Chapter 107: Happiness

Chapter 107: Happiness

After the people who had been making trouble in the bridal chamber left, Deng Yuntai and Zhang Xiuping looked at each other at the same time.

The room was dimly lit, and though they couldn't see each other's expressions clearly, the atmosphere became subtly intimate.

Deng Yuntai slowly moved closer until he could see her expression clearly. He swallowed and said, "Xiuping, it's getting late. Let's rest."

Knowing what was about to happen, Zhang Xiuping's face turned as red as if she had applied rouge, and her delicate body trembled slightly. She didn't dare to meet his fiery gaze, instead focusing on the small flame flickering in the kerosene lamp. She softly replied, "Hmm."

Her voice was so soft that if Deng Yuntai hadn't been close, he might not have heard her response.

With her consent, Deng Yuntai could no longer hold back. He reached out and lifted her in a princess carry. Amid her soft exclamations, he carried her to the beautifully carved wedding bed.

What happened that night is known only to the couple and isn't for outsiders to hear!

...

The next morning.

Although Zhang Xiuping had been exhausted and fallen asleep late into the night, and felt some discomfort as a new bride, it was impossible for her to stay in bed as a newlywed. As soon as day broke, she struggled to get up.

Beds in later generations had only one side protected, making it easy to get out of bed. But beds in this era had three sides protected by frames, leaving only one side open. According to tradition, the man slept on the outside, and the woman on the inside.

So when Zhang Xiuping got up, she had to step over Deng Yuntai to leave the bed, accidentally waking him.

Deng Yuntai, a strong and vigorous young man of twenty, had boundless energy. Even after last night's activities, a good night's sleep had restored him. Seeing his beautiful wife straddling him in the morning light, he couldn't resist pulling her into his arms.

Zhang Xiuping let out a soft "Ah!" and quickly covered her mouth. Her face flushed as she said, "Brother Tai, stop fooling around. It's morning. We need to get up!"

Deng Yuntai let her go after a moment and said, "It's still early. Why don't you sleep a little longer?"

Zhang Xiuping replied, "It's getting late. I need to get up quickly, or I'll be laughed at!"

Deng Yuntai stretched and said, "Alright, I'll get up too."

…

A few minutes later, the couple opened the door and stepped out together.

Deng Yunzhu had gotten up early and had been watching her eldest brother and sister-in-law's door. When she saw them emerge, she quickly brought over a basin of water for washing and said with a smile, "Sister-in-law, wash your face!"

Zhang Xiuping thanked her and began washing up. She then tossed two coins into the basin.

This was the custom. For the first three days after the bride entered the household, whether washing her face in the morning or bathing at night, the sister-in-law would fetch the water. If there was no sister-in-law, another female relative would help. After washing, the bride would toss two coins into the basin or bucket as a token of appreciation.

The amount of the coins varied. Some brides tossed two two-cent coins, others two five-cent coins. A stingy bride might toss two one-cent coins, while a generous one might toss two dimes or even five-cent coins.

Zhang Xiuping tossed two five-cent coins, as shown in the following picture:

Deng Yunzhu happily held the two coins, her impression of her generous sister-in-law growing even more favorable.

"Good morning, Dad!" After washing up, Zhang Xiuping greeted her father-in-law, who was smoking.

Deng Shirong hummed, set his pipe aside, and smiled. "Ah Zhen is already heating up the food. We'll eat soon."

Zhang Xiuping quickly said, "Then I'll go help in the kitchen."

Deng Shirong had no objections. Having lived a long life in his previous incarnation, he understood what his newlywed daughter-in-law wanted to convey.

After Zhang Xiuping went to the kitchen to help, Deng Shirong said to his eldest son, "Yuntai, you don't need to go to the tile factory these days. Stay home and spend time with your wife. I'll leave the bicycle to you. After breakfast, take her to the Tiger Head Reservoir to see the scenery or something."

Deng Yuntai was surprised and said, "Alright, thank you, Dad!"

…

The Tiger Head Reservoir was the only large reservoir in Bobai County, located at the junction of Peace Heart Brigade and Help and Correct Brigade. It took about half an hour to ride a bicycle from Thatchfield Village.

So, around nine in the morning, Deng Yuntai took his wife to the Tiger Head Reservoir.

At this time, the reservoir wasn't much of a scenic spot. The surrounding area was bare, with no greenery to speak of. This was largely due to the large-scale deforestation during the "Great Leap Forward in Steel Production" in the 1950s and before the land contracting system was implemented.

It wasn't until November 2007 that the Tiger Head Reservoir was identified as a Class III dam by the Dam Safety Management Center of the Ministry of Water Resources.

To address safety concerns and ensure the reservoir's proper operation, in 2009, the Tiger Head Reservoir disaster prevention and reinforcement project was listed as a national domestic demand expansion project, with a total investment of 114.4 million yuan.

From that point on, the Tiger Head Reservoir became increasingly beautiful, eventually transforming into a famous scenic spot.

However, even though the reservoir was bare and unremarkable at this time, Zhang Xiuping was still in high spirits.

The couple sat on the grass nearby, leaning against each other and whispering sweet nothings, occasionally playfully touching each other.

As she gazed at the calm water, Zhang Xiuping truly felt what happiness was.

…

Over the next two days, Deng Shirong accomplished one task: he had someone plant hook thorns (a thorny plant) at the base of his lychee mountain. This plant was highly resilient and would grow quickly without needing much care.

Two days were just enough to finish all the leftovers.

In the Double Prosperity region, the bride's family would visit on the third, fifth, or seventh day after the wedding. This tradition was called "chao ceremony." Normally, it was "third chao," but if the third day wasn't auspicious, it would become "fifth chao" or "seventh chao."

When the bride's family visited, the bride would usually return with them, a custom known as "returning to the door."

Moreover, in this era, there was a peculiar rule in the Double Prosperity region: whatever dishes were served at the wedding banquet, the same dishes had to be served when the bride's family came to visit. Not a single dish could be missing.

(End of this chapter)