Chapter 49: Kiss

The clan leader turned to look at Old Zhou.

"What is going on? Did you arrange a marriage behind the backs of your second son and Qing?"

The clan leader was furious and wanted to slap Old Zhou.

Old Zhou moved his lips, sighed, and said nothing.

The clan leader was so angry he pushed Old Zhou, "What happened exactly?"

Old Zhou gritted his teeth, his face flushed with embarrassment, and lowered his head, "Ten taels of silver. We exchanged the betrothal gifts and arranged the marriage."

"Then annul it," the clan leader said angrily.

Old Zhou opened his mouth but didn't say anything.

Wang Qiang's father snorted coldly, "Annul the marriage? The Zhou family signed a life-and-death marriage contract. It can't be annulled. Do you think we spent ten taels of silver for nothing?"

A life-and-death marriage contract means that unless the man voluntarily divorces the woman, even if the woman dies, she is still considered the man's ghost. 

This local custom, though not conforming to the imperial law, it still holds undeniable authority.

"Can't annul it? Fine. If it can't be annulled, then I'll strangle him right now!"

As Zhou Qing spoke, she tightened her grip, causing Zhou Huaihai to struggle on tiptoe.

"Mother... sa... save me."

Sun was terrified and nearly lost her breath.

She kowtowed to Zhou Qing, "Please, I beg you. Let go of your uncle. If you have any grievances, take them out on me. Please let go of your uncle."

Zhou Qing ignored her and continued to strangle Zhou Huaihai.

She had long realized that in Sun's heart, only Zhou Huaihai and Zhou Yuan mattered, they were her lifeline.

Zhou Qing didn't let go, and Sun, having no other option, cried and begged Wang Qiang's parents, "The marriage is off, we’ll return your silver."

Wang Qiang's mother replied, "No, we won't annul it."

Wang Qiang had been missing for two days and nights without any news, and she was truly afraid something had happened to him. 

If something had indeed happened, she wanted Zhou Qing to accompany him in the afterlife. 

After all, her son had his heart set on her!

Firm in her stance, Sun panicked, kneeling and hugging the clan leader's legs.

"Clan leader, please save Huaihai. You must save him."

Then she pulled Old Zhou.

"What are you standing there for? Beg the clan leader!"

Old Zhou felt a pang in his heart under the clan leader's gaze.

Sun had said that once Qing'er married Wang Qiang, the second and first branches would be completely bound together. The third branch wouldn't be able to cause any trouble, and the family would remain united as before.

Although Wang Qiang had been somewhat of a scoundrel, he genuinely liked Qing, and it wouldn’t be a grievance for Qing to marry him.

It was a win-win situation, how did it come to this...

Could he have been wrong in agreeing?

No, if Huaishan hadn't made a fuss today, this situation wouldn't have arisen.

Huaishan... why had he changed so much?

He hadn't been like this before!

Wasn't he the most obedient one?

Old Zhou looked at Zhou Huaishan with complex emotions.

The clan leader turned to the clan leader of Wang village, "As you can see, this marriage was arranged improperly and should be annulled."

The Wang village clan leader responded, "A life-and-death marriage contract doesn't concern itself with proper or improper. Once it's set... unless the bride is unchaste before marriage, there's no reason to annul it."

As the clan leader of Wang village, he naturally sided with the Wang family. Moreover, the look the Qingyang village clan leader had given him just now...

Hmph!

With the support from the Wang clan leader, Sun was so anxious she nearly fainted, kneeling and begging Wang Qiang's mother.

"Huaihai is your son-in-law, are you going to watch him die? Annul the marriage, please."

Wang Qiang's mother didn't care about Zhou Huaihai's life.

"A life-and-death marriage contract isn't something you can just annul. You should have known that when you signed it."

Zhou Qing tightened her grip on Zhou Huaihai and frowned.

Damn! 

Even if she strangled Zhou Huaihai, as long as Wang Qiang's mother didn't relent, the marriage contract wouldn't be annulled.

Unchaste before marriage...

With whom could she be unchaste!

