sjar Chapter 287 Wedding Videography
Chapter 287 Wedding Videography
This wasn't something Captain Yang organized on his own; it was a joint propaganda effort with a nearby township. They said that after the land was distributed to individual households, they wanted to increase the enthusiasm of the villagers by reporting the advanced deeds of several households that had earned over 10,000 yuan each, and then having everyone learn from them to improve their productivity.
Song Lanhua, Li Ju'an's mother, initially disliked the idea as being too high-profile and wanted to refuse, but Li Ju'an thought it was a good thing. Now that he had his money in the Postal Savings Bank, even a thief couldn't steal it. At most, they could steal the large deer antlers hanging in the living room, but with ten hunting dogs guarding the door, a thief wouldn't dare to do so, even if they wanted to. These hunting dogs weren't ordinary guard dogs; they had their teeth opened and were fierce and bloodthirsty, pouncing on their prey and tearing it apart.
Which thief would dare to steal deer antlers from a self-built building while looking directly at the tiger chasing the mountain dog?
Fearing that overly obvious praise might cause complications in the marriage, Song Lanhua, with her meticulous nature, gradually filled the large and small vats with water. A fresh, slightly damp scent filled the courtyard, making even the air seem sweeter. However, they couldn't keep fetching water forever, could they? Song Lanhua had already made arrangements for all of this.
Li Ju'an gently set down the bucket, water droplets sliding down its sides and dripping onto the bluestone slab with a crisp, melodious sound. He slowly entered the main room, found a seat, and sat down, his expression carrying a hint of barely perceptible tension and anticipation.
At this moment, Li Ju'an's mother quietly came to his side, her eyes full of worry. She whispered to Li Ju'an, "Ju'an, I know you've always been steady, but today is different. Don't worry, I didn't call your eldest and second uncles. Otherwise, given your cousin's character, he could really ruin this. You must be careful not to let him cause you trouble."
Since the head of the Li family wasn't present, the eldest uncle should have been the one to show up. But if the eldest uncle came, the second uncle would likely follow. Given the calculating nature of the second uncle and his wife, they might very well try to arrange a marriage between their youngest son and Lin Mei, stealing her away from their husband. Lin Mei's mother was also a calculating person, and Li Ju'an, not wanting to cause any trouble, didn't inform the eldest or second uncle.
His mother gently patted Li Ju'an's shoulder, a gesture that conveyed both encouragement and unease. Li Ju'an smiled, reassuring his mother, and then toasted Lin's father.
After the meal, the bride price was settled, and the engagement gifts were presented. Mr. Lin was very satisfied. Mrs. Lin, seeing the pile of bride price money, also breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.
Li Xiao sat down. She had changed a lot in the past few months; she was much more lively and cheerful, and she dared to speak in front of people. She said to Lin Mei in a coquettish tone, "Sister Lin, should we add some sugar to our tea? It would be so sweet and festive!"
Upon hearing this, Lin Mei looked up and smiled gently, her smile as tender as a peach blossom in early spring. She replied politely, "Li Xiao wants some candy? I'll go get it right away."
Li Ju'an said, "I brought three or four catties of white sugar from the city yesterday. Have some of mine."
Upon hearing this, the bride's elders exchanged bewildered glances, silently worrying. Three or four pounds of sugar—they really need to get their hands on that! Besides ration coupons, they'd need connections and influence to buy it. And who could possibly drink that much sugar in a day? It's like falling into a sugar jar!
Lin's mother said, "This is too much."
Lin's father knew this was a gift from Li Ju'an. Lin Jiadong, being perceptive, said, "Oh dear, this isn't for one person; it's for several of us to share. Eating sugar gives us a lot of energy, and we use up a lot too. Three or four pounds of sugar a day isn't much at all."
After Lin Jiadong finished speaking, Lin Mu smiled and quickly put away the sugar, beaming as if he had a way out.
If the woman was willing to stay for a meal, the marriage was basically settled. Li Ju'an won over the woman's mother with his diligence and bravery, shamelessly going to her house every few days to do farm work, thus gaining her approval.
That's how it is in the village; nobody has any money. If a young person is poor with no connections and no future prospects, but is skilled at a particular job, they'll have a future. The daughter trusts her mother and obeys her arrangements. Li Ju'an and Lin Mei's relationship is a free choice and stable.
If they encounter someone who is not good-looking or mentally challenged, the parents will exhaust all family resources and resort to "exchange marriages" to save face and avoid a direct approach. Usually, three families will join forces, checking each other and maneuvering to arrange the exchange marriages indirectly. However, exchange marriages are very risky. Often, the three families will act in unison, choosing an auspicious day to hold the ceremony on the same day, with the brides going back and forth between them, creating a lively and bustling scene.
Back then, the widow of the Chen family was just like that. She actively catered to Da Zhi's work, prioritizing the greater good and the continuation of her family line. She sacrificed herself, painfully giving up her beloved, and even swallowed her pride to arrange marriages for her brothers. However, the widow of the Chen family didn't really like her first husband; she did, however, fall for Lao Tao. Only after her husband died was she able to live with Lao Tao.
In later generations, these practices gradually disappeared, and free love became the main channel for marriage.
Like Zhang Yingnian, who later became a businessman with Li Ju'an. Zhang Yingnian, in his youth, read romance novels and, unable to resist, stole the heart of the village's youngest daughter during junior high. Later, his son surpassed him, also winning over a female classmate during junior high after studying in the city. Before he was even 40, Zhang Yingnian was already a father of a grandson. Outsiders who were business partners thought he had a second child.
The engagement is finalized, and wedding photos can be taken. On that vast and simple land of Northeast China, Gongpengzi Town is like a pearl carefully sculpted by time, quietly set among the expansive fields. Although the town is small, it possesses its own unique charm and warmth, the most eye-catching of which are its two crisscrossing main streets.
One road runs alongside a bustling market, teeming with people and filled with a dazzling array of stalls, the heart of the town's vibrant life. The other road stretches leisurely into the distance, connecting with Highway 503, like an invisible link between the town and the outside world, carrying the dreams and hopes of countless people. On the north side of Highway 503, a road imbued with hope, lies an unassuming yet story-filled place: Wanli Photography.
It wasn't until two years ago that this small storefront, like a touch of new green in spring, quietly blossomed in this tranquil town. Its appearance not only added a modern touch to Gongpengzi Town, but also became the starting point of many people's happy memories.
At Wanli Image, wedding photography is more than just a business; it's a tradition, a way to express emotions. Here, the size of the store is never the key to attracting customers. What truly made Wanli Image famous was the valuable "reputation" accumulated over the years through word of mouth among acquaintances.
This reputation allowed it to take root in a simple yet cozy courtyard outside the town.
Whenever someone in town is about to get married, whether it's dawn or dusk, you can always see a groom or bride riding their bicycles for three or four miles along country roads, full of anticipation, just to find the photographer whom everyone affectionately calls "Brother Li".
It was an ordinary day. Sunlight filtered through the sparse clouds, casting dappled light on the dappled path. Li Ju'an rode his old-fashioned bicycle, carrying Lin Mei, whose face was also beaming with smiles. The two of them, their faces radiant with happiness, arrived at the familiar courtyard gate. Li Ju'an stepped off the bicycle, and Lin Mei jumped off, her hands unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of nervousness and excitement.
Li Ju'an entered Wanli Photography Studio and called out, "Brother Li, could you take some photos of the wedding?"