Chapter 72 She's pregnant.
The seal was clearly placed on the date of the marriage certificate, but it landed on Xie Zhongming's chest like a heavy stone.
After the seal was applied, Xie Zhongming remained tense, as if afraid that something might go wrong with the marriage certificate. He appeared calm and composed as he watched the staff put the seal back into the inkpad, but in reality, his mind was in turmoil.
It wasn't until the staff of the Civil Affairs Bureau presented the marriage certificate to Xie Zhongming with both hands that he took it and saw his wedding photo with Qiao Xingyue. Only then did Xie Zhongming breathe a sigh of relief.
Finally, the red seal was affixed.
Moreover, through a series of letters confirming Qiao Xingyue's identity, the name on the marriage certificate was finally changed from Liu Pangya's to Qiao Xingyue.
Xie Zhongming held the marriage certificate, his gaze fixed on it, repeatedly reading the words on the certificate in his mind.
Qiao Xingyue peeked over and saw Xie Zhongming's seemingly calm and composed demeanor, but in reality, his eyebrows were raised and his eyes were filled with joy. She couldn't help but smile as well.
"Got the certificate?" she asked deliberately. "Can you relax now?"
Xie Zhongming's bright gaze remained fixed on the marriage certificate, his tough voice tinged with obvious excitement, "I feel at ease."
Qiao Xingyue couldn't help but laugh.
Xie Zhongming, oblivious to her presence, only looked up from the marriage certificate upon hearing her laughter.
His gaze fell on her fair and radiant face, and seeing the new clothes Huang Guilan had made for her today, the way the dress fluttered in the breeze, his eyes were momentarily stung.
His back tensed up. "What I mean is, with this marriage certificate, An An Ning Ning can register her household under my name and smoothly attend school in the military compound."
In fact, Huang Guilan had already resolved An Anning's degree issue.
It was because he insisted on getting his degree that he and Qiao Xingyue were able to get a new marriage certificate.
Now that he had lied, Xie Zhongming, feeling guilty, tensed up even more.
Qiao Xingyue looked at him.
She knew perfectly well what this man was up to.
She put her hands behind her back, and despite being a mother of two, she stood on tiptoe like a little girl. "I know that our Commander Xie is in such a hurry to get our marriage certificate renewed, it's entirely for the purpose of enrolling An'an and Ningning in school, there's no other intention."
Xie Zhongming was well aware of the hidden meaning in those words.
Her words had been exposed, and Xie Zhongming's ears burned, but he stood tall and straight before her, his posture impeccable, and said with utmost sincerity:
“Xingyue, I really want to live a good life with you. Once my application for the family compound is approved, let’s move out with An’an and Ningning, okay? We can then furnish a beautiful and cozy room for An’an and Ningning, so that both kids can study in peace.”
Qiao Xingyue, carrying the embroidered handbag that Aunt Lan had sewn for her, replied crisply, "That won't do. An'an and Ningning are not even five years old yet. I don't plan to let the two kids sleep in separate beds from me so early."
"..." Xie Zhongming didn't react.
After a few seconds of pause, she realized what she meant, raised her eyebrows, and asked, "You mean you'd like to move out with me?"
“I didn’t agree to that.”
As she spoke, she took the marriage certificate from Xie Zhongming's hand and looked at it.
Back when she was still Liu Pangya, she had never seen her marriage certificate with Xie Zhongming. Zeng Xiuzhu had been holding onto that certificate, and she still didn't know where Zeng Xiuzhu had hidden it. Qiao Xingyue had never seen what a marriage certificate looked like in this era.
Upon closer inspection, the marriage certificate was just a piece of paper, like an award certificate, completely different from the marriage certificates of later generations.
"So this is what marriage certificates look like in this era."
The photo of her and Xie Zhongming on their marriage certificate looked particularly pleasing to the eye. Xie Zhongming, with his buzz cut, was full of energy, and his cool and handsome face was adorned with a clean smile. Coupled with his white shirt, he exuded a unique temperament that combined sharpness and gentleness.
Just looking at the man's appearance, Qiao Xingyue was very satisfied.
However, this marriage certificate, which looks like an award certificate, is so thin that it's easy to damage.
As she was pondering this, Xie Zhongming took the marriage certificate from her. "I'll keep this marriage certificate. It will be useful when An'an and Ningning go to elementary school and junior high school."
Qiao Xingyue saw Xie Zhongming holding the marriage certificate, carefully folding it in half away from the area where the two of them had taken a photo, and then putting it into the document bag he had prepared.
After putting away the marriage certificate, Xie Zhongming looked up and said, "Xingyue, let's go out for dinner. Let's go to a state-run restaurant. What do you want to eat?"
"Let's go take a look and see."
"good."
Xie Zhongming carefully placed the document bag containing the marriage certificate into his canvas bag and hung it on the handlebars of his old bicycle.
With a long stride, he mounted the old bicycle with a dashing air, "Xingyue, get on."
