3 Spring Liquor Town

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Listening to the mother and daughter’s conversation, Zhang Guilan muttered, “What’s wrong with calling him ‘Eldest Uncle’? Whether he comes in early or late, they’re still family. He even drives back himself, has a car, and can earn good money outside—how impressive is that? And so what if Xiao Rui has already established a good relationship?”

Sisters-in-law usually spoke their minds without filter, saying whatever came to them. Wang Fang heard this and didn’t even bother to respond.

The main room fell silent for a moment. Zhang Guilan, feeling a bit awkward, pursed her lips and stopped arguing over titles.

She fixed her gaze on Ye Rui, who was as radiant and fresh as a blossoming flower, and spoke earnestly:

“Rui Rui, don’t mind Eldest Aunt nagging. Tomorrow, you and Qingyuan will go to the county town’s gold shop to buy the wedding jewelry. The elders won’t be with you, but you must be clear in your heart—not to be too shy. You cannot accept thin gold bracelets that are as fine as thread!”

Zhang Guilan said firmly, “When buying the wedding jewelry, style doesn’t matter; weight is what counts!”

“Don’t worry.”

Wang Fang tugged at the corner of her mouth and said, “If the Zhou family dares to buy Rui Rui a gold bracelet thinner than a thread, I’ll be the first to refuse.”

Though both families were well acquainted in Spring Wine Town, Wang Fang knew the Zhou family was honorable and wouldn’t mistreat their daughter.

But one can never be too careful—both the wedding jewelry and bride price were negotiated between the two families, and only after Wang Fang was satisfied with the agreement did she relax.

After all, hearts can change easily, and these were guarantees for her daughter’s future after marrying into the Zhou family.

—

As the sun set, smoke from cooking fires drifted over the town. The children at school were dismissed for the day. After chatting with the mother and daughter, Zhang Guilan, still reluctant to leave, finally got up and went home to prepare dinner.

Once Eldest Aunt left, Ye Rui tidied up the teacups, wiped the water droplets from her fingers, and looked at Wang Fang. “Mom, school’s out, and Little Tang won’t be home for a while. I’ll go make dinner.”

Ye Zhengjun and Wang Fang had two children together: Ye Rui and Ye Tang, a sister and brother. During the day, Ye Tang went to school far away and stayed for lunch before returning home in the evening.

Wang Fang nodded. “There’s still some leftover food from lunch. Tonight it’s just the three of us women eating—don’t make too much, or it’ll go to waste.”

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Ye Rui responded with a hum. “I’ll just heat up the lunch leftovers. Little Tang said he wants cold noodles, so I’ll cook some extra noodles.”

With that, she turned and left the main room, heading toward the kitchen on the west side of the courtyard.

Efficiently, she set a pot of water to boil, then took out some dried noodles wrapped in a bag from the cupboard.

The noodles were alkaline, pale yellow in color—perfect for making cold noodles, which are both refreshing and chewy.

As the water bubbled vigorously, Ye Rui grabbed two handfuls of noodles from the open bag and dropped them into the pot. After stirring with chopsticks, she covered it with a lid. Then, from a red net bag hanging on the wall, she took out a head of garlic and began peeling it.

The bright white garlic skin fell away, revealing crisp white cloves. Ye Rui picked up a cleaver and pressed down hard to crush them. She then added a piece of fresh green chili harvested from their own vegetable garden, chopping it finely with the garlic to make a flavorful seasoning for the cold noodles.

Wang Fang had just sharpened the cleaver—it was quick and sharp—and Ye Rui was particularly fast in the kitchen. Soon the aroma of garlic and green chili filled the air.

Finally, she poured a little light soy sauce into a bowl, sprinkled a pinch of salt, and added two drops of fragrant sesame oil. The delicious cold noodle dressing was ready.

At the same time, the noodles were cooked and ready to be drained.

Ye Rui put down the seasoning bowl, lifted the lid from the pot, and saw the noodles were smooth and tender. Using a slotted spoon, she scooped them out and rinsed them under cold water.

Inside the kitchen, Ye Rui worked methodically. Outside, there was some movement.

She looked up just in time to see her brother Ye Tang bounding inside.

The siblings shared strikingly similar delicate features. Twelve-year-old Ye Tang was fair and delicate in appearance, but his personality was lively and mischievous, like a little monkey, always ready to act cute and playful.

When he saw that his sister was making his favorite cold noodles, his eyes lit up and he threw his arms around her arm. “Sis, I knew you’d take care of me!”

Ye Rui looked at her clingy brother, her eyes softening. “Go away, aren’t you hot sticking to me like this?”

Ye Tang blinked at her smiling profile, then let go and sighed wistfully:

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“Sis, I really don’t want you to get married.”

The siblings had always been close, and Ye Tang listened to Ye Rui more than anyone else. To him, even their parents’ words didn’t carry as much weight as hers.

So even though his sister was to marry Zhou Qingyuan—a boy he had known since childhood—Ye Tang was reluctant. He just wanted her to stay home a few more years so the four of them could live happily together without marriage.

Hearing this, Ye Rui paused in draining the noodles. She turned her head to look at her brother’s still youthful face, fully aware of his attachment and reluctance to let go.

Her heart ached softly, but she showed no sign of it. Instead, she gently poked his forehead with her fingertip and teased:

“You’re this old and still clingy. If your classmates find out, aren’t you afraid they’ll tease you?”

Ye Tang replied, “Let them laugh. Anyone who laughs is just jealous of how close my sister and I are.”

A smile curved Ye Rui’s lips as she began to shoo him away. “Alright, take the bowls and chopsticks outside—we’re about to eat.”

Ye Tang obediently made a sound of agreement, but didn’t move. Unwillingly, he added, “Sis, guess who I ran into on the way back from school?”

She knew what was coming, turned her head away, and held the slotted spoon as she continued rinsing noodles, pretending not to hear.

Seeing his sister clearly unwilling to cooperate, Ye Tang huffed and dragged out the words: “It was Qingyuan again. He asked me to be the messenger, asking if you want to meet at Lotus Pond tonight.”

In Spring Wine Town, Ye Rui and Zhou Qingyuan were childhood sweethearts with their wedding date already set. Among young people, their relationship was proper and open, so there was no need to hide it.

When they had time, they would arrange to meet, take walks, and talk heart to heart.

Hearing this, Ye Rui pressed her soft lips together and felt a flush rise to her cheeks. “I know.”