After Escaping Marriage - Chapter 143
Chapter 143
Blue sky, white clouds, colorful balloons imprinted against the sky. Two adorable little flower children grabbed handfuls of petals from their baskets, tossing them into the air, like a shower of flower rain.
Cheng Zhanxi and Yu Qingtang, hand in hand, passed through an archway of pink and white feathers, exchanging a smile.
Among the guests standing on either side, Lian Yabing covered her mouth, desperately trying to suppress the urge to faint. The wedding ceremony wasn't over yet; now was not the time!
Lian Yabing pinched her arm hard, tears streaming from the corners of her eyes.
Li Lan glanced in this direction, then calmly turned her gaze back to the floral arch.
Because there were two brides, the ceremony differed from a traditional Western wedding. For instance, the part where the groom waits at the end of the red carpet and the bride walks through the archway accompanied by her father was changed to both brides entering hand in hand. Now, waiting at the end of the red carpet were also their families. On Cheng Zhanxi's side, it was naturally Cheng Yi and Song Qingrou, as well as her brother. On Yu Qingtang's side were Fang Wenjiao and Wei Tinglan. Her grandfather, having difficulty with his legs, was seated below to watch the ceremony. To match the number of people on the other side, Xiang Tianyou was fortunate enough to be chosen as the third person.
At this moment, he was extremely excited. Regardless of whether he was familiar with Wei Tinglan or not, he kept asking in a low voice, "Uncle, do you think my tie is straight?"
"Uncle, am I standing straight?"
"Uncle, is my hair messy?"
Wei Tinglan glanced at the nervous young man, couldn't help but smile, and said, "Everything's fine, you look very handsome."
Xiang Tianyou straightened his back, his posture becoming even more upright.
Just now, from a distance, the wedding dresses were so magnificent that Xiang Tianyou hadn't seen Cheng Zhanxi and Yu Qingtang clearly. Now that they were closer, he almost didn't dare to step forward to receive them. Even a straight guy like him, as straight as they come, could see the charm of the wedding dresses.
Cheng Zhanxi's and Yu Qingtang's wedding dresses were designed in different styles, yet one could tell they were a matching pair.
Cheng Zhanxi's wedding dress design was bolder: strapless and backless, her long, voluminous curly hair casually cascaded down her back, her beautiful back subtly visible. The slim-fit cut, which perfectly accentuated her figure, added a touch of sexiness and glamour. Hmm, it would be even better if she could restrain the smile at the corners of her mouth a little.
Yu Qingtang, as always, exuded an ethereal aura. Her off-the-shoulder wedding dress rested perfectly on her slender, snow-white arms. Her long hair was swept up, revealing her long neck and collarbones—not too revealing, just the right amount of elegance.
The long trains of their wedding dresses trailed on the white carpet, adorned with countless matching tiny diamonds, dazzlingly beautiful under the sunlight.
The guests' eyes followed them from one end to the other.
The two brides stopped and walked towards their respective families.
Song Qingrou held Cheng Zhanxi's hand, the imposing manner she had used to scold Cheng Yi just moments ago completely crumbling. Her eyes, slightly red-rimmed, gazed at her daughter.
Cheng Zhanxi had initially felt only joy about getting married. But seeing her mother like this, a wave of sadness washed over her, and she said with a pang, "Mom."
Song Qingrou wiped the corners of her eyes and said, "Mom is happy." She continued, "You are wonderful. Mom has nothing to instruct you on. Mom just wants to say that even after you're married, you will always be the daughter your dad and I dote on the most."
Song Qingrou squeezed her hand and looked at Cheng Yi beside her, who was struggling to hold back his tears.
Cheng Yi choked out, "Come home often. Dad loves you." After speaking, he covered his eyes with his palm and turned his face away.
Cheng Zhanxi nodded tearfully, "Mm."
Cheng Yuanxi gently patted his sister's head, careful not to mess up her hair. In his mind, an image surfaced of her as a newborn, lying in her swaddling clothes, her little face red and wrinkled, sleeping with her finger in her mouth.
"You've grown so big." Cheng Yuanxi sighed with a smile, "You've even started a family before your older brother."
