“How can we stop? The bridal chamber fun isn’t over!”
“Yeah, Young Master Lin, put in more effort—strip the bride completely!”
“Wow, such fair b00bs!”
The jeering drowned my protests. My cousin, grinning drunkenly, kept tugging at Fangfang’s clothes. He had already undone her qipao; her full b00bs were half-exposed, barely covered by her bra. Without it, she would have been entirely bared to everyone.
“Ah! No! Stop!” Fangfang screamed in despair.
“Are you people insane?” I shoved through the crowd, yanked the quilt over Fangfang, while He Lulu was being pawed at by several of my cousin’s friends.
“Mind your own f*cking business! What’s the bridal prank got to do with you?” One man snarled and punched me.
“Little Nan!”
“Brother Nan!”
Fangfang and He Lulu cried out as the room erupted into chaos. Unprepared, the blow sent me staggering backward.
“Someone get Uncle!” I shouted.
Whoosh!
Relatives rushed out as the situation spiraled. I was set upon by fists and feet.
Agh! Agh!
I curled up, shielding my head, barely holding on, when a thunderous roar cut through.
“You goddamn animals!”
It was Uncle—our family’s most respected figure. He would never tolerate such disgrace at his son’s wedding.
“Mr. Lin, allow us to clear the trash.” A burly man in sunglasses waved; several suited enforcers poured in.
“You—you—”
Screams followed as my cousin’s worthless friends were beaten and dragged out.
The room emptied instantly. My cousin, eyes bleary, muttered, “Why… why did everyone leave?”
“You disgrace!”
Slap!
Uncle’s palm rang loud enough to jolt my cousin half-sober.
“Dad… why are you here?” He clutched his cheek.
“You little b*stard, haven’t shamed us enough? Does the Lin family consummate marriages under an audience now? Are you determined to make me lose all face?” Uncle seized his collar, voice venomous.
Fangfang sobbed beside them, clutching her collar, face burning. He Lulu stood pale and shaken.
“I—I—” My cousin could only stare in remorse.
“Cousin, Uncle, I’m heading out.” I dragged my aching b0dy upright—my face unmarked, but my torso bruised from countless kicks.
“Brother Nan, I’m coming too!” He Lulu hurried to support me.
“Little Nan!” Uncle strode over and gripped my arm.
“Uncle, is something wrong?”
“Little Nan, you’ve been wronged tonight. I never imagined that idiot and those beasts would go this far.” Uncle spoke hurriedly.
“It’s over. As long as Cousin doesn’t make more of a spectacle.”
“Those who hit you—I’ll have their legs broken quietly. Rest assured, no one wrongs my family.” Uncle’s tone was steel.
I nodded faintly and left with He Lulu.
“Brother Nan, are you alright?” He Lulu held me tightly, eyes full of worry.
I slid into the driver’s seat; she took the passenger side.
“Those b*stards—all of them!” I slammed the steering wheel in fury.
“Who would have thought Fangfang’s life would turn out so bitter? What kind of people are they?” He Lulu fumed on her friend’s behalf.
“Sigh… I hope Cousin apologizes once he’s sober.”
“Brother Nan, let’s stop at a pharmacy. I’ll get medicated oil and treat your bruises tonight.” She grasped my hand anxiously.
Her tenderness warmed me. I nodded.
Back at the hotel, I showered. When I emerged in a bathrobe, He Lulu had already bought the oil and motioned for me to lie flat on the bed.
“Thank you,” I said sincerely.
I opened the robe. The bruises across my b0dy were shocking. Tears welled in He Lulu’s eyes.
“Those animals… unforgivable,” she hissed.
“It’s done.” I tried to calm her.
“Brother Nan, these bruises must be rubbed out, or they’ll never fade. Bear with it.” She poured the oil and began massaging firmly.
“Ah! It hurts!” I grimaced, trembling.
“Hold on, Brother Nan.” Sweat beaded on her forehead as she worked the bruises loose, time passing slowly.
After nearly half an hour, she wiped her brow and exhaled.
“Brother Nan, rest here tonight. I’ll shower.” She tucked me in, fetched a nightgown, and headed to the bathroom.
Watching her go, warmth filled my chest. When had anyone last cared for me like this? Sometimes it felt I had a home yet lived alone—like Cousin said, married or not, I was still a bachelor.
When He Lulu returned, cheeks flushed, lips lightly bitten, she wore a lace nightdress that clung to her curves. She slipped into bed beside me.
“Lulu… you’re wonderful,” I murmured.
“Brother Nan, my family isn’t well-off either. Fangfang and I became friends because we’re the same kind of people.” She spoke softly. “I used to envy her—marrying a rich man who cherished her. But today I saw her husband doesn’t care about her at all.”
“Maybe Cousin was just too drunk and did something stupid,” I offered.
“No. I was beside Fangfang all day—I saw the truth.”
I sighed, unable to argue.
“Brother Nan, being with you feels safe. You’re the real good man.” She rolled over, nestling into my arms. Up close, through her low neckline, I glimpsed the swell of her b00bs.
Heat stirred in my belly. So young, so beautiful, and willing to stay with me tonight—instinct took over. I flipped and pinned her beneath me.
“Nan… Brother Nan…” He Lulu’s breathing quickened; she twisted her wa!st, as if confirming my ar0usal.