Rebirth: Not Being a Waste - Chapter 42
The day before the wedding banquet, Chef Zhang arrives with his two apprentices. Some dishes require early preparation, or they won’t be ready in time the next day.
The Zhang family also pitches in. While they can’t cook, they can still wash vegetables and cut meat. If nothing else, they can at least place melon seeds on plates in advance, ready to be served the next day.
The village has a communal set of plates, bowls, and chopsticks, which are brought out for festivals. If someone needs them for a banquet, they can borrow them, but they have to return them in good condition. If anyone accidentally breaks one, they have to replace it with one of their own. Over time, the patterns and colors of the bowls change, no longer matching as they once do.
The villagers don’t mind. As long as the dishes serve their purpose, that’s enough. In the past, when people can’t afford their own, they borrow from different households, making the sets even more mismatched.
Tables and chairs have been prepared, but they aren’t enough. So, the family borrows extra from neighbors, planning to give them some wedding money as thanks.
Since both families are from Shuitou Village, it would be reasonable for the bride to walk over, but Zhang Shu is unwilling. Even without a grand procession with a tall horse and a red sedan chair, there has to be at least an ox cart. He borrows one from the village chief but has already decided to find a good deal and buy his own before spring.
Most of the relatives have been notified. Zhang Shu’s maternal grandparents have passed away, but he still has three uncles and two aunts. However, two counties lie between them, and unless they own an ox cart, the journey takes two to three days.
A month ago, Zhang Shu asked a merchant to deliver the message. He doesn’t know if they received it or if they’ll come.
His second uncle and aunt live closer, so he visits them in person. Their reception is indifferent, but he doesn’t care. He makes the effort for the sake of appearances, not because he has any real expectations. In his past life, he already learns what kind of people they are.
Zhang Huai, being older, manages to maintain a neutral attitude toward Zhang Shu. Zhang Rong, however, makes no attempt to hide her resentment, as if blaming him for all the misfortunes that have befallen their family.
This is the first time Zhang Shu sees Zhang Yang since his rebirth. Tall and lanky, Zhang Yang smiles shyly upon seeing him. In the entire Zhang family, only the two of them take after Grandpa Zhang in temperament.
Zhang Yang has always been quiet, but he’s more capable than Zhang Shu. He quickly forms a good relationship with a carpenter in his maternal village and becomes his apprentice. Now in his second year of apprenticeship, he has no salary, but his master provides food, lodging, and training, which is worthwhile. He rarely returns home unless necessary, even though his maternal village isn’t far.
This time, one of his master’s daughters is pregnant, and the elderly couple has gone to the county to help her. With his master away, Zhang Yang is allowed to return home for a while.
Zhang Shu rarely smiles, but he does now. “Ah’yang, you’re home?”
“Yes, big brother. Congratulations, you’re getting married.”
“It’ll be your turn in a few years.” Zhang Shu recalls that Zhang Yang eventually marries one of the carpenter’s daughters, and their whole family moves in with her. Though he isn’t particularly close to Zhang Shu, he has never bullied him, which is more than can be said for others.
The two chat outside until Zhang Rong suddenly storms over, yelling, “Who’s your big brother? Big brother is inside! Have you turned into a piece of wood from playing with wooden figures every day?” Though she’s scolding Zhang Yang, her glare is directed at Zhang Shu.
Zhang Yang frowns. “Rongrong, stop talking nonsense!”
“I’m not talking nonsense! A cat crying over a dead mouse, pretending to be kind. Last time, when Mother was seriously ill, he kicked her out without hesitation. Now he dares to show up here—who does he think he’s fooling? Who wants to attend his ridiculous wedding feast?”
Zhang Shu remains calm. “I’ve informed you. Whether you attend or not is your business. Ah’yang, I’ll be going now. I have others to notify.” Without sparing Zhang Rong another glance, he turns and leaves.
Zhang Yang feels uneasy as he looks at his sister. He has heard people say their parents are at fault. In the past, they treated Zhang Shu well in public but never hid their disdain for him at home. Though he’s young at the time, he remembers. Now, after being away for so long, even his younger sister has grown bold enough to scold him.
