Chapter 78
“Didn’t we already exchange betrothal gifts? Why are there more?” Su Xiaoxiao, however, stopped confidently about a meter away from Jiang Yexun, hands behind her back, smiling at him.
“Previously, we only gave money, which was considered a major item. These are the regular betrothal gifts: fabric, pastries, yarn, clothes—things you can use in your daily life,” Jiang Yexun explained and mentioned the contents of the two baskets next to him.
Although there were quite a few things, they were all practical items that wouldn’t go to waste. Su Xiaoxiao then accepted the gifts with a smile.
At this moment, in the eyes of everyone, this was a sweet expression of their affection.
The ox-cart circled around the production team, with children bouncing along behind it, saying delightful things. Jiang Yexun happily gave them candy. Other children were well-behaved, taking the candy and not crowding around. However, three boys from the Jiang family ran up and asked for candy, and they even wanted more.
Jiang Yexun’s face darkened, and it sent shivers down the spines of those mischievous kids.
However, they continued to reach out with determination, and it seemed like they were getting more audacious by the moment. Who would believe that the adults hadn’t conspired beforehand?
“Uncle, aunt, we want candy… wedding candy!” Jiang Mantun urged with excitement.
Jiang Yexun tried hard to contain his dark expression, but when he looked at the three little troublemakers, his gaze was sharp and chilling. However, these kids, seeing that he was angry but didn’t act as he usually did, they immediately felt that their parents’ words were right.
They were smug and wanted to be even more unruly, but then they heard Su Xiaoxiao laugh from the side, saying, “It’s okay, whether it’s an engagement or a wedding, I have no taboos. If you want to get angry, just get angry.”
She was getting married for a happy future, not to become a shrinking violet.
Jiang Yexun understood her intention and immediately rolled up his sleeves, ready to catch those little rascals. They screamed in fear and scattered.
Seeing other children teasing them, Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but smile.
It was actually a lot of fun.
Jiang Yexun had a stern face, and he apologized with guilt, “I’m sorry. if it’s not me, you don’t have to deal with such troublesome people.”
Su Xiaoxiao suddenly felt her heart flutter.
Compared to her family’s dangerous situation, these troublesome relatives of Jiang’s were just small fry.
“It’s okay, as long as you won’t let them really bully me,” Su Xiaoxiao said, holding onto his arm. Her smile grew even sweeter.
Jiang Yexun looked down at her, raising his eyebrows with a hint of inquiry in his eyes.
Su Xiaoxiao didn’t dodge his gaze, tilting her head innocently and blinking her eyes at him.
Jiang Yexun finally let out a relieved laugh, tightly holding her small hand. “Of course, apart from me, no one else can bully you.”
Su Xiaoxiao was a little surprised, her black eyes wide open.
“I meant the kind of bullying you would like.”
Jiang Yexun chuckled and teased her back, biting her delicate and round nose with a bit of force.
“Who would like to be bullied?” Su Xiaoxiao pouted.
Before she could finish her sentence, she realized what Jiang Yexun meant.
Although they had been chatting affectionately, they had been using a voice that only the two of them could hear. However, Su Xiaoxiao’s cheeks still turned suspiciously crimson.
Her eyes, due to extreme embarrassment, became even brighter, as if they were covered in a layer of watery gloss.
Jiang Yexun watched her change, and a joyful and unreserved smile crept across his face.
Su Xiaoxiao, both shy and annoyed, scratched him.
When the ox-cart stopped at the gate of the Jiang family’s courtyard, everyone gathered around.
They all spoke flattering words as if they were free. Aunt Guo and Jiang Xinyue, one on each side, smiled and welcomed Su Xiaoxiao into the house. They hadn’t even reached the main hall after taking a dozen steps.
Suddenly, an arrogant and domineering female voice rang out from behind the crowd.
“Today is a joyous day for the Jiang family, and no one notified me?”
The lively courtyard fell silent, and all eyes turned towards the source of the voice.
Jiang Yexun’s presence was so imposing that it felt like the air had frozen. If it weren’t for Su Xiaoxiao holding onto his arm, he probably would have rushed out already.
But while Jiang Yexun was suppressing his anger, Su Xiaoxiao gave herself a slap in the face. She quickly released Jiang Yexun and retreated two steps.
Originally, Aunt Guo and Jiang Xinyue were very angry, but they saw Su Xiaoxiao excitedly confronting Jiang Yexun, raising her chin provocatively, and they immediately understood.
Although she didn’t say anything, her cheerful and provocative demeanor, along with her actions, made it clear to everyone.
Jiang Yexun’s initial anger dissipated considerably when he saw his beloved acting this way. He lowered his eyelids and smiled, both helpless and indulgent, shaking his head.
“I’ll be right back.”
“Go for it!” Su Xiaoxiao clenched her fist and cheered him on.
Jiang Yexun turned around, and his formerly calm and gentle expression immediately turned into a stern and fierce one.
The people from the village had long cleared a path, leaving only a few women standing at the entrance. When their eyes met Jiang Yexun’s, their faces visibly paled. However, she quickly straightened her back and stared at Jiang Yexun, looking for a confrontation.
“I can’t believe it! I’m your two brothers’ birth mother, and you didn’t even inform me about such a big event in the Jiang family? Can’t you leave an extra pair of chopsticks for me?”
“Ma Dani! You arrogant woman! When your two sons got married, I didn’t bother you with any trouble. I thought it would be good for both of us, but I didn’t expect you to make me unhappy on this day!” Aunt Guo pointed her finger at Aunt Ma and cursed angrily.
The people from the village nearby nodded in agreement, thinking that Aunt Ma had gone too far. However, she didn’t seem to realize it, and the supporters she had brought with her shared her sentiment. Even the first and second wives of the Jiang family walked briskly over to her side.
“Mother, why are you here?” Jiang Quansheng asked with some surprise.
Aunt Ma immediately glared at him with a displeased look. “If I didn’t come, do you guys want to be bullied by them?”
The four of them felt a bit embarrassed and awkwardly smirked, but they didn’t refute it. It was clear that they agreed with her.
Seeing the infuriated Aunt Guo and Jiang Xinyue about to explode, Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but ask in confusion, “Where is Team Leader Jiang? Shouldn’t he handle a situation like this when his ex-wife shows up?”
“Why is a city girl like you so impolite? And stop calling her Team Leader Jiang like that!” Aunt Ma immediately chastised her with a condescending tone. Jiang Yexun’s face darkened, and he raised his foot to kick her. No one had expected him to resort to violence, and it scared Aunt Ma so much that she screamed.
Luckily, Jiang Quankun reacted quickly and reached out to push Jiang Yexun. However, with his limited strength, he couldn’t do much. Instead, he was kicked to the ground by Jiang Yexun.
The group of people with Aunt Ma had a sudden change in expression, pointing their fingers at Jiang Yexun.
“We came here today to witness your engagement and add to the joy, that’s why we didn’t use force.”
“Then let’s use force now. Just the nonsense you spouted earlier is enough to make me sick.” Su Xiaoxiao, who was watching the scene, audaciously encouraged them.
Everyone couldn’t believe what they were hearing, and they saw her waving her arms, cheering on Jiang Yexun.
“Beat them up! Beat them hard! It’s only a joyous occasion when you see something red!”