As soon as he finished speaking, Cheng Zhanxi threw herself into his arms, burying her face in his shoulder and crying her heart out.
Cheng Yuanxi tilted his head back, forcing his tears back. He stroked her back and said gently, "Alright, if you cry your makeup off, you won't look pretty."
Cheng Yi put his arm around his wife's shoulder, while Song Qingrou dabbed at her tears with his sleeve.
The atmosphere on Yu Qingtang's side wasn't as sorrowful. Wei Tinglan, after all, wasn't her closest relative. Xiang Tianyou, that little fool, was squatting down to arrange her dress train, focused on making it look perfect. Only Fang Wenjiao held Yu Qingtang's hand, chattering on. The elderly lady's views were more traditional: once married, one was no longer a child, family should come first, and a harmonious family brings prosperity. But Yu Qingtang listened to every word attentively. She knew her grandmother genuinely cared for her and wished her well in the future.
"I know." Yu Qingtang bent down and hugged her grandmother.
Her grandmother's eyes also reddened.
After their emotions settled, the parents on both sides gently linked arms with the brides. The live band struck up the "Wedding March," and all the guests stood up, facing the brides as a sign of respect.
To the sound of the music, the two, accompanied by their parents, slowly walked towards the wedding platform, ascending from the left and right ends respectively, and stood facing each other.
Below the stage, someone started clapping, and the applause grew louder and louder, almost like thunder.
The emcee had to pause for a moment in such an atmosphere, waiting for the applause to subside before beginning the wedding proceedings.
"Miss Cheng Zhanxi, do you take Miss Yu Qingtang to be your wife?"
"I do." Cheng Zhanxi looked at Yu Qingtang before her, held her hands, and said earnestly, "I am willing for her to become my wife. From this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish each other, till death do us part."
Compared to the traditional vow segment, Cheng Zhanxi had changed it so that she would say these words, usually prompted by a priest, herself.
"Miss Yu Qingtang, do you take Miss Cheng Zhanxi to be your wife?"
"I do." Yu Qingtang's voice wasn't loud, but it was incredibly firm. "I am willing for her to become my wife. From this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish each other. Not even death can do us part."
With the priest's blessing and the guests' witness, the two exchanged rings.
The emcee had just announced that they could kiss the bride when Cheng Zhanxi eagerly lifted Yu Qingtang's veil, bent down, and slipped underneath it. The white veil fell, perfectly concealing her head. Through the hazy white veil, one could see the two kissing passionately.
The crowd: "Ahhhhh!!!"
The elegant guests would never be so unrestrained. They turned their heads to look and saw it was the group of young guests Yu Qingtang had invited, screaming at the top of their lungs.
The most frantic among them was a rather delicate-looking girl; one wouldn't have guessed she had such lung capacity.
Lian Yabing was pinching the philtrum point on her upper lip while screaming.
Cheng Zhanxi, hidden under the veil, slightly parted from Yu Qingtang's lips and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Right now, I just want to take you home, just the two of us together."
Yu Qingtang said with a smile, "You can't."
Cheng Zhanxi pouted, kissed her again, and said, "Then I'll wait a little longer."
She emerged, lifted Yu Qingtang's white veil again, and kissed her cheek.
Yu Jianxing, beside the wedding platform, protested, "That's not right! How can you kiss the bride without letting people see!"
Other bridesmaids: "Right! Another one!"
The crowd below chanted in unison: "Another one! Another one! Another one!"
Cheng Zhanxi looked at Yu Qingtang, her eyes asking: What do you think?
Yu Qingtang raised an eyebrow.
Cheng Zhanxi then leaned in, gently brushed her lips against the woman's red lips, and pulled back.
The bridesmaids booed.
Cheng Zhanxi smirked. She didn't care. If they wanted to kiss, they could come up on stage and kiss; she'd provide the stage for free.
After signing the marriage certificate, it was time for the brides to toss their bouquets.
The group of bridesmaids was mostly unmarried. A large crowd squeezed under the floral arch, jostling each other as they raised their hands high.
"Mine! Mine!"
"It should be mine! Single since birth for thirty years, sisters, give me some face!"
