When the door opened, many of the guests who had come early looked over together. Meng Ting’s face suddenly turned a little redder, but he didn’t try to break free. Instead, he continued to hug Yan Sui’s neck and then broke the increasingly weird silence.
“Hello everyone.”
“Hello, Sister-in-law!”
Shi He, Gu Lang, and the others came so early because they wanted to help Yan Sui greet the guests, but they didn’t expect to be hit with a face full of dog food as soon as they met. But let’s be honest, Yan Sui, who was dressed in wedding clothes and carrying the blushing, shy, and beautiful Meng Ting on his back, looked perfectly harmonious and was so eye-catching that it made people envious.
Yan Sui carried Meng Ting out, and he was not afraid of being seen. He continued to hold Meng Ting’s legs firmly with his hands. He nodded to them, greeted them, and then continued walking downstairs.
Meng Ting was a little embarrassed as he leaned against Yan Sui’s neck, enduring all sorts of gazes along the way.
But no matter how embarrassed he was, his hands and feet did not intend to let go of the person at all. One marriage certificate is not enough. After today’s wedding, it’s time to let those people know that Yan Sui is his, right? He was the only one who could let Yan Sui carry him on his back like this, and he also would only carry Yan Sui on his back.
“Am I heavy?” Meng Ting asked softly in Yan Sui’s ear, leaning too close, and his lips rubbed Yan Sui’s earlobe, making the color of his earlobe quietly turn a little rosy.
“Not heavy,” Yan Sui endured the itchy feeling and whispered back to Meng Ting. His steps were steady and strong, and his breathing was still even. Even if he holds the person with one hand, it won’t necessarily be difficult, let alone carrying the person on his back.
Meng Ting’s lips curled into a smile when he heard this. He rubbed his face against Yan Sui and said, “Then just carry me on your back, okay?”
He thought for a moment and then said, “I like it very much.”
“Um,” Yan Sui responded, his eyebrows softening.
Everyone naturally noticed the way Yan Sui and Meng Ting talking quietly to each other. But besides envy and blessings, they couldn’t do anything about it. Those who didn’t know Meng Ting naturally didn’t think he was anything special, but who made him lucky; who made Yan Sui like him?
Yesterday, Uncle Xiao opened the room on the east side of the first floor that had been locked all along. Inside, it was entirely decorated in an old-fashioned style, with an inexplicable sense of solemnity. In addition to these, there were rows of antique furnishings. Any vase or jade piece in here was a treasure that couldn’t be found at any auction.
However, the purpose of opening this room today wasn’t to show off these treasures to people. Their value was still just decoration. The innermost part of this room was a large altar against the wall, on which were displayed many ancestral tablets; large and small, from the Song Dynasty to the present day, the tablets of all the ancestors of the Yan family, including Yan Sui’s grandfather and grandmother.
Yan Sui was not exaggerating at all when he said that he would bring Meng Ting to meet the ancestors of the Yan family.
On the other side of the desk is a bookshelf, on which are volumes of light yellow-colored scrolls recording the deeds of the Yan family’s ancestors, which is quite spectacular. Usually, this room cannot be opened at will, and it is only because Yan Sui got married today that it was opened again for a while.
Several elders from the Yan family’s branch came in, along with a few respected elders in Haicheng. The younger generation, like Gu Lang, Shi He, and the others were only allowed to watch from the doorway. Yan Manjia, who was dressed in her finest attire, and He Wan, who had arrived late, also stopped at the entrance.
Yan Sui carried Meng Ting all the way to the door before putting him down. There was a cacophony of voices around them, but they could only hear the sound of people speaking, not the actual words. Meng Ting was like this, and so was Yan Sui.
Once they crossed the threshold, kowtowing, and offered incense, they would be a couple recognized by the ancestors of the Yan family. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, they would be buried together after death, sharing both life and death. This kind of covenant was enough to make them the closest people in each other’s lives.
Meng Ting took the initiative to hold out his hand, Yan Sui took it, and together they walked inside.
Meng Ting, who originally didn’t know much about this kind of ceremony, felt it at this moment. Getting married, becoming the closest people, making the most important promise, that’s why it needs to be so solemn, so grand. This is not just for show, it’s also Meng Ting and Yan Sui’s solemn commitment to each other.
He suddenly understood, a little late, but not too late.
An old man with white hair and beard stood by the altar table with many memorial tablets. Seeing Yan Sui and Meng Ting approaching, his stern expression softened a little. Then he turned his back, took some incense, lit it, and handed it first to Yan Sui and then to Meng Ting.
“From today onwards, your name will be recorded in the Yan family’s genealogy.”
These words were obviously meant for Meng Ting, who nodded seriously to the old man.
