After registering their marriage and picking up some essential items in the county town, Su Wanning and Lu Zhanxiao’s wedding was officially set in motion. In the small courtyard of the Lu family’s third branch, Chen Xiulian could be seen bustling about every day—mending quilts, tidying the yard—her face wearing a constant smile.
That afternoon, the women gathered in the yard to pick vegetables, and the usual scheming began. Li Cuifen sidled up to Chen Xiulian, wearing a fake smile and speaking with exaggerated earnestness, “Mom, the youngest son’s wedding is a big event for our family. Even if we’re keeping it simple, shouldn’t we at least notify our relatives and friends? When people come to congratulate, we can’t just turn them away—that would be so embarrassing!”
Wang Qin quickly put down her vegetables to chime in. “Yes, Mom! It’s all about etiquette. If people bring gifts, we have to prepare a table and a feast to entertain them. Otherwise, word will spread that the Lu family doesn’t know manners!”
Their little schemes were clear—they wanted to host the banquet so they could handle the gifts, and even if they couldn’t openly pocket any, they could still benefit in secret. Plus, it was an excuse to have a big feast for themselves.
But Chen Xiulian, being reborn, was no longer a woman who could be fooled by a few words. Sitting on a small stool in the yard, mending a celebratory cloth, she didn’t even look up and said calmly, “No need.”
“Ah?” Li Cuifen and Wang Qin froze, unable to respond.
Chen Xiulian continued stitching, slowly adding, “Zhanxiao’s wedding won’t involve any gifts. We’ll just keep it within the family, have a simple meal—no need to notify anyone.”
Her words were like a lock, completely shutting down Li Cuifen and Wang Qin’s schemes. No gifts? No invitations? Then what were they hoping for? Their smiles instantly froze, lips twitching. Inwardly, they cursed this stubborn old woman a thousand times, but seeing Chen Xiulian’s unwavering expression, they didn’t dare speak another word and begrudgingly lowered their heads to continue picking vegetables, crushing the leaves in their frustration.
The wedding feast was scheduled for two days later. Early that morning, as the sun rose, an intoxicating aroma of meat filled the Lu family third branch’s courtyard—it was so rich it seemed to grab the nose, teasing appetites relentlessly.
The first and second branches, hearing the smell, were practically driven mad. Li Cuifen peeked into the kitchen on tiptoe, stretching her neck like a giraffe; Wang Qin came over, eyes wide.
What they saw shocked them. In the kitchen, a large iron pot simmered with chunky braised pork, the skin glossy and red, perfectly balanced with fat and lean, cooked tenderly with rich broth steaming up, filling the air with its aroma.
Nearby, a small table held a cleaned wild chicken, feathers plucked to reveal white flesh, and a fish weighing over three catties, its scales glinting, fresh and inviting. There were also crisp green vegetables and a basket of dazzlingly white refined rice—luxuries normally reserved for special occasions.
“Oh my God! Where did they get all this good stuff?” Wang Qin’s eyes were red with envy as she swallowed hard.
Li Cuifen’s face looked like burnt ashes—angry and bitter. She recalled a few days ago when Lu Zhanxiao and Su Wanning had gone up the mountain and brought back game; she had hoped to get a share, but they hadn’t given any. Now all of it was kept for themselves!
Even more humiliating, she remembered how she had mocked Su Wanning recently, claiming she couldn’t cook a proper meal. But looking at the scene before her—this was no ordinary meal; it was a feast that could make anyone drool! She felt her face burning as if someone had beaten it with a shoe.
In truth, these lavish ingredients came from Su Wanning’s storage space. She had prepared for this banquet in advance—she didn’t need noisy guests or fake congratulations. With this extraordinary feast, she intended to crush Li Cuifen’s vicious predictions and show everyone that Su Wanning not only saved lives but could also provide a good life for herself and her family.
Su Wanning herself was in charge of cooking, wearing the new apron Chen Xiulian had made for her, moving skillfully at the stove. The chopping of meat went “thud, thud, thud,” precise and steady, pieces uniform in size; seasoning with salt, soy sauce, and vinegar was just right, releasing an even stronger aroma.
Chen Xiulian assisted, preparing vegetables and keeping the fire, smiling continuously since early morning. Watching Su Wanning’s proficiency, she was increasingly satisfied—this was no delicate city girl. She was capable in the hall, skilled in the kitchen, and could even save lives. She felt luckier than anyone else that her youngest son was marrying Su Wanning.
By noon, the banquet officially began. A square table was set in the courtyard, piled high with dishes: glossy braised pork, fragrant wild chicken soup, steaming steamed fish, and stir-fried greens, each dish full of color, aroma, and flavor, the scent drifting far.
The children from the first and second branches had already been drawn by the smell, staring eagerly at the dishes, drooling like little rivers. Lu Dabao, the eldest son’s six-year-old boy, was the hungriest. Tugging at Li Cuifen’s clothes with a pout, he pleaded, “Mom, I want meat too… I haven’t eaten meat in so long…”
Li Cuifen was angry and anxious but too embarrassed to demand it. After hesitating, she reluctantly pushed Lu Dabao toward the third branch, “Go! Ask your third uncle! Tell him you want some!”
Lu Dabao shot toward the table like a little cannonball, stretching his little blackened hands toward the braised pork.
Before he could touch it, a sharp gaze fell on him. It was Chen Xiulian! She set down her chopsticks, her face stern. “Go back! Ask your mother for your meat!”
Lu Dabao froze mid-reach, eyes red with grievance, too scared to move.
Li Cuifen at the gate quickly tried to interject, “Mom, the child is young, he doesn’t understand…”
“Shut your mouth!” Chen Xiulian snapped without looking up, her voice full of authority. “Mind your own child! Today is my youngest son’s special day. If anyone dares to cause trouble, don’t blame me for turning against them!”
Li Cuifen’s face immediately turned dark red. She stood there, stuck, unable to advance or retreat, utterly embarrassed. A few neighbors passing by chuckled secretly—everyone knew how Li Cuifen liked to take advantage, and today she had met her match.
At that moment, Zhang Shan and her family arrived at the courtyard. She carried a basket of eggs, her husband a piece of cloth, and Huzi followed holding a wild chrysanthemum, all smiling sincerely.
“Xiulian sister! Congratulations!” Zhang Shan called out loudly. “Wanning, happy wedding! This is just a little something, don’t mind it!”
Su Wanning exchanged a glance with Chen Xiulian and smiled. Chen Xiulian quickly set down her chopsticks and warmly welcomed them, “Zhang family, come in! Don’t be so polite!”
“Of course, of course!” Zhang Shan waved her hands. “If it weren’t for Wanning, Huzi wouldn’t be alive. This is nothing!”
Su Wanning stood to personally help Zhang Shan to a seat at the table, served her a bowl of rice, and added a piece of braised pork. “Zhang Shan, have a taste. I hope you like it. Nothing fancy, just a family meal.”
The words “family meal” politely and closely marked the boundary with Li Cuifen and Wang Qin. Zhang Shan was deeply touched, saying quickly, “Oh, thank you, Wanning, you’re too polite!”
Soon, a few neighbors who were on good terms with Lu Zhanxiao also came by, bringing sugar, cloth, and blessings. Su Wanning and Chen Xiulian greeted each of them warmly and invited them to the table, filling the courtyard with laughter and cheer.
Lu Zhanxiao sat beside Su Wanning. Though he spoke little, he quietly helped serve her food, his eyes full of tenderness. Su Wanning felt his care and smiled softly, a warm feeling spreading through her chest.