Chapter 174 - PREPARATION (2): GROOM KIDNAPPING TRADITION

Meng Bao and I were currently in the local administration office, signing our document after we've finished submitting everything. This was just for administration, so our marriage would be legally bound. 

However, I believed it was just Meng Bao who didn't want anyone to 'snatch' me because I was just so mesmerizing and beautiful. So with this, we would be legally bound as husband and wife, and if he found that a man tried to snatch me, he could use an unscrupulous method. 

I knew it sounded more like a threat to any man who would talk to me in the future. 

Maybe I had to put a small banner on top of my head,

'Warning, crazy husband around, don't even try if you want to live.'

Meng Bao looked so happy after we left the administration building. He didn't stop giggling as if it was the best day for him, "Ehe, ehehehe~."

"What?"

"Jiejie, we're officially husband and wife now."

"Just administratively," I said nonchalantly while reading the administration document.

Meng Bao pouted once he heard my nonchalant response, "Jiejie, this means that you cannot go with any man in the future. I will be watching over you. I also got the permit to kill any man who touches you unscrupulously."

"What?! How did you—"

I zipped my mouth once Meng Bao showed me a new paper that he got from the administration office. Turned out, while I was busy doing our marriage administration, he used his money to get such a crazy permit, acting like a true Yandere he was. 

Ah, anyway, what was the worse that could happen? I think Meng Bao's reputation was enough to repel any man from me in the future. 

"Anyway, we still have to do something else today," I said. 

"Huh? Oh—OH! Is it finally the time? I've been waiting for that time to finally come! Since we're now officially husband and wife, we can do it, right?!"

"Get your mind out of the gutter! I want you to follow me to the forest near my house in the village! There is a family tradition there, don't worry, it's not that dangerous. But we have to do it."

"Eheh, no sexy time?"

"No."

…

"Let's just use a helicopter, Jie. We only have three days before our wedding day, remember?" 

**

Meng Bao and I went to my hometown with his helicopter. The helicopter landed on my farm, and my parents greeted us happily, "Are you going to do that tradition?"

"Yes, Mom," I replied. I glanced at Meng Bao, who was oblivious. "I think Meng Bao is also ready."

"Yes, I'm ready!"

Mom and I smiled mysteriously at Meng Bao because he was completely clueless about what'd happen during the tradition. I chuckled, full of malicious intent. I wanted to see Meng Bao's reaction.

**

Late at night, I woke Meng Bao, who was already sleeping in one room, "Baobao, Baobao, wake up."

"Mmmh… Jiejie… what is it?" Meng Bao suddenly hugged me and then fell asleep again. "Jiejie, let's sleep…."

…

Okay, I had to admit that his embrace was very warm and gentle. I actually got drowsy in his arm, especially under this calm and steady breath. 

But I shook my head immediately, trying to wake myself up and struggled, "Ugh, Baobao, it's not the time to sleep! We need to the tradition soon!" 

"But it's midnight… can we do it tomorrow morning…."

"No."

I used my strength to carry Meng Bao on my shoulder, like carrying a potato sack and then walking out. 

He actually fell asleep soon, so there was no need to wake him up. Let him open his eyes and see the surprise for himself, hehe. 

Mom and dad helped me to reach the middle of the woods and then left us alone. I took a deep breath and did the family tradition for the longevity of our marriage in the future. At least, that was what my family believed for so long. 

I tied Meng Bao on a tall tree in an upside-down position and then caught three tigers, two bears, and a giant snake as a bonus. I beat them up nice and rough and then lined them right under Meng Bao, who was still sleeping like a dead log. 

After ensuring that everything had been set, I rested near the tree while waiting for Meng Bao to wake up.

…

…

"Mmmh…" Two hours later, I heard a groan and then a yawn. I checked at Meng Bao from afar. It seemed that he had woken up alongside the animals under him. 

…

…

"WHAT THE FUCK?!" Meng Bao screamed in English as he saw what was under him. 

Three tigers, two big bears, and a giant snake, all growling at him, wanting to make him their midnight snack. 

