The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 556 - 527: Admit Inferiority, Willingly Accept Defeat_1

Chapter 556: Chapter 527: Admit Inferiority, Willingly Accept Defeat_1

After dawn, He Jingyu, Secretary Qi, and others learned that three tomb raiders had been captured and taken to the detention center in Taoyuan County to start interrogating their accomplices. These three men had a sense of loyalty; they kept claiming that there were only three of them and didn’t rat out Second Brother Lu and Ma Si.

They knew that in their line of work, telling the truth would only deepen their crimes and would not reduce their sentence or help them avoid prison. Since it had come to this, they might as well be resigned to their fate.

Moreover, they were pinning their hopes on Second Brother Lu and Ma Si escaping.

They hoped they could take care of their families and wives back home, for if they were all caught, then their entire families, old and young, would have no one to depend on.

At the same time, deep down, they were terrified of the Lu Family. If they snitched on the Lu Family, not only would their own families not be looked after, but they would also likely suffer retribution.

The interrogation in Qi Ling made no progress, but they had at least captured three tomb raiders and recovered the stolen items, which was enough to report their success.

With the tomb raiders caught, Qijia Village was overjoyed. As for how furious those archaeologists up in the mountains were, it had nothing to do with Qijia Village and did not affect the bustle of the village.

This day was Qi Xiaoyan’s big wedding day.

On the evening before, He Tiantian had stayed over at Qi Xiaoyan’s house. The sisters had endless chatter between them.

"Sister Tiantian, I’m a bit nervous," blushed Qi Xiaoyan. Her mother had already spoken to her about some marital matters.

Even though she was vague, Xiaoyan understood.

But this only made her more nervous.

"What’s there to be nervous about? When a man reaches the proper age, he takes a wife: and when a woman reaches the proper age, she takes a husband. You and Brother Dajun love each other deeply and chose each other freely. You should be happy to get married, not nervous," reassured He Tiantian. She had been married in a previous life but had run away from her feelings then.

As for love and affection, they were like flowers in a mirror, the moon in the water, always out of reach.

In He Tiantian’s heart, being with the one you love and having healthy parents was already perfect enough.

As long as you’re happy, you won’t be nervous.

"Alright," Qi Xiaoyan took a few deep breaths to calm herself, "I won’t be nervous, I won’t be nervous. Oh, I used to look forward to getting married, but the idea that once I’m married, I’ll be ’water splashed out,’ leaves a strange taste in my heart. My parents are happy these past few days, but at times, I can see they’re also quite sentimental."

"It’s natural for them to feel sentimental, but if you didn’t get married, there would be real cause for worry," said He Tiantian. "But even after you’re married, you’ll still honor your parents. Just think of it that way and you’ll feel better. Besides, your sister-in-law and Sister Lili are both good daughters-in-law. Uncle Qi and Aunt Liang are going to live happily, spoiling their grandchildren, don’t you worry."

Qi Ling had been busy with work and hadn’t had the chance to visit Secretary Qi and Third Grandma Qi’s house.

As a comrade-in-arms of Qi Rongjun and acquainted with Qi Xiaoyan, Qi Ling came to attend the wedding and happened to be seated at the same table with Huo Yingjie.

He had heard that He Tiantian’s fiancé was coming and had seen him from a distance before, but because he was busy, he hadn’t come to take a closer look, or perhaps he was still avoiding it in his heart.

This time, face to face, there was no escaping.

Huo Yingjie smiled warmly. After being introduced, he was able to chat with everyone.

In front of Qi Ling, the former suitor of He Tiantian, Huo Yingjie was even more gracious, displaying great humility. Dressed in a deep blue Sun Yat-sen suit, he looked even more striking and dashing!

He Tiantian was busy welcoming guests, but every time she passed their table, she would glance at Huo Yingjie.

Huo Yingjie would also respond with a sincere smile.

Since the others at the table didn’t know Huo Yingjie well, and even though they could see the exchange of glances between the pair, they felt it was indelicate to joke about it.

Qi Ling felt frustrated. No wonder his mother had been praising He Tiantian’s fiancé at home; now that he saw him, he could indeed let go.

Whether in appearance or bearing, he felt inferior and conceded defeat!

Perhaps he should give up, He Tiantian, such a lovely girl, was never his to begin with.

Qi Ling indulged in brooding drinking, and actually got drunk.

Huo Yingjie was pleased inside, being drunk was good, he would give up once he sobered up.

This person did have self-awareness, and had also helped He Tiantian and He Jingyu, so even if Huo Yingjie was a bit petty, he wouldn’t make things difficult for Qi Ling.

However, that young man from the archaeological team, a certain Ma Guoliang, was quite ungrateful. Just wait, there would be time to deal with him later.

As a member of her natal family, He Tiantian had to see off the bride.

Huo Yingjie, of course, did not feel at ease about He Tiantian, so he stubbornly joined the wedding procession.

Since it took two hours to get to the county town, the marriage procession set off at ten past eight so that they would arrive at the groom’s home quickly, and the wedding ceremony would take place at twelve past eight.

At that time, private cars were not available, and public buses couldn’t be used either, so Niu Dajun came to pick up the bride on a bicycle.

The wedding procession was also on bicycles, and as for the dowry, it had already been sent to the groom’s family in advance.

Although this might not look very impressive, Secretary Qi always believed that it’s not the pleats that make a bun delicious but the meat inside; wealth should not be flaunted. He insisted on sending the dowry ahead of time.

Niu Dajun rode his family’s new bicycle, with a big red flower on his chest and another on the bicycle.

Weddings at that time did not involve bowing or kneeling. After bowing three times to the parents, bidding farewell to relatives, the bride would walk out of her home following the groom.

Niu Dajun did not come alone; there were many young men following him on bicycles to pick up the bride, and there was no shortage of people in the escorting party. Except for the big red flower on the groom’s bicycle, everyone else tied a strip of red cloth to theirs.

It was a grand procession, very festive!

There were both men and women, laughing and joking, very lively.

Upon reaching the county town, they went straight to the courtyard arranged by Niu Dajun, which was just one street away from Niu Lili’s home.

After performing the ceremony, everyone started to tease the newlyweds in their bridal chamber.

While it was somewhat controlled at the bride’s home, there were no such reservations at the groom’s place.

Although not as varied and wild as in later generations, people at the time were reserved and shy, and the newlyweds were tormented quite a bit.

Niu Lili was family at Qi Xiaoyan’s house in Qijia Village, but in the county town, she was part of the groom’s family and was also somewhat older than these youngsters, and everyone knew her. So, when Niu Lili stepped in, she rescued Niu Dajun and Qi Xiaoyan who were having a very tough time,

After the teasing, everyone went out to drink and eat.

He Tiantian had to accompany Qi Xiaoyan but was also pulled out by Niu Lili to join the feast.

Niu Lili had someone prepare a bowl of small wontons for Qi Xiaoyan to eat, and then she went out to help entertain the guests.

After eating and drinking their fill, those who came to send off the bride had completed their task and still had to ride their bicycles back.

He Tiantian came over to bid farewell to Qi Xiaoyan, saying, "An hour in the spring evening is worth a thousand bucks, we won’t disturb you two any longer."

"Sister Tiantian..." Qi Xiaoyan blushed shyly and whispered a reproach.

On the other hand, the bridegroom, Niu Dajun, had sparkling eyes, extremely grateful to He Tiantian. He hurried to lead the people away so he could enter the bridal chamber sooner.