Shui Xian couldn't wait to take Raelle to their bridal room. It was already close to midnight and he didn't know how long all these festivities were gonna go for but he was done with it. He seemed more anxious to leave than Raelle and was so relieved when Mu Chenyan told him to take Raelle back to their room.
Shui Xian and Raelle stepped into their bridal room, the soft creak of the wooden door giving way to a world bathed in the warm, inviting glow of red. The room was adorned with traditional Chinese wedding symbols, from delicate silk drapes embroidered with gold to the soft shimmer of lantern light that bathed the room in a golden hue. Red candles flickered on every surface, casting dancing shadows on the walls and filling the air with a subtle warmth. The scent of fresh flowers—peonies and orchids—drifted through the room, a sweet, intoxicating fragrance that lingered on the senses.
Raelle stopped in her steps when she looked at the scene before her. She had just gotten ready in the room earlier and it didn't look like this at that time but now, in just a few hours, it felt like someone changed the entire room. She almost felt like she walked into the wrong room, it looked so unfamiliar.
Shui Xian was also pleasantly surprised, he hurriedly closed the door and led her toward the bed. The bed was the focal point of the room, draped in red silk sheets embroidered with phoenixes and dragons, symbols of harmony and eternal love. A pair of red candles stood at either side of the bed, their soft light casting an ethereal glow over the space, and delicate rose petals were scattered across the sheets, creating a path of romance leading to the bed. The air felt heavy with tradition, with love, with the promise of what was to come.
Raelle sat down on the bed but immediately jumped up saying, "What is under the blanket?"
Shui Xian looked at her before he went to turn over the blanket.
Raelle frowned, "Who scattered these red dates and peanuts on my bed? And what else is here?"
"Longans and lotus seeds," replied Shui Xian.
"Is this another prank? Who did it? I'm gonna smash their head."
Seeing how Raelle was ready to shed some blood tonight, Shui Xian immediately hugged her from behind to stop her, "This isn't a prank. It's a tradition."
"Tradition?"
"Just a little more patience is not bad."
Shui Xian shrugged and sighed to himself. "Please, go ahead. But come back soon. I'm waiting."
"I know," she replied before going to take a shower.
Shui Xian thought that if he waited for Raelle to come out, then he would also take fifteen to take a shower. Wouldn't it waste a good thirty minutes? No! It's unacceptable!
He rushed out of the bedroom and ran into Zhai Yanjun who gave him a weird look. "Shouldn't you be enjoying your night?"
"Shut up! I'm going to take a shower in the other room. It saves time! You don't understand anything."
Zhai Yanjun rolled his eyes at him, "Indeed, I understand nothing. I'll come to you for advice if I ever need it. For now, I don't need it."
"Of course, you don't need it," replied Shui Xian. "You aren't getting married any time soon."
"Shui Xian!"
Shui Xian ran away without giving a chance to Zhai Yanjun to get to him. There was no need to invite more hatred toward himself on this good day of his life. He'd let go of Zhai Yanjun for tonight. He'd piss him off another day.
Zhai Yanjun really was mad at Shui Xian right now. He was already upset that he had not much time to spend with Xiang Wai and now, Shui Xian reminded him that he couldn't get married soon either. He had to wait at least a year before he could get married to Xiang Wai. He almost shed tears for himself at this time.