1979: My fiancée is a goddess

Five o'clock in the morning.

Night fell like a curtain, enveloping the gradually awakening city.

The moonlight, like water, filled the ancient and dilapidated courtyard.

"Wow..."

The shadows of the branches and leaves swayed on the ground like water plants under a lake, while the sound of the wind blowing through the leaves was like the babbling of a stream.

The door to the main room creaked open and slowly opened a crack.

A slender woman pushed open the door and came out. Looking up, she saw that dawn was approaching and quickly turned back to call out:

"Kaiyan, are you up yet? Hurry up and get ready, we're going to pick Xiaoli up at seven!"

In the room.

"I know, Mom!"

Cheng Kaiyan was getting dressed when she called out.

After getting dressed, I went to the mirror and took a quick look at myself.

He was wearing a hand-stitched black suit with a white shirt underneath, black trousers, and polished leather shoes.

The long, slender legs beneath the straight trousers, the broad shoulders and narrow waist of the upper body that fill out the suit, all exude a mature, steady, handsome, and dashing charm.

Except for the leather shoes, all of this outfit was hand-sewn by Liu Xiaoli, taking almost a month and countless hours of effort to complete.

The material, design, and texture are all excellent.

"Sister Xiaoli's cooking skills are getting better and better. This outfit is even better than what you can buy outside."

Cheng Kaiyan looked at her clothes with satisfaction, patted them with her hands, and tugged at the hem until she was in the most comfortable position.

Imagine a girl who is skillful, intelligent, kind, gentle, and virtuous, who falls in love with you and treats you with all her heart.

How could he not be satisfied and pleased?

Moreover, today is the day he and Liu Xiaoli got engaged.

After today, the two will be a proper engaged couple, starting a new family together.

Although it was just an engagement, the general process was similar to that of a wedding.

This is the result of repeated discussions between the two families.

The reason is simple: Liu Xiaoli is still in university, and Cheng Kaiyan will be starting her postgraduate studies in the second half of the year.

The two of them will not be able to get married or obtain a marriage certificate in the short term.

Therefore, the engagement banquet was held in a rather grand manner.

From five to seven in the morning, Cheng Kaiyan and Liu Xiaoli each tidied up and prepared at home.

By the way, to make things easier, the two of them went home separately last night.

Cheng Kaiyan returned to the courtyard house, while Liu Xiaoli returned to her "home"—the teachers' compound at Beijing Normal University.

Therefore, at seven o'clock, Cheng Kaiyan had to ride her bicycle, carrying gifts, to the teachers' compound to pick up the person.

As for now.

Cheng Kaiyan turned around and sat down at her desk. She took out a stack of red envelopes from her drawer and a wad of cash from her briefcase, and began to wrap the red envelopes.

After a while.

"Hehe, this can be considered a wedding procession."

Cheng Kaiyan looked at the stack of red envelopes on the table and chuckled.

There are thirty or forty red envelopes on the table, with varying amounts of money inside.

They have coins of one mao, five mao, one yuan, five yuan, ten yuan, and one hundred yuan.

The smaller ones were given to neighbors, and the larger ones to relatives' children.

The several hundred-yuan red envelopes are for my aunt, Aunt Wan, Uncle Liu, and my younger sister Xiaoling and other relatives.

In addition, there was a large red envelope containing one thousand and one yuan.

It means one in a thousand.

This was prepared by her mother, Xu Yuxiu, for Xiaoli, as an advance betrothal gift.

Cheng Kaiyan originally wanted to select one in ten thousand.

But now that there are no 100-yuan banknotes, 10,000 yuan is just 1,000 large unity bills, which are inconvenient to carry and store, so I simply gave up on it.

However, Cheng Kaiyan earned 10 million yen in Japan, and half of that money was in her bank account in China, which is equivalent to more than 30,000 yuan.

A little while later, Cheng Kaiyan planned to hand over her bank card to Xiaoli for safekeeping, so that she could manage the household.

After tidying up the red envelopes and stuffing them into his pocket, he checked the wedding gifts and set them aside before turning around and leaving.

"Kaiyan, you're up?"

Auntie was sitting in the living room drinking tea, while Sister Qiaoqiao was holding her half-asleep child and trying to soothe him.

