The little milk baby wrinkled her small face, trying hard to recall what her parents' wedding looked like. But she really had no impression at all.
However, marriage was such an important event, especially with so much delicious food, why didn't Mom and Dad bring Yan Yan?
"Daddy, why haven't I ever seen you and Mommy get married?"
"I don't even remember. Smelly Daddy, why didn't you bring Yan Yan when you and Mommy got married?"
The little milk baby complained to Chen Yang with a pouting mouth, feeling wronged. Chen Yang was completely bewildered.
Why would his little milk baby suddenly ask such a question?
What could he possibly say? Tell the little one that she wasn't born yet?
What if the little milk baby then asked where she came from?
Would they have to go through the "eternal question" again, and give the standard answer of being picked up by the roadside?
"Yan Yan, Mom and Dad got married, and then you were born. Adults have to get married before they can have babies."
Shen Xue patiently explained to the little milk baby, who seemed to understand but not quite.
Chen Hao had been holding back for a long time. Seeing that Chen Yang had something to say, he patted his son's little head. Encouraged by Chen Yang, Chen Hao finally voiced his confusion.
"Mom, then why did you eat me and my sister into your belly?"
Chen Yang stumbled. Who on earth brought up this topic? If he knew, he'd spank her till her butt was raw.
Shen Xue was also stunned.
Never mind this era, even in later generations, many parents were embarrassed to explain to their children how they were conceived, which led to the various bizarre answers children received about their origins.
"Given away with groceries," "Found by the roadside," "Picked up from a trash heap," "Bounced out of a crack in a rock," "Found under the bed," "Fell out of my armpit," "Cut out from a watermelon" ...
Chen Yang remembered a joke from his past life. A child asked his mother where he came from, and the mother, not knowing how to answer, casually pointed at the pig they were raising and said it was born from the pig.
Later, when the father was sharpening a knife for the New Year, the child asked him what he was doing. The father said he was killing the pig. The child, terrified, ran to his uncle and said their father was sharpening a knife to kill their mother.
Chen Yang used to find it funny, but now he didn't find it funny at all.
"This kind of 'giving birth' is different from what you understand. Mom didn't eat you either."
"That's right. Adults get married, and then they can conceive babies. When the babies grow, they have to be born, so you will grow up obediently. Otherwise, the mother's belly is only so big, wouldn't you burst it open?"
Chen Yang racked his brains to come up with this explanation. Hearing his words, the two little ones stopped asking further questions.
Seeing this, Chen Yu turned and ran. Chen Yang understood immediately; it must have been his lively younger sister's doing.
At this moment, Li Zhengpeng had already picked up Chen Juan. When picking up the bride, they couldn't turn around, so they had to follow the road and circle around to return to Jinling University.
Chen Yang's home had a string of firecrackers set off, and then they prepared to tidy up and head to Jinling University.
Marriage in those days wasn't as grand as in later times. All relatives, no matter how far away, could come.
On Chen Yang's side of the family, his father's siblings had written letters to offer congratulations, unable to return for the wedding banquet.
On his mother's side, his maternal uncles were in the nearby villages, so they would come. His aunt would also come. Later, Chen Yang and his father would have to go pick them up.
They didn't have bicycles, so walking would take a long time.
When Chen Yang's family arrived at Jinling University, it was already lively. Li Zhengpeng and Chen Juan, wearing red flowers, stood at the entrance welcoming the guests.
In those days, elder sisters giving gifts were practical. Some gave soap, others gave towels. Those with closer relationships even gave thermoses and enamel basins.
Don't underestimate these items; they were things that would be used in daily life.
Unlike today, where money was often given, these were things that people had put thought into selecting.
The couple smiled as they accepted the gifts, recorded them in a notebook, and then led the guests inside to be seated. These were all favors they owed.
In the future, when others had joyous occasions, they would have to return the favor.
"Mom, you and Xue'er take the kids. Dad, Chen Yu, and I will ride bicycles to pick up Uncle and Aunt."
His maternal uncles and aunt were in the countryside, dozens of miles away from the city. Even if they started walking early in the morning, they might not have arrived in the city yet.
"Alright. Your paternal uncles and aunts have tight schedules and can't come back. Your aunt married far away. Among our mother's family, only your maternal uncles and aunt can come to support us."
Qin Lifen and Shen Xue each took a child. Chen Yu had a glum face; she had wanted to take the opportunity to play around Jinling University.
Universities back then weren't like many universities today where civilians could enter. Most were strictly managed, and entry required a student ID.
Chen Yu couldn't even sneak in to play on normal days.
"Let's go, you heartless girl. Your aunt doted on you for nothing when you were little."
"When I gave birth to you, I didn't have enough milk. You even drank your cousin's share."
Seeing Chen Yu's glum face, Qin Lifen glared at her daughter.
"Mom, I didn't say I wouldn't go. I'll go pick up Aunt. I'll go now."
Chen Yu dared not argue with her mother on this matter. It could be said that her aunt raised her for the first two years of her life. She was also very close to her aunt's children.
Even now, when she was on vacation, she often went to the countryside with her cousins to catch fish and shrimp in the river. Chen Yu's lively nature was partly cultivated at her aunt's home.
Chen Yu rode Chen Juan's bicycle, Chen Yang rode Li Zhengpeng's, and Chen Liming rode his own. The three of them set off towards the countryside.
In those days, there were no phones, so they had to carefully watch the road. If they missed each other, they really wouldn't be able to pick anyone up.
So, along the way, Chen Yu didn't dare to be boisterous and honestly followed behind her father and brother.
After riding for nearly half an hour, they had already left the city. Chen Yu suddenly rang her bell a few times.
"Aunt! Aunt! Over here!"
Chen Yang glanced over. On the nearby embankment, there was a tiny figure. He couldn't see who it was at all. If Chen Yu hadn't spoken, he wouldn't have noticed. He wondered how she knew it was Aunt.
"Xiao Yu."
Hearing Chen Yu's voice, a reply came from the other side. It was indeed Aunt.
Soon, the figure ran from the embankment to the main road. Chen Yang also saw his aunt, Qin Liyun, dressed in a blue work uniform.
Chen Yu put down her bike and was about to run to hug her. Qin Liyun quickly stopped her.
"You girl, so impulsive. Haven't you seen what Aunt is carrying?"
"The eggs laid by the chickens Aunt raised. I brought them for you and Juan."
Qin Liyun protected the basket of eggs, afraid Chen Yu would knock them over.
"Aunt, you didn't have to bring so many eggs when you came."
Chen Yu glanced at her aunt, who was sweating profusely. It was dozens of miles from Aunt's house to the city, and with this basket of eggs, it must have been a difficult journey.
"Yangyang, you're back. Aunt has missed you so much."
Hearing Chen Yang call out "Aunt," Qin Liyun finally noticed Chen Yang. It was impossible, five years had passed, and the changes were too great. She hadn't recognized him at first.