20 This is Shanxiu Village (Bug Fix)

Only two days had passed when the feng shui master sent word through an intermediary, saying the date had been chosen—a day suitable for both the bride and groom, auspicious for marriage, falling shortly after the autumnal equinox.

Old Ye was quite pleased upon hearing this, repeatedly saying, "After the equinox is good; the grains are ripe, the melons are at their peak—a very favorable day indeed."

Liu Xiufeng also praised the choice of date and asked the matchmaker to hand the feng shui master ten copper coins as a token of thanks.

Upon hearing this, Ye Xi realized that meant it was about half a month away. Fortunately, his embroidery was swift, and he had just barely finished sewing Ye Jiangshan’s new clothes. He would have to hurry to get the shoes made.

That evening, Lin Jiangshan came over, carrying a large watermelon. The whole family sat in the courtyard, enjoying the autumn breeze. They cut open the watermelon, revealing its red flesh, fresh juice seeping onto the table.

Liu Xiufeng felt pleased with her future brother-in-law but was also thrifty and couldn’t help but exclaim, “That watermelon must have cost a few copper coins; next time, don’t be so wasteful buying these things.”

Ye Shan ate happily, taking three or four bites of watermelon. “Well, since he’s marrying my brother Xi, can’t I at least have one melon?”

His words made everyone laugh. Lin Jiangshan smiled and said, “Yes, Brother-in-law is right. It’s the autumn season—the last taste of watermelon this year; we have to savor it these few times.”

Since the engagement had been settled, the Ye family truly considered him one of their own. After years of wandering, he had now taken root in this Shanxiu village. Soon, he would have his own husband. The hardworking and simple Ye family’s days would finally be peaceful and steady.

Facing the Ye family, Lin Jiangshan seemed livelier and more talkative than before.

Ye Xi sat on a low stool, nibbling at the watermelon. The bright moonlight bathed his back. He glanced softly at Lin Jiangshan, his eyes brimming with love for the husband he had chosen.

Lin Jiangshan, looking across Ye Shan, returned the gaze at his future spouse with a faint, serene smile — these were his family, the ones he would walk through life with.

As the wedding day drew near, their gazes grew tender and intimate, filled with undeniable sweetness and harmony.

The others in the Ye family noticed clearly. Liu Xiufeng smiled with pursed lips, thinking their affection was strong and that in the future she wouldn’t need to worry about them.

After finishing the watermelon, Old Ye declared he was tired and wanted to rest indoors. Liu Xiufeng reminded him that the kitchen hadn’t been cleaned yet, then dragged away the absent-minded Ye Shan by the ear.

Only Ye Xi and Lin Jiangshan remained in the courtyard. The small yard grew quiet, the autumn wind blowing, rustling fallen leaves with a soft sound.

Ye Xi said, “You’ve darkened some these past few days, haven’t you?”

Lin Jiangshan smiled. “I went to town a few days ago asking about work and spent several days at the docks. The late summer sun was fierce; that’s probably why I got a bit more tanned.”

Ye Xi thought perhaps the wedding expenses were a burden on him and said, “Just handle the wedding simply. Our family doesn’t require an extravagant ceremony; it’s just a formality. What matters is the life after.”

Lin Jiangshan reassured him, “Don’t worry. I have enough to cover the wedding expenses. After all, it’s a big occasion; I won’t do it half-heartedly. I just want to earn some extra silver to buy you something.”

Ye Xi blinked, puzzled. “Buy what? You’ve already given the red fabric for my bridal clothes, and you’ve earned enough for the feast’s meat, wine, and dishes. What other expenses are there?”

Lin Jiangshan reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of cloth wrapping something. “When my mother and father married, my father spent a few taels of silver to make her a lotus-patterned bracelet, with auspicious designs. Worn on the wrist, it made a clear, crisp sound.”

As he spoke, Lin Jiangshan unfolded the cloth.

“Later, I went to the military camp and couldn’t return when my mother passed away. That bracelet is now lost, who knows in whose hands.”

Inside the cloth was a slender pure silver bracelet, delicately engraved with lotus patterns, shining with a cold light in the moonlight.

Ye Xi quietly gazed at the silver bracelet.

Lin Jiangshan said, “When my mother was alive, she often joked that it would be passed down to my future wife or husband, generation after generation, as a family heirloom. Now, I have no choice but to give you a new one. It’s not as heavy as my mother’s, and this one is much finer, but it carries all her intentions.”

Ye Xi’s eyes filled with tears. He sniffled softly. “Such a precious gift—I will cherish it.”

When the bracelet was fastened onto Ye Xi’s wrist, it looked especially beautiful. Perhaps because his wrist was slender, the size suited him perfectly, making it exquisite.

“Looks good. When we save more money, I’ll get you a thicker one—better yet, a pair,” Lin Jiangshan said.