"Yes, did you sleep well last night? It must have been hard for you to sleep on the floor, sister."

Cheng Kaiyan asked with concern.

"It's alright, your sister can sleep on the floor."

Nie Qiaomei shook her head with a smile.

A few days ago, she and her mother, Xu Yuran, slept in Aunt Xiu's room, while Aunt Xiu slept in Cheng Kaiyan's room.

Cheng Kaiyan came back last night, and the three of them squeezed into one room.

My mother, Aunt Xiu, and the children slept in one bed, while she, being young, slept on a makeshift bed on the floor.

"That's good. Will Brother Dahai come today?"

Cheng Kaiyan asked casually.

"Of course! If he doesn't come to my brother's engagement, I'll never forgive him!"

Nie Qiaomei frowned and snorted coldly.

With her younger brother's support these past two years, she has become much more confident in her speech.

"That's good."

Seeing this, Cheng Kaiyan smiled, then cheerfully took out a red envelope and handed it over, "Here, this is a red envelope for Xiaobao! You take it, sister."

"You're getting engaged today, so I'll be giving out red envelopes to spread good fortune and share the joy. I won't stand on ceremony with you!"

Nie Qiaomei accepted it with a smile, cupped her hands in congratulations, and said, "I wish you and Xiaoli a harmonious and happy marriage, and that you will have a baby soon!"

"Haha, thank you, thank you."

Cheng Kaiyan laughed and handed over two more ten-yuan red envelopes: "Here are two more for you and your sister, Auntie."

"No, no, no, we're not young anymore, why would we need a red envelope!"

"Take it, take it!"

They only have one direct relative in the family, with whom they have a close and intimate relationship, but their family's financial situation is not very good.

Moreover, for this engagement gift, his aunt and Qiaoqiao's sister actually counted as two families, and together they gave 66 yuan, which was a lot of money for them.

He has to help out, no matter what.

Without a word, she handed it over, and Cheng Kaiyan turned and went out to wash up.

in the living room.

"He's still so kind and filial."

The mother and daughter smiled at each other while holding the red envelopes; it was obvious that the amount inside was substantial.

……

It's six o'clock.

Cheng Kaiyan went outside and looked up, only to find that it was already daylight.

The courtyard gradually became lively as the elderly men and women got up to wash, clean, cook, and watch the commotion...

In the open space of the courtyard, the mother, Xu Yuxiu, was talking to a middle-aged man with a robust build, wearing a kitchen apron.

The middle-aged man nodded perfunctorily and went about his own business.

Beside the two, there were three or four other people moving bricks to build a stove, washing vegetables and preparing food.

Clearly, this is the cook that my mother hired.

The cooks for banquets like this arrive early, usually at five o'clock in the morning. If they are preparing breakfast, they are even busier.

Today, Cheng Kaiyan's family has booked nine tables for a banquet, with twelve dishes on each table. The banquet will begin at noon.

They'll be busy enough.

"Master Cai, thank you for your hard work."

Cheng Kaiyan thought for a moment, then walked over and stuffed a pack of cigarettes into Master Cai's arms.

Master Cai glanced down and, lo and behold, it was a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes! A hearty smile immediately spread across his face: "Hey! Of course! Comrade, you must be the groom, right? Don't worry, I'll make sure the feast is beautifully prepared for you today!"

"Okay, comrade, you're busy."

Cheng Kaiyan waved her hand.

Xu Yuxiu breathed a sigh of relief; only when the men in the family spoke up did others take it seriously.

"Kaiyan, congratulations! It feels like just yesterday you were getting engaged!"

"Congratulations, Kaiyan!"

At this moment, the neighbors in the courtyard, young and old, noticed that Cheng Kaiyan, the groom, had appeared and hurriedly went forward to congratulate him.

Cheng Kaiyan responded to each of them, giving them some candy and melon seeds, and then went back to the kitchen to wash up.

The mother, Xu Yuxiu, smiled and asked the neighbors to borrow tables to make up for the meal. Everyone readily agreed, saying that they should just ask if they needed anything.

"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm late!"

At 6:40, my cousin's husband, Tang Dahai, finally arrived from the countryside.

As expected, I got a severe scolding from Sister Qiaoqiao.

