Early in the morning, Yong Ge was awakened. He bathed, changed clothes, and a dedicated maid came to comb and style his hair. The maid touched Yong Ge's narrow and well-defined profile, smiling warmly as she praised his handsome looks. She removed the fine hairs on his face, trimmed his eyebrows, and promised that his face would be as beautiful as a peeled egg.
Yong Ge felt pleased but didn't really believe it. His face had some minor marks and even a scar on his brow that wouldn't disappear no matter how beautiful he became.
As the maid worked on his face, Yong Ge initially felt a slight, tingling pain, but then it seemed like she applied some sheep fat and fragrant powder. "You have fair skin, so I won't put too much powder on. It's hot today; otherwise, by evening, you won't look good…"
She chatted casually and mentioned a young man from another family who had dark skin but insisted on putting on a thick layer of powder. On their wedding night, when the groom unveiled the bride's face, he was met with an ugly, blotchy ghostly appearance.
Hearing this, Yong Ge became anxious, "Then… maybe I won't use the powder."
"Don't worry, I only applied a thin layer; you can't even tell. If you don't believe me, ask Yu Ge."
Yu Ge quickly nodded and took out a borrowed small copper mirror from his pocket. The copper frame had turned black, but the center had been polished, making it barely usable to see one's reflection.
Yong Ge looked left and right but couldn't see much. Yu Ge assured him that he looked good, so he reluctantly believed it.
In reality, he wasn't good-looking; he was simply stunning!
The maid styled his hair into a neat bun, bound it with a red jade hairband, and left only his long eyebrows untouched. With his clear and deep eyes and his ink-like black hair against the red silk wedding robe, he looked even more delicate, as if he were a young master from a wealthy family. Yu Ge felt almost intimidated by his appearance.
The maid was also very pleased. This was the most satisfying work she had done in her career. She looked around and then asked, "Where's the veil?"
Yong Ge hesitated, "We… we don't need it. Brother Cheng said it's unnecessary…"
The maid slapped her thigh, "Oh no, how can that be? You can't go without it. He'll regret it!"
But after some consideration, she thought that she had created such a handsome man with her skill, and in the future, many people would come looking for her!
Since the groom himself wasn't concerned, then let it be!
At the auspicious hour, Cheng Duo arrived, riding a tall and magnificent horse to welcome the bride. He, too, wore a bright red wedding robe, his eyes shining, and his spirit soaring.
When he arrived at the door, Cheng Duo elegantly dismounted the horse with a single step. His imposing height and his identity as the groom attracted many young men who blushed and stared at him. Some even forgot to pick up the money thrown in celebration.
Xi Ge was one of them, and at this moment, he completely forgot his previous disdain for Cheng Duo, thinking how unfortunate it was not to marry such a tall, handsome, and capable man. Look at this grand welcoming procession; even the entourage accompanying Cheng Duo could rival the Hong family's group, and the Hong family didn't even have horses!
Wasn't he just as good as Yong Ge?
Just as Xi Ge thought this, Yong Ge was being assisted out. Wearing a red wedding robe, his extraordinary beauty stunned everyone, and the courtyard fell into silence!
Xi Ge's face turned red, and he wished he could find a hole to crawl into.
Yong Ge was already nervous, and seeing everyone staring at him without saying anything made him even more anxious. He only had eyes for Cheng Duo in the middle of the courtyard.
Cheng Duo was also momentarily stunned, but he quickly regained his composure and waved for someone to set off the firecrackers. He then stepped forward, holding Yong Ge's hand, and said, "Don't worry, I'll take you out."
Amidst the sound of crackling firecrackers, Cheng Duo lifted Yong Ge and carried him in his arms, causing the crowd to exclaim, "Wow—"
"The groom is carrying the bridegroom!"
"The bridegroom is so handsome!"
Cheng Duo walked out of the courtyard in big strides, and he gently placed Yong Ge on the horse's back. Yong Ge didn't know how to ride a horse, so he instinctively held on to Cheng Duo's hand.
Cheng Duo saw this and decided not to hold the reins, sitting behind Yong Ge, wrapping his large frame securely around him.
