Chapter 36: Full-Month Celebration 2.0

That's right, his tricycle was the wedding car. Although it was a last-minute decision, in this era, using a tricycle to pick up the bride was a very prestigious thing. The reason he rushed back early in the morning was precisely because of this.

"Good, good, good. Ping'an, you've come just in time. In a moment, you take Erzhuang to pick up the bride."

"Ah? Brother Erzhuang isn't riding it himself?" He couldn't steal the spotlight in this day and age.

"I don't know how," Erzhuang said awkwardly from the side, even though he really wanted to ride the tricycle to pick up his wife.

"Ahem, it's very simple. I'll teach you."

"There's no time. It won't be good if you end up riding it into a ditch later."

"...."

"That works."

Just like that, Zhang Ping'an was pressed into service. Fortunately, it wasn't far; it was just in the neighboring Wang Family Village, a distance of three to five li.

"Picking up the bride!" Following the shout from the master of ceremonies, Zhang Ping'an set off with the noisy, music-playing wedding procession.

"Ping'an, thank you, brother," Zhang Erzhuang said, stroking his brand-new clothes.

"What's there to thank me for? It's just a trip. We're all one family, no need to speak of two families," Zhang Ping'an said without turning his head. He thought Erzhuang was talking about him picking up the bride.

"Hehe, Ping'an, I feel like you've been a different person since you recovered from your injury. You're much more sensible than before."

Zhang Ping'an's face turned red. He had completely inherited the memories of Xiao Ping'an. He hadn't done few mischievous things in the past, and afterward, his brothers had to take the blame for him.

"Hehe, I've basically lived a second life, so of course I have to be sensible. By the way, Brother Erzhuang, here are two packs of Qianmen. Take them; you can hand them out to your father-in-law's side later."

"This, no need. The Dadao cigarettes are already very good."

"This is for you to save face. It's just two packs. Don't you want to stand tall in front of your father-in-law? Quickly stuff them in your pocket."

"Hehe, then I'll take them," Erzhuang said, grinning with his big teeth.

Before long, they arrived at the entrance of Wang Family Village. Firecrackers from both sides began to sound. Many villagers watching the excitement gathered around. Zhang Erniu wasn't stingy either; he stood on the vehicle and scattered peanuts and hard candy.

When they reached the bride's door, Zhang Erniu jumped off the vehicle to hand out cigarettes to the bride's uncles.

"Whoa~ real stuff, these are Cadre cigarettes."

"The Zhang Family really values Er Ya. This Erniu will be a husband who dotes on his wife in the future. Er Ya is going to enjoy a good life at her in-laws'."

"And they even came to pick her up in a tricycle."

"Yeah, yeah."

Zhang Erzhuang hadn't expected the effect of the Qianmen to be so strong. The smile on his face became even brighter, and he felt immense admiration for Zhang Ping'an in his heart.

As the chicken, duck, fish, and meat were moved into the Wang house, the praise from the villagers watching the excitement never stopped. Erzhuang's father-in-law, Wang Dafu, also felt very prestigious and invited everyone inside to eat sweet water eggs and several types of pastries.

The group successfully picked up the bride, Wang Guihua. She looked quite good, with a typical Qin Huairu figure, which fit the aesthetic of this era, though her looks weren't as good as Qin Huairu's.

Wang Guihua's family wasn't stingy either; they prepared two large red quilts, two red enamel basins, and a vanity stand as a dowry.

The bride inevitably shed tears when leaving home.

"Er Ya, don't cry on such a happy day; you'll ruin your makeup. It's only a few steps away; if you miss home, just come back and visit."

"Mm."

"Guihua, this is my eldest uncle's younger brother, Zhang Ping'an," Zhang Erzhuang introduced on the way back.

"Hello, Second Sister-in-law. Just call me Ping'an."

"Mm, hello Ping'an. And thank you for riding over to help Erzhuang and me save face."

"What are you saying, Second Sister-in-law? I was mischievous growing up, and Brother Erzhuang protected me quite a bit."

"Hahaha, Guihua, you don't know, Ping'an was so mischievous when he was little. He..."

To buffer Wang Guihua's sadness at leaving home, Zhang Erzhuang told some funny stories from their childhood, which finally adjusted Wang Guihua's mood.

