Chapter 94 Getting the Marriage Certificate and Inviting People to the Wedding Banquet
Several couples who had arrived early were already waiting inside the Civil Affairs Bureau.
Get a number, fill out the application form, and have your photo taken.
Sitting in front of the red backdrop, the photographer instructed, "You two, move closer. Yes, sir, you can turn your head slightly to the side. Okay, smile, be natural. Three, two, one!"
The moment the flash went off, Lin Xili turned her head to look at Huo Nanchen, who happened to be looking down at her.
What the camera captured was not the rigid and serious image of an ID photo, but two faces with clear smiles in their eyes.
They stamped the book, signed it, and received the two brand-new, dark red booklets with the national emblem embossed in gold.
This time, when Lin Xili received the book that belonged to her, her fingers did not tremble; instead, she felt a warm sense of security and fulfillment.
She flipped through the photos, looking at the smiling group photos pasted side by side, then glanced at Huo Nanchen beside her, who was also staring at the photo. The two smiled at each other.
"Congratulations to you both," the staff member said with a smile.
"Thanks."
The two spoke in unison, interlocked their fingers once more, and walked out of the Civil Affairs Bureau.
Back at the Forensic Department of the Justice Bureau, Lin Xili's undisguised, spring-like smile dispelled some of the restlessness in the entire office.
She had just sat down at her workstation when Brother Li and Brother Wang came over.
"Hey, our postdoctoral fellow is back! Congratulations on graduating, that's great news!"
Brother Li placed a beautifully packaged little box on her desk. "It's a small token of my appreciation to congratulate our forensic department on gaining another top expert!"
Brother Wang also handed over a gift bag, "That's right, Xi Li, you'll be Dr. Lin from now on, congratulations!"
Several other colleagues also sent gifts to congratulate him.
Lin Xili accepted the gifts and sincerely thanked everyone, saying, "Thank you all, you've gone to so much trouble."
She carefully packed the gifts into a storage box and took them back to her dormitory after get off work.
After putting it away, Lin Xili cleared her throat and said to all her colleagues, "Well, since I'm in such a good mood today, I'd like to tell you all that I got married again this morning."
The office fell silent for a second.
Immediately, a chorus of well-meaning wails and jeering erupted:
"What?"
"You got married again?"
"My God, Engineer Lin, you're moving way too fast!"
"Giving out wedding candy right after graduation, what a double whammy!"
"It's over, it's over, another ray of hope for our forensic department has been extinguished!"
Several younger, single colleagues made exaggerated heart-clutching gestures, which drew laughter.
Brother Li and Brother Wang exchanged a glance, a knowing smile flashing in each other's eyes.
They probably guessed who it was, but tacitly refrained from revealing it and continued to join in the commotion.
Lin Xili blushed slightly from everyone's teasing. She waited until everyone quieted down a bit before continuing, "So tonight I'm treating everyone to dinner. The place is already booked. We'll all go together after get off work. No one is allowed to be absent!"
"Absolutely!"
"Let's have a big meal to celebrate Dr. Lin's graduation and marriage!"
"Double happiness! We deserve a good meal!"
In the evening, the private rooms of the downtown restaurant were bustling with activity.
Almost all of the colleagues from the forensic department were there, including Wen Qing. Gao Bowen sat in the main seat with a smile, not so serious.
To Lin Xili's surprise and gratitude, Lu Qingshu and Wei Dongyang also took the time to come over.
"Director Lu, Captain Wei, what brings you both here?" Lin Xili hurriedly went to greet them.
Lu Qingshu patted her shoulder and said with a smile, "Our Bureau of Justice's Xi Li Doctor is having a double celebration, so of course I had to come and share in the joy. Dongyang also heard about it and insisted on coming along."
Wei Dongyang said cheerfully, "That's right, I must attend Dr. Lin's wedding banquet!"
Just as everyone sat down and were chatting animatedly, the door to the private room was gently pushed open.
Huo Nanchen walked in, and his arrival caused a moment of silence in the private room, except for Lu Qingshu, Gao Bowen and others who already knew about it.
The other colleagues all looked at Dr. Lin's new husband with curiosity.
A colleague recognized him: "Isn't he Dr. Lan? Gao's junior colleague. Do you guys remember the gas explosion in Kwai Fong two years ago?"
