Arranging a wedding to counteract ill - fortune
I was born on Qingming Festival in 1998, a day when the sky was overcast and rain fell persistently. My mother had just finished paying respects to our ancestors when she unexpectedly went into labor on her way home, delivering me beside an isolated grave.
Born two months premature, I suffered from frequent illnesses. My family feared I wouldn't survive, so I spent much of my childhood surrounded by medicinal herbs and decoctions.
When I turned ten, I fell gravely ill with a fever that lasted for nearly a year. My parents took me everywhere for treatment—from provincial hospitals to traditional healers—but no one could diagnose or cure my condition. Some doctors even suggested we prepare for the worst.
My parents were constantly in tears, feeling utterly helpless. Then, a young fortune-teller came to our village. Desperate, my parents invited him to our home.
Upon seeing me, his expression changed dramatically. He pulled my parents aside and said solemnly, "Your daughter Vivian Feather was born under unusual circumstances; this illness is caused by evil spirits. Ordinary medicine will not work. We need to treat it specifically."
My parents were stunned but asked anxiously, "What should we do? Please save our daughter!"
Seeing their sincerity, he sighed deeply and spoke to them outside.
I didn't know what the fortune-teller told my parents, but when they returned, they looked both agitated and deeply worried.
Three nights later, our house was decorated with red lanterns and paper cuts. Despite the festive appearance, the atmosphere felt eerie.
My mother dressed me in a red outfit without saying a word. When I asked her what was wrong, she remained silent, but I noticed her eyes were red from crying.
After dressing me, she instructed me to stay inside until she called me, saying it was necessary for my treatment. Though confused, I obeyed.
Later, the fortune-teller arrived. Curious, I peeked through the door c***k. He held a lively rooster with shiny feathers and a blood-red comb, looking very spirited, with a large red flower tied to its chest.
Surprisingly, the moon hanging in the sky was tinged with blood red. Although frightening, as a child, I didn't think much of it.
Suddenly, the night was broken by the sound of gongs and trumpets, waking me up from my drowsiness.
My mother came in, her voice hoarse, "Vivian, it's time. Follow mommy outside."
Confused, I asked, "Mom, where are we going?"
Ignoring my question, she led me firmly into the yard. The few people present were all strangers. Upon my arrival, the music stopped, and the fortune-teller stood before me, smiling while holding the rooster.
"The time has come," he said meaningfully.
Before I could understand his words, my parents forced me to bow towards him.
As I bowed, the gongs sounded loudly, and the fortune-teller's sharp voice echoed in my ears.
"On this night of the red moon, the Dragon King takes a bride. The Feather Family gives away a daughter, and rebellion means death. Ceremony completed!"
Afterward, my parents released me, and the fortune-teller gave my parents the rooster, telling them to raise it until its natural end.
He then handed me a dragon-shaped jade pendant strung on a red string, saying it would protect me and prevent further illness.
My mother put the jade around my neck, warning me never to take it off. After that night, my illness gradually disappeared, and our family experienced smooth sailing. Whenever danger approached, I always managed to escape unharmed.
By the age of twelve, whenever I or my mother mentioned these events, people would say I was blessed and fortunate. Even I believed this.
However, as I grew older, my mother's gaze became increasingly worried. She strongly opposed me dating, becoming extremely defensive whenever boys showed interest in me.
She constantly warned me to stay away from men, fearing it would bring misfortune.
In my first year of high school, a handsome boy from class expressed interest in me. Feeling some affection for him, we planned to go to the amusement park on the weekend.
The next day, however, I learned that he had been in an accident and was lying unconscious in the hospital.
My mother, upon hearing this, made me kneel for an entire night. In defiance, I questioned her about why she opposed me dating so strongly.
Finally, exasperated, she stared at me intensely, "Vivian, you already have a husband. You cannot entertain feelings for other boys! Be loyal to your husband! If you disobey, you will harm others and yourself!"
Her words struck me like thunder. "Husband?" I asked, disbelieving.
My mother's eyes were red. Only then did I learn that at ten, I had been given a 'marriage' to ward off evil spirits, which cured my illness.
I thought such practices belonged to superstitious customs of the past, never imagining it would happen to me.
My mother firmly believed that after this 'marriage,' my health improved.
But I considered it a coincidence.
She warned me that if I insisted on dating, both I and my lover would be harmed.
"So I can never marry?" I asked.
My mother wiped her tears, "Vivian, don't blame us for making this decision. We only want you to live."
Stiffly, I nodded, never daring to mention love again.
I was curious about my 'husband,' asking where he was and what he looked like. My mother's eyes shifted.
"Vivian, he is always with you, knowing your every move."
