Chapter 63 The dust has settled. We voluntarily become husband and wife.
It only took a few minutes to walk back to the waiting area from the photo studio, and several young couples were now sitting on the previously empty benches. Some were holding hands and gazing at each other affectionately, while others were leaning on each other, dreaming about their married life.
To avoid embarrassment, Zhu Liushuang deliberately chose a seat a little away from them. She placed her small handbag on her lap, and as she gripped the straps, her eyes involuntarily drifted towards He Ming.
If he sits next to her, she stays in her current position. If he sits with a seat between them, she places her bag on the empty seat between them.
After all, the couples registering their marriages at the scene were all sweet and affectionate soon-to-be-married. Compared to their close and intimate relationship, her polite and distant interactions with He Ming seemed like a "forced bitter gourd."
She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and saw him find a seat in the far corner. This created a subtle distance between them, two empty seats between them. Zhu Liushuang looked down at her handbag, then dejectedly placed it on one of the empty seats.
Suddenly, she heard the whispers of the couple in the seats in front of her. Curious, she looked up and stared intently at the young couple across from her, who seemed so radiant. A growing emptiness filled her heart, and the unfamiliar girl's silvery laughter pierced her eardrums.
"Please proceed to window number 2 for processing, number A033." The display on the workbench changed its numbers, and a mechanical voice called out the numbers over the loudspeaker.
He Ming stood up and walked towards window number 2, but stopped halfway there and subconsciously turned back.
Zhu Liushuang quickened her pace and walked to his side, following him silently toward the window.
"Please have a seat. Would you please fill out this form first?" The staff member smiled sweetly and pulled two sheets of paper from the table, placing them on the marble countertop.
Zhu Liushuang pulled out a black pen and pressed one hand against the form. She glanced at the information that needed to be filled in on the form and felt inexplicably flustered.
Name, ethnicity, place of origin, ID number, home address... The information to be filled in is not complicated, but each item seems to clearly remind her: this is a very meaningful form, and every word you fill in is a promise to your future marriage.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she held the black pen; for a moment, Zhu Liushuang considered running away.
If one day He Ming finds someone she wants to spend her life with, and that person isn't her, then every stroke she solemnly wrote today will become a mocking joke.
Zhu Liushuang bit her lower lip tightly and reached up to brush away the stray hairs by her ears. She seemed to have forgotten that she had specially styled her hair beautifully before leaving home that morning, with her temples neatly trimmed and no stray hairs falling down.
As she turned her head, her gaze was unconsciously drawn to He Ming's strong and powerful handwriting. He filled in the paper much faster than she could, his eyes focused intently as he wrote, his back slightly hunched forward. Those decisive, efficient movements chilled her heart to the bone.
From beginning to end, she was the only one who was constantly on edge.
Even though they were sitting at the marriage registration window right now, her heart was still like a lone boat at sea, drifting in a storm, unable to find a harbor to rely on.
For He Ming, this is a transaction tainted by self-interest. Everything he is doing now is simply going through the motions of a routine process.
Zhu Liushuang's drowsy mind cleared up. She took a deep breath, tried to control her trembling right hand, and continued writing the unfinished information.
After both individuals completed the forms, the staff member behind the window collected them and carefully checked them. Then, with a smile, she said, "Now we need to collect your ID cards, household registration booklets, and two-inch photos with a red background."
The moment Zhu Liushuang finished filling out the form, she unzipped her handbag. She reached one hand inside, and there were several fingerprints on the cover of the household registration booklet. Those were sweat stains left from when she had gripped it tightly.
He Ming handed his identification to the staff member after her. The staff member took the identification and bent down to enter the information into the computer.
The only sound in the air was the clatter of keyboard keys. Zhu Liushuang unconsciously tightened her grip on the bag strap, her eyes intentionally glancing at the workbench.
Her gaze swept over He Ming's household registration booklet, and as the staff member gently flipped through it, the information on the booklet came into view. Head of household: He Ming. Family members: He Ming alone.
A lump rose in her throat, and Zhu Liushuang turned away, trying her best not to show her sadness.
After her father passed away and his household registration was cancelled, their family register had very few members, only her and her mother. But compared to He Ming, she seemed to be happier. After all, she still had a mother who loved her wholeheartedly.
"Please sign here." After recording the information, the staff member handed over two documents and casually pointed to the signature area.
He Ming took the lead and signed his name first. Just like before, his handwriting was smooth and flowing, without the slightest hesitation.
Zhu Liushuang's throat tightened, and she hesitated to write her signature as she stared at the signature area.
"What's wrong? Is there a problem?" The staff member asked, looking puzzled.
"Oh, no. I'm just... a little excited," Zhu Liushuang explained weakly, then carefully wrote her name on the white paper. The pen tip made a soft "shush" sound as it glided across the paper, just like when she had nervously written down his phone number on her practice sheets back then.
"Alright." Zhu Liushuang finished writing the last stroke and smiled as she pushed the document in front of the staff.
The staff checked the documents several times before printing their marriage certificate. After attaching the photos, they solemnly handed it to them, saying, "Congratulations on your marriage! We wish you a happy and harmonious marriage."
"Thank you." He Ming took one of the marriage certificates and casually put it into his trouser pocket.
Zhu Liushuang took the remaining certificate, her fingers stroking the bright red cover of the marriage certificate, her eyes welling up with tears.
Her secret crush, which she had been hiding from, has finally come to an end!
But why couldn't she smile at all?
Looking at her nominal husband, his handsome face maintained its usual cold indifference, his phoenix eyes staring straight ahead without any ripples, even more indifferent than when they were friends.
