Chapter 49 Getting Married (Middle)

“Ying, why are you staring at me?” Zhang Meng lowered her eyes uncomfortably, avoiding Ying’s intense gaze.

Ever since she had relations with Xu Lu Cha last time, she felt resentful and aggrieved. When she entered the dream space, Ying’s mood was also affected by her. The sacred white light surrounding his body grew increasingly dim.

He transformed into his beast form, his soft ears constantly nuzzling against Zhang Meng’s calves, trying to comfort her. He didn’t know why Zhang Meng was feeling down and upset, because even if he asked, Zhang Meng wouldn’t tell him.

Later, he disappeared for a period of time. Every time Zhang Meng entered the dream space, she couldn’t find him.

Now he had returned, the soft white light on his body had almost completely vanished. Dressed in all black, he stared at Zhang Meng unblinkingly, making her feel very uncomfortable.

She hadn’t seen Ying for dozens of days. Ying had transformed from the appearance of a young boy into that of a young man. The baby fat on his face had receded, revealing perfect features that were stunningly beautiful.

Ying’s face was expressionless as he asked in a hoarse voice, “You’re in a good mood. Why?”

Clearly, she had been so aggrieved and upset before that even his heart felt heavy and distressed along with her.

Zhang Meng was slightly taken aback by his words: “Am I in a good mood? I feel like it’s just the same as usual.”

Ying’s lifeless eyes paused for a moment, then he silently lowered his gaze. He sat to one side without speaking further.

Although Ying had always been reluctant to speak, he was very clingy. Whenever she was by his side, his beautiful eyes never left her. But now he had lowered his gaze and was sitting silently to one side, ignoring her. Zhang Meng felt puzzled: “Ying, what’s wrong?”

Ying didn’t respond, so Zhang Meng pushed his shoulder. Feeling the warm, damp, and sticky sensation on her hand, she was startled. When she withdrew her hand, she saw it was covered in blood.

“Ying!” Zhang Meng cried out in alarm, moving in front of him, “Are you injured?”

Ying turned his face away to avoid her gaze, saying flatly, “I’m not injured.”

Zhang Meng naturally didn’t believe him. She grabbed his hand and lifted his sleeve, seeing that his arm had been gashed by a sharp weapon, leaving it a bloody mess without a single intact spot.

A faint fragrance permeated the air. Zhang Meng had always thought it was Ying’s natural scent, but she never imagined it was the smell of his fresh blood.

Ying withdrew his hand and said hoarsely, “I’m not injured, this is just an illusion.” With that, he cast a spell, and his bloody and mangled arm instantly returned to its jade-like skin.

He naturally wouldn’t tell Zhang Meng that because he had developed feelings for a mortal, he was being punished by the Heavenly Dao. Every time his emotions were stirred by Zhang Meng, he would subsequently endure knife torture, with strips of flesh being cut off, then rapidly regenerating, only to be cut off again, in an endless cycle.

That’s why he had worn black clothes, so that even if he was injured, she wouldn’t notice.

Zhang Meng’s face was still a bit pale as she asked in confusion, “You’re really not injured? Why did you cast an illusion spell?”

But Ying didn’t answer.

He lowered his eyes without a word, sitting silently to one side like a wooden doll. Zhang Meng remembered the first time she saw him, he was like this too – numb and hopeless, without any longing for life.

Zhang Meng’s heart seemed to be pricked by something. She reached out and ruffled Ying’s hair: “Ying, what’s really wrong with you?”

Ying kept his head down. After a long while, crystalline tears fell drop by drop from his cheeks, wetting the rock beneath his feet.

“You’re going to get married, aren’t you?” His voice trembled with crying.

As soon as he saw Zhang Meng, he noticed the red string of marriage fate on her body, winding and extending towards an unseen distance.

He had tried to break the red string, but no matter how hard he tried, it remained intact.

That person was her destined one, and no one could prevent their marriage… not even a god…

Zhang Meng was slightly stunned: “How do you know I’m getting married?”

But Ying didn’t answer her question, instead asking her: “Do you love him?”

