In the courtyard, the chunk of pork was laid out on a wooden board, and in an instant, a large crowd gathered around it.
“My goodness! That’s so much pork!”
“How many dishes can they make with all that?”
“In all my life, I’ve never seen anyone be this generous at a wedding!”
“Exactly! They’re being unbelievably lavish!
“With a wedding like this, I bet our village won’t see another one like it for ten years!”
More and more people from Dalaoba Village gathered around, forming several layers of spectators. When Lin Jingwan came outside, she saw everyone staring eagerly at the meat, swallowing hard.
Zhao Dafen tugged on Lin Jingwan’s sleeve.
“Jingwan, are you really going to use all this meat for the banquet today? There’s no way we can finish it all!”
Lin Jingwan noticed one of the children staring at the pork as though he wanted to open his mouth and take a bite right then and there.
She had already made up her mind.
She had never been a stingy or miserly person.
Money and supplies were certainly important, but in times like these, human connections and goodwill were worth far more than a few pounds of pork.
So she walked into the courtyard, climbed onto the highest spot, and called out loudly,
“Fellow villagers. I, Lin Jingwan, grew up here in Dalaoba Village. Throughout my life, I’ve received care and help from the elders and neighbors in the village. I’ve always kept that kindness in my heart.”
The noisy crowd instantly fell silent.
“I know very well that everyone’s life is difficult these days. Every household is short of oil and meat. Today, as Li Zhaoye and I are getting married, our intention is simply to share our happiness with everyone. So, I’ve decided…”
At those words, everyone looked at her in unison, waiting for what she would say next.
“I’ve decided that on my wedding day, I’ll treat everyone to a better meal!
“Anyone who lives in Dalaoba Village can go to the village chief and register!
“Every household can receive two jin of pork, so everyone can share in our wedding joy!”
As soon as her words fell, everyone stared at her wide-eyed, their faces filled with disbelief.
After a long moment, one villager finally asked,
“Did I hear that wrong?”
“Jingwan… you mean you’re willing to give each of us two jin of pork? For free? You’re not charging us anything?”
“That’s right.” Lin Jingwan nodded firmly.
But she quickly added a clarification.
During this period, giving things away for free could potentially cause someone to be accused of “capitalist” behavior, so she needed to frame it properly.
“However, no one should take it for nothing. I’ll be leaving the village temporarily tomorrow, and there’ll be no one to look after my house. If it leaks when it rains or snows, or if anything else happens, I’d appreciate it if everyone could keep an eye on the place.”
“Of course! What’s wrong with that? We’re just looking after a house!”
“Exactly! It’s nothing. Just a small favor!”
The entire crowd erupted into discussion.
“Leave it to us!”
“Exactly! It’s two whole jin of pork! We can make dumplings with this! My children have been craving meat for months!”
“Forget looking after your house for a while. I’d happily look after it for an entire year! Getting two jin of pork for that where else could you find such a good deal?”
“I’ve lived for more than forty years, and I’ve never seen anyone give away pork at their wedding! Jingwan and Comrade Li are incredibly generous!”
“Exactly! We can celebrate the New Year ahead of time!”
The villagers cheered enthusiastically, while the children jumped and shouted with excitement.
The village chief had already come out of the house.
Watching the atmosphere, he couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
That girl from the Lin family really knew how to win people’s hearts!
She was incredibly skilled at handling relationships!
Then again, she really was willing to give. She had practically given away an entire pig!
Fortunately, there were only about a hundred households in the village, so the more than two hundred jin of pork would be just enough to distribute.
“Alright!” the village chief called out. “This meat is to celebrate Jingwan’s marriage. Remember, it’s not a gift, and it’s not free food. In return, you’ll be keeping an eye on her house!”
“Yes, yes, yes! We understand!”
The rest was handled quickly.
The village chief had people carry away the pork and find an open space. The accountant was responsible for keeping the records, while the men handled the distribution of the meat.
Meanwhile, Lin Jingwan and Li Zhaoye stood before a portrait of the revered leader and recited their marriage vows.
“We willingly enter into marriage. From this day forward, we will be revolutionary comrades, comrades-in-arms who stand side by side, and partners who will accompany each other for the rest of our lives.
“In the years to come, we will help and support one another, treat each other with honesty, share honor and disgrace, and walk hand in hand through every day and every night.”
When their vows ended, everyone in the courtyard cheered, and applause broke out all around them.