The old man’s expression remained unchanged. He took another step back and said in a loud voice, “First kowtow. Kneel and kowtow.”
The two zafu1蒲團 (pú tuán): zafu (round cushion); praying mat (Buddhism, made of woven cattail); A zafu or putuan is a round cushion. Although also a utilitarian accessory, it is best known for its use in zazen Zen meditation. 
had already been laid out. Yan Sui was on the left and Meng Ting was on the right. Following the old man’s instructions, they bowed three times and kowtowed nine times2三拜九叩 (sān bài jiǔ kòu): lit. three obeisances and nine kowtows. Also known as 三跪九叩 (sān guì jiǔ kòu), the ceremony of three kneelings and nine kowtows. Three bows and nine kowtows refer to the great ceremony in feudal society to meet the emperor and worship ancestors. The so-called grand kowtow, which involves kneeling from a standing position three times, and each time, performing the kowtow three times while kneeling. Since one is required by Confucian philosophy to show great reverence to one’s parents and grandparents, children may be required to kowtow to their elderly ancestors, particularly on special occasions. For example, at a wedding, the marrying couple was traditionally required to kowtow to both sets of parents, as acknowledgement of the debt owed for their nurturing., completing the kneeling ceremony that the wives of the Yan Clan had to do when they first entered the genealogy.
After the final bow, Yan Sui stood up first, then bent down to help Meng Ting up. They both looked at the old man, and Yan Sui introduced, “This is our Great-uncle3叔公 (shū gōng): uncle-in-law (husband’s father’s younger brother); (regional) paternal great-uncle (paternal grandfather’s younger brother)..”
“Greetings, Great-uncle.” Meng Ting followed suit.
The old great-uncle nodded gently. He lit another stick of incense and inserted it into the incense burner. Then he turned around and replied to Meng Ting, “Patriarch’s Husband doesn’t need to be courteous. You and the patriarch of the family just need to take good care of the Yan family.”
This was an instruction from an elder, so Meng Ting naturally had no objection. He nodded, “I’ll try my best.”
Mainly because of Yan Sui; he tried hard not to cause trouble. Meng Ting still had a clear idea of his own position.
Then everyone who entered the room lit up the incense and came over to meet Meng Ting one by one. Most of the words they said were similar to those of the old great-uncle, and Meng Ting responded to them one by one.
Their attitude towards Meng Ting was so respectful and kind. In fact, it has something to do with Yan Sui’s previous behavior of giving shares of the Yan family to Meng Ting. All men under heaven are motivated by profit4天下熙攘攘皆為利而來 (tiān xià xī rǎng rǎng jiē wèi lì ér lái): T/N: Most likely from the proverb; 天下熙熙，皆為利來；天下攘攘，皆為利往 (tiān xià xī xī, jiē wèi lì lái; tiān xià rǎng rǎng, jiē wèi lì wǎng), The land under heaven is peaceful and happy, all for profit; the land under heaven is disorderly, all for profit. From the Records of the Grand Historian, also known by its Chinese name Shiji, a monumental history of China that is the first of China’s Twenty-Four Histories. The Records were written in the late 2nd century BC to early 1st century BC by the historian Sima Qian, whose father Sima Tan had begun it several decades earlier.. This saying is applicable both in ancient times and modern times, and it is also applied to the Yan family.
***
After the matters here settled, it was already around ten o’clock in the morning. The official wedding ceremony was scheduled for three in the afternoon, which is said to be the most auspicious time of the day. It was still early now, and there was still more than an hour before lunch. Yan Sui found an opportunity to take Meng Ting back to their bridal chamber, which was Yan Sui’s original room, to rest for a while.
“Are you tired?” When the two of them sat down on the sofa, Yan Sui asked Meng Ting. It was also his first time to experience such a complicated ceremony. It felt very special, but he was afraid that Meng Ting would feel tired after meeting so many unknown people for the first time.
Meng Ting sized up Yan Sui for a few moments and then shook his head gently, “I won’t be tired of anything we do together.”
He was telling the truth. In his opinion, Yan Sui might be even more tired, “Are you tired? Do you want to lean on me?”
Meng Ting patted his not-so-broad shoulder as he spoke. Yan Sui hesitated for a moment, and Meng Ting took the initiative to press his head over, “What does it matter if you lean on me? I’m willing to let you lean on me.”
Just like himself; he would occasionally feel shy and embarrassed, but he would still be true to his heart. He was willing to get close to Yan Sui. He thought that Yan Sui could do the same to him, so he would lean on him if he wanted to.