Zhang Meng hesitated for a moment, not answering.

Ying had made a contract with her and could clearly sense Zhang Meng’s emotions. He knew Zhang Meng’s feelings for that person. It wasn’t love, but there was pity and goodwill. However, Zhang Meng falling in love with that person was only a matter of time. After all, they were destined to be together.

“You should go,” Ying said.

The white light on Ying’s body had completely dimmed. He said hoarsely, “Don’t come looking for me anymore. Don’t let me see you.”

Zhang Meng was stunned: “Ying…”

Ying pushed Zhang Meng away forcefully and transformed into his beast form, running out.

I’m letting you go. I’m giving you only one chance to escape from me. If you come back to find me, I will never let you go again, even if it means eternal damnation.

Countless sharp knives carved away at Ying’s flesh. Ying endured it silently, his beautiful eyes staring blankly at a certain place in the mortal world, a drop of blood tear flowing down his exquisitely beautiful profile…

…

Zhang Meng woke up. Several chattering constables pushed open the door. Seeing Zhang Meng still lying in bed, they began to worry for her: “Zhang Meng, why are you still lying down?! Have you forgotten today is your wedding day?”

Before Zhang Meng could react, the constables pulled her out of bed and began helping her with her makeup and attire.

Zhang Meng’s long black hair fell loose. Ms. Qian took a wooden comb and began combing her hair, chattering away.

“Do you remember the wedding details we told you about yesterday? Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten everything after one night’s sleep!”

Zhang Meng was so flustered by their fussing that her thoughts from the dream had already receded. She had no time to think about Ying’s matters. She tugged at her hair that was being pulled painfully and said repeatedly, “Be gentler! I still remember what you told me! I haven’t forgotten.”

“Tell me then.”

Zhang Meng blurted out: “On the wedding night, I can’t let the groom sleep alone in an empty room. It’s just one sentence, but you’ve repeated it to me hundreds of times!”

Ms. Qian spoke with ill intent: “We’re doing this for your own good. You don’t know how much men look forward to their wedding night. If you and Young Master Xu sleep in separate rooms, he’ll resent you to death. If the husband and wife don’t get along in the future, you’ll have plenty to cry about.”

Zhang Meng nodded: “I know what to do.” After a pause, Zhang Meng asked with a complicated expression, “Ms. Qian, has my adoptive father arrived? He’s supposed to preside over the wedding ceremony for me and Lu Cha.”

“Young Master Yang arrived early.” When saying “Young Master Yang”, Ms. Qian felt a bit uncomfortable. By seniority, she should call him Uncle Yang, but Yang Qing was really too young. She couldn’t bring herself to do it, especially since unmarried men could only be called Young Master.

Zhang Meng let out a soft “mm”. She didn’t know how she felt right now. She had thought she liked Yang Qing very much and could always wait for him. But now that Yang Qing had come to preside over her wedding ceremony, she didn’t seem to feel as upset as she had imagined. There was only a faint melancholy.

Perhaps she didn’t like Yang Qing as much as she thought, or perhaps her dependence on Yang Qing outweighed her liking for him, with familial affection surpassing romantic love.

Seeing Zhang Meng fall silent, Ms. Qian also felt a bit uncomfortable. She knew about Zhang Meng and Yang Qing’s situation. To lighten the mood, Ms. Qian spoke in a deliberately casual tone: “Zhang Meng, A Yue has also come to attend your wedding ceremony. Later you’ll need to keep an eye on Young Master Xu and A Yue, don’t let them fight.”

When Zhang Meng heard Ms. Qian’s words, her eyes widened suddenly: “A Yue…” She hadn’t dared invite A Yue to come, firstly because he was too young to attend such a wedding. Secondly, given A Yue’s temperament, he might do something inappropriate at the wedding.

Ms. Qian gloated: “You’d better keep a close eye on your Young Master Xu. I’m afraid A Yue might say something that will make him want to poke someone with his fan.”

The incident of Xu Lu Cha confronting A Yue before was known clearly to everyone in the government office.

