Slowly, Shūxīn had been working at the train station for two or three months, and both her business and her job had stabilized.
The autumn harvest had just ended when the Liǔ family began preparing for cousin Shūlán’s wedding. The date had already been set.
Weddings nowadays were relatively simple. Wealthy families could host a few banquet tables; for less affluent families, a daughter could just gather her belongings and go to her husband’s home.
Of course, the Liǔ family wanted to do it properly. That day, after finishing work and dropping off her luggage, Shūxīn went straight to the mountains. Originally, Grandpa Liǔ had asked Liǔ Jiànjūn to buy meat from the commune meat factory, but Shūxīn thought that was a waste of money—she could get a wild boar herself.
With her abilities, catching a wild boar was no problem. In addition to the boar, she hunted several rabbits and pheasants. One animal per table was sufficient; even dividing one animal across two tables was fine.
In the countryside, a wedding feast of this scale marked the Liǔ family as well-off. With Shūxīn working in the city, outsiders wouldn’t think twice about the lavish preparations. Without her income, the family wouldn’t have been able to host such a grand event.
When Shūxīn returned home carrying the boar and other game, Granny Liǔ and her two daughters-in-law began preparing it. They wouldn’t use the entire boar for the banquet—they’d save some for the family, as using it all would be extravagant.
Shūxīn first went to the kitchen to boil water and wash up, then visited Shūlán’s room to see her cousin and deliver her wedding gifts.
In Shūlán’s room, she found her sitting on the kang with a few close friends, happily chatting. Oh, and her fiancé was there too, getting along well with the girls.
Over time, the Liǔ village had come to accept Luó Yuè’s feminine behavior. Now, when village girls talked or joked with him, no one gossiped.
In fact, Luó Yuè was able to integrate into the girls’ group because of cousin Shūlán. Spending more time at the Liǔ household, he had interacted with Shūlán often enough that she naturally brought the gentle, delicate young husband into her circle.
Seeing Shūxīn enter, Luó Yuè immediately abandoned the girls and ran to her side, linking arms and helping her sit on a bench. The girls watching rolled their eyes at his antics.
“Sis, here’s your dowry from me. I had someone exchange tickets to buy you a watch—you can wear it at the Lǐ family’s house and feel confident. I also picked out a hot water kettle and a blanket for you.”
Shūxīn handed the gifts over. Shūlán’s friends couldn’t help but envy her—just the watch cost nearly a hundred yuan, and the blanket looked luxurious. How lucky Shūlán was to have such a generous sister; why couldn’t it have been them?
Shūlán was stunned by her sister’s generosity, but also a little concerned—how much had this cost?
“This is too expensive. You don’t have to get all this. The dowry my family prepared is already considered generous for the surrounding villages. You even bought me a red dress and little shoes before; that’s enough. Why buy such expensive things now? Won’t it make life harder for you?”
“It’s fine, Sis. You’re my only sister—if I don’t treat you well, who else should I? I have a job now; buying you nice things is no problem. Take them, or I’ll get angry—you know my temper.”
Seeing her sister insist, Shūlán no longer protested. She knew her well—once she offers something, she doesn’t like it pushed back and forth. In the future, she’d make sure her parents and brothers kept an eye on her young husband, which she thought would be the best way to repay her sister.
Why watch the husband instead of the sister? Her sister was capable and self-sufficient in both work and life. With the situation as it was, her future household would have Luó Yuè managing domestic matters, and Shūxīn managing the outside. So it made sense to pay more attention to the brother-in-law.
By dusk, the Lǐ family had arrived to receive the betrothal gifts. They had given 28 yuan, which had initially made the parents hesitate, but seeing Shūlán’s lavish dowry, their worry turned to joy.
The dowry included four quilts, a dressing table, a wardrobe, and various other items that could fill several carts. On top of that, Shūxīn had gifted a watch and blanket, making them feel like they should honor her even more.
When they had first met, they liked Shūlán for her gentle and virtuous nature. Soon after the engagement, they learned that the bride’s cousin had started working in the city. At the time, the parents and grandparents were glad they acted quickly—any delay might have cost them a daughter-in-law from the Liǔ family.
A few days earlier, when preparing the betrothal gift, they had increased it from 18 to 28 yuan because of the bride’s cousin. Their older daughters-in-law had complained, but when the young daughter-in-law brought her dowry the next day, they had nothing to say.
That evening’s wedding feast had both noodles and meat, all top-quality dishes, giving the Lǐ family plenty of face. They also heard that the bride’s cousin had gone into the mountains to hunt a wild boar for the wedding banquet—truly showing the sisters’ close bond. Shūxīn quietly decided that Shūlán would be her favorite daughter-in-law in the Lǐ family, without question.
The next morning, Shūxīn personally dressed Shūlán, putting on the red dress and black shoes she had bought, tying a red scarf into a large flower and securing it in her hair, and applying a simple bridal makeup look.
Stepping back, Shūxīn admired her work—Shūlán looked more radiant than any flower, graceful, with cheeks flushed pink, utterly captivating.
Her beauty stunned everyone, especially the groom, who was completely enchanted.
When the eldest brother carried Shūlán out of the house and began walking to the Lǐ family, Shūxīn felt a mix of joy and sadness. She was happy that Shūlán was leaving the hardships of the Liú household for happiness, but sad that she wouldn’t see her as often. They had grown up together, and since the age of four had shared a room, their bond was deep.
Seeing the wedding procession nearly leave, Shūxīn snapped out of her thoughts and quickly followed, joining her two brothers to escort Shūlán.
As the most accomplished member of the Liǔ family, Shūxīn’s presence at the wedding was a sign of respect. Anyone who dared mistreat their daughter would first have to consider her.
At the Lǐ family, the parents couldn’t ignore Shūxīn. A young woman making her way in the city was not a simple matter. Others, learning she was the bride’s city-dwelling sister, eagerly tried to ingratiate themselves. Shūxīn remained cheerful throughout the meal.
No one dared to speak out of turn—everyone knew how much Shūxīn valued her cousin. The other two daughters-in-law in the Lǐ family were nervous and cautious. Previously, they had been unhappy with the 28-yuan betrothal gift, but seeing Shūlán’s lavish dowry left them speechless. Their own dowries had been only eight yuan, so they had no ground to challenge this wealthy young daughter-in-law, especially with a capable cousin like Shūxīn protecting her.
After the banquet, Shūxīn bade farewell to Shūlán with her two brothers. She wasn’t worried about Shūlán’s future; she could visit often, and with her presence, the Lǐ family wouldn’t dare neglect her cousin.