Because of Meng Ting’s matter-of-fact tone, Yan Sui didn’t bother to worry about it. He leaned on his shoulder, which was neither broad nor particularly comfortable, and the faint smile that appeared at the corner of his mouth couldn’t be dispersed.
“It’ll be a bit busy today. Let’s pack up in the evening. We’re flying out early tomorrow morning for a trip abroad. We’ll get some good rest then.”
Meng Ting digested it for a while before he understood the meaning of Yan Sui’s words, but he didn’t immediately say yes or no. He turned his head, wrapped his arms around Yan Sui, and asked softly, “Is it okay for us to leave home like this? Will it be particularly hard for you?”
Yan Sui felt distressed for him, and he would also feel distressed for Yan Sui.
“It doesn’t matter to me, I just need to be with you.”
Of course, it would be great to go on a trip with Yan Sui, but if it would make Yan Sui work hard and cause trouble, he would rather be conservative and take good care of Yan Sui so that they could live a long and happy life together.
Yan Sui reached out and grabbed Meng Ting’s arm, then slowly slid down to grasp his right hand. They intertwined their fingers, and then he lifted Meng Ting’s hand to his lips and kissed the back of his hand.
“There won’t be any problem at home and I don’t have a hard time either. It’s already been arranged, so just treat it as a vacation with me.”
Yan Sui is the best at reading people in business circles5商場 (shāng chǎng): shopping centre; mall; bazaar; market; department store; emporium; business circles; marketplace; the business world., so he can naturally hear the caution behind Meng Ting’s words. He knew there was a part of Meng Ting that hadn’t fully opened up to him, a part that even he himself wasn’t aware of. Yan Sui himself also has it. Both of them still need some time.
Yan Sui understood this, but he didn’t feel any urgency. The progress between him and Meng Ting was already fast enough.
Meng Ting looked at the back of his hand held by Yan Sui, his cheeks turned red, and he responded in a low voice, “Okay.”
Yan Sui slowly sat upright and stood up again. He thought it was about time to take Meng Ting downstairs, but when he turned his head to look, he saw the bright red on Meng Ting’s cheeks, which was even more beautiful than the clothes on his body. His heart suddenly lost its rhythm, seeming to be fast and yet slow.
Meng Ting lifted his eyes to look up and met Yan Sui’s gaze. He blinked and tilted his head slightly. Then his eyes lit up and his cheeks turned a little redder. He was unsure but seemed to be sure, “You want to kiss me? Then kiss me.”
As he spoke, he slightly raised his chin and looked over with a slightly seductive look, vividly interpreting the feeling of being extremely seductive but also making people feel pure. Regardless of whether Meng Ting had the intention to seduce him or not, Yan Sui admitted that he had been seduced.
His eyes fell on Meng Ting’s slightly pouty cherry-colored lips. He caressed Meng Ting’s cheek and then bent down. Meng Ting was right, he wanted to kiss him.
Meng Ting raised his hand and grabbed the corner of Yan Sui’s wedding attire. He squeezed tighter and tighter and gradually lost his strength.
Yan Sui went from bending his waist to sitting back on the sofa again, pressing the person to slid from one side to the other. Meng Ting was lying on the sofa, and he was half-lying on him. He raised their intertwined hands above Meng Ting’s head, and Meng Ting’s feet were also placed on his waist at some point.
It was a kiss that couldn’t be described as light, and it was almost in a state of frenzy now. Meng Ting had no intention of stopping it, but Yan Sui had the will but was powerless.
Their lips parted, Yan Sui’s slightly reddened eyes stared intently at the person, trying to analyze Meng Ting’s facial features one by one, and then remember them deeply in his mind and engrave them in his heart.
Meng Ting’s eyes were slightly narrowed, still caught in the afterglow of the passionate kiss, but within his sight was a clear figure, that was Yan Sui, his Yan Sui.
His breathing calmed down a bit, Meng Ting wanted to move but found that he couldn’t. He looked at Yan Sui, lifted his hand that wasn’t grabbed, and gently touched Yan Sui’s cheek, “Hold it in for a while, I’ll help you at night.”
Both of them were moved by this kiss, but he had already calmed down, while Yan Sui had not.
But he didn’t know that his words would only make it harder for Yan Sui to control himself.
However, Meng Ting felt that Yan Sui looked good like this, so he freed his other hand, put his arms around Yan Sui’s neck, then raised his face, and kissed his cheek with a ‘chu’ sound. He took a look, and he also give the other side a peck.
His eyebrows were curved, and his heart was extremely happy, “Yan Sui, I like you so much.”
Yan Sui’s eyes darkened a little, the aura on his body became unstable again, and the presence of a certain place became stronger.
