Chapter 40: A Midnight Wedding

Night deepened.

Nothing had happened all night, and just as Ye Luo yawned, preparing to sleep, a sudden sound broke the silence.

From the heart of the village, exuberant, festive suona music burst forth.

Ye Luo’s expression changed at once.

Who would be getting married at this hour of the night?

She peered through the gauzy window, looking out.

No one could yet be seen, but the suona’s piercing notes seemed to ring directly beside the ear, sharp and inescapable.

If one listened closely, the heart-rending cries of women could be heard, desperate and raw. Yet these wails were forcibly drowned out, pressed beneath the jubilant music, melting into its background.

At the same time, Ye Luo heard a knocking at the door.

Next came the sound of fingernails scraping across the wood.

“Ye Yingying, you’ve ruined me,” came the shrill voice of Chen Cuihua, sharper now than ever.

“Ye Yingying, open the door,” echoed Zhang Jintao’s sinister tone.

“Grab the kitchen knife, just chop the door open,” barked Zhang Hua.

Immediately, the frenzied sound of hacking at the door followed.

Ye Luo narrowed her eyes.

The wooden door looked flimsy, as if it could be splintered with little effort.

Yet, no matter how those three—whether human or ghost—raged outside, the door would not open.

“Ye Yingying! Open the door!” Chen Cuihua’s voice rose in impatience, shrill and cutting.

“If you open it now, we might spare your life. But if we break in, I’ll use the kitchen knife to chop you into pieces,” Zhang Hua threatened, then broke into crazed laughter.

Thud, thud, thud.

The door shook with their blows, but held firm.

Ye Luo raised an eyebrow.

It seemed these three could only shout and menace; they posed little threat.

The cacophony at the door continued.

At the window, the suona’s wail grew ever louder.

Ye Luo quickly peered outside—the wedding procession was approaching.

A dozen villagers marched in two lines, led by the head of Luoxia Village.

In the center of the villagers was a grand bridal sedan chair.

From within, the muffled cries of women could be heard—not one, but many, as if a chorus of girls were weeping in despair.

As the procession passed, Ye Luo arched an eyebrow and called out loudly, “Village Chief, the bride doesn’t seem all that willing!”

The suona music faltered for a moment.

The villagers stared at Ye Luo in shock.

A woman was voluntarily speaking to the chief?

The chief narrowed his eyes, a cold, sinister glint flashing in his clouded gaze. “Girl, don’t meddle in others’ affairs.”

“Can’t I even ask?” Ye Luo retorted, displeased. “I used to think everyone in Luoxia Village was warm and decent. Seems I was wrong about you all.”

The villagers, having never encountered someone like Ye Luo, looked at her nervously.

Ordinary people would shrink from such a scene—yet this woman addressed them directly?

The chief sneered, leaning on his cane as he strolled up to Ye Luo’s window.

He stood so near that Ye Luo could see every mottled wrinkle on his face.

He bared a few yellowed teeth. “A bride must always cry at her wedding, whether she wants to or not. Truth is, they’re more than willing. Girl, don’t fret. In a few days, I’ll find you a fine husband as well.”

“Thank you for your trouble,” Ye Luo replied with perfect composure, unruffled.

The chief fixed her with a chilling stare, then turned and rejoined the procession. “Continue the music,” he commanded coldly.

The festive notes broke out again.

Encircled by the villagers, the bridal sedan soon disappeared from view.

Ye Luo frowned.

This time, she had chosen a marriage contract as her tool.

Had she chosen the substitute doll that could take her place for half an hour, perhaps she could have sent it out to investigate.

But now, she had no intention of taking a risk without any protection.

More importantly, even if she went, it was likely already too late to change anything.

“Ye Yingying, open the door!”

“If you dare to kill, dare to open the door!” came the jeering from outside.

Their racket grated on Ye Luo’s nerves until she finally snapped, “What nonsense! I’m a law-abiding citizen—when did I ever kill you? Eat whatever you like, but don’t spout rubbish.”

For a moment, her words seemed to stump them.

Chen Cuihua’s voice returned, now laced with malice: “The first time I saw you, I knew you were no good. What kind of woman wears a dress? Only a shameless hussy would try to seduce men like that. Our Hua wouldn’t want a woman without decency.”

Ye Luo shot back, “Can’t help it, I just happen to look good. Someone like you, with your ugly mug, wouldn’t get a glance even in a bikini.”

“You shameless tramp!” Chen Cuihua shrieked.

“Yes, I’m shameless—just the thing you lack, so I’ll gift you some,” Ye Luo replied.

“You wretched slut!”

“You say I am, so I am? Good thing I’m a courier—I call you a small parcel, and that’s what you are.”

“You filthy whore!”

“The fault lies in your upbringing. You curse me; I must be to blame.”

After a volley of insults, Chen Cuihua, running out of words, fell silent, defeated.

Then Zhang Hua spoke.

“Yingying.” His tone softened, almost tender. “Truly, I like you. That’s why I came here. I know you like me too. Why not let me in so we can talk?”

Ye Luo rolled her eyes. “Sorry, your looks are so abstract, no one but your mother could possibly understand you. Try growing a normal face before you talk about love.”

Zhang Hua paused, insisting, “Yingying, you can’t mean that.”

Ye Luo replied blankly, “Of course not. If I spoke my true mind, this entire story would be banned.”

Zhang Hua: “???”

He sounded awed, even if he didn’t understand.

“My son’s face is a blessing for you!” Zhang Jintao roared, grinding his teeth. “Ye Yingying! Don’t take kindness for granted!”

Ye Luo picked at her ear. “My, what a voice! If shouting could rule the world, you and a donkey would be emperors.”

She shot back at each of them, leaving all three dumbfounded.

They could only repeat themselves in circles, until eventually Ye Luo ignored them, stuffed her ears with paper, and went straight to sleep.

After a long, fruitless commotion outside, the trio finally quieted down.

In such circumstances, most would find sleep impossible.

But Ye Luo, born without fear or worry, soon drifted off into a deep, sweet slumber.

By morning, when she awoke, the sun was already high.

Ye Luo took her time getting up.

She opened her personal panel.

First things first—she decided to check a few birth dates and times.

This time, she started with the village chief’s.