Chapter 83: The Second Day of the Second Month, When the Dragon Raises Its Head

Generally, people don’t cut their hair during the first lunar month, unless their uncle hasn’t given them a generous enough red envelope! Pah! Spitting a little into his hand, Chen Liang tore off the page for the first day of the second lunar month from the calendar hanging on the wall.

Today was the second day of the second lunar month, traditionally known as “Dragon Raising Its Head.”

Early in the morning, Sha Zhu had once again set up a makeshift stove in the courtyard with his apprentice, Ma Hua. Today was his big day.

Everyone in the courtyard wore expressions of joy; in these times when entertainment was scarce, a neighbor’s wedding was an event for the entire compound.

Except for Chen Liang, who thought meeting with this matter was just his bad luck—after all, the bride was his little target. Though they hadn’t been together yet, with Liu Siyuan’s “hopeless” level of infatuation, Chen Liang knew it was only a matter of time before she turned the tables on him.

Damn it, just thinking about being outmaneuvered by this little target made him want to laugh. Ha! Who would have thought you’d have such a day!

Because it was Sunday, Chen Liang was dragged out of bed early by his mother, grumbling all the way—how could there be no law or order, not even letting a person sleep in on a Sunday! But at home, his mother’s words were as good as an imperial edict, and any tiny protest he made was instantly quashed.

Since Sha Zhu was the groom, he couldn’t do the cooking himself. He simply prepared all the seasonings ahead of time, so that Ma Hua only needed to manage the heat when the time came. It was a simple job—any idiot could manage it.

Chen Liang went along with Sha Zhu, pasting up wedding banners, cleaning, tidying up the house, and by the time all the work was done, the whole morning had passed.

Then, Sha Zhu hurried him home to change clothes—unlucky him, he even had to go along on the trip to fetch the bride.

Damn! He muttered to himself.

When Chen Liang emerged in a crisp black Zhongshan suit, standing next to Sha Zhu, if not for the big red flower pinned to Sha Zhu’s chest, people might have thought he was the groom.

He distracted the crowd of kids clamoring around Sha Zhu for wedding candy by handing out sweets, and together the two of them made a hasty escape. The ringleader of the group was Chen Hong—a real handful. Give out too little candy and she’d raise a fuss; every child had to get four pieces.

Damn it! But wait—her grandmother was Chen Liang’s mother, so cursing her was like cursing himself. He quickly switched his words.

He grumbled inwardly—he’d never shortchanged her on snacks, and Sha Zhu had only bought those cheap hard fruit candies. Yet Chen Hong, clever girl that she was, pocketed the extra and even figured out how to profit as a middleman, all on her own.

Watching Chen Hong hand out two fruit candies to each child and keep the rest for herself, Chen Liang felt a wave of secondhand embarrassment.

Chen Hong, with skills like yours, why not reach for the stars? She made a one-hundred-percent profit per transaction—even capitalists would shed a tear at her methods.

Chen Liang hurried Sha Zhu out the door before he burst out laughing. Little Chen Hong was truly the family’s treasure, always full of surprises.

At the courtyard gate, five gleaming bicycles stood ready, each one adorned with a big red flower on the handlebars, just as when Chen Liang himself had married.

Cao Da Wu and his friends, smoking nearby, stubbed out their cigarettes when they saw Chen Liang. “Brother Liang, all set? Ready to go?”

With Sha Zhu’s previous temperament, he hadn’t made many friends in the neighborhood. If he were to get married, aside from Chen Liang, he wouldn’t have had anyone to fetch the bride with him.

So, instead of just the two of them, Chen Liang called his own buddies to liven things up.

After all, Liu Siyuan was destined to be Chen Liang’s little target; the bigger the turnout, the better. Consider it an early congratulations.

Sha Zhu led the way, looking uncharacteristically sharp in a light blue Zhongshan suit and black leather shoes. He actually cut a rather dashing figure.

“Let’s go!” Chen Liang called, mounting his bicycle as Sha Zhu did the same.

“Woohoo!” The others let out a chorus of howls and pedaled after them.

The process was much the same as at Chen Liang’s own wedding, except that Liu Siyuan’s family lived in a communal apartment, so they had to climb the stairs to fetch the bride.

These buildings were known as “cadre houses” nowadays; only leaders of a certain rank could live there.

When they arrived, Chen Liang’s group left one man to watch the bicycles and went up.

Liu Siyuan had already packed her things neatly in the living room, wearing a bright red plaid coat. Unlike Xiao Yu, she’d even put on a touch of lipstick.

Sha Zhu was visibly stunned by her festive appearance when he walked in.

“Wife, I’m here to take you home!” Sha Zhu called out, barely containing his excitement.

Liu Siyuan flashed him a sweet smile. But standing beside her, Chen Liang couldn’t help but feel the smile was meant for him.

Damn, this woman knew how to play dangerously! Chen Liang raised his brow in faint salute.

The Liu family clearly cherished their daughter, sending her off with a very generous dowry—two large wooden chests and, on top, a brand-new, unopened radio.

This “three rounds and one sound” was the best dowry one could hope for.

Just like Xiao Yu, when it came time for the family parting meal, even the usually carefree Liu Siyuan wept like a child.

What was there to cry about, really? She wasn’t marrying far away—her family was in the same city, less than ten minutes’ ride by bicycle.

As they left, Liu’s mother clutched Sha Zhu’s hand, repeatedly reminding him, “Zhuzi, you must be patient with her. She’s been spoiled since she was little. No matter what happens, please don’t ever hit her, alright?”

Sha Zhu patted his chest, assuring her, “Mother-in-law, don’t worry. My parents never taught me to hit women. I’ll treasure my wife; how could I ever lay a hand on her!”

Ever since Liu Siyuan had publicly put Xu Damao in his place, Sha Zhu had been utterly devoted to her.

Though, if he ever found out his wife had only married him to hitch a ride on Chen Liang’s coattails, who knew if he would still speak so bravely.

Each man carried a trunk as they took the dowry downstairs and lashed it to the bicycles. Then, the group excitedly pedaled home.

With the big chest strapped to the back, Chen Liang had trouble keeping his balance and rode slowly. By the time he made it back, Sha Zhu was already in the courtyard, singing revolutionary songs with his little target.

Chen Liang and the others quickly set the dowry down and joined in the singing. After the song, the marriage certificate was read aloud and everyone bowed before a portrait of the Great Leader.

With the final step complete, Sha Zhu and Liu Siyuan were officially declared a revolutionary couple by the neighborhood committee, their union sealed for all to hear.

Throw the confetti—Sha Zhu was finally married, and in this moment, his fate was changed forever!