"WHERE AM I? WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING?! AHHHH!!!" Meng Bao started struggling after realizing his current position. He used his strength to curl his body, so the bears and tigers wouldn't reach him.

"AHHHH! HELP ME!!!"

Okay, I felt a little bad. Honestly, this was part of the tradition of Groom Kidnapping. When the groom refused to cooperate, the bride would kidnap him in the middle of the night and put him in this position. Unless he wanted to marry her, then she wouldn't save him.

In fact, if he refused, the woman would cut the rope to feed the man to the wild animals.

I knew… it was crazy. But a tradition was still a tradition. I would save him nonetheless anyway. 

"Baobao, I'm here," I emerged from behind the tree and walked towards Meng Bao.

Meng Bao, who saw me, had his eyes widened, and he glared at me, "Ying Jie! RUN! LEAVE NOW! I WILL GRAB THESE WILD ANIMALS ATTENTION WHILE YOU RUN!"

I was also surprised by his reaction. I really thought that he would cry for my help. But he was actually telling me to run away? 

"YING JIE! THERE IS NO TIME. RUN NOW, RUNNN! ARGGHH!" Meng Bao, who got frustrated, suddenly climbed the rope that bound his feet, and then he screamed out loud while trying to break free. 

"W—Wait, Bao—"

"RARRGGHH!" Meng Bao successfully tore the rope with his sheer strength, probably out of panic. He jumped right in the middle of the animals, ready to sacrifice himself since he definitely didn't know how to handle these wild animals.

"YING JIE, RUN NOW!"

"Bao…"

Meng Bao looked so fearless even when facing death in front of him. His eyes kept checking whether I had run away from him or not, worried that I might also get hurt by the wild animals.

"WHY ARE YOU STILL HERE! RUN, JIE! I TOLD YOU TO RUN!"

Suddenly, one bear stood tall in front of Meng Bao with its claw unsheathed, ready to rip Meng Bao to pieces. 

Meng Bao didn't even try to run. He just kept yelling at me to run away. 

Ah, how could he be this sweet even when facing death. Now it wasn't fun for me anymore.

I dashed to the bear and grabbed its neck, "RARGH!" I threw the bear as strong as I could, and the bear flew high until it landed on a tall tree. 

I also did the same with the other bear and the snake. 

For the three tigers, I just smacked their heads until they lowered their gaze and showed their submissiveness in front of him. 

Meng Bao was standing in front of me. Blood had been drained out of his body, but he still standing strong on his feet.

I felt guilt at him, not going to lie. The tradition was supposed to be scary but entertaining at the same time. I was about to pop out and then told him to say, 'Save me, and I will marry you!' And I would save him.

That was how the tradition worked here. 

But Meng Bao did an absolutely different thing, not that I hated his way, though. 

"Meng Bao—Heuk!"

Baobao suddenly hugged me tightly, so tight that I was suffocating, "Jiejie, I really thought that you'd get hurt… I… I will not forgive myself if something happens to you…."

Meng Bao sounded so sincere that it hurt me because I might've been taking his devotion for granted. 

I should've been more understanding to him.

He tried his best, so I should do the same…

I hugged him back and replied, "Don't worry, Baobao. It's just part of my family tradition of Groom kidnapping. All these animals had been beaten by me. I just want you to participate."

"Jiejie, I—I can participate in anything as long as I can get you. But please… please don't do this kind of tradition anymore. I don't want you to get hurt. I… I truly can't…."

I could feel Meng Bao's body trembled as he kept repeating me getting hurt. I sighed and caressed his cheek, "Baobao, Relax, I'm completely fine, and there is nothing to be scared about here. I'm sorry for scaring you. I might've done too much…."

But it didn't seem to calm Meng Bao. He kept hugging me tight for the whole night, repeating the same statement over and over.

"Jie… I don't want to lose Jie. Not again…" Meng Bao muttered. "Jiejie, please don't leave me. I love you so much, too much…."

"I love you too, Baobao. I'm sorry for taking your attention for granted. I'm so sorry…"

Thus, we spent our night embracing each other under the tree in the middle of the woods, repeating how we loved each other again and again.

Yet, I find it very assuring.