The people outside were banging on the door, while Zhou Xiaoye inside was looking for something to block it. Both were very busy.

The villagers watched this farce and discussed it amongst themselves.

"That girl, Ono, has really let her studies go to her head. How can she not open the door when the groom is already at the door?"

"I always said that girls shouldn't study too much. Knowing how to read is enough. What's the point of learning so much? They still have to get married and have children, don't they?"

"Ono's dad, the auspicious time is almost over, stop calling and just break down the door."

"That's right, it's just a door. If it's broken, the son-in-law can just fix a new one. But missing the auspicious time is a big deal!"

Someone turned around and went to the kitchen to find a machete.

Seeing this, Li Xiaoli stamped her feet in frustration: "Brother, what are you thinking?!"

Why aren't you making a move? Did she get up early this morning to do all that work just to come and watch the show?

She came to save people!

Li Weidong pinched her mouth shut and suddenly said, "Zhou Xiaoye is my sister's classmate. My sister is only fifteen years old this year, so she's about the same age..."

"Isn't the national regulation now that you have to be at least 20 years old to get married? She's so young, isn't that breaking the law?"

The sound was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough to reach everyone's ears.

The once bustling courtyard fell silent for a brief moment.

Then everyone burst into laughter.

Zhou's mother rolled her eyes: "Do you think you can control everything, including my daughter's marriage?"

"Exactly, they say the rule is you can only get married at twenty, but who cares?"

"Xiao Ye is sixteen this year, a big girl now. When I was her age, I already had my second child!"

"Don't even mention sixteen, there are plenty of girls getting married at fifteen here, what's so strange about that?"

"The government has regulations, but do you see anyone caring? The higher-ups are too busy with so many things to bother with this!"

Everyone started talking.

Li Weidong laughed: "What if they really do intervene?"

Zhang the Cripple was getting angry because he couldn't get the door open. He immediately started cursing, "I don't believe it! If the higher-ups really care about this, I'll twist my head off and let you kick it around like a ball!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than the roar of motorcycles came from outside, and it sounded like there was more than one.

These days, motorcycles are still a rarity, and everyone immediately turned to look outside.

I should have looked away, because once I did, I was immediately shocked.

In the distance, a Santana sped towards them, followed by more than a dozen motorcycles with sidecars, all filled with police officers, forming a grand procession.

"Why...why are there so many police officers?"

Everyone was stunned.

Zhang the Cripple was sobered up considerably from the shock: "Why...why did the police actually come?"

Li Weidong smiled enigmatically: "I already told you, Zhou Xiaoye isn't old enough to get married. The country doesn't allow it. We've come here to arrest you."

As they were talking, the car stopped in front of the Zhou family's house.

The once lively crowd fell silent, their faces pale as they retreated.

Some of the more timid ones even sneaked out, but couldn't bear to miss the excitement, so they hid far away to watch.

It is said that the common people cannot fight against the officials; the people have always been most afraid of the officials.

With so many police officers around, who wouldn't be afraid?

The huge courtyard was completely silent.

Li Xiaoli's eyes widened like copper bells, filled with both curiosity and fear, and she couldn't help but hide behind Li Weidong.

The Santana's door opened, and Xing Guodong got out of the car, glancing at everyone.

He was already tall, and now, dressed in a police uniform with a stern face, he immediately intimidated everyone.

Zhou's mother nudged Zhou's father, trembling, signaling him to come out and speak.

Mr. Zhou's legs were trembling, but he had no choice but to stand up: "Officer... I'm here today to... marry off my daughter, what brings you here?"

There were at least a dozen police officers in this huge group; it was terrifying!

Xing Guodong asked with a stern face: "Marrying off your daughter?"

"I'm asking you, how old is your daughter this year?!"

The cold, icy voice startled Zhou's father so much that he stumbled and nearly knelt down.

How can I possibly speak?

Li Xiaoli jumped up: "Zhou Xiaoye is only sixteen years old! He's not even of legal marriage age yet!"

Xing Guodong's face darkened further: "The country has long stipulated that the marriage age for men is 22 and for women it is 20. You want to marry off your daughter when she's only 16?"

"I'm telling you, what you're doing is illegal and criminal!!!"

Mr. Zhou turned pale with fright, yet he was unwilling to give up: "It's not like my daughter is the only one getting married at such a young age..."

Xing Guodong snorted coldly: "That's why we need to crack down hard!"

"These teenage girls, whose bodies haven't even fully developed yet, who should be in school, are being pushed out to get married. It's utterly heartless!"

He grew increasingly angry as he spoke: "It just so happens that the county is looking for exemplary cases right now. Your whole family, including the groom, are coming with us!"

The Zhou family's expressions changed instantly.

Zhang the Cripple was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat and shook his head desperately: "Officer colleague, this has nothing to do with me!"

"Old Zhou insisted on marrying his daughter to me. I don't want this marriage anymore, I want to break it off!"

As he spoke, he ran outside, and his previously lame leg now moved with surprising agility.

Before Xing Guodong could react, he had already run quite a distance.

The remaining members of the Zhang family looked at each other in bewilderment.

A moment later, they scattered in all directions.

Zhou's father then came to his senses and immediately perked up: "Comrade, the groom wants to call off the engagement, the wedding is off, so... so we can't arrest him anymore, can we?"

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!