Ye Xi admired the bracelet under the moonlight, smiling. “I’m truly blessed to wear a silver bracelet. My mother worked hard for decades and only had a thin silver hairpin.”

In the village, it was rare for young men who had married to own silver bracelets. Life in the mountain village was poor; few families were wealthy. Silver was spent on food and clothing; there was hardly any left to buy jewelry for the young men.

Lin Jiangshan laughed, “I don’t care about others, but since you’re marrying me, there must be some jewelry kept in reserve.”

Ye Xi’s eyes sparkled with a grateful smile; the moonlight seemed to shine within them.

He had found a rare, good man from ten or more villages away. His future life was sure to be happy and harmonious.

*

Time flowed like water. Amid the withering leaves, Shanxiu village grew colder by a degree. After several drizzling autumn rains, the chill deepened, and mists curled around the mid-mountain slopes.

Ye Xi nestled by the window on the kang bed, embroidering his bridal veil. He couldn’t help but yawn, resting his head against the kang cabinet, dozing off.

Liu Xiufeng busied herself in the courtyard, preparing things for the upcoming wedding feast. Lin Jiangshan was an outsider with no relatives or acquaintances in Shanxiu village, so the Ye family had to handle the banquet arrangements. They would also invite clan relatives and neighbors to liven up the celebration.

Liu Xiufeng came and went between the kitchen and yard. Chickens and ducks occasionally clucked in their pens. Soon, village women arrived—hired by Liu Xiufeng to help.

Village women had loud voices and spoke plainly and boldly. Upon entering the courtyard, they immediately began chatting boisterously, startling Ye Xi awake from his drowsiness.

“Aunt Ye, such a large slab of pork! How many big meat dishes are you planning to make?”

Ye Xi recognized the clear voice—it was Aunt Zhao from next door, skilled and experienced with banquets.

Liu Xiufeng replied, “Four meat dishes will suffice. It’s all for the auspicious meaning of ‘four complete and four beautiful’.”

“How many plates in total?” another woman asked.

“Nine plates: four meat, four cold dishes, and one hot soup. Everything complete.”

Aunt Zhao praised, “That’s quite impressive! Usually six plates are common, but your feast will be splendid.”

Liu Xiufeng sighed, busied herself with preparing the pork offal, and told the helpers, “My clumsy husband brought over more than half a slab of pork without warning. Since he spent the money, how could I not put on a good feast? He wants the banquet to be grand, so I must try my best.”

The other women clicked their tongues enviously and began gossiping.

“Your outsider son-in-law is good and practical, unlike my Wu’s groom’s family—stingy from the start. The betrothal gifts were meager; the two bolts of cloth were dragged out for ages before given. The feast was stingy—only two meat and two cold dishes and one soup. You don’t know how embarrassing that was; many left half hungry, yet they still complained about the expenses.”

“Exactly. My daughter’s in-laws are no better, always sending her back to her mother’s house to scavenge eggs and lard. Their life is poor and depends on her family’s support. I pity my daughter—if only we had better judgment and picked someone else.”

“Recently, Lu’s family in the west village held a grand feast for their youngest son. I heard he married a wealthy town family with a compound with two courtyards.”

“A son marrying into a rich town family? Look at the Lin family—they’ve been trying to arrange a match with the Cao family from the neighboring village for ages, but nothing’s come of it. No news at all.”

The women chatted back and forth, unwittingly turning to the youngest son of the Lin family and the Cao family’s matters.

Afterward, they realized their slip: the Cao family had once been betrothed to Ye Xi, but after Ye Xi was scarred, the Cao family had canceled the engagement.

The woman who misspoke smiled awkwardly and tapped her mouth, “Look at me, can’t keep my mouth shut—always ending up talking about others.”

Though Liu Xiufeng felt a bit uncomfortable, she said nothing. Now that her brother-in-law had found a good match, she was too weary to bring up those unpleasant past matters.

The women resumed chatting about other village news. Ye Xi half listened, leaning by the window, diligently embroidering the silk thread in his hands.

After a while, Li’er came in, pouting. “Since you’re getting married, my mother keeps urging me, afraid I’ll be left behind.”

Ye Xi looked at him. “You’re only three months younger than me. Aunt Liu should urge you. Has she found a family for you yet?”

Li’er said, “The family we’re looking at lately is the second son of Li San the butcher from Zhao village.”

Ye Xi smiled, “That’s a good match. Butchers are well-off. After you marry in, you’ll have meat every day. In a few months, you’ll be plump and healthy.”

Li’er curled his lips. “That Li San fellow is simple-minded, only knows how to slaughter pigs. He looks rough, big-shouldered and sturdy.”

Ye Xi lowered his gaze, embroidering petals. “A man should be strong and capable to run a household. Don’t you prefer those refined, scholarly gentlemen?”

Li’er shook his head. “Not at all. I want a husband who provides warmth and food. I just want to be well-fed and clothed.”

Ye Xi smiled, “That’s how I see it too. That’s how life should be.”