Chapter 101: The Red Cloth

Pilin stared intently into Bai Xiaoli’s eyes. Bai Xiaoli, caught in the gaze, felt a bit embarrassed and began to look away shyly.

“So, you’re my brother’s fiancée, Miss Bai, the eldest daughter of the Bai family, Bai Xiaoli?” Pilin saw Bai Xiaoli avoiding her gaze and knew she had already gained the upper hand in terms of presence. Though Pilin was raised in the countryside, she was not at all inferior to Bai Xiaoli in terms of poise.

Upon hearing Pilin’s question, Bai Xiaoli quickly replied, “Yes, you’re Pilin, younger sister of Piliyangxi, right? Yangxi has told me about you. I’ve always wanted to meet you but never had the chance.”

Pilin carefully sized Bai Xiaoli up from head to toe, then nodded and said, “Not bad. My brother truly has good taste. You’re quite beautiful, no wonder he’s completely captivated by you.”

“Pilin, don’t say such things,” I said, my face flushing slightly at her words.

Pilin made a playful face at me, then turned serious and looked at Bai Xiaoli. “If you become my sister-in-law, and if you ever bully my brother, I won’t be polite to you as his little sister.”

Bai Xiaoli was momentarily stunned, then glanced at me before smiling knowingly. “Little sister Pilin, I truly love your brother. Don’t worry, I’ll do my best to take good care of him.”

“That’s not bad at all.” Bai Xiaoli’s response pleased Pilin. Pilin then walked over to my side, her eyes bright with a smile as she said, “Brother Xizi, I just understood what you meant earlier. I’m willing to stay by your side forever, as the person closest to you.”

Hearing Pilin say this, I finally exhaled deeply, gently stroking the girl’s head.

Since Pilin had entered, Granny Wan’s gaze had been fixed on her. The wrinkled face first showed a flicker of something unusual, then a trace of worry. I had no idea what was on the old woman’s mind.

I stared at Granny Wan, Granny Wan stared at Pilin, and Pilin stared at Bai Xiaoli. The scene was strangely comical.

“Ahem.” Bai Xiaoli cleared her throat, breaking the awkward silence. “Yangxi, what do you say? Do you agree with Granny’s plan to get married earlier?”

I had been worried that marrying here would upset Pilin, but to my surprise, Pilin was quick to agree. “Sure, sure. I was worried about tomorrow’s mock exam at school and not being able to attend brother’s wedding. Sister-in-law, you’re so considerate.”

Bai Xiaoli smiled at Pilin, then turned her beautiful eyes to me, waiting for my response.

“I... I have no problem with that.” With my last hesitation gone, of course I hoped to marry Bai Xiaoli as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary complications.

After I agreed, Bai Xiaoli tugged at Granny Wan’s sleeve. “Granny, will you preside over the ceremony?”

Granny Wan responded with a nod and instructed me to place the two items she had given me on the main seat, reminding me not to lift the red cloth covering them before the wedding ceremony.

Hearing this, I touched the red cloth-wrapped objects in my hands. Underneath the wood were two stands, like spirit tablets. Since Granny Wan wanted me to place them on the main table, I was certain they were spirit tablets.

Whose spirit tablets were these?

I was very curious, but Granny Wan forbade me from uncovering or asking about them, so I obediently placed the red cloth-covered tablets on the main table.

“Xiaoli, Yangxi, each light three incense sticks and place them before the red cloth,” Granny Wan said, handing me six incense sticks. I took out three and gave them to Bai Xiaoli. After lighting them, we both bowed three times to the red cloth-covered tablets, then inserted the incense into the burner.

Wisps of white smoke curled upward, and the fragrance drifted throughout the room. I vaguely felt the scent was strangely delicious, as if my very soul was savoring it.

How could I feel this way?