Zhang Rong continues cursing Zhang Shu’s back, indifferent to Zhang Yang’s presence.
But Zhang Shu holds no resentment. If he does, he would only be hurting himself. To him, they are even less than strangers now. Their words aren’t worth dwelling on.
The crackling of firecrackers rings through the village, drawing excited children to watch.
Both families are from the same village. Since the Li family is marrying off a ger, their banquet is at noon, while the Zhang family’s celebration is held at night.
Early in the morning, Zhang Shu fetches water to wash his hair and bathe. He changes into a bright red wedding robe. After drying his hair with a cloth towel, his grandmother enters to comb it for him.
This is the first time someone has combed his hair since he was a child. For a moment, he feels as though he has returned to his youth, but he has grown, and his grandmother has aged.
Her thin, wrinkled hands slowly run a wooden comb through his hair again and again. In the bronze mirror, Zhang Shu sees tears welling in her eyes.
“Grandma, today is a happy day. Why are you crying? Your grandson is getting married! From now on, I’ll be able to honor you both properly!”
Grandma Zhang quickly wipes her tears with her sleeve. “Grandma is just too happy! Our Ah’shu has grown up and is getting married. Soon, there will be another baby in the family. Let me comb your hair nicely—I guarantee your little Jin’er will be dazzled today.”
Zhang Shu smiles as she ties his hair and inserts a hairpin.
Happiness brings out the best in people. Once dressed, with his hair neatly styled, Zhang Shu looks especially handsome. In the villagers’ eyes, he and Li Jin’er are a perfect match.
Outside, the ox cart is already prepared. A bright red flower is tied to each horn, with a red cloth strung between them—symbolizing that the couple will always be bound together.
His groomsmen, dressed in their finest clothes, stand waiting. This time, all the wedding escorts are unmarried. After all, a wedding is the easiest place to fall in love. In the joyous atmosphere, even strangers look more pleasing to the eye.
For these young men, this is a golden opportunity. Even if they don’t find a match, they can still earn a red envelope from Zhang Shu.
As the auspicious hour approaches, Zhang Shu and his group board the ox cart to fetch the bride. There are no trumpets or suonas, but sporadic firecrackers keep the mood lively.
Children trail behind them, the older ones scavenging for unspent firecrackers while the younger ones fixate on the wedding candies in the cart. Even though Zhang Shu has already distributed some, their eyes remain glued to the sweets.
Villagers congratulate him along the way, and Zhang Shu grins as he thanks them one by one.
Finally, they arrive at Li’s house. A crowd of Li family relatives stands at the entrance, using long benches to block the gate. Aunts, uncles, grandmothers, and a group of children sit in front, demanding candy before letting the groom in.
Zhang Shu is in a generous mood. Without hesitation, he motions for Yu Xiaoliu to carry the sack of candy, handing out generous handfuls to everyone blocking the way. The heavy, white maltose candies stick slightly to their fingers but melt sweetly in their mouths.
The elders pass their candy to the children, who giggle as they stuff them into their cloth pouches, unable to count but thrilled nonetheless.
Once the benches are finally moved aside, Zhang Shu and the young men rush forward—only to halt abruptly at the gate.
Zhang Shu’s brother-in-law, Li Yan, leans against the door with his arms crossed, staring at them. His cold expression and the wicked smile on his lips successfully stop everyone.
The others stand by, watching like they’re enjoying a good show, curious to see how this new brother-in-law will deal with his senior.
Zhang Shu clasps his hands together in a flattering manner and bows. “Brother Li Yan, let us in.”
Li Yan’s face darkens, and a burst of laughter comes from the side. “Wrong title. You can’t come in unless you get it right. What are you supposed to call me now?”
Zhang Shu hurriedly bows again. “Big Brother, that was my mistake—you’re my big brother now. Please, let us in.” Then, he takes out a brand-new red pouch from his sleeve and hands it to Li Yan.
Li Yan casually tucks it into his arms but doesn’t move aside. Instead, he points at the bow and arrows next to him.
Zhang Shu breaks into a sweat. Is his brother-in-law going to make him go up the mountain to hunt now?
