OFTLHFRO C46

Chapter 46: The Secret Is Wedding Attire

Never in a million years did Luo Mingchen expect to wait two full hours.

Bored out of his mind, he planted a few fruit trees in the courtyard from his prepared stock.

He didn’t plant many, nor did he wander far, worried that if he looked away for a moment Huo Yan would slip back in, only to say he “never went out.” That would be enough to make him explode.

After washing his hands, Luo waited a while longer by the gate. When he finally saw Huo Yan approaching with a large bundle, he sprang to his feet.

Huo Yan clearly hadn’t expected to see him at the door. He paused, then walked over.

With a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, Luo said, “So this time you didn’t go out either?”

Seeing that “finally caught you” look on Luo’s face, Huo chuckled, took him by the hand inside, and shut the door. “I went out this time.”

Luo flicked his hand to shake Huo off, failed, and said defiantly, “You’ve gone out before. Don’t think I didn’t know.”

“Oh.”

Huo’s composure made Luo genuinely angry. A bit of unrecognized possessiveness bled into his tone as he demanded, “Where did you go?”

“To fetch something.”

Luo halted. “What something?”

His gaze stayed fixed on the big bundle, as if he could stab two holes through the gray cloth with his eyes.

Huo glanced at him, helpless. “Are you sure you want it opened here?”

After a beat of eye contact, Luo said, “In the room.”

“Alright.”

Back in the room, Luo held out his hand.

Feigning ignorance, Huo took it and laced their fingers.

“…”

“Alright, don’t be mad.”

Huo set the bundle on the table and opened it to reveal two sets of red garments.

Wait…

Luo blinked, and most of the anger evaporated. “Are those wedding robes?”

“Mm.”

Huo lifted the two neatly folded sets and laid them on the bed. “Didn’t you say you didn’t want to be watched like circus apes? Still, heaven and kin should be honored. I’ll have our mother’s spirit tablet brought over in an hour and set with Grandfather and Eldest Uncle’s family, so she’ll have company.”

Luo fell silent for a moment.

Huo’s birth mother was buried with his father’s family, so “our mother” meant Luo’s mother.

No wonder he’d asked earlier for her birth data…

Luo didn’t believe in ghosts and gods, but he was moved by Huo’s thoughtfulness.

Of course, he also found it a little funny.

“I meant to discuss it with you first, but you’ve been so busy lately I decided on my own.”

Huo dared because Luo had once believed him dead and bought incense and paper offerings, which made Huo think Luo wouldn’t object to honoring his own mother. So he went ahead with the arrangements.

Luo grinned. “This is good. Like you said—our mom will have someone with her.”

He glanced at the robes on the bed and teased, “Are you wearing the skirt?”

“…There’s no skirt.”

Two grown men—what skirt?

Luo chuckled, held one set up to his chest. “This one’s mine?”

“Mm.”

“Then let’s try them on together?”

Truthfully, Luo was pretty excited.

He didn’t like banquets, but a ritual like this was nice. Plus he wanted to see how they looked wearing wedding attire together.

When Huo began changing right in front of him, Luo hugged his own robe and slipped into the inner room. “If you watch me change there’s no surprise. We change separately.”

And off he went.

“…”

Wedding attire was truly complicated. If the weather hadn’t cooled a little, just putting it on would make one sweat.

The mirror was outside, so once dressed, Luo couldn’t see how he looked. He straightened his lapels and went out.

Huo stood there in red, posture straight, and when he turned—honestly, Luo wanted to weld the robe onto him permanently.

Huo’s features weren’t the androgynously pretty kind; one sweep of red lent a killing aura and a certain nobility. Somehow, the exact same cut looked like an unaffordable luxury on him.

Seeing Luo, Huo’s eyes brightened, though his face showed little. “Not bad.”

Luo circled him, stroking his chin. “Don’t you think…”

“What?”

“Our reactions upon seeing each other were all wrong.”

He looked up at Huo’s uncomprehending face. “Let me demonstrate.”

Huo watched, eyes smiling. “Mm.”

Luo cleared his throat and shouted theatrically, “Wow! You’re so handsome, I’m so in love! Devastatingly, incomparably handsome!”

Huo laughed. “You want that much praise?”

“Yep,” Luo said solemnly.

He’d only meant to tease, but Huo actually said “Wow” out loud—without a hint of shock—then pulled Luo into a hug and whispered at his ear, “I love you very much.”

Coming from Huo, even syrupy words sounded earnest—and still made Luo’s ears burn.

To change the subject, Luo said, “These fit pretty well, huh.”

Smiling, Huo said, “I’ve held you. Naturally, I know the measurements.”

“…”

So much for a pleasant chat.

Seeing there were more items in the bundle, Luo asked, “What else is in there?”

Only then did Huo let go, bringing the things over.

“Books?”

Luo eyed the two fairly thick volumes, not very interested. There was also a square wooden box. He opened it and found some creamy ointments with a faint fragrance.

“For the face?”

He sniffed them. Smelled nice, actually.

It wasn’t strange he’d think “face cream.” It was autumn, and with three kids—especially tiny Yueyue—buying some moisturizer wasn’t odd.

Huo gave him a meaningful look. “No.”

“…Ah?”

They stared for a beat. Then Luo, late to the realization, opened one book. His face flushed scarlet and he snapped it shut.

Huo, perfectly serious, added, “The doctor said this special ointment helps—no injuries.”

At Luo’s skeptical look, Huo continued, “Other married pairs say it’s good.”

“…”

Ancient folks were this open?!

You could just… ask a doctor about that?!

Complicated, Luo shut the box. He glanced at Huo’s handsome face and declared possessively, “Tonight I’m on top.”

Huo considered a moment. “Alright.”

At the easy agreement, Luo grew suspicious. “You’re not against it?”

“Mm.”

Innocently pleased, Luo patted Huo’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’ll be gentle.”

He was answered by Huo’s bewitching smile.

Footnotes:

• Wedding robes (喜服): Traditional Chinese wedding attire, typically red for auspiciousness, with variations by era and region. Both partners wearing coordinated red robes here signals a formal, ritualistic union without a public banquet.
• Spirit tablets: In ancestral rites, tablets honoring the deceased are placed at home altars; inviting a parent’s tablet “to be with” other family memorials symbolizes filial piety and familial unity.