“Meng Ting…”
“I’m here.” Meng Ting no longer felt that Yan Sui was scary at all. He liked him, he also liked the dangerous aura he occasionally released. He rubbed against the person like a small animal, feeling like he couldn’t get enough no matter how much he did it.
After the two pecks, he kissed Yan Sui again.
The sound tickles one’s ears and also makes one’s heart itch. Yan Sui’s hands found the buttons on Meng Ting’s clothes. It didn’t take long to unbutton one row. The blush that had just faded from Meng Ting’s cheeks returned in full force, but he just watched and did not stop Yan Sui’s movements.
Yan Sui’s kisses landed on Meng Ting’s neck, which was hot and itchy. Meng Ting couldn’t hold back his laughter, “Oh my, it’s itchy.”
Yan Sui did not stop. His kisses were fine and dense, falling onto Meng Ting’s half-stripped back. Some scars that still remain could still be seen within his sight, but this did not affect the beauty of his back at all. The skin is fair and the lines are well-proportioned. Yan Sui’s kiss fell on those scars, and the kiss was lighter but also longer.
Meng Ting was lying on the back of the sofa. Occasionally, he couldn’t stand the itch and made some small noises, but overall it was quite comfortable to be kissed.
He turned his head and could only see Yan Sui’s hair. He asked his doubts in a low voice, “Is it nice to kiss?”
The help Meng Ting thought was straight to the point. He had no idea about foreplay. He felt comfortable being kissed, but he was also confused about Yan Sui’s feelings, so he asked.
“It’s itchy…” Meng Ting stretched out his hand to cover his sensitive spot, but unfortunately, Yan Sui held it tightly and wouldn’t let go. Half of his body was softened by the stimulation, and he couldn’t protect himself at all. He could only continue to protest, “Yan Sui, it’s itchy.”
Fine, this was Meng Ting’s punishment for repeatedly igniting the fire. Yan Sui released him. Meng Ting’s clothes were almost halfway down, but before he could continue, there was the sound of the door lock turning, and at the edge of his vision he could see their bedroom door being opened.
However, Yan Sui clearly remembered that when he took Meng Ting back to the room, he had locked the door. How did the person who opened the door outside get the key? He didn’t bother to care about it either. He pulled up Meng Ting’s clothes, held him in his arms, and turned his back, allowing Meng Ting to bury his face in his chest.
Then he turned his head and said coldly, “Get out, roll out of here.”
There is no doubt that Yan Sui was angry. The people who opened the door and came in obviously did not expect that Yan Sui would be there. The door was only half open, and no one dared to push it further.
“Auntie, what are you doing here? Several ladies and mesdames want to talk to you.”
Zhen Han’s voice suddenly appeared at the doorway, and with sharp eyes and agile hands, he directly closed the door. No matter what Yan Sui and Meng Ting were doing in the room, whether they could be seen or not, Yan Sui was angry, and anyone who knew better would know what to do.
After the door was closed for a long time, Yan Sui’s expression was still cold. His gaze fell upon Meng Ting, who was nestled obediently in his arms, only then did it soften a little, but then he became even more angry.
Meng Ting’s half-undressed appearance while being intimate with him; how could he let anyone besides him see it?
Yan Sui picked up Meng Ting again, walked to the bed, and put him on the bed. Then he personally helped Meng Ting put his clothes back on. He reviewed what he had just done and explained in a low voice, “I’m not angry with you.”
Meng Ting nodded when he heard this. He reached out his hand and stroked Yan Sui’s chest, “I know. It’s just that I also have my bad points.”
When Yan Sui wanted to kiss him, he didn’t stop him. This is where Meng Ting found his biggest shortcoming after much thought.
“Don’t be angry, let’s kiss again tonight.”
“Be good, I’ll kiss you.”
Yan Sui looked at the person, the anger he suppressed felt as if it were about to fade away. He reached out and ruffled Meng Ting’s hair, then gently smoothed it back down. He still accepted the benefit and said, “Okay.”
List of Idiom in Chapter 035
姍姍來遲 (shān shān lái chí): to be late; to arrive slowly; to be slow in the coming; describe arriving slowly and late.淋漓盡致 (lín lí jìn zhì): lit. extreme saturation (idiom); fig. vividly and thoroughly; in great detail; without restraint; (of a performance) brilliant; thorough and smooth; detailed and vivid.
有心無力 (yǒu xīn wú lì): to have the will but not the power or strength to do something; the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak; have a willing heart but lack strength; strong in will but weak in power/strength; having wishes and plans but not having the strength to realize them.
眼疾手快 (yǎn jí shǒu kuài): sharp eyes and agile hands or nimble fingers; be quick of eyes and deft of hands; sharp eyes and quick hands; describe being clever, alert, agile, and quick to respond.
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