Chapter 198

Chapter 198 - The Bride Can't Wait

“Bones can soften, too? You must be pulling my leg,” someone scoffed.

“You just haven't heard it before. Listen tonight, and you'll know,” the speaker retorted, then hesitated, “Well, it might not always be the case. Sometimes it sounds more like sobbing...”

Zhang Xiaolong was at a loss for words. These guys, with nothing better to do, would skulk around the walls eavesdropping on the noises inside. They really needed to find a hobby...

“Mr. Xiaolong, when your wife is with you, can she make your bones soften?” the skeptic quickly sought confirmation.

Coughing awkwardly, Zhang Xiaolong replied, “When you get married, you can try it out for yourself and see.”

The banter continued among the group until the auspicious time for the wedding ceremony arrived.

Typically, the bride would be escorted from her home, but since this bride had been persuaded to come from the city and her family wasn't local, many traditions were skipped. She emerged directly from the house for the ceremony.

The red veil obscured her face, so Zhang Xiaolong couldn't see her features, but her silhouette was strikingly delicate. Yet something caught his eye, prompting him to furrow his brow in concern.

“Uncle Baofeng, why is the bride's hands tied?” he inquired, puzzled.

Others noticed as well and turned their curious gazes toward Wang Baofeng and Wang Jiutou.

“Oh, that... It's a custom from the bride's side,” Wang Baofeng hastily explained. “They say it symbolizes ‘hearts forever bound.'”

Zhang Xiaolong sensed something was amiss. If it was about being bound together in unity, shouldn't the groom and bride be tied together? Tying only the bride seemed more like a bridal abduction.

But since an explanation was given, and it was during the ceremony, he didn't want to press the issue.

The bride was led to the altar, her steps hesitant, and was gently pressed down to bow in respect.

Zhang Xiaolong stepped forward, noticing the group's inaction. He gently removed the red cloth gagging the bride's mouth and snapped the ropes binding her hands. “It's okay now. If there's anything you want to say, go ahead. Rest assured, if you don't wish to marry Wang Fugui, with all the villagers here as witnesses, he won't be able to force you.”

Upon seeing the towering figure of Zhang Xiaolong, the bride, Zheng Hong, felt a surge of relief and began to weep, “I don't want to marry him. Please, take me away...”

Through her tearful account, the full story came to light.

Zheng Hong, the bride, had neither been purchased nor abducted by Wang Fugui. They had both been working in the city when Zheng Hong was harassed by a thug. Wang Fugui happened to be there and rescued her.

?Grateful to the unassuming Wang Fugui, Zheng Hong quickly warmed to him, especially since he had a way with words. Under his many promises, she was charmed into marrying him. But upon arriving in the village, she discovered the stark poverty of her new home.

?The “small western-style house” Wang Fugui had boasted of wasn't even his. Initially, Zheng Hong considered making do, but she soon found that the family's poverty was so severe they couldn't afford a decent meal. While she never expected a life of luxury, the reality was more than she could bear. She wanted to leave, but Wang Fugui, having finally found an attractive wife, was unwilling to let her go. He kept her confined at home, hoping that once they had a child, she would no longer wish to leave.

“What in the world are you doing, Fugui? Do you realize this is a crime?” At some point, Wang Tiehzhu had made his way into the yard. He pointed at the disheartened man squatting on the ground and scolded him.

“I...” Wang Fugui started to raise his head to argue but then deflated, “I had no choice...”

“There's never a good enough reason to do something so heartless,” Wang Tiehzhu scolded before turning to Zheng Hong. “Young lady, I'm the village chief around here. Wang Fugui should be calling me ‘grandpa' given our seniority. Rest assured, if you want to leave, no one will dare to stop you. If they try, they'll answer to me.”

“Uncle, please, I want to leave. Help me get away,” Zheng Hong pleaded through tears. “Wang Fugui promised me 50,000 yuan for my father's medical treatment, and that's the only reason I followed him here. I never intended to sell myself, but what about my dad's illness? And he lied to me about everything. I despise him!”

“Get out, get out, get out...” Wang Fugui realized he couldn't keep her there any longer. “If you're going to leave, then just go. I've had my way with you, so I'm not at a loss!”

Wang Tiehzhu delivered a sharp slap across his face. “You call that human speech?”

He then turned back to Zheng Hong, trying to reason with her. “Everything I said stands. You're free to go, and no one will dare to stop you. But, I have one more thing to say. Since you've already been with Fugui, if you can manage, try to stay. Clear River Village may be poor now, but it won't always be this way.”

Zheng Hong bit her lip. “Uncle, I can wait, but my father can't...”

“I'll give you the fifty thousand yuan. Would you consider staying?” Zhang Xiaolong interjected.