Chapter 435

The days were approaching, and the planned items were completed one by one. Three or four days before the wedding, Li Long went to the county to buy things and specifically found Gu Xiaoxia to ask her to ask for a few days off.

Gu Xiaoxia's meaning was to ask for one day off for the return visit. The unit was busy now. Li Long firmly requested her to ask for at least five days off. Gu Xiaoxia couldn't beat him, so she agreed.

Gu Xiaoxia was young and didn't have a mother since she was small. Although Liang Yuemei could say a few words, she was still working at this time, so some things were not easy to say clearly.

And in the eyes of people in the village, Gu Xiaoxia was a public person, working in the county, a cadre. Then many things must be known better than ordinary people—including things in this aspect.

Li Long had lived two lives, and he was clear about some things, but it was not easy to explain clearly to Gu Xiaoxia at this time, so he just let her ask for leave.

Basically, everyone in the village already knew that Li Long was getting married. When meeting children on the way to buy things, there would be children laughing and asking him for happiness candy with courage.

Li Long had experience. He would put some fruit hard candy in his pocket. If he met someone polite and sweet-mouthed, he would give a few to spread the joy.

Li Long and Gu Xiaoxia went to the photo studio together and took wedding photos. Gu Xiaoxia had already permed a fashionable hairstyle in the barbershop. The braided hair was untied, and the hair volume was amazing. After perming, she felt that she had matured a lot.

Although in Li Long's eyes of two lives, this hairstyle was really a bit ugly, but Gu Xiaoxia herself was beautiful, and after working in the Education Bureau for nearly a year, her temperament had changed significantly, so she could still control this hairstyle.

The two took single photos and group photos. After the photos were washed out, Li Long looked at the group photo and joked with Gu Xiaoxia:

"Xiaoxia, you say decades later, our grandchildren will definitely ask me, Grandpa, Grandma is so beautiful, how did you cheat Grandma into your hands?"

Gu Xiaoxia didn't expect Li Long to suddenly say such a love word. After listening, she had a big red face. She raised her fist and gently hammered Li Long, whispering:

"What are you saying? What... grandchildren..."

The voice became lighter and lighter, almost inaudible.

Li Long laughed loudly after hearing this, looked at those photos contentedly, collected them preciously, and then left the photo studio.

The days were approaching, and the preparation work was becoming more and more sufficient. One day before the wedding date, the matter of inviting the master chef had been completed. Tao Daqiang drove the tractor to borrow tables, chairs, plates, bowls, and chopsticks. The young men who helped serve dishes, the aunts and sisters-in-law who washed dishes had all been told. The people responsible for specific items had all eaten a table in Li Long's large courtyard. The general manager responsible for specific affairs was Lu Yingming, but a considerable part of the work was arranged by Li Jianguo.

As Li Long's eldest brother, he couldn't be the general manager for Li Long's wedding tomorrow. He had to sit at the main table and accompany guests as the host. Although the Gu family didn't have many relatives, and the people who came to pick up the bride were also people from the team, some hidden rules still had to be followed.

People responsible for a pile of things had clarified their own things. Most of the things in the courtyard were already in place. Even the table for the "Minister of Rites" to write gifts was placed at the entrance of the courtyard, and the benches were also placed on the table. Tomorrow, take them down, take the book inside the table, and you could start writing.

Li Long was patrolling in the courtyard, thinking of the joke he once saw. Someone graduated from university, worked in the county of his hometown, and would participate in every red and white happy event in the village. His position rose step by step from the one who served dishes and did chores. It was not easy to rise to the position of Minister of Rites (writing gifts), but as a result, he was "dismissed" because his handwriting was too ugly.

Coincidentally, another university student with the same experience was also dismissed. The reason for the dismissal was too strange, saying that the university student couldn't even write. Of course, it wasn't that he couldn't write, but that he found that the real names of many uncles and aunts in the same village were completely different from the names they were used to calling!

This was really not a joke. The same was true in the team. Many names called for decades, after having WeChat Moments, needing to pay endowment insurance, and various subsidies issued from above, one by one, familiar names came out in the table. Li Long knew that this person was called this name, and he had always read it wrong!