Qiao Xingyue also jumped up as lightly as a swallow.
This wasn't the first time she had ridden on Xie Zhongming's bicycle.
Every time she sat behind Xie Zhongming in the past, she would deliberately hold onto the metal frame under the seat.
This time, when she sat down, the wheels bounced as they rolled over a deep ditch, and she instinctively hugged Xie Zhongming's waist.
When those slender, soft arms landed on his waist, Xie Zhongming's entire back tensed up like a bowstring, but a joyful smile appeared on his lips.
The old-fashioned bicycle shuttles along the gravel road under the shade of the paulownia trees.
A cool breeze blew by, but it made Xie Zhongming's chest feel hot.
A dozen minutes later, the old bicycle stopped in front of the state-run restaurant, and Qiao Xingyue jumped off with the agility of a swallow.
Just as she steadied herself, she saw Deng Yingying and her daughter Jiang Chunyan walk into the state-run restaurant with rather unpleasant expressions. The two women were truly disgusting, and Qiao Xingyue's good mood vanished instantly.
After parking his bicycle, Xie Zhongming walked up to her. Seeing her gloomy expression, he asked with concern, "Xingyue, what's wrong?"
"I just saw Jiang Chunyan and Deng Yingying go in," Qiao Xingyue said bluntly. "Anywhere these two are, nothing good ever comes of it."
Fortunately, the mother and daughter have already moved out of the Xie family home.
Xie Zhongming comforted her, "It's okay. If those two cause any trouble later, I'll be here and I definitely won't let them bully you."
Qiao Xingyue walked inside, saying, "It's still uncertain who's bullying whom. I just really don't want to see this mother and daughter."
Upon entering the lobby of the state-run restaurant, Qiao Xingyue did not see Jiang Chunyan and Deng Yingying, the mother and daughter. She planned to go to the back to wash her hands before coming out to order food. After saying goodbye to Xie Zhongming, she walked towards the back.
The state-run restaurant had a backyard with a shed, flowers, and trees, as well as two large pools for the restaurant's staff to wash vegetables and dishes.
Deng Yingying and Jiang Chunyan were standing behind the tree, talking about something.
I bet they're up to some bad idea again.
Over the years, Jiang Chunyan has been using Deng Yingying's father to save Uncle Xie's life, constantly seeking to repay the debt of gratitude and repeatedly using moral blackmail against the Xie family. Qiao Xingyue is aware of this.
Qiao Xingyue was afraid that the mother and daughter were plotting against the Xie family again, so she went over and quietly listened for a few minutes.
"Mom, no, I have to find a way to marry Zhongming right away. I'm pregnant, and my pregnancy will be showing in three or four months."
The one who spoke was Deng Yingying, whose voice was trembling with tears, sounding extremely aggrieved and anxious.
Then, Jiang Chunyan responded, "Why do you insist on hanging yourself on Xie Zhongming, that blockhead? He's just so clueless about romance. If he wanted to marry you, wouldn't he have done it already? You've tried all sorts of methods, but Xie Zhongming still hasn't even given you a second glance."
Jiang Chunyan added, "On the contrary, it's Xie Zhongming who's like a nanny. She's only been with the Xie family for a few months, but Xie Zhongming seems to be under her spell. I think the way Xie Zhongming looks at the nanny is all wrong."
Deng Yingying's sobs grew louder and louder, "I don't care, I'm going to marry Zhongming! I don't care if he likes that stinky nanny or not. What is Qiao Xingyue anyway?"
Behind the big tree, Qiao Xingyue could hear it clearly.
The large tree in the backyard of this state-run restaurant has a trunk that is two meters thick; it would probably take several people holding hands to encircle and hug its trunk.
Qiao Xingyue stood at the back, completely unaware of Jiang Chunyan and Deng Yingying.
The cool evening breeze blew through the leaves, which was clearly very refreshing, but it made Qiao Xingyue feel a burning desire in her heart.
She knew that wherever Deng Yingying and Jiang Chunyan were, nothing good would come of it.
Jiang Chunyan, behind the tree, said again:
"If you want to marry Xie Zhongming, he has to marry you first. Why don't you marry Jiang Beisong? Although Jiang Beisong is not as good as Xie Zhongming, he is at least a platoon leader, and he likes you."
"But I don't like Jiangbei pine."
Jiang Beisong is Jiang Beiyang's second brother. He is also very handsome, but he is only a platoon leader. His monthly salary and allowance are nowhere near as high as Xie Zhongming's.
Moreover, the Jiang family's family background is clearly not as illustrious as the Xie family's.
Xie Zhongming's grandfather used to be a businessman, a big shot in manufacturing matches and cement. Their matches and cement were sold not only all over the country, but also abroad. Although the Xie family's companies were converted from private enterprises to state-owned enterprises after the policy was implemented, the Xie family was still richer than the Jiang family.
Moreover, Aunt Lan comes from a family of scholars for generations, and her brothers are all top talents in their respective fields.
