Chapter Thirty: The Wedding (Part One)

Old Lu took the cigarette, lit one for himself, and then said to the crowd around him, “Alright, that’s enough, everyone disperse. This is her legally wedded husband. What’s so interesting about a young couple showing off their affection?”

His words only made the hearts of the unmarried young men ache even more.

Oh, heavens! Oh, earth! Why are all the pretty girls always someone else’s? Life just isn’t worth living!

Once the crowd had finally left, Chen Liang held Teacher Xiaoyu’s hand and bade Old Lu farewell.

To be honest, Old Lu was the most perceptive man Chen Liang had met since his rebirth. He could see through Chen Liang’s intentions with perfect accuracy—now that was impressive.

What had Chen Liang done in his previous life? He’d been an undercover agent, an expert at disguise for ten years straight. If someone could read him so easily, what use was there in being an undercover agent? He might as well just give up and wait for death; staying alive would only be a waste of air.

Originally, Chen Liang had put on this public display of affection to help Teacher Xiaoyu fend off her admirers. But before he could even do anything, Old Lu had sent everyone else away with just a few words.

And the best way to ensure your wife isn’t bothered by unwanted suitors is to assert your claim, of course—so long as she truly loves you. If not, well, flaunting your love only leads to a swift downfall.

Once Teacher Xiaoyu’s cheeks had finally returned to their normal color and she was no longer bashful, Chen Liang walked over, pushing a bicycle.

“You bought a new bike?” Teacher Xiaoyu’s face was full of joy, but then, after the surprise faded, she frowned adorably. “But why did you buy a ladies’ bicycle?”

Chen Liang was momentarily taken aback. “It’s for you, of course it’s a ladies’ bike. What, do you think your legs are too long for it?”

Upon closer inspection, it turned out her long legs really did fit the bike perfectly.

“What? You bought it for me?” Teacher Xiaoyu was astonished, her whole demeanor turning dazed.

In this era, a bicycle was the equivalent of a Ferrari in later times. To suddenly receive such a gift—what woman wouldn’t be stunned?

“But this is much too extravagant. I can’t accept it…” Teacher Xiaoyu instinctively hesitated.

“What nonsense! You’re about to become my wife. What’s mine is yours—why draw such lines?” He reached out and gently tapped her upturned nose.

“You really are a little scatterbrain. Have you forgotten we’re getting married soon?” Only then did Teacher Xiaoyu remember—yes! She was about to marry him!

Chen Liang gave her a playful slap on her shapely backside, and was promptly met with a flurry of little fists in return. The two of them joked and teased each other all the way home.

But with Teacher Xiaoyu riding her ladies’ bicycle and the six-foot-three Chen Liang perched on the back, the sight was rather comical—like a pony pulling a heavy wagon.

That evening, when Teacher Xiaoyu rode her new bicycle home, it caused a stir among the neighbors, to say nothing of the Zhao family.

The eldest sister-in-law of the Zhao family circled the new bicycle for ages, finally casting a resentful glance at her own husband. Sigh! What else was there to say? Look at the man her sister-in-law found, then look at her own—both men, yet why did hers seem like he was just taking up space in this world?

She sidled up to Mother Zhao and complained, “Oh, Mom, just look at Xiaoyu. She’s not even married yet and already has a bicycle to ride. I’ve been married into this family for years and haven’t even managed to get a single wheel!”

Mother Zhao ignored her entirely, treating her words as so much nonsense, and ran her hand lovingly over the gleaming new bicycle. “My, but Chen Liang is really something. Changing jobs, buying a bicycle—he really knows how to spoil his wife!”

Then she grabbed Chen Liang, refusing to let him leave. No matter what, he had to stay for dinner tonight. The invitation was genuine, and unable to refuse, Chen Liang had no choice but to comply.

Seeing Mother Zhao ignore her, the eldest sister-in-law sneaked a couple of pinches at her husband, her face full of jealousy. When she’d gotten married, she hadn’t enjoyed such treatment—no, tonight her man was going to pay for it!

That evening the Zhao family prepared a lavish dinner. Father Zhao for once didn’t settle for cheap spirits, but brought out his prized bottle of Xifeng wine. With everyone raising glasses and Chen Liang’s witty conversation, the bottle was soon emptied.

Still unsatisfied, Father Zhao fetched his jug of homemade spirits, a five-kilo half-filled bucket, which was soon emptied as well.

And that was the end of it—both father and son were put under the table by Chen Liang.

Having bested his future father-in-law and brother-in-law, who had foolishly challenged him to a drinking contest, Chen Liang, face unflushed and heart untroubled, hurriedly shoveled down a few mouthfuls of food and left. If he stayed any longer, Mother Zhao would turn into a broken record and start nagging him again.

When he got home, the place was empty. Upon asking the neighbors, he discovered everyone had gone next door for a courtyard meeting. How could Chen Liang resist joining in the fun?

He trotted over eagerly, only to find nothing interesting—just the spectacle of Shazhu losing money.

When the crowd dispersed, Chen Liang went to knock on Shazhu’s door.

“Who is it?” Shazhu was feeling both hurt and dejected, regretting all his years of support for the Jia family.

He thought back on how he’d poured his heart out for them—could everyone overlook his ambiguous relationship with the widow?—only to be repaid by these ingrates!

“It’s me, Chen Liang. Open up!”

Hearing it was Chen Liang, Shazhu opened the door. “What brings you here?” Then, ever the petty one, he assumed Chen Liang was there to gawk at his misfortune, and his face darkened. “You came to laugh at me too? I’m not in the mood for you today, so get lost!”

Well, Shazhu wasn’t wrong—Chen Liang did come to see the spectacle. But he’d never admit it. “What the hell are you thinking? Like I’ve got spare time to watch your drama. I’d rather spend time with my wife!”

“Then why are you here?” Shazhu refused to believe Chen Liang had any serious business with him.

“It’s like this. I’m getting married on Sunday. I want you to be the head chef.” Chen Liang pushed his way inside and spotted only a bottle of cheap spirits on the table. “Ha! So, Master He, is this how you live? Drinking alone in silence? Not even a dish to go with it—can you really call yourself a chef?”

A chef drinking without any food—what a joke!

“I just sat down, hadn’t even thought about snacks yet!” Shazhu flushed and tried to cover for himself.

Yeah, right. If you’d had even a single peanut with your drink, you wouldn’t be saying that.

“Come on, I’ll have a drink with you,” Chen Liang said, settling in quietly like a proper gentleman, ready to watch Shazhu continue his act.