Siheyuan: There are three little cats at home

Chapter 403 Marrying a Foreigner

Chapter 4 Foreign Marriage
At night, a thunderstorm fell quickly and violently, and it took nearly two hours for the wind to stop and the rain to stop.

The heat of summer has been washed away completely, leaving only the cool breeze.

In the early morning, after Xu Qing got up, he tiptoed out of the house. Without disturbing his sleeping wife and son, he stood alone on the steps outside the house, took a breath of fresh air, and then quietly smoked a cigarette.

At this time, the courtyard was quiet and silent, the sky was just getting bright, the sun had not yet appeared, and the temperature had not yet risen.

Xu Qing sorted out the recent events in his mind.

The family's money has been spent a lot during this period.

On the one hand, it is because the third brother is getting married, making various purchases, and spending money in many places, so it is inevitable and unavoidable.

On the other hand, the family's population has increased. Although after getting married, Ai Guo and Ai Qian lived in the small courtyard, and he, as the eldest brother, stopped caring about her after the Chinese New Year. However, his grandparents now live in the city, and he From time to time I have to buy something to send.

In addition, although his son's education does not cost much, his wife has not been able to work in the past few months, and the family's earning money falls entirely on his shoulders.

Moreover, the two houses built in the courtyard were another huge expense.

Fortunately, there are still my third brother and my younger sister Xiaoya, so relatively speaking, I am not too nervous about money.

What's more, as the director of the fifth factory, Xu Qing's salary is not low. Even if his wife does not go to work, his current salary is enough to support the family's expenses.

Furthermore, with the ability to 'split into two', daily expenses are nearly half less than other homes.

The tense situation was out of the question, and of course, it was impossible to save money.

However, once Feng Ming gets married and tomorrow comes, and the two younger brothers start their own families, Xu Qing and his wife Jing Hong will no longer need to worry about them from now on.

Then, the family’s savings will gradually increase in the future.

His younger sister Xiaoya doesn't have to worry about it. He doesn't have to worry about the bride price, it's given by the other party.

Moreover, my sister also saved her own dowry.

Xu Qing waited for her to get married to Liu Jianjun, and used the betrothal gift received from the engagement, together with the pension left by her parents' death, to give her sister's share as a dowry.

He is not like the third uncle Yan Bugui, who puts all the money into his arms.

Xu Qing didn't think twice about the betrothal gifts given by Liu Jianjun's family in the future. His parents were gone and he had only one sister, so he had to feel pain.

Besides, he and Jinghong both work, so lack of money is out of the question.

Xu Qing's current money, excluding what he spent before yesterday, is 320 yuan.

No more, no less, no less.

Maintaining a family's livelihood is no problem at all.

After smoking a cigarette, Xu Qing returned to the house and shook his daughter-in-law awake. Later, his sister Xiaoya came over from the next room and was embarrassed.

Ma Jinghong rubbed her sleepy eyes. With Xu Qing's help, she patted her son awake after getting dressed and let him get dressed by himself.

Xu Qing had already washed his hands and went to the kitchen to start making breakfast.

When Xiaoya came from the next door house, Xu Hongzhi was fussing about getting up and didn't want to wear pants. When his aunt came in, he hurriedly pulled up his pants shyly, for fear that his aunt would laugh at him.

Seeing this, Xu Xiaoya pursed her lips and smiled. She had held the little guy in her arms when he was young, but after saying hello to her sister-in-law Jinghong, she quickly turned around, bent over and washed her hands in the washbasin, and then Go to the kitchen and help your eldest brother prepare breakfast.

More than half an hour later, Xu Qing had breakfast with his wife, son, third brother and sister.

At this time, the sun emerged from the east and sprinkled the first ray of morning light on the sky and the earth.

During breakfast, Xu Qing asked his third brother, "Feng Ming, how are your wife's preparations going?"

Xu Fengming held the steamed bun and used chopsticks to grab a piece of pickled radish with his sister Xiao, and said hurriedly:
"Brother, Xiujuan's family is just like ours. Everything that needs to be prepared is ready. We can just go there and pick up the bride tomorrow."

Xu Qing said oh, feeling completely relieved.

There was no other way. Tang Xiujuan's parents had drunk foreign ink and were deeply influenced by Western ideological trends. They insisted on going to their compound with Fengming when they were getting married, and also invited many foreigners.

Xu Fengming just said it last night, which caught Xu Qing off guard. He ran to the middle courtyard to recalculate the number of dishes for the wedding banquet with Sha Zhu in the middle of the night.

After breakfast, Xu Qing told his wife Jinghong not to forget what happened today, then turned around and pushed the bicycle at the door of the house and left the compound with his brothers and sisters.

At around nine o'clock in the morning, Jinghong took her son to the small courtyard where Aiguo lived. She found her second father, Xu Guangjin, and her two aunts, and counted the various dishes they would order today.

Xu Guangjin pinched the list in his hand, frowned, and smoked the pipe: "Jinghong, leave this to me. If you are pregnant, don't go out. Just let Hongzhi accompany us."

In fact, Xu Qing had considered asking Yan Bugui, the third uncle of the compound, to help him order food. He just thought that the favor of the third uncle was difficult to repay, and who knew where he would be found in the future. After thinking for a while, he decided to do it. It would be more appropriate for the second father and his aunt to go.

Because in this way, the daughter-in-law can take the second father and aunt around the city more, so that they can become more familiar with each other.

At this time, Ma Jinghong heard Xu Guangjin's words, with a worried look on her face, "Second dad, let Hongzhi take you, are you afraid?"

Xu Xuemei said: "It's okay, Jinghong. Your son has lived with you in the city since he was a child. He should be familiar with the road. You are heavy, so just stay in the house. Let's go out and be back soon."

Xu Xuehong also said: "Yes, it's a hot day. Don't be tired when you go out. The little guy looks smart and clever. Let's follow him and we won't be afraid of not being able to find the place. If we really can't find it, we can ask someone else." "

Xu Hongzhi, who is half a head taller than the edge of the kang, was secretly happy when he heard that he could go out on the street. He secretly thought that he could drink that cold soda today.

With a cheerful look on his face, he slipped off the kang, put on his cloth shoes, grabbed a cloth bag and slung it over his body, stuffed the can with crickets in it, and stood at the door of the house ready to go.

Xu Guangjin, Xu Xuemei, and Xu Xuehong said to their parents and niece-in-law Jinghong, and then followed Xu Hongzhi out of the courtyard and along the alley to the street.

There were people coming and going on the street, even though it was not a weekend, but there were still many people. The country began to try various methods to promote economic development. The shops and vendors setting up stalls along the street took advantage of the momentum, just like the cicadas perching on the trees on both sides of the street. , shouting desperately to attract business.

Xu Hongzhi was leading the way today, walking in front of Xu Guangjin and the others with great interest, chattering non-stop while looking left and right. Even though he was not a big man, he was quite impressive.

Xu Guangjin has been to the city more often than his two sisters, and is a little more familiar with Sijiu City. Under the guidance of the little guy, who turns left and right, he knows the general direction. He may occasionally go the wrong way. I don’t blame the little guy either.

Who said they were still young? It was just a mistake for them to take a few more steps, and they didn't think it was anything.

It's just a hot summer day, and all the dishes that should be ordered have been ordered. After telling the other party the address, Xu Hongzhi raised his little arm to wipe the hot sweat from his forehead, licked the corners of his mouth, and told Xu Guangjin that he wanted to drink soda.

Xu Guangjin took a look with his two younger sisters. They found that the little guy was tired today. He took them walking on the street all morning under the bright sun, and then bought two bottles of soda in front of the state-owned store.

The little guy had a bottle in his left hand and a bottle in his right hand. He was drinking cold soda and couldn't be happier.

It's early morning.At just five o'clock in the morning, Xu Qing and his wife woke up their son, and the family got up.

Xiaoya in the next cabin also woke up early.

As for Xu Fengming, today was his big day, so he woke up earlier than anyone else. At around three o'clock in the morning, he opened his eyes, looked in the mirror, and kept dressing up.

Other families in the compound also opened their doors one after another at six o'clock.

There was a happy event in the courtyard today, and naturally everyone was in a lively mood.

Aiguo, who lives in the small courtyard, came to the compound with his grandparents, second father and two aunts.

Before the first ray of dawn shines on the courtyard, the courtyard is already bustling with people.

In the front yard, outside the main entrance of Yanbu Guijian Courtyard, a vegetable delivery vendor came with two carts of vegetables. He hurriedly called his son Yan Jiecheng to help unload the vegetables, and at the same time ran to the backyard to tell Xu Qing.

Xu Qing greeted his second brothers Aiguo and Shazhu, and he and Yan Jie formed four people and moved all the vegetables into the backyard together.

At this time, Fatty and Ma Hua, Shazhu's apprentices, came in from outside the courtyard with a reluctant expression and a happy expression. They first looked for Shazhu in the middle courtyard, and then the three masters went into the backyard to briefly divide the work. Everyone got busy.

Qin Jingru, Qin Huairu and Jia Zhang asked Shazhu about it, then started washing and cutting vegetables and helping.

Jia Zhang made money for Feng Ming Naxi a few days ago. She was very happy and knew that she would not be treated poorly if she helped Xu Qing's family. Not only did she bring Qin Huairu to the backyard, but she also brought her two granddaughters. come over.

After the first aunt, second aunt, and third aunt finished cleaning up the things in their own houses, they brought their respective daughters-in-law to help Xu Qing's family.

The first uncle, Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui sat in Xu Qing's room chatting with Xu Qing's grandparents and Xu Qing's second father.

Yu Li, Liu Guangfu's wife and Xiaoya, under Jinghong's arrangement, are busy decorating the house.

