The bride's home was not far away. Although the nine-day winter periods had already begun and the early morning temperature was very low, her courtyard bustled with activity. Flames leaped more than half a meter high from two stoves, where two cooks were frying food. Two more stoves for boiling water stood by the low wall, and quite a few people had come to help.
When someone at the gate saw Li Long's vehicle approaching, they called out, and a deafening burst of firecrackers followed.
Plenty of firecrackers had gone off along the way. Luckily, the windows were closed, or Li Long thought his ears would probably have rung for hours.
The Jeep entered the bride's courtyard. They had left the tables unset, waiting for the vehicle. Li Long reversed in and stayed in his seat after entering, waiting for the bride to get in.
The coordinator for the bride's family came over and tapped on the window with a smile. Once Li Long got out, he thanked him for his efforts and handed him a bundle wrapped in a towel. It was customary, so Li Long accepted it.
What followed was between the groom's family and the bride's. As a spectator, Li Long found it quite lively.
Whatever the case, even if the groom's family thought the bride was marrying above her station, as had been said yesterday, at least throughout the pickup, both the groom and the people accompanying him generally observed the proper courtesies.
The bride's parents looked happy, with just a trace of sadness. After all, their daughter was getting married and would belong to someone else's family from now on. They could hardly avoid feeling wistful.
Still, today had certainly given them prestige. The groom's family had managed to bring a Jeep to collect her,