Jiutiao Meijie wore a red kimono, appearing dignified in public and seductive in the bedroom.

When she wore plain kimonos, there was a quiet yet bewitching elegance about her.

In any case, just being Jiutiao Meijie was enough to easily arouse Dubian Che's desire.

There wasn't much time left before the evening ceremony, yet he was exhilarated.

Jiutiao Meijie knew this was not acceptable, but she was helpless.

Simple phrases like "I like you," "I like you more," "No, I like you more," even if said a billion times, were not enough;

She forgot about family, work, and studies—there was only the other person in her eyes and heart, completely immersed;

She felt so comfortable that she wanted to continue like this for the rest of her life, or perhaps end her life at this very moment.

This time was no different.

Nestled in Dubian Che's arms, she felt languid, like in a warm breeze, or light, as if lying on white fluffy clouds.

During this time, Dubian Che also remained silent, feeling the warmth of their skin touching.

Jiutiao Meijie was quite content with his equally absorbed immersion.

She stretched out her slim, fair arms, wrapped them around his neck, and pressed her face against his neck.

"We're going to get scolded," she whispered softly.

Dubian Che did not speak but kissed her beautiful lips.

Jiutiao Meijie tilted her face, closing her eyes.

Her position shifted from being nestled in Dubian Che's arms to Dubian Che being cradled in hers.

Suddenly, Dubian Che snapped out of it, his face displaying a deeply conflicted and struggling expression.

"Forget it, I'm not going!" he finally said through gritted teeth.

"You're hopeless!" She kicked him away, grabbed a quilt nearby, threw it over his face, and got out of bed.

By the time they were properly dressed and rushed to the chapel, the ceremony had already started over an hour ago.

They knelt beside Mrs. Jiutiao, who chastised them in a voice that only the three of them could hear:

"You've got some nerve!"

Dubian Che looked at Jiutiao Meijie, that murderous, unreasonable woman who could be domineering, scornful, cajoling, or coquettish. Now, with her eyes closed and head bowed amidst the chanting and the incense, her delicate profile appeared almost sacred.

Sanctity also had its charm, making him want her to assume such a pose in the evening...

'Wait! Now is not the time to think about this!'

He sincerely apologized to Mrs. Jiutiao in a low voice: "I'm sorry; it won't happen next year."

Mrs. Jiutiao looked at him deeply and then closed her eyes again.

Dubian Che thought about it, realizing that such behavior was indeed very disrespectful to the former Jiutiao Family Master.

He pressed his palms together and earnestly recited the "Lotus Sutra" that he had memorized out of boredom earlier in the morning until the ceremony ended.

Late that night, after the ceremony ended, everyone gathered in the Japanese-style room for a late-night snack.

At that moment, a woman in solemn attire approached, performed a bow, and presented a box neatly packed with summer yukata.

"These are for you, miss, master, for your summer cooling,"

She then went on at length about the patterns on the yukata—iris flowers, and mentioned that the ribbon came from "Fukuoka."

Finally, she elaborated on the sewing technique, which was the skill of kimono-making presented by a lord to the Edo Shogunate during the Edo Period, even surpassing the past.

"Ah, you've put in the effort," Mrs. Jiutiao responded indifferently.

Subsequently, other women stepped forward.

This time, they brought refreshingly cool glass teaware.

The subtle sakura color spread like ink, maintaining the transparency of the glass, very pleasing to the eye!

Even someone like Dubian Che, who had no interest in teaware, couldn't help but look twice, wondering whether to get a piece to use for drinking supermarket barley tea.

Once the gift-giving was finally over, the atmosphere relaxed.

"Mr. Bian," Mrs. Jiutiao spoke unhurriedly, remaining composed.

"Your mother," Dubian Che responded.

"Do you have something to say?"

"...It's indeed a good season," Dubian Che didn't understand why she suddenly said that.

Jiutiao Meijie watched him smilingly, waiting for him to make a fool of himself.

'Unsure whether mother is using the tardiness at the memorial as a pretext to scold him or the lack of a prepared gift.'

"The Penyulan Festival in summer offers festive fireworks and strolls; what's so good about the rainy season now?" Mrs. Jiutiao asked.

Her tone was very mild, but everyone in the Japanese-style room lowered their eyes, too frightened to breathe.

"Even the rainy season has its beauty—the lotuses at Ueno and the irises at Meiji Shrine are only beautiful at this season," Dubian Che seemed unperturbed, "If you're free, Meiji and I can accompany you to see them!"

"You've passed this time," Mrs. Jiutiao said blandly, "And the gifts?"

"Gifts?" Dubian Che was startled.

"Everyone brought me gifts except you, who come empty-handed every time except New Year's."

"I will properly prepare next time."

"Never mind, you don't understand etiquette. Now that I've reminded you to bring gifts, others will say I forced you."

"How could that be? It's voluntary!"

"Forget it," Mrs. Jiutiao sighed.

"My dear mother, give your son a clear answer—should I bring the gift or not? Don't let me guess and mess up," Dubian Che said plaintively.

"Don't bring it."

"I'll bring it next time!"

Mrs. Jiutiao remained non-committal, speaking to the relatives on both sides: "You must be tired today, go back and rest early, Mr. Bian."

"Present."

"See the guests off for me."

"Yes."

As the members of the Jiutiao Family rose to say their goodbyes, Dubian Che accompanied them to the gateway, exchanging pleasantries with each.

Inside the Japanese-style room, only Mrs. Jiutiao and Jiutiao Meijie remained, the sound of rain and the night casting a quiet, spacious atmosphere.

"Did he talk to you?" Mrs. Jiutiao asked her daughter.

"He spoke to me."

Mrs. Jiutiao continued the conversation, and Jiutiao Meijie explained what Jiutiao Shensheng had done.

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