Cheng Kaiyan, Tang Dahai, and Uncle Zhan from next door, carrying loads of various gifts, rode three bicycles with big red flowers hanging on the front, lined up in a grand procession, and headed towards the faculty compound of Beijing Normal University.

"Wow, so many gifts?"

"That's incredibly extravagant!"

Passersby turned their heads to look, knowing that this must be a wedding procession.

……

The dormitory building in the faculty compound of Beijing Normal University.

The fourth-floor apartment of Jiang Ting had red "double happiness" characters pasted on the door and red lanterns hanging at the entrance.

A group of teachers and professors from Beijing Normal University surrounded her, chatting animatedly and occasionally peeking into the room to see what the bride was dressed for.

Inside the living room, there were more than a dozen people sitting or standing, most of whom were relatives and friends of the Liu family.

It was also a joyous and festive atmosphere.

"Come on, everyone, have some candy!"

At this moment, Liu Jianshe, dressed in a well-fitting Zhongshan suit, and Jiang Ting, a stunningly beautiful woman in a shirt and trousers, walked out of the bedroom.

The two men each carried a red plastic bag and came out to distribute candy to people inside and outside the house.

"Tsk tsk, there are quite a few White Rabbit candies in here? And even chocolate?"

"I've really learned something new this time!"

"Of course! Look who Xiaoli is engaged to—the great writer Cheng Kaiyan!"

"A perfect match, a golden couple!"

The group accepted the candy and began to discuss it amongst themselves.

"thanks, thanks."

Lin Xiaohong was flattered and grateful when Jiang Ting stuffed a handful of candy into her hands, thanking her profusely.

"fine."

Jiang Ting chuckled lightly, her usually cold and indifferent face now showing a hint of joy.

She seemed happy about today's engagement.

"Professor Jiang, where is Sister Xiaoli?"

Lin Xiaohong popped a White Rabbit candy into her mouth and asked curiously.

"She's still putting on makeup inside. She should be done by now," Jiang Ting explained.

"Can I go in and take a look?"

Lin Xiaohong asked timidly.

"Okay, I'll take you in in a bit."

Jiang Ting agreed without hesitation, and after distributing the candy, she led her into the house.

"Click..."

The door is pushed open.

Inside the room, Liu Xiaoli sat quietly on a stool in front of the dressing table, while Jiang Wan combed her hair behind her.

At this moment, Liu Xiaoli was wearing a bright red embroidered cheongsam.

The design is simple and fresh, featuring a stand-up collar, narrow sleeves, and Chinese knot buttons. The silk satin surface does not have the traditional dragon and phoenix motifs, but only simple plain patterns that reflect a lustrous sheen under the light.

The cheongsam was slightly loose on Liu Xiaoli, who is slender and tall. The front of the dress was gathered, which perfectly accentuated her figure without being too tacky.

As a dancer, her hips, though not wide, are much fuller and firmer than the average person's, and the peak of her hips makes the cheongsam look tighter.

Overall, while this cheongsam didn't make her look as stunning as a woman with a fuller, more graceful figure like her aunt, it didn't make her look as beautiful and captivating.

However, she possessed the dignified elegance of a lady from a prominent family, and her demeanor was graceful and poised.

This is clearly a modified version of the cheongsam. With the reform and opening up, people's ideas have become more modern, and the cheongsam is no longer regarded as one of the "Four Olds". Many wealthy families have begun to wear cheongsams at their weddings.

After all, the mainstream look of wearing a red suit with a skirt isn't very attractive.

However, with the airing of "Romance on Lushan Mountain", many people were influenced by it and started wearing red suits with white veils draped over their heads, which can be considered a combination of Chinese and Western styles.

"Wow! Xiaoli, it's so beautiful!! Is that a cheongsam?"

Lin Xiaohong exclaimed in surprise, her eyes sparkling.

At this moment, Jiang Wan had already combed her hair, patted her daughter's shoulder, and indicated that it was all done.

"Xiao Hong, you're here?"

As Liu Xiaoli responded, she turned to look in the mirror and saw that her hair was styled in a "bun" style at the back.

As she watched, Liu Xiaoli suddenly felt a little dazed.

This hairstyle is not commonly used by young girls, but is frequently used by newlywed wives.

Soon she would be leaving her parents' embrace to start a new family with Cheng Kaiyan.