Lin Jingwan lowered her fist and glanced at Li Zhaoye beside her. For some reason, an inexplicable flutter rose in her heart.
She couldn’t explain why. Her heart was simply beating too fast, and her cheeks felt a little hot.
She secretly cursed herself for being so hopeless.
Why was she getting shy?
First, they saluted the revered leader. Second, they saluted the revolutionary masses. Finally, the bride and groom bowed to each other.
With that, the ceremony was over, and it was time for the wedding toasts.
Four tables had been set up in the small courtyard. There weren’t many tables, but the food was incredibly abundant, with eight meat dishes alone.
The first table was reserved for the village chief and the village cadres. Everyone raised their glasses with smiles and offered their congratulations.
“Happy wedding! We wish you an early child!”
The second table was arranged for the elders of the family.
Since Lin Jingwan was now the only remaining member of the Lin family, this table was occupied by Li Zhanfeng and his wife, Zhao Ru, along with the driver who had accompanied them.
Blessings and congratulations filled the table.
“Congratulations on your wedding! May you be together for a hundred years!”
The third table had been specially arranged by Lin Jingwan for the village’s elderly residents over seventy years old. Regardless of whose family they belonged to, every great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother in the village had been invited.
As for the final table, Lin Jingwan had deliberately reserved it for Hanhan and Luoluo.
The two little ones excitedly invited their usual playmates. A group of half-grown children sat around the table, their heads still spinning with excitement, their hearts filled with disbelief.
They never in their lives imagined that they would get a seat at the main table.
A spot even their fathers, mothers, and grandfathers hadn’t managed to secure!
When they heard they were going to be seated there, they had practically wanted to jump in and fight for a place themselves!
Looking at all the meat and vegetable dishes spread across the table, their eyes lit up. They ate until their mouths were greasy with oil.
They had made up their minds. From now on, Lin Yihan and Lin Luoluo would be their forever big brother and their most beloved little sister!
Gao Erniu, in particular, ate to his heart’s content. His father hadn’t even come home for lunch, so he had been stuck at home gnawing on a dry steamed bun.
There was also a skinny, small boy at the table. He ate incredibly quickly, constantly shoveling food into his mouth with his little hands.
In the blink of an eye, only the last piece of chicken remained on the plate.
Gao Erniu and Lu Chengzhu reached for it at the same time.
“Brother Erniu…” Lu Chengzhu said timidly.
“Hmph. You’re just a kid who lives in the cowshed. The only reason you’re sitting at this table today is because Luoluo asked for it. And you still dare to fight me for food? Keep it up and I’ll beat you up.”
“Brother Erniu!” Luoluo frowned slightly. “Did you enjoy the food today?”
“It was delicious! This is the most luxurious banquet I’ve ever eaten in my entire life. Especially the rabbit stewed with potatoes it was amazing!”
“Then, am I good to you?”
“Of course! You’re my cutest little sister!”
“Brother Erniu,” Luoluo said seriously as she looked at him. “There’s something I want to ask you to help me with. Can you promise?”
“Tell me. As long as it’s something I can do, I’ll definitely help!”
“Dazhu is my best friend, but the other people in the village are always bullying him. What should we do when I’m not here anymore?”
As soon as she said this, Gao Erniu’s expression became troubled. He wasn’t stupid; he immediately understood what she meant.
Seeing this, Hanhan pulled a wooden gun from inside his clothes and held it out to Gao Erniu.
His brother-in-law had made it for him that morning after taking him hunting. He really loved it, but seeing how pitiful Dazhu was, he could only reluctantly give it up.
He could always ask his brother-in-law to make him another one!
The moment Gao Erniu saw the imposing wooden gun, he immediately thumped his chest.
“Don’t worry, Luoluo! From now on, I’ll protect Lu Chengzhu. No one is going to bully him!”
Seven-year-old Lu Chengzhu’s eyes turned red.
Since he was three years old, he had lived with his grandfather in the cowshed. Usually, only Luoluo and Hanhan were willing to play with him. Whenever someone bullied him, these two little ones were the only ones who would stand up for him.
Now, looking at his friends in front of him, his heart ached. But he would remember their kindness forever.
The little episode among the children at the table went unnoticed by the adults in the courtyard. Lin Jingwan was accompanying several elderly people at the third table, chatting casually with them. She also learned quite a bit of news from their conversations.
The lively wedding banquet eventually came to an end, and the guests gradually departed. The small courtyard finally returned to peace and quiet.
Tonight, Li Zhaoye moved into Lin Jingwan’s room.