Watch out Chicken

chapter 15

Drum rumbles. Instrument tolling. Firecrackers erupted and banged. The smell of food filled the air.

In the middle of the village square, a dragon leaped and jumped, the huge puppet moving in rhythm. The festival children happily chased after his tail, and the people talked and relaxed after finishing the harvest.

I cheered with the crowd. Man, the village elders can move. They made the dragon doll bop .

I always appreciate the hard work done on these things. I've seen the mid-autumn festival once in the past, and to be honest, it destroyed it. The sheer coordination alone was already impressive, as they began to jump in time, making the dragon creep up and down like it was flying.

Then they ran to the wall, and jumped behind bringing the dragon back into a spiral. The crowd went crazy.

“Kakak Jin!” Yun Ren called out with a smile, and I stretched out my cup again. It was filled with rice wine to the brim, and I drank it. We both wore better clothes. I had planned to buy some from the city for Meihua's wedding, but I ended up borrowing some of her father's clothes, Yao Che, instead, because we had roughly the same body. It's kind of a red tunic, and black pants. With that, I matched the rest of the red village at the moment.

I sat at the largest table that had been bought next to Xian, Meiling's father. Her seat was currently empty, as she was with Yao Che and Xong Ten Ren, Yun Ren's father, in the dragon puppet, and her dance had just finished.

This is. it's great. I was relaxing in my chair, at a festival, with a nice cup of drinks and the promise of better food later. The sun still felt warm and soft on my skin.

“It's fantastic!” I sighed in satisfaction, grinning at the village.

“It does have its charm, doesn't it?” Yun Ren replied, “Hong Yaowu we tried our best.”

“ Try your best?! Yun Ren, you con man, we succeeded with the best!” Yao Che rumbled, red-faced and sweating from the dragon dance, and a giant grin on his face. Yun Ren simply rolled his eyes at the punishment.

Meiling's father staggered to his seat beside me, panting. “It gets harder every year.” He muttered, looking a little faint. He gave me a nod and a short smile.

“Your dance is amazing, Elder Yao, Elder Hong. Let me pour you a drink!” I said, and grabbed the bottle.

The two of them looked slightly surprised, and Elder Yao's grin widened as he let out a cold laugh. “Look at how many faces our esteemed guests have given us!” He exclaimed as I poured both cups.

“Call me Brother Che, Brother Jin! No need for formality, when you save my precious flower from those evil and vile people! If he wasn't meant for the others, I'd be happy to give you his hand! ”

It was a little awkward, but I kept smiling.

“I'm honored you think highly of me, Brother Che.” I said as sincerely as I could

Hearing this, he picked up another bottle, and poured me another drink. He reached out his hand, and Jin's memory told me to hook my arm on his arm. We drank our cup in one mouthful.

Meiling's father was next, pouring me another cup.

Oh, man, I'll be so drunk later.

Shortly after, the food came out. Roasted ducks, dumplings, and mooncakes.

“What I made is on the left.” Meimei whispered to me as she put the dishes down.

My eyes lit. Yes, Meimei is the best, do not accept substitutes!

We all enjoyed the music, and the happy voices of the people.

////////

After the party, Xian invited me back to his room so we could talk. I have a little sense that I know where it's going.

He sat on a pillow, and motioned for me to sit in front of him. We sat for a moment, just staring at each other, when Xian finally spoke.

“Jin Rou ..” He asked in a firm voice, “When will you ask me to marry my daughter?”

“When I have enough food to feed him, enough cloth for his clothes, and a decent house for him.” I retaliated.

Hong Xian considered my words, and his resolute face melted from his face, revealing a smile.

Xain lowered his head, “Get well Meiling-ku.”

I blinked. My stomach's churning. It's real . Yes, I have planned it, but planning and “ini happens” are two different things.

I bowed, not believing my voice.

“Now, share a drink with me once again, for you will be my son.”

///////

Meiling wondered about what her father's announcement was. He stood on the platform, with a lit paper lantern, and the village below.

“My friends, on this holy night after our hard work, on the night of one wedding, Hong Xian happily announced another.”

He lazily thought about who the marriage was about. Maybe Yun Ren or Gou Ren to someone?

“When the snow melts in spring, the Hong Family will unite itself with the Jin family. Hong Xian's daughter, Hong Meiling, is getting married to Jin Rou.”

Meiling's eyes widened. Meihua gasped beside him.

Slowly, a smile was etched on his face. He turned to Jin, and when he saw the happy and almost joyful expression on his face, a relieved smile also flashed across his face.

Paper lanterns rose to the sky.

Hong Yaowu's people cheered and shouted as Meiling ran and jumped into Jin's embrace.

///

Jin staggered as Meiling led him back to the living room. To be honest, he was surprised he was still able to do this. He had to drink nearly ten bottles of wine, as people continued to demand to drink with him. Yao Che had long since fainted, and needed three people to bring him into a room.

Everyone who will take Meihua away tomorrow will be half dead in the morning. Including Meihua herself, who continues to toast to Meiling's luck.

He had to make a lot of drugs drunk in the morning. That was also why she wanted to postpone the festival, but Meihua wanted to celebrate with them one last time before she spent her autumn in the city.

She finally takes Jin to bed, and he flips over, dragging him along with her. He happily hacked into her neck, and planted a careless kiss there.

He sighed affectionately, as he rubbed his hair, hugging his strong arm. Soon, this would happen every night, and he was looking forward to it.

But for now, he slipped out of his embrace, and he frowned. She gently rubbed her hair again, and her wrinkles disappeared.

He's got some potions to make.

///////

I smiled at Yun Ren as he looked at me with red eyes. “Kakak Jin, your body is unfair. Exchange it with me.” He half-heartedly demanded.

Our procession is more of a funeral march than a wedding procession. Everyone looked dead at their feet as they trudged along the way. Even Meihua on her horse, who was still as beautiful as ever without her hair out of place, slumped and swayed.

Meiling's hangover cure got them up and doing it, but the fatigue still lingered.

I glanced at him, “Come, Brother Yun Ren!” I called out in a loud voice, and half of the people around me grimaced. “It's a beautiful day!”

The rest of the procession turned around to give me a view .

I am happy with their revenge.

Meimei laughing.