Chapter 8 She's my wife, I don't know how powerful she is?
After getting off the car, Xu Qiaofeng led Ning Tang toward the photo studio.
He was dressed in military uniform and stood tall, attracting many people on the street to look at him frequently, especially many young girls who covered their faces and looked shy.
Upon seeing Ning Tang walking slowly behind him, he felt an inexplicable sense of compatibility and immediately calmed down.
Sure enough, good men always marry young, and they don't get a chance to fight over them.
We went into the photo studio.
The photographer came over with a smile: "You two are here to take wedding photos, right? Here are some red ribbon flowers, they'll look nice pinned up."
Ning Tang was visiting a photo studio for the first time, and she looked around with curiosity.
"No need for props, just shoot normally." Xu Qiaofeng frowned, as if the red silk flower were some kind of bomb, and turned his face away, refusing to look again.
The photographer didn't force them; he simply had the two of them stand in front of the backdrop.
A red backdrop with several pots of artificial plastic flowers on the side—this is the standard setup for taking photos at this time.
"Comrade, come closer, shoulders touching." The photographer was quite concerned, constantly instructing on how to pose. "Lady, smile, make the wedding photos more festive."
Ning Tang forced a smile, but couldn't manage it.
She and Xu Qiaofeng were in a contract marriage. If it weren't for Grandma Xu's insistence, she definitely wouldn't have stepped into the photo studio.
Xu Qiaofeng, standing next to him, was even more furious, his face stern as if he had seen an enemy, someone with whom he harbored deep hatred.
The photographer, at a loss, had to try another approach: "Why don't you two look at each other? Be natural, just like you're talking normally."
"Otherwise, it's not easy for me to choose photos."
Ning Tang turned to look at Xu Qiaofeng, and their eyes met.
His eyelashes were long, casting a small shadow on his face, and his eyes, instead of their usual coldness, had a touch of gentleness.
Thinking about how someone spoke up for me at the dinner table this morning, the corners of my mouth unconsciously curved into a smile.
When Xu Qiaofeng saw her suddenly smile, he was stunned for a moment, and then subconsciously relaxed.
The photographer seized the opportunity and snapped a picture.
"Wash a few more sheets and deliver them to the gate of the military compound next door." Xu Qiaofeng's voice was calm, as if what had just happened had never occurred.
Ning Tang didn't care which photo to choose; instead, she inquired, "Comrade, are there any places nearby that sell traditional Chinese medicine?"
“There’s a state-run Chinese medicine shop on the next street. It’s been open for a long time, and the pharmacist there is very accurate in dispensing medicine.”
The photographer was very enthusiastic and helpful in giving directions when we went out.
Ning Tang nodded and memorized the route.
Xu Qiaofeng listened without interrupting. After Ning Tang finished thanking the photographer, he took the lead and strode out the door.
“If you’re in a hurry, I can go by myself.” Ning Tang was taken aback. She remembered that when he left home that morning, he had said he had a meeting to attend.
"It's already finished."
Xu Qiaofeng said with a straight face, "If I go now, wouldn't that be a clear indication that I'm late and getting scolded?"
Ning Tang didn't care about him at all. Since he wanted to come along, she figured it would be better to let him carry the casserole, which would save her some trouble.
Turn left after leaving the photo studio, and after walking less than a few hundred meters, you'll see a sign with red background and black lettering that reads "Fengtian Guoyaotang" (Fengtian National Pharmacy), which is very eye-catching.
The prescription was handed over, and the doctor turned around to prepare the medicine.
Ning Tang wandered around the room and found that the medicinal herbs were very complete. Since her mother had been drugging her since she was a child, her body was very weak. In order to give birth to her child safely, she had to nourish herself.
"Master, could you please get me one ounce each of angelica, astragalus, and dodder seed?"
"Weigh out another five qian of donkey-hide gelatin, the kind that can be melted."
Xu Qiaofeng frowned.
He didn't see any of those things in the prescription.
