Chapter 62 Taking Registration Photos Look how well you two match with your smiles! ...
Ruixin's morning meeting this Monday was longer than ever before.
Zhu Liushuang sat trembling in her chair, practically burying her head in the desk. The worst off were the two team leaders from the technical department, who were singled out and berated by Guo Yang from beginning to end. None of the other employees dared to utter a sound, fearing they might be caught in the crossfire of Guo's lingering anger.
"Wang Yizheng, Jiang Xing, if you still can't fix the firewall's false positives and false negatives bugs by next week, you two should prepare to pack your bags and leave!" Guo Yang gave the technical department an ultimatum.
The two men, who had been meekly accepting the scolding, raised their heads and hurriedly defended themselves: "President Guo, it's really not that we don't want to fix it, it's just that Zero Degree Industry is using an outdated agreement..."
Unfortunately, Guo Yang ignored them and simply left the meeting room.
Black leather shoes clattered rhythmically on the marble floor, each step landing on the foreheads of all the employees. The main figure was gone from the meeting room; the remaining people exchanged bewildered glances, unsure what to do.
"General Manager Guo is gone, let's all go back to our posts and get back to work!" Li Jingjia turned around in her high heels, bent down and leaned in front of Wang Yi, "Brother Wang, General Manager Guo was still angry! Your technical department is the backbone of our company, how could he just fire you like that... Keep it up, we'll be waiting for your good news next week!"
These words sounded encouraging on the surface, but the more you listened, the more uneasy they felt. Wang Yizheng and Jiang Xing exchanged a glance, gave a forced "thank you," and led the few young men from the technical department out without looking back.
After a commotion, the tense atmosphere in the conference room returned to calm.
Zhu Liushuang was walking at the back when she noticed that Guo Yang's thermos hadn't been taken away. She was about to give it to him when Zhuang Xiaoqian grabbed her arm.
"Are you rushing headlong into the line of fire?" Zhuang Xiaoqian glanced at her sideways. "Does President Guo need a thermos cup?"
Zhu Liushuang awkwardly withdrew her hand and followed Zhuang Xiaoqian's low-heeled leather shoes out.
"Do you think... Mr. Guo went a bit too far with what he did this morning?" Zhuang Xiaoqian whispered to her. "The problem of false alarms in Zero Degree Industry's firewall isn't new. We've been negotiating with them about changing the protocol for a long time... Why do I feel like Mr. Guo is targeting Wang Yizheng and his group?"
"No, our company mainly sells industrial firewalls. Helping companies fix system bugs is part of our after-sales service," Zhu Liushuang replied absentmindedly.
Zhuang Xiaoqian crossed her arms and continued walking towards the finance office: "Anyway, I feel like something's not right!"
Zhu Liushuang remained silent, following Zhuang Xiaoqian quietly. Only when they reached the finance office did she casually ask, "Sister Zhuang, what was the process like when you and your brother-in-law went to get your marriage certificate?"
Zhuang Xiaoqian, who had just sat down in her office chair, suddenly stood up. She leaned on the desk and asked loudly, "Liu Shuang, why are you asking me about marriage registration when you're a young lady like me? Have you been secretly dating someone behind your sister's back?"
Zhu Liushuang cleared her throat and replied without batting an eye, "Sis—what are you thinking! My best friend is getting her marriage certificate with her boyfriend soon and she's so nervous, so I'm just asking around for her."
“Hey, I was wondering…” Zhuang Xiaoqian’s surprise faded as she sat back down in her office chair. “I first made an appointment for marriage registration on the Zhejiang Government Service App. Then, I went to the marriage registration center at the appointed time to scan the code and get a number… The process was quite simple. I just handed my ID card, household registration book, and two-inch photos to the staff, and then waited to fill out the forms and sign them.”
ID card, household registration booklet, and a two-inch joint photo?
Zhu Liushuang recalled that a few months ago, Zhuang Xiaoqian had enthusiastically discussed with her going to a popular photography studio in Gucheng to take registration photos. She deliberately started the conversation: "I remember now, Sister Zhuang, didn't you have a fight with your husband about taking photos together?"
