flstandardbreds Chapter 106 Uncle's Wedding
Chapter 106 Uncle's Wedding
Lijia Village is always exceptionally cold in December, with a biting chill in the wind, as if even the air has frozen into ice crystals. It had just rained yesterday, and when Li Xiaoxiao opened the door early in the morning, a gust of cold air hit her face, and she shuddered.
As the weather grew colder, the village school had already begun its holiday. Besides helping with some housework, Li Fang spent most of his time in his room reading and practicing calligraphy. Li Xiaoxiao discovered that her younger brother truly loved reading. Li Linlin also often stayed in the room with Li Fang, asking him to teach her how to read.
Li Xiaoxiao stood at the doorway, gazing at the sky washed by the winter rain, her heart swelled with an indescribable excitement and anticipation. Tomorrow was her uncle Li Mingyuan's wedding day, and the entire Lijia Village would be immersed in a festive atmosphere.
The early morning sun filtered through the sparse clouds, casting a soft, warm glow on the damp ground. Li Xiaoxiao took a deep breath of the crisp air, then returned to the house and began to work. She knew many relatives would be visiting her grandmother's house today to help with preparations for tomorrow's wedding, and as her uncle's niece, she naturally had to shoulder her share of responsibility.
In the kitchen, her mother prepared breakfast. The steaming porridge and fragrant buns warmed her heart. Li Xiaoxiao helped set the table while chatting with her mother. "Mom, how are the preparations for my uncle's wedding going?" she asked with concern.
Mother smiled and replied, "It's almost done. There are only some minor tasks left. Someone from your grandmother's family has come to help, and everyone is working together, so it's very lively."
After breakfast, Li Xiaoxiao, along with his younger brother Li Fang and younger sister Li Linlin, began helping Bai Jing clean the yard and tidy up the rooms. Despite his youth, Li Fang was incredibly diligent, meticulously sweeping every corner of the yard with a broom. Li Linlin followed behind her, wiping the tables and chairs while humming a little tune she'd learned from somewhere.
As the sun rose higher, the atmosphere in the village grew increasingly lively. Although Bai Jing hadn't been in Lijia Village very long, most of the people there were simple and honest. Furthermore, Bai Jing married someone from the village, so early in the morning, neighbors came to congratulate him. Some brought homemade snacks, some carried freshly picked vegetables, and still others brought hand-woven festive decorations. Li Xiaoxiao and her family warmly welcomed each guest, their faces filled with happy smiles.
In the evening, the large kitchen of Lijia Village was brightly lit as the villagers gathered around, busy preparing for tomorrow's feast. Li Xiaoxiao, Bai Shi, her aunt, and others worked together to make dumplings. Their skillful technique soon filled the chopping board with plump, round dumplings. The men were busy chopping and cooking nearby, their hands full. The kitchen was filled with laughter and the air was filled with the delicious aroma of food, making everyone salivate. Because of the cold weather, the dishes had to be prepared a day in advance to avoid a scramble the next day. After finishing their work, everyone had a simple meal and then returned to their homes to rest.
Late at night, Li Xiaoxiao lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep. She thought about her uncle's wedding the next day, feeling both excited and nervous. She imagined every detail of the ceremony, and then thought about her own wedding next year. Everything seemed so beautiful, so exciting.
Finally, daybreak arrived. Li Xiaoxiao woke up early, changed into new clothes, and helped the family get back to work. The village roads were paved with red carpets, lined with red lanterns, creating a festive atmosphere. Villagers emerged from their homes and gathered at Bai Jing's house.
With the blast of festive firecrackers, the procession set off to welcome the bride. Since both families lived in the same village, and since they were not far from each other, the matchmaker took the procession around the village twice more to catch an auspicious time before heading to Li Jia's home. Along the way, the sounds of suona and gongs and drums filled the air, drawing villagers along the way to stop and watch, and children running around excitedly, creating a lively atmosphere.
Not long after, the bridal sedan arrived at Li Jia's door. Bai Jing, dressed in a bright red wedding gown, dismounted with vigor and walked toward the door. Li Jia, on the other hand, remained inside, being meticulously dressed by her relatives.
The young man who was welcoming the bride shouted outside the door, "The bride is coming out!" Before he finished speaking, the door slowly opened and Li Jia walked out of the room surrounded by people. She was wearing a gorgeous wedding dress and had exquisite makeup on. She was beautiful and charming.
Bai Jing's eyes were filled with joy and love when he saw Li Jia. He walked over, carefully taking Li Jia's hand, and walked towards the sedan chair. Then, the sedan chair set off, heading towards Bai Jing's home.
As the team walked away, Li Xiaoxiao looked at their happy backs, her heart filled with blessings. She knew that her uncle and Li Jia would surely live a happy and fulfilling life.
The bridal sedan stopped steadily in front of Bai Jing's house. The young men who came to greet the bride and groom gathered around and welcomed the bride into the yard. The matchmaker shouted auspicious words beside them, and the people present laughed and talked happily.
In the main hall, Li Xiaoxiao saw her grandmother sitting upstairs, waiting for the newlyweds. With everyone present, Bai Jing and Li Jia held a grand wedding ceremony. Afterward, the newlyweds entered the bridal chamber, and the guests enjoyed a sumptuous banquet.
After the wedding, the banquet began. The villagers gathered around, savoring the delicious food and chatting about family matters. Li Xiaoxiao and her brothers and sisters busied themselves among the crowd, toasting and serving food to the guests. She looked at the happy smiles of her uncle and aunt, feeling a surge of joy and relief.
As night fell, the sky over Lijia Village lit up with dazzling fireworks. Standing in the courtyard with her family, Li Xiaoxiao gazed up at the vibrant night sky, her heart filled with beautiful visions of the future. She knew this wedding was not only the beginning of happiness for her uncle and Li Jia, but also a shared memory for their extended family.
In the days ahead, no matter how many hardships they encounter, Li Xiaoxiao believes that as long as family members support and care for each other, they will be able to overcome all difficulties and embrace a better life together. And her uncle's wedding will become a precious memory that they will cherish forever.
As the guests gradually dispersed, Lijia Village returned to its former tranquility. Li Xiaoxiao lay in bed, reflecting on every detail of the day, her heart filled with gratitude and happiness. She knew that tomorrow would be a new day, and they would carry these beautiful memories with them as they continued on their journey through life.
The night was deep, and all was silent. Li Xiaoxiao, nestled in her warm bed, drifted off to sleep. She dreamed of herself standing in a sea of flowers, surrounded by laughter and happy faces. She knew that this was her beautiful hope for the future, her endless blessings for her family. In her dream, she smiled sweetly, as if she had already seen the happy shore that belonged to them.