Chapter 68

Jiang Sixun submitted the paperwork and scheduled their marriage registration for the 22nd.

For such an important occasion, he called his three uncles and two aunts, and then announced it widely in the Jiang family group chat.

The “celebration squad” arrived within three seconds.

Jiang Xiaomi: “Wow, wow, wow! Congrats to the handsomest Uncle Sixun!”

She followed it up with six full rows of fireworks.

Zheng Zheng: “Uncle Sixun, I’m here! Congrats to you and Aunt Zhiyi, may your love be as sweet as honey and last for a hundred years! Give me more little brothers and sisters!”

Another twelve rows of fireworks filled the chat.

Jiang Xiaomi chimed in again, sending six more rows of fireworks.

The two of them started a playful commotion in the chat.

Xiaomi and Zheng Zheng, who called him “Uncle Sixun,” were both daughters of his cousins, only a few years younger than him—and both already married.

His mother had six siblings, and she was twenty years younger than the eldest uncle, who was about the same age as his mother. The oldest son and grandson of that branch were also around the same age as him.

Jiang Sixun divided the maximum single-transaction transfer amount into two, sending each of them a generous red envelope.

Jiang Xiaomi: “Thanks, handsomest boss!”

Zheng Zheng: “Thanks, richest boss!”

Jiang Shenghe @ Jiang Xiaomi: “Your wording is imprecise; you might offend people, you know?”

Jiang Xiaomi laughed: “In November, my Uncle Sixun is the handsomest, no doubt.”

Zheng Zheng @ Jiang Shenghe: “If he wears a red or purple shirt, in our eyes, he’ll be the handsomest uncle. Should he wear it? (wicked grin)”

Jiang Xiaomi threw some fuel on the fire: “He won’t dare, afraid his dad will break his legs.”

Jiang Shenghe: “…”.

These kids were always so mischievous.

Jiang Xiaomi: “Our two most handsome men in the family—Uncle Five and Uncle Sixun—dare to defy the elders, go their rebellious way, wear the red shirts they like, and refuse to be ‘PUAed’ by the elders. They’re our idols! (thumbs up)”

Jiang Shenghe @ Jiang Xiaomi: “Is your dad not in the group? When you go home tonight, I wonder whose legs will get broken.”

Jiang Xiaomi laughed out loud.

At that point, other family members started chiming in, asking why there were only two red envelopes.

Jiang Sixun: “I’ll send a red envelope to whoever praises me.”

“…”

Jiang Xiaomi @ Jiang Sixun: “Uncle, if I keep praising you tomorrow, will there be more red envelopes to claim?”

Jiang Sixun: “Yes, all the way until the day ZhiYiand I register our marriage.”

Jiang Xiaomi screamed: “I’m going to get rich!”

Uncle Three asked: “When are you bringing Zhiyi home?”

Jiang Sixun: “Maybe during the Spring Festival.”

There were just too many people in the family. It was difficult to get everyone together outside of the holidays.

Uncle Three: “Don’t even think about making me wear a red shirt!”

After thinking for a moment, he still didn’t feel reassured about his nephew. “I’ll prepare the clothes for the Spring Festival.”

Jiang Sixun: “…”.

At that moment, Xu Zhiyi came back from the bathroom.

She walked past him, wrapping her arms around his neck and leaning her cheek against his. “Still busy with work?”

“Nope,” Jiang Sixun replied, showing her the messages from the family group chat. “Tell them we’re registering our marriage on my birthday.”

The chat had been flooded with messages, but Xu Zhiyi only caught a glimpse of Uncle Three’s. She was the most familiar with him among the elder relatives—he was Jiang Shenghe’s father, and she had heard about him from Shenghe in the past.

She chuckled. “You’re so grown-up, and Uncle Three still tells you what to wear?”

“Mm.” Jiang Sixun locked his phone and placed it on the table. “He can’t control Shenghe, and Shenghe doesn’t care about him, so he comes to bother me.”