Her childhood friend beside her ruthlessly exposed her, "You started dating when you were still in split pants, okay? Where did 'single since birth for thirty years' come from?"
Wen Zhihan stood at the outermost edge of the crowd, not competing, just making up the numbers.
Cheng Zhanxi saw her position, turned her back, and tossed the bouquet in her hand backward.
She threw it a bit far. The bridesmaids below tilted their heads up, watching it trace a high arc in the air, their necks craning from right to left. The bouquet sailed over the crowd and landed on the ground.
Wen Zhihan, closest to the bouquet, looked at the ground, bent down, and picked it up.
Well... might as well take it. Consider it a blessing.
Wen Zhihan smiled faintly, "Mine."
The bridesmaids who had craned their necks: "..."
Cheng Zhanxi turned around, the corners of her lips twitching almost imperceptibly. To avoid her little scheme being discovered, she quickly diverted the attention of the bridesmaids present, saying, "The next bouquet is coming—"
The bridesmaids, who were still pondering how Cheng Zhanxi had thrown that bouquet, were immediately drawn back and got ready again.
Yu Qingtang's bouquet was tossed.
Jin Siyue used all her strength, leaped high, and grabbed the bouquet at the same time as another hand.
Jin Siyue landed, looked up, and saw it was Wei Jinglan, one of Yu Qingtang's bridesmaids.
Their side, with four people, had already caught one bouquet, while her side, with over a dozen people, couldn't even get one. It was too embarrassing.
So Jin Siyue resolved not to let go, and the person opposite her had the same idea.
The bouquet trembled, shedding a few petals in the struggle, a pitiful sight.
Cheng Zhanxi and Yu Qingtang didn't understand why a mere bouquet would make two people fight over it like this.
But the two quickly determined a winner.
Jin Siyue, a former girl group leader, was an all-rounder in singing and dancing with excellent balance. How could Wei Jinglan compare? Jin Siyue flicked the bouquet back into the air and leaped to snatch it.
Cheng Zhanxi's bridesmaids cheered.
Wei Jinglan looked down at her empty hands.
Just then, a bouquet was offered from the side.
Wen Zhihan: "Do you want this?"
Wei Jinglan was stunned for a second, then nodded.
Wen Zhihan placed the bouquet in her hand, gave her a slight nod, and turned back to her previous spot.
The event moved on to the open mic session.
Family, friends, and guests could go on stage to talk about the newlyweds—any topic, no restrictions. Even just one story was fine, and embarrassing anecdotes were even more welcome. The newlyweds would also share little stories about their romance, while those below sat and "ate melon."
Yu Qingtang was probably happy today, as she was more talkative than usual. She picked up the microphone first and started talking about Cheng Zhanxi's one-sided, self-deluded "conquest" of herself.
Cheng Zhanxi: "..."
The melon-eating guests: "Hahahahaha."
The lawn was filled with a joyous atmosphere.
After the wedding ceremony, the two changed into simpler clothes and began the banquet toasts.
Just like on their engagement day, Yu Qingtang only drank plain water. Cheng Zhanxi, who had started with alcohol, also secretly switched to water later on. As they moved from table to table, their hands remained tightly clasped.
When they reached the table of Chairman Gu Yanqiu from Tianrui, Cheng Zhanxi looked at the woman beside her, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Wasn't this the person whose videos Yu Qingtang had been watching frequently for a while? Named Lin... something.
Gu Yanqiu keenly sensed something unusual and politely interrupted her scrutiny, "Miss Cheng?"
Cheng Zhanxi withdrew her gaze and said, "Chairman Gu."
Gu Yanqiu introduced, "This is my wife, Lin Yuewei."
Wife, huh? Then it's fine.
Yu Qingtang looked at Lin Yuewei and said, "I've seen the TV series you acted in. It was very good."
Lin Yuewei smiled faintly and nodded, "Thank you. You are also very beautiful."
Cheng Zhanxi and Gu Yanqiu frowned simultaneously.
After toasting this table, Cheng Zhanxi left with Yu Qingtang. Lin Yuewei sipped her juice, gazed at their departing figures, and said leisurely, "If this Miss Yu were to debut, she'd probably become famous just based on her looks."
