Mr. Jing and His Little Husband

Chapter 52

Marriage – Part One

“All right, stop messing around! Everyone, full speed ahead!”

Before the words had even settled, Jing Yi held Chuxia with his left hand and Xiao Shu with his right, and he started running without any sense of fairness.

“Hey, big brother, you’re cheating!” Xiao An, seeing his big brother take off first, felt like stomping and yelled.

“Brother Yi is sneaking off! We won’t take someone like you!” Xiao Shan also refused to lose.

As for Xiao Jiang, the quiet one, he didn’t waste words and had already started chasing with long strides.@@@@

After they took the things from the donkey cart and arrived at the riverbank, the three little boys spent quite a while choosing a spot under a willow tree.

A gentle breeze blew, swaying the willow branches, and there were small yellow wildflowers scattered around. It was indeed a great place for a picnic.

They first spread a large piece of oil paper on the ground and then laid a thick cotton and linen cloth as a tablecloth.

Jing Yi and Chuxia sent their four younger brothers to buy some wild fruit juice nearby since they didn’t bring much water. They also bought some hot fried rice and buns.

The newly engaged stayed behind to lovingly set up the table. There was roasted chicken, braised pork, cold pig ears, cold wild vegetables, and some homemade cold cakes and tea eggs from their home.

Although Jing Yi had repeatedly told Chuxia that he only needed to bring himself to the appointment, and he would take care of everything, Chuxia, upon hearing it was a picnic, brought some easy-to-carry food based on his instincts. He also brought a variety of dried fruits like melon seeds, hazelnuts, and pine nuts, perfect for snacking during leisure time in the countryside.

When the younger brothers returned, Jing Yi went to a barbecue stall that had made his mouth water as they passed by earlier and bought roasted pork, roasted lamb, roasted eggplant, and roasted sweet potatoes. It smelled so good that he bought a large box, believing that everyone’s appetite would surely devour it.

“Alright, let’s eat!” Jing Yi, as the temporary head of the family, announced the start of the meal.

The four little guys were already quite familiar with each other. They didn’t stand on ceremony with anyone, and as soon as Jing Yi and Chuxia started eating, they began to dig in.

Seeing this, Jing Yi quickly handed a chicken leg to Chuxia and Xiao Shu each and let them eat. He didn’t bother with the rest.

With two roast chickens, along with so much grilled meat, braised meat, and cold dishes, as well as fried rice and buns, how much each little guy could eat depended on their abilities.

The meal was enjoyable and satisfying, relaxing and exhilarating, just a bit rushed.

But it’s not their fault either. It’s been past seven or eight in the morning when they ate, and now it’s past twelve. They’ve been running and playing all morning without a break. Of course, they’re hungry.

As the meal passed its halfway point, everyone finally slowed down, eating and chatting while also enjoying the scenery and discussing the local customs.

“Brother Xiaxia, let’s fly kites together later. Can you hold my hand while we run?” Xiao Shu, with his chubby cheeks, kept eating and talking to Chuxia. He really liked Chuxia, who was gentle and kind to him, unlike those who always ordered him around.

“Sure, but let’s take a break first; otherwise, our stomachs might hurt.”

Chuxia used a handkerchief to wipe the oil off Xiao Shu’s cheeks, but he didn’t mind his constant chatter. he still had food to finish.

“I want to fly kites with you too. Brother Xiaxia, I’m really good at it.”

Jing Yi forcefully joined the conversation of the kite-flying duo and handed Chuxia a piece of grilled lamb, placing it against his plump upper lip. He couldn’t help but salivate at the sight.

In the main courtyard, it was still the matchmaker Hua they had hired before, energetically urging the groom’s entourage to depart.

She hadn’t been wrong. In the two short years from the engagement to the wedding, while the Jing family’s main residence was still in Xiwan Village, everyone in Fuyang Town now knew about the Jing family’s Little Restaurant and the Jing Hotpot Restaurant.

“Here we are, matchmaker Hua.”

