Chapter 36: A Lively and Joyous Wedding Procession

The sixth day of the lunar new year was a joyous occasion, marking the wedding of Lin Junwan and Li Yonggang. It was a rare, beautiful day with mild weather and clear skies.

At dawn, as the first rays of sunlight peeked through the window lattice, the Lin household was already bustling with excitement. The bride-price offered by Li Yonggang—five hundred yuan and a Phoenix-brand bicycle—had shocked the entire village. While a five-hundred-yuan bride-price was not unheard of, given the financial state of the Li family, such generosity was truly eye-opening. The villagers whispered among themselves, marveling at the deep affection between the couple and the immense effort made by the Li family.

As Lin Junsheng set off a string of firecrackers, the entire village seemed infected by the festive atmosphere. The red paper scraps danced and spiraled in the air like crimson snowflakes before settling slowly, paving a red carpet toward happiness. Liu Siyao, startled awake by the sudden commotion, rushed out of her room before even combing her hair, momentarily dazed by the sight before her. Villagers of all ages, from the elderly to the children, had spontaneously joined in—some carrying round tables, others lugging stools. Every face was wreathed in smiles, as if this were not just a celebration for the Lin family, but a festival for the whole village.

As for the highlight of the wedding—the feast—it had been entrusted to the renowned Chef Wang from the neighboring village. With his superb culinary skills, he had prepared memorable banquets for countless families. In these times of scarcity, everyone relished the chance to attend a feast, especially one where meat would be served. The host would collect ration coupons for grain and meat in advance—local coupons, of course—and hand them over to Chef Wang along with the money, leaving the arrangements entirely in his capable hands.

Liu Siyao returned to the bedroom to carefully smooth out her hair, which had been tousled by the morning breeze. Lin Junwan, the bride-to-be, was still lost in sleep. To ensure her makeup remained perfect after her trip to the county seat, she had stayed awake all night. Now, she enjoyed this brief peace, perhaps dreaming of the beautiful future she would share with Li Yonggang. Liu Siyao kept watch by her side, terrified that she might ruin her makeup if she shifted in her sleep.

Everything proceeded in an orderly fashion. While some families hosted distant relatives the night before, the Lin courtyard was already filled with the thick, festive aroma of the impending feast. Though Lin Junsheng’s aunt had yet to appear, his second uncle, Lin Guodong, arrived early with a beaming smile. As this was a significant day, Lin Junsheng naturally made sure to welcome him warmly. Following behind Lin Guodong were his wife, Zhang Guilian, and then the eldest brother, Lin Junxiang, with his gentle wife, Qin Yulan, and the second brother, Lin Junren. The arrival of the entire family turned the small courtyard into a scene of great liveliness.

The eldest brother and his wife held a grudge against the second uncle and made no effort to hide their cold expressions. It was the second uncle’s fault, and they were simple, honest people who wore their hearts on their sleeves; they could not feign warmth like those more duplicitous. If not for the wedding, they likely would not have been in the same room. The third sister’s attendance remained uncertain, as classes were of paramount importance—in those days, one would hardly take leave unless it was for the funeral of a parent. However, the aunt and uncle had confirmed their arrival, and if the third sister did manage to take leave, she would accompany them. The eldest sister and her cousin were unable to attend due to busy work schedules at their respective factories and units. The presence of the aunt and uncle was enough to represent that side of the family, especially since their daughter, Liu Siyao, was already there.

According to local custom, families held their own morning feasts, and at noon, once Li Yonggang collected the bride, everyone would head to his home for the main banquet. If the marriage were long-distance, the banquet would be held at the bride's home; for a local marriage, it was held at the groom's.

By eleven o'clock, a black Camry sedan drove slowly toward them like an elegant panther, tracing a smooth arc along the dusty path. Liu Siyao’s ears seemed equipped with radar; the moment she heard the familiar sound of the engine, she called out to Lin Junsheng like a happy little bird, urging him to join her in welcoming the guests. Li Aimei and the other relatives stepped outside, their faces lit with enthusiastic smiles. In 1982, such a car was a rare sight, and Lin Junsheng knew it belonged to his uncle’s work unit—only a minor official like him could borrow it.

The car doors opened, and out stepped Liu Siyao’s uncle, Liu Guoan, and her aunt, Lin Huijuan. Liu Guoan wore a deep blue suit, perfectly tailored to highlight his upright posture, with a crisp white shirt cuff visible at the wrist and a festive red tie. His hair was meticulously styled in a slicked-back look popular for the era, and his polished black leather shoes added to his dapper appearance. Beside him, Aunt Lin Huijuan looked elegant in a fresh, floral-patterned dress. Her hair was carefully pinned up, revealing her slender neck and graceful features. Her refined, urban style stood in stark contrast to the rustic air of the village. She was so well-maintained that one might mistake her for Li Aimei’s younger sister, even though she was actually three years older.

After the exchange of greetings, Lin Junsheng felt a twinge of disappointment upon realizing the third sister had not come. He asked softly, "Did the third sister not come?"

Lin Huijuan smiled and explained, "The girl said her textbooks are too important right now to ask for leave. But she specially prepared a gift for her sister." She reached into her bag and pulled out a delicate glass jar filled with colorful paper stars—a simple, heartfelt blessing. Lin Junsheng accepted the gift on behalf of Lin Junwan.

The group walked into the house to visit the great-uncle, inquiring about his health. Afterward, they went to the bedroom to see Lin Junwan. With her makeup complete, she looked truly beautiful. As the hour approached, it was time to head to Li Yonggang’s house to deliver the gift money. Lin Junsheng would accompany them to present the dowry, while the great-uncle, Li Aimei, and the second uncle would follow with the wedding procession.