Chapter 296

A wedding.

A bride leaving her home.

A union of two lives.

It was a day worth celebrating, carefully chosen in advance by Aunt Zhang as an auspicious date.

Under Xu Xi’s gaze, Ah Niu led a grand wedding procession, his shy smile unwavering as he escorted his bride, dressed in a bright red wedding gown.

Red silk fluttered vividly, draped across the intricate carvings of the houses.

Candles flickered atop the grand hall’s offering table.

Excited voices and the sound of footsteps created gentle breezes, making the flames on the red candles dance.

Shadows shifted across the walls, moving with a soft and flowing rhythm.

Wrapped in this interplay of light and shadow, Ah Niu and Cui’er entered the bridal chamber, their nervousness evident in the slight trembling of their bodies.

“Bow to the parents!”

The officiant’s voice rang out loudly.

There was no bowing to heaven and earth.

The people who had once been imprisoned in the demon’s cages had not escaped because of divine blessings. They had done so with their own hands, step by step, until their shoes wore through, forging a path to a better tomorrow.

Thus, at Ah Niu’s wedding, only the parents of both families were honored.

The honest man had once suggested to Xu Xi that he wanted to bow to him as well, to show his gratitude for everything Xu Xi had done for him.

But Xu Xi only smiled and refused.

“Ah Niu, the one who truly kept you alive wasn’t me, it was you.”

“If you really want to thank me, just send me some wheat from the autumn harvest.”

Hoo—!

Hoo—!

Hoo—!

Dressed in his formal wedding attire, Ah Niu followed the officiant’s guidance and completed the final bow with his bride, whose head was covered with a red silk cloth.

The crowd erupted in loud cheers.

The energy of blood and Qi, the strength of martial arts, resonated above the house.

Among them were the people of the Qiuhuo Army, as well as some new friends Ah Niu had made in this world.

One of them was Wang Dali, a muscular warrior who had once participated with Xu Xi in the Heavenly Sword Sect’s Ruins.

At this moment, he was a tearful giant, loudly declaring, “Brother Ah Niu, you must be happy!”

The scene was so comical and joyful that Xu Xi couldn’t help but chuckle.

“It went smoother than expected.”

“Well, of course. Why would there be any unexpected incidents?”

At the wedding banquet, Xu Xi picked up his chopsticks and took a bite of tender stir-fried shrimp, savoring the taste as he slowly chewed.

At the same time, he withdrew his spiritual awareness from the wedding house.

From start to finish, he had been watching over Ah Niu’s wedding, ensuring its safety and preventing any sudden mishaps.

Fortunately, everything went well. Nothing happened.

Following the traditions, after the couple completed their bows, they headed into the inner room to perform more detailed rituals.

Aunt Zhang took this matter very seriously, reminding Ah Niu over and over again.

“Mother, I got it!” Ah Niu responded with a goofy smile.

As the newlyweds entered the inner chamber, the spacious hall was left to the guests, who continued drinking and enjoying the festivities.

…

Xu Xi and Yingxue’s situation was somewhat special.

They had a whole table to themselves, draped in red. The dishes were abundant, a mix of hot and cold.

Xu Xi ate slowly, savoring his food, his gaze reflecting the passage of time.

“I hope Ah Niu can always be happy from now on,” he silently wished in his heart.

There was no longer a shortage of rice.

No one had to starve anymore.

Naturally, Little Mister Ah Niu deserved his own happiness.

“Sir, open your mouth. Ah—”

A voice reached his ears.

Xu Xi instinctively opened his mouth. By the time a crispy fried meatball landed in it, he realized what had just happened—Yingxue had fed him.

“Sir, it’s a joyous occasion! You shouldn’t look so serious.”

“Come on, eat more.”

Yingxue sat beside him, dressed in a light green gown, her hair adorned with floral hairpins. Her eyes curved into crescent moons as she smiled.

Then, moving faster than lightning, she stacked food onto Xu Xi’s plate, forming a small mountain of dishes.

The embroidered sleeves of her robe moved fluidly as her hands worked, subtly outlining the shape of her slender arms.

“Yingxue.”

“Yes, Sir?”

“Actually, I’m not that hungry.”

“Huh!?”

Yingxue blinked.

It seemed she had instinctively assumed that Xu Xi’s appetite was the same as hers and had prepared too much food for him.

If he didn’t eat it, wouldn’t all her efforts be in vain?

“It’s fine, Yingxue.”

Xu Xi noticed her embarrassment and chuckled.

“I can definitely finish this. Just don’t add any more.”

“Really, Sir?”

“Mm, really.”

Xu Xi picked up his chopsticks and resumed eating at a leisurely pace.

Yingxue sat beside him. Perhaps because she was wearing a gown, her movements were gentler than usual, her eating refined and graceful.

Every so often, she would adjust her appearance—

She would brush aside stray strands of hair from her forehead.

She would reposition her hairpin.

She would smooth out the folds in her collar.

Did Sir notice any imperfections?

Would he find them unpleasant?

Should she be even more meticulous, make herself even more elegant, so she could leave a better impression on him?

As these thoughts circled in her mind, Yingxue’s eating slowed even further.

She even lost a bit of her appetite.

The sunlight was warm, its rays hazy and soft, much like the uncertainty lingering in her heart.

In the end, she abandoned those unnecessary thoughts.

Because Xu Xi had noticed her fidgeting and lightly flicked her forehead.

“You already look great. No need to change anything.”

Sir said she looked great.

Sir said it himself.

So, with a satisfied chuckle, Yingxue finally relaxed.

She continued eating from the wedding feast while imitating Xu Xi, observing the guests and witnessing Ah Niu’s life-changing moment.

“Sir, are you very interested in marriage?” she suddenly asked.

Xu Xi thought for a moment and shook his head.

“Not really. I just wanted to see Ah Niu’s wedding through to the end.”

Time passed silently.

It moved ever forward.

The once-honest young man who had followed behind Xu Xi, calling him ‘Big Brother Xu’ at every turn, had now reached the stage of settling down and starting a family.

Xu Xi smiled as he watched, happy to witness that growth and feeling a sense of fulfillment.

“Then…”

Yingxue hesitated before speaking again.

“Sir, have you ever thought about when you might get married?”

Her fingers toyed with her hair, sometimes twisting it into multiple loops, sometimes letting it go completely.

She asked the question while tilting her head slightly away, her tone light and casual as if she were just making idle conversation.

“I haven’t really given it much thought.”

Xu Xi answered honestly.

“Oh?”

Yingxue’s eyes narrowed slightly, drawing out her response.

She put down her chopsticks, brought her hand to her lips, and let out a few soft coughs.

“Cough, cough. Cough, cough, cough!”

It sounded as though she was clearing her throat.

But it also seemed as if she was gathering her courage.

Taking a deep breath, she met Xu Xi’s curious gaze and solemnly declared—

“Sir, I have a bold proposal.”