Near noon, Mu Dai went to take a shower and used a hair dryer to dry her hair. She wanted to return to the inn early, but later Cao Yanhua called Luo Ren saying they should come back as late as possible – they were setting up the scene here, and if they came back, they would just get in the way.

The hair dryer hummed, and many scenes from last night suddenly flashed through her mind with this sound. Her forearms and legs trembled like electric currents, and she couldn’t help but support herself against the washstand, afraid that in a moment of distraction, she might not be able to stand steady.

Halfway through drying, Luo Ren came in and embraced her from behind.

The first physical contact after getting up, Mu Dai was completely flustered and her hand trembled, pushing down the hair dryer’s switch.

The electrical sound disappeared, and the bathroom became quiet. The post-bath fragrance hadn’t dissipated yet, and occasionally the sound of dripping from the showerhead could be heard.

Luo Ren asked her: “What’s wrong?”

Mu Dai didn’t know how to answer. After a long time, she said: “It feels a bit… strange.”

“Don’t like it?”

She said quietly: “Not really.”

Luo Ren laughed, took the hair dryer from her hands and put it aside, turned her body around, and said: “Come, look at me.”

Mu Dai refused. She still felt awkward, burying her head low. Luo Ren didn’t force her, holding her in his arms with his chin against her forehead, gently stroking her half-wet hair, saying: “Little girl.”

Mu Dai’s nose suddenly felt sour. After a long time, she reached out to embrace Luo Ren. She had never been so intimate with anyone, intimate to the point of almost losing herself.

This person – from the initial tension and hostility at their first meeting to now willingly following him – she couldn’t figure out how it all happened.

A sense of melancholy about gain and loss made her cling to this embrace, not wanting to let go.

Luo Ren let her be, not saying much. He handled her emotions like grasping the most perfect measure.

In life, meeting such a person was actually a kind of falling head over heels – diving in and never being able to climb back out. But the landing was soft, not making her hurt and heartbroken, never treating her poorly, making her fall willingly.

Possessed by some impulse, Mu Dai asked: “Little Luo, do you like me?”

Luo Ren said: “That kind of question is usually asked beforehand, not afterward.”

Asked beforehand, there’s something to rely on; asked afterward, you’re at someone’s mercy.

Mu Dai looked up at him, her eyes slightly moist, her gaze stubbornly simple.

Luo Ren looked at her for a long time before saying: “Later tonight, I’m going to marry the girl I care about most. What do you think – do I like her or not?”

Returning to the inn, it was already afternoon, leaning toward evening.

From far away, they could see the “Double Happiness” character pasted on the half-open main gate, and red lanterns hanging tremblingly from the door hooks.

Entering, the swaying lanterns overhead cast a red glow on their faces.

Inside was already mostly decorated – big red happiness characters, colorful ribbons strung up, and pink balloons tied high up. Conditions were limited, and some preparations showed constraints and simplicity, but the festive atmosphere was thoroughly rendered.

On the bar tables, every narrow-necked bottle held a lily. For this, Sister-in-law Mao had even made suggestions to Yi Wansan, who spread his hands and said: “Sister-in-law, of course I know roses would be more vibrant in color, but special problems require special solutions – both Luo Ren and the little proprietress don’t like roses.”

A tent was set up in the courtyard with a long bartending table beside it. The invitation stated that best man Yi Wansan would provide professional-level bartending performances during the wedding banquet – B-52 Bomber, Screwdriver, Dreamy Lake Leman, and would debut a heavyweight original creation, xxxx.

Under the tent were two large round tables. It was said that besides the originally planned invitees, all the inn’s guests had received invitations – people always enjoyed witnessing happy moments. Although bridesmaid Yan Hongsha had clearly stated when delivering invitations that no gift money was needed and they should just eat freely, some people still forced red envelopes on them, and some guests went out shopping, saying they wanted to buy special gifts for the newlyweds.

The hired chef was already in position in the kitchen. Wedding banquet ingredients and dishes spread from inside to outside the house, with steaming, stir-frying, frying, and braising preparations in full swing, the constant sound of chopping never stopping.

The glass study was converted into a dedicated music stage – the ancient city had many street musicians wandering around with speakers. Brother Mao had dragged two of them in to handle the wedding banquet’s musical control. The two were warming up, holding guitars and tuning them, trying to sing along with the melody of “Tomorrow I’m Going to Marry You.”