Gu Yanqiu, not to be outdone, said, "I became famous based on my looks too."
Lin Yuewei touched the Buddhist prayer beads on her left wrist and whispered in her ear, "Yes, and you also have talent."
Gu Yanqiu caught her hand, placed it under the table, and held it, her thin lips slightly pursed.
Lin Yuewei's lips curved up. Making her jealous occasionally felt pretty good; anyway, once they were home, she could just let her have her way.
Yu Qingtang didn't watch many TV series, and even fewer actors made enough of an impression for her to remember them. Coincidentally, she met two at the banquet. This one was slightly older than them, with a gentle way of speaking and a gentle temperament. She raised her glass to wish them a hundred years of happiness and to be forever united. Cheng Zhanxi noticed the engagement ring on the other person's hand and generously wished her and the person beside her well too.
After the two left, Qu Xuesong sat down and said to Cheng Guiyuan, "I thought you two were relatives, you're both equally good-looking."
Cheng Guiyuan said, "How is that possible? Look at my dad, then look at her dad—Beauty and the Beast. No, wait, what do you mean equally good-looking? Am I not better looking? Qu Xuesong, do you not love me anymore? Sob sob sob..."
Qu Xuesong stuffed a segment of orange into her mouth, "Stop."
Cheng Guiyuan closed her mouth and looked at her pitifully.
Qu Xuesong smiled and playfully scratched her chin with a finger.
Arriving at the students' section, Yu Qingtang put down her wine glass, openly poured herself a glass of juice, and sat down with Cheng Zhanxi among them.
Yu Qingtang smiled and said, "Are you satisfied with the Teacher's Wife I've 'married' for you?"
The students burst out laughing and said in unison, "Satisfied—"
Cheng Zhanxi, immersed in her role as the Teacher's Wife, smiled gracefully, "Everyone, eat as you please, eat your fill. Especially you boys, no need to act so refined, eat heartily."
One of the boys said, "It's not that we insist on acting refined, the Class Monitor told us to pay attention to our image."
Class Monitor Xiang Tianyou said, "Yes, we now represent Teacher Yu's maternal family, so we must be careful with our words and actions."
Cheng Zhanxi thought for a moment and said, "How about this, there's a more casual dinner banquet tonight. Shall I arrange a private room for you?"
Xiang Tianyou said calmly, "As long as it's not impolite."
Cheng Zhanxi chuckled.
A group of youngsters, what was there to be impolite about?
The students occupied several tables. Yu Qingtang noticed Li Lan and Lian Yabing sitting at different tables. Her gaze didn't linger on them for long. In her capacity as a teacher, she said a few words of encouragement to each and then left.
In the afternoon, they went to take photos with the bridesmaids, spending the time playfully and boisterously.
On the way to the hotel in the evening, Yu Qingtang fell asleep in the back seat, her head pillowed on Cheng Zhanxi's lap.
Her stamina was low. After a whole day of being busy, she was exhausted to the point of drowsiness. Finally having some time to relax, she seized every second to rest.
At nine in the evening, after the day's events concluded, Yu Qingtang was like a dehydrated fish, with only enough strength left to breathe.
Cheng Zhanxi brushed aside the stray hairs on her forehead and said, amused, "You're so tired, what about our wedding night tonight?"
Originally, Jin Siyue and the others had wanted to carry out wedding night pranks. Fortunately, Cheng Zhanxi hadn't agreed, otherwise, how would Yu Qingtang have survived? It seemed she had only trained the arm strength of her two hands; Yu Qingtang was still the same Yu Qingtang who got a side stitch after running a hundred meters.
Yu Qingtang, with her eyes closed, said weakly, her breath like a thread, "I'll rest for a bit... and I'll be fine..."
Cheng Zhanxi laughed out loud.
She was prepared for Yu Qingtang to fall asleep the moment they got home tonight and planned to wait until she woke up from a nap before their "wedding night," after all, one needed energy after resting well.
Who knew that Yu Qingtang would be drowsy all the way, and even after getting out of the car at home, she clung to Cheng Zhanxi, walking unsteadily.
The moment they entered the house and the front door closed, Yu Qingtang shed all signs of fatigue and instantly became energetic.