The others only realized what was happening after being reminded.
"Sister Xili, that's not fair of you! You stole away Manager Gao's junior..."
"Ha ha ha ha……"
Lin Lili blushed slightly at everyone's comments, and Gao Bowen smoothed things over, saying, "It's called fate; we can meet anywhere."
Gao Bowen patted Huo Nanchen on the shoulder, "Congratulations!"
Huo Nanchen nodded slightly, "Thank you, senior!"
Lin Xili walked to Huo Nanchen's side, naturally took his arm, and had a bright smile on her face.
She said to her colleagues, "Let me formally introduce you all. This is my husband, Huo Nanchen."
"He is also Dr. Lan, but he is also a doctor specializing in the treatment of thyroid diseases. He currently practices in the Department of Endocrinology at Hong Kong Central Hospital."
"We've remarried!"
"Congratulations!"
Congratulations!
Colleagues offered their blessings, their eyes darting between the two, full of admiration.
Huo Nanchen politely nodded to everyone, "Thank you all. Xili is grateful for your care and support."
At this moment, Wen Qing looked at Huo Nanchen with a teasing smile: "Dr. Huo, have you finally figured things out after returning from your studies abroad?"
"So, for our sake, they've finally decided to leave the small town clinic and settle down in this big city?"
Huo Nanchen looked at Wen Qing, then glanced at Lin Xili smiling beside him, "There are indeed more patients who need me at the Hong Kong Central Hospital, so I will work here, however..."
“I still take a few days each month to go back to the town’s health center.”
“Medical resources in rural areas are relatively weak, and there is a need for someone to do some diagnosis and treatment training. We hope to train more doctors who can take root in the grassroots.”
These words earned him the respect of many in the room.
After all, capable people all want to develop in big cities, but those who still remember their roots and are willing to give back to the grassroots are always admirable.
Lu Qingshu raised her glass. "Today is a happy day. Let's not talk about work. Come on, everyone, let's raise a glass together."
"Let's raise a glass to our outstanding Dr. Lin Xili, and to her and Dr. Huo's wedding!"
"cheers!"
The lively dinner party ended as night deepened.
Colleagues gradually dispersed, carrying their blessings for Lin Xili and Huo Nanchen.
Before leaving, Lu Qingshu went to Huo Nanchen's side and said, "Nanchen, take some time to bring Xili back to the old house for a simple meal."
Seeing Huo Nanchen's expression harden slightly, she added, "Don't worry, it's just our family: Father, me, Nanyu, the children, and Grandma."
"Just treat it as a regular friend coming to visit, coming back to see the elders. My father doesn't say it, and my grandmother certainly does, they both miss you."
Huo Nanchen remained silent for a moment.
Returning to the Huo family's old residence was not an easy task for him.
That place holds too many memories for him—good, bad, repressive, and resolute.
But when Lu Qingshu mentioned her grandmother, especially her grandmother, who had been out of contact with him for the past two years, the people she missed the most, besides Lin Xili, were her grandmother and brother who had loved and protected her since childhood.
He glanced at Lin Xili, and she nodded to him.
Huo Nanchen looked at Lu Qingshu and said, "Alright, also, I'd like to go to the ancestral hall to offer incense to my uncle. I'd appreciate it if you could help me arrange it and smooth things over with me."
He knew that, given his current situation of "giving up his identity with the Huo family," it would not be easy for him to step into the Huo family ancestral hall.
That place symbolizes the strictest family rules.
Lu Qingshu nodded understandingly, "Don't worry, leave this to Nan Yu and me, we'll take care of it."
Huo Nanchen nodded slightly, "Thank you, brother and sister-in-law."
Seeing that Huo Nanchen agreed, Lu Qingshu smiled with relief, "Okay, then I'll go first. Be careful on your way back."
Lin Xili bowed slightly to Lu Qingshu, "Director Lu, please be careful on the road."
After Lu Qingshu left, Huo Nanchen turned to Lin Xili and said, "You can go back when you're ready. If you miss Grandma, we can arrange to meet her first."
Lin Xili smiled and shook her head, then reached out and took his hand. "It's alright, I'll go back with you!"
"good!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com