Xiao Shan spent the night sleepless, his eyes bloodshot. He took off his blood-stained underpants, which bore Xue Niang's virgin blood. He had imagined their wedding night countless times, never expecting them to be united in such a manner.
He didn't know what to say, given Xue Niang's fear yet her fierce actions.
As Xiao Shan stared blankly at the underpants in the utility room, he heard the door open, but it was too late. He hastily covered himself and turned to see Xue Niang standing at the doorway, her gaze fixed on him with a complex expression.
It was then that Xiao Shan realized he had taken off his pants and had no spare pair.
"Xiao Shan, are you... are you feeling unwell?" Xue Niang asked, looking at him with concern, her eyes filled with urgency and apprehension.
Xiao Shan was stunned. Shouldn't he be the one asking that question?
He observed Xue Niang's complexion. It was far from good; her lips were devoid of any color, her hair was disheveled, and she appeared so frail that a gust of wind might blow her over.
Indeed, her body still couldn't bear it.
"What could a grown man like me be feeling unwell? You should be getting back to bed. I'll make you some Angelica soup."
Xiao Shan moved to embrace her, but Xue Niang suddenly stumbled backward several steps. "I can go back myself."
Like a startled bird, Xue Niang turned and left. As she stepped out, she collided with Xu Da Niu, who had arrived uninvited. Xu Da Niu had already stepped into the kitchen. Upon seeing Xue Niang, she widened her eyes in shock, freezing in a comical pose with one foot still forward.
"Xue, Xue Niang? You, you..." Xu Da Niu stammered, as if seeing a ghost.
Was she a person or a ghost? How could someone emerge from the Ghost Forest?
There was a shadow on the ground; she wasn't a ghost.
Oh, she understood now. She was a spirit, a snake spirit from the mountains, just as the Taoist priest had said.
"Don't come any closer, snake spirit! You're a snake spirit!" Xu Da Niu gripped the doorframe, her legs turning to jelly.
However, Xue Niang merely swept a glance over her and walked past.
Xiao Shan put on the blood-stained underpants again and emerged, glaring menacingly at Xu Da Niu.
Xu Da Niu shivered, paying no attention to Xiao Shan's expression. "Brother Xiao, Xue Niang isn't human. She's a snake spirit and will harm people. Hurry and chase her away, or she'll kill you!"
"Scram!" Xiao Shan roared.
Xu Da Niu's ears rang from the force of his voice. Her chest tightened, constricting her breath.
"Take another step into my home, and I'll ensure you die without a whole corpse!" Xiao Shan's gaze was cold as he spoke each word, his entire being radiating violence.
Xu Da Niu shrieked, "Ah—" and stumbled out of the fenced yard.
It was too terrifying. Xiao Shan was too terrifying! She no longer wanted to marry him!
Xu Da Niu ran home like a madwoman. As soon as she arrived, she saw her father smiling broadly, bowing and bending towards someone.
Seeing her return, Xu Da Fu deliberately put on a stern face. "You're about to be married, and you're still so flustered. Aren't you ashamed of people laughing at you?"
Married? Who was getting married?
Xu Da Niu looked at the newcomer. It was the matchmaker who had visited their home before.
What was she doing here? Who was she arranging a marriage for?
Xu Er Niu, eating candy, said with a grin, "Sister, Father has arranged a good marriage for you. They're offering 10 taels of silver! And they brought so much delicious food!"
Upon hearing about the silver, Xu Da Fu smiled again. "Yes, yes. My Da Niu is worth that much. In the entire Bozi Village, there's no girl more capable than her!"
"That's right, that's right! Otherwise, they wouldn't have specifically asked for her!" the matchmaker chimed in with a smile. "Then it's settled. The wedding will be in three days."
She tucked the marriage contract into her embrace, her old face creased