Ever since the two entered, Fang Ningning, who was resting nearby, had been drawn to the tall and handsome man.
At first, I thought the two were a couple, but seeing that they didn't communicate at all, I guessed they were acquaintances.
Seeing him frown, Fang Ningning, who already found Ning Tang annoying, assumed that Xu Qiaofeng didn't trust the medicine she had prescribed, and immediately spoke up:
"Sir, are you frowning because you think the medicinal herbs are bad? Or do you think this young lady doesn't know how to pick them?"
Fang Ningning's voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for the other people in the store to hear.
"I've been getting my medicine dispensed at this pharmacy for half a year. Master Wang's skills are known for being accurate. The medicine this young lady wants is all for nourishing her body. Is there a problem?"
On the surface, he was speaking up for Ning Tang and the pharmacist, but his eyes kept drifting towards Xu Qiaofeng.
She even deliberately puffed out her chin, thinking that doing so would make men look at her more, but her real intention was not what it seemed.
Ning Tang glanced at Fang Ningning, but didn't reply, continuing to watch the medicine being dispensed.
Instead, Xu Qiaofeng frowned and spoke, his tone devoid of warmth:
"I didn't say a word, so who are you trying to pin this on?"
These days, working for a state-owned enterprise is a respectable job; if you offend them, you can forget about getting things done smoothly in the future.
Especially since Grandma Xu's health isn't good, it seems she'll be coming to get medicine frequently in the future. If he goes along with Fang Ningning, he'll offend the pharmacist.
"Besides, she's my wife. Do you think I don't know how capable she is?" Xu Qiaofeng's tone was very cold.
He's extremely protective of his own; no matter what, Ning Tang is still a member of the Xu family.
Speaking ill of the Xu family to his face is like slapping yourself in the face.
Upon hearing this, Fang Ningning's face flushed red and then turned pale.
Being watched by so many people is tantamount to being slapped in the face.
Just then, Ning Tang finished preparing her medicine and was about to leave when Fang Ningning bumped into her shoulder.
Seeing that she was about to fall, she instinctively protected her stomach.
Xu Qiaofeng reacted quickly, grabbing the person and turning to look at Fang Ningning, his eyes blazing with anger: "Are you blind? Didn't you see she's pregnant?"
"I didn't do it on purpose, she just wasn't looking where she was going."
Fang Ningning is usually the one who scolds others; when has it ever been her turn to be scolded?
She was unconvinced and deliberately tried to trip Ning Tang, but her attempt backfired.
Xu Qiaofeng's face turned cold: "Apologize to her, or I'll file a complaint against you."
These words made Fang Ningning's face turn pale. Xu Qiaofeng was wearing a military uniform, and if she really took it seriously, she might lose her job.
After thinking it over, he stammered to Ning Tang, "I'm sorry."
Ning Tang's expression also turned sour.
If she hadn't just arrived at the Xu family and didn't want to bring negative influence to Grandpa Xu and Xu Qiaofeng, she would definitely have retaliated in kind.
If it doesn't work out, I'll just go to a different pharmacy next time.
After coming out, Xu Qiaofeng took various things from Ning Tang and helped her open the car door.
"Xu Qiaofeng, thank you for earlier."
"No need to thank me, just don't cause me any trouble for the next three years."
"Although I have no feelings for you, you are carrying my child, so I will not allow anyone to bully you."
Ning Tang truly felt that apart from his bad temper, Xu Qiaofeng's values and morals were top-notch.
It seems that as long as she doesn't covet things that don't belong to her, she should be able to get along well with him over the next three years.
The car drove to the military compound.
Before she could even get off the bus, Ning Tang paused. She thought she had just seen a familiar figure outside...
Just as he was pondering this, Wenya walked over with a thud: "Third brother, there's a woman outside who claims to be your fiancée, what's her name, Xin? Do you know her?"
Peace of mind?
Instantly, the color drained from Ning Tang's face—
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