As I thought about it, my heart gradually ached, and my eyes welled up with tears.

"Wow! Xiaoli looks so beautiful with makeup on!"

Lin Xiaohong gasped in surprise upon seeing it.

Makeup techniques are quite crude these days. Many brides simply apply a thick layer of foundation and a couple of rosy patches to their cheeks before getting married.

But Liu Xiaoli's light makeup at this moment made her look much cleaner and fresher. If it weren't for the rosy rouge on her lips, most people wouldn't even be able to tell that she was wearing makeup.

Jiang Ting's mouth was slightly agape as she looked at her niece, who was dressed up in her finest attire, especially her flawless face after applying light makeup.

Even she was momentarily lost in thought.

She looks exactly like she did when she got married ten years ago.

"It's so similar..."

Jiang Ting muttered to herself.

……

"The groom is here!"

Wow! They're giving out red envelopes! How generous!

A moment later, a commotion arose outside.

"Kaiyan is here! Xiaoli, quickly sit on the bed."

Jiang Ting snapped out of her daze and immediately gave the order.

"oh oh."

The bitterness in Liu Xiaoli's heart vanished instantly, replaced by waves of shy joy and anticipation. She looked towards the door and slowly returned to sit on the bed.

Then, the clever younger sister Liu Xiaoling ran to lock the door from the inside, and the eldest aunt Liu Xin, Li Hongmei, Zhou Wenqiong and others also ran to the door to block it.

Soon, there was a knock on the door, and Cheng Kaiyan called out from outside, "Open the door, Xiaoli! I've come to pick you up!"

"Brother! Give me a red envelope! I won't open the door without a red envelope!"

Liu Xiaoling looked up and shouted, and Liu Xin, Zhou Wenqiong and others responded with smiles.

"Little girl, this isn't a wedding, why are you blocking the door?"

Cheng Kaiyan banged on the door in an annoyed manner.

"Hahaha!"

As soon as he said that, everyone inside and outside the house burst into laughter.

"I don't care! I want a red envelope!"

The little girl wouldn't let it go.

Jiang Wan walked over and said with a smile, "Kaiyan, just honestly hand over the red envelope. Aunt Wan will see your sincerity."

Although today is just an engagement, the way you two are doing, it's clear you're headed for marriage. Our daughter isn't so easily taken away.

Outside the door, Cheng Kaiyan, having anticipated this, took out a stack of red envelopes from another pocket and squatted down to stuff them through the crack in the door.

While handing over the red envelope, they asked, "Is this enough?"

inside the house.

Liu Xiaoling opened it and her eyes widened. "One hundred?"

"not enough!"

A hint of surprise flashed in Jiang Wan's eyes, and she said jokingly.

Another red envelope was slipped in.

Jiang Wan also shouted coldly, "Not enough."

Four or five hundreds were stuffed in one after another, and only then did we hear the sound of the door being unlocked from the inside.

Then the door opened, and four or five heads popped out from top to bottom, looking over curiously.

Seeing this, Cheng Kaiyan simply waved the large red envelope containing 1,001 yuan in the air and laughed, "Make way, the big red envelope is here."

The group's eyes lit up, and they all stepped aside to let Cheng Kaiyan bring in the red envelope.

Cheng Kaiyan swiftly shoved the red envelope into Aunt Wan's arms, then forcefully pushed open the door and squeezed in, heading straight for the stunningly beautiful girl on the bed who was smiling sweetly at him. "Xiaoli!"

"Brighten up!"

Liu Xiaoli looked at the mature and handsome man in front of her with gentle eyes and responded softly.

"Comrade Xiaoli, would you be willing to marry me... as my fiancé?"

Cheng Kaiyan ignored them and rushed into the crowd.

He took a deep breath, knelt down on one knee, and took out a small black box from his pocket and opened it.

The ruby ​​ring, a deep red and sparkling, shimmered with dazzling fire under the lamplight and the pale golden dawn.

"Woo..."

Looking at the man kneeling on one knee in front of her, holding up a ring, Liu Xiaoli's heart was filled with boundless happiness and sweetness.

She was clearly happy, but tears involuntarily streamed down her round, watery almond-shaped eyes.

Even the girl's clear and pure voice became soft and choked with emotion.