“Today I’m going to marry you, today I’m going to marry you… la…”

They sang with deep affection and intoxicated expressions. Two grown men with spring in their eyebrows made Brother Mao inevitably worry about them stealing the show: Who exactly was marrying whom today…

Suddenly a little guy came running from afar, wearing a glittering Qing Dynasty small landlord’s jacket with a melon cap on his head, calling: “Pocket Auntie!”

It was actually Yue Xiao Feng. Mu Dai didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She bent down to pick him up. His little melon cap was a bit big, sitting crooked on his head and always covering his eyes.

According to the ceremony Shen Gun had drafted, there needed to be a little flower boy at the wedding. During the bride’s bouquet toss, Yue Xiao Feng would carry flowers on stage and present them to Mu Dai.

When renting clothes, the shop owner recommended a small tailcoat for children, but Shen Gun absolutely refused, claiming it would clash. But Yue Feng estimated that actually he was afraid Yue Xiao Feng would look more handsome than him.

He expressed indifference – his son’s handsomeness was natural and would never be dimmed by shabby clothes.

“Pocket Auntie, where did you go? I couldn’t find you anywhere.”

Saying one sentence, he pushed his hat twice.

Mu Dai kissed his little cheek. Before she could speak, Shen Gun hurried over: “Yue Xiao Feng, focus on rehearsal. You’re the star today, a big star, understand!”

Shen Gun’s fooling skills were still as masterful as ever.

Yue Xiao Feng acted like a diva: “Aiyo, I’m tired.”

Shen Gun said: “Then I’ll replace you! I’ll have another little friend do it!”

Yue Xiao Feng struggled between rest and his star career for two seconds, then twisted down, pushing his hat while tap-tap-tapping after Shen Gun toward the venue. Shen Gun walked bent over, coaching him: “When the time comes, you walk from there to there, and present the flowers to your Pocket Auntie…”

Mu Dai’s eyes became slightly moist, warmth swelling in her heart. She asked Brother Mao, who was passing by: “Did Shen Gun arrange all this?”

“Him?” Brother Mao scoffed. “He’s just officiating the wedding. The rest…”

He pointed to Luo Ren, who was not far away giving instructions to Yi Wansan: “Your Little Luo took the lead, saying that even with limited conditions, everything should be as complete as possible, the livelier the better. Inviting guests, buying things, decorating – everything costs money. I’m not that familiar with you all to subsidize anything. If he doesn’t spend money, who would rush to organize it?”

“The ideas all came from your friends. Supposedly three people held a meeting all afternoon, saying there must be a ceremony, everyone must have a program, performances…”

Just then, Sister-in-law Mao hurried over and interrupted: “The bride is back! Hurry into the room to prepare. Let others handle what needs handling – you just need to be beautiful.”

She pushed Mu Dai back to the room – the Peak Hall Room, newly adorned as today’s departure room and also the sending-off room.

Before entering, Mu Dai couldn’t help but look back, taking in the lively scene in the courtyard.

Yue Xiao Feng was rehearsing, huffing and puffing as he walked back and forth, constantly reaching up to push his melon cap.

Shen Gun held a folder – yes, somehow he had gotten a folder covered densely with writing, confirming the procedure with Cao Yanhua beside him.

“Cao Fatty, after my speech comes your program, magic performance, 2xxxx!”

On the opposite roof ridge, Yan Hongsha suddenly stood up with a zip-line pulley behind her and colorful paper cannons at her waist, doing stretching and waist-twisting movements, saying: “Here I come, here I come.”

She spread her arms like a bird and slid straight down along the long rope set up over the rooftop. Halfway down, the long rope sagged under pressure, leaving her hanging in the center. She laughed sheepishly, then took a cannon from her waist, pulled the string, and shouted: “A hundred years of harmony!”

In the bang, Shen Gun stamped his feet: “You need to slide across! Slide across to make it work!”

Cao Yanhua, covered in colorful streamers, said slowly: “I have never seen such an artistically unique 3xxxx.”

…

Peak Hall Room.

The room had been decorated with new sheets and bedding. Sister-in-law Mao guarded the door outside, letting her change clothes.

They hadn’t prepared a formal gown – before coming, she had brought a set of new clothes.

Black Oxford cloth pencil pants and a cream-colored cashmere low-neck sweater. After putting them on and looking in the mirror, she stamped her feet in frustration.

Receiving the message, Luo Ren quickly came over. After sweet-talking Sister-in-law Mao, he was allowed into the room. Inside, Mu Dai frantically pointed at her neckline: “Look! Look!”

