Chapter 50 – Getting the Marriage Certificate

What does it mean when you say someone gives you a pillow when you’re dozing off? Isn’t this exactly that?

Su Taotao felt that she still had a bit of that “transmigrated female lead” luck in her. Just yesterday she said she needed to find an art teacher for Fu Yuanhang, and today one showed up on his own.

This was a bit too mystical.

“I… I’m Fu Yuanhang,” Fu Yuanhang said blankly, completely confused as he looked at Su Taotao.

Su Taotao patted his head and quickly composed herself. “Sir, although we’re getting off at the next stop, where we’re going is far from the city—it might not be convenient.”

The elderly man probably realized he was being a bit forward. He hadn’t accepted students for nearly ten years. After searching for so long without success, he never expected that a random train ride would bring him across such a naturally talented child.

“He’s actually starting a bit late. Usually, kids begin around five or six years old. But since he has talent, starting later won’t be an issue.”

The other passengers kept staring, and the old man also realized this wasn’t the right place for conversation. He took out a pen and paper, wrote down an address and phone number, and handed it to Su Taotao.

“This is my contact information. Once you’ve settled down, you can come find me. My name is on there—you can look into my background first to see if I’m reliable. Don’t worry, I’m not a scammer. I’ve never taken a cent for teaching students.”

Su Taotao accepted it and thanked him.

Then the elderly man asked Fu Yuanhang to draw a kettle on the spot.

After observing his stroke order and composition, the old man stroked his beard and nodded repeatedly. “Not bad. To draw like this without formal training shows real talent. Be sure to contact me. We can discuss the details in person.”

Su Taotao nodded. “Definitely. Thank you, Master Tang.”

She had seen his signature—his surname was Tang.

Fu Zhengtu woke up right on time. As soon as the conductor announced their stop was in 20 minutes, he opened his eyes.

Su Taotao had already packed everything. She handed him some eggs and mugwort rice cakes to eat before getting off.

Since it wasn’t the final stop, getting off was a bit chaotic—they had to squeeze their way through. When they finally stepped onto the platform and breathed in fresh air, Su Taotao felt like she had come back to life.

Clear skies, a blue ocean, salty sea air—this place had all the hallmarks of a coastal city.

“Fu Zhengtu, how far is the base from here? How are we getting there?” Su Taotao realized she hadn’t asked this earlier.

Fu Zhengtu, holding little Chenchen in one arm, said, “About 50 kilometers. The base sent a vehicle.”

Su Taotao nodded and tried to carry one of his bags, but it was too heavy. She gave up and carried Chenchen again instead.

At the train station exit, a military truck was waiting. Fu Zhengtou walked straight over.

The driver, Xiao Lu, jumped down and jogged over. “Engineer Fu!” he called out, then caught sight of Su Taotao and the two children. A flicker of surprise flashed in his eyes. He smiled, nodded, and took the package from Fu Zhengtu’s hand.

Fu Zhengtu handed over Chenchen again.

Su Taotao tried to take the school bag from Fu Yuanhang’s back, but he dodged and said, “Sister-in-law, I’m stronger than you.”

Su Taotao: “…” Feeling a little insulted.

Surprisingly, the truck had two rows of seats. Fu Zhengtu sat in the front passenger seat, while Su Taotao held Chenchen and sat in the back with Fu Yuanhang.

“We’ll stop by the marriage registration office first,” Fu Zhengtu said.

Xiao Lu was visibly shocked. He looked at Su Taotao and the two kids in the rearview mirror, then quickly turned his eyes back to the road.

So… this was Engineer Fu’s wife and kids? The children were already this big? When did he get married? How had no one heard a word about it?

Su Taotao: “…” She had nearly forgotten—they were a “plastic couple” after all. They had been driving around without a marriage certificate for days.

She ran her fingers through her messy hair and looked down at her wrinkled clothes. “I look like a total mess. Can’t we do it another day?”

After all, it had been so long—what was the rush?

Fu Zhengtu turned to her. “I don’t know when I’ll be able to come out again. Today works.”

Su Taotao glared at him. How exactly was today “just right”?

He added, “Let’s just get the certificate now. We can take wedding photos another time.”

Su Taotao almost forgot that at this time, getting married didn’t necessarily require a wedding photo. The marriage certificate didn’t even need to include pictures—it could be added later.

Especially in rural areas, common-law marriages were more important. Many people didn’t even bother getting an official certificate, let alone wedding photos.

Who knew what kind of remote mountain the base was built in? And with how busy Engineer Fu was, it wouldn’t be easy for him to come out again. So getting it done today was probably best.

She asked, “What about the marriage documents?”

Fu Zhengtu replied, “I got yours yesterday morning from the brigade. I’ve had mine with me all along.”

Well, there was nothing more to say.

The two kids weren’t paying any attention to the adults’ conversation. Their eyes were glued to the stunning coastal scenery—they couldn’t get enough of it.

Su Taotao began explaining the ocean, coconut trees, the seagulls skimming the waves, and the fishing boats drifting by to the children.

Soon, they arrived at the marriage registration office.

Ten minutes later, Su Taotao looked at the marriage certificate in her hand—which looked remarkably like the “Outstanding Student” award she received as a child—and chuckled.

This bright red “certificate” had the bold black characters Marriage Certificate in the center. Below that were details like name, gender, age, vows, registration date, etc. At the top was the national emblem, flanked by three national flags on each side. Under the flags was a quote from the Chairman.

It was a marriage certificate full of the era’s flavor. Once this time period passed, they wouldn’t look like this anymore. The more Su Taotao looked at it, the more interesting she found it.

“Chenchen, Mommy will frame this marriage certificate and save it for you as a family heirloom.”

Little Fu Haochen didn’t really understand what a “family heirloom” was. He only knew that anything his mom gave him had to be something good. He nodded enthusiastically, eyes squinting with a smile. “Mm! Treasure~~”

Holding Chenchen in his arms, Fu Zhengt’s lips curved up in a rare smile, and a sense of peace settled in his heart.