Chapter 12: Marriage Registration

He teased her leisurely, “After we get our marriage certificate, let’s go buy some wedding candies. We can give some to the lady boss —maybe we’ll get a discount on tomorrow’s meal.”

It was the first time Jiang Yining had seen this side of He Chi—there was a touch of roguish charm to him. She knew he was doing it on purpose, but she just couldn’t get angry.

Trying to stay composed, she replied, “That might do more than just get us a discount. The lady  boss might even treat me to a meal and ask me to preach to her daughter.”

Seeing He Chi looking a little confused, Jiang Yining added, “She has a daughter, two years older than me. Still single.”

He Chi chuckled—not because he found what she said funny, but because she was clearly embarrassed and yet trying so hard to act composed.

Though he hadn’t spent much time with Jiang Yining, he was starting to understand her better. She seemed reserved and gentle, but she was someone with a strong sense of independence.

And she got shy very easily.

He Chi used to think Jiang Yining was afraid of him—turns out, he had probably misunderstood.

After dinner, He Chi walked back with Jiang Yining. He Xiao Hui was still waiting in the car.

Before getting in, He Chi asked, “What time should I come pick you up tomorrow morning?”

Their appointment was scheduled for the morning.

Jiang Yining replied, “Eight-thirty, I guess.”

“Alright, I’ll come get you then.”

Only after watching He Chi’s car drive away did Jiang Yining head into the complex. After having taken care of He Xiao Hui for a few days, now that he was gone, she suddenly felt a strange emptiness in her heart.

When she got home, Zhang Qiao had just returned from work. After looking around, she asked, “You gave away the chubby little cat?”

“Yeah, He Chi just picked him up.”

Zhang Qiao crooked her finger at Jiang Yining. “Ningning, come here.”

With her mysterious air, Jiang Yining couldn’t guess what Zhang Qiao was up to, but she followed her to the sofa as instructed.

Zhang Qiao pulled out a small gift box from her bag. Inside was a delicate platinum diamond necklace. She fastened it around Jiang Yining’s neck. “This is your gift for registering your marriage.”

After putting it on, Jiang Yining glanced down at the necklace, smiling as she said, “This must have been expensive. I feel a little bad accepting it.”

Zhang Qiao clicked her tongue. “What’s there to feel bad about? It’s just a necklace. I can still afford it for my sister.”

“Ningning.” For some reason, Zhang Qiao’s voice carried a hint of sadness. “I didn’t expect you to be getting married so soon. I always thought we’d have a few more years living together.”

“When you move out, leave some clothes and bedding behind. I’ll keep your room just the way it is. If that He Chi guy ever treats you badly, you can come back anytime. This place will always have a room for you.”

Jiang Yining had been genuinely happy to receive the gift, but after hearing Zhang Qiao’s words, her eyes couldn’t help but well up with tears.

“Don’t. You can rent it out, have someone to keep you company, and share the mortgage.”

Zhang Qiao shook her head. “I’m not renting it out. I’d have to accommodate strangers. It’s different with you. Besides, I don’t need the extra money.”

She hadn’t wanted to take Jiang Yining’s money before, but she knew that if she didn’t, Jiang Yining, with her personality, would feel guilty.

Zhang Qiao earned more than Jiang Yining and had the support of her parents. She really didn’t need the money.

Jiang Yining didn’t bring up the idea of renting out the room again. She looked at Zhang Qiao with gratitude. “Qiaoqiao, thank you.”

“Don’t thank me,” Zhang Qiao said, standing up. “I’m going to take a shower and rest. This horrible class… I really don’t feel like going to it.”

Hearing Zhang Qiao complain for the umpteenth time, Jiang Yining chuckled, and a tear slipped from the corner of her eye.

She, too, didn’t want to move out.

The next morning, Jiang Yining got up early to do her makeup. Finally, she put on the new white shirt she had bought and double-checked her household registration and ID before leaving.

Jiang Yining shared the same household registration as her mother, and He Chi had moved out of his family’s registration book years ago.

With both their documents in order, the process of getting their marriage certificate went smoothly. When they left the civil affairs bureau, Jiang Yining stared at the red book in her hand, still not quite processing that she had officially become a married woman.

He Chi handed his marriage certificate to Jiang Yining. When she looked up, he gave a faint smile. “I’ll leave it in your care.”

Jiang Yining curved her lips into a smile. “Okay.”

Just as they got into the car, before He Chi could start the engine, he received a phone call from his mother.

The moment the call connected, Lin Shu’s voice came through, and she directly asked, “He Chi, did you go to the civil affairs bureau to get your marriage certificate?”

With how well-connected Lin Shu was, when those words came out, He Chi and Jiang Yining exchanged a glance, stunned.

He Chi sighed and rubbed his forehead. He didn’t deny it, but also didn’t confirm it directly. “Mom, where did you hear that from?”

“Aunty Wang told me. She said she saw you at the civil affairs bureau.”

He Chi couldn’t immediately remember which Aunty Wang it was. His mother had so many friends and classmates, and there were several with the last name Wang.

In a teasing tone, he asked, “Is Aunty Wang going to get a divorce or remarry?”

Lin Shu almost lost her temper. “She works at the civil affairs bureau!”

No wonder.

“He Chi, stop changing the subject. Did you or did you not get your marriage certificate?”

This time, He Chi directly admitted, “Yes.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Shu’s voice became calm, but there was an undercurrent of coldness. “Come back home, right now. Immediately.”

　Before hanging up, Lin Shu specifically reminded him, “You come back on your own.”

Jiang Yining didn’t dare to make a sound. This was the first time she had witnessed the usually gentle and composed Lin Shu lose her temper.

He Chi looked at her, amused. “You’re scared now?”

Jiang Yining shrank her neck, no longer daring to act tough. “A little.”

“I’ll drop you off at your friend’s place first. Once I handle things with Lin Shu, I’ll come find you.”

Jiang Yining shook her head. “I’ll go back with you.” She gave an awkward smile. “After all, the idea to act first and ask for forgiveness later was mine.”

Before He Chi could refuse her suggestion, Jiang Yining spoke up first. “If I go back with you, Teacher Lin might not…”

Jiang Yining didn’t say the words “beat you” aloud, but from her hesitance, He Chi already understood.

He chuckled but didn’t refuse.

However, He Chi did offer a reminder, “When we get back, you just stand aside and leave all the responsibility to me.”

Then, he turned his gaze to Jiang Yining, lifting an eyebrow. “After all, I’m used to being scolded by Teacher Lin, so it’s no big deal.”

Jiang Yining: “…”

This guy, even with the fire at his heels, still had the mood to joke around.

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On the other side, after Teacher Lin hung up the phone, He Yuwen asked her, “Why didn’t you have He Chi bring his wife back too?”

“Are you going to let people laugh at us the first time she comes over?”

The couple both understood that, with things having come this far, they could only accept it. What was sad, however, was that their son had already gotten married, and they didn’t even know who their daughter-in-law was.

After saying this, Teacher Lin began searching the house for something.

He Yuwen, puzzled, asked, “What are you looking for?”

Teacher Lin entered the kitchen, rummaging around. “Where’s the rolling pin?”

“What do you need a rolling pin for?”

Teacher Lin looked at him, speechless. “Of course, to hit someone. What, you think I’m going to use it to make noodles to welcome him?”

“You’ve spoiled your son. He does whatever he wants, without any regard. He gets married without even consulting the family first. How do you think the girl’s side will view us?”

This time, He Yuwen didn’t side with He Chi. The boy had indeed handled this matter poorly.

“I’ll help you look.”

While Teacher Lin was still in the kitchen searching for the rolling pin, He Yuwen quickly went to the balcony and hid the rolling pin that had been left out to dry the previous day.

After searching around, he finally presented a feather duster to Teacher Lin. “Can’t find the rolling pin? Use this, it’ll do.”