The feast in Old Gu's courtyard did not break up until five or six in the afternoon, mainly because some of the old Xinjiang hands reminisced over drinks, enjoying themselves enough to linger.
Once they were tipsy, they tried dragging Old Gu, who had finished making his toasts, and the busy Li Jianguo back to the table. Li Jianguo shook his arms free and said he had no time. Old Gu simply pretended to be drunk and had Teacher Song help him into the house.
Since Gu Xiaoxia had work the next day, she drove Mingming and Haohao, Sister Yang, and the others back to the County Seat after they finished eating sometime past three. Li Long and Gu Xiaoyu stayed behind to see if there was anything they could help with.
There was not really much to do. They did not need him to entertain the guests, so he merely greeted the villagers and lent a hand. Gu Xiaoyu chatted with Teacher Song in the inner room, helping fend off the curious visitors.
Although Teacher Song could feel everyone's warmth and goodwill, she was still a little unused to it. Some of the older women habitually went into the bridal room to look at the "bride." While Liang Yuemei was there, she could say a few words to them. When she went off to clear the plates, having Gu Xiaoyu there helped somewhat.
After the guests left, Li Long helped everyone clean up. Mom, Du Chunfang, had gone home early. She had originally planned to look after Mingming and Haohao properly at the table, but they had eaten their fill before the feast even began. They never sat down to it at all, going off to play with several boys and girls from the team who attended preschool.
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