Rebirth: Not Being a Waste - Chapter 43
The wedding banquet takes place at Li’s house at noon. Zhang Shu and Li Mujin follow Father Li, carrying wine glasses and toasting guests. Since gers are also somewhat considered men, their wedding customs are not as strict as those for women. Whether they come out during the ceremony depends on whether the groom’s side agrees.
Father Li guides them through the toasts, introducing Zhang Shu along the way.
“This is my second uncle!”
“Second uncle!” Zhang Shu greets him quickly and helps pour his drink.
“This is my third aunt.”
“Third aunt!” The woman pours them rice wine.
…
After making a full round of toasts, Zhang Shu still feels fine—his brother-in-law secretly fills his wine pot with water. This is a common custom since the main event is in the evening. If he gets drunk now and fails to pick up his bride on time, it would be embarrassing for both families.
Once the lively meal ends, Li Mujin returns to his room. Soon after, Father Li gathers the family to begin the traditional wedding crying ritual. Initially, Li Mujin’s ger father, Li Aba, doesn’t think much of it, but as the moment of parting nears, he realizes how much he still wants to say.
Holding Li Mujin tightly, he begins crying after just a few words, his emotions so raw that Li Mujin soon follows. Relatives step in to comfort him, but once he calms down, his grandmother takes her turn crying. Then his aunt. One after another, every woman in the family weeps before finally letting Li Mujin go.
By the end, Li Mujin’s eyes are swollen like walnuts.
Zhang Shu, watching from the side, feels heartbroken and nearly cries with him.
The matchmaker dabs at Li Mujin’s tears with a handkerchief, then helps him outside to bid farewell to his parents and brother. Zhang Shu follows closely, kneeling and bowing whenever required.
Li Mujin’s two uncles pack up his dowry, while Li Yan lifts him up and carries him out. When Li Yan hands Li Mujin over to Zhang Shu, his eyes are red as he warns, “Take care of my brother. Otherwise…”
Unfinished words always hold the greatest weight, leaving room for endless interpretations.
Li Yan always bosses his younger brother around at home, making him run errands and calling him annoying when he acts spoiled. Yet, now that Li Mujin is leaving, why does his heart ache at the thought of never seeing him there again?
Li Mujin, sobbing uncontrollably, hugs Li Yan tightly, thinking of all the times his brother is kind to him. Seeing his father and Aba secretly wiping their tears at the doorway, an overwhelming sense of severance washes over him. For a moment, he even considers not getting married at all—just staying home forever.
But Zhang Shu gently yet firmly pulls Li Mujin into his embrace, shielding him from the chill.
“Don’t worry, big brother,” he says solemnly. “Jin’er is someone I’ve waited for across two lifetimes. I’ll cherish him and never let him suffer.”
The newlyweds board an ox cart, followed by a procession carrying the dowry, with firecrackers crackling in the background.
As soon as the Zhang family sees the cart approaching, they set off even more firecrackers to welcome the bride. Children crowd around Zhang Shu, pestering him for candy. Li Mujin wipes his tears and hands out a handful to each of them.
Inside their room, Zhang Shu places Li Mujin down. The space is beautifully decorated, made even cozier with the furniture Li Mujin brings as part of his dowry.
Distant relatives from the Zhang family, who have never seen Li Mujin before, come by to take a look. Normally, an elder would be present to guide introductions, but since Zhang Shu’s second aunt and aunt haven’t arrived yet, they have a cousin’s wife sit by to help Li Mujin recognize people.
Li Mujin doesn’t know most of these people, but he has a simple trick—he just smiles at everyone who walks in. His round face and cheerful expression instantly put people at ease. Before long, the guests start praising Zhang Shu for marrying such a kind and friendly husband.
Meanwhile, Zhang Shu and his good brothers stand at the courtyard entrance, welcoming guests, exchanging pleasantries, and ushering them inside for tea and snacks. After nearly half an hour, Zhang Shu’s face starts to ache from all the smiling.
Outside, Yu Xiaoliu yawns. He’s been up since early morning, and when he turns around, he spots a striking figure in the distance. Nudging Zhang Shu, he whispers, “Your second uncle’s entire family is here. And your aunt’s family too.”