“You’re right… Men think too simply. They say the registration center can take photos on the spot, just one is fine.” Zhuang Xiaoqian said with the air of someone who’s been there. “You have to make sure to tell your friend that the two-inch photo must be taken in advance, and keep taking photos until you’re satisfied! That’s what you’ll be putting on the marriage certificate.”
"Thank you, Sister Zhuang. I will definitely pass on the message to her," Zhu Liushuang said with a smile.
Zhuang Xiaoqian is a warm-hearted person. Once the topic of getting a marriage certificate comes up, she has endless things to say: "Our district's marriage registration center is a 5A-level facility. It's huge. In addition to the registration hall, there are also a premarital counseling room, a certificate issuance room, a marriage and family counseling room, a dressing room for newlyweds, a photo studio for newlyweds, a dress display hall... The day we got our certificate happened to be May 20th, and there were so many people that we didn't even have time to take photos. I still feel regretful when I think about it now."
As Zhu Liushuang listened, she looked down and searched for "Gucheng Marriage Registration Center" on her phone. A series of introductions about the registration center popped up on the webpage. Looking at the bright red interior, her heart pounded like a summer storm, growing increasingly intense, as if each beat was pounding against her chest.
"Speaking of which, Liu Shuang, your hair looks really good today." Zhuang Xiaoqian looked up from her notebook and said abruptly, "I want to get a similar style for my wedding."
"Huh?" Zhu Liushuang snapped out of her reverie and said blankly, "It's been hot lately, and I'm always sweating. I got up early today and just did a quick braid. Sister Zhuang, didn't you spend several thousand yuan to hire a professional stylist for your wedding? My little skills can't compare to a stylist's."
“Hey, wait a minute,” Zhuang Xiaoqian disagreed. “That’s not how it works! Liu Shuang, have me take a picture, and I’ll send it to the stylist for her to refer to.”
Zhu Liushuang then straightened her posture, revealing her entire face, and let Zhuang Xiaoqian take a few "click, click" photos of herself.
————
Around noon, He Ming sent her a WeChat message.
Do you need me to pick you up downstairs at Ruixin Building?
Upon seeing the message, Zhu Liushuang was somewhat flattered. She stared at the simple words, repeatedly looking at them, but her hand hesitated to type a single "good."
Dr. Xie is still in critical condition and cannot be taken off the ventilator. Ruixin Hospital is at least a half-hour drive from the People's Hospital. Would it be too much of a waste of time to have him pick me up?
To show her understanding nature, Zhu Liushuang pondered for a long time before slowly typing out a sentence.
Thank you, senior. You don't need to pick me up. I'll ride my electric scooter myself and I promise I won't be late.
He Ming didn't stand on ceremony with her, only sending her a voice message telling her to "be careful on the road."
In the afternoon, the sun, which was high overhead, quietly slipped into the clouds, and the sky suddenly darkened.
The head, encased in a safety helmet, was steaming hot, and even with the wind blowing along the way, sweat was inevitable.
Zhu Liushuang carefully removed her helmet and tidied her hair and makeup in front of the electric scooter's side mirror. After securing the last stray strand of hair, she took out loose powder from her bag, swept it across her face, and wiped away the oil from the sides of her nose.
Everything was ready, and the time was exactly one o'clock.
She gave herself an encouraging smile in the mirror, slung her handbag over her shoulder, and walked steadily toward the entrance of the marriage registration center.
The white leather shoes stopped at the top of the steps, and the glass automatic door opened smoothly. As soon as you entered the hall, you saw the big red characters "Gucheng Lakeside District Marriage Registration Center".
Looking around, the bright lights made the plain marble floor shine like a mirror. The waiting area in the center of the hall was empty, with only a few couples scattered around the hall to register.
A staff member approached Zhu Liushuang and asked if she needed help. She waved her hand awkwardly, avoiding the staff member's warm smile, and walked towards the waiting area where no one was sitting.
