Chapter 11: Bad luck was her brand.

The ceremony pressed on, with the last traditions fulfilled by a stiff bride and groom. That smile, which Liwu had been asked to put on was absent. Weijun, he had a dark scowl on his face. It seemed like he was about to commit murder, and the bride would be the first victim.

As the couple was getting ready for the wedding photo, a gust of wind suddenly blew into the room through the windows. It was strong enough to make the decorative lanterns swing. One brushed past by a silk banner, setting it aflame.

Guests screamed.

A frightened aunt on the Zhang family side hurled a bowl of hot soup at the fire. Old Tai waved his trident at the same time, dropping water on some of the guests. The flames died, but the wet guests were displeased.

“See?” Old Tai smiled at Elder Zhang gleefully, “I said this wedding would not be a boring one.”

Elder Zhang forced laughter. “You call this entertainment? It is a nightmare. Do you have any idea what the front page of the news is going to be tomorrow? That’s even far, I bet people are already talking about us online.” He groaned. It was always said that all press is good press, but Liwu’s misfortunes had a habit of being bad press.

There had been a time when an exaggerated rumor claimed her misfortune seeped into buildings constructed by Zhang construction and everything she touched. Not even TFX, the Tai jewelry company was spared.

They had all endured some losses for a while. Liwu had vanished from the public eyes for two years, voluntarily. She had only been fourteen at the time.

Like the flames had not been enough to frighten some guests, a security dog ran into the hall, barking fiercely. Some guests were startled, and they jumped on tables. Chairs were toppled. A scared rabbit found a hiding place inside Liwu’s dress.

“Get it.” Someone shouted.

Tai Ho Sun, Liwu’s uncle stood to help. He slipped on spilled champagne, crashing into the cake. The towering confection collapsed in slow motion, splattering white and red frosting across the groom’s solemn face.

Just when it seemed like the catastrophe could not get any worse, another German shepherd appeared–larger, calmer, radiating alpha authority. It was Reaper, the only known dog in the world with a system. The dog belonged to Tai Alix. With a single commanding bark, the other dog froze, ears back, suddenly obedient.

Reaper barked again, and the other dog walked out of the wedding hall on its own.

Many relieved sighs swept through the room.

The rabbit was gently retrieved, although Liwu’s red gown now resembled a chewed lace curtain.

Weijun scowled, his dislike for Liwu deepening as sweet cream dripped from his hair and face, onto his shows.

“Bad luck is not her curse, it’s her brand.” One of the guests whispered. Unfortunately, she was standing near the microphone which had been displaced in the scuffle, and her remarks were heard by all.

Before things could escalate, Tai Alix swooped in, clutching Liwu like a general rescuing a soldier. “Come on.”

Caishen reached them quickly and he covered Liwu with his coat. He shot the guests a sharp glare, daring anyone else to say something inappropriate. The couple took their daughter away from the wreckage.

Behind them, the hall was a cake scented battlefield: toppled chairs, frosting -covered relatives and one smug alpha dog, lapping at the cream, which was a self-given treat, for fixing the problem the humans had failed to fix.

****

Liwu was in a fresh white gown, smelling like lilacs and looking perfect. Her hair was held up by gold and white pearl pins. In a sitting position, barely moving, she looked like the perfect bride. Her mother could not resist taking a picture of her, which she would later frame.

Liwu sighed.

“Are you still thinking of the mess we left?” Alix asked her.

Liwu nodded. “I did not want any of those things to happen. Some people think I want to be like this. They blame every disaster on me. I did not bring the rabbit to the wedding or set the dog loose. If anyone is to blame, it should be the hotel for failing to control one of their security dogs.”

“I agree.” Alix nodded.

Liwu laughed softly. “I must admit, it was satisfying, watching that cake come down on that smug Weifeng. Maybe my bad luck was getting justice for me for all the things his brother said about me.”

Alix raised her legs in the sofa and laid down, staring at the ceiling. “How do you picture this marriage going? The world is going to be watching. The Bureau and the world leaders will not allow anything to ruin the alliance. You are going to be expected to get along with your husband. This means smiling when you don’t want to, being polite, maybe even kissing when necessary.”

Liwu blushed.

“Did I ever tell you how your father and I met?” Alix asked, not noticing the blush on her daughter’s cheek. “It was at a wedding. At the time, his legs were…. ill, and he had to use a wheelchair. Doctors had declared the condition permanent so your late aunt Billi, who was the intended bride refused to marry. I was pushed out by my stepmother and dad as the new bride.

You should have seen the way your father looked at me. It was no different from how Weifeng looked at you. Your dad even threatened to break my legs, and we would be two cripples in the marriage.” She chuckled.

Liwu raised her brows; her father had never once raised his voice at their mother. She was the most important thing in his life, more important than their children and his Zhang family. How could he have made such a threat?

“Our marriage was expected to satisfy family expectations. No romance, no sweetness no kindness.” Alix sat up. “But, right from the beginning, I made my rules clear. I did not want a loveless, sexless marriage. That was how I made my marriage work, I started from the bedroom.”

“Mom…..” Liwu hissed.

Alix laughed. “You are a grown woman, there are some things I am allowed to talk to you about, as your mother. I had the sex talk with Xifeng and Xixi because they have been dating. You on the other hand, you have never dated. You are still a virgin, in every way. Never even been kissed.

Now you are suddenly married, so we must discuss the bees and butterflies. Where should we start from?”

Liwu covered her eyes and groaned. This was worse than the press conference when her mother tried to praise her and just ended up making everyone more wary of her.

Someone knocked on the door.

Liwu jumped up eagerly. “Thank God, oh thank God.”

Unfortunately, the guests were her grandmothers, great grandmothers, some cousins, sisters and aunts. They had not come to save her; they had also come to give her the talk!

“Are you having the talk? Just because a man hates you does not mean he cannot be intimate with you.” Xifeng boldly shouted as they squeezed into the room. “And that Weifeng is not bad looking at all. He is also a well-known ladies’ man. Sooner or later, this matter will come up.”

“Nothing says successful alliance better than an alliance baby.” An aunt chimed in.

“What?” Liwu raised her head.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep