513 A Make-up Wedding Ceremony
Old Madam Zhang ran out shakily. When she reached the door, she even tripped and had a big fall. She did not have time to check where she was injured but just stood up and continued running. She would probably discover that she had grazed her skin when she got back.
After the bullies left, everyone gathered around and exchanged warm greetings. Their main purpose was to get a closer look at Qiao Mei’s husband!
Back then, Qiao Mei was the only one who organized the wedding and the groom did not even show up. They could all finally get to know one another now, and they considered him to be part of the village from now on!
Qiao Mei was forcefully pushed out of the crowd but she was not angry at all. She stared at Xia Zhe with her big eyes and sat in the pavilion, gloating over his misfortune.
“Qiao Mei! So this is your husband! He’s so handsome!” Auntie Dong could not stop smiling when she saw Xia Zhe, as if she was looking at her own son-in-law.
“That’s right. Back then, we didn’t believe what Qiao Mei said about you being tall and handsome! At that time, you came and left the village in a hurry and we didn’t get to know each other properly. Now it seems that Qiao Mei is telling the truth!” Auntie Wang said.
As everyone chattered, Xia Zhe was quickly surrounded by the women in the village who kept asking him questions.
“Look at his build. He can definitely do hard work!”
“He’s a soldier! That’s for the country! He’s a hero! What hard work!”
“That’s right, that’s right! What’s your name!”
Xia Zhe was so stunned by the aunties’ enthusiasm that he did not dare to move. He stood stiffly on the spot and stammered, “My… my name is Xia Zhe!”
“What a good name! Hahahaha!”
“Xiao Zhe, do you know any nice young men in the army! My daughter is 20 years old this year. She’s beautiful and capable! Please help out!”
“Me too! My daughter too!”
“Auntie Li! It’s too early for you to say that! Your daughter is only 16 years old! What’s the hurry!” Qiao Mei shouted with a smile.
“That’s right! Let my daughter go first!” Auntie Wang said.
Xia Zhe hurriedly looked to Qiao Mei for help. If he did not leave this place soon, this group of women would probably disassemble him and bring him home.
Qiao Mei shouted loudly, “Everyone helped a lot when I was not in the village! Don’t go back yet today! Let’s have a good meal at my house! We’ll treat you to good food and drinks!”
Taking advantage of the fact that everyone was around today, as well as the rare occasion that Xia Zhe could be around, she decided to hold a make-up wedding ceremony so that there would be a lively celebration in the village.
“I have salted vegetables at home. Wait for me to bring them over!”
“And my house! I have sauerkraut! Two full jars! Wait for me to go back and move them over with my husband to make something delicious for everyone!”
“I’ll go back and get some too! Wait for me!”
Everyone went back to their homes to bring out the best things they had. Qiao Mei was always very generous and willing to treat them to meat, so they also had to take out what they had at home and could not be stingy.
Qiao Mei stood up to help, but Auntie Dong pressed her back down on the chair and said, “You’re already so far in your pregnancy. Just take a good rest. The few of us are enough!”
Qiao Mei called Zhang Wei over and said, “Xiao Wei! Bring your brother-in-law to the old mister’s place at the village entrance to buy some liquor. Remember to get the best kind. Also, ask the old mister to bring his wife over for dinner. If the two of you buy too many things, get the old mister to send them over with his vehicle. Do you remember everything I say?”
Zhang Wei stood rooted to the ground. In the past, he often ran errands at home and helped to buy things for his family, but he did not seem enthusiastic this time.
“What’s wrong? Did Zhang Qian hurt you just now?” Qiao Mei asked anxiously.
Zhang Wei said fearfully, “He didn’t hit me… But elder sister, can I not go with my brother-in-law… I know how to buy the things myself…”
“Then go with Zhang Chao. I’ll be worried if you go alone. If you encounter any danger, remember to find someone nearby to help, understand?” Qiao Mei instructed.
Zhang Wei and Zhang Chao took the money and set off. These two children had learned how to ride bicycles when they had nothing to do and disappeared in a flash.
Zhang Qin and Zhang Miao also ran into the house and peeked at Xia Zhe and Qiao Mei curiously and fearfully through the small window.
Xia Zhe thought that the children did not like him and were unwilling to get close to him. He asked dejectedly, “Do the younger siblings not like me? Was I too fierce just now?”
Qiao Mei looked at Xia Zhe awkwardly. This matter was actually her fault.
“It’s not that they don’t like you. It’s just that I always use your name to scare them and I say that you’re scarier than a big wild boar…” Qiao Mei said softly.