Chapter 115 N-Promise

The two arrived at the notary office together. Lawyer Lin, who had been by Li Shuying's side for many years, stepped forward, handed the household registration book to Chu Beiling, and explained the reason for their presence.

Chu Beiling looked at Xing Yu in surprise: "Is this what you and Ms. Li were talking about that day? Why didn't you tell me beforehand!"

Xing Yu laughed and said, "We already agreed on this, didn't we?"

Strangely enough, Chu Beiling had forgotten many things, but his memory of that day was so clear that he still remembered it vividly.

It was a typical Wednesday afternoon. The two classes before the class meeting were political classes. Deng was explaining the test paper on the podium. When he came to the topic of guardianship by choice, he started to think outside the box and patiently explained the relevant legal provisions.

At that time, he and Xing Yu did not fully understand each other, but they had already agreed to sign such a written agreement to be responsible for each other.

So when Xing Yu brought it up, Chu Beiling agreed without hesitation.

Because they really missed it, and were way too late.

However, under the reminder and supervision of Attorney Lin, Chu Beiling realized that what Xing Yu had given him was—rights and trust far beyond what he had imagined.

If he wanted, Xing Yu could leave with nothing right now.

The premise for him to grant Xing Yu the same rights and obligations is that Xing Yu must agree to the principle of putting him first in everything.

Otherwise, it will not take effect.

Xing Yu is taking a huge gamble, entrusting everything to him.

Chu Beiling's hand trembled slightly; for a moment, he was reluctant to step into the notary office.

Xing Yu gently squeezed his hand, offering a casual reassurance: "We won't be separated again, will we?"

"But……"

Xing Yu interrupted him, his voice steady: "There aren't that many 'buts'..." He smiled: "Or, you just don't believe we'll always be together!"

Chu Beiling was speechless. He felt that Xing Yu's words were ambiguous, but he couldn't find a reason to refute them.

Chu Beiling attributed his hesitation and feelings of unfairness towards Xing Yu to a lack of confidence. He felt as if Xing Yu had tricked him, set him up, and forced him into a situation.

“To me, the scenery of the four seasons is not as beautiful as you,” Xing Yu said earnestly, looking into his eyes. “I love you and I don’t want to weigh the pros and cons with you.”

Chu Beiling's army suffered a crushing defeat and could no longer refuse.

However, he emphasized that he would pay the notarization fee of four thousand dollars for both documents.

Xing Yu laughed helplessly and finally agreed to his request.

The notary office staff were very strict. They first confirmed their relationship, and then repeatedly confirmed their emotional state after learning about it.

And tell them: "What you are signing is not just a simple treaty, but a responsibility to make important decisions for each other at critical moments. You must fully understand and trust each other."

To make sure they had thought it through, the other party repeatedly emphasized the seriousness of the matter before handing them the forms.

Only after repeatedly confirming that everything was correct did they proceed with the processing.

The two solemnly signed their names at the end of the document in black and white, handed it to the notary, and received two large red stamps.

The Civil Code certifies that the weighty and complete promise of a lifetime has come into effect.

After leaving the notary office and parting ways with the lawyer, Chu Beiling glanced at the two notarized documents, then smiled at Xing Yu: "Mr. Xing, you're mine now, and I'll take responsibility for you."

“It’s always been yours.” Xing Yu took back the two notarized documents: “I’ll keep them safe.”

He held the document firmly in his hand.

Chu Beiling couldn't help but tease him: "Wife, you took the documents because you're afraid we'll get a divorce?!"

Xing Yu narrowed his eyes dangerously and pinched his chin: "Mrs. Xing, on the first day of your marriage, your thinking is very dangerous."

"If I really did that, who knows how you, you black sesame dumpling, would retaliate against me." Chu Beiling's lips curled slightly: "Forget it, staying alive is more important."

Xing Yu reached out and took his hand: "At least you have some self-awareness."

Fuzzy sunlight filtered through the branches of the banyan tree, shards of it falling on them. Chu Beiling slapped his hand: "That's too much."

Xing Yu said, "I'm certain that Mr. Chu made the first move."

Chu Beiling puffed out her cheeks and patted his arm again: "Don't talk, be quiet for a while."