Luckily, Li Yan is a reasonable man. He turns to the onlookers and says, “My family has been hunters for generations. Now that Zhang Shu has married into the family, he has trained with us for a few days. Let’s see how well he’s learned.” With a raised eyebrow, he signals someone, who immediately hangs a sweet potato from a large tree by the entrance. “If you can hit it from here, I’ll let you in.”
The tree stands about two meters away from the door. The sweet potato is neither big nor small—challenging for a beginner but not impossible for someone who has trained. At this distance, even if Zhang Shu can’t hit a moving target, surely he can hit a stationary one?
Confidently, he draws his bow and releases the arrow.
But to everyone’s surprise, he misses.
It isn’t entirely his fault—just as he lets go, a gust of wind blows, shifting the sweet potato slightly and causing the arrow to narrowly miss.
Zhang Shu turns to Li Yan with a bitter expression. Li Yan simply raises three fingers, then bends one, indicating he has two more chances.
After all, Li Yan can’t really let his brother-in-law embarrass himself. If Zhang Shu can’t get married, he’d be stuck at home causing trouble every day—and who would suffer the most?
Zhang Shu’s confidence returns. He takes a deep breath, steadies himself, and shoots again. This time, the arrow pierces straight through the sweet potato.
Applause erupts around him.
Li Yan finally smiles, steps aside, and gestures for them to enter.
Zhang Shu and his group hurry inside and make their way to Li Mujin’s room.
Outside the door, red wedding decorations and intricate paper cuttings add to the festive atmosphere. The door is tightly shut. Zhang Shu steps forward, knocks gently, and says affectionately, “Jin’er, I’m here to pick you up!”
Laughter erupts from inside, along with teasing voices directed at Li Mujin. Zhang Shu can make out at least four or five different people. He sighs inwardly.
The biggest obstacle to a smooth bride-picking ceremony is always these mischievous friends and relatives. If he doesn’t meet their demands, they won’t let him in.
“Brother-in-law, getting in is simple. First, hand out the lucky money based on the number of people inside. Only then can you see our Brother Jin’er,” says a young girl—Li Mujin’s cousin from his uncle’s side.
“That’s easy. Tell me how many of you there are.” Zhang Shu pulls out a stack of red envelopes from his sleeve. After getting the headcount, he stuffs the money through the door.
Laughter rings out as the group inside divides the envelopes. Then someone pipes up, “Brother, we have a new baby in the family. Shouldn’t you give us another red envelope?”
Hearing “new baby,” Zhang Shu has no choice but to hand over another envelope.
“All right, my dear cousins, surely you’ll let me in now?”
“We want to, but Brother Jin’er says he hasn’t received his wedding money yet, so he won’t open the door,” a lively male voice teases.
“I didn’t—” Li Mujin starts to protest, but his voice is quickly drowned out.
“Then tell him that as long as he lets me in, everything I have is his!” Zhang Shu declares eagerly, flinging out his sweet words without hesitation.
More laughter comes from inside. Then they start making demands—singing a song, imitating the sounds of small animals, and other playful challenges.
Luckily, they don’t limit the tasks to Zhang Shu alone. The other young men who come with him have to participate as well. One by one, they all make fools of themselves, their faces turning red with embarrassment.
Finally, satisfied, the girls relent and open the door.
The moment Zhang Shu steps inside, his eyes lock onto Li Mujin.
Dressed in red, his fair complexion standing out against the vibrant fabric, Li Mujin looks stunning. He usually never wears makeup, but today, a simple red mark on his forehead and neatly groomed eyebrows make him appear even more radiant.
To Zhang Shu, he is breathtaking—no words can do him justice.
The two gaze at each other, neither willing to look away, their eyes filled with a quiet, indescribable emotion.
“Look at our Brother Jin’er—he’s so handsome that Brother-in-law can’t take his eyes off him!” one of the younger cousins teases.
The room erupts with laughter, but to Zhang Shu, even their playful chatter seems like part of a beautiful dream.
He walks over and sits beside Li Mujin. Amid the teasing and the noise, beneath the wide sleeves of their wedding garments, two fingers tentatively reach out and hook together—just a small gesture, but one filled with warmth and promise.
