3 rings
"Isn't it just a matter of getting a marriage certificate?"
Actually, Song Chiyu regretted it as soon as she woke up this morning.
She didn't dare show it, and kept putting it off until the afternoon. After much deliberation, she finally decided to go and see. What if he really went? Then she would be like her nephew, running away at the last minute, an immature adult.
Qi Yanzhou didn't ask her why she was only coming now. She said she was leaving and then stood up.
Song Chiyu had been secretly observing him. When he noticed her gaze, he put down the pen he was filling out the form and looked up: "What's wrong?"
Song Chiyu wanted to know if he had hesitated, but he remained like a calm lake, only showing the emotions reflected on its surface, revealing nothing of his true thoughts.
Song Chiyu shook her head.
He remained as gentle and patient as ever, saying, "It's not too late for you to regret it now."
"Anyone who wants to back out?" Song Chiyu sped up filling out the form and then handed it in.
He curled his lips into a smile, signed his name in a flourish on the paper, and handed over the registration form.
Nowadays, most people who come to get their marriage certificates have their photos taken at a photo studio beforehand and bring them to the registration office. It's best to avoid "old-fashioned" people like them who don't make any preparations.
The two people sat on a stool and took a picture.
The staff taking photos kept asking them to come closer.
Song Chiyu forced herself to move closer to him.
Qi Yanzhou lowered his eyes and chuckled softly, then took the initiative to place his arm close to hers.
The photos have been taken.
The certificate is affixed, the seal is stamped. Two people who had no relationship just a second ago become the closest legal couple in the next.
Song Chiyu stared at the marriage certificate in her hand, momentarily lost in thought.
The two people in the photo, one wearing a black retro-style patchwork cheongsam and the other wearing a crisp white shirt, look quite well-matched.
To be honest, they knew nothing about each other except for their names, ages, and identities.
Qi Yanzhou was also staring at the marriage certificate.
Song Chiyu was the first to ask, "Does your family put pressure on you to get married?"
"They'll definitely urge us, but I'm not under any pressure." He also put away the marriage certificate: "Let's find a place to sit down and have a meal first, and then we can talk slowly."
"What should we talk about?"
Qi Yanzhou tilted his head in confusion: "Miss Song, you don't think that getting the marriage certificate is the end of it, do you?"
Song Chiyu suddenly realized that she hadn't made things clear to him, so she pulled him aside and said, "Um, Second Uncle."
Qi Yanzhou.
“Mr. Qi,” Song Chiyu said politely, feeling guilty, “you can tell me your thoughts first.”
Qi Yanzhou observed her discreetly.
His tone remained warm: "Get in the car first."
"Okay." Song Chiyu opened the passenger door and sat down.
The car door closed, and Qi Yanzhou reminded her to fasten her seatbelt before turning the steering wheel: "Ms. Song, please speak."
Song Chiyu licked her lips. "I thought you only agreed to marry me because your family was pressuring you."
She's laying the groundwork.
Qi Yanzhou nodded slightly, signaling her to continue.
Song Chiyu secretly observed his expression, but couldn't discern his thoughts, so she could only bite the bullet and continue, "I thought that getting the marriage certificate would be the end of it."
Qi Yanzhou had actually vaguely sensed that this was what she meant earlier.
Hearing her say it herself, I still couldn't help but glance at her sideways.
Song Chiyu felt guilty under his gaze: "What I mean is, since we only met yesterday and don't have much of an emotional foundation, it would be hard for you and me to accept suddenly living together like we've been dating for years. As for our living arrangements, we'll keep things as they are. You live in your place, and I'll live in mine, but I will fulfill all the responsibilities I should have as your wife."
Qi Yanzhou asked in surprise, "For example?"
"For example, I will definitely show up for holidays and other occasions where I am supposed to be there, and I will never let your family find out anything. Of course, you also have to keep your word and not let my family find out."
Fulfilling obligations is secondary.
The main reason was to prevent her family from finding out.
Qi Yanzhou, seeing through the situation but saying nothing, curled the corners of his lips.
Song Chiyu felt a strange sense of guilt, as if she had taken advantage of someone: "Of course, I won't ask for anything from you. No dowry, no adding my name to the property deed, nothing. I don't need you to support me or anything like that. Thinking about it that way, don't you suddenly feel like you've gotten a much better deal?"
She used the word "cost-effective".
Qi Yanzhou's smile deepened, but he didn't immediately discuss the topic with her: "Let's eat first. What would you like to eat?"
Song Chiyu thought that he must be hungry since he had been waiting for her all day.
"A light diet is fine."
He parked his car in front of a health-preserving soup restaurant.
The weather was neither too cold nor too hot, and there weren't many customers in the shop. The two of them found a seat by the window.
The food was ordered quickly.
Before the pot was served, Qi Yanzhou spoke first: "Miss Song, I roughly understand what you mean. You mean to maintain the status quo and not meet or contact each other except for necessary occasions, right?"
The meaning is roughly the same.
But was she really that cold-hearted when she said it?