Although the wedding room is not here, the wedding banquet is held in the compound, so it naturally needs to be decorated.

When Ma Jiefang and Wu Yuemei came, they met Er Mazi's family of four.

The two families entered the compound laughing and talking.

It was still early and they were here to help.

It was around nine o'clock in the morning before the guests began to arrive.

The first people to come were Mr. Xu Qing, Mr. Zhang and his wife, and people from Xu Fengming's factory.

Feng Ming had never worked at the Red Star No. [-] Steel Rolling Plant, and not many people came to the No. [-] Steel Rolling Plant.

But the people in the factory where Feng Ming worked were actually Wuyang Wuyang, a large group of men and women.

Even the old factory director, whom Xu Qing had never met, came early in the morning.

Sitting in front of Xu Qing's grandma and grandpa, the two old people were very happy as they praised Xu Fengming, saying what great things Fengming had done in the factory over the years and how much honor he had won for the factory.

At about ten o'clock, Sun Deyou, Wang Minsheng, Liu Caigui and other deputy directors of the fifth factory walked into the compound, followed immediately by the principal directors of several other branch factories.

Today Feng Ming is getting married, and the number of people who come to the compound, including officials and cadres, is no less than when Patriot last winter.

However, at around [-] o'clock at noon, Xu Fengming, dressed in a suit, accompanied by his eldest brother and second brother, as well as his high school and college classmates, took his wife Tang Xiujuan back to the compound.

Suddenly, Tang Xiujuan's parents and a group of foreigners came with them, making the whole compound as lively as a pot exploding.

First, Tang Xiujuan was wearing a white wedding dress, which is rare in these years.

She can be regarded as the first new daughter-in-law in the compound to dress up like this.

Looking at the whole of Sijiu City, there are actually not many newlyweds getting married abroad.

Even last year, when Aiguo and Aiqian got married, they never did this.

But this year is different. Times are changing. Domestic and foreign exchanges are becoming more frequent, and foreign marriages are also beginning to rise.

Men wear suits and women wear wedding dresses. This fashionable wedding has gradually become popular in Forty-Nine City, Shanghai and coastal cities.

Yu Li, Qin Huairu, Qin Jingru, and Liu Guangtian's wife looked at the bride's wedding dress, all showing surprise and envy at the same time.

Although they had heard about it while living in the city, this was the first time they had seen it with their own eyes.

Yu Li was so curious that she stretched out her hand to touch the wedding dress on Tang Xiujuan's body, and thought in her heart, this thing is so beautiful.

Secondly, the foreign friends invited by Tang Xiujuan's father, Tang Nianguo, really had a huge impact on everyone.

Although there have been many foreigners coming to Sijiucheng in recent years.

But in most cases, people read it from newspapers and listen to it on the radio. Like today, they see live blond and blue-eyed foreigners standing in front of them, not to mention the people in the compound, just like Xu Qing, and several others. I have never seen the director of each branch factory.

Er Mazi's daughter-in-law, Chen Xiaojuan, stared at the foreigners and hid aside in shock. She tightly pulled her son and daughter to stop them from running around, fearing that these foreign devils were not good things.

Yan Jiecheng's daughter, already pale with fright, hid behind her brother Hongzhi.

Xu Hongzhi was actually afraid. It was his first time meeting a foreigner. No matter how courageous the kid was, he was still a child over seven years old, so how could he not be nervous.

At the same time, the sub-district office learned that foreigners had come to the area under its jurisdiction. The director of the sub-district office and his people hurried to the compound to see what was going on.

They knew that Xu Qing was holding a wedding ceremony for his younger brother in the compound today, but they never imagined that Xu Qing's third brother's marriage would cause such a big fuss.

But when they arrived, they learned that those foreigners were friends of the parents of Fengming's daughter-in-law, Tang Xiujuan, and she immediately couldn't laugh or cry.

I thought something big had happened, but it was foreigners who came to Feng Ming's wedding.

After congratulating the newlyweds Xu Fengming and Tang Xiujuan, they left.

It’s just that Xu Qing asked the director of the subdistrict office to stay and have a wedding drink before leaving.

You're here now, but Xu Qing doesn't mind at all if the wedding banquet doesn't go as planned.

Seeing that the sun had reached the center of the sky, Yi Zhonghai was interrupted by foreigners and almost missed the time. He discussed with Xu Qing whether he should follow the old principles or what to do?
Xu Qing smiled and said: "Master, it must be according to our traditional wedding. My brother is not wearing a suit, and my sister-in-law is wearing a wedding dress. Let's learn from foreigners. Besides, you don't know how to do foreigners." Set process.”

Yi Zhonghai shook his head and smiled: "No, who knows how foreigners get married."

Yi Zhonghai knew what to do and felt confident, so he hosted the wedding for Feng Ming and Tang Xiujuan.

(End of this chapter)