A few days later.
Gu Changsheng woke up to a surprisingly refreshing day. Stretching, he got up, freshened up, and made his way to the Dong residence as usual.
This had become his daily routine since he came here.
Really, being at home is being at home after all. No worries, no tension.
As he neared the Dong residence, he saw that it was shimmering with lights, as if there were a grand festive celebration taking place.
Villagers were going in and out of the residence. Some carried various things, while others commanded and instructed those doing the decorations.
One of them, a middle-aged man, noticed Gu Changsheng, nodded approvingly, and muttered.
"Even Changsheng has become an adult now. When will my San’er be..."
"Hmph! Changsheng is a good boy, while your lecherous son San’er..."
Another man beside him, hearing this, couldn’t help but poke at the sore spot.
Gu Changsheng wasn’t the most popular kid in the village, but he had a good reputation, helping his peers and respecting his elders.
And most importantly, he was also pleasing to the eye.
A man took Gu Changsheng inside the house, skipping a few rooms and entering one decorated exquisitely. Inside were a few older women ready to mess— Ahem—dress him up.
Even though he knew today was his marriage, the eagerness and excitement of the villagers still caught him off guard, while also blooming joy in his heart.
The moment the makeup ladies closed the doors, his transformation began.
...
*Dōng**Dōng*
*Qiāng**Qiāng*
*Cā**Cā*
*Dōng**Dōng*
Music began echoing throughout the residence as the marriage commenced.
An amazing spectacle was seen in the courtyard, where everyone had gathered. Rows of tables were filled with an array of food, with various dishes to choose from.
But the real show wasn’t the food; it was the couple in the center.
Dong Mulan, dressed in a vibrant red wedding gown, a golden phoenix hairpin holding her dark hair in place, her face a masterpiece of delicate makeup. She was a vision, a goddess descended to the mortal realm.
And Gu Changsheng, no longer the lanky youth they remembered, but a young man in a deep red robe, embroidered with silver thread that shimmered like moonlight on water.
His hair was tied back neatly, a silver crown resting on his brow. He stood tall, his shoulders back, a quiet confidence in his posture that hadn’t been there before.
The villagers gasped.
Although they knew Dong Mulan had received a spiritual opportunity in the mountain, this... this was something else. It was as if she had been polished, refined, the rough edges smoothed away to reveal the precious gem beneath.
Dong Yang and Su Lan stood proudly, their faces beaming.
Their daughter, their beautiful, talented daughter, was marrying a fine young man, someone who would protect her and cherish her.
The ceremony was a blur of rituals and blessings. They bowed to the heavens, to the earth, and to the village elders. They bowed to each other, their eyes meeting, a silent promise passing between them.
Then, it was time for the banquet.
The villagers feasted, their laughter and chatter filling the air. They raised their cups to the couple, their voices a chorus of good wishes.
Gu Changsheng and Dong Mulan moved from table to table, offering toasts, their smiles genuine, their hearts full.
As the night wore on, the energy of the celebration began to shift. The older folks started to trickle away, their bellies full and their hearts content.
The younger generation took over, their laughter turning into playful teasing.
"Hey, Changsheng! When are you going to show us some of that immortal magic?"
A young man, a childhood friend of Gu Changsheng, called out, a mischievous grin on his face.
"Yeah! Make a fireball! Or fly!"
Another one chimed in, egging him on.
Gu Changsheng laughed, shaking his head. He didn’t know too much about cultivation himself.
"I’m just a beginner for now."
He said, a humble smile on his face.
"I can’t do any of that fancy stuff yet."
But the crowd was persistent. They had seen the change in him, the way he carried himself, the aura of power that now surrounded him.
They wanted proof, a taste of the world he had entered.
Dong Mulan, seeing his predicament, stepped in.
"Alright, alright!"
She said, her voice a gentle melody.
"Let him be. It’s our wedding night, after all."
She winked at him, a playful glint in her eyes.
Gu Changsheng’s heart skipped a beat. He looked at her, at the love and trust in her eyes, and a warmth spread through his chest.
He decided to give them a little something, a small taste of what immortals could do.
He winked towards Dong Yang, which he swiftly understood, and came up with a piece of paper.
Gu Changsheng took it and lit it up, causing a small, shimmering orb of light to appear in his palm.
The crowd gasped, their eyes wide with wonder.
The orb grew brighter, casting a soft, ethereal glow on their faces.
Then, with a flick of his wrist, Gu Changsheng sent it soaring into the night sky, where it burst into a thousand tiny stars, a miniature galaxy that shimmered for a moment before fading away.
The village went silent for a beat, then erupted into a roar of applause and cheers.
They had seen fireworks for the first time in their lives.
Gu Changsheng smiled, a genuine, happy smile. He had shown them a glimpse of his new life, but he had also shown them that he was still one of them.
As the last of the revelers finally departed, leaving behind a mess of empty plates and spilled wine, the courtyard fell into a peaceful silence.
The moon, a perfect silver coin in the inky sky, cast long shadows across the empty tables.
Gu Changsheng took Dong Mulan’s hand, her fingers lacing through his.
She nodded understandingly, without saying a word, her cheeks flushing a delicate shade of pink.
He led her towards their new home, a small, newly built house next to his old one. It was a gift from the village, a token of their love and support for the couple.
He pushed open the door, revealing a simple but elegantly furnished room.