Chapter Twenty-Two: A Shocking Turn in the Bridal Chamber

Page (1/3) Without Warning, the Spendthrift Son—Chapter Twenty-Two: An Unexpected Incident in the Bridal Chamber

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There are four great joys in life: timely rain after a long drought, meeting an old friend in a distant land, the wedding night, and seeing your name atop the honor roll.

Although Xiao Tianci’s wedding night came rather suddenly, swiftly, and unexpectedly, it was, after all, one of life’s great occasions.

Tian Ni was exceptionally beautiful today. She wore a wedding gown while cutting the cake, then changed into a cheongsam for the dance. There is an indescribable allure when an Eastern woman dons a cheongsam, a beauty that always draws the eye—and as the bride, Tian Ni was all the more radiant.

Even though they had no real responsibilities today, both of them felt exhausted by day’s end. They hadn’t spoken much throughout the festivities, mostly because they’d had little chance to be alone together. There were always people around, making even a few words difficult.

No feast lasts forever. The wedding ended, and the guests all departed at once.

The new home was Xiao Tianci’s choice—not just anywhere, but his small villa, which suited his current status better than a grand mansion. Here, he wanted his mother to witness his coming of age and marriage, for every blade of grass and tree on this mountain carried her presence.

The day had not been strenuous, but the endless socializing and the excitement tinged with nerves were more than enough to tire anyone out.

Once the guests left and night fell, the artificially planted forest grew even quieter; there were few birds or beasts here. At night, the solitude of the villa’s lights atop the mountain stood out even more.

The only difference tonight was the presence of many hidden people on the mountain. Despite the silence, they were all on high alert.

Within the villa, the newlyweds sat together. Having suddenly gotten married, these two friends—who had always been comfortable around each other—now found themselves awkward.

But after a day spent entertaining guests, things were better than at first. Looking at the slightly weary Tian Ni, Xiao Tianci asked with concern, “Tired after such a busy day?”

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Tian Ni nodded with a soft sigh. “I never imagined getting married could be so exhausting.”

They wanted to speak as they usually did, but this was no ordinary day. Xiao Tianci, however, seemed unbothered and shrugged. “Luckily the chief steward and the others managed things. Otherwise, it would’ve been even more trouble.”

At this, Tian Ni grew curious. “By the way, just how much did you inherit? And what exactly does the Xiao family do, anyway? Wow… You know, the people who came today left me dizzy. At other events, if someone could invite a celebrity, it was considered prestigious. Only today did I realize, there are places where those people aren’t even qualified to step. Oh, and did you count how many presidents, prime ministers, or even kings came?”

Xiao Tianci shook his head. “I don’t even know how much I inherited. I don’t think there’s any concrete figure for the Xiao family’s holdings now. Just signing all the documents nearly made my hand go numb. As for the guest list, I haven’t looked. If you want, I’ll ask the butler to get you a copy. Honestly, Nier, I’ve been so busy these past days that I’m even more muddled than you. Seeing all those important people today—I was completely lost.”

In the past, Xiao Tianci had referred to Tian Ni as “Nier” like an older brother, but tonight it felt entirely different. Tian Ni’s heart was in turmoil. She had faced this marriage with a sense of self-sacrifice, telling herself to accept whatever came her way. Yet, for a woman, the wedding day—donning the bridal gown—carries a significance that words cannot capture.

And Xiao Tianci truly was a good man. In the end, she told herself to simply accept her fate. As for love… perhaps, in another life.

But when they cut the cake together, drank the ceremonial wine, and entered the bridal chamber side by side—when Xiao Tianci gazed at her—she suddenly felt a sweet warmth seeping through her heart.

Thinking of this, Tian Ni’s heart fluttered, her face flushed. Noticing Xiao Tianci looking at her, she hurried to change the subject. “By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask—you know, it’s odd! That Lin Jian seems even younger than you. How did he become the butler? It’s so strange.”

Mentioning the chief steward, Xiao Tianci scratched his head, a bit confused. “I heard from Xu Guowei that their family has served as butlers for the Xiao family for three generations—he’s the fourth. He said he’s been trained for this since childhood. But after the disaster, both his grandfather and father perished alongside the Xiao family, so he became the new steward. I haven’t had a chance to discuss the details with him yet.”

“Oh, I see. So, he’s had a tough life too.”

“Yes. Against the forces of nature, people are so small. Even the Xiao family—hundreds of lives lost…”

Having used the Xiao family’s resources to marry his wife and inherit one of the world’s greatest fortunes, Xiao Tianci wasn’t sure how to feel about those who had died.

He hadn’t expected the conversation to grow so heavy. Hearing the sadness in Xiao Tianci’s voice, Tian Ni quickly said, “It’s all in the past. Let’s not talk about it anymore, alright?”

“Alright.”

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Though Tian Ni had many thoughts, what was done was done—and she’d always gotten along well with Xiao Tianci. In sum, she could accept him, even if there was no love.

What now? The two lapsed into silence, unsure what to say.

After a while, it was Xiao Tianci who spoke first. “Nier, actually… I’ve liked you for a long time. I just never confessed.”

Hearing this, Tian Ni felt a pang of guilt, mainly because of that extravagant dowry—she felt as if she’d been “sold.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Hm?” Xiao Tianci was startled and looked at Tian Ni, not understanding why she apologized.

“The dowry…” As she mentioned it, Xiao Tianci hurriedly said, “Don’t worry about that. Every family gives a dowry at weddings—it’s perfectly normal. I just happen to have more now, so I gave more. If I had less, I’d give less. That’s all.”

When Tian Ni first asked for a dowry worth billions, Xiao Tianci suspected Tian Hao must have had something to do with it. But thinking it best to marry the woman he loved no matter what, he never pressed the matter.

Hearing him say this, Tian Ni’s heart trembled. She knew she had to tell Xiao Tianci the truth—her original intentions. Even if it made him angry, she had to come clean. Besides… she realized she felt a certain fondness for him now.

Just as Tian Ni was deliberating how to confess, a muffled explosion suddenly echoed in the distance, followed by a fierce burst of gunfire.

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Strongly recommended: Brother Xiu Yi’s novel, “The Tyrant Doctor’s World Chronicle”