Chapter Ninety-Three: A Predestined Fate

Early Monday morning, Chu Zhen and I were arguing about what to wear to get our marriage certificate. It was rare to see Chu Zhen agonizing over what to wear. In the end, we put on the clothes we wore when we first met. After changing, we smiled at each other. Despite the changes of time, God still favored us. Chu Zhen, who had shaved, and I, with my hair tied in a ponytail, looked exactly like we did back then.

"How about we go for a run today?"

"Why?"

"Back then, you would run away whenever you saw me. Luckily, I caught up with you. Today, let's run together towards our future."

It's surprising that Chu Zhen has such a romantic side.

I think Chu Zhen is right. When we got downstairs, a group of people who wanted to share in the good fortune were already waiting at the door.

"Wow, what a look! It's so nostalgic! But Lin Dang, you really look exactly the same as you did in college. Why hasn't time taken its toll on you?" Huang Yanyan exclaimed dramatically as she saw us come downstairs. "By the way, you're getting ready at 9:09 today. I've already spoken to the Civil Affairs Bureau. How about that? Isn't your best friend awesome?" Huang Yanyan was even more excited than I was.

Why 9:09?

"The time you hit me was exactly 9:09."

"You're kidding, right?"

I genuinely believe this is a lie.

"I'm not lying to you. I just hung up the phone a second ago, and then you bumped into me. It was 9:09."

"Master Chu, it feels like you set a trap for our Lin Dang. Did you have your eye on her all along and deliberately orchestrated this chance encounter?" Song Ji-hyo teased from the side.

"No, I just felt that this girl was different from others that day."

"Alright, stop talking, let's go to the Civil Affairs Bureau~" Chen Weiqi probably couldn't stand us subtly showing affection here.

"You guys drive, we'll run there." Chu Zhen grabbed my hand, and we were about to start running.

"Fine, I'll hitch a ride with you. These two are getting married for the first time at their age, and they're trying to be romantic like young people. I'm not going to run away. I don't even have a boyfriend. I need to drive."

"Let's not go and join in the fun. It's really not easy for them to get to where they are today. Let's just throw them a wedding party. We should save the Civil Affairs Bureau for our most important moments."

I don't know what they did after that. Chu Zhen and I really ran all the way to the Civil Affairs Bureau. Luckily, the Civil Affairs Bureau was only about four kilometers away from us. If it had been any farther, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to handle it.

From filling out the forms, exchanging ID cards and household registration books, to taking the oath, we held hands the whole time. Chu Zhen said it felt like a dream until we finally received our bright red marriage certificate, at which point she felt at ease.

"Mr. Chu, please guide me for the rest of my life."

"Mrs. Chu, I will protect you and ensure your happiness for the rest of my life."

We were like idiots, holding our marriage certificate and grinning like fools, and we posted it on WeChat Moments at the same time, wanting the whole world to know about our happiness as newlyweds. We didn't have many friends on WeChat, but everyone was infected by our happiness.

As soon as Chu Zhen and I arrived downstairs at the TV station, the receptionist congratulated us. The news spread really fast.

"Boss, it's not fair for you to get your marriage certificate like this. When are you going to let us in for the wedding banquet?" Ever since my miscarriage, the atmosphere in the office has been a bit somber, but today it has returned to its usual cheerfulness.

"There's a party tonight, everyone should go. Let's finish what we're doing now and have a blast tonight." Chu Zhen was really carried away; it was the first time I'd ever seen him let loose like this in front of everyone.

Huang Yanyan actually found the most luxurious hotel in City A. The rooftop terrace was decorated with LED strip lights, making it as bright as day. There were all kinds of food and drinks. This was no small party. Even my wedding with Chu Zhen might not have been this grand.

"Please welcome the newlyweds." Song Huai was also influenced by this group of people. He used to be a very steady man, but now he has started to take the comedic route.

"There are two single women in our department, so please be mindful of your words and actions," Chu Zhen whispered to Song Huai.

“I wanted to introduce Xiao Xiao to Cao Gang.” I tugged at Chu Zhen.

“Sister-in-law, that’s not fair of you. Relationships require fair competition. She doesn’t have Cao Gang’s girlfriend’s name engraved on her, so I still have a chance.”

"Alright, then I wish you every success!"

"Thank you for your kind words, it will definitely be successful today."

Huang Yanyan is indeed very savvy; she invited some single men and women from the company over. Ostensibly, it was to celebrate for the two of us, but it looks like it has turned into a large-scale singles matchmaking party.

"You're already so fortunate, so making a little sacrifice is understandable. You've said that these are mostly social elites who have been busy contributing to the country and neglecting their own personal lives. We should help them achieve their goals, right?"

"Okay, you're the organizer, so I'll do whatever you say."

Chu Zhen and I have never liked crowds, so this was fine. We found a quiet place, grabbed a glass of red wine, and gazed at the starry sky, just like we used to do during the Mid-Autumn Festival, when we poured out our hearts to each other under the stars.

People always say that you will meet three people in this life: the one who loves you the most, the one you love the most, and the one you spend your life with. Which one are you?

"Did you know that there's another saying that couples in this life were enemies in their past lives?"

"Were we enemies in our past lives?" I turned to look at Chu Zhen, who took a sip of red wine and looked at the starry sky. "Probably not. There's another saying that your wife in this life is the one who buried you in your past life, and she's here to make you repay her for the kindness of seeing you off in your previous life."

"That sounds so tragic. Will we be together in our next life?"

"Yes," Chu Zhen replied without hesitation.

They say that fate is predetermined across three lifetimes. If there really is such a thing as past, present, and future lives, I believe that Chu Zhen and I are inextricably linked. How many people in this world only need to meet one person to achieve the perfect union of loving the one they love most and spending their lives with the one they love most?

"Big sister, it's such a joyous day today, why are you two talking about past and future lives? Just cherish each other in this life~" Song Ji-hyo suddenly poked her head out from between me and Chu Zhen, startling me.

What are you doing here?

"Seeing you all sitting so far away, I always thought something romantic was going to happen, but all I've gotten here is this sentimental talk. Sigh, it's true what they say, cohabitation before marriage means there's no passion after marriage. How boring."

"Who said that? We're always passionate, we're just afraid you won't be able to handle it."

"Oh, really? Then you give me one, let me see if you can handle it." Judging from Song Ji-hyo's appearance, she doesn't seem to be drunk. Why is she so uninhibited in front of Chu Zhen today? Usually, she wants to run away whenever she sees Chu Zhen.