He gently turned his head, caressing her cheek. “Do you still want a refill of your coffee?”

Xu Zhiyi shook her head, remaining nestled against his shoulder.

It was the weekend, and they had both taken the day off to enjoy a date over afternoon tea.

“Shall we go for a walk by the sea, or go shopping?” Jiang Sixun asked.

Xu Zhiyi: “Let’s go shopping.”

She wanted to find a white dress suitable for their marriage registration day. With time running short, custom orders would be impossible.

Jiang Sixun pointed to the unfinished desserts on the table. “Not eating anymore?”

“Nope.”

He took the plate and finished the last few bites.

Holding her hand, they left the café. Outside, they turned right, heading toward the mall just a few minutes away by foot.

Today, there was no rush. Xu Zhiyi walked backwards, holding both his hands. After a few steps, she said, “Walking like this at twenty was normal, but now it feels a little strange.”

Jiang Sixun smiled softly at her: “Just pretend you’re twenty now. If anyone asks my age, I’ll say I’m twenty-six.”

Xu Zhiyi cleared her throat and, in imperfect Cantonese, asked, “Handsome, how old are you?”

Jiang Sixun played along: “Twenty-six.”

Xu Zhiyi held in a laugh for a few seconds but couldn’t maintain the Cantonese accent and finally spoke in Mandarin: “Wow, I really can’t tell you’re so young. You must have the soul of someone at least thirty-two or thirty-three years old.”

With a burst of laughter, she couldn’t help but giggle.

Jiang Sixun smiled, looking at her with amusement.

Jiang Sixun couldn’t help but laugh, pulling her forward into his embrace.

Before, he couldn’t imagine what dating her at twenty would be like, but now, there was no need to fantasize. It was right here, in this moment, with her in his arms.

As long as she was by his side, there was never a shortage of laughter and joy.

That’s why his father liked her around, and so did his grandfather.

Even Secretary Cai said that working with her was always relaxed and pleasant.

Xu Zhiyi, still laughing, turned around and intertwined her fingers with his, walking beside him normally.

Jiang Sixun asked, “Are we shopping with a purpose, or just wandering around?”

Xu Zhiyi replied, “I want to buy a dress.”

She gestured toward a wedding dress flagship store across the street. “I want to check that out.”

Jiang Sixun raised an eyebrow. “You want to look at wedding dresses?”

“Not exactly,” she said with a playful smile. “I want a white dress, like a wedding gown, but not exactly a wedding dress. I plan to wear it when we register.” She glanced up at him, wondering if he understood what she meant.

Jiang Sixun nodded, understanding. “The wedding dress store should have what you’re looking for.”

But he shook his head, implying she didn’t need to buy it.

Seeing her confused expression, he clarified: “I’ve already ordered one for you. It’ll be ready before the 20th, in time for our registration.”

Her shock turned to delight. Every expression and look on her face, Jiang Sixun didn’t miss a single one. He watched her, completely captivated.

Xu Zhiyi stopped in her tracks, standing face to face with him, her excitement barely contained. “When did you order it?” she asked. “It couldn’t have been recently, because it takes at least a month or two to have one made.”

Jiang Sixun met her gaze and gave her a hint: “Designer Li, no twin sister.”

Xu Zhiyi’s eyes widened in surprise. So, the designer who had made her dress was also the one who had designed wedding dresses for Zhou Mingqian’s wife?

So the whole gown fitting had just been a cover, so that her measurements could be taken for the wedding dress.

“You already ordered the wedding dress too?”

Jiang Sixun nodded, a smile playing on his lips. “One simple design, like a gown, for the registration. The more elaborate one will be ready next year, for the wedding.”

Xu Zhiyi took a step forward, standing on her toes as she wrapped her arms around his neck right there in the middle of the street.

He always seemed to know what she wanted before she did, always meeting her needs before she even asked.

