Ye Tiancheng naturally had no reason to refuse, only hoping to glean more information from Zhao Hai.
Therefore, Ye Tiancheng earnestly replied to Zhao Hai, "Of course, there's no problem. I'll definitely keep my word. What can I do after I learn these things?"
"Isn't it just that I'm too bored right now and want to hear some stories to pass the time? After I hear them, I'll absolutely forget them and won't reveal a single word."
Ye Tiancheng assured Zhao Hai, "Just tell them as stories. I'll just listen, treating it as a bit of amusement during my free time."
Zhao Hai nodded slightly, seemingly having finally agreed. However, he had already accepted the money. He wasn't a bandit or a robber, so he couldn't possibly refuse to reveal even a single word.
Thus, Zhao Hai said, "I can't tell you everything, but it's best if you forget whatever you hear. It's best if you pretend you never heard it. Otherwise, if anything happens, I will not be responsible."
Ye Tiancheng naturally responded, "That's natural. I would never fail to listen. I'm eager to hear more."
Zhao Hai pondered for a moment before beginning to tell Ye Tiancheng the story related to the banquets held by the two families yesterday.
He told Ye Tiancheng, "As you probably noticed, the two banquets held in our village yesterday were for the funeral of the bride on one side, and the wedding of the other family with the bride on the other."
Ye Tiancheng nodded and replied, "Indeed, that could be seen."
"Originally, we were a bit puzzled. Outside, in many places that are more particular, there are taboos about holding funerals and weddings together, fearing some kind of clash. It was only at the wedding banquet that we understood there was more to it."
"So, we found it quite strange. It was different from what we knew, and we were indeed very curious."
Ye Tiancheng chuckled twice, speaking in a self-deprecating tone, "Curiosity is truly tormenting. Why else do they say, 'Curiosity killed the cat'?"
Zhao Hai seemed very reluctant to talk about these matters. Even though he had agreed to tell Ye Tiancheng the story, he still wanted to admonish Ye Tiancheng a bit.
"Curiosity does kill the 'cat.' Since you know this, it's best to stay out of trouble."
After this warning, Zhao Hai continued to tell Ye Tiancheng, "The family where the bride was previously staying was not her maternal family. She wasn't originally from our village; she was brought back by the family who married her."
"Oh, I forgot to mention, the man who married the bride is named Zhao Xudong. He's in his early twenties. He's one of the rare promising young men in our village. He got into a good university, and is said to have a good job outside. He found a beautiful girlfriend, and no one in the village can compare to him."
"According to Zhao Xudong himself, he met his girlfriend when he was in college. They dated for several years, and when it came time to get married, he brought her back to meet his parents."
"After meeting the parents, both sides were quite satisfied, and they got engaged. They said they would get their marriage certificate and hold the wedding in a year."
Hearing this, Ye Tiancheng finally grasped a piece of information. Not only was the bride not from this village, but Ye Tiancheng had initially thought the bride had an accident while visiting the village to meet her future in-laws, which led to such an event.
Now, however, it seemed from Zhao Hai's words that the bride had visited the village before, met the groom's parents, and got engaged. They just hadn't obtained their marriage certificate or held the wedding yet.
Ye Tiancheng couldn't help but ask, "So that's how it is. It sounds quite unfortunate. How did the bride meet with an accident?"
Zhao Hai replied to Ye Tiancheng, continuing, "We don't know the specifics. The bride's body was sent over just a few days before you came to stay in the village."
"It's said she had some kind of accident outside and died. Zhao Xudong was truly a devoted lover. Even though she was gone, he insisted on marrying his fiancée."
"His family couldn't dissuade him. After all, if they didn't agree, Zhao Xudong wouldn't eat or drink, determined to die. When someone doesn't want to live, who can stop them? His parents were truly at their wit's end and finally had to compromise, agreeing to Zhao Xudong's absurd request."
Ye Tiancheng frowned as he heard this and asked, "Then, what about the bride's family? Were they also willing to agree to such a marriage?"
Zhao Hai slapped his thigh and looked at Ye Tiancheng, "How could they not agree?"
"The bride's family naturally agreed, and in fact, they were even more willing than Zhao Xudong's family."
"After all, their daughter was already gone, and it was due to an accident, so no one was to blame. In such a situation, Zhao Xudong, as her fiancé, was still willing to stay by her side and marry their daughter. Such deep and unwavering affection, such devotion, of course, they would agree."
Ye Tiancheng couldn't agree, but he had nothing to say.
If it were him... Ye Tiancheng started to think, then immediately dismissed the hypothetical scenario from his mind.
With him protecting her, his daughter would never be in any danger. Even if something happened to him, he would absolutely not allow Ye Qingcheng to have any problems. Therefore, such a hypothesis was impossible for him.
Ye Tiancheng simply said, "I understand. Please continue."
Zhao Hai then continued.
"Zhao Xudong's family had already compromised, and the bride's family had no objections. Since the person had passed away, they couldn't delay the funeral for too long. If they were to hold a wedding, it had to be soon."
"However, the bride's funeral hadn't been held yet, and this couldn't be delayed either."
"Therefore, Zhao Xudong's family borrowed his aunt's house to temporarily place the bride, treating it as her 'maternal home,' to hold her funeral. Afterward, the bride would also be carried out from there and then carried to Zhao Xudong's house. This is the custom; she must go through this process. Brides must go from one house to another."
"After the funeral was held, the bride couldn't be kept in repose for too long, so the wedding also had to be held quickly. Zhao Xudong's family consulted a fortune teller, and they finally set the date and time for the two banquets."
After listening, Ye Tiancheng pondered for a moment before asking Zhao Hai, "I still have some questions."
Since Zhao Hai had been paid, as long as Ye Tiancheng didn't ask anything too secretive, there was nothing he couldn't tell. It wouldn't hurt to answer a few more questions, so he didn't stop Ye Tiancheng. "You ask. I'll try my best to answer what I can."
Ye Tiancheng secretly thought, "As expected, money makes the world go round." His expression remained unchanged as he asked Zhao Hai, "Based on what you said earlier, a ghost marriage at least requires three days of banquets. This 'at least' should be based on the possibility that the two parties might need to negotiate, or one party might not be willing to agree immediately, right?"
"Because of the lack of cooperation, the process wasn't smooth. That's what you mean, isn't it?"
After Zhao Hai nodded, Ye Tiancheng continued, "But Zhao Xudong and his fiancée shouldn't fall into this category, should they?"
"Then why did you use the word 'at least' earlier? That doesn't seem very precise."
"Zhao Xudong and his fiancée seem to have had feelings for each other for a long time, and their feelings should be very deep. Otherwise, why would Zhao Xudong be willing to have a ghost marriage with his fiancée?"
"In this situation, there shouldn't be any need for negotiation or communication. They should both be very agreeable."
Zhao Hai squinted and took a puff from his cigarette holder before replying, "Theoretically, that's certainly the case, but in reality, who knows?"
"At least from my experience, the bride yesterday didn't seem very willing to cooperate."
Ye Tiancheng was startled. "You have experience with this?"
Zhao Hai paused for a moment, then answered Ye Tiancheng's question, "How could I have experience?"
"It's not exactly experience. It's more like hearing about similar situations from others in the past. Based on what I heard and what I know, the bride doesn't seem like someone who would happily get married."
Ye Tiancheng could tell from his demeanor that Zhao Hai's words contained some truth, but it still needed further observation and discernment. However, at this moment, he could only judge based on what Zhao Hai said.
Therefore, Ye Tiancheng simply said with feigned helplessness, "So, is this a good thing or a bad thing?"
Zhao Hai's attitude on this matter was very clear. "It's just a simple delay of a few days, which is a good thing. After all, someone is treating us to a meal, and we save on daily expenses. We're happy to take it easy. If it weren't for the heavy rain, it would be even better."
"But if it's delayed for too long, it's definitely not a good thing."
"However, regardless of whether it's a good thing or a bad thing, the village chief is keeping an eye on it. This isn't our job, and it's not something we should be concerned about."
Ye Tiancheng understood the general situation and didn't dwell on these details too much. He still needed to seize the opportunity to learn more important things.
So, Ye Tiancheng asked Zhao Hai, "But speaking of which, since Zhao Xudong is already engaged to the bride, why was their marriage difficult to finalize? Why was the bride unwilling to marry? This seems a bit strange?"
"Shouldn't their feelings be very good? Why would they still need to negotiate?"
Zhao Hai shook his head and replied, "Who knows? This doesn't concern us, and it's not our business."
"Perhaps there are other hidden circumstances involved? Maybe the bride and Zhao Xudong's relationship isn't as intimate as it appears?" Ye Tiancheng guessed aimlessly, proposing what seemed to be the most likely scenario.
Zhao Hai said, "Perhaps."
Seeing that Zhao Hai seemed unwilling to continue, Ye Tiancheng changed the subject and asked, "By the way, after talking for so long, Old Zhao, you haven't mentioned the bride's name, have you?"
There was nothing to hide about this, so Zhao Hai answered directly.
"The bride's surname is Liu, and her name is Liu Han. She's twenty-four years old. She was a truly beautiful woman. It's such a pity that she passed away so young."
After hearing this, Ye Tiancheng nodded thoughtfully and then said, "It is indeed a pity. She was so young and then she was gone."
Zhao Hai said, "Isn't that so?"
After that, Ye Tiancheng couldn't get much more information. Regarding the bride, Zhao Hai either truly didn't know or intentionally concealed it, but in any case, he couldn't provide Ye Tiancheng with much more information.
If he pressed too hard, it would seem too suspicious. Therefore, Ye Tiancheng had no choice but to give up on further questioning.
Ye Tiancheng chatted with Zhao Hai for a while longer at the threshold of the main house's entrance, asking about other things as well. He tried to divert attention by appearing curious about everything, thereby concealing his excessive interest in yesterday's events.
As it was nearing noon and time for another banquet, their conversation finally ended.