When love draws near, it's like snow - Chapter 75
First came the rustling of clothes, then Huaiyuan's slightly worried voice: "Qing'er, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
"Hey! Skinny bamboo pole, I've rushed all this way to the capital, and you dare to put on airs with me?!" Guan Dingshan shouted angrily, "How did you take care of Xiao Huizi? She's already so thin, and now she's even more frail! Fine, if you're not feeling well, don't get up. We'll pay our respects tomorrow morning! Anyway, it doesn't matter when I drink this cup of tea with my granddaughter-in-law!"
Listening to Guan Dingshan's usual loud, incessant complaining, I couldn't help but feel like crying and laughing at the same time—so touching! Although his words were infuriating, they genuinely revealed his concern for me.
"Well, Xiao Huizi, don't listen to Dingshan's nonsense. Who does a wedding ceremony twice? It's unlucky! Qing'er just recovered from her illness, and she's been tired all day. Let her rest." There was a hint of disappointment in Grandpa Jiang's voice, but more so, relief: "Although this is a bit difficult to explain to Kunlun, and we can't say anything to Rumei, it's still a joyous occasion that you've finally agreed to get married. The continuation of the Jiang family line depends entirely on you!"
Wow, you immediately brought up the topic of family lineage! You're really sticking to your beliefs and original intentions! I'm feeling completely overwhelmed. Getting married at 23 is already a stretch, and now you want me to have a baby right away? I'm just speechless!
"Alright then, let's not stand here getting in the way. Let's go, let's go!" Guan Dingshan said sarcastically, then all that could be heard was footsteps, the door opening, the door closing, and then... nothing? Seriously? Huaiyuan, if you dare do anything bad, see how I deal with you!
"Brother Mo Hui..." Ru Lan's voice was sweet and slightly breathless—damn it! She imitated my tone of voice almost perfectly! But when have I ever been so coquettish? I was anxious, angry, shocked, and scared—this was my wedding night with Huaiyuan, and besides, that vixen was clearly seducing him, he, he… I dared not think further, yet I couldn't help but conjure up the scene in my mind, each one making me want to die—that woman is shameless! There are so many people hiding in the room!
I strained my ears to hear anything outside—but to no avail. The room was so quiet I could hear my own heartbeat—pounding like a thousand horses galloping.
Huaiyuan, you dare to boast of your unparalleled martial arts skills? With so many people breathing and my heart pounding so hard, how could you not hear a thing?! What are those two doing right now?! Huaiyuan, Huaiyuan! You absolutely must figure out who you're holding in your arms! Otherwise, otherwise, I will never forgive you for the rest of my life!
Why aren't those two saying anything? Come on, even if they're being intimate, shouldn't there be some time before things escalate? They can't have gotten so carried away so quickly, can they? You stinky Huaiyuan, I've finally seen through you! You always pretended to have impeccable self-control, like a saint who could remain unmoved even with a woman in his lap, so incredibly respectful to me—it was all a lie! Now your true colors are showing! I silently shed tears, having given up all hope—today is our wedding day, nothing Huaiyuan does is unreasonable, right? After drinking so much and waiting so long, what more can I expect from him?!
"Ah!" came a soft, delicate cry from Rulan, her voice tinged with pain and trembling—I gritted my teeth and closed my eyes—now I didn't need to guess, even a fool could tell what had happened!
Another loud crash—the sound of dishes breaking. I blushed, then anger welled up inside me: Huaiyuan, in such a hurry? Aren't the two of them in bed right now?
"Do you need me to use a little more force?" Huaiyuan's lazy voice rang out wickedly—Go to hell! I cursed angrily, don't even think about me forgiving you!
"Hehe, let's not. If we use any more force, her little neck will break! It's not good for blood to flow on a wedding night." Huh! What's that Wufeng's voice? When did he arrive?
"You brat, still so stubborn! Tell me, where did you hide Qing'er?" Guan Dingshan roared, "Even if Xiao Huizi ruined your sister's marriage, you don't have to take it out on Qing'er! How can you be so spineless?!" — Ah, they caught Lu Jianfeng?! When? Why didn't I hear a sound?
"Hehe, found one under the bed, too bad it's not the bride." Wu Feng's mocking laughter came. "The room is only this big. Ru Lan, aren't you going to tell the truth? Brother, it seems she really wants to be stubborn to the end. I think you should go find her yourself. Don't give them a chance!"
A bright light shone in, dazzling my eyes, and I instinctively closed them. The next second, I was in a familiar and warm embrace. The refreshing and clean scent, mixed with a faint aroma of wine, finally calmed my frantic heart.
"Are you alright?" Huaiyuan gently lifted my chin, his brows furrowed as he examined me with concern—his heart was pounding like a drum: it turned out that beneath his calm exterior, he had just as experienced a storm of emotions as I had!
"Of course she's fine. It's the sisters who are in trouble, okay?" Liu Wufeng shook his head, feigning helplessness. "Big brother, I knew your Heartless Sword was irresistible, but to turn someone's family into enemies is just too much!"
Huaiyuan glared at him and said coldly, "Junior Uncle, this matter should be handled by you, sir!"
Yun Mengyan, looking ashamed, bent down and picked up Rulan, not even helping her release her acupoints, before stepping out of the house and disappearing into the thick night. A voice faintly drifted in from outside the window: "I didn't expect this girl to be so stubborn. I warned her not to do anything reckless, but... sigh! I'm truly ashamed to face you and my two senior uncles!"—So, she knew all along? That makes sense; without her tacit approval, how could Jianfeng and his sister have succeeded so easily at the manor?!
Huaiyuan ignored Yun Mengyan and silently stared at Lu Jianfeng. After a long while, he suddenly sighed, "Jianfeng, do you really want that treasure map that much?"
"Yes." Lu Jianfeng stood tall and fearless, coldly mocking, "Do you think everyone is like you, born with a bright future waiting for you? Born with the world's best teachers, first-rate swordsmanship, a first-rate sword, a first-rate status, first-rate parents…! What you obtained effortlessly is something others could never achieve in a lifetime! To beat you, one must resort to any means necessary! What's wrong with that?!"—First-rate parents? Lu Jianfeng, is this what makes you angry, what drives you mad?! You—in the end, still care about your background, don't you? In the end, still care about being abandoned by your own father?!
"So, do you think everything I have today is all due to my natural talent? Have I not put in the slightest effort?" Huaiyuan sighed and stared intently at him.
"If it were me, I would have achieved so much more than you today!" Lu Jianfeng roared, raising his voice. "My conditions are no worse than yours! Why do people always only see you and not me? I hate your condescending gaze! I hate everyone fawning over you! I hate your hypocritical, self-righteous face!"—If you really hate it so much, why do you always compare yourself to Huaiyuan? You've even copied seven or eight tenths of his aloofness?!
“If all you want is this superficial vanity,” Huaiyuan said calmly, pulling a small bag from his pocket and tossing it onto the table. “If this is truly what you want, if it brings you balance, then take it!” The bag rolled over and unraveled—revealing half a treasure map and a jade seal.
"I don't want your charity! What do you take me for? A beggar?!" Lu Jianfeng shouted, his face flushed red after a moment of surprise.
“Jianfeng, your father didn’t know you existed back then. And I didn’t know either.” Huaiyuan took off the jade pendant from his waist and placed it on the table: “This jade was originally a pair. Now I’m giving it to you. I only know that the men of the Jiang family would never abandon their wives and children! I hope you won’t make another mistake.”
"What do you mean? Why did you give him the manor's seal?!" Liu Wufeng stared at Huaiyuan strangely, utterly shocked: "This kid, this kid wouldn't be...?!"
"I'm sorry! From now on, the manor is in your hands." Huaiyuan ignored Wufeng and simply said, "Alright, it's late, you can all leave now!"