They were all marks he had left – at the neckline, behind the neck.

Luo Ren said: “It’s fine. These are called mechanical purpura, mainly caused by subcutaneous capillaries bleeding when encountering strong suction or friction. Not fatal.”

Mu Dai angrily hit him with a pillow.

Luo Ren laughed heartily and pulled her into his arms: “Anyway, the wedding is at night – can’t see them.”

More nonsense.

Finally, Luo Ren gathered her hair and let it fall loose, covering the back of her neck, and pulled a few strands to the front, bringing out the pearl sailor whistle to hang at the neckline edge.

It could barely cover them.

Mu Dai was worried: “Should I wear a scarf?”

“Trying to cover up makes it more obvious?”

She bit her lips: “Then… buy a set at the last minute, would there be time?”

Luo Ren looked toward the window where the sky was getting dark, lights were beginning to come on in the courtyard, and voices were getting noisier. Sister-in-law Mao was knocking persistently outside: “The groom can’t stay any longer! From now on, only female guests allowed!”

Mu Dai resigned herself and pushed Luo Ren outside: “Go, go, go.”

According to Sister-in-law Mao, following local customs, when the groom comes to fetch the bride, the female guests accompanying the bride should include several types.

First, unmarried girls – bridesmaids and close friends.

Second, newly married women, preferably those who had already given birth, for good luck. They were the bride’s role models and also blessed the bride with early children.

Third, women who had managed households for many years – mature and steady, representing the long future days ahead that relied not just on marital love and sweetness, but also on the wisdom of life and endurance.

Coincidentally, they could gather all types.

Mu Dai finally met Ji Tangtang.

Her appearance was the kind of beautiful that made people feel comfortable. It was hard to tell her age – at first glance, Mu Dai felt she wasn’t much different from herself.

But her eyes were different. Her gaze held the calm of someone who had been through things. When looking at people, she carried a gentle smile, and in her gestures, there was a woman’s domestic tenderness.

But Yan Hongsha secretly whispered to Mu Dai: “Shen Gun said this morning that Yue Xiao Feng’s mother is very mysterious – last night she was negotiating with a female ghost across a table…”

Mu Dai was startled: “Female ghost?”

“Not exactly.” Yan Hongsha couldn’t explain clearly.

She had heard bits and pieces from Shen Gun about a woman named Sheng Ying who, after death, had harbored resentment and entered the body of Ji Tangtang’s friend Shi Jiaxin.

Originally two people shared one body, but later somehow Sheng Ying gained the upper hand. A man’s body speaking and acting was no different from a malicious, venomous woman. In his pain, Shi Jiaxin somehow sought help from Ji Tangtang.

Yan Hongsha clicked her tongue: “They say her face darkened, and she slapped the man down with one palm, saying: ‘If you don’t want to live, I’ll send you to death. I gave you half the space to live – you should know the rules.'”

Really? Mu Dai secretly looked at Ji Tangtang, who seemed like a gentle sister. She couldn’t imagine what she looked like when angry.

Yue Xiao Feng was making a fuss at the door: “I want to go in too! Mommy went in, Pocket Auntie went in too, I want to go in too…”

Yue Feng’s voice came through: “Yue Xiao Feng, it’s the rule – only females can go in. Are you Yue Xiao Feng or Yue Xiao Tang? Say you’re Yue Xiao Tang and I’ll let you in.”

No sound. Mu Dai wanted to laugh, imagining Yue Xiao Feng pouting and pushing his melon cap.

In the end, Yue Xiao Feng probably won.

The bride needed makeup.

Yan Hongsha opened her newly bought makeup box and studied Mu Dai carefully: “Let me see… I should apply lipstick to make you look spirited, and eye shadow to make your eyes beautiful…”

She suddenly felt something strange, thinking Mu Dai looked more beautiful than usual. Not exactly beautiful, but with an added alluring charm. Her eyes were bright and clear, her lips extremely gorgeous. Looking through the lipstick palette colors one by one, none were as good-looking as her natural lip color.

People about to become brides really do become more beautiful.

Ji Tangtang also came over to help examine her, and her gaze inadvertently caught sight of her neckline, pausing briefly.

Mu Dai keenly sensed this, and in an instant her face turned completely red, her hanging hands gripping the clothes’ edge.

Ji Tangtang calmly took a brush, dipped it in eyebrow powder to lightly sweep her brow tips, and while others weren’t paying attention, asked in a very low voice: “That mark – has it been 24 hours?”

