Chapter 119: Marriage

At this moment, in Wang Xiaoling's home, the whole family was crowded into the main room.

"Father, Mother, take a look and see if anything is missing."

Old Man Wang was quite concerned with etiquette; he took a simple glance at the dowry and said,

"This is a new society now, different from our time. Just do as you see fit."

"In the blink of an eye, Xiao Ling is getting married. We really are getting old," said Wang Xiaoling's second uncle, Wang Zhangguo. Although Wang Zhangguo was the second son, his daughter had long since been married off.

"Indeed."

"It's a good thing she's marrying right at our doorstep, so we can see each other anytime."

On May 2nd at nine in the morning, Zhang Ping'an's four cousins all took leave. His second uncle, along with the matchmaker and all the brothers, pedaled tricycles carrying the betrothal gifts and reached the Eighty-fifth Courtyard in just a few steps.

"Oh my, in-laws, your son-in-law has arrived!" The betrothal gifts weren't overly extravagant, but everything that should be there—chicken, duck, fish, and meat—was included.

At this moment, Zhang Ping'an was wearing a thin-style Zhongshan suit; his face was handsome, his posture upright, and he was straddling a Twenty-Eight Bar Bicycle, truly looking like a show-off.

"Grandparents, Father, Mother, I have come to marry Xiao Ling."

"Ah."

"Ping'an, if you bully my sister in the future, I won't spare you."

"Don't worry, Big Brother, I won't."

"Ping'an, treat Xiao Ling well."

"I will, Grandfather." Zhang Ping'an promised with a solemn face; from now on, he was both a grandson-in-law and a disciple.

After the group led by Zhang Ping'an finished the refreshments arranged by the Wang family, he took Wang Xiaoling to the Street Office amidst the sound of congratulatory firecrackers to receive their large marriage certificate; from now on, he was officially licensed.

"Congratulations to you both."

"Thank you, Director Wang. Please, have some candy."

"Hehe, good."

Director Wang had a very good impression of the Jiushiwu Hao Siheyuan; the residents were harmonious, loving, and mutually accommodating, so naturally, she looked upon the young people coming from there with special regard.

Wang Xiaoling's appearance and figure did not quite fit the aesthetic of this era, so when Zhang Ping'an brought her back to the Siheyuan, the women didn't have much of a reaction.

"Xiao Ling, if you're hungry, eat some pastries in the room. I'm going out to socialize."

"Mm, okay."

At this time, Zhang Ping'an's courtyard was already filled with tables, chairs, and benches. The uncles, aunts, and elderly women who had already sat down filled four tables. If more came near noon, it was estimated that the planned ten tables would be just right.

Yan Bugui, dressed in formal attire, was still acting as the accountant, setting up a table in front of the Yueliangmen to collect wedding gifts.

As Yan Bugui collected them, he couldn't help but click his tongue in surprise. Aside from the items prepared, each of Zhang Ping'an's four older sisters had given a cash gift of 500,000, and by now, the total cash gifts received had already exceeded 3,000,000.

He Daqing and his son were busy in the heat of the moment, each man working two stoves, their large ladles dancing with great vigor.

By nearly twelve o'clock, the ten tables in the courtyard were almost full. Wang Weiguo and Li Baoguo both took time out of their busy schedules to come over; they didn't even have time to change out of their Public Security Uniforms before leaving in a hurry after giving their gifts.

Li Huaide also heard that Zhang Ping'an was getting married and had his Secretary, Liu, send over a cash gift as well.

Yan Bugui had truly seen something today; for Zhang Ping'an's wedding, not only did Public Security leaders come to give gifts, but leaders from the Rolling Mill did as well.

Zhang Ping'an was unaware of this; he was busy enough in the courtyard greeting all the aunts and relatives.

The banquet started at twelve. As the dishes were served, the four cousins wove through the crowd to bring out the food. Everyone ate to their heart's content, praising the generosity of Zhang Ping'an's family while also speaking highly of the culinary skills of He Daqing and his son.

Zhang Ping'an brought Wang Xiaoling out to toast the elders. At every table, the two of them took a small sip. Because of the alcohol, Wang Xiaoling's little face was flushed red, looking truly adorable.

"Drink less, just a token sip is fine," Zhang Ping'an whispered.

"Mm."