Similar jokes might exist universally across the country. After all, there are dialects everywhere. Except for the old BJ side, dialects in other places will more or less affect the correctness of the pronunciation of words.

Digressing.

The courtyard was filled with the smell of mixed raw and cooked ingredients, a bit fragrant, and a bit strange.

On the large cutting board by the stove, there were large and small basins. Meatballs, fish, ribs, etc., had all been deep-fried. On the stove, there were two large pots, one with water and one with oil. The master chef was still busy, but not impatient. He had a cigarette clamped in his ear, and a cigarette in his mouth. The one clamped was given by Li Jianguo earlier, and the one in his mouth was lit by Li Long. Watching Li Long wandering in the courtyard, Master Huang smiled and said:

"Little Long, is this impatient? Hahaha, tomorrow is the right day. You will be an adult later! You have managed this courtyard well. This time handling the matter, these things to eat are prepared well. This fish looks beautiful. The three Liang brothers really give you face!"

The three Liang brothers brought the fish over early this morning, ensuring freshness. Each one was over two kilograms, quite uniform. Li Long paid according to the price. The three Liang brothers insisted on calculating at half price—one was calculated at one yuan.

Li Long didn't insist in the end. The meaning of the Liang family was very clear, which was to repay. Li Long accepted it.

Anyway, if there are good things later, just think of them.

As for other ingredients—although Li Long's status in the supply and marketing cooperative was a temporary worker, to tell the truth, as someone personally introduced by Li Xiangqian, and with two major events in his body last year, how to say, buying some good things at a flat price in the warehouse was no problem.

So this time Li Long handled the matter, which could be considered the time for Master Huang and Master Gao to show their skills. Many ingredients they had almost never handled before, just heard of.

One whole chicken per table, one whole fish, one plate of braised hairtail, one four-happiness meatball, one braised pork, one plate of braised ribs...

There were many substantial dishes. Once this menu got out, it made quite a few families click their tongues in surprise. After all, it was only 1983. In this day and age, when holding a wedding banquet, having two or three meat dishes on the table was already considered very impressive. Li Long had prepared almost no vegetable dishes, which filled many people with anticipation.

It would be an exaggeration to say they were clearing their stomachs just to eat at the banquet tomorrow, but everyone in the village was thinking about bringing their whole families along to participate, letting the elders and children at home soak up some of the joy and eat something good as well.

After all, even if it was the New Year at home, it might not be possible to eat so many good things.

Master Huang and Master Gao were also full of one point, which was that the portions of these things prepared were very sufficient, and twenty tables were no problem. Think about how many people were in the whole village? And there was a part eating at the Gu family side. Then counting Li Jianguo's friends in other places in the township, even so, it was impossible to really set up twenty tables. This made them very generous when operating.

After all, a clever woman can't cook without rice. When there were many things, it was easy to handle. If there were few, it was not an easy thing to make a plate.

Listening to Master Huang's words, Li Long smiled and said:

"It's not urgent. These things are all handled, and I feel people are numb. I just want to finish it quickly, so I can rest for a while. This is really tiring!"

"Hahahaha, all have to go through such a round," Master Gao said with a smile while using a spoon to deep-fry those things, "Now saying it's tiring, after two years, you will feel it's still quite interesting. Your own home must be managed by yourself. It's not easy now, which can make you not toss around in your life later, understand to cherish."

Li Long didn't expect Master Gao, who didn't speak much usually, could say such a philosophical remark. He nodded with a smile, saying he was taught.

The sky was late, and the stars were bright. The large lights in the courtyard were turned on. At this time, it was still cool at night, and there were no flying insects. These things prepared on the cutting board were moved into the room first, so as not to be overturned by someone's dog in the middle of the night, which would be troublesome.

The two master chefs prepared things almost the same according to the list on the red paper, hummed a tune and left. Other people who helped also dispersed. Only the Li family remained in the courtyard.

"Rest, have to be busy for a day tomorrow," Li Long shouted, "Now there is nothing to do, just be it."

