Chapter 1170： The River God’s Bride (5)

Yuexiang truly could not understand Tang Wan’s thoughts. No matter how she tried to make sense of it, she could not comprehend how someone who had been chosen as the River God’s bride could remain so calm, even appearing faintly pleased. To her, it was unthinkable. Was Wanwan so frightened that she had lost her senses?

Gripping Tang Wan’s hand tightly, Yuexiang’s expression turned resolute as she spoke in a hurried, anxious tone, “Wanwan, are you so scared that something’s wrong with you? Don’t be afraid… if it really comes to it, I’ll go in your place!”

Her words were sincere, without the slightest hint of hesitation, and for a moment, Tang Wan was taken aback. In the original course of events, Yuexiang had only agreed to take the original owner’s place because she had been persuaded and emotionally manipulated, her soft-hearted nature leaving her unable to refuse. But this time, Tang Wan had said nothing at all, and yet Yuexiang was still willing to step forward of her own accord, ready to face death for her sake.

A faint warmth stirred in Tang Wan’s chest. Reaching out, she placed her hand gently over Yuexiang’s and said softly, “Don’t worry, I know exactly what I’m doing. My mind is perfectly clear.” She paused slightly before adding with a small smile, “Yuexiang, being able to have a sister like you is truly my good fortune.”

Someone willing to risk her life for another without being asked—such sincerity was rare and precious. Tang Wan could not help but feel that a person like Yuexiang deserved happiness, no matter what. Even if this time she did not meet Feng Lun as she had before, Tang Wan believed that fate would still find a way to bring them together. And if it did not, then she would personally ensure that their paths crossed again.

Seeing Tang Wan speak so calmly, without any trace of panic or confusion, Yuexiang hesitated, a flicker of doubt crossing her face. “But… why?” she asked quietly. “Don’t you know that becoming the River God’s bride means being drowned?”

At this, Tang Wan’s eyes shifted slightly, and she leaned closer, lowering her voice as though sharing a secret. “Actually… I’ve wanted to marry He Bo.”

The moment the words left her lips, Yuexiang froze, her eyes widening in shock and disbelief. He Bo was a spirit, a being far removed from the human world—how could Tang Wan speak of such a thing so lightly?

“It’s true,” Tang Wan continued, her tone steady and convincing. “I had a dream last night. In that dream, I became He Bo’s bride, and afterward, the two of us… we grew very close. When the mayor announced it today, I realized that this wasn’t a coincidence at all. He Bo chose me because he already knew me. He must like me too, otherwise why would he appear in my dream and ask for my hand?”

Yuexiang stared at her, still struggling to process what she had just heard. “Really? Something like that actually happened?”

“Of course,” Tang Wan replied without hesitation, her expression earnest. “When have I ever lied to you? And besides, I’m not a fool.”

After a moment of silence, Yuexiang slowly nodded, though the worry in her eyes did not completely fade. “If that’s true… then it’s good,” she said softly. “But if anything happens, you must come find me. Otherwise, I won’t be able to stop worrying.”

“I will,” Tang Wan assured her gently. “Don’t worry.”

Only then did Yuexiang reluctantly take her leave, though she still looked back several times before finally disappearing from sight.

After she left, Tang Wan returned to her room. Knowing that she would soon become the River God’s bride in just three days, Father Tang and Mother Tang no longer asked her to do any work. Instead, they urged her to rest, their attitudes tinged with an unspoken heaviness. “Wanwan… just go inside and rest well,” Tang mother said, her voice trembling slightly as tears once again gathered in her eyes.

To her, this was a daughter who had barely known happiness in life, and now she was to be offered up as a sacrifice. The thought alone was enough to break her heart. In her silent prayers, she could only hope that in the next life, Tang Wan would be reborn into a wealthy and fortunate family, spared from such suffering.

Seeing her mother’s sorrow, Tang Wan offered a few gentle words of comfort before retreating to her room.

That night, she lay down on the bed and quickly fell asleep, her breathing steady and even as the quiet darkness settled around her.

What she did not know was that not long after she drifted into slumber, a faint breeze stirred within the room. The air shifted almost imperceptibly, and in the next moment, a strange figure appeared silently at her bedside—a creature with a human body but the head of a fish, its features resembling that of a catfish, standing motionless as it gazed down at her sleeping form.