The Magnificent Son-in-law

My name is Zhao Guo'an, and right now my heart is pounding with anxiety.

A light rain has started to fall outside, and I sit in the room with the dull roar of thunder in my ears.

I strongly suspect that if I don't answer the question before me well, I might just get struck by lightning.

Above is a snapshot of Zhao Guo'an's inner state at this very moment.

Taking a deep breath, Zhao Guo'an got up, opened the window, letting the cold wind blow in, raised his head like he was giving a speech, and with emotional resonance said, "To be or not to be, that is the question.

Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles.

And by opposing, end them!"

"..." Zhen Jinghan was a bit taken aback, completely unable to understand what on earth Zhao Guo'an was doing.

Just as she was pondering, Zhao Guo'an suddenly turned around and said, "I've thought it over, now, I want to tell you..."

But just at this moment, the light bulb above them started flickering, producing a "zzzz" sound, as if influenced by the weather the voltage became unstable.

Zhao Guo'an swallowed unnaturally, could this be a sign of getting struck by lightning?

Zhen Jinghan glanced at the flickering light; her first feeling wasn't fear, but anger.

At such a critical moment, what's a broken light bulb doing causing a scene!

"Click!"

Stretching out her hand to pull the light bulb's cord, Zhen Jinghan looked at Zhao Guo'an and said, "Go on, I'm listening."

Zhao Guo'an took another deep breath and said, "Hold on a second, let me get in the mood."

Zhen Jinghan was speechless for a moment, but still waited patiently.

"Ahem, ahem..." Clearing his throat, Zhao Guo'an changed his lines this time.

"The wind whistles and the Yi River is cold, once a brave man goes he never returns... Since ancient times, who has not died, leave a loyal heart for history... When September arrives, after my flower blooms a hundred flowers will kill..."

"..." Zhen Jinghan's face darkened, was this a poetry session?

And why do the content of these poems, as well as the tone of the recitation, sound so solemn?

After reciting poems for another two minutes, Zhao Guo'an felt it was about time. With his emotions in place and unable to think of more suitable poems, he wanted to use the momentum to speak his mind.

However, just as he was firmly resolved.

"Boom!"

A peal of thunder suddenly blasted, and lightning illuminated the courtyard like daylight, rain pouring heavily, pitter-pattering down.

"Whew!"

The gale blew into the house, the teacup on the Eight Immortals Table kept trembling, with the cup and lid clashing, making a "da da da da" sound that was incredibly unsettling.

"Ah!"

Zhen Jinghan screamed in fright and threw herself into Zhao Guo'an's arms.

A beauty in his arms, half of Zhao Guo'an's heart sank, and the enthusiasm that was hard to kindle was chilled with that clap of thunder.

After a long time, Zhao Guo'an said, "To be honest, I have feelings for you, but I'm someone who is a purist about emotions."

Zhen Jinghan felt a thud in her heart and hurriedly explained, "My previous two marriages, actually..."

Zhao Guo'an shook his head and interrupted, "I'm not talking about that, I mean, it's not enough for just me to be satisfied, my family needs to be satisfied too."

"Oh, so that's how it is." Zhen Jinghan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, nodded, and said, "I will work hard to make your family accept me!"

"Alright, until then, we'll stay like this, how do you feel about that?"

Zhen Jinghan wanted to ask what "like this" meant.

But then again, she decided to not ask further; this seemed just fine, and she nodded in agreement.

Zhao Guo'an took out a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag before exhaling slowly, looking somewhat melancholic, and thought to himself, "Buy some time for as long as I can..."

...

Early the next morning, everyone in the quadrangle, still in their sleep, suddenly opened their eyes at the same time, feeling chest tightness and short of breath, as if they had just had a nightmare.

As for the details of the nightmare, they couldn't recall a thing.

This feeling was so bizarre that everyone in each room was a bit bewildered, unable to understand what was happening.

Just then, a dull "boom" was heard.

Instantly, a nauseating feeling surged forth.

Those who had been to the temple yesterday immediately realized what was happening, as that feeling couldn't be mistaken.

"Brother Xiao Feng!"

The little girl pushed the window open and stared angrily at Xiao Feng, who was holding a drum in the courtyard.

"Awake now, come out quickly to train." Xiao Feng called out cheerfully.

In his heart, he confirmed one thing, that even while in a state of sleep, the sound of the drum could still affect people.

Before long, Zhao Guo'an's room door opened, and Zhen Jinghan, with a slightly blushing face, greeted Xiao Feng, "Good morning!"

"Good morning," Xiao Feng replied with a smile, "Did you sleep well last night?"

Zhen Jinghan's face turned even redder with embarrassment, avoiding eye contact, she said, "I, I'll go check the kitchen for ingredients and prepare breakfast."

After speaking, she hurriedly walked towards the kitchen as if escaping.

Xiao Feng shook his head and chuckled, she doesn't seem like someone who has been married twice, rather like a newlywed wife.

However, if a completed wedding night is considered a marriage, then Zhen Jinghan indeed hasn't been married.

At this moment, Zhao Guo'an came out, sporting two dark circles under his eyes and an unpleasant expression: "What was that noise just now?"

Xiao Feng gave a knowing smile, winking: "Never mind the noise for now, what happened last night? You look like you're walking on clouds, didn't sleep the whole night?"

"Nonsense!" Zhao Guo'an retorted angrily, "I slept on the floor the whole night."

"Wow, you're truly something else," Xiao Feng said with admiration, "You surely still fondly remember those elderly folks praising you, don't you?"

"Stop talking nonsense, what exactly was that noise just now?" Zhao Guo'an snapped.

Xiao Feng raised the drum in his hand, "It's the sound from this, want me to hit it a few more times for you?"

Zhao Guo'an hurriedly declined, "No need, just tell me how it works."

Xiao Feng nodded and briefly explained yesterday afternoon's events and the situation regarding the Human Skin Drum.

"Using sound as a weapon, if handled well, it can indeed be surprising, but you hear the noise yourself while playing the drum, doesn't it affect you?" Zhao Guo'an asked suspiciously.

Xiao Feng smiled smugly, "What you can think of, I naturally thought of early on."

With that, he pulled out a pair of earplugs from his pocket, "Put these on and the impact is quite limited."

"Alright then, I need to catch some more sleep, don't call me for breakfast," Zhao Guo'an yawned and started walking toward his room.

"Hold on," Xiao Feng pulled him back with a grin, "Remember what I told you before?"

"W-what?"

"Of course, joining the combat team, start training with me now to avoid needing to shout for help on the street later."

"..." Zhao Guo'an.