"Ah?" Ye Shisan was stunned by Cheng Xiaofan's words. Was this what people called using force when persuasion failed?
They say a forced melon isn't sweet, and a tied knot doesn't make a couple.
But!
He sneaked a glance at Misako Konoe and suddenly felt that those two sayings were utterly inappropriate here.
Who wouldn't be incredibly happy to marry such a beauty!
"Ye Shisan, answer me quickly!" Cheng Xiaofan asked with a cold expression.
Ye Shisan stammered, "Everything is as Mr. Cheng arranges!"
Cheng Xiaofan clapped his hands and laughed, "Old Ye, I like to hear you say that. As a person, don't be too insecure. Since Misako Konoe likes you, you must learn to accept it."
"Do you know that as a dignified man, casually rejecting a beauty's feelings is a crime!"
"Both of you, stop kneeling. Get up quickly!"
"Thank you, Mr. Cheng, for making this happen!" The two got up from the ground and bowed deeply and respectfully to Cheng Xiaofan.
Misako Konoe, in particular, was immensely grateful to Cheng Xiaofan.
She had rushed to Zhuxi Village at noon to see Cheng Xiaofan, hoping he would step in to help and guide Ye Shisan.
Misako Konoe knew Ye Shisan was very stubborn and hadn't expected him to accept her immediately.
What she never imagined was that Cheng Xiaofan's intervention would completely resolve her and Ye Shisan's situation.
His decisive style truly impressed Misako Konoe.
The Earth God smiled broadly and said, "Hahaha, I still have some fireworks and firecrackers left from what I bought. Let's set them off!"
He hurried into the house, brought out a pile of fireworks and firecrackers, ran into the courtyard, and let off a loud, booming display.
Giant fireworks bloomed in the night sky.
They were like golden chrysanthemums in full bloom, like peonies opening; also like dancing butterflies, like soaring dragons; and like a fiery tree in full bloom, with rainbow-colored light dancing wildly.
After appreciating the fireworks, everyone returned indoors.
At the Earth God's suggestion, Ye Shisan and Misako Konoe, like the Earth God and Zhuxi Wangyue, performed another set of ceremonies: the first bow to heaven and earth, the second bow to Shennong, and the husband and wife bow.
Afterward, Cheng Xiaofan invited everyone to be seated to formally celebrate the wedding.
Although there were only six people present, they toasted each other and had a very joyous meal.
It wasn't until late into the night that this wedding banquet concluded.
"This bamboo loft of mine is very large and has many rooms upstairs. Today, the two newlyweds, except for my bedroom on the second floor, can each pick a room and stay here!"
Cheng Xiaofan said to the two pairs of newlyweds.
"Thank you, Lord Shennong!"
"Thank you, Mr. Cheng!"
The two pairs of newlyweds said almost in unison.
Immediately!
The Earth God and Ye Shisan, each embracing their new bride, found rooms for themselves downstairs.
Cheng Xiaofan planned to stay overnight and, after drinking the wedding tea offered by the brides the next morning, would return to the back mountain.
Drinking wedding tea was a way for the bride to express her gratitude to the matchmaker.
This was also a custom in Zhuxi Village.
However, this wedding tea wasn't just for drinking.
After drinking the bride's wedding tea, the matchmaker had to return the favor by gifting money to the bride.
Misako Konoe and Zhuxi Wangyue might not have understood these local customs, but as the local Earth God, he would surely teach them.
Arriving on the second floor, Cheng Xiaofan took a bath. As soon as he lay on the bed, preparing to rest, he faintly heard the sound of vibrations coming from below.
He immediately activated his Dragon Eye and looked down.
Wow!
The scene that appeared before him left Cheng Xiaofan utterly speechless.
The Earth God, embracing the fox spirit Zhuxi Wangyue, was engaged in a passionate encounter with a fervor that was in no way inferior to that of today's youth!
He didn't know where he learned it, but his repertoire was endless.
Then, looking at Ye Shisan.
This honest and simple old man had completely transformed.
He was in a state of a tiger emerging from its mountain lair, his hands and feet working in unison, frantically busy, panting and sweating profusely.
It was clear that Misako Konoe was being thoroughly enjoyed by him.
Even honest and simple people had a wild side!
Just as Cheng Xiaofan was watching with excitement, he suddenly heard a knock on the door from outside.
He sprang up from the bed, walked over, and opened the door, only to find Zhuxi Lingling standing outside.
"Zhuxi Lingling, it's you!" Cheng Xiaofan then remembered that while the two pairs of couples had found their own comfortable quarters, Zhuxi Lingling had been left alone.
Zhuxi Lingling timidly asked, "Mr. Cheng, can I come into your bedroom?"
Cheng Xiaofan nodded and said, "Yes, come in and sit down!"
"Thank you, Mr. Cheng!"
Zhuxi Lingling swayed her slender waist and walked in with small, delicate steps.
Cheng Xiaofan handed her a bamboo stool and said, "Please sit!"
"By the way, what do you need me for?"
Zhuxi Lingling said, "I want to sleep!"
Cheng Xiaofan chuckled and said, "Lingling, there are several rooms on the third floor. You can pick one and go rest."
Zhuxi Lingling's extremely beautiful face suddenly flushed a deep red.
She said, "I want to be with you!"
What!
Be with me?
Cheng Xiaofan thought he had misheard.
He asked, "Lingling, did you say you want to sleep with me?"
Zhuxi Lingling nodded and said, "Yes, Mr. Cheng!"
"..." Cheng Xiaofan was utterly speechless.
How could a fox spirit sleep with a human like him?
He immediately shook his head and said, "Lingling, you and I are human and fox, we cannot sleep together. That would violate heavenly laws and you would be struck by lightning!"
Zhuxi Lingling immediately said, "Mr. Cheng, my mother told me that as long as I don't do anything to harm humans, there's no problem!"
"My mother had already warned me long ago to follow you from now on."
Cheng Xiaofan asked, "Was it when I saved your mother last time that she told you this?"
Zhuxi Lingling said, "Yes, it was then."
Hearing her say this, Cheng Xiaofan finally understood. Zhuxi Wangyue wanted to repay his kindness by giving her daughter to him.
He quickly said, "Lingling, I appreciate your mother's kind intentions."
"I'm telling you, we are not suited to be together."
Zhuxi Ling's eyes reddened, and she was on the verge of tears.
She said, "Cheng Xiaofan, do you think I'm ugly?"
Cheng Xiaofan said, "Lingling, you are absolutely beautiful. How could I possibly think you're ugly? Don't overthink it, just go upstairs and rest!"
"No, I want to be with you!" Zhuxi Lingling suddenly knelt down in front of Cheng Xiaofan.
Facing Zhuxi Lingling kneeling beside him, Cheng Xiaofan was completely dumbfounded.
He never expected to be pestered by a fox spirit.
If he had known this would happen, he shouldn't have stayed here for the night.
It would have been enough to come back early tomorrow to drink the wedding tea.
"Lingling, don't listen to your mother's words. Get up quickly, please don't do this!" Cheng Xiaofan was truly anxious.
Zhuxi Lingling crawled forward on her knees and said, "Mr. Cheng, even if my mother didn't say it, I would still do this. Please don't abandon me, I will serve you well!"