Jiang Sixun naturally wrapped his arms around her waist, oblivious to the world around them.

Xu Zhiyi kissed him on the corner of his lips. “Are you really twenty-six this year? I swear you look at least twenty-four.”

Her radiant smile was infectious, and Jiang Sixun couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m twenty.” He lowered his head and kissed her back.

Nearby, the bodyguard’s eyes darted around, unsure where to look as he observed the rows of buildings lining the street.

“Wow, the buildings are so tall.”

She sighed, bored, in her mind.

Suddenly, the bodyguard seemed to remember something. He pulled out his phone, found the right angle, and snapped a photo of the two still wrapped in each other’s embrace. Xu Zhiyi’s face was especially clear in the shot.

Now, there was no need to worry about paparazzi making up stories, like the “Heir of the Lu family caught on the street hugging a model.”

---

On the morning of the 22nd, Xu Zhiyi had set her alarm for 6:00 a.m.

The alarm went off, but Jiang Sixun reached over to silence it.

Xu Zhiyi blinked her eyes open, only to find herself pressed against his strong chest, a red mark from her lips still lingering there. Whenever he was home, she always woke up in his arms, and trying to slip away in the middle of the night was nearly impossible.

“Go back to sleep,” came his deep, raspy voice from above her.

“I have to get up and do my makeup,” she murmured.

“No need to rush.”

“I won’t be able to sleep again, anyway.” Might as well get up and start her makeup.

Jiang Sixun stretched his arm, loosening his hold on her.

But he was awake long before the alarm, and now he couldn’t fall back asleep.

After washing up, they both dressed in the clothes they had prepared earlier.

Xu Zhiyi turned in front of the mirror, glancing at her waistline—everything fit perfectly.

Jiang Sixun fastened his cufflinks and picked out a dark red tie from the closet, the one Xu Zhiyi had bought for him.

“Today, you’re tying it for me,” he said, handing her the tie.

As soon as she took it, he pulled her into his arms. With his gaze down on her, their eyes locked when she looked up.

“I have a birthday gift for you,” she smiled softly.

Jiang Sixun looked at her with expectation. “What is it?”

“Lower your head. I can’t reach.” She grinned.

He obliged, leaning down, and Xu Zhiyi’s lips brushed against his ear. “Happy birthday, hubby.” She had been wanting to say that for a while.

Her soft whisper sank deep into his heart.

Still without makeup, she felt the warmth of his lips as he kissed her, tender and deep.

They had already changed into their registration clothes. Any further kiss might lead to losing control, and he broke away just in time, his lips lingering close to hers. “Thank you,” he murmured.

It was the gift he wanted the most.

Pulling back slightly, Xu Zhiyi began to tie his tie. Her eyes trailed from his deep, captivating gaze, down the chiseled bridge of his nose, and finally, to his perfectly defined jawline.

His features were sharp and refined, a face so exquisite that if they had a daughter, she would surely be breathtakingly beautiful.

Then she paused, thinking again—maybe their daughter would be even more beautiful if she took after her mother.

Jiang Sixun smiled, as though he could read her mind.

Jiang Sixun watched the corners of her lips lift into a smile. “What are you thinking about?”

Xu Zhiyi grinned mischievously. “Just a little self-love.”

While speaking, she skillfully finished tying the Windsor knot, then leaned in to plant a few soft kisses on his neck.

She kissed the knot, her lips grazing against his sharp Adam’s apple just barely.

Jiang Sixun swallowed, his throat moving slightly, and with a teasing smile said, “Tonight, I’ll let you kiss me as much as you want.”

Xu Zhiyi pushed him playfully. “No kissing tonight.”

She then walked over to the vanity to start her makeup.

Mr. Lu had suggested they head to the law office to register, but Jiang Sixun still preferred the marriage registry—he felt it had more of a ceremonial touch.

By 9:30, they arrived at the marriage registry.

