MQSP - Chapter 82

Chapter 82

Today was their wedding day, and Lin Yuqing was already beside herself with impatience. She hadn't held her little one for five whole days. Five days!!

The woman hadn't slept a wink all night, mentally rehearsing the next day's wedding ceremony over and over in her head.

Incidentally, Lu Qing had come over the day before as a representative to inform Lin Yuqing that she hoped her side of the family could make an appearance, perhaps as a bridesmaid. Lin Yuqing was completely dumbfounded. Did that mean everyone present was considered Xiao Ye's family, and had absolutely nothing to do with her?

In the end, of course, Lin Yuqing managed to rope in Fang Yi—the only other grasshopper tied to the same string—to be her family representative.

At the crack of dawn, Lin Yuqing woke Fang Yi up.

"Hey, hey, stop sleeping. You've been asleep for a whole night already."

Fang Yi was bleary-eyed. Huh? What? I slept for a whole night… Is there a problem with that?

"Let's go, get up! We're going to get Xiao Ye!" Lin Yuqing ripped off Fang Yi's blanket and tossed her clothes at her. "Hurry up." She was extremely anxious.

"…" Fang Yi felt deeply wronged. What sin had she committed in a past life to deserve knowing this woman?

When the two of them went outside, the sky was just beginning to lighten, still a dusky gray.

Fang Yi shivered. A blast of chilly wind instantly woke her up.

"It's so early, they must still be asleep," she grumbled. "You're the only one in such a rush. It's not like she's going to run away!"

Lin Yuqing was too happy to pay any mind to her complaints.

Five days!

Gleeful, Lin Yuqing strode forward with purpose.

"Hey, did you bring the red envelopes?"

"I did." Lin Yuqing patted her bulging clutch, showing she was more than prepared.

By the time they reached the mountainside, the sky had just begun to pale. It was the coldest part of the morning. Lin Yuqing shivered too, pulling her clothes tighter. She could see from a distance that the lights in the wooden house weren't on yet. Were they all still asleep?

Lin Yuqing lit the bonfire first, warming herself by the flames with Fang Yi. She wanted to knock on the door but didn't quite dare, afraid Lu Qing would chase her away. She walked to the door and peeked through a crack, then circled around to the back and peered into the bedroom through a gap in the window. It was pitch-black; she couldn't see a thing.

Fang Yi silently watched her tiptoeing around like a thief. What on earth was she so nervous about? Why did she always manage to make something so perfectly legitimate feel like a clandestine affair? Being on her side of the family was truly a trial.

Xue Yuexian and the others had been plotting until midnight and had only just gotten some rest when they heard a noise outside. Not having had enough sleep, Old Xue was extremely grumpy. To make matters worse, she and Xia Xiaozi had been kicked out of the bedroom. Xia Xiaozi had at least managed to snag the rocking chair, but Xue Yuexian had been forced to sleep slumped over the dining table. She was already nursing a bellyful of resentment.

Hearing a continuous scraping sound at the door, Xia Xiaozi opened her eyes and glanced at Xue Yuexian. Was that a thief?

Xue Yuexian frowned, grabbed a small stool, and headed for the door. Just as she was about to peek through the crack, she saw a red envelope being shoved through it. No, not just one—a whole row of them had been stuffed into the gap from top to bottom.

Xue Yuexian didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She knew exactly who it was. But wasn't this woman a little too eager, coming to pick up the bride at the crack of dawn?

Outside, Lin Yuqing was still stuffing red envelopes into every available crack. She didn't even spare the gap under the door. She'd even moved on to the stairs, arranging the envelopes in the shape of a heart that was growing larger with each concentric circle.

Fang Yi was exasperated. She furtively picked one up and peeked inside. A hundred-yuan bill! How generous!

It was the first time she'd ever seen someone so eager to hand out red envelopes. Just how desperate was she? And to think she always said Xiao Ye wasn't demure enough. It turned out the two of them were cut from the same cloth.

Xue Yuexian had been about to fly off the handle, but a sudden flash of inspiration struck. She leaned over and whispered a few words in Xia Xiaozi's ear.

Xia Xiaozi nodded and went back into the bedroom.

Leaning against the door, Xue Yuexian watched as another red envelope was pushed through and unceremoniously took it.

"Huh?" Lin Yuqing paused outside, puzzled for a moment before a wave of delight washed over her. They're awake!

Lin Yuqing said nothing, and neither did Xue Yuexian. After a moment, Lin Yuqing pushed another envelope through. Xue Yuexian took it, still silent.

"Hey? Who's there?" Lin Yuqing asked.

"Watch your tone," Xue Yuexian said, pinching her nose to produce a shrill voice.

Tone? What was wrong with her tone?

"Let me give you a friendly reminder. Every single person in this house is your elder. Shouldn't you be a little more respectful when speaking to your elders?"

"…" Lin Yuqing was fuming. She shot a look at Fang Yi. You're supposed to be on my side! Why aren't you saying anything to help?

Fang Yi had no intention of getting involved. If it weren't for Lin Yuqing, she'd be inside right now, enjoying her status as an elder, too!

Lin Yuqing fell silent for a moment. "Then, I'll have to trouble this elder to open the door for me. I'm here for Xiao Ye."

Xue Yuexian rolled her eyes. Heh. Naive.

Just as she was about to speak, she saw Lin Yuqing slap the entire row of envelopes wedged in the door, sending a shower of red packets scattering across the floor.

"These are greeting gifts for the elders. There are more outside. Open the door and see for yourself if you don't believe me."

