My Demon Husband Is a Snake Chapter 1182: Serving Tea

As I prepared to depart, my gaze fell upon Dumpling nestled in Qing Li’s embrace. The little one sat demurely on Qing Li’s lap, as if conveying, "Mom and Dad, you may proceed with wedding preparations without concern; Dumpling shall behave." Witnessing Dumpling’s unusual composure left me with a mixture of joy and apprehension.

Linking my arm through Yu Longting’s, we exited the restaurant. "Yu Longting, I have a peculiar feeling," I remarked.

"Oh?" Yu Longting opened the car door, preparing to drive me to select wedding attire.

Settling into the passenger seat, I looked up at him. "It feels as though our relationship has been acknowledged, and the entire world is showering us with blessings."

"Your intuition serves you well; it does indeed feel that way," Yu Longting confirmed, leaning in to place a kiss upon my forehead before moving to the driver's side and starting the engine.

After a busy morning securing our marriage certificate, the afternoon was dedicated to choosing our wedding clothes. Upon our return, the Chen’s Restaurant had undergone a complete transformation, adorned with festive decorations reminiscent of New Year celebrations. Passersby paused for several minutes, drawn by the extraordinary sight.

Even my apprentice, Chen Ahmao, having heard the news, inquired about attending the wedding. I gently clarified that it was not a formal wedding but rather arrangements following our marriage registration.

Qing Li, averse to unfamiliar company, tends to avoid strangers. Apart from Xiao Li, even Chen Decheng and his wife had temporarily vacated the premises, creating a private space for our ceremony. Chen Ahmao’s attendance was therefore out of the question.

Nevertheless, I felt a pang of guilt towards Ahmao, having taken him as an apprentice without imparting any substantial knowledge. I resolved to find an opportune moment to properly mentor him.

As night descended, the restaurant hall was artfully transformed into a wedding venue. Red candles cast a flickering glow upon the tables, while the room was embellished with celebratory characters and ribbons.

Xiao Li, resplendent in a red cheongsam, gracefully assumed the role of host. "Let us extend a warm welcome to the newlyweds," she announced.

Anticipating a traditional ceremony involving bows to heaven and earth, I felt a flutter of nervousness. Suddenly, Xiao Li inclined her head, listening to Qing Li’s whispered instructions, before earnestly stating, "The newlyweds shall now serve tea to the elders."

Clearly, this was a prearranged tradition. Little Dumpling scampered from Qing Li’s arms, his chubby hands diligently pouring tea onto the low table, presenting a cup with utmost sincerity to both Yu Longting and myself.

"Thank you, Dumpling," I expressed with a smile.

Yu Longting offered a single word: "Thanks."

Beichen emerged from an inner room, presenting two cushions which he placed before Yu Longting and me. Without prompting, I naturally knelt.

Yu Longting, holding the same red silk ribbon adorned with a large red flower alongside me, had no choice but to kneel as well. I mused that this might mark Yu Longting’s first time kneeling before his birth mother.

The habitual nonchalance and devil-may-care attitude previously etched on his face were replaced by an intense reserve. He emanated an aura as frigid and impenetrable as a dark, harsh iceberg, rendering him utterly unreadable.

Sensing his subdued mood, I couldn't fathom its cause. Extending the tea cup with both hands, I addressed Qing Li, "Mother-in-law, please have some tea."

"What do you call me?" Qing Li’s voice, low and cool, probed.

I tilted my head in bewilderment. "Mother-in-law... Should I not?<34;

"Hmm?" Qing Li’s dissatisfaction left me utterly perplexed. If not mother-in-law, what was I expected to call her?

My arm began to ache from holding the cup aloft for so long. Yu Longting, unable to bear the prolonged silence, had already placed his tea cup on the ground and reached for mine.

A sudden flash of understanding struck me. Tentatively, I ventured, "Mom?" Could it be that she desired to be addressed as Mom? Was such a possibility even conceivable?

While it was customary for daughters-in-law to refer to their mothers-in-law as 'Mom,' I doubted Qing Li would permit such forwardness.

"Hmm," Qing Li finally responded, her lips pursed.

My strained nerves gradually eased, and a sheen of cold sweat broke out across my body. "Mom, please have some tea."

"Is that all you comprehend? Kneeling to serve tea, should you not alter your form of address towards me from this point forward?" Qing Li accepted the tea cup. She stirred the surface of the tea, took a sip, and then returned the cup to me.

Yu Longting then presented his own tea cup. "Mom, have some tea."

"You are not required to do so."