By not yet one o'clock, Zhang Ping'an's colleagues and friends who had work to do had all bid farewell and left. By one-thirty, most of the people were gone, and the tables had been mostly cleared away, leaving only Zhang Ping'an's group of relatives and friends drinking tea in the small courtyard.

"Ping'an, you're an adult now."

"Indeed, the mischievous little boy from back then is now married."

The elders from Zhang Family Village present had basically all been pestered by Zhang Ping'an when he was a child, and seeing the now high-spirited Zhang Ping'an, they were filled with emotion.

By two in the afternoon, except for Zhang Ping'an's grandparents, father, and mother who were still there, everyone else had returned to the village.

"Xiao Ling, do you feel unwell? Should you sleep for a while?" Zhang Ping'an touched her reddened face.

"I'm fine, we have to wait until tonight," Wang Xiaoling said shyly.

"Huh? I was worried you were uncomfortable from drinking too much. What are you thinking about?" Zhang Ping'an stared at her with a half-smile.

"Oh my!" Wang Xiaoling buried her head into the quilt in embarrassment.

"Hahaha, alright, alright, I won't say any more."

At six in the evening, the family had a simple meal. After washing up, the grandparents and parents sensibly went into their rooms and didn't come out again, leaving the space to the young couple.

When Zhang Ping'an first built the house, he had told the master builder to ensure the soundproofing was done well, so the walls of his house were thicker than those of ordinary homes after special treatment, the doors were heavier, and the window glass was double-layered.

Inside the room, Zhang Ping'an handed all the cash gifts received that afternoon and a portion of his own savings to Wang Xiaoling.

"Xiao Ling, these are our family's savings. Keep them safe."

"Brother Ping'an, shouldn't these cash gifts be given to Father and Mother?"

"No need. What they give us is ours. Count them carefully and put them away."

"Oh, okay. Pfft, one cup, two cups... 3,800,000? This, Brother Ping'an, how is there so much?"

"Although my salary isn't high, I make money hunting. It's equivalent to a business with no overhead; this is all I've saved over the past few years. How about it? You've made a profit by marrying me, right?"

"Mm, you should keep some money on you to spend too." Afterward, Wang Xiaoling took out 2,000,000 and handed it to Zhang Ping'an, putting the rest into a metal box for safekeeping.

"Hahaha, good."

Eight o'clock at night.

"Ahem, Xiao Ling, it's time for us to sleep."

"Mm~"

A clean, white large towel, somewhat similar to a bath towel from later generations, had already been spread out on the bright red bedsheets.

Wang Xiaoling's figure belonged to the type with a small frame but plenty of flesh; although her chest muscles were not as exaggerated as Qin Huairu's, they stood out just right, and her waist-to-hip ratio was also surprisingly good.

Having been hungry for eighteen years, Zhang Ping'an felt his eyes turning green at this moment; following a muffled groan from Wang Xiaoling, Zhang Ping'an began his path of sprinting, and the sounds of Huangmei opera drifted out from the room.

I know everyone doesn't like to read it, so I won't describe the details one by one; everyone can imagine it for yourselves.

The next morning, Zhang Ping'an got up feeling refreshed, and looking at Wang Xiaoling, who was still fast asleep beside him, he felt a bit restless again.

However, Zhang Ping'an still held back; the one hour last night had already left Wang Xiaoling, who had just experienced Personnel, utterly exhausted.

Zhang Ping'an put on his clothes lightly and carefully, set the rice porridge to boil in the kitchen, and only then did he exercise and stretch in the courtyard.

Zhang Ping'an had previously taught Wang Xiaoling the Body Refining Technique, but this girl was too lazy and couldn't get up in the morning without Zhang Ping'an supervising; it would be better from now on, as once Wang Xiaoling adapted over these two days, he could pull her up to exercise every morning.

A woman's body is naturally more flexible than a man's, and with Zhang Ping'an's guidance and assistance, she should be able to master the Eighty-one Forms within two years.

"Xiao Ling, breakfast is ready, time to get up."

"Ah? Why didn't you call me earlier? Sss~ I need to get dressed, turn your back," Wang Xiaoling said shyly.

"Haven't I seen it all last night?"

"Oh my," as soon as Zhang Ping'an finished speaking, Wang Xiaoling burrowed back into the thin quilt.

"Alright, alright, I'm turning around."

"Sss~"

"Xiao Ling, are you alright?"

"It's all your fault, you were like an ox last night."

"……"