"Are you afraid?" Cheng Duo asked.
Yong Ge shook his head. With Cheng Duo behind him, he was no longer afraid. Riding high on the horse, his eyes brightened with excitement, "So high!"
Cheng Duo glanced at Shanzi, and Shanzi reluctantly let go of the reins. Cheng Duo then gently kicked the horse's belly, and the horse obediently moved forward.
Yong Ge turned to look at him with sparkling eyes, admiration almost overflowing, "Cheng Ge, you can ride a horse!"
Cheng Duo teased, "I just learned yesterday. Don't move too much, or I won't be able to control the horse."
"Ah?" Yong Ge dared not move, stiffly leaning against Cheng Duo, his hands wrapped around Cheng Duo's waist, feeling safer this way.
Cheng Duo, holding a beauty in his arms, could smell the faint fragrance from Yong Ge's body and chuckled softly. Lately, he had been smiling much more than usual, especially today, where even the sternness between his brows seemed to have softened, leaving only a sense of vitality.
After knocking on their own courtyard's gate and dismounting, Cheng Duo carried Yong Ge down.
Xie Yuan had already arrived, and when he saw Yong Ge, he was amazed, "Your transformation is too remarkable!"
He had a certain ability to recognize people, so even though Yong Ge looked like a different person, Xie Yuan recognized him based on some distinctive features. After all, not many people had a pair of eyes like those of a foreigner, and even fewer young men had scolded him as a cheat.
Yong Ge didn't recognize him at all, "Who are you?"
"Don't you remember me?" Xie Yuan turned to Cheng Duo, "Brother Cheng, isn't this unkind of you?"
He wanted to appear in front of Yong Ge and see him show a guilty look for mistaking him, but Cheng Duo didn't even bother to explain!
"This is the 'swindler' who invited us to dinner when we first met. His family really owns a restaurant. You can call him Young Master Xie."
"No wonder he looks familiar."
"…" How can you just think of me as looking familiar? Also, Brother Cheng, you clarified for me, and yet you still call me a swindler. Don't think I didn't hear that!
Unfortunately, Cheng Duo had already taken Yong Ge away, and it wouldn't be appropriate to catch up with them and demand an explanation on such a happy occasion. Moreover, Cheng Duo was too fierce, and if rumors spread that he had designs on the newlywed bridegroom, Cheng Duo would probably beat him to death!
Ding Tou, seeing Xie Yuan and Cheng Duo's interaction, figured out the situation. It was not in vain that he had come all the way to curry favor; Cheng Duo and Young Master Xie indeed had a good relationship!
Despite Xie Yuan appearing casual in front of Cheng Duo, he brought a considerable number of attendants and bodyguards, so ordinary people didn't have a chance to approach him.
But naturally, apart from Ding Tou, the guests invited by Cheng Duo didn't dare to approach him actively. People like Sha Er Shu and the Li brothers were simple villagers who couldn't even speak properly when faced with the wealthy and prestigious people in Xie Yuan's group. They didn't have the inclination to fawn over them.
Fortunately, Xie Yuan didn't mind. He came to attend the wedding for Cheng Duo, and Ding Tou was there to handle everything on his behalf.
At the auspicious hour, under the guidance of Li San Ye, Cheng Duo and Yong Ge performed the traditional ceremony. Since the parents of both parties were absent, the main seats were left vacant.
After the ceremony, Cheng Duo generously led Yong Ge to toast at each table. He didn't drink much himself, just one cup at each table before returning to their main table to enjoy the meal.
Considering that Xie Yuan might not be accustomed to such situations, there were only Li San Ye, Doctor Wang, Ding Tou, and a steward brought by Xie Yuan at the main table. Cheng Duo and Yong Ge made a total of seven people at that table.
Xie Yuan initially thought Cheng Duo leading Yong Ge to toast was already audacious enough, but he didn't expect Cheng Duo to be so unrestrained during the meal. Every time he wanted to say something, Cheng Duo interrupted him by picking food for his newlywed spouse –
"You're too skinny. Eat more meat."
"This braised beef is delicious. Do you like it? Let me get you some more."
