Chen Lishu felt that nothing was a more perfect combination than a wedding dress with a military uniform.
Although the wedding was not lavish, it was warm and romantic with the blessings of friends and family.
As the banquet drew to a close, the two little ones yawned. Especially Xiao Chengzi, held in Chen Lishu's arms, rubbed his eyes, his little head nodding, almost asleep.
"The two children need their nap every afternoon. This time is already late." Chen Lishu held Xiao Chengzi horizontally in her arms, and before long, he closed his eyes and fell asleep.
Xiao Bai, held in Zhao Guiying's arms, didn't last much longer. He slumped on her shoulder, his chubby little face squeezed together, his pink little mouth slightly open.
"Your two children are so easy to handle. Our third one back then, every time before sleeping, I had to carry him for a long time. His eyes were still as wide as light bulbs. Look, he's still energetic now. If it weren't for the two older ones going to school every day and not always being in my sight, I tell you, I would definitely be angered to death."
As soon as Zhao Guiying finished speaking, their third son came running over, crying, "Mom, Wu Yan stole my soda."
"Drinking that stuff too much makes you wet the bed. Hurry up and be quiet for a bit. We'll go home after your dad and his table finish drinking."
"My dad's table will definitely have soda. I'm going to go ask my dad for some." Wang Yanchun said, running towards the table of male guests.
The plastic-soled sandals made a 'dada-dada' sound as they ran on the cement ground.
On the other side, Wu Yan, hiding under the table, poked his head out. Seeing that Wang Laosan's complaint was in vain, he crawled out with some triumph.
"We agreed on one bottle each. He still wants to take more. I snatched this back for you, so you have to give me some to drink." Looking at the orange-yellow lemonade in his hand, Wu Yan swallowed.
Wu Haiyang looked at him and said softly, "You drink first."
Wu Yan: "You first, the rest is for me." If he drank first, he would have to watch Wu Haiyang drink, and he would be greedy. It would be better to drink the rest so he could savor it slowly.
Wu Haiyang looked at Wu Yan and didn't take it.
"Are you stupid?" Wu Yan shoved the soda bottle into his hand without hesitation.
Wu Haiyang looked at the bottle in his hand, silently drank half of the soda, and handed the rest to Wu Yan.
Because he drank a bit too quickly, Wu Haiyang had a lot of air in his stomach, and soon he couldn't help but let out a burp.
Wu Yan happily savored the remaining soda. When he looked up and saw Wang Yanchun holding a newly opened full bottle of soda, his face beaming like an idiot, he immediately felt that the soda in his hand was no longer appealing.
"Uncle Gu gave it to me." The simpleton Wang Yanchun smiled so much his eyes were almost gone.
When Wu Yan heard him, he quickly shoved the soda in his hand to Wu Haiyang and ran to the male guests' table.
"Wu Yan, come here!" Finally spotting her son, Lin Xiaoyue called out. Wu Yan's small body instinctively trembled.
He wasn't afraid of his mother, but if he angered his mother, his father would definitely beat him.
Chen Lishu laughed, "Sister-in-law, you have quite the presence now."
In the past, Lin Xiaoyue always spoke gently, never loudly, and rarely lost her temper. Now, her presence was almost catching up to Zhao Guiying.
Lin Xiaoyue smiled shyly, "With three little rascals at home, even the best temper would be driven mad."
Wu Yan reluctantly came over. Seeing Chen Lishu looking at him, he scratched the back of his head, "Godmother."
Lin Xiaoyue, "Did you snatch Yan Chun's soda? Your mischief is acting up again. Go back and see if your dad will spank you."
Wu Yan was unconvinced, "He snatched Haiyang's, and I took it back."
Lin Xiaoyue glanced at the men's table, "Don't run around anymore. Go call those two back. Your dad's table is almost finished, and we need to go home too."
At this moment, the men's table had just finished the last bit of wine in their glasses.
It was a rare opportunity for everyone to gather, and they were all very happy.
"Old Gu is successful now. He'll treat next time." Wu Zheng said, patting Gu Xingdong's shoulder, "Brother, you're not considerate. You left without saying to visit me often."
He looked so wronged, like a devoted woman abandoned by a faithless man.
Everyone present shuddered instinctively. It was disgusting.
Gu Xingdong said seriously, "Come over next time you have a day off. I still have two bottles of Maotai at home."
Wang Jianshe's eyes lit up, "You actually have such good stuff? I'll tag along with Old Wu and benefit too."
Wang Dazhu and Wei Gang also clamored to join the fun.
Seeing that it was almost time, everyone got up to leave.
When Gu Xingdong went to Chen Lishu's side, he noticed that both children had rosy cheeks from sleeping, with even a slight trace of milk at the corners of their mouths.
"Sorry to trouble you, sister-in-law." Gu Xingdong took Xiao Bai from Zhao Guiying's arms.
In the familiar embrace, Xiao Bai instinctively nudged his little head into his father's arms and unconsciously smacked his lips, but he didn't wake up.
Knowing he had to drink, Gu Xingdong hadn't driven. Besides, the two houses were not far apart, about a ten-minute walk. The couple walked back home holding the child.
The streets were lined with green trees, the heat was oppressive, and there were few pedestrians. The occasional bird call from the trees sounded weak.
"Xiao Xue was really beautiful today." Zhang Xue today smiled sweetly. Standing beside Li Weimin, she seemed to sparkle.
Gu Xingdong, "Didn't notice."
He only saw that Li Weimin's mouth was always open, looking like a simpleton.
Chen Lishu sighed, "A girl in a wedding dress, that should be the most beautiful moment of her life."
Gu Xingdong's hand patting his daughter's back paused. After a moment, his thin lips, sharp as a blade, parted, "I'm sorry."
Chen Lishu tilted her head, "Why the sudden apology?"
Gu Xingdong, "I couldn't give you a wedding."
Chen Lishu paused, then smiled and said, "We're already an old couple. It doesn't matter if we had a wedding or not. It's enough that you love our home and me."
Gu Xingdong raised his eyes. Their gazes met, and they could both feel the love conveyed in each other's eyes.
Some people can't meet their destined person in their entire lives, but how fortunate she was to not only have a chance to start over but also to meet him.
Chen Lishu's mind suddenly recalled a sentence by Zhang Ailing: "To meet the person you meet among the millions, in the boundless wilderness of time, not a step earlier, nor a step later, but just in time..."
At this time, Qingshan Village, without its usual tranquility, was filled with the lively atmosphere of a harvest.
"Sister-in-law Lishu, going to the mountain?" In the golden wheat fields, a woman pulled off the headscarf wrapped around her head, wiped her face, and greeted enthusiastically.
Wu Chunmei stopped, "It's noon. They are busy harvesting. I'm going to deliver some food."
"It's a great harvest on the mountain this year. I saw several cars coming to pick up things. You two are blessed with good fortune. Your daughters are all capable."
Hearing the other woman's praise, Wu Chunmei smiled, "The children are reasonably promising."