Jing Father and Jing Mother successively lifted the curtains of the main house. Today, they had dressed up as well. They wore bright red and brand-new clothes, and the outer garments they wore were made of silk, shimmering in the morning sunlight.

Jing Mother even wore a silver hairpin and silver bracelets, while Jing Father hung a jade pendant with the character “福” (happiness) around his waist.

However, no matter how much they decorated themselves, it couldn’t outshine the radiant smiles on their faces.

“Oh, big sister, you and big brother look so full of joy today! Your face and body are radiating happiness!”

Upon seeing Jing Mother, Matchmaker Hua continuously showered them with auspicious words and rainbow-like compliments, making Jing Mother unable to contain her laughter.

Relatives and friends in the courtyard also teased and praised with good-natured jokes when they saw them.

At this moment, only genuine relatives and close friends were in the Jing family’s courtyard. The wedding ceremony was set for noon, followed by the banquet. Guests who had been invited would arrive later. Those who were here now were the ones who could help with preparations and were genuinely close.

“Where’s Jing Yi? The groom needs to come out quickly. My brother-in-law must be getting impatient!”

The one joking loudly was Jing Feng, who had now grown into a young man. Two years of experience had stripped away his youthfulness, making him more mature, but he still loved to laugh and joke.

“Yeah! Come out quickly, Xiao Yi. Let Uncle Meng have a look and see if your face is red!”

“Hahaha! Jing brother, come out quickly! Don’t be shy.”

Jing Feng’s teasing seemed to be the starting signal, and from then on, it was like poking a hornet’s nest. Everyone rarely had the chance to see Jing Yi being bashful or losing, especially in the past year. Jing Yi had become more dignified with his expanding business, so this opportunity was rare, and everyone wanted to witness it.

“Now you’re having a great time, but just wait until it’s your turn to get married next year. I won’t go easy on you,” Jing Yi said playfully as he stepped out.

Dressed in a bright red groom’s attire, it perfectly accentuated his impressive figure, his handsome and clean-cut face radiating both clarity and solemnity.

With a silver hairpin on his head, a jade pendant and sachet around his waist, and his long hair tied neatly behind his head, he appeared both energetic and composed.

“Brother! Spare me, please! Let’s go and receive my brother-in-law quickly! Look, even my second aunt can’t wait.” Jing Feng was taking advantage of Jing Yi’s good mood today and continued to be mischievous. He even dared to tease Jing Mother.

“You little rascal!” Jing Mother was not the least bit upset; in fact, she was quite delighted. “But you’re right! Go and receive him quickly. Your father and I can’t wait either!”

To welcome the groom, Jing Yi had rented four tall and sturdy horses from the horse market. Seated on these horses were four unmarried young men from Xiwan Village who had a close relationship with Jing Yi’s family: Jing Feng from Third Uncle’s family, Jing Cheng from the village chief’s family, Liu Xianzhi from Second Uncle’s family, and Meng Hong from Second Uncle’s family.

These young men weren’t very skilled at riding, but they had practiced for a while in advance to avoid making a fool of themselves.

Following behind them was Jing Yi, also on horseback. He had bought this horse in the summer from the horse market and had been taking care of it for a few months, so they had become quite close. The horse wore a big red flower around its neck, and its reddish-brown mane matched the festive occasion perfectly.

Behind them were a horse-drawn carriage and six donkey-drawn carts. The carriage was reserved for the groom, with its sides covered in light red cotton fabric. Unlike the traditional custom of sealing the carriage windows, it had deep red gauze curtains instead. Four small red lanterns adorned the corners, adding a highly decorative touch.

Among the six donkey-drawn carts, the first two were pulling Matchmaker Hua Sao, Xiao An, Xiao Shu, and several women and men from Xiwan Village who had a close relationship with the Jing family. They were known as “all-encompassing people ” who brought good luck.

The remaining four carts carried items like wedding candies and cakes, as well as vehicles for receiving guests who came to witness the ceremony.