Chapter 51
“What did you do to Xiajuan? She’s your daughter.” At this moment, Yang Hui’s temples throbbed, his face flushed red with anger. If it weren’t for that last bit of reason reminding him that the person standing in front of him was Xiajuan’s mother, he might have already thrown a punch, not caring that the person was a woman. Despite his restraint, his teeth ground audibly.
“What do you want to do, why are you so fierce, do you want to hit me? Oh, this guy hasn’t even married into the family yet and he’s already thinking about hitting his mother-in-law. If I marry my daughter off, what good could come of it? Oh, what a hard life we orphans and widows have, my child’s father, if only you could see this wonderful son-in-law from the heavens.” Mother Tian, disregarding the fact that it was her daughter’s wedding, slapped her thigh and started wailing, causing everyone in the courtyard to look awkward.
“I respect you enough to call you mother. Today is Xiajuan’s and my wedding day, a joyous occasion, and yet you’re crying out loud, why? Also, what did you do to Xiajuan? Don’t act like nothing happened; everyone who was just present heard it. Who was that person in Xiajuan’s room, and what did you do to her?” Yang Hui trembled uncontrollably as he spoke. If it weren’t for Xu Ke holding his hand, he might have lost control and punched someone.
“What could I do to her? I’m her birth mother, I raised her to this age. Why would I harm her? Everything I do is for her own good. The person in her room is her brother. Is it so wrong for a brother to accompany his sister on her wedding day? If you don’t want to marry her, you can leave now. Don’t say these things to slander me and my daughter.” Mother Tian punched her chest and stamped her feet, putting on a show of being wronged, making the groomsmen furrow their brows.
Looking at Mother Tian’s behavior, Xu Ke thought immediately of Li Lihua. If Yang Hui married Tian Xiajuan and got such a mother-in-law, the Yang family’s future would be chaos and discord.
At that moment, the door to the room opened, and a burly man walked out, his eyes scanning Yang Hui with hostility. He snorted coldly and rolled his eyes before saying, “Tian Xiajuan is my sister. She hasn’t even married into your Yang family yet, so she’s not a member of it. As her brother, it’s my duty to educate my sister. What does that have to do with an outsider like you?”
The man’s spittle sprayed all over Yang Hui’s face. The anger simmering in the hearts of those present was on the brink of eruption. Even Xu Ke loosened his grip on Yang Hui’s hand a little, an icy look in his eyes.
“Why waste words with such people, Hui? Let’s just go in, grab the bride, and leave. What could they do about it? Having relatives like this is truly the height of misfortune.” A hot-tempered groomsman, unable to tolerate the arrogance of the Tian family, threw his jacket to the ground and shouted loudly.
“That’s right, Hui, just say the word, and no matter what, we brothers will get the bride out for you.” Inflamed, the remaining groomsmen followed suit, tossing their jackets to the ground, determination etched on their faces, ready to storm in the moment Yang Hui gave the signal.
The few hot-blooded young men, like hungry wolves, cast fierce gazes toward Mother Tian and her son blocking the doorway. Facing such a group, no one could doubt their words. Feeling intimidated by the scene, Mother Tian and her son unconsciously moved closer, swallowing hard and feeling fear creep into their hearts, though they refused to back down verbally.
“What you’re doing is illegal, you know? I’ll sue you,” Mother Tian shouted, clinging tightly to her son’s sleeve for support.
The courtyard fell silent after Mother Tian’s outburst. Everyone quietly moved to the farthest corners of the courtyard, watching the confrontation in the center. No one spoke, and no one helped, making the atmosphere unbearably tense. All eyes were focused on Yang Hui until Xu Ke, who had been restraining him, finally spoke.
“A special day should not be stained by blood; it’s inauspicious. I only have one question for you today: are you truly determined to marry Tian Xiajuan?” Xu Ke asked, pressing down on Yang Hui’s shoulder.
Although unclear why Xu Ke was asking this now, Yang Hui’s trust in his brother overpowered his emotions. He managed to reply firmly, “Yes, I’ve made up my mind. I just want to spend my life with her.”
Seeing the determination in Yang Hui’s eyes reminded Xu Ke of him and Lin Mengyao. He patted Yang Hui on the shoulder, “Leave it to me today. Just go get ready and confidently be the groom. There’s no need to worry about anything else.”
“Xu, do you have a plan?” Yang Hui’s eyes lit up upon looking at Xu Ke.
“What plan do we need? We have so many people here today. Let’s just go in and take her out. There’s no need to mess around with this greedy duo who don’t even treat their daughter as a person,” said a straightforward groomsman, tired of arguing with the family and eager to help his buddy reclaim his bride.
“If you help him this once, can you help him forever?” Xu Ke asked the groomsman who suggested seizing the bride.
“What do you mean?” The groomsman, initially ablaze with anger, found himself calming down under Xu Ke’s serene gaze. Xu Ke said nothing further but looked steadily at each man ready to charge, only shifting his attention back to Yang Hui once they were composed.
“Do you trust me?” Xu Ke inquired.
“To me, you’re like a brother. If I don’t trust you, who can I trust?” Although unsure of Xu Ke’s plans, Yang Hui stood unwaveringly by his side, a gesture that warmed Xu Ke’s heart.
The Tian mother and son watched as Yang Hui and his group settled under Xu Ke’s pacification. Looking at Xu Ke, who appeared as a delicate student, their courage rekindled. Mother Tian released her grip on her son’s sleeve, placed her hands on her hips, and arrogantly declared, “Let’s make it clear today. My daughter is my flesh and blood. If the Yang family can’t meet the conditions I mentioned earlier, you better leave. Many wish to marry my daughter; we don’t need your Yang family.”