Mu Dai’s heart jumped. Being called out, she actually became less nervous. Because of the shared secret, she suddenly felt close to her and quietly answered: “No.”

Ji Tangtang made an affirmative sound and turned to Sister-in-law Mao: “Sister-in-law, could you have the kitchen boil two eggs for me?”

Yan Hongsha heard and said: “Get me one too – I’m hungry.”

The eggs came quickly. Ji Tangtang peeled one while hot, wrapped it in gauze, and handed it to Mu Dai: “Roll it where there’s bruising.”

Mu Dai turned aside, trying to avoid Yan Hongsha and the others’ gazes, and asked quietly: “Does it work?”

Strangely, when asking this, Ji Tangtang seemed to have a moment of distraction, as if remembering something, then a gentle smile floated to her lips as she said: “I think it’s quite effective.”

Time was counting down. It was noisier outside, with whistling and jeering. Sister-in-law Mao went out once and came back relaying Shen Gun’s wedding ceremony procedure: “We’re not doing anything too complicated, no door-blocking or anything like that. When the time comes, Luo Ren will come get you. You open the door and follow him – you don’t need to worry about anything else.”

Not worrying, but she was a bit nervous. Thinking about so many people, familiar and unfamiliar, all looking at her made her feel panicky.

Brother Mao knocked on the door outside, saying: “There’s a situation – the bride’s family has arrived.”

Bride’s family? Hong Yi? Mu Dai was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized.

It was senior brother Zheng Mingshan.

“He wants to see Mu Dai, saying he represents the martial school and has something to privately convey. Everyone inside needs to clear out.”

They did need to clear out – at this time, the bride’s family was most important.

Everyone except Mu Dai came out. When the door opened, the lights outside were dazzling, joy mixed with the smell of alcohol and the aroma of the feast about to be served, making one slightly intoxicated.

Ji Tangtang walked last. When leaving, she winked at Mu Dai, as if reminding her not to forget to cover up.

Then she turned around.

A person approached head-on – solid but definitely not flabby build, very steady steps, a heavy aura, passing by her shoulder.

Ji Tangtang suddenly stopped, her hanging fingertips trembling slightly, fine sweat appearing in her palms.

For an instant, everything in front of her suddenly went silent, as if she were in an empty training ground, her face hurting dully from just taking a punch.

Beside her, a man shouted angrily at her.

“Are you stupid? Didn’t I teach you how to fight?”

“You only have half a year to take down two or three men, not two or three roosters! I don’t have time to let you digest this!”

A long period that she hadn’t deliberately forgotten but had gradually faded, like clouds piled at the horizon, was suddenly blown to her face by an unexpected strong wind.

Those days – she thought they had all passed, but it turned out the past never dies and hadn’t even passed.

The brilliant lights turned into slightly colorful brightness in her eyes. She didn’t know that before entering, Zheng Mingshan had suddenly looked back at her.

Yue Feng’s face suddenly appeared before her, waving his hand in front of her eyes and asking: “Wife, are you stupid?”

Ji Tangtang came back to her senses.

She had been standing here for quite a while.

Yue Feng smiled without asking what was wrong, just reached out to hold her cold hand and tucked it into his pocket.

There was a tugging feeling at her calf. Looking down, it was little landlord Yue Xiao Feng, hugging one of her legs with both hands, looking up at her and saying: “Mommy, are you stupid?”

His melon cap was covering his eyes again, his little eyelashes fluttering under the brim.

Ji Tangtang smiled and said to Yue Feng: “Tonight I’ll probably drink several more cups and toast several more people. If I get drunk, you’ll have to carry me home.”

Yue Feng said: “What else? If I don’t carry you, who will?”

Yue Xiao Feng looked up: “Me! Me!”

Yue Feng looked down at him and kicked his little bottom: “Get lost, go carry your own wife.”

He pulled Ji Tangtang to their seats. Yue Xiao Feng stood there, reached up to push his melon cap again, looking indignant.

“I don’t have one yet!”

Zheng Mingshan brought Mu Dai a dowry.

Wrapped in red silk with satin embroidered on one side with mandarin ducks playing in water and on the other with heavenly maidens scattering flowers – all auspicious meanings for happiness and fulfillment.

The silk was somewhat faded, carrying the breath of long years.

Mu Dai carefully opened it.

It was a set of silver jewelry. From long storage, the silver surfaces were covered with oxidized gray. Carefully spread out, there were a collar, bracelets, rings, earrings, pendants, collar flowers, and cufflinks.

