"Say, when are you two planning to come out?"
Chen Mu's voice intruded at precisely the wrong moment, shattering the tender atmosphere between Chen Xiaojun and Xiao Yi.
Both froze. They exchanged a glance, then awkwardly looked away.
Xiao Yi gently nudged Chen Xiaojun, then put on her veil.
Chen Xiaojun nodded, and the two walked out of the rock cave together.
Gentle sunlight fell over them, warm and soothing, as though it could dispel every shadow.
Chen Mu stood at the cave entrance, watching them with a teasing smile. "You've been chatting for almost two hours. The feast is about to start."
"Sure enough, a head full of romance is the best dowry a man can bring!"
Chen Xiaojun rolled his eyes at him and said irritably, "Fifth, all you ever do is spout nonsense."
Xiao Yi stood quietly to one side, a faint blush rising on her face.
Once outside, Xiao Yi reverted to the taciturn image of Lesser Siming, as though the little girl who had acted so coyly moments before had only been a figment of Chen Xiaojun's imagination.
All nine members of their little team were gathered nearby. Seeing Chen Xiaojun and Xiao Yi emerge, they rose to greet him, calling him "Sixth Brother," "Young Master," or "Xiaojun."
Then Chen Bin, Chen Shurui, Zhu Wuneng, Dugu Fu, and Ma Liang suddenly lined up in a row. Even Ma Wencai, who rarely joined in such antics, was among them.
Su Ningxia and Gao Cuilan stood behind them, both smiling.
They bowed slightly to Xiao Yi and said in unison, "Hello, Sister-in-Law!"
Clearly, they had arranged this beforehand. But wasn't it also an acknowledgment and affirmation of Xiao Yi's place in their little group?
The corner of Chen Xiaojun's mouth twitched. "Now that's a welcome ceremony with