Yong Ge forced himself to eat, but the pile of dishes in his bowl kept growing higher, and he had to stop, saying, "You should eat too, don't just focus on me."
He had the intention to pick food for Cheng Duo as well but was hesitant due to Xie Yuan's presence. He glanced in Xie Yuan's direction, refraining from doing so.
Cheng Duo interjected, "Ignore him."
Unable to bear it any longer, Xie Yuan pushed his bowl toward Cheng Duo and pretended to lean closer, saying, "Brother Cheng, you can't favor him so much, I want some too~"
If the steward at the other end of the table heard that soul-stirring tone, he would probably be shocked enough to spit out his drink.
Yong Ge raised his head suddenly, his eyes alert as he stared at Xie Yuan. What does he want?
Cheng Duo pushed Xie Yuan away helplessly, first reassuring Yong Ge, then quickly picked up some meatballs and placed them in front of Xie Yuan, saying, "Say what you want to say."
After speaking, he quickly shut up; he wanted to hit someone!
Xie Yuan looked at the bowl with some disdain, "I don't like meatballs…"
Seeing Cheng Duo's disapproving look, he quickly changed his tone and got to the point, "Brother Cheng, do you still have any Shao Guang wine?"
Cheng Duo hesitated for a moment, "No, it's all gone."
It was precisely this hesitation that made Xie Yuan see through him, "You're lying. I'm sure you still have some!"
"I kept the remaining stock for a reason."
"Brother Cheng, my dear Brother Cheng, why don't you sell me another bottle? The reputation of Shao Guang wine has spread, and many important figures are coming and specifically requesting this wine."
Cheng Duo was a bit surprised, "You really sold the wine separately?"
Xie Yuan grinned, showing two fingers, and his eyes screamed "shrewd businessman." "Two hundred taels per cup."
At first, he considered waiting to sell the wine at the capital, but Shao Guang wine had already gained some notoriety in twenty Li slope due to Guo Yi Zhi. It had even begun to surpass Shihua wine, Yuquan wine, and Zhu Ye Qing in reputation.
In that case, why bother going for something farther away when he could find a market nearby?
Cheng Duo was speechless, "Even if I sell you another bottle, without a stable supply, you won't be able to keep selling it in the long run."
"Brother Cheng, you are mistaken. I am not selling wine; I am selling fame. I won't sell it to anyone who can afford it. If their status isn't enough, even if they have money, I won't sell it to them." Xie Yuan proudly wagged his finger.
Cheng Duo understood; Xie Yuan was only selling a gimmick. When faced with someone who couldn't be refused, he would consider selling the wine.
It was like the ancient courtesans saying "selling skills, not body." Many people came to see the courtesan, but they couldn't even meet her face-to-face, yet they left with stories to tell after spending a night there.
Similarly, luxury brands worked the same way; the rich bought the brand's reputation, not just the item itself.
Xie Yuan's wine prices might be outrageous for ordinary people, but for those who could afford it, they might compete with each other to prove their status by either drinking it or not.
This Xie Yuan was indeed a talented businessman, seizing every opportunity…
Cheng Duo pondered for a moment, "Perhaps we can collaborate and venture into another business."
"What business?"
"Hotpot." Though fried chicken milk tea and glass soap were essential for time travelers, fried chicken was too easy to imitate, milk tea required expensive tea leaves, and as for glass and soap, Cheng Duo had already forgotten all about chemistry after the last decade of the apocalypse.
He remembered hotpot because his grandfather had run a hotpot restaurant for decades. During every summer vacation, he would help his grandfather stir-fry the hotpot base, and his grandfather would teach him hand by hand.
Xie Yuan became interested, "What's hotpot?"
Cheng Duo briefly explained, "But hotpot requires many spices. I don't know if you have them here…"
"It doesn't matter. Write a list, and I'll find them!" Xie Yuan didn't expect such a pleasant surprise and immediately held onto Cheng Duo without wanting to let go.
This time, Yong Ge couldn't bear it anymore, slamming the chopsticks on the table, "Bang." He said, "Xie Yuan, if you're not eating, brother Cheng still wants to eat. If you keep talking, the food will get cold!"