"Mmm, yes! Wow, the ground is covered in them! There's no place to even stand!" Fang Yi yelped as Lin Yuqing grabbed her by the collar and dragged her to the door. Her family representative couldn't just stand by and do nothing.

"It's simple to get me to open the door," Xue Yuexian said with a grin, leaning against it with her arms crossed. "You know what I want to hear."

Lin Yuqing finally recognized her voice. Her heart sank. It's over. She's the most difficult one to deal with!

While Xue Yuexian was busy teasing Lin Yuqing, Xia Xiaozi had woken everyone inside. In truth, Xiao Ye hadn't been asleep either. Just like Lin Yuqing, she was bursting with anticipation. The moment she heard Auntie Lin had arrived, she leaped out of bed to run outside, only to be pinned down by the others. "Look at your pathetic eagerness. Your Auntie Xue won't let her in until she's had her fun. What's the rush?"

"Mmm…" Baiye was a little worried. Auntie Xue was the absolute worst when it came to tormenting Auntie Lin!

"Can't I just go to the living room and watch…"

By the time everyone was ready and came out, Xue Yuexian was still blocking the entrance like a door god, the floor at her feet littered with red envelopes.

"Well now, quite generous," Lu Qing remarked, picking one up to inspect it. A red one!

"This old fellow is really sparing no expense to get her wife." There were at least a few dozen envelopes on the floor. Xue Yuexian was truly something else, taking so many bribes and still refusing to open the door.

"Stop dawdling. If you don't say it, I'm not opening this door. It won't be my fault if you miss the auspicious time," Xue Yuexian delivered her ultimatum.

Lin Yuqing slapped the door in frustration and exchanged a look with Fang Yi.

"What are you looking at me for? You want me to say it for you?!" Fang Yi saw the mischievous glint in her eyes and knew she was up to no good.

"Why don't you give it a try? I bet even if I say it, she won't open the door. She's definitely got more tricks up her sleeve."

"So you're just going to throw me under the bus? Is this something you can delegate? Should I marry your wife for you, too?"

"That won't be necessary."

Although the two were whispering, the people inside could still hear them. Baiye pressed her lips together to hide a smile. This was so unfair to Auntie Lin. After all, she was actually older than Auntie Xue!

"Finished your discussion yet? Are you going to say it or not? If not, I'm going back to bed. I'm exhausted," Xue Yuexian said with a yawn.

"Fine, fine, fine!" Lin Yuqing reluctantly conceded.

She opened her mouth, but her throat felt dry. It was so awkward. "Aun… cough."

"Umm… Aun…"

She stammered on "Aun" for a while but couldn't get the rest of the word out.

Finally, Lin Yuqing steeled herself. "Auntie!"

"Yes!" Xue Yuexian's reply was exceptionally loud and cheerful. She'd finally heard it!

"Now open the door."

"You got it. But first, the gift money," Xue Yuexian said with a laugh.

"???"

Lin Yuqing was about to push another envelope through when she realized something was wrong. Why was she the one giving the gift money? Shouldn't it be the other way around?

Fang Yi was also confused. She did the mental calculation. "Shouldn't you be the one giving it to her? She's the one who just called you Auntie."

"Oh, please! For someone her age to call me Auntie, don't you think I'm getting the short end of the stick? She's making me sound ancient!"

"…" The two women outside exchanged a look.

…This member of the bride's family was definitely a double agent!

Resigning herself to her fate, Lin Yuqing stuffed another seven or eight envelopes through the crack. Auntie Xue was very satisfied. She took the money, stepped aside, and then shot Xia Xiaozi a look, pushing her toward the door.

"Open the door," Lin Yuqing said, patting it. "You've taken the money, so why isn't it open?"

"Ahem…" Xia Xiaozi cleared her throat. "Auntie Xia would also like to hear it. I'm not afraid of you making me sound old, and I don't need any gift money. I'm very easy to please."

"…" Lin Yuqing slapped her forehead in exasperation. She knew it!

"Xia Xiaozi!"

"Hey, what's with that tone?! Didn't I warn you? Every single person in this house is your elder. You've still got your Auntie Jiang, Auntie Lu, oh, and that Auntie Meow, not to mention your actual mother-in-law."

Lin Yuqing exploded. What the hell was an Auntie Meow?! Was a cat now her senior, too?!

"Fine! Open the door, and I'll come in and serve tea to every single one of you!"

"Oh, we don't have any tea. How about you go boil a kettle of water first?" Xia Xiaozi said pragmatically.

The others were all trying to stifle their laughter. It was a rare treat to see Lin Yuqing so flustered.

Xia Nan pulled Xiao Ye back into the bedroom and sat her down to help with her hair and makeup. The others were clearly going to be at this for a while.

"Mother, can't you talk to them? Tell them not to torment Auntie Lin so much."

"Oh, listen to you, feeling sorry for her already?" Xue Yuexian cut in, flatly refusing. "No way! Today, we have her right where we want her. If we don't take full advantage of this, we'll never get another chance."

"It's a little chilly outside, so make sure she's dressed warmly," she instructed Xia Nan, before heading back out to continue the hazing.

Seeing the little one's worried frown, Xia Nan gave her a gentle poke. "It's fine. They know where to draw the line. Just let them have their fun. A little chaos makes things more festive." She began to carefully comb through the girl's long, smooth hair, one strand at a time.

"Mmm…" Baiye murmured in response, but her heart had already flown out the door. It had been so long since she'd gotten to sleep in Auntie Lin's arms!

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