The speed of her transformation was truly inherited from Cheng Zhanxi.
Cheng Zhanxi swallowed.
Not because of surprise, but because the look in Yu Qingtang's eyes now was too aggressive.
Yu Qingtang lifted her chin and said, "Go change into the wedding dress."
And very assertive.
Cheng Zhanxi swallowed again and obediently went upstairs to change into her wedding dress—the dress had been sent back after being used in the afternoon.
Yu Qingtang followed her upstairs slowly, taking a few steps, then pausing for a moment. A look of confusion flickered in her eyes, quickly replaced by determination.
Cheng Zhanxi couldn't put on her wedding dress by herself. She called out from the walk-in closet to her new wife, "Yu Tangtang, help me with the wedding dress!"
Hearing her voice, Yu Qingtang quickened her pace and walked in through the open door of the walk-in closet, calmly asking, "Where do you need help?"
Cheng Zhanxi turned around, her back to Yu Qingtang, all her long hair swept to the front, making her beautiful back appear even whiter and more dazzling.
Yu Qingtang stared at her fixedly for a moment, then said seriously, "It's too revealing."
Cheng Zhanxi turned her head, "Huh?"
Yu Qingtang's expression became even more serious, "Next time, you're not allowed to wear it like this."
Cheng Zhanxi replied, "Okay." After speaking, a suspicious look flickered across her face as she looked at Yu Qingtang.
Cheng Zhanxi suspected she was drunk. The evening banquet was with close people, and she had had a few sips of alcohol.
Cheng Zhanxi asked softly, "Why did you want me to change into the wedding dress?"
Yu Qingtang had already tied the sash at her lower back, turned her around, and caressed her cheek, her expression now showing a hint of drunken fascination, "The wedding dress is beautiful."
"Didn't you see it during the day?"
"Haven't seen enough."
Cheng Zhanxi's lips curved up, "Then take your time looking."
Yu Qingtang's gaze drifted downwards.
"You..."
"Hmm?"
"So big."
"..."
Cheng Zhanxi was sure she was really drunk, otherwise, she wouldn't have said it so directly, and then buried her face after saying it.
It felt like a little kitten nuzzling in her arms, making her feel ticklish, and gradually that ticklishness transformed into something else.
Cheng Zhanxi's back was against the dressing mirror. The coldness of the mirror sent a shiver down her spine, yet the restless heat within her became even more pronounced.
Yu Qingtang didn't really do anything to her. When she was drunk, she usually just nuzzled around, but it was truly tantalizing.
Yu Qingtang released her bite. Cheng Zhanxi was kissed until it almost hurt, the flames within her fanned by Yu Qingtang, but it was destined that Yu Qingtang couldn't extinguish them.
So much for the wedding night. Cheng Zhanxi helped up Yu Qingtang, who had completely fallen asleep in her arms, and tapped her nose.
Bad woman.
Cheng Zhanxi changed out of the wedding dress and hung it back in the glass cabinet, next to Yu Qingtang's. She carried Yu Qingtang into the bedroom, gave her a meticulous bath, tucked her into bed, and then took a thorough bath herself. Clean and fresh, she lay beside her, propping her cheek on her hand to watch her.
Yu Qingtang slept very obediently, her long eyelashes casting shadows, naturally curled. Her eyebrows, eyes, nose, and lips—every feature was exquisite, often making one wonder if she was a fairy who had mistakenly fallen into the mortal world. Cheng Zhanxi sometimes had very fantastical dreams, dreaming that Yu Qingtang flew towards the heavenly palace, while she could only watch from the ground as Yu Qingtang drifted further and further away, until she disappeared.
From love arises worry, from love arises fear. Yu Qingtang was always afraid she would leave, and Cheng Zhanxi was also very afraid, but she never said it.
Every time she woke up before Yu Qingtang, she would quietly watch her for a while, looking at her flushed cheeks as she slept, nestled dependently and obediently in her arms, alive and living by her side.
Cheng Zhanxi didn't know how long she had been watching. She yawned, bent down to kiss Yu Qingtang's soft lips, and reached out to turn off the light.
The moon descended in the west, drifting through the clouds.
Its brilliance grew fainter and fainter.
