Volume 1, Chapter 21: Hosting the Wedding Banquet

“Sniff, sniff... What is that delicious aroma? Which household is cooking meat early this morning?”

“It seems to be the Su family. Could it be that Su is already preparing for the wedding banquet?”

“Didn’t Second Uncle say he would help organize it?”

“Who knows, but the Su family is so wealthy—they’re having meat for breakfast. Could it really be as Second Uncle said, that we just enjoy the feast and Su will pay the bill tonight?”

There was some doubt in everyone’s hearts about Second Uncle Liu Haizhong’s plan to assist Su in arranging the wedding banquet.

Yet the scent of meat was irresistible. Comparing it to their own pickles and plain broth, their minds began to scheme.

“We’ll hold the banquet. If Su dares to back out, we won’t let it happen.”

“The Su family is so rich; we might as well ‘divide the landlord’s grain’ and follow Second Uncle’s lead!”

After breakfast, Su Jian and Chu Yan hurried to Fourth Nine City.

“Xiao Yan, later we’ll go to the barber and get you a fashionable hairstyle to make you look beautiful.”

“Brother Jian, what does fashionable mean?”

“Fashionable means looking good, just like our beautiful little Yan!”

...

Upon seeing Su Jian leave, Second Uncle Liu Haizhong’s face lit up with delight. He then called out:

“Everyone listen carefully! You’re in charge of picking the vegetables. If you have meat or sausages at home, bring them out. After we finish eating, Su Jian will pay!”

The courtyard residents swiftly sprang into action, contributing their winter reserves and New Year’s food supplies.

Cured meats and treasured pork were laid out one by one, and tables from every household were moved into the courtyard and stacked together.

The women sat around, busy picking vegetables and washing meat; the men tidied the yard, arranged tables and chairs, handling the heavy tasks.

The entire courtyard instantly became lively and bustling.

Only Third Uncle Yan Bugui sat upright at the table, opening the ledger with the words “Wedding Banquet” boldly inscribed on the first page.

Beside him, Second Uncle Liu Haizhong supervised the accounts.

Liu Haizhong emphasized:

“Su Jian is rarely going to hold a wedding banquet. As elders, we must watch closely and not make any mistakes!”

Many people gathered at Third Uncle’s place, bringing meat and food.

“Third Uncle, I’m contributing five jin of pork!”

Yan Bugui glanced skeptically at the small piece of meat before him.

“That meat doesn’t look like five jin.”

“Please be lenient!”

The man said as he pulled out a handful of melon seeds and placed them in front of Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui, his intentions clear.

“Ahem, Old Yan, let’s just say it’s five jin. I think there’s even more meat here!”

Yan Bugui frowned and replied,

“Old Liu, what if Su Jian comes back, notices the shortage, and checks the accounts? What then?”

Liu Haizhong waved dismissively, brimming with confidence:

“Don’t worry. Su Jian will definitely reimburse us. We’re only doing this for his benefit! Who doesn’t hold a wedding banquet when they get married? He just hasn’t had time to inform us. With our enthusiasm, how could he refuse? Besides, so many people are watching—he wouldn’t dare say no!”

Seeing that Yan Bugui seemed doubtful, he quickly added:

“Write it down. If there’s any problem, I’ll take responsibility!”

Yan Bugui nodded in satisfaction.

He didn’t believe Su Jian would recognize this so-called wedding banquet.

The bride and groom hadn’t even appeared—how could the banquet begin?

This was clearly pushing things too far.

He kept writing in the ledger, pondering curiously.

---

“What if Su Jian finds out about this when he returns? What will he do?”

Just returning from the street office, Yi Zhonghai had intended to help prepare Su Jian’s wedding. Seeing the scene, his face darkened.

“I am the eldest uncle of this courtyard. I haven’t even arrived yet, so how dare they hold a banquet without my consent?”

Seeing Liu Haizhong’s arrogant demeanor, Yi Zhonghai immediately understood the situation.

He returned home with a stern face, clearly unwilling to participate.

Liu Haizhong had been somewhat uneasy when he first saw Yi Zhonghai, since this was their plan.

But once Yi Zhonghai left, he was reassured and began urging the women to start cooking.

Normally, the cooking would be done by Shazhu, but he was still at the police station.

So, the women from each household took turns cooking. Though no one was as skilled as Shazhu, at least there was meat.

Most people in the courtyard took leave just for this meal.

Liu Haizhong inspected the preparations, nodded in satisfaction, and reveled in the moment.

He already foresaw that after the wedding banquet, his status in the courtyard would rise significantly.