Amidst the talking and laughing, the group returned to Zhang Family Village.

"Whoa, Erzhuang's wife is not bad."

"Looks like she's good at bearing children."

"Mm, she's well-endowed, so they'll save money on Milk Powder and rice porridge in the future."

"...."

Zhang Ping'an felt quite awkward listening to these old women; let alone the person in question, who was probably hiding behind Zhang Erzhuang by now.

After delivering the dowry to their wedding room, Zhang Ping'an had nothing left to do but wait to eat the banquet.

"Ping'an, your Brother Erzhuang is already married, when is it your turn? I don't know your age, but just looking at your build, you're a strong laborer."

"That's right, Ping'an, you should hurry up in these next two years."

"...."

In the end, Zhang Ping'an couldn't handle this group of old women and had to flee in defeat. He was urged to marry in his previous life, and now, despite how young he was, he was being urged again. Sure enough, no matter the era, a handsome guy always attracts attention....

At twelve o'clock, Zhang Ping'an ran back to eat. In the afternoon, he waited at home for his mother to finish helping out before preparing to return to Sijiucheng.

Time flew by, and the day after tomorrow would be the full-month celebration for Dongzi and Donglai. Lao Jia was also happy and prepared to set up three tables in the courtyard.

"Daqing, take a look and see what else is needed?" Lao Jia had already asked He Daqing to list the menu days ago.

"Hiss~ it's enough, it's enough." He Daqing was also shocked by Lao Jia's grand gesture; the corner of the kitchen was piled high with chicken, duck, fish, meat, and eggs.

Except for the eggs, these chickens, ducks, fish, and meat were basically all purchased by Jia Dongxu in the countryside. It hadn't been long since the first lunar month, and the weather was still cold, so there was no need to worry about them spoiling.

Dong Dani had already gone home this morning to prepare things: baby clothes, Red Dates, brown sugar, tiger-head shoes, and so on.

Zhang Ping'an also busied himself in his own kitchen, making a basket of Steamed Buns the size of a baby's fist. He used a rush plant to dab red flowers on the buns, which could be given as return gifts to the friends and relatives who came later.

Three days passed in a flash, and the Siheyuan became lively again. Yan Bugui, dressed in formal attire, was once again setting up a table and sitting in front of the Lao Jia house. As the only "highly educated" intellectual in the courtyard, he was the undisputed choice for the accountant.

Previously, Zhang Ping'an had been curious about Yan Bugui's education and had asked him. As a result, the old man hemmed and hawed for a long time before finally getting angry and saying, "Anyway, I went to university."

Zhang Ping'an eventually decided not to press the matter further and gave up helplessly.

After ten o'clock in the morning, Zhang Xiaohua's group of friends and relatives arrived, all crowding into one room to see the dragon-phoenix twins.

"Xiaohua, it would have been enough for you to have one all these years, but to have two at once, that saves a lot of trouble."

"That's right, Xiaohua."

"These two children have come to repay a debt of gratitude; look at them, they aren't even shy, smiling at everyone they see."

"It's just that this house is a bit small; I'm afraid it won't be enough space once the children grow up."

"Indeed, Dongxu is reaching the age for marriage, too; Youcai, Xiaohua, you two should start thinking about it early."

"Hehe, brother-in-law is right. I bought the two Ear Rooms next door a few days ago; once the children are older, we can renovate them and they'll be ready to live in."

"Whoa, Youcai, you really do big things quietly."

"Hehe, I only bought them because Ping'an reminded me. If you have a little spare money now, it's better to buy early; it would be too late if buying and selling aren't allowed in the future."

"That is the truth."

At the banquet at noon, Yi Zhonghai was nowhere to be seen. Lao Jia could understand; this kind of thing was undoubtedly rubbing salt into Lao Yi's wounds, so he didn't have anyone go call him, but instead had He Daqing prepare a portion for Yi Zhonghai's wife to take back to eat.

"It's the same chef as last time, right? Once you taste this flavor, you can't forget it."

"Yes, this food is truly authentic."

Listening to everyone's praise, He Daqing's eyes crinkled until they were invisible, and he swung his large ladle with even more vigor.