind to care.

He poured himself more wine and drank in great gulps, while everyone at the table tried to dissuade him.

"Stop trying to dissuade him, let him drink! Let him drink himself to death and be done with it!" Old Brother Wu, unable to bear the sight, simply gave up: "Your performance is truly eyesore. Come, come, all the wine on this table is yours; if it's not enough, I'll get you two more bottles. Scram home and drink by yourself. A grown man, look at you whining and dragging things out, just like a woman. Get lost."

Niu Dali drank fast and wasn't drunk yet, but startled by such an outburst, he gave a sudden shiver. Perhaps due to that shiver, his mind remained clear, but his stomach could not hold; his throat convulsed, and his cheeks involuntarily puffed out.

Wang Yan, quick-eyed and fast-handed, reached out and slapped a palm onto Niu Dali's chest, forcibly suppressing the urge to vomit.

Immediately tilting his head to signal Cai Xiaonian, he said: "He's yours. Help him to the toilet to vomit, and once he's done, escort him home. Save some food for him later. Go on."

"Fine, such is my fate of endless toil. You're the one suffering, so why drag me into it, you big silly ox?" Cai Xiaonian muttered a complaint as he supported Niu Dali away from the table.

"Let me tell you, I just can't stand him acting like this." Old Brother Wu scolded Niu Dali, utterly disgusted: "Fortunately, he still has some sense left; if he had gotten completely drunk and caused a scene, that would have been quite a spectacle."

No one spoke further about the joy-killing Niu Dali; instead, they turned to other topics, drinking wine, eating meat, and sharing laughter, for a moment enjoying peaceful times...

By afternoon, even the most clingy drinkers had departed, leaving only the courtyard residents to clean up the mess left by the festivities. Organizing a banquet and managing affairs was no simple task; although everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, they were all exhausted.

Once the cleaning was done, people lost their energy, sitting lazily in the courtyard, chatting idly with no particular thread.

"Where are you going?" Ma Yan asked as she saw Wang Yan holding something and heading out.

"Food saved for Niu Dali; that fellow drank himself under the table."

"I thought you were saving it for our family. Let's go, I'll come with you to check on him."

Wang Xin smiled and went out together with Ma Yan.

As soon as they stepped out, they heard Cai Xiaonian speak: "Where are you two off to?"

"We saved some food for Niu Dali; he should be sobering up by now, so he should eat something."

"Together, together."

Thus, the three of them went together to Niu Dali's home, where Niu Dali was currently lying with eyes wide open, staring blankly at the ceiling, as if his soul had been drained and his spirit shattered, resembling a lifeless walking corpse.

"We really need to find a great immortal to perform an exorcism; he might have attracted some evil spirit..."

Niu Dali, lying on the bed, said: "I'm fine, no need to fetch any great immortal."

"As long as you're fine, get up and eat." Ma Yan tapped the table: "You too, what's so great about Yao Yuling that she's bewitched you like this?"

"Whether she's good or not, it doesn't matter anymore."

Niu Dali got up and sat at the table, beginning to eat the leftover rice and dishes Wang Yan had saved.

Actually, the leftovers from such banquets taste quite delicious; various meat and vegetable dishes mixed together, their flavors blending to create a unique taste. Wang Yan loved eating them, though he rarely had the opportunity.

Niu Dali also ate with great relish, taking huge mouthfuls.

"You've made me crave it too; I must have a bite. Are you two eating?" Cai Xiaonian asked quite politely.

Wang Yan and Ma Yan shook their heads in unison; Cai Xiaonian helped himself to a bowl and chopsticks, poured half a cup of white liquor, started drinking, and began urging Niu Dali again.

Niu Dali said nothing, merely listening while eating heartily. Cai Xiaonian didn't mind, simply continuing to chant like a monk reciting scriptures.

Perhaps having eaten his fill and finally regained some strength, Niu Dali waved his hands repeatedly: "Alright, alright, stop talking. Wang Yan, I recall you mentioned before that the state is changing policies. I hear things are very different over in Shenzhen now?"

Without waiting for Wang Yan to speak, Cai Xiaonian answered: "It's incredibly different indeed; they're developing the economy, you know. Nowadays, there are so many people selling things on our trains, selling all sorts of goods. You're stoking the boiler at the front, so you don't feel it, but every day it's bustling. What, do you have some ideas?"

"A little. I've also heard people say that making money in the south is easy now; just trading some goods can earn quite a lot."

Niu Dali lit a cigarette, not forgetting to offer one each to Wang Yan and Cai Xiaonian; he took a deep drag, exhaling smoke with a sigh: "Now that those two are married, I have no hope left. I've become the laughingstock of our courtyard; staying here holds no meaning for me. Rather than doing dirty, tiring work for a few dozen yuan, I might as well head south to see. Who knows, maybe one day I'll become a ten-thousand-yuan household? Don't you agree?"

"I dare not speak on this, dear brother; you should be the one to say."

"Who dares to speak? This is a major life decision." Wang Yan shook his head: "We cannot dictate your choice; as long as you've thought it through and are willing to go, no one can stop you. Very well, seeing your condition, your heart is clearly broken. Since there's no major issue, I won't meddle further. Whether you go or not is for you to decide. I'm leaving."

"Then I'm leaving too; my mouth is too chatterbox, and I can't bear that responsibility."

"Oh, so you realize it now." Ma Yan mocked.

"Having a clear self-awareness is a virtue."

The three of them paid Niu Dali no more attention and left immediately.

Just as they were about to return, Wang Xin stumbled out.

"Hey, groom, instead of being lovey-dovey with your wife, what are you doing coming out here? After drinking so much wine, you can still stand?"

"I wasn't drunk at all." Wang Xin approached, nodding his head toward Niu Dali's house: "How is he?"

"His heart is broken; he's planning to go south to make money and become a ten-thousand-yuan household."

Wang Xin lit a cigarette and squatted on the ground: "This has nothing to do with me; I haven't wronged him. Tell me, why can't he figure this out?"

"Perhaps this is love..."

"This is unrequited love; what love is there to speak of?" Wang Xin scratched his head: "Alright, let's not talk about him; let him do whatever he wants. Anyway, since we're neither relatives nor friends, we can't control him. Wang Yan, I heard Old Hu seems to be getting promoted to Captain of the Criminal Investigation Brigade?"

"Did Uncle Wang tell you? Yes, there is such a matter."

"What about us? We've been railway police for two years; you've nearly caught every professional thief out there. Haven't you had enough yet?"

Wang Xin smiled: "What, have you had enough?"

"I had enough long ago. If I can catch thieves, think about how interesting that could be? There's no challenge at all. We must progress; we must have aspirations, Comrade Wang Yan."

Wang Yan smiled without speaking...