"If the bride is unfaithful to the groom before marriage, the contract is annulled?" Shen Li asked the clan leader, his voice hoarse, as if restraining something.

The clan leader nodded.

Wang Qiang's mother cursed, "Who wants a second-hand woman!"

Shen Li ignored her and asked the clan leader, "Does it annul automatically, or..."

"Automatically," the clan leader said before he could finish his sentence.

At that moment, Shen Li suddenly grabbed Zhou Qing by the waist, turned her around...

And kissed her!

He kissed her!

Everyone...

Zhou Huaishan's eyes widened at Shen Li.

Damn! He knew this guy was up to no good.

Zhou Huaishan jumped and smacked Shen Li on the back of the head, "Let go of my daughter!"

Zhou Qing was caught off guard when Shen Li grabbed her waist, and before she could react, he turned her around, and his lips met hers.

For Zhou Qing, it felt like the world was spinning.

There were noises around her, but she couldn't hear anything clearly.

Her eyes widened, staring at the man in front of her.

Zhou Qing...

What is happening!

Damn!

Shen Li was kissing her!

This... this... this...

This must be Shen Li's way of helping her annul the life-and-death marriage contract.

This young boss is simply too clever.

No, she had to do something too.

She raised her hand and wrapped it around Shen Li's waist.

Shen Li...

The moment Zhou Qing wrapped her arms around his waist, Shen Li felt his blood boil.

He tightened his grip around Zhou Qing, pressing her firmly against his chest, and the gentle kiss turned passionate.

Zhou Qing...

Damn! This is too much!

Enough, enough!

Feeling breathless, Zhou Qing pushed Shen Li away.

Shen Li reluctantly let her go, his burning eyes filled with deep affection as he looked at her.

Zhou Qing's face was flushed red, and she gasped for breath.

Damn, almost suffocated.

Shen Li raised his hand and gently ruffled Zhou Qing's hair.

He had wanted to do this for a long time, and now he finally fulfilled his wish.

Afterward, he turned to Wang Qiang's parents, "The marriage contract is annulled. Whoever received the silver should return it."

Wang Qiang's parents were dumbfounded, unable to react.

This...

This...

The clan leader finally came to his senses, cleared his throat, and looked at the Wang clan leader, "The marriage contract is now annulled."

The Wang clan leader...

This...

Why is it like a play, unfolding one scene after another!

Sun, relieved after her initial shock, said to Zhou Qing, "Quick, let go of your uncle."

Throughout the passionate moment between Zhou Qing and Shen Li, she hadn't released her grip on the rope around Zhou Huaihai's neck.

So when Shen Li's kiss turned passionate, Zhou Qing subconsciously tightened her grip.

Zhou Huaihai almost died.

Zhou Qing smiled, "Let go? Grandma, are you dreaming? You think you can play with me however you want? You decided my marriage without my consent, and now you want me to let go just because you said so?"

"From now on, you are not allowed to interfere in Huaishan's household matters. Any decisions you make are invalid," the clan leader declared.

Zhou Huailin looked at Sun, bit his lip, and said, "Clan leader, we still have Yao to consider."

The implication was clear.

Old Zhou's eyelid twitched, looking at Zhou Huailin, "Lin, what do you mean?"

Zhou Huailin didn't hide it, "I'm afraid one day Yao will also be harmed."

"You..."

Old Zhou felt a tightness in his chest but couldn't say anything. He opened his mouth, and blood spurted out.

"Old Zhou!"

"Father!"

Sun and Wang rushed over.

Wang supported Old Zhou, sneering at Zhou Huaishan and Zhou Huailin, "Are you satisfied now?"

Zhou Huaishan replied, "It's not like we're the ones harming people. What goes around comes around, nobody can escape divine retribution!"

Old Zhou...

Whoa!

Another mouthful of blood.

Clearly, the Wang family came to Zhou Qing to ask for their son, but it turned into an internal conflict within the Zhou family.

Wang Qiang's parents, having witnessed Zhou Qing and a strange man being intimate, were furious, their temples throbbing.

"You've won this round! If you refuse to hand over my son, we'll see you in court tomorrow!"