Zhu Liushuang's watery eyes swept over his face for a moment, then she silently turned her head away.
"Please wait a moment, gentlemen. We still have a live oath-taking ceremony to attend to. Please move to the certificate awarding hall, where staff will assist you."
Is it like that newlywed couple from earlier, standing solemnly under the national emblem and taking an oath?
Is he... willing to go through such a complicated process with her?
Zhu Liushuang lacked confidence.
Clutching the marriage certificate in her hand, she looked up and whispered to He Ming for his opinion: "Senior, should we go over and take the vows?"
Time seemed to stand still, with only the soft rustling of clothes clearly audible. She saw her own hidden expectations reflected in his deep eyes.
He Ming reached into his trouser pocket, his hand resting at his side, and touched the hard cover of the marriage certificate. He frowned slightly, as if he were considering something. He quickly glanced down at his watch, then looked up again.
Their eyes met again.
In that instant, Zhu Liushuang felt her breath catch in her throat. Her gaze shifted from hesitation to calm, and then softened slightly.
His serious expression softened, as if he understood her expectations, and he replied calmly, "Okay, let's complete the process."
A glimmer of light flashed in her moist eyes, like tiny stars in the night sky. Zhu Liushuang dared not show her joy too obviously, so she remained silent and simply nodded very lightly.
The glass sensor door of the marriage registration hall opened again, and a young couple dressed in matching outfits entered, followed by a photographer.
"Honey, that last picture wasn't good. Can you pose like the one I found online?" the girl with exquisite makeup said coquettishly.
The man affectionately stroked his partner's long hair, fully cooperating, "Okay, okay, whatever you say. If you're not satisfied with the photos, we'll take more. Anyway, all the time today is yours..."
Zhu Liushuang's gaze was inadvertently drawn to the warm scene in the distance.
She was somewhat envious.
"Liu Shuang, let's go. Aren't we going to take the oath?" He Ming urged in a deep voice. He had to rush back to the hospital after the oath. Today was the day for odd-numbered beds to be visited in the ICU.
"I'm sorry, senior, I was just spacing out." Zhu Liushuang's first reaction after coming back to her senses was to apologize to him.
"Let's go, let's get this over with quickly." He Ming took the lead and walked towards the certificate awarding hall.
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Brightly colored oil paintings hung on the white walls of the awarding hall, and looking inside from the entrance, one could see a row of bright glass windows. A gentle breeze slipped in through the window cracks, stirring the pure white curtains. Clusters of rose-pink crape myrtle flowers bloomed passionately in the wind.
Zhu Liushuang's gaze passed over the playful crape myrtle flowers and landed on the certificate-awarding platform at the very front of the hall. A bouquet of red roses, symbolizing love, was placed on the wooden platform, and the solemn national emblem was inlaid on the wall behind it.
She peeked at the heartwarming scene of others taking their vows from outside the door, feeling both moved and regretful.
When you're actually on the awarding stage, facing the enthusiastic gaze of the staff, it's impossible not to feel a surge of emotion.
Zhu Liushuang stood upright, looking straight ahead, with He Ming standing beside her. They were so close that they could hear each other's breathing.
The staff member was an elderly woman who gently placed the oath on the table.
"Greetings, newlyweds. I am the marriage certificate issuer from the Lakeside District Marriage Registration Center. It is a great pleasure to witness you two entering into your marriage. On this sacred day, please answer my question solemnly. Are you marrying voluntarily?" the staff member asked in a respectful tone.
"yes."
"Yes."
Two voices rang out simultaneously.
"Now, please face the solemn national flag and emblem and recite the wedding vows together."
She picked up the wedding vows from the table, one in front of the other. Her gaze fell on the red paper, and Zhu Liushuang subconsciously glanced at He Ming. The man turned his head, and their eyes met unexpectedly.
The atmosphere became awkward. Zhu Liushuang forced herself to remain calm and said in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "Senior, I'll count to three, and we'll start reciting."
He Ming tacitly agreed and turned to look at the red paper in his hand.
"1, 2, 3..."
"We voluntarily become husband and wife. From this day forward, we will jointly shoulder the responsibilities and obligations that marriage bestows upon us... We will certainly be able to uphold our vows today." The soft female voice and the deep male voice intertwined, like the tinkling of a mountain spring flowing into a tranquil river.
Like two competent actors, they recited their wedding vows from beginning to end, and walked out of the certificate-awarding hall amidst applause and blessings from the staff.
Recalling the scene of the oath just now, Zhu Liushuang suddenly felt extremely uncomfortable.
Those vows that represent eternal love are the newlyweds' aspirations and expectations for marriage, and their responsibility to protect each other for a lifetime.
However, the essence of their marriage turned out to be the opposite of their vows.
After completing all the established procedures, Zhu Liushuang followed He Ming all the way to the main entrance of the marriage certificate hall.
She rubbed her sore eyes. The sun, like a fleeting glimpse of light, had already disappeared behind thick clouds. A wind picked up outside, causing the camphor tree leaves to sway in the breeze.
"Senior, can I go with you to the hospital to visit Dr. Xie later?" she asked him.
Seeing that He Ming remained silent, she stepped forward and continued, "I took the afternoon off. I was thinking, now that we've already registered our marriage, shouldn't we go see Dr. Xie as soon as possible? Perhaps... he'll be happy."
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A note from the author: The wedding vows are from the internet.
My family member has been sick these past couple of days, and I need to stay at the hospital to take care of them, so I might not be able to update regularly. [Chin resting on hand]
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