After Zhang Meng finished her makeup and attire, she was escorted out of the room by the constables. A Yue, dressed in blue, was standing at the door waiting for her.

The boy was slender and tall, with bright peach blossom eyes and delicate features as if carved from jade. Seeing Zhang Meng come out, his eyes brightened slightly, then dimmed again.

He smiled at the constables behind Zhang Meng and said: “Dear constable sisters, could you let me have a few words alone with Sister Meng? Don’t worry, I won’t run off with her.”

All the constables, including Ms. Qian, were melted by A Yue’s sweet smile. They nodded repeatedly: “Of course, of course, you two can chat for a bit, but be quick. We need to go to the restaurant.”

The restaurant was chosen by Zhang Meng. Xu Lu Cha had insisted that Zhang Meng choose one, and unable to resist his persistent coaxing, she had randomly picked a slightly cheaper restaurant.

After Ms. Qian and the others left, the smile on A Yue’s face disappeared completely. A dejected expression was evident on his face.

“Sister Meng, I can’t believe you chose that poisonous husband.”

Zhang Meng coughed dryly: “A Yue, don’t talk about Lu Cha like that.”

She knew Xu Lu Cha’s character indeed left much to be desired, but he couldn’t be called a poisonous husband.

A Yue lowered his eyes dejectedly: “If I had known earlier that Sister Meng liked the forceful approach, I would have let you see my body first, then made you take responsibility. When I grew a bit older, I could have had relations with you, Sister Meng. But that poisonous husband beat me to it.”

“Ahem.” Zhang Meng felt extremely awkward hearing this, “A Yue, what are you saying? If others heard this, what would become of your reputation?”

A Yue didn’t listen to Zhang Meng’s words and continued speaking on his own: “Although I haven’t had any practical experience, I’ve read many books. My skills are very good, I know everything. I’m sure I could make Sister Meng…”

After a moment of silence, he looked up at Zhang Meng seriously: “Sister Meng, don’t think I’m just a child saying these things to tease you. I really do like you.”

Jin Yue had once tried to match him with Zhang Meng and told him many things about her. But even before that, he had already known about Zhang Meng.

He had been more sensible than others from a young age. When his peers were still crying and clinging to their parents, he was already helping his parents check and keep accounts at the store like a little adult. While other boys liked small toys and trinkets, he enjoyed reading all kinds of miscellaneous books.

He liked stories of heroes and beauties. In his view, a hero was someone with great martial arts skills, a kind heart, who fought against injustice and helped the weak. And Zhang Meng fit perfectly with his image of a hero.

He had once been harassed by ruffians and almost lost his life, but Zhang Meng saved him. At that moment, Zhang Meng appeared extremely beautiful in his eyes.

Although Zhang Meng had long forgotten about him, he had fallen in love with her at first sight. He secretly inquired about Zhang Meng’s background and place of residence, and by chance learned that Zhang Meng was a colleague of his brother’s fiancée. He was secretly delighted.

With his subtle hints, Jin Yue came up with the idea of matchmaking him with Zhang Meng. That’s what led to subsequent events.

However, he and Zhang Meng were ultimately not fated to be together. Now Zhang Meng was getting married, but the groom wasn’t him.

A Yue forced a smile at Zhang Meng: “Sister Meng, no matter what, I still wish you happiness. In my opinion, although Young Master Xu isn’t worthy of you, he loves you more than I do. At least he has the courage to be scorned by the entire Cloud City for your sake…”

Zhang Meng was stunned for a moment, then smiled: “Thank you, A Yue.”

A Yue seemed to truly wish her and Xu Lu Cha well. Throughout the entire wedding ceremony, A Yue remained very well-behaved, sitting quietly in a corner, slowly eating snacks.

The scenario Ms. Qian had predicted, of Xu Lu Cha and A Yue fighting, did not occur. Zhang Meng secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

She held Xu Lu Cha’s hand as they walked towards Yang Qing. Xu Lu Cha’s hand remained stiff, his palm sweating profusely, showing how nervous he was.

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