NOVEL NEXT Chapter 39: Family Arrangements
Chapter 39: Family Arrangements
After hearing Su Lina’s innocent declaration, the three adults in the room exchanged amused glances, smiles spreading across their faces. Her childish sentiment was entirely endearing.
Lu Yuan gazed at the serious-faced little girl sitting on his lap and replied with a gentle smile, “Alright, Lina. When you grow up, if you still feel the same way about me, I’ll marry you.”
Su Lina nodded with solemn determination, prompting another round of laughter from the adults.
Soon after, Lu Yuan’s mothers-in-law presented the hand-rolled noodles he had requested. Each bowl contained a perfectly poached egg, crowned with a glistening layer of rendered fat and a sprinkling of fresh green onions. At first bite, Lu Yuan found the noodles perfectly seasoned and remarkably flavorful.
As he savored the dish, he noticed his mother-in-law standing nearby, wiping her hands on her apron and watching him expectantly.
“Is the saltiness to your liking?” she asked.
Lu Yuan nodded appreciatively between mouthfuls. “The saltiness is perfect, and the flavor is exceptional—far better than anything served in city restaurants.”
Both Zhao Qiaoer and Jin Meijing beamed with pride at their son-in-law’s praise. After taking seats at the table, they suggested, “A mother knows these things well. When you and Liyan hold your wedding banquet, we’ll handle the cooking.”
Lu Yuan paused in surprise. “That won’t be necessary. This is your daughters’ wedding—you should be dressed in your finest clothes, seated in places of honor for guests to toast you.”
The two women waved dismissively. “No, no. Village weddings are simple affairs. You and Liyan will be the focus that day; we’ll have little else to do. After finishing the cooking, we’ll still have time to change into proper attire.”
Lu Yuan nodded thoughtfully. He had initially planned to hire professional chefs from the city for the day, but if his mothers-in-law insisted…
“We’ve prepared so many wedding banquets for other families,” Zhao Qiaoer added with a wistful smile. “I’ve always hoped to someday cook for my own daughters’ celebrations. When Lina eventually marries, I’ll prepare one final feast for her, and my wish will be complete.”
Understanding their sentimental attachment to the tradition, Lu Yuan acquiesced. This was more than cooking—it was the fulfillment of a long-held dream.
By early afternoon, Lu Yuan prepared to return to the city. His mothers-in-law suggested he take a nap before leaving or perhaps stay overnight, allowing Su Liyan to return alone the following day. But with the pickup truck available, traveling wouldn’t be too burdensome.
The three women accompanied Lu Yuan to the door. Su Lina clung to his sleeve, visibly reluctant to see him leave.
Lu Yuan gently pinched her cheek. “Brother-in-law will visit again tomorrow,” he promised.
After bidding farewell to the women, Lu Yuan boarded the bus back to the city. The truck driver left him on the main road rather than taking him directly home, so Lu Yuan walked the remaining distance himself. In this era, technical skills granted considerable status—truck drivers were particularly valued.
Upon arriving home around half past three, Lu Yuan fell into a deep sleep. With his wife having the next day off, he wanted to be well-rested for their evening together.
Around five-thirty, Su Liyan returned from work. “Did you get your leave approved?” Lu Yuan asked, emerging from the bedroom with a stretch and yawn as he admired his beautiful wife.
Su Liyan rushed to embrace him, tilting her face upward with a happy nod. “Everyone was very accommodating!”
They had chosen Monday for the banquet for practical reasons. First, they already possessed the necessities—not using them would be wasteful. Second, rural celebrations required extensive preparation: decorating the house with red paper, thorough cleaning, and advance food preparation. Pigs, sheep, and chickens needed to be slaughtered beforehand; meat had to be cut into large pieces or formed into meatballs and blanched; fish required advance stewing.
On the wedding day itself, these pre-prepared items could be quickly seasoned and served. Without this advance work, the meal couldn’t possibly be ready in time. Additional tasks like writing invitations, arranging seating, and borrowing tables, chairs, and dishes all required time. Hence the Monday wedding, with lunch served at noon and a return journey planned for evening.
That evening, Lin Zhidong arrived as usual. He had been visiting nightly to practice English with Lu Yuan for an hour or two. Tonight, however, Lu Yuan sent him away immediately, explaining he wasn’t available. He also mentioned that Lin Zhidong shouldn’t come on Saturday, Sunday, or the following Monday, as Lu Yuan would be busy with wedding preparations.
Upon hearing this news, Lin Zhidong grew flustered, patting his pockets anxiously. “Master, why didn’t you tell me yesterday? I don’t have any money with me today…”
Lu Yuan grinned at his reaction. “We’re holding the banquet in the village and can’t invite you, so there’s no need for payment.”
After sending Lin Zhidong away, Lu Yuan and Su Liyan began preparing dinner. Shortly thereafter, Lin Zhidong returned with a red envelope containing a generous ten dollars—a substantial sum that reflected the depth of their relationship.
In the city, neighbors typically gave one or two yuan as wedding gifts, relatives offered three or four, and close connections like factory master-apprentice relationships warranted five or six yuan. Lin Zhidong’s generosity demonstrated that his respect for Lu Yuan as his “master” extended beyond mere words.
Lu Yuan accepted the gift without hesitation. Considering their relationship—and how often Lin Zhidong appeared at mealtimes to share Lu Yuan’s meat and wine—the money seemed entirely appropriate.
Later, as the couple sat down to dinner, Su Liyan turned to Lu Yuan with a gentle expression. “Elder brother,” she said softly, “I’m at work all day, and there’s no one to tend the house or look after things. What if we invited my mother to come stay with us?”