She wanted to wait for He Ming to arrive before getting a number from the machine.
Before I could even sit down properly, He Ming called.
"Hey, senior, I've arrived. I'm in the waiting area on the first floor lobby," Zhu Liushuang said softly as she answered the phone.
"Sorry... something came up and I'll be about fifteen minutes late."
"It's alright, the registration center is empty today, there's no need to queue." She didn't ask why he was late, but instead smiled and told him about the situation.
"Okay, I'll contact you when I arrive."
After hanging up the phone, Zhu Liushuang got up and casually started looking around. Following Zhuang Xiaoqian's instructions that morning, she walked through the lobby, visiting the pre-marital counseling room, the dress showroom, and the couple's photo studio. As she passed the certificate issuance room, a certificate issuance ceremony was taking place.
Zhu Liushuang peeked through the crack in the door. Beneath the solemn national emblem, a young woman wearing a white veil stood sweetly with her husband on the altar for the vows. Their hands were tightly clasped in their marriage certificate as they recited their vows in unison: "We voluntarily become husband and wife, from this day forward..."
After hearing the last word, she walked back to the registration hall with a dejected expression.
The helpful staff member from before reappeared in front of her, handing her a stack of booklets: "Hello, are you here to register?"
Zhu Liushuang nodded hesitantly.
Upon hearing that she was there to register, the other person's smile widened: "This is some information we provide for newlyweds about married life; you can take a look first. Your husband..."
"He'll be there soon." Zhu Liushuang glanced down at the booklets in her hand, "A Guide to Marriage" and "Harmony Brings Prosperity." She didn't open them, but instead stuffed them into her bag.
"Then I won't bother you any longer. I wish you a happy marriage in advance," the staff member said with a smile, offering her their blessings.
Zhu Liushuang stopped the other person in time: "Excuse me, I wanted to ask a question. We... didn't take a two-inch group photo, can we take one here?"
The other person was visibly taken aback, but quickly put on a professional smile: "Most newlyweds these days bring their pre-taken two-inch photos. We have a photo studio here where you can take pictures for 30 yuan. When your husband arrives, you can go directly to the photo studio entrance and pay for your photos yourself."
"Okay, thank you." Zhu Liushuang thanked the staff and then turned to look around a dozen meters away.
As her gaze fell upon the glass doors of the registration center, a tall, imposing figure strode in. He glanced down at his phone, then looked up at the waiting area, finally fixing his gaze on her.
“Senior…” Zhu Liushuang opened her mouth, her voice hoarse. She stood up awkwardly, smoothed out the wrinkles in her skirt with her hand, and quietly waited for him to walk towards her.
Her gaze remained fixed on him.
He wasn't as unkempt as he was yesterday. The dark stubble on his chin was gone, and although he was still wearing a simple white shirt and black pants, he had changed his sneakers for black leather shoes, and wore a light blue suit jacket over his shirt.
The sound of her leather shoes stepping on the marble floor was like a lively drumbeat, playing a joyful song in her heart. Zhu Liushuang couldn't help but take a step towards He Ming.
They stood facing each other in the center of the hall, staring intently at one another.
He Ming spoke first, saying, "I rushed home to get my household registration book, which is why I was a little delayed."
He explained the reason to her. The emptiness in Zhu Liushuang's heart was gradually filled.
She looked into his eyes and said softly, "The staff said we need to go to the photo studio to take a two-inch photo first, and then go back to the lobby to get a number and fill out a form."
"Let's go take pictures first. Where's the photo studio?"
"There." Zhu Liushuang pointed in a direction. "Senior, come with me."
Two figures, one tall and one short, walked side by side toward the photo studio.
To outsiders, the woman's petite and charming figure, and the man's tall and handsome appearance, make for a striking sight.
Zhu Liushuang, familiar with the place, led He Ming to the outside of the photo studio. She fiddled with the self-service payment machine at the entrance for a while, and then heard a "buzz" sound as a printed receipt was "spit out" from the machine.
She took the receipt and went inside.