There was a two-second silence.

Xing Yu turned his head to the side: "Are you free this afternoon? Go tell Grandma Chen."

Chu Beiling was in a good mood at the moment, and her tone was a bit lighter: "There's a meeting at two o'clock."

Xing Yu nodded slightly, waited for Chu Beiling to get into the passenger seat, helped him fasten his seatbelt, leaned down and gave him a brief kiss before turning to the driver's seat.

Speaking of Deng Laodao, Chu Beiling said, "Looking back now, most of the teachers in the class should have noticed something was wrong at that time."

Xing Yu nodded and gave a soft "hmm." After a few seconds, he added, "Most of the teachers are very good."

Back then, they were young and arrogant, thinking they had hidden themselves well and no one had noticed, but they were the teachers who truly taught and nurtured students, standing on the podium.

In their eyes and hearts, they see all the cautious expressions and actions of the young people, as well as the undercurrents of their thoughts.

Like a shadow under the sun, there is nowhere to hide, and there is no way to escape.

Even if most teachers discover this and disapprove, they will remain silent and protect the teenagers, safeguarding their fragile self-esteem and cautiousness.

It also protected their peaceful lives in a world of prejudice.

Deng also subtly reminded them what they needed to do to protect themselves.

To live safely and unharmed in this prejudiced society.

The law protects everyone, even those who, in the eyes of some, violate public order and good morals or do not conform to mainstream social values. Just as the Civil Code may have taken into account 'each and every one of them' when it was first formulated.

So they are being protected silently and gently.

The roses on both sides of the elevated road are in full bloom, turning the elevated road into a flower corridor in the sky. When cars drive on the elevated road, they are surrounded by pink flowers, which are particularly beautiful and romantic in the sunlight, like a wedding scene.

Chu Beiling looked at Xing Yu with surprise and delight: "It wasn't here yesterday." He lowered the car window, and a faint floral fragrance wafted into the car.

“It’s been like this for many years, blooming every spring.” Xing Yu glanced at him briefly, then looked at the asphalt road: “Flowers bloom all the way, your wish has come true.”

"You did this?" Before the words were even out of his mouth, Chu Beiling burst out laughing. That was such a stupid question.

Xing Yu laughed and said, "I don't have that kind of ability to turn the whole city into a garden."

He explained to Chu Beiling, who hadn't lived in the city for ten years, "They said not everyone owns a villa with a garden, so they made Hangzhou a big garden so that everyone could live in a garden."

Chu Beiling responded softly. This city has always been like this, romantic and full of cultural atmosphere, better than any city he has ever been to.

He turned his gaze away and looked at Xing Yu, who was standing beside him.

—Of course, most importantly, the person he had always missed and wanted to see was here.

The road to the nursing home was lined with blooming flowers, imprinted in the March spring breeze, as if blessing him and Xing Yu, making every step of the journey a 'romantic flower road'.

They told Grandma Chen about it.

The elderly woman, unusually lucid, held their hands, smiled, and talked to them for a long time, saying that after all their hardships, they could finally accompany her for a lifetime, and she was at peace with them.

Grandma Chen patted their heads and said, “Grandma has seen too many people in her life. Grandma knows that you are each other’s medicine and each other’s life. This illness has taken away too many things from me, but it can’t take away the peace and happiness I feel when I see you together.”

Chu Beiling felt a lump in her throat and looked at her along with Xing Yu.

The latter spoke first: "Grandma Chen, thank you. We will definitely be fine."

Chu Beiling pressed her forehead against Grandma Chen's hand, her voice hoarse: "Grandma Chen, we will live well."

Grandma Chen waved to them and said, "Hold out your hands."

Chu Beiling looked up and exchanged a glance with Xing Yu, then obediently extended her hand in front of her.

Grandma Chen took out two platinum rings from her pocket and placed one in each of their hands: "These are gifts from Grandma Chen to you. I wish you a long and happy life together."

The two mature men were stunned for a moment, and like children, they clasped their hands together and carefully put this heavy sentiment into their palms.

"Grandma Chen, thank you." Chu Beiling and Xing Yu said almost at the same time.

