Saving the Heartthrob Frenemy-Chapter 676: Hazing the groom

Qie Xieling was like a gracious groom, following their directions with a smile. He was like a doll on display but he didn’t care much. He was just excited to be married.

Once the attire was perfected everyone irrelevant left including the videographer and photographer. In the room were him, his grandmothers, and his two dads. His uncle was already downstairs with Dr Machu getting ready to mess with the groom when he came to pick Qie Xieling up.

Qie Xieling didn’t really know what to expect. His nana had mentioned the hair-combing ceremony before but he had no idea what happened. He just thought they would just comb out his hair and Tadaaa... done.

The atmosphere suddenly grew still, the sacredness of the hair-combing ceremony settling over him especially when his nana opened the red antique jewellery box while his grandma lit the dragon and phoenix candles and incense. Inside were a comb, a ruler, a mirror and string all in red. Qie Xieling curiously reached over to touch but his hand was smacked by his nana.

"Ouch... nana," he complained his lips pouting but the elderly woman wasn’t letting him off this time.

"Don’t mess around otherwise you will miss the auspicious hour," she said and Qie Xieling obediently sat still. When he met his parents’ gaze his heart was heavy. They were hugging each other his dad putting on a smile with hidden sadness in his eyes. His father on the other hand didn’t hide it. He was still so reluctant. Qie Xieling smiled to reassure them and Qie Ranzhe actually smiled back but his smile was so stiff you would think he was a corpse puppet being forced to do someone else’s bidding.

His grandma gently removed the pin curls from his hair and it smoothly unravelled falling onto his shoulders. She beckoned the pair of fathers to carry out the ceremony. They stood behind him and his dad began to comb his hair, his movements deliberate and full of meaning. With each stroke, he recited ancient words of blessings like the wisps of incense floating around them. Qie Xieling didn’t think he would be emotional. He remembered Bo Ailun telling him that he would cry but Qie Xieling laughed at the time saying that was stupid. But here he was his eyes feeling sour.

He closed his eyes trying to blink the tears back but the gentle tugging at his scalp wasn’t helping. His nana cut the red string with a pair of scissors and wrapped it on cypress leaves.

"Aww... Lin Lin is going to cry," said his uncle who appeared at the door at some point. He had come to let them know that Luo Muchen was on his way but when he saw his nephew’s teary eyes he couldn’t help but tease him.

"No I am not," he denied adamantly but who was he kidding? He was obviously on the verge of tears.

"Shh," said grandma Wen reprimanding her youngest son.

Qie Ranzhe’s mother passed her son the cypress leaves and he placed it in his son’s hair his eyes misty with emotion. This was a rite of passage, a necessary ceremony but to him it felt like cutting a piece of his flesh.

Nana Qie then passed around a bowl of glutinous rice balls for them to eat. The atmosphere became less tense but everyone’s emotions were still heightened.

"It’s done. Now finish off eating quickly. I need to do your hair and will put on your veil," said Grandma Wen and Qie Xieling nodded his head with his cheeks puffed up.

***

The morning was alive with the singing of birds like they were announcing the happy news. The Qie mansion stood regal and welcoming against the backdrop of a clear blue sky its large iron gates decorated with red bows and the double happiness symbol.

The estate which was usually serene, was abuzz with a palpable energy. The air vibrated with the sounds of firecrackers popping and gongs resounding to ward off any malevolent spirits.

Right on schedule, a procession with six black SUVs decorated with red bows rolled up the driveway. The sounds of gongs and drums intensified the joyous sound announcing the arrival of the groom.

The vehicles came to a halt and the people standing at the main door glanced over ready to mess with Luo Muchen before letting him into the house.

The door opened, and Luo Muchen stepped out of the car clad in red brocade. The wedding attire was intricate and rich, a dazzling sight that could draw one’s attention. It was like being in the presence of an immortal descended from heaven.

Luo Muchen’s expression was normal but his heart was beating erratic in his chest, nervous yet full of elation. The butler followed after him worried that his young master might do something presumptuous.

Luo Muchen’s hands adjusted his lapels to calm the fluttering in his stomach. He took a deep breath, the scent of gunpowder from the firecrackers mingling with the fresh morning air, grounding him.

He stepped forward with Hei Xiwen and his minions following behind. One could say they were the groomsmen. If they didn’t have terrifying faces they would fit in perfectly.

As he approached the entrance, his path was barred by Wen Danzhe, Bo Ailun, Airen, Machu and other people, some he had never met before.

Wen Danzhe’s arms were folded, his expression a playful mix of sternness and mirth.

"Very much on time, I like that. The only problem is that I can’t just let you in," Wen Danzhe teased with a twinkle in his eye. "You can’t just waltz in here and take Lin Lin away without paying the toll!"

Luo Muchen’s response was a confident smile as he reached into his jacket, producing a stack of red envelopes. He handed them over with a flourish, but Wen Danzhe opened the red envelopes and finally shook his head, feigning dissatisfaction.

"That’s not going to cut it," he said, though the laughter in his voice betrayed his jest.

With a dramatic sigh, Luo Muchen beckoned the butler over and he brought over two more red envelopes. He presented them to him their contents quite generous.