Chapter 405: The Rogue Who Kidnapped His Bride
Searching for one particular mischief-maker in the bustling, lively Gao Family Village was a task that could truly make one's head spin.
Li Daoxuan searched and searched, for what felt like an eternity, until he finally located her.
That little imp, Gao Yiye, was actually causing mischief right at the village entrance.
At the entrance of Gao Family Village, beside the cement road connecting to Zhengjia Village, sat a tall and imposing figure – that was Gao Chuwu.
He was like a stone figure waiting for his beloved, his gaze fixed on the eastern horizon...
Gao Yiye crept silently behind Gao Chuwu and, with a sudden "Wah!", let out a shriek right next to his ear.
Gao Chuwu cried out in alarm, tumbling sideways. Beside the cement road ran a drainage ditch, roughly a foot deep. When the Heavenly Lord sent rain, water would overflow the road and flow into these ditches.
He spun head-over-heels into the ditch, getting completely caked in mud.
He sat up from the ditch, his face smeared with mud and looking bewildered, and shouted, "Who was that? Who scared me?"
Gao Chuwu sighed. "Oh, Yiye. You're eighteen now, still playing pranks like a child."
Gao Yiye chuckled. "Chuwu, are you waiting for Sister Honglang here?"
Gao Chuwu nodded. "That's right! Honglang said she'd use the Divine Ship's trial run to visit her old home, and bring some grain while she was at it. Once she finishes that trip and gets back, we're getting married," he added, a wide, pleased grin spreading across his face.
"Honglang?" Gao Yiye teased, "That's quite an intimate name for her. Didn't you used to call her Miss Xing? Now it's just 'Honglang,' huh?"
Gao Chuwu stretched his mouth into a wide grin. "When calling your own wife, of course you have to be a little more intimate."
Gao Yiye chuckled. "Are you really that eager to marry Sister Honglang? You're practically glued to this road, watching and waiting, you'll turn into a stone statue at this rate."
Gao Chuwu scoffed, "Who wouldn't be this eager?"
Gao Yiye laughed. "Brother Daniu, for one, definitely wouldn't be so impatient."
Gao Chuwu snorted disdainfully. "That blockhead Daniu? All he cares about is food."
"Who's calling me a blockhead?" To their surprise, Zheng Daniu's burly figure appeared on a nearby hillside, darting forward in an instant to stand before Gao Chuwu. "Ha! I knew it was you, you fellow who only thinks about women! What do you know of the simple joys of a good meal?"
No sooner had he spoken than Zao Ying's voice called from a distance, "Daniu, Daniu! Come on, I'm treating you to some braised rabbit!"
Zheng Daniu's eyes widened in delight. "Wow! Really? You're treating?"
Zao Ying chuckled. "Of course I am. I know you're always broke."
Zheng Daniu roared, "I'm coming!"
He shot off like a bullet. Zao Ying, with a masculine swagger, hooked an arm around Zheng Daniu's shoulder and pulled him along without a care. Shoulder to shoulder, jostling each other, they disappeared into the distance in moments.
Gao Yiye threw her hands up. "Chuwu, you should learn from Brother Daniu. He doesn't even chase women, yet they tempt him with delicious food. He's far more cunning than you."
Gao Chuwu stammered, "But... but how can you compare? Zao Ying looks like a man; no man would go after her, so she has no choice but to chase them. My Honglang, on the other hand, is the most beautiful woman under heaven!"
"Pfft!"
Gao Yiye nearly choked.
"Pfft!"
Li Daoxuan, too, almost choked.
Just then, a Solar Car pulled up, packed to the brim. A woman, whom Gao Chuwu had just described as the "most beautiful under heaven," leaned out the window and waved at him. "Chuwu, I'm back!"
Gao Chuwu's face lit up with delight. "Honglang is back!"
The Solar Car stopped at the "Gao Family Village Station." Xing Honglang swiftly jumped off the car, followed by forty-two subordinates who disembarked one by one. But as soon as they got off, they scurried away, keeping a wide berth from their boss.
With a beaming smile, Xing Honglang walked towards Gao Chuwu.
Gao Chuwu, beaming just as brightly, went to meet her.
When they were about a meter apart, Gao Chuwu suddenly stretched out his arms. "Honglang!"
Xing Honglang stretched out her arms as well. "Chuwu!"
They held this strange pose for about a second, then simultaneously took a step forward and embraced with a heartfelt thud.
Gao Yiye could only stare.
Xing Honglang's subordinates, the salt smugglers, exchanged bewildered glances.
The Solar Car driver stared, speechless.
Li Daoxuan muttered, "Aargh! When did these two invent *that* move? My eyes! My eyes!"
Gao Yiye, hearing his voice, finally looked up. "Oh? The Heavenly Lord! When did you arrive?"
Li Daoxuan sighed. "I chose the wrong moment. I've witnessed a truly cringe-worthy sight. I need to go wash my eyes out."
Gao Yiye, a trickle of cold sweat running down her back, whispered, "I... I didn't realize they were already so public about it."
For about a minute, Gao Chuwu and Xing Honglang remained locked in their embrace. They finally parted slowly, still holding hands, their faces glowing with sheer happiness.
Gao Chuwu squeezed her hand. "Honglang, how did things go on your trip back home?"
Xing Honglang's smile slowly faded. Her expression turned grim as she said, "It's not good at all. I need to talk to San Shier and the Saintess..."
Gao Yiye, still awkward, interjected, "Talk about what with me?"
Xing Honglang gasped, a flush creeping up her neck. "Huh? The Saintess is here?"
Li Daoxuan subtly shifted his position, and in the miniature sky, the wisps of cloud echoed his movement, swaying gently from side to side.
Xing Honglang threw her hands up in despair. "Oh, no, I'm ruined! Utterly ruined! To think the Heavenly Lord witnessed such a shameful display! I'd rather die!"
Li Daoxuan, caught between amusement and exasperation, thought, *If you're so shy, why embrace Gao Chuwu in public in the first place?*
Xing Honglang quickly composed herself. "I must go see San Shier. I need to report on the situation in Shanxi and request a fresh supply of grain."
Li Daoxuan cleared his throat. "Indeed! This matter is urgent; resolve it swiftly. However..."
His voice paused. "This matter, while important, does not outweigh the significance of your marriage. As the saying goes, 'If you cannot sweep one room clean, how can you sweep the world?' If you cannot put your own life in order, how can you hope to bring prosperity to all of Shanxi? In any case, Tie Niaofei will need a few days to sell off your ten cartloads of grain before returning to the dock. Take this opportunity and get married first."
Gao Chuwu burst with joy. "Even the Heavenly Lord has spoken! Honglang, let's get married right away! After we're wed, you won't have to be shy anymore."
Xing Honglang's face instantly flushed crimson. "Who's shy? I'm not shy at all! And I'm certainly not marrying you, you rogue who kidnaps innocent women!"
Gao Chuwu gave a sly chuckle. "Well, since you put it that way, I guess I'll really have to kidnap you, then."
He scooped Xing Honglang up onto his shoulder and dashed towards Gao Family Fortress, shouting as he ran, "Listen up, everyone! I've snatched myself a wife to take home, hahaha! We're officially getting married tomorrow! All free brothers, come and witness the ceremony!"
With a joyous roar, Gao Family Village instantly erupted into celebration.
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