She had no choice but to cover her mouth, trying to control her emotions.

One second, two seconds, thirty seconds, one minute...

Everyone present held their breath, not wanting to disturb the couple.

Finally, Liu Xiaoli calmed down a bit, raised her wrist to wipe away her tears, and nodded heavily: "Comrade Xiao Cheng, I do! I am willing to be with you forever and become your husband."

"They are an engaged couple."

Cheng Kaiyan whispered a reminder.

"..."

Liu Xiaoli burst into laughter through her tears, glaring at him with a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance. Then, she stretched out her slender, beautiful, and fair hand to Cheng Kaiyan and said coquettishly, "Whatever it is! Hurry up and put it on for me!"

"I love you, Comrade Xiaoli."

Cheng Kaiyan took the girl's soft, boneless hand in his, lowered his head and gently kissed it, then took out a gemstone ring and put it on the girl's right ring finger.

Although it's an engagement, he wants to wear this ring where it belongs.

"I love you too, Comrade Xiao Cheng, I will love you for all eternity."

Liu Xiaoli's eyes were already glistening with tears. She raised her hand to look at the clear ruby ​​ring, then lowered her head to pick up the remaining plain ring in the box, took Cheng Kaiyan's left hand, and slowly put it on his ring finger.

Then they clasped their hands tightly together and gazed intently into each other's eyes.

Finally, under everyone's watchful eyes, the girl closed her eyes, lowered her head, and gently kissed Cheng Kaiyan's lips.

When I looked up again.

Liu Xiaoli was already overcome with shyness. Her flawless face, snow-white neck, and glistening jade ears, and even her entire body, were flushed with an alluring blush.

She could only barely hold onto Cheng Kaiyan's shoulders, panting softly, and said in a voice barely audible:
"Take me with you, Comrade Xiao Cheng!"

"Yes, my lord! My fiancée!"

Cheng Kaiyan's eyes flashed with intense excitement and joy. She swept her beloved into a princess carry in her arms.

Under everyone's gaze, he walked straight out.

But no one stopped them.

Both Jiang Wan and Jiang Ting followed closely behind.

On a street in the early morning, Cheng Kaiyan rode his bicycle, with his fiancée Liu Xiaoli clinging tightly to his waist behind him.

The two drove home at an extremely fast speed.

A long line of bicycles followed behind, accompanied by the crackling sound of firecrackers.

After returning home and settling his fiancée in, Cheng Kaiyan spent some time having a private chat with the girl.

After Aunt Wan and her aunt arrived.

Cheng Kaiyan then went out to greet the guests.

In front of the courtyard house, there was a stack of red paper scraps left from firecrackers.

Guests came and went, and the place was bustling with noise.

During this time, Cheng Kaiyan hosted many friends and elders.

He respectfully escorted teachers such as Ye Shengtao and Aunt Yao Cheng, as well as Mr. Ba Jin, Mr. Zhang Guangnian, and teacher Wang Meng, to the main room for tea.

Another example is the sworn sister Lin Qingshui. The two siblings had not seen each other for a long time. After embracing each other tightly, they were taken to the bedroom to spend time with their mother Xiaoli and the others.

There were also Jiang Zilong, Ye Xin, Wang Anyi, Chen Danqing, and even Shi Tiesheng, who came in a wheelchair...

Cheng Kaiyan treated everyone with utmost care and consideration.

The banquet officially began at noon.

With their parents, relatives, friends, elders, and teachers as witnesses, Cheng Kaiyan and Liu Xiaoli officially became engaged and signed a marriage certificate.

The luncheon was very lively. Cheng Kai drank very restrainedly, but was still slightly drunk.

After the banquet, clean up the mess.

Cheng Kaiyan then took Liu Xiaoli back to their actual home.

The engaged couple finally had a legitimate and reasonable opportunity to lie in bed together and talk about their future.

"Comrade Cheng, do you remember yesterday was your birthday?"

"Ah."

"Did you think I forgot or wasn't prepared?"

"No, I don't think so. I won't be angry if you forget me."

"I'll give you your birthday present later tonight, don't be in such a hurry, okay?"

Liu Xiaoli gently stroked the soft hair of the man beside her, momentarily lost in thought. (End of Chapter)