Tomorrow, using a tractor to pick up the bride, this was considered the first time in the team. Anyway, it was not far. The tractor would shake if it shook. Now the tractor head had been tied with a large red cloth, which looked very festive. The young men picking up the bride were all determined, and it was agreed early tomorrow morning to gather.

Li Long didn't return to the horse yard that night and slept in this new house. He tossed and turned and couldn't sleep at first, simulating the steps of tomorrow in his mind. Although he didn't care much on the surface, after all, it was his own life event, and he didn't want any leaks.

Therefore, he didn't know when he fell asleep, and then he dreamed, returning to his previous life again. The efforts of this year, the newly built house, the courtyard bought in the county, the tractor, and the bicycle all became bubbles and jokes. Li Long was unwilling. He didn't want to live that failed life again, wanted to come to this 1980s, but couldn't come back no matter what. Just when he was anxious, he heard someone calling himself.

When opening his eyes, he found that the sky didn't know when it had already brightened, and he was lying on the bed. The top of his head was a ceiling pasted with newspapers, and everything around indicated that this was a new house.

So, it was a dream.

Li Long didn't know why he had such a dream. Was he afraid of losing all this?

"Brother Long, should get up, should pick up the bride!" Tao Daqiang shouted outside, patting the window.

"Coming, coming." Li Long rubbed his face, suddenly smiled. No matter what, he was still in this life, still about to get married, and life would get better and better, and he would be happier.

This was enough.

He got up, put on his groom's suit—a blue suit, slowly tied his tie, pinned on a flower, opened the door, and walked out.

"Brother Long, very spirited!" Tao Daqiang smiled, "What is this called, people are spirited when happy, right?"

"That is!" Li Long said with a proud expression, "A lifetime of great joy, no matter what, have to be proud for two days!"

!.

He had the capital to be proud. He was considered the richest man in the village. He had what others had, and he also had what others didn't have. Marrying a national cadre, a public person, was also considered the first of their wave of young people. Young people, being proud was normal. At this time, hiding it was not a young person.

Aunts and sisters-in-law had already come to help, and the two master chefs of the stove had also come. A group of young people picking up the bride ate simply in the courtyard, then started the tractor, laughing and making noise to pick up the bride.

Gu family, Gu Xiaoxia also got up early and put on new clothes—a bright red wedding dress. At this time, the bride didn't need so many sets of clothes, just one set was enough. There were happiness characters pasted on the windows, which she cut herself. There were red couplets pasted at the door, which were written by Gu Bo Yuan. Young men had already prepared firecrackers outside. There were quite a few people in the courtyard, very lively. Both sides had already docked the ceremony. The tractor sound was loud. When it was about to arrive, firecrackers had to be set off. Happy events, right, had to be lively.

The neighbor's aunt brought soup noodles for Gu Xiaoxia to eat. She didn't want to eat anything, feeling her head was messy, seemingly empty, and seemingly filled with things.

Saying happy, that was certain. The object of marriage was Li Long, this person was chosen by herself, very satisfied.

Saying happy also had some, after all, although married today, the two "lived together" for a period of time, finally able to be justified.

Saying sour also had, from now on, this courtyard couldn't be said to be her own home, but her maiden home. She had her own new home, small home later. Returning to her father here, it wouldn't be so free.

In short, messy thoughts were mixed together. Gu Xiaoxia didn't know when tears came down.

"Xiaoxia, on this day of great joy, why cry! You didn't say you were married to another place. This is just on one team, lift your feet and you will be home. From this side to that side is not far. This Li Long has money and ability. Others envy you!" The neighbor's aunt persuaded, "Okay, eat something quickly. Still have to be busy for a day today. If you don't eat something to pad your stomach now, you won't be able to persist later! Come, listen to aunt, eat!"

Gu Xiaoxia nodded, picked up chopsticks, and lowered her head to eat.

The sound of the tractor rang. Firecrackers at the entrance of the courtyard rang out all at once. Smoke and sound echoed inside and outside the courtyard. Children surrounded relatively close, waiting for the firecrackers to stop, rushing up to grab those mute firecrackers.