Grandma Chen smiled contentedly as she watched them clutch the rings tightly. She asked, "So, when are your wedding plans?"

After saying that, she put on her reading glasses and took out a Chinese almanac from under her pillow: "Grandma Chen will help you choose one. You young people wouldn't know how to choose one. Such an important moment as a wedding requires careful planning."

Xing Yu readily agreed: "Then Grandma Chen will choose one for us."

Chu Beiling tried hard to suppress the soreness in her throat and echoed, "We don't know how to choose, Grandma Chen will help us choose."

Grandma Chen looked through the papers for a long time: "How about Saturday, October 18th?"

Xing Yu nodded: "Very good, we still have a long time to prepare."

Grandma Chen, like a child, handed the little red book to them and mumbled to them.

The seventh time.

Grandma Chen chose this date seven times, and even though she forgot it countless times and wasn't very clear-headed, the date never changed.

On the fourth time, Chu Beiling couldn't help but ask Xing Yu why it was this again. There were so many auspicious days for their wedding, yet Grandma Chen was still in such a terrible state.

Xing Yu shook his head; he wasn't really sure why.

However, he opened his phone's photo album and showed Chu Beiling a picture of a small, yellowed, and torn piece of paper that Grandma Chen had carefully preserved.

"I am going to protect my country. Don't worry about me. If I am lucky enough to return, I will spend the rest of my life with you. If I don't return, don't wait for me. Find a good person to live with."

—October 19, 1950.

As for what exactly happened the day before, Xing Yu had no idea and had no way of finding out.

Chu Beiling couldn't take it anymore when she saw this, and cried for more than ten minutes before she could barely calm down.

Hearing Grandma Chen mention this date again, his eyes instantly reddened. Afraid of triggering Grandma Chen's sad memories, he forced back his tears, while his stomach began to churn.

Grandma Chen quickly stroked his cheek, asking anxiously, "Fanfan, what's wrong? Why are you unhappy? Do you not like this day?"

Chu Beiling shook his head and then nodded, rambling on and on, simply because he was too happy.

Xing Yu knew what he was thinking, took his hand, held it in his palm, and gently stroked the back of his hand with his fingertips to soothe him.

Grandma Chen seemed unsure whether she believed them or not; her eyes glazed over for a moment before she finally focused on their faces: "Should we get you a different one?"

Both of them shook their heads.

Grandma Chen drifted off into thought again, then continued flipping through the almanac, muttering to herself, "I'll change it for you. This one isn't good; it clashes with my wedding date. I'll change it for you."

Chu Beiling's breath hitched, and he suddenly stood up. The intense emotional shock made him unsteady on his feet. He grabbed Xing Yu's shoulder to steady his swaying body.

Grandma Chen and Xing Yu both looked at him with concern.

Chu Beiling bit her lip hard, then forced herself to sit back down and said to the old lady, "Grandma Chen, you don't need to change. The weather is nice."

After calming his shocked and confused emotions, Xing Yu said, "Grandma Chen doesn't need to change, she's really fine."

Grandma Chen was both suspicious and worried: "Shall we get you a different one?"

Chu Beiling shook his head: "It's really good, I'm not lying to you. We'll be very busy at the end of the year, and it'll be hard to arrange the time."

Xing Yu glanced at him, pondered for a moment, and asked about Grandma Chen's past.

Grandma Chen was stunned for a few seconds before telling them about what happened back then, how she and her husband met, got to know each other, and fell in love... She also complained to them that the grandfather was a blockhead at first, silly but very interesting, like a young girl experiencing her first love, radiant as a peach blossom, his face full of happiness.

We talked until we were exhausted before finally sending them away.

In contrast, Chu Beiling was not having such a good time. He was trapped in an uncontrollable state of confusion and pain, unable to break free. He was constantly trying to hold back his emotions, but he was unable to vent them, which made him feel increasingly uncomfortable.

Even when he left the ward, he was still trying to hold on, but his whole body was weak and he couldn't stand up at all. He hadn't taken two steps before he fell to the ground. Just before he made intimate contact with the ground, Xing Yu caught him.

Chu Beiling looked at him: "Xing Yu."

“I’m here,” Xing Yu said, looking at him with concern. “Are you alright?”