She took a sip of tea guiltily: "It's not that we don't want to meet. If you want to see me, I can. It's just that I thought you're quite busy with work, so there's no need to trouble you with these things."
“No trouble at all,” he said, clearly more sensible than her, not thinking this was something that could be resolved simply by getting a marriage certificate. “I respect all your requests. Let me explain my situation.”
“My hometown is Anxi, and we are considered a large family there. My father is the eldest son in the family, with two sons: me and my older brother. My older brother runs a business in Beijing, while I teach in the history department at Cheng’an University. Our annual income is around 300,000 yuan.”
"What?" Song Chiyu straightened up abruptly from leaning back in her chair. "You're a university professor?"
"Yes, Level 3 Professor."
When Song Chiyu submitted the registration form, he saw that the occupation he filled in was "teacher" and initially thought he was a physics or math teacher at a local middle school. He never expected that he was actually a professor in the history department of Cheng'an University.
She immediately became very polite.
Although Cheng'an University is not a particularly prestigious university, its history department is among the best in the country.
What subject do you teach?
“Chinese history, my research focus is on ancient Chinese history, but that’s not important,” Qi Yanzhou reminded her. “Miss Song, I’m not the kind of man who thinks everything is fine and then doesn’t care about anything after getting married. Even though you don’t plan to live with me, I will still fulfill the responsibilities that a husband should have.”
Song Chiyu nervously gripped the handrail beside her.
I don't want her to just marry any random man and end up with a good one, do I? No way, her conscience wouldn't allow it!
"My original plan was to go to your house and discuss the bride price and house purchase with your parents after we got our marriage certificate—"
"No—" Song Chiyu raised her hand as if facing a formidable enemy. She only wanted to get a marriage certificate to give Ms. Li and Lao Song an explanation, and she did not expect to really take on the responsibilities that come with marriage.
“I know, but you have to go all the way with your act. It’s impossible for you to marry me and then live with your parents, right? Your parents will definitely ask you about the dowry and other things. I don’t want them to feel that I’m making you feel wronged.”
But after taking his money, Song Chiyu felt that things weren't so simple.
However, what he said wasn't entirely unreasonable.
“How about this,” Song Chiyu thought for a moment, “you go and talk to my parents. After they receive the bride price, they will definitely take care of our little family. I will return the money to you then.”
"That's not the point," Qi Yanzhou said clearly. "The important thing is, where will you live after we get married?"
After he said that, Song Chiyu realized that she had oversimplified the matter.
He licked his lips: "Well, let's not tell them yet. We'll tell them when we can't hide it anymore."
How long can you keep this a secret?
"Then what do you suggest we do?" Song Chiyu sensed that he had already come up with a solution and was just waiting for her to ask.
“I’ll go to your house, we’ll talk about everything, and I’ll tell you that I work away from home most of the year and only come back a few times. That way you can live in my house legitimately.”
"What a master!" Song Chiyu praised sincerely.
But his expression didn't show much joy; it was more like he was at his wit's end.
"Miss Song, you've met me."
"Otherwise, why would I have come to you?" Song Chiyu said, offering tea instead of wine. "Thank you."
Qi Yanzhou made no move to raise his glass in a toast with her.
Song Chiyu held his hand and touched the teacup beside him.
He stared at her without saying a word.
After Song Chiyu finished drinking, she noticed that he hadn't moved, so she bent down, picked up the teacup next to him, and held it to his lips.
"Professor Qi, please have a sip." That would ease her conscience a little.
Qi Yanzhou raised his hand.
When Song Chiyu saw him about to take the teacup, she was about to let go, but he grabbed her wrist and made her swallow the tea.
After we finished our tea, the dishes were served one after another.
Qi Yanzhou lowered his head and ate his food. "We'll go pick out a wedding ring later."
“Well,” Song Chiyu stammered, “if you really need it, I have two here.”
She pulled a small red velvet pouch from her black sheepskin handbag, explaining as she poured it out, "I didn't expect you to be so cooperative, so I prepared two in advance, just in case."
For occasional needs.
It's something they use to deal with elders and special occasions when they have to attend each other's family gatherings.
She has thought things through very thoroughly in this regard.
Qi Yanzhou stared at her without saying a word, as if he had a thousand words to say, but in the end he said nothing.
He reached out and took it.
"I didn't know what size you wore, so I bought an adjustable one—" Song Chiyu was still explaining when he had already adjusted the ring and put it on himself.
"What did you say?" He looked down for two seconds, then looked up to ask.
"I said, you're a really nice person."
"Thank you." He gazed at her palm. "Miss Song, aren't you going to wear it?"
She originally bought it to make a good impression, but it wouldn't be right for her to refuse it now.
I put it directly on my ring finger.
He then looked away and continued eating.
Song Chiyu inexplicably felt a burning sensation on the skin of her ring finger where she wore the ring, as if something was different, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
[Author's Note]
Mini-theater:
Song Chiyu (simplifying the issue): Isn't marriage just about getting a certificate? Why do we have to live together?
Qi Yanzhou (I recommend everyone download the anti-fraud app, dating version): ...
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