The tractor drove to the courtyard gate, and Li Long entered the courtyard surrounded by the young men. Someone started leading him through the procedures—paying respects to the father-in-law, bowing, picking up the bride, and so on. Although he wasn't exactly like a wooden puppet, at this moment, he could only let others handle him.

At this time, it was not popular to use a red head cover. Gu Xiaoxia only wore bright red clothes, wore flowers, and also pinned plastic flowers on her head. Although it was an old-fashioned dress, and also quite thick and earthy makeup, in Li Long's eyes, Gu Xiaoxia at this moment was the most beautiful.

Picked up the person and got on the tractor. Li Long drove, greeted Gu Bo Yuan, circled a circle, and returned to the large courtyard. Gu Bo Yuan didn't feel anything. After watching the tractor go far, he turned around and greeted loudly:

"Okay, open the banquet, open the banquet! Finally sent away, I'm hungry!"

"Old Gu, this daughter is married, you are not sad at all." Someone teased him.

"Sad what? It's not a distant marriage. The Li family is in the team. That lift your feet and you will be back. Besides, Xiaoxia works in the county. Before marriage, she also came back once every one or two weeks. After marriage, isn't it still once every one or two weeks? Besides, I also earned it! Whose son-in-law has Li Long's ability? According to Li Jianguo's education method, that kid is sensible. Later, I have to have half a son more?"

"Yes, yes, you really earned it. Come, come, come, today just for your words, have to drink a few cups with you!"

"That won't work. Fisting, those without ability drink!"

"Hey! Old Gu, haven't seen you fisting much!" People of the same generation were very surprised.

"I didn't fist doesn't mean I can't. That thing is as simple as anything. Come, come, come, pour the wine, I'll come to pass the customs!"

In a short while, Gu Bo Yuan had already won three people, and he only drank one cup—three fists and two wins. This test of on-the-spot reaction and calculation ability was really not a big deal for him!

Just when Gu Bo Yuan was killing all sides, Li Long drove the tractor and slowly circled the village. When passing bridges and intersections, young men on the tractor bucket lit firecrackers and threw them out. Electric light firecrackers echoed in the air, also indicating that life would be prosperous later.

Clever children followed the tractor all the way. When the firecrackers stopped, they rushed up to pick them up. Soon their pockets were full. One child picked up too fast and picked a firecracker with a slow wick into his pocket. As a result, it exploded, scaring the child to cry loudly, while other children laughed loudly.

When the tractor drove back to the large courtyard, this side had already been prepared.

The whole Li family wore new clothes, including Li Juan and Li Qiang. They both endured not going to pick up those mute firecrackers today—Li Long promised Li Qiang that he would give him a 500-round electric light firecracker, and let him dismantle it and set it off himself later.

500 rounds!

The red envelopes that might be received later didn't have the attraction of this 500-round electric light firecracker!

"Xiaoxia is really beautiful today!" Liang Yuemei said sincerely, looking at Gu Xiaoxia who was helped off the car. Eldest sister-in-law is like a mother. Li Long was considered to be taken care of by her. Although she was much older than Li Juan and Li Qiang, in Liang Yuemei's eyes, she was like her own child.

Looking at Li Long about to marry this capable girl, Liang Yuemei was sincerely happy in her heart.

Li Qing Xia and Du Chunfang, the couple, were also laughing from ear to ear. The youngest son got married, and this life could be considered successfully completed. Today's lively scene was big enough and glorious enough. Although they didn't drink much, they felt like they were drunk, dizzy, until Gu Xiaoxia came to perform the ceremony before reacting.

After the procedures were finished and preparing to open the banquet, the car horn sounded, and a large car drove to the entrance.

Li Xiangqian arrived.

Although knowing Li Long's connections were wide and his face was big, he didn't expect people to drive a car to attend Li Long's wedding. The impression of people in the village on Li Long was refreshed again.

Not only Li Xiangqian came, but also Chen Hongjun and Zhong Guo Qiang. They had a good relationship with Li Long. This time Li Long got married and sent them invitations. These people also knew each other. After discussing, they simply came together. (End of chapter) **CHAPTER 436: Four Great Joys in Life, the Bridal Chamber Must Be Teased! **