2 Springwine Town

Under the tree, several aunts chatted animatedly. Suddenly, one aunt seemed to recall something and casually remarked, “Qingyuan is refined and fair-skinned, the only son of the Zhou family clinic, with a bright future ahead. Young girls from ten miles around have all found excuses to get close to him under the pretense of seeking treatment. Now that the marriage is about to be settled, any girl who had feelings for him must have given up hope.”

Hearing this, an aunt nearby, adorned with a pearl hairpin, responded without much thought, “That may be so, but it’s not the thief you fear, it’s the one who covets. If you stir the pot too much, who can guarantee he won’t stray? After all, men’s nature is what it is—loose as a belt.”

Her words drew a sharp reaction from an aunt close to the Zhou family. She snatched off the thimble from her finger and forcefully slammed it into the noisy shoe box beside her.

“What nonsense are you spouting? Qingyuan is practically someone I watched grow up. How could I, as his aunt, not know his character? He’s absolutely excellent! It’s a blessing for the Ye family girl to marry into the Zhou family. The two families haven’t even formally joined yet, and you’re already tarnishing Qingyuan’s reputation. Do you think a young man’s name can be so easily ruined by idle gossip?”

The heavy thimble left an imprint on the shoe box, startling the aunt. As the rapid-fire words continued, her own expression darkened. She admitted silently to herself that she had spoken without thinking. Yet, still holding back her frustration, she took a deep breath and muttered sarcastically under her breath, “Yes, yes, Qingyuan is indeed excellent. It’s my mouth that’s ruined his reputation. But didn’t you just say that reputation can’t be so easily destroyed by words alone?”

The tense exchange cooled the atmosphere. Two other aunts sensed the shift and quickly changed the subject. In the following silence, the aunts exchanged glances but no one spoke.

—

After parting ways with Chunxing in town, Ye Rui headed home. Before reaching the doorstep, she heard voices from the main hall, with Zhang Guilan, her eldest aunt-in-law, laughing the loudest.

Her daughter’s marriage had been settled, and the engagement ceremony date was to be set soon. There were many preparations to make, so Wang Fang had begun discussing the dowry arrangements with her sisters-in-law.

But compared to the preparations for the niece’s dowry, Zhang Guilan was most concerned about the “three golds” the Zhou family would provide.

Seeing Ye Rui return, she smiled and waved, openly asking, “Rui, the engagement is nearly set. Did the Zhou family say when they’ll take you to buy the three golds?”

Ye Rui blinked lightly and glanced toward Wang Fang.

The Ye family had split years ago and no longer lived together, though both branches still resided in Chunjiu Town and maintained close family relations. Wang Fang knew well her sisters-in-law’s straightforward nature.

There was nothing to hide from the question, either.

Wang Fang looked at her. “If you ask Rui about buying the three golds, a young lady won’t be so bold to answer. Better to ask me directly.”

Ye Rui smiled and nodded. “Auntie, my mother has already told you.”

“Don’t you two just sing from the same song sheet?” Zhang Guilan, ever impetuous, slapped her thigh. “The Zhou family must prepare the three golds fully—missing even one piece is unacceptable. Otherwise, don’t think about taking my Ye family’s precious flower away!”

Wang Fang looked at her daughter and sighed with a gentle smile. “She’s grown up; it’s only right she starts her own family. She can’t stay by my side forever.”

Thinking of the upcoming wedding after the engagement, a bittersweet reluctance welled up in Ye Rui’s heart.

She nestled beside Wang Fang, tightly holding her mother’s arm, her head resting on her shoulder.

“The date for buying the three golds is set—tomorrow, I think,” Wang Fang stroked her daughter’s hair and looked at Zhang Guilan. “Early tomorrow morning, Qingyuan and Rui, the two young people, will go to the county seat.”

According to local custom, once the dowry and three golds are agreed upon, the groom’s family formally presents the betrothal gifts on the engagement day. However, when purchasing the three golds, only the young couple goes, guided by the bride’s preferences, without the elders accompanying them.

Zhang Guilan smiled. “Tomorrow’s a good day! Has the Zhou family arranged the bus to the county seat? Don’t let anything delay the plans.”

Chunjiu Town lay deep in the mountains, roads remote and winding. The nearest county was nearly a three-hour drive over mountain roads. So, trips from town to county were not easy, requiring advance arrangements.

Wang Fang replied, “It’s all settled. Qingyuan’s cousin, who’s been away for years, is coming back. He’ll drive and should arrive tonight. Tomorrow, the two will take his car.”

Zhang Guilan was surprised. “Oh! They actually have a car? That’s rare!”

Suddenly recalling something, she hurriedly added, “Qingyuan’s cousin—isn’t he the poor boy whose parents died when he was just a year old?”

“Yes,” Wang Fang nodded, her expression distant. “His parents died early, no one cared for him. The in-laws, being his uncle and aunt, kindly took him in and raised him for a few years.”

The town folk had heard about the little boy with a tragic background who inexplicably became part of the Zhou household. But he only stayed in Chunjiu Town for a few years before being taken by relatives elsewhere. Though he never returned, his bond with the Zhou family remained unbroken.

Knowing Qingyuan’s engagement was imminent, he, as the cousin, was driving all the way back to attend. Having a car made travel convenient and also added prestige.

Ye Rui listened quietly to her elders’ conversation, saying nothing.

But Zhang Guilan, always talkative, looked at her quiet and obedient niece and chatted on, “Tomorrow, when you meet Qingyuan’s cousin and ride in his car to the county, will you have to call him ‘Big Cousin’?”

—Big Cousin.

The three words lingered on Ye Rui’s soft lips. Just as she was about to respond, Wang Fang quickly interrupted.

“What are you talking about? Rui hasn’t married into the Zhou family yet. How can he be anyone’s ‘Big Cousin’?”

Wang Fang glanced at Ye Rui and advised, “When you meet him tomorrow, just follow Qingyuan and call him ‘Big Brother.’”

Ye Rui smiled gently, revealing a delicate dimple, and softly replied, “Okay.”

But even if her mother hadn’t reminded her, she would never have been able to call a stranger “Big Cousin.” It felt far too intimate.