The next day ca, and from the mont I opened my eyes, I had no ti to even breathe. I was running from one place to another, my hair sticking to my forehead with sweat. I never imagined I would end up planning my own wedding in another world, yet here I was, organizing every little detail with my own two hands.
"Lin Xu, where should the red clothes go?" Yan i called out, holding a folded bundle.
I turned and pointed to the far corner. "Over there, on the table by the wall. It’ll be easier to find when we start decorating tomorrow morning."
"And where should I place the plates?" Fuhan asked as he carried a heavy stack.
"On the two big tables. The bowls should go on the smaller ones," I replied, wiping the sweat off my forehead.
He nodded and moved quickly, his steps steady. I had to admit, despite his stiff expression, he worked like soone used to being efficient.
They weren’t the only ones helping. Bao Bao and Yiling were bustling about, their little arms carrying small baskets of peanuts and dried fruits, running back and forth between the kitchen and the yard. They giggled as they worked, their laughter blending with Yan i’s voice as she scolded them gently for trying to sneak so of the nuts into their mouths.
As for , I was in charge of cooking. I had already decided I wasn’t going to waste money hiring soone else when I could do it myself. The sll of chopped scallions, dried fish, and fresh broth filled the air as I prepared what I could in advance.
But even as I worked, my mind wandered. I hadn’t seen Yuen or Mo Ying since dinner yesterday. That worried more than I wanted to admit.
"Yiling, where is your brother?" I asked, turning toward her.
"Mama," she said, wiping her flour-dusted hands on her apron, "Yuen and Brother Ying went out with so baskets... probably to get so things for the wedding."
With that, she dashed back into the kitchen to continue mixing the dough. I sighed, unable to stop my heart from tightening.
Just then, the sound of footsteps reached . When I turned, there they were, Yuen and Mo Ying, each carrying a basket that looked far heavier than it should.
"What’s all this?" I asked, walking over in confusion. "What did you two get?"
Mo Ying set down his basket with a calm smile. "There’s no wedding without clothes. So, I took Yuen with , and we went ahead to get so new sets... including your wedding dress."
He handed a delicate wooden box. My hands trembled slightly as I opened it, revealing a carefully folded garnt of silk the color of fresh snow, embroidered faintly with silver thread.
"How is it? Is it to your taste, Mama? Brother Ying picked it himself," Yuen said eagerly, his bright eyes sparkling as Mo Ying patted his head.
"I—it’s... umm, it’s alright, I guess..." I mumbled, swallowing the lump in my throat. "I’ll try it on later. You two, just go help out. Your lunch is inside, so don’t forget to eat."
I clutched the box and made my way inside the house.
In my room, I placed the box gently on the bed along with the rest of the clothes, then sank down beside them, rubbing my temples. The house was buzzing with noise outside,the clattering of pots, Yan i’s steady instructions, and the creaking of the old fence that had long been falling apart.
I had finally hired Old Man Hu, the village carpenter, to fix it this morning. The poor man had been hamring and sawing for hours, his thin arms surprisingly strong as he nailed new wooden planks into place.
I glanced out the window for a mont. The yard that once looked broken and neglected was slowly being transford into a space ready to welco guests.
The tables were being covered with red cloth, children were hanging little paper ornants, and Yan i was arranging lanterns to be lit in the evening. Even the fence, now half-nded, stood straighter than before, as if sharing my determination to hold this family together.
Yet, despite all this bustling joy, my heart was uneasy.
The wedding would take place tomorrow at noon, and everything seed to be going too smoothly, so smooth it gave chills.
I knew people like Aunt Lu. She wouldn’t rest until she had played every card in her hand.
I had to be ready.
Clutching the box with my wedding dress, I whispered softly, "Susu."
A gentle chi rang as she appeared before .
[Yes, Host. I am here. What do you need?]
I exhaled, pressing my lips together. "Tomorrow is my wedding day... but my heart keeps telling that sothing is going to go wrong. Is there any feature you can give to know what will happen in advance?"
[Host, there is indeed a function called Future Events. With it, I can reveal tomorrow’s key incidents. But... this feature requires paynt.]
My fingers tightened around the pouch hidden in my sleeve. "...How much?"
[To view tomorrow’s wedding events in detail, the cost is fifty taels.]
Fifty taels. It was painful, but not knowing was worse. "I’ll pay it."
[Transaction confird. 50 taels deducted. Please wait... calculating...]
The glowing screen appeared before my eyes, words forming slowly.
[Tomorrow, danger will occur in secret. While you are changing into your wedding dress, Lu Fei will enter under the pretense of helping you. She will attempt to drug you. If successful, you will be left vulnerable.]
My eyes widened, my stomach twisting in dread. "Drug ...?"
[Yes, Host. The effect will weaken your strength and leave you barely conscious. At that mont, Big Man Lou will arrive. His intention will be to take advantage of your weakened state. Aunt Lu would then attract the guest and everyone present in search of you and thus revealing your affair with Big Man Lou, causing your reputation to be ruined and your marriage with Mo Ying to be cancelled. This is the plan set in motion.]
My breath hitched, and I pressed a hand over my chest, forcing the panic down. "So that’s what they’re planning... to ruin completely."
Susu’s tone softened ever so slightly, like a friend offering comfort.
[Host, do not despair. Knowing this in advance ans you have the power to prevent it. Whether you act openly or in secret, you can turn this sche back on them. But rember: hesitation may cost you everything.]
I closed my eyes, inhaling deeply. "...Thank you, Susu."
[You’re welco, Host. Protect yourself well. Tomorrow may be your greatest trial... but it may also be your greatest victory.]
The glowing text faded away, leaving alone with the silence of the room.
I slowly looked back at the wedding dress. If Aunt Lu and her disgusting family thought they could destroy , then they were sorely mistaken. Tomorrow, I would be ready.
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