Wan Dongcheng got drunk and completely forgot about Li Shiping and the child.
After a few shots of liquor, everyone’s faces were flushed and their necks swollen with alcohol. Wan’s older cousin took the chance to say, "Dongcheng, your cousin-in-law has never been to the city for a stroll, and hearing that your family is from there, she really wants to visit for a few days. I didn’t ask you or Shiping about it, so I didn’t agree to it."
"How is that a big deal?" Wan Dongcheng, who was truly drunk, didn’t even consider his older cousin’s words and just agreed, "Older cousin, you can tell cousin-in-law tomorrow night that after she comes back from her family’s home in three days, she can go to the city to have fun. She can stay as long as she likes, and I’ll cover all the expenses."
"Dongcheng, I really appreciate it. Having you as a cousin makes me proud wherever I go." Elated, Wan’s older cousin raised his glass and gulped down another drink.
The group continued drinking until 9:30 PM, all staggering around. Since they had to fetch the bride and host the wedding banquet the next day, Wan Dongcheng went back with them in the dark.
Once at his older cousin’s house, he lay down in the new room and fell asleep. When he opened his eyes again, it was already light, and everyone was preparing to set off. Wan Dongcheng washed his face at the well, and as soon as he stood up, he heard someone calling out.
"Zhao Xinlan?" Wan Dongcheng looked up to see Zhao Xinlan tilting her head to look at him. Surprised to encounter his student, he asked, "What are you doing here?"
"Mr. Wan, is it really you?" Recognizing Wan Dongcheng, Zhao Xinlan jumped up excitedly. "My family is from this village, and I came to help with welcoming the new bride today."
In those days, it wasn’t common to have bridesmaids, but when men and women got married, they would still find two unmarried girls to help fetch the new bride. Zhao Xinlan was of suitable age and on holiday; hearing there was a red envelope (gift money) to be had, she had volunteered with zest.
Hearing this, Wan Dongcheng said, "This is my uncle’s home."
"That’s quite a coincidence then." Zhao Xinlan’s smile grew even happier. She thought Mr. Wan was handsome, and many girls discussed him behind his back. They would blush when they saw him outside the classroom, and she too liked Mr. Wan, thinking he always dressed smartly, far more stylish than the male students.
What could Wan Dongcheng say he was proudest of since he started teaching? It was the admiring gazes of these adolescent girls. He understood it but chose to pretend he didn’t know.
Now, seeing that look again outside the school evoked a different feeling in him. He deliberately put on his teacher’s air and said,
"We’re about to fetch the bride, hurry up and get ready."
Zhao Xinlan nodded and turned to look for the other girl who was helping with the bride.
Wan Dongcheng’s mouth curved into a smug smile. He straightened his collar and went to find his older cousin.
As the group set off to fetch the bride, Zhao Xinlan ran up to Wan Dongcheng and walked alongside him. "Mr. Wan, I heard that wedding pranks can get quite rough here. When we get there, please look out for me!"
Here, there was an unsavory custom where the bride’s party would tease and play jokes on the girls fetching the bride. This was one of the reasons many young women were reluctant to help fetch brides.
"Don’t worry, I won’t let anyone bully you. Such bad traditions should be abolished." Wan Dongcheng relished Zhao Xinlan’s admiring gaze.
Zhao Xinlan was delighted and took the chance to ask, "You’ll be heading back to the city this afternoon, right? Can I go with you? My family is all helping out at your uncle’s, and no one can take me to school." Follow current novels on 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹✶𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲✶𝗻𝗲𝘁