Almost all the silver pieces had engraved plum patterns.

Mu Dai immediately realized.

Zheng Mingshan nodded: “Only one thing is missing – the plum blossom silver hairpin. You understand – Master wore it her whole life, so I let Master take it with her.”

“Long ago, Master mentioned to me that this was a set of wedding jewelry specially made by a skilled silversmith. Silver – not worth much money. But when you married, she still hoped to give it to you.”

“Master isn’t here now, so I’m delivering it.”

Laughter from outside drifted in, and Mu Dai’s eyes suddenly blurred.

Zheng Mingshan patted her shoulder: “It’s okay. Master lived her whole life without being weak or wronged. Taking you as her final disciple, she was satisfied in her heart. She won the last battle and left with a smile.”

“There’s one thing I want to ask you, also on Master’s behalf.”

Mu Dai’s heart tightened. She wiped her tears, sat straight, and straightened her back.

“Master said: This child Mu Dai always asks me, ‘Master, do I look formidable? Scary?’ She likes wearing all black clothes with a skull hanging from her necklace, saying it makes her look cool and intimidating, silent but deadly, projecting arrogance to the whole world.”

Mu Dai smiled through her tears. Was this her? It seemed so – her former dream. In martial world parlance, it was called making a name for herself. When she rolled her eyes, the earth should shake three times. She wanted to be different in others’ eyes, to be looked up to and feared.

“Master asks you: Do you still want to be like this now?”

Mu Dai shook her head.

Not that she wanted to or didn’t want to, but it wasn’t important anymore. She was already standing in a completely different position.

Zheng Mingshan smiled.

“Master said to tell you: We martial artists hold our breath throughout our bodies, and not just martial artists – everyone holds their breath throughout their bodies, facing the world with one person’s strength.”

“How big must this world be?”

“Don’t try to show off to the world, put on airs, act tough, or lose your temper. If you try to show your power to it, you’ll only waste your energy. The world is so big – however much energy you pour into it, it absorbs, and someday it returns it when you least expect it. In the end, when your energy weakens, you’ll only be dragged around stumbling.”

“You must draw inward, unhurried and unruffled. When your energy is balanced, this world’s energy can’t knock you down. You have your own rhythm. Be humble toward this world, and it will reward you. What you want will naturally come.”

Mu Dai said softly: “Senior brother, I’m doing well in everything.”

…

In the silence, the voices outside suddenly stirred.

Was it time? Mu Dai looked up. Yan Hongsha’s voice was already at the door: “Mu Dai, Mu Dai, open the door! It’s starting!”

There was also Cao Yanhua’s voice: “Little Master, the bride needs to show herself. Stop hiding.”

It was really starting. Even though she had spent the whole afternoon specifically waiting, when it suddenly arrived, she still felt caught off guard.

Mu Dai’s throat felt dry. She stood up, thinking of all those people outside, her calves suddenly trembling with nervousness.

Zheng Mingshan said: “Come.”

He held Mu Dai’s hand – his palm thick, warm, and strong – and walked her to the door.

Mu Dai reached out to turn the door handle, quickly turning it to the end.

She looked up at Zheng Mingshan.

Zheng Mingshan said: “Go. Life is so long, with so many obstacles. This is one, and there will be countless more ahead. Stay calm and take them one by one.”

Stay calm, take them one by one – overcome obstacles and face the world.

Mu Dai smiled, then opened the door.

(The End)

[Epilogue]

At the same moment, Phoenix Ridge.

Cao Liberation alone – no, a single rooster – looked serious, abandoning the pheasant companions it usually played with and also abandoning the little golden pheasant that had a crush on it and frequently showed affection. It waddled up to the high platform in the center of Phoenix Ridge.

The weather had turned cold, and snow on the mountaintop kept accumulating without melting for many days. In the night, the enormous Phoenix Ridge peak wore thick white snow – a quiet phoenix with white head.

Around its neck, two small tags clinked.

“A Good Rooster.”

“Cao Yanhua’s Rooster.”

It walked several circles around the platform’s cliff edge, then suddenly stopped, facing the moon rising behind the ridge, using all its strength until the feathers on its wings stood up.

It crowed: “He… duo… luo!”

Translated, this meant: Flowers blooming under the full moon, a hundred years of harmony, drink this cup of wine, don’t be afraid to drink too much, even if you drink too much it’s okay, everyone is still good friends.