Chapter 19: The Nineteenth Dimension 1/2

Song Fuzhi shook his head. “I never really had to see him in person.”

“And we’re probably going to register next week,” Song Fuzhi said. “By the time of the summer exhibition, I’ll be in the grave early.”

Luo Luli surrendered. “But you haven’t bought a house yet, right? You still have a chance before living together.”

Song Fuzhi remained quite rational. “Anyway, Teacher Octopus won’t stop producing. I’ll just watch the updates. It won’t starve me.”

Luo Luli said, “You won’t regret not seeing Teacher Octopus in person for a lifetime.”

 Song Fuzhi paused for a moment. “Let me think about it.”

After a few days, the results of the pre-marital examination were out.

Both of them were in good health, free from any sexual diseases, and all their indicators were normal.

With the property notarized and the pre-marital examination results normal, it seemed that they were left with the final step.

So, on a sunny afternoon, the two of them arrived at the registration place.

There were several other couples in the hall, both heterosexual and same-sex couples, most of them sweetly holding hands, with many of them carrying flowers.

Song Fuzhi and Shi Zhang sat quietly on the side, waiting for their turn. Even the seats between them were spaced out.

Soon, it was their turn. Guided by the staff, they took photos, filled out forms, and underwent verification.

The staff instructed them to smile, and they smiled. They were told to sign on the form, and they signed.

Song Fuzhi already felt that marriage itself had nothing to do with romance, and these processes reinforced that understanding.

Getting a marriage certificate was no different from getting an ID card; it was a procedure, a standardized aspect of life for the masses.

The two final marriage certificates with the stamped seals were handed to them. Two small red booklets with photos of the two men sitting upright, smiling slightly

As Song Fuzhi prepared to leave, Shi Zhang suddenly gently pulled his wrist, then quickly let go.

“What’s wrong?” Song Fuzhi turned to look at him.

Shi Zhang lifted his left hand and earnestly suggested, “Shouldn’t we wear the rings on a different finger?”

Song Fuzhi was slightly stunned but nodded.

Their rings were currently on the ring finger of the engaged hand, and now that they had obtained the certificate, it was time to move them to the ring finger.

It needed to be changed, but Song Fuzhi hadn’t expected Shi Zhang to bring it up right after getting the certificate.

Professor Shi was indeed meticulous in his thinking.

So, the two of them sat down in the hall and re-wore the rings for each other.

The actions were simple. Shi Zhang took off the ring from Song Fuzhi’s ring finger and put it on his little finger. Song Fuzhi also took off Shi Zhang’s ring and placed it on his little finger.

“Done,” Song Fuzhi said.

Shi Zhang stood up. “Let’s go.”

Perhaps they were the least typical couple here today, as they had come in two separate cars, even parked in different areas of the parking lot.

When they separated in the parking lot, Shi Zhang suddenly said, “Professor Song, when we go to see the house next week, can I pick you up from your place?”

Song Fuzhi paused for a moment; Shi Zhang’s suggestion seemed a bit abrupt.

Was Professor Shi suggesting this because they were married and he wanted to fulfill his husbandly duties?

It seemed like he was earnestly managing their marriage.

For some reason, Song Fuzhi suddenly felt a bit moved.

Seeing Song Fuzhi not responding, Shi Zhang smiled and said, “Our destinations have been the same several times, but we always drive separately, which is a bit environmentally unfriendly.”

He continued to explain, “Car emissions can be harmful to people and can also damage plants, possibly leading to yellowing leaves or even disrupting the function of chloroplasts. When plants get sick or are polluted, in the end, it affects humans themselves.”

Professor Shi gave a lengthy explanation, and Song Fuzhi opened his mouth but couldn’t speak.

It was too professionally spirited, even rising to the level of affecting all of humanity. It is truly fitting for a professor of botany.

Song Fuzhi almost laughed. He thought Shi Zhang was managing their marriage, but it turned out to be about environmental protection.

He had thought too much.

“Sorry.” Shi Zhang cleared his throat lightly. “I accidentally said too much. I didn’t mean to show off; I just thought we could make some changes within our capabilities.”

“Of course.” Song Fuzhi smiled and nodded. “But we don’t live together. When we do, we can emit fewer emissions.”

Shi Zhang asked, “Are we going to see houses next week?”

“Yes,” Song Fuzhi replied. He remembered they had scheduled a time before.

“Then can I drive to your place to pick you up?” Shi Zhang asked.

Professor Shi’s tone and reasons were too straightforward. Song Fuzhi had no reason to refuse, and instead, he felt a bit ashamed, so he nodded in agreement.

“Husband—”

A gentle, young male voice made both of them stiffen.

From behind, a just-married couple walked towards them. The slender and fair young man was holding the arm of another young man, and his voice was sweet and light. “How about we go to Hainan for our honeymoon?”

They held a large bouquet of flowers in their hands, holding each other tightly and displaying an intimate posture.

The man holding him said, “Baby, anywhere you want to go is fine.”

The sweet newlyweds probably had a barrier against others. The air around them was tinted pink, and they passed by Song Fuzhi and Shi Zhang without even looking at them.

Song Fuzhi watched as they opened the car door. The fair-skinned man sat down first, and when the tall man prepared to go to the driver’s seat, he was stopped. The little man didn’t let him go.

The two probably stared at each other for a second, and suddenly, the tall man bent down and kissed the other’s lips, pressing down on his hand, and then both of them fell into the car. After that, all that could be heard were a few murmurs of “husband.”

These two young people were openly and boldly displaying their affection, seemingly oblivious to others around them.

Goosebumps rose all over Song Fuzhi’s body, and he took a deep breath. “Young people nowadays are really…”

Really, he didn’t finish saying it.

Professor Shi didn’t comment on this, not even glancing in that direction. He probably thought it was indecent to watch.

The bold and unrestrained young ones, and Professor Shi’s composed politeness

The contrast was obvious.

“So, see you next week?” Song Fuzhi asked.

“Yes,” Shi Zhang said goodbye, but he didn’t immediately get into the car.

The two of them stood side by side like that.

Song Fuzhi looked at him with a bit of inquiry, thinking that Shi Zhang still had something to say.

“I was just thinking, we can’t call you my fiancé anymore,” Shi Zhang said.

Song Fuzhi exclaimed, “Ah,” and smiled knowingly, asking, “What should I call you then?”

“Husband, Mr., lover,” Professor Shi provided examples, all serious terms.

Seemingly influenced by the recent encounter with the young couple, Song Fuzhi suddenly had a mischievous thought.

“Professor Shi, didn’t you hear how others were calling each other just now?”

Shi Zhang calmly replied, “I didn’t pay attention.”

After some thought, Song Fuzhi decided to guide the old-fashioned professor into the current era. Using a teaching-like tone, he said, “Husband.”

Shi Zhang gazed at Song Fuzhi for a few seconds, with a somewhat smiling expression, and responded with a low, single word, “Hmm.”

…

Song Fuzhi suddenly felt like he was being teased, but looking at Professor Shi’s composed demeanor, he couldn’t find any evidence.

“Addressing each other like this in public might be a bit inappropriate,” Professor Shi said. “It could make others uncomfortable.”

Shi Zhang suddenly took a step closer, slightly lowered his head, and lightly brushed against Song Fuzhi’s ear.

Song Fuzhi had never known his ears were so sensitive; the warm breath quickly numbed half of his body. Before he could instinctively move away, the deep and steady voice penetrated his ear without warning.

Shi Zhang was almost pressed against his ear. Using a tone that only he could hear, he said, “See you next week, my husband.”