Zhang Shu follows his gaze just as his uncle calls out from afar, “Nephew, congratulations on your wedding! I live far away, so I apologize for arriving late.”
A polite smile, hiding a blade underneath. Zhang Shu immediately understands—his uncle is deliberately reminding everyone that they were once cast out. But is he really so confident that Zhang Shu won’t expose the full story?
“Not late at all!” Zhang Shu replies smoothly. “In fact, if you hadn’t arrived in time, I was just about to send an ox cart to fetch you.” Who doesn’t know how to exchange pleasantries?
His uncle, Zhang An, narrows his eyes slightly, clearly displeased. He knows Zhang Shu is implying they’re putting on airs. But with so many relatives around, he holds back.
The group bypasses Zhang Shu and heads inside. One of the men, supposedly an educated scholar, carries a folding fan in the dead of winter, strutting around with his nose in the air. He doesn’t greet Zhang Shu, and Zhang Shu, not wanting to lower himself, pretends not to see him. Zhang Shu’s aunt, however, is displeased. Ignoring her is one thing, but slighting her husband—a scholar and xiucai, no less—is downright disrespectful!
Zhang Shu glances at her aged face and sighs inwardly. Degrading oneself is the worst punishment of all.
Grandpa and Grandma Zhang are momentarily stunned at the sight of them but say nothing. Blood ties remain, after all. At least their presence at the wedding banquet allows Zhang Shu to save face.
At the auspicious hour, Li Mujin is led out by the matchmaker. The main hall is decorated beautifully, with Grandpa and Grandma Zhang seated at the head of the room. The ancestral tablets of Zhang Shu’s parents are placed on the table.
Following the matchmaker’s instructions, Zhang Shu and Li Mujin kneel and bow. Before the heavens, before their ancestors, before their elders, they formally become husbands.
Grandpa and Grandma Zhang wipe their tears. Zhang Shu finally fulfills his father’s legacy.
After the ceremony, the wedding banquet begins.
As the cold dishes are served, villagers marvel at the spread, knowing the main course must be even better. Being accustomed to poverty, they don’t bother with table manners, eating enthusiastically. Only when toasting does everyone briefly raise their cups before returning to their meals.
At his second uncle and aunt’s table, however, Zhang Shu notices a sight both embarrassing and infuriating—their family is practically burying their faces in their bowls. Instead of picking food with chopsticks, they lift entire plates, dumping their contents into their bowls.
Zhang Rong, who cares about appearances, is mortified. But against such people, maintaining dignity is impossible.
Soon, guests begin competing for food, leaving the plates on their table empty. To outsiders, it almost looks like they weren’t served enough.
To avoid the embarrassment, Zhang Yang moves to a different table, sitting with the young men who help carry the dowry.
As night falls and the banquet ends, the villagers return home. Most relatives who live far away find lodging with nearby family, planning to leave in the morning. Zhang An and Zhang Yun, of course, stay at the Zhang house.
Zhang Shu, however, has no time for them. After tricking the rowdy young men out of the bridal chamber with alcohol, he swiftly shuts the door.
Li Mujin, watching him rub his hands in preparation, bursts into laughter.
Earlier, he is nervous, especially under the scrutinizing gazes of the relatives. But now that it’s just the two of them, he feels at ease.
Because he is with someone he completely trusts.
Zhang Shu, feeling embarrassed by Li Mujin’s laughter, scolds himself inwardly—Two lifetimes of experience, yet I still act like a clueless boy around him!
Steadying himself, he sits beside Li Mujin, picks up a cup of wine, and hands one to him. Li Mujin understands and accepts it, the two of them drinking cross-cupped.
With the alcohol warming him, Zhang Shu gazes at Li Mujin—his lips glisten with wine, his cheeks tinged with a soft red, his eyes filled with tenderness.
Drawn in, Zhang Shu leans closer. Li Mujin doesn’t resist, tilting back until he has nowhere left to retreat, his body pressed against the bed.
Zhang Shu kisses him softly at first, then deepens the kiss when Li Mujin remains still.
One hand supporting Li Mujin’s head, the other slides down, slowly undoing the wedding robe…
Li Mujin melts against him, surrendering completely.