"Hey! Little Huizi!" Guan Dingshan's small eyes widened as he glared at Huaiyuan. "You think you can just brush us off without explaining yourself?!"
"Grandpa Guan, are you really planning to completely ruin my wedding night?" Huaiyuan looked at Guan Dingshan with an impatient expression and a low voice, his eyes cold as he spoke—what nonsense are you talking about? My face turned bright red, and I glared at him.
"Hehe, let's talk about it tomorrow then." Guan Dingshan touched his nose and reluctantly pushed them out of the bridal chamber: "Let's go, let's go."
Finally, things quieted down, and it was just Huaiyuan and me left. I leaned against his chest, trying to appear calm, but my legs were already weak—what should I do now?! Shouldn't Huaiyuan say something at this moment?!
"Qing'er." After hesitating for a long time, Huaiyuan finally spoke.
"Huh?!" I jumped up in surprise. "What is it?"
"Would you like to wander the world with me?" A question came out of nowhere.
"Huh?!" I was stunned, and nodded subconsciously—Yes, of course I'll go! As long as I'm with him, I'll go anywhere, even through fire and water!
"Alright!" Huaiyuan gave me his first genuine smile of the night, took my hand, wrapped his arm around my waist, and leaped out the window, disappearing into the deep night...
Sigh! When will he finally understand that the purpose of installing a door is to make it easier for people to come and go...?
[Volume 4, Finale: Chapter 20: Stars Hang Low Over the Vast Plain]
A white cloud drifted lazily across the pale blue sky, while several vultures circled and soared in the distance. The lush green grass covering the mountains and plains resembled endless waves, swaying in the wind.
Huaiyuan lay lazily on the grass. Long eyelashes covered his narrow eyes, and playful sunlight cast soft shadows on his straight nose. His light blue robe was slightly wrinkled, the collar open, and sunlight shone on his chest, making his bronze skin gleam. His two long, muscular legs were crossed casually and wildly, his boots covered in a little mud, giving him a wild look. A gentle breeze blew, and a fallen leaf gently landed on his unguarded sleeping face.
I gazed at him silently, a smile playing on my lips. My fingers unconsciously traced his face, and a faint warmth welled up inside me, slowly swirling and overflowing my heart...
During this time, we've journeyed hand in hand through life, boating on West Lake to admire the ten miles of lotus blossoms; we've also climbed Mount Lu at night to witness the sea of clouds and sunrise; we've traversed the vast Gobi Desert, walking through endless yellow sands... Watching Huaiyuan's smile grow brighter and the lines on his face soften, I know he has opened his heart, moved past his pain, and emerged from the shadows cast by the past...
My hand was grasped, and I looked down to see Huaiyuan's dark eyes, shining with a warm smile. With a slight pull, I slid down and nestled obediently into his arms, gazing up at the blue sky and white clouds—at that moment, I suddenly felt so grateful to Jianfeng. If it weren't for his impulsive and extreme actions, Huaiyuan would probably still be buried in the mundane affairs of the manor, never having this moment to reflect and clear his mind.
See, sometimes being a free person is such a happy thing? And happiness is such a simple thing!
Huaiyuan's soft hair brushed against my face, and the slight warmth seeped through my thin clothes to my arm that was pressed tightly against his. His warm breath blew on my face, making my heart feel warm and cozy.
"They're here!" Huaiyuan exclaimed excitedly in a low voice, as if afraid of startling the beautiful creature in the distance. I couldn't help but smile—the joyful expression on his face was like that of a child who had received candy.
"Ugh, don't give me another empty promise!" I teased him with a sidelong glance and a faint smile—for that thing, we'd been wandering the grasslands with a tent for ten days straight, searching for its tracks—though I didn't mind; this kind of life, with the sky as my blanket and the ground as my bed, was actually quite pleasant. But Huaiyuan was determined to take it on. Heh.