"Excuse me, is anyone here?" There was no one in the photo studio. Zhu Liushuang turned to look at He Ming and raised her voice to ask again.
"Coming!" A middle-aged man with a thick beard walked out from a side door. "Are you two here to take commemorative photos for your marriage certificate? We have several rooms here. We have both modern Chinese style and Western style..."
Seeing the middle-aged man launch into a long explanation, He Ming interrupted him, saying, "Hello, we're taking our marriage registration photos."
Upon seeing this, Zhu Liushuang quickly handed over the receipt in her hand: "Yes, just take a two-inch group photo."
"Oh...I see!" The middle-aged man chuckled and placed the receipt on the table. "Please wait a moment, I'll go pull up the red curtain."
A red backdrop covered the entire wall, and Zhu Liushuang and He Ming sat in the center of the backdrop as instructed by the photographer. White fill lights were turned on, and the bright light was somewhat uncomfortable for them.
"Please move closer, straighten your heads, and look at the camera. I will count to three, and you will smile."
"Click—" The image freezes.
Zhu Liushuang loosened her tightly clenched fingers, her palms covered in sweat.
"Uncle, is it okay now?" she asked.
The photographer seemed dissatisfied with the previous shot, shaking his head and muttering to himself, "The man and woman are both handsome and beautiful, and they look quite pleasing to the eye sitting there, but why does the photo turn out off?"
"Uncle?" Zhu Liushuang asked again.
"Let's take a couple more pictures; your smile in the last one was too stiff," the photographer said, holding up his camera.
Zhu Liushuang sat back down on the stool, placing her hands on her knees like a primary school student.
"Relax, don't be nervous!" The photographer, with one eye glued to the viewfinder, diligently guided the incredibly stiff couple in the frame. "Gentleman, lean to the right, let your hands hang down. Smile, don't hold your mouth together... Think of happy things. You're about to walk down the aisle with the one you love, isn't that something to be happy about?"
Zhu Liushuang felt that if she didn't shout "It's over" soon, her face would freeze from smiling.
Fortunately, the photographer didn't make things difficult for them and finally wrapped up work after taking a few more pictures.
He beckoned to Zhu Liushuang and He Ming: "Come over here, you two, and choose some photos."
As the mouse scrolled, several photos appeared on the computer screen. The bright red backgrounds were extremely festive, and in each photo, Zhu Liushuang was trying her best to smile, but the smile looked somewhat forced.
As she scrolled through the last photo, she suddenly froze. In the picture, her smile was gentle, yet genuine. As for He Ming, his expression wasn't as tense as before; the slight upturn of his lips, though not obvious, was enough to bring his face to life.
"Let's choose this one!" Zhu Liushuang said without consulting her.
The photographer laughed heartily: "I knew the little girl would choose this one... Look how well you two smile together! How about we get some commemorative photos taken with your uncle after we get our marriage certificate?"
Zhu Liushuang lowered her eyes shyly, declining the photographer's kind invitation. She pinched her burning earlobe and turned to He Ming for his opinion: "Senior, shall we choose the last one?"
He Ming had no objection: "It's up to you to decide."
"Uncle, could you please print this out for us? Thank you," Zhu Liushuang said sweetly to the photographer.
“No problem.” The photographer sat down on the stool, quickly laid out the photos, and then clicked “print.” While waiting for the prints to finish, he muttered to himself: Are all young people these days so playful? Even though they're married, they still call each other “senior” and “junior”—how cloying!
"Buzz buzz buzz—" Their marriage registration certificate, still warm from the machine, was printed out, neatly cut, and placed into a small white paper bag.
Zhu Liushuang took the paper bag from the photographer and felt its weight in her hands.
"Wishing you both a happy marriage in advance!" A deep, joyful voice rang in my ears.
This is the second person to wish them a "happy marriage".
With He Ming's presence right behind her, Zhu Liushuang forced a smile and thanked the photographer.
-----------------------
Author's Note: Although the senior was late! But he went home to shave and change clothes! This shows that he still respects Shuangshuang [cat emoji].
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
