As they entered the courtyard.
Lai Fu happened to be looking for Cheng Hao. Upon seeing him, he immediately called him in.
Su Miaomiao was also present.
Lai Fu invited the young couple inside.
The main hall was full of people.
Both pairs of newlyweds had already taken their places, and Uncle Ji was reciting the wedding vows.
Everyone occasionally cheered along.
In short, it was incredibly lively.
The rest of the ceremony proceeded very simply.
Not a single hitch occurred.
They smoothly escorted the bride to the bridal chamber, and then it was time for the toasts.
Followed by the wedding games.
Cheng Hao and Su Miaomiao joined in the fun the entire time, having a thoroughly joyous day.
The wedding finally concluded as night fell.
The young couple had a little to drink, not much, and their minds were still quite clear.
However, one of them had impure intentions.
Su Miaomiao, emboldened by the small amount of wine, clung to Cheng Hao, playfully teasing him.
Cheng Hao was at a loss for how to handle her teasing.
She demanded to be carried, then to be embraced, and that kisses, once back in the room, must be made up for.
The two of them were practically kissing the entire night.
Even the moon felt shy.
Yet, they still hadn't made it to the bed, but were sitting on the edge, embracing and kissing.
Eventually, Cheng Hao started laughing from her kisses. Overcome by her persistence, he reached out and pinched Su Miaomiao's rosy lips, saying, "Have you turned into a kissing fish?"
Su Miaomiao giggled and hugged him, pulling his hand away to peck his cheek, one kiss after another. After kissing, she leaned her head on his shoulder and laughed, "Now I'm a woodpecker!" She seemed to find something endlessly amusing.
Cheng Hao was exasperated by her antics, torn between laughter and concern. He held her close, afraid she might fall, "Are you drunk or not?"
Su Miaomiao wrapped her arms around his neck and continued to playfully insist, "If you say I'm drunk, then I'm drunk. If not, then I'm not. Do you want me to be drunk, or not?" Her eyes sparkled in the candlelight.
She seemed to be anticipating something.
Cheng Hao dared not continue to play along. He lifted her and walked towards the nearby bath barrel, "Drunk or not, we'll discuss it after you've bathed, little dirty cat."
Su Miaomiao had been quite happy all evening, or rather, she had been happy ever since she realized Cheng Hao intended to make up for their wedding.
Although she had been the one to initiate the request.
She knew deep down that he would never be perfunctory with her.
Seeing how happy Cheng Dazhuang and Cheng Dali were, and how joyful the two new brides were, she was also deeply moved.
Su Miaomiao had been waiting for him to marry her for a long time. She had waited and waited.
She had waited since she was little.
As time went by.
She had even started to think that if she couldn't wait any longer, she wouldn't mind proposing to him herself.
It would be perfectly fine for her to propose first.
But now, she thought, if he said the word, she wouldn't mind waiting a little longer. She was still curious about how he would propose to her.
Even princesses waited for princes to marry them.
She had always thought so when she was a child.
Cheng Hao filled a large barrel with warm water for her. Having space was the best part.
Hot or cold water, anything was possible.
The weather was still hot, and the day's activities had left them sweaty, but it hadn't caused any stir.
If Su Miaomiao hadn't known about his reaction, she might have thought he had achieved enlightenment. While soaking in the warm water, watching Cheng Hao bend down to pick up her clothes in front of the barrel, she feigned maturity and sighed, "This life is unbearable..."
Cheng Hao glanced at her as he folded her discarded clothes and placed them in the laundry basket. Hearing her sigh, he responded, "What's wrong now?"
Seeing him, Su Miaomiao's spirits immediately lifted. She extended her hand and counted on her fingers, "Look, last year when we first came here, I was sixteen. This year I'm seventeen, and my birthday is still more than half a year away. Added together, it's... hmm, hmm..."
Cheng Hao could barely listen. He reached out and covered her mouth, "Su Miaomiao, aren't you ashamed? You're testing my self-control."
Who counted days for such things?
Sometimes, Cheng Hao was so embarrassed by her startling frankness that he wanted to die.
His face turned red.
But his heart beat uncontrollably.
It was deafening.
He felt his temples throbbing, his breathing becoming uneven.
He was a little overwhelmed.
Su Miaomiao, however, felt a little wronged. Was it wrong to miss her man?
She pried his hand away and poured out a torrent of words, "Liking is liking, love is love, and wanting you is wanting you! My love for you has always been open and honest, aboveboard!"
As Su Miaomiao spoke, she puffed out her chest, looking utterly righteous!
Cheng Hao stared at her face for a while, lost in thought. Finally, he flicked her forehead and said, "Fine, I know."
Su Miaomiao blinked, feeling indignant and wanting to appeal, wanting to ask what he knew.
Before she could speak, she heard him say, "Go wash your bath. Stop throwing a tantrum here. When the real time comes, don't cry."
With that, he gave her a slightly smug smile and left.
Su Miaomiao's face immediately flushed red.
Then, she buried half her face in the water to calm herself down, recalling his fierce demeanor in the past.
She couldn't help but swallow.
Immediately, she began blowing bubbles in the water, feeling a little timid.
Well...
We could be gentle about it, couldn't we?
After Cheng Dazhuang and Cheng Dali's wedding, only a few days remained before they would leave Quezhou City.
Cheng Hao and Su Miaomiao first went to the real estate agency. After finding an old acquaintance, they put the two workshops up for sale, intending to sell them at a good price while business was booming.
As soon as this news was released.
The people in the vicinity were quite surprised, and at the same time, became increasingly anxious and uneasy.
"Oh dear, what's going to happen? Are the Cheng couple also leaving?"
"More and more people are leaving recently. Should we follow them?"
"This matter needs careful consideration! Why are so many people just deciding to leave all of a sudden?"
"Exactly. Although life outside has stabilized somewhat compared to before, it's still chaotic! Who knows when that hanging sword will fall on our heads? Although living expenses are higher within the city, at least it's stable!"
"Hey, brother, you're misinterpreting things. People aren't leaving because of high expenses in the city. The Cheng couple, with their capabilities, were so young yet managed to make two workshops so prosperous, and even drove their own father away. That's quite a feat, isn't it? They aren't short of money! They're smart and capable, would they leave just because of expenses?"
"Precisely, and this younger brother is also sharp-minded. Ultimately, it's because of this!"
A man in plain clothes, after saying this, pointed his finger towards the sky.
His expression was indescribable, implying that everyone should understand for themselves.
Everyone suddenly fell silent.
They all knew that the recent departures were due to the weather.
The man in front suddenly realized and quickly said, "They are, they are!"
Others immediately signaled him not to speak, and the crowd fell silent again.
"This life is truly unbearable. Then what are we waiting for? Since they are so capable, and they are leaving, let's hurry and follow them!!"
The man anxiously and confusedly questioned the others present.