Deng Yingying is not stupid.
Of course, it would be better to marry Xie Zhongming if possible.
Jiang Chunyan advised, "Yingying, don't put all your eggs in one basket with Xie Zhongming. What will you do if your belly starts to show and no one marries you? Hurry up and marry Jiang Beisong, then he can raise your child."
"No way, I want to marry Brother Zhongming, and I want Brother Zhongming to raise my child." Deng Yingying said resolutely from behind the tree, "I have a plan, Mom, just you wait and see, I'll make Brother Zhongming take the initiative to marry me."
As soon as she finished speaking, Qiao Xingyue heard footsteps.
Deng Yingying came around from behind the tree, heading back to the lobby of the state-run hotel, followed by Jiang Chunyan's hurried footsteps.
Qiao Xingyue quickly circled halfway around the tree trunk, avoiding Jiang Chunyan and Deng Yingying.
She knew that Deng Yingying was definitely up to something bad.
As expected.
Deng Yingying is pregnant.
She's carrying some man's bastard child, and she's trying to frame Xie Zhongming so he'll become the one to take the fall.
Qiao Xingyue had already guessed Deng Yingying's wicked plan. This woman definitely wanted to find an opportunity to drug Xie Zhongming, just like Zeng Xiuzhu had put a breeding drug in her and Xie Zhongming's sweet potato porridge, then have sex with Xie Zhongming, and finally tell Aunt Lan and Uncle Xie that she was pregnant with Xie Zhongming's child.
Wouldn't that make it perfectly logical for her to marry Xie Zhongming?
That's a brilliant plan!
When Deng Yingying and Jiang Chunyan returned to the lobby of the state-run hotel, they immediately spotted Xie Zhongming sitting upright at a square table, exuding an iron-willed and resolute aura.
He looked exceptionally energetic today, wearing a brand-new white shirt and brand-new military green pants.
Deng Yingying took the initiative to strike up a conversation, "Brother Zhongming, why are you dressed so smartly today? Is something important happening?"
That's exactly what's important.
When he and his wife re-register their marriage certificate, shouldn't they at least dress smartly?
Xie Zhongming ignored Deng Yingying. Just then, Qiao Xingyue walked over. Xie Zhongming didn't even glance at Deng Yingying, but got up and went to greet Qiao Xingyue, "Xingyue, over here."
After Qiao Xingyue walked over, Xie Zhongming took the initiative to move the long bench painted red in front of the square table so that she could sit down. He then asked gently, "Xingyue, I've already ordered two dishes. Would you like something else?"
As he spoke, Xie Zhongming looked up at the blackboard on the wall with the menu written in chalk, "We have a few new dishes today, would you like to try them?"
Qiao Xingyue looked at the names of the dishes on the blackboard. Jiang Chunyan took two steps forward and glared at Xie Zhongming with annoyance. "Zhongming, didn't you hear my Yingying talking to you? Don't you have any manners? You're a regimental commander, and a regimental commander should act like one. Don't you know how to greet your elders?"
Xie Zhongming averted his gaze from Qiao Xingyue and turned it coldly to Jiang Chunyan. "Do I know her?"
Jiang Chunyan was furious after being kicked out by the Xie family last time.
This time she was even angrier. "Xie Zhongming, my husband saved your father's life. Is this how you treat the family of your savior? Do you believe I'll go to your workplace and make a scene, and let your leaders judge whether a junior like you, who has no respect for elders, is qualified to be a regimental commander?"
Xie Zhongming retorted without hesitation, "Aunt Jiang has remarried, so is she still considered Uncle Deng's widow?"
Jiang Chunyan was about to say something more when Deng Yingying grabbed her arm. "Alright, Mom, can you stop making a scene? If Zhongming doesn't want to talk to us, we should just stay away from him."
Despite her anger, Deng Yingying pretended to be understanding and said to Xie Zhongming, "Brother Zhongming, I'm sorry to bother you. My mom and I will leave now, you can eat in peace."
As she spoke, she forcibly pulled Jiang Chunyan to sit down at a square table a few meters away, and whispered a warning, "Mom, can you please not make things so tense? I still want to marry into Zhongming's family. Just you wait and see, next month, I'll make Zhongming take the initiative to marry me."
A few meters away, at a square table, Qiao Xingyue ordered a dish, and the waiter brought over the two dishes that Xie Zhongming had ordered earlier.
Xie Zhongming's first chopstick was a round braised lion's head meatball placed on Qiao Xingyue's plate. "Xingyue, here, you like lean meat, this is all lean meat."
Qiao Xingyue stuck her chopsticks into the braised lion's head meatballs and glanced at Jiang Chunyan and Deng Yingying, mother and daughter, not far away. "Xie Zhongming, Deng Yingying is planning to have you take the initiative to marry her."
Xie Zhongming said firmly, "Let her do her own thing. I already have a wife, so her plans are useless."
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