Chapter 7: The Wedding Night

Ye Changzheng’s eyes stung with emotion as he took the scarf from Xie Jinyu’s hands.

Xie Jinyu shyly explained, “It’s my first time knitting; the stitches aren’t very even. Please don’t mind.”

In their previous life, Xie Jinyu and Ye Changzheng never married. The scarf and gloves she had prepared as gifts for him were never given.

But now, in front of Xie Jinyu, Ye Changzheng wrapped the scarf around his neck and put on the gloves. Whether it was psychological or not, he suddenly felt warmth spread through his previously frozen body.

“I really like it,” Ye Changzheng said, his face glowing with happiness. “I will cherish them.”

Yan Hongying, carrying a bundle of firewood into the room, curiously asked, “What are you two lovebirds talking about?”

“Grandma, this is a gift from Teacher Xie.”

Yan Hongying glanced at the scarf around Ye Changzheng’s neck and scolded lightly, “You’ve already registered your marriage, and you’re still calling her Teacher Xie?”

Since their correspondence began, Ye Changzheng had always called Xie Jinyu “Teacher Xie.” Suddenly changing to a new form of address left him unsure of what to say.

Seeing Ye Changzheng’s awkwardness, Yan Hongying was about to suggest something.

Xie Jinyu smiled gently, her eyes curved like the crescent moon. “Changzheng, you can call me Jinyu or Xiaoyu.”

“Xiaoyu,” Ye Changzheng chose the more intimate nickname.

Xie Jinyu responded with a soft and pleased “Ah.”

Yan Hongying had once worried that Ye Changzheng and Xie Jinyu, brought together forcibly by her, might become a couple burdened by resentment. Now she realized she had overthought it.

“Have you bought the wedding candies and cigarettes yet?”

Just returned to the cattle shed, Xie Jinyu was preparing hot water and clothes for Ye Changzheng. Only when Yan Hongying asked did she take out the items from her basket one by one.

Xie Jinyu used to call Yan Hongying “Teacher Yan,” but now that she had married Ye Changzheng, the form of address naturally changed.

“Grandma, I found these at the recycling station. Changzheng fixed the radio for you. Listen.”

Xie Jinyu proudly presented the radio and placed it before Yan Hongying.

The cattle shed was situated on high ground. With the antenna extended, the broadcaster’s clear and precise voice came through the speaker.

Xie Jinyu then showed the fabrics and cotton she had bought.

Beneath the cotton was another box of “Snow Cream.”

“Grandma, Changzheng bought this especially for you.”

Yan Hongying’s once delicate hands had become rough from hard labor.

“I’m old now. What use do I have for this? You keep it for yourself.”

Xie Jinyu took out her own box of snow cream. “Grandma, Changzheng bought this for me.”

“I suppose I’m benefiting from my granddaughter-in-law’s kindness,” Yan Hongying sighed, touched to see the once naive little grandson now so considerate.

“Grandma,” Ye Changzheng’s voice held a faint pang of emotion, “I’ll report as soon as I can and bring you and Xiaoyu here.”

Yan Hongying knew well that, given the current situation, it was unrealistic for Ye Changzheng to bring both of them over at once, but she did not dampen his spirits.

“All right, I’ll wait for your good news.”

Looking at Ye Changzheng and Xie Jinyu, so well matched before her, Yan Hongying thought that since today was their joyous wedding day, they should make a proper appearance.

“Changzheng, Xiaoyu, take some candies and cigarettes and deliver these teaching materials to the school.”

“All right.”

Xie Jinyu tied a red yarn hairband shaped like a petal around her glossy black hair.

Ye Changzheng wore the red-and-white striped scarf she had knitted for him.

This touch of red added a festive air to their day.

Carrying their baskets, Ye Changzheng and Xie Jinyu left the cattle shed and soon encountered children playing nearby.

Upon seeing Xie Jinyu, the children swarmed around her.

