Chapter 29 Wedding Eve

After three hours of hard work, the family finally finished processing the wild boar meat. Xu Huaian washed up, thinking that now he and Qingqian had officially registered their marriage, he could finally sleep together with her. Heart full of joy, he was about to step into the room when he heard Zhang Lanxiang’s sharp voice:

“You little rascal! What do you think you’re doing? Get out here!”

Xu Huaian froze, puzzled, and reluctantly stepped back. “Mother, what’s wrong?”

Zhang Lanxiang glared at him. “What’s wrong? What do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m going to sleep in my room.”

“Sleep in your room? Sleep?!” Zhang Lanxiang kicked him aside. “You and Qingqian aren’t holding the banquet until the day after tomorrow. For these two days, you’d better behave. Go sleep in the woodshed. Dare to get any funny ideas and I’ll hit you!”

Xu Huaian pouted, “Mother, Qingqian and I are already married…”

“Even if you’re registered, it doesn’t count as being truly married until the banquet is held. Now go to the woodshed, and stop whining,” Zhang Lanxiang interrupted sharply.

Full of grievance, Xu Huaian dared not defy her and walked toward the woodshed, muttering under his breath, “What kind of nonsense is this…”

Inside the house, Shi Qingqian hadn’t actually fallen asleep either. Hearing the commotion outside, she found it rather amusing.

“Wait a moment,” Zhang Lanxiang suddenly called out again. Xu Huaian drooped his head and turned back.

Zhang Lanxiang pulled him into the kitchen and whispered, “Third Son, why don’t you go sleep with your eldest brother tonight? He’s been in a bad mood these past few days. You can help cheer him up.”

“What’s wrong with eldest brother?”

“It’s about your new wife. Ever since he sent her back to her parents’ house, he’s been like a lost soul. I can’t say anything to him, so you help me.” Zhang Lanxiang sighed. “If it doesn’t work, maybe your eldest brother should divorce Li Guihua.”

Xu Huaian looked at his mother, puzzled. “Mother, you’re usually against any of us divorcing. Why suddenly change your mind?”

“This is unavoidable. That Li Guihua isn’t serious about life. Ever since she married into this family, she’s made a mess of things, and now your eldest brother is like this. If this goes on for decades, his whole life will be ruined.”

Xu Huaian understood his mother’s concern. His eldest brother had indeed been living poorly these days.

“I understand, Mother. I’ll go talk to him,” Xu Huaian said.

Zhang Lanxiang nodded. “Good. Try to reason with him.”

Xu Huaian knocked softly on his eldest brother Xu Huaiguo’s door.

“Who is it?” Xu Huaiguo’s voice was low.

“Brother, it’s me.”

Xu Huaiguo opened the door, forcing a smile. “Third Brother, it’s so late. What’s up?”

Xu Huaian entered and looked at his brother’s haggard face. “Brother, Mother told me you’ve been upset. I came to keep you company.”

Xu Huaiguo sighed, sitting on the bed. “Ah, nothing. I’m just… confused.”

Xu Huaian sat beside him. “Brother, what’s going on with you and Sister-in-law?”

Xu Huaiguo remained silent, unsure how to start. Seeing he wouldn’t speak, Xu Huaian didn’t press further, just patted his shoulder. “Brother, no matter what, you still have your family.”

“Mother also said, if you really can’t live with her, then divorce. Don’t make things harder for yourself.”

Xu Huaiguo was slightly stunned, a complex expression flickering in his eyes. “Mother would really agree to a divorce?”

Xu Huaian nodded seriously. “Brother, you know Mother. She’s tough on the outside but soft on the inside. Seeing you like this, it hurts her the most.”

“Brother, think carefully about it.”

With that, Xu Huaian left. Xu Huaiguo sat there, thoughts tangled like a knot. After a long night, he finally realized: some mistakes need to be corrected, not compounded.

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The night before the wedding, Xu Huaian still had to sleep in the woodshed. Zhang Lanxiang even stayed up late in the yard to ensure he didn’t sneak back. However, as soon as she went inside, Xu Huaian slipped back into the house like an eel.

Shi Qingqian was startled. “You’re here? Go out! If Mother finds you, we’re in trouble.”

But Xu Huaian grinned, taking her hand. “Qingqian, I miss you too much. Tomorrow we’ll officially hold the wedding banquet. I’m restless—if I don’t see you, I can’t sleep.”

Shi Qingqian blushed and teased, “You smooth talker. Where did you learn that line?”

Xu Huaian chuckled, eyes full of love. “Qingqian, I didn’t learn it. It’s straight from my heart. I really miss you. Don’t you miss me?”

She lowered her gaze slightly, a small smile on her lips. “Come here, I’ll tell you.”

Xu Huaian, delighted, leaned closer. Shi Qingqian tilted her head slightly, eyes shy and sparkling. He was instantly drawn to her and lowered his head, gently kissing her lips.

Shi Qingqian hesitated at first, then closed her eyes and returned the kiss. Xu Huaian held her tightly, feeling her warmth and softness.

Suddenly, Shi Qingqian seemed to have a mischievous thought. Her hand slid down his back and playfully touched his abdomen. Feeling his firm eight-pack, her heart skipped a beat. She had often admired men’s abs in bars but never dared to touch. Now, with her own man, there was no need to restrain herself—just touch wasn’t enough, she had to squeeze.

Xu Huaian stiffened, a suspicious blush spreading across his face. “Qingqian… what are you doing?”

Shi Qingqian smiled like a little fox, eyes sparkling. “Hehe, just touching. Who told you to have such a great body?”

“Cough, cough,” Xu Huaian quickly let go and ran out without looking back. He couldn’t stay—this little fox was too tempting; he feared he wouldn’t control himself.

Shi Qingqian watched him flee and couldn’t help laughing. She thought to herself, this man is really cute.

Back in the woodshed, Xu Huaian’s heart still raced. Thinking of her playful behavior, his face burned. Tossing and turning, he couldn’t sleep, so he ran to the well and took a cold-water bath. The chill helped ease his heat slightly, but his mind kept replaying Shi Qingqian’s mischievous actions, leaving him helplessly sweet and restless.

Returning to the woodshed, he tried to calm himself but sleep wouldn’t come. All he could do was eagerly await tomorrow.