Cheng Zhanxi suddenly woke up. She opened her eyes to find a dark figure lying on top of her, licking her lips like a puppy.
Cheng Zhanxi: "..."
No wonder she dreamed she was about to suffocate.
Cheng Zhanxi touched the woman's warm face and said, "Yu Qingtang?"
Yu Qingtang hummed in response, her scorching breath fanning below Cheng Zhanxi's ear.
Cheng Zhanxi dodged her sucking kiss and asked first, "What are you doing?"
Yu Qingtang said matter-of-factly, "Wedding night, of course."
Cheng Zhanxi let out a low hum, straightened Yu Qingtang's fidgeting head, lifted it, and asked, "Are you sober yet?"
Yu Qingtang said, "Sober."
Cheng Zhanxi didn't know if she was truly sober or just pretending, but anyway, she was awake, so she couldn't be blamed.
With a flip, she reversed their positions.
Yu Qingtang let out a cute "Aiya!"
How did she end up lying down?
As soon as Cheng Zhanxi heard her tone, she knew Yu Qingtang was still drunk.
The wedding night; they hadn't missed the auspicious moment after all.
An hour of a spring night is worth a thousand pieces of gold. After "ten thousand pieces of gold" had passed, Yu Qingtang, perhaps from crying too much, expelled alcohol and water together and gradually sobered up. A few seconds after sobering, she involuntarily sank into an abyss of indulgence.
She was muddle-headed all night, but the pleasure of body and mind made her show great enthusiasm.
Some boundaries she previously couldn't break through due to shame, she actually took the initiative to break.
The sky revealed a fish-belly white dawn, and crisp bird calls echoed in the mountain forest.
Yu Qingtang moved the back of her hand from her forehead. Her scalp was a mess, the corners of her recently tear-filled eyes were crimson, and her voice was hoarse as if she had a mouthful of sand. She said, "Isn't it the wedding 'night'? It's already dawn."
Cheng Zhanxi reached out and covered her eyes.
"No, it's not."
"..."
In the afternoon, Yu Qingtang got up, had breakfast and lunch combined, and went with Cheng Zhanxi to Beishan Cemetery.
Yu Qingtang placed a bouquet of white chrysanthemums in front of Wei Tingyu and Yu Ci's grave, along with a wedding photo of herself and Cheng Zhanxi.
Yu Qingtang stood before the grave, saying nothing, but her demeanor was relaxed, and a faint smile played on her lips.
Yu Qingtang left the flowers and took the photo to the designated burning area, burning it for her parents in the netherworld.
Yu Qingtang, hands in her windbreaker pockets, walked side by side with Cheng Zhanxi out of the cemetery.
"Do you think they can receive it?"
"Yes."
"Will they be happy for me?"
"Of course."
"I think so too." Yu Qingtang laughed heartily. Her eyelashes suddenly drooped, and she raised her hand to touch a bit of wetness on her cheek. Looking up, she said, "Hmm? It's raining."
Drop by drop, rootless water fell densely. In the blink of an eye, the cemetery was shrouded in a misty rain.
Cheng Zhanxi pulled Yu Qingtang to take shelter from the rain, but Yu Qingtang tilted her face up, arms outstretched, welcoming the summer shower.
Seeing her enjoying it with her eyes closed, Cheng Zhanxi stood with her in the rain, her gaze gentle.
The rain grew heavier, and only then did the two stop their leisurely enjoyment, running through the rain towards the parking lot.
The car door slammed shut. The two drowned rats looked at each other's sorry state and burst out laughing.
Yu Qingtang pulled out tissues to wipe the rainwater from Cheng Zhanxi's face and neck. A nostalgic look gradually filled Cheng Zhanxi's eyes.
She asked, "Do you remember our first meeting, when we were taking shelter from the rain in the convenience store, and I offered you a tissue, but you didn't take it?" It felt like a lifetime ago now.
"I remember."
"If you were given another chance, what would you say?"
"I would say," Yu Qingtang took her left hand, her fingertip caressing the wedding ring on her ring finger, looked into her deep tea-colored eyes, and said softly, "Miss, you look just like my future wife."
End of Main Story
Thank youuuuuu ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
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