“Teacher Xie, congratulations on your wedding!”

“Teacher Xie, may you have many children soon!”

For children in the 1970s, candy was a rare and delightful treat.

Xie Jinyu and Ye Changzheng handed out two big White Rabbit candies to each little girl. The children happily exchanged blessings before quickly running off.

On the way, they met villagers from their own village; the men distributed celebratory cigarettes, the women gave out wedding candies.

When Xie Jinyu taught at Yuejin Primary School, the villagers all liked her. At this moment, everyone sincerely wished her and Ye Changzheng a happy marriage and a lifetime of harmony.

Xie Jinyu placed the salvaged primary school textbooks in the office and locked the door securely.

In her previous life, she had never suspected that her childhood best friend, Chen Wanru, would betray her, so she had not taken precautions.

Now, knowing Chen Wanru’s malice and that she never truly regarded her as a friend, Xie Jinyu remained constantly vigilant, refusing to give Chen Wanru any chance to harm her.

After leaving Yuejin Primary School, Xie Jinyu took Ye Changzheng to visit the educated youth settlement.

The weather was cold, with snow swirling through the air.

The educated youths weren’t working at this hour but were gathered around the fire, chatting or knitting sweaters.

“Xie Jinyu, what brings you here?”

As Xie Jinyu and Ye Changzheng arrived, the youths all stood up.

“I heard you got your marriage certificate today?”

Xie Jinyu greeted the youths with ease and grace.

Previously, Chen Wanru had often spread rumors among the educated youths, so Xie Jinyu hadn’t been close with them.

Even when the college entrance exams resumed, it was the educated youths at the settlement who reminded Xie Jinyu to take the exam and not waste her life in this remote mountain valley.

Ye Changzheng handed out celebratory cigarettes to the male youths.

Xie Jinyu distributed wedding candies to the female youths.

“Zhan Xinyue, what are you knitting?”

Xie Jinyu asked the young woman sitting beside her. She had lent her textbooks to Zhan Xinyue and written letters of encouragement.

Since the college entrance exam, Xie Jinyu had not met Zhan Xinyue again until she saw news about her online.

At that time, after suffering her husband’s betrayal and her family’s schemes, Zhan Xinyue resolutely boarded a train southward, determined to make a life for herself alone.

When Xie Jinyu saw Zhan Xinyue in the news, she felt a deep envy.

She often wondered whether her own life would have been different if she and Lu Qianjin hadn’t been caught in a compromising situation.

Zhan Xinyue shyly smiled. “I’m knitting a sweater for my fiancé.”

“Xinyue, teach me when you have time,” Xie Jinyu offered warmly. “I want to knit one for Changzheng too.”

Her words sparked a lively teasing among the youths.

Blushing, Xie Jinyu seized the moment to take Ye Changzheng back to the cattle shed.

As evening fell, Yan Hongying was nowhere to be seen in the cattle shed.

Xie Jinyu found a note left by her grandmother on the table and shyly looked at Ye Changzheng.

“Changzheng, let’s eat first.”

Yan Hongying had warmed the dinner in an iron pot but, claiming she needed to assist with the village sow’s delivery, left Xie Jinyu and Ye Changzheng alone to spend their wedding night in the cattle shed.

They ate quietly, tidied up the dishes, washed up with hot water, and then went to their new room.

Yuejin Village was not yet electrified; only a single candle was lit in the new room.

Beside the candle sat two bamboo cups.

Ye Changzheng poured a little wine into the cups and brought one to Xie Jinyu.

She took the cup, their arms brushing as they drank together.

The strong liquor burned and stung.

Though inexperienced, Xie Jinyu emptied her cup in one gulp. Her eyes glistened with tears, and a flush colored her cheeks.

“Xiaoyu, if you’re not ready, I can wait...” Ye Changzheng’s voice was gentle.

Emboldened by the wine, Xie Jinyu grasped his hand.

“Please... be gentle.”