Their elders had arrived before them. Aunt Jiang was sitting with Grandpa Lu, chatting as if she were watching the passage of time.

Grandpa Lu sighed, “I’m getting old. I won’t be able to fly to New York for long flights anymore. You and Sixun should come visit more often. The chef at home hasn’t changed, you know. Funny enough, you and Zhiyi like the same pastries.”

Jiang Yueru smiled softly. “The day Sixun proposed, I had some. Still the same taste.”

But everything had changed.

Lu Jianbo sat next to his ex-wife, feeling the sting of her words. From his disobedient son’s proposal to today’s registration, not once had she spared him a glance or a word.

“Sixun,” he called out to his son, “I’ve booked a place for lunch. We can celebrate your marriage registration, and I’ll also be celebrating your birthday.”

In front of Xu Zhiyi’s parents and her grandparents, he still showed respect to his father, keeping up appearances. “Thank you, Dad,” Sixun said politely.

Xu Heng, ever the troublemaker, murmured to his parents and grandparents, “Looks like today’s a big day—he can actually speak to Dad civilly.”

Jiang Sixun said nothing, letting his brother’s words go unchallenged.

Xu Xiangyi shot a look at his son, lowering his voice, “Sit properly.”

Xu Heng muttered, “Fine,” and adjusted his posture, legs uncrossing as he sat up straight.

Xu Zhiyi walked over to her parents. “The ceremony’s starting soon.”

He Yi’an placed the bouquet she had prepared for her daughter on the table, standing to fix her hair with meticulous care.

At least her daughter would be living at home after the wedding—if not, her heart would feel empty.

Xu Xiangyi held his daughter’s hand. “How’s your Cantonese coming along?”

---

Xu Zhiyi smiled, “It’s barely passable.”

The ceremony began, and everyone moved into the formal hall.

Jiang Sixun clasped her hand tightly, bringing it to his lips to kiss her ring. Suddenly, he paused, “I forgot to buy the wedding ring…”

“I forgot to buy one for myself.” Jiang Sixun’s words hung in the air.

The ceremony still had the exchange of rings to go through.

Xu Zhiyi gently pulled her hand from his grasp, reached into her bag, and pulled out a simple men’s band, waving it in front of him with a playful glint in her eye.

She had prepared the ring in secret, carefully measuring his ring finger when he wasn’t looking.

Their bodyguard, doubling as the photographer for the day, recorded every moment.

During the ring exchange, with Jiang Sixun’s eyes fixed on her, Xu Zhiyi slid the simple band onto his long, elegant ring finger.

Once the ring was in place, Jiang Sixun couldn’t hold back. He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. Gazing down at her, he declared in Cantonese, “I ask all present to witness: I, Jiang Sixun, take you, Xu Zhiyi, to be my lawful wife.”

For the past two weeks, Xu Zhiyi had been practicing this exact vow in Cantonese. When she said it to Secretary Cai, he told her she’d hit a solid nine out of ten.

She felt satisfied with herself.

Locking eyes with him, she repeated the words in her heart before saying them aloud, “I ask all present to witness: I, Xu Zhiyi, take you, Jiang Sixun, to be my lawful husband.”

The two embraced, their eyes moist with emotion.

Jiang Sixun’s mother, Jiang Yueru, had red eyes too—her son finally had a home of his own.

Grandpa Lu watched, his mind drifting back to the day he and his ex-wife had registered their marriage. He had invited Uncle Zhuang to be their witness, but after their divorce, Uncle Zhuang had regretted it deeply.

Jiang Sixun kissed the top of her head once more, whispering, “Thank you.” Thank you for becoming his wife, for walking with him into the future.

They signed their names on the marriage registration, Xu Zhiyi watching as both Grandpa Lu and her own grandfather carefully inscribed their signatures. Every past regret they had carried had been healed in this moment.

She handed Jiang Sixun the bouquet her mother had prepared for her, and with that gesture, she gained a new home—and a deeper connection to her life and future.