Just as he was about to return to Yan Bugui to check the accounts, Xu Damou approached with a flattering smile.

“Second Uncle, we have the meat and dishes. Should we add some wine? What wedding banquet doesn’t have wine?”

“Also some snacks like melon seeds?”

“Good idea. Wine is a must. Go buy it and I’ll reimburse you!”

Liu Haizhong immediately agreed.

Xu Damou looked troubled.

He was penniless, having already given all his money to Qin Huairu.

His eyes flicked around before he said:

“Shall I buy on credit? When Su Jian returns, he’ll have to settle the supply store bill anyway.”

Liu Haizhong thought for a moment and nodded.

“Fine, buy plenty of wine. With so many men here, we’ll need enough to drink. I’ll keep track for you!”

“Alright!”

With approval, Xu Damou happily went to buy wine on credit.

Watching Xu Damou’s retreating figure, Liu Haizhong’s lips twitched.

“Haven’t touched liquor in a while. This time, I’ll drink to my heart’s content!”

Soon, Xu Damou returned with several men, carrying boxes of wine. It was clearly a costly purchase.

But Liu Haizhong neither scolded nor complained. Instead, he took a bottle for himself, intending to savor it slowly at home.

At this moment, the courtyard was bustling—cooking, working—but no one mentioned Su Jian.

Even Qin Huairu joined the cooking, just hoping to get a decent meal, as the Jia family had nothing left.

Meanwhile, in the photo studio, Su Jian and Chu Yan smiled happily as they took photos, then hurried to the civil affairs bureau.

Su Jian still remembered his promise to Director Yang to cook.

“Xiao Yan, wait here a bit. I’ll go handle something at the factory.”

Half an hour later, Su Jian left the factory.

Sichuan cuisine was easy to make, and for him, it was second nature.

Holding their marriage certificate, they exchanged smiles.

“Now I can hold your hand openly. Let’s see who dares call me a rogue.”

Su Jian joked.

Chu Yan blushed and nodded.

---

Walking side by side, they savored their precious time together.

From Quanjude to outside Fourth Nine City, Su Jian held Chu Yan’s hand tightly, just as he had vowed in his wedding oath—never to let go.

“When we get home tonight, I have a surprise waiting for you.”

Su Jian said, secretly looking forward to the candlelit dinner he had prepared.

Back in the courtyard, Liu Haizhong was still enthusiastically entertaining guests. Some not only ate and drank heartily but also schemed against Su Jian.

Qin Huairu quietly approached Third Uncle Yan Bugui with a pleading tone:

“Third Uncle, could you record a bit more for our family?”

She held a bowl of pickles, but the smell was strange, slightly foul.

“How can you record more for just a bowl of pickles?” Yan Bugui looked at her with suspicion.

“Please, help me record it as a bowl of meat!”

At this moment, Liu Haizhong, already tipsy, waved generously:

“Old Yan, just write it down!”

But Yan Bugui immediately put away his pen.

“There’s no reason to record pickles as meat! Whoever wants to record it can do so!”

Saying that, he left to eat.

Liu Haizhong carelessly waved his hand and took out his pen to write: “Jia family pork, one bowl!”

The feast lasted all day. The men were all drunk, the yard a mess with bones and dirty bowls strewn about.

No one wanted to clean up, only hoping for Su Jian’s return.

“Why isn’t Su Jian back yet? We all contributed our meat!”

“Maybe he’s trying to dodge the bill?”

“The banquet’s over; he should come back to pay!”

Just as they were discussing, a woman entered the courtyard with three burly men, her expression dark.

“Xu Damou, didn’t you say you’d settle the supply store debt before the end of the day? Trying to dodge payment?”

Xu Damou’s eyes were glazed; cold sweat poured down as he looked helplessly at Liu Haizhong.

“Second Uncle, maybe you can cover it first, and we’ll ask Su Jian to reimburse later?”

The thought of losing his job over public money made him tremble.

Though slightly drunk, Liu Haizhong remained clear-headed.

“Friends, please wait a moment. The person who owes you will be back soon. He’ll pay every cent, so don’t worry.”

But the female supply store clerk, having waited all day, wouldn’t be swayed by such delays.

She sneered back, “I’ve waited all day. It’s too late for words now. Either you pay, or come with me to the police station!”

Upon hearing this, Liu Haizhong frowned deeply.

Just as he was about to plead softly, two figures appeared outside the courtyard—Su Jian and Chu Yan.

Liu Haizhong’s face brightened, and he hurriedly called out:

“Su Jian! Su Jian! Come settle your wedding banquet expenses! The supply store staff are here demanding payment!”

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