Chapter 5: Was she there to get married or to attend a meeting?
The lights in the lobby of the Civil Affairs Bureau were so bright they were almost blinding.
On a weekday morning, there weren't many people getting their marriage certificates processed. A few formally dressed couples sat on the benches in the waiting area; some nervously adjusted their clothes, while others huddled together whispering, their faces beaming with undisguised joy. The air was thick with a mixture of anticipation, sweetness, and a touch of anxiety—the emotions most people experience when they come here.
When Huo Yanli and his party of four entered the hall, they attracted almost everyone's attention. Their aura was too prominent; their clothing, posture, and even the unintentional sense of aloofness they exuded were completely out of place in this environment. Some staff members looked up at them, then looked down again, probably assuming they were some kind of people who needed special treatment.
Song Zhiyi walked beside Huo Yanli, half a step behind. She seemed completely unconcerned about the stares directed at her, nor the oppressive aura emanating from the man beside her and his friends. Her gaze swept over the lobby signage before heading straight for the information desk.
"Hello, I'd like to schedule a marriage registration appointment." Her voice was clear and calm as she handed over her ID card and household registration booklet.
The staff member was a middle-aged woman in her forties. She looked at Song Zhiyi, then at the three distinguished men behind her, and finally her gaze fell on Huo Yanli. She paused for a moment before taking the materials: "Please, please show both parties' identification documents."
Huo Yanli handed over his identification. His movements were somewhat stiff—this occasion was too unfamiliar to him, even absurd. He could feel Ji Yun and the others standing not far behind him, their gazes like needles on his back, carrying an undisguised sense of scrutiny and anticipation.
After the appointment information was verified, the staff handed them several forms: "Please go over there to fill out the 'Application for Marriage Registration Declaration Form,' and then come back to get a number."
"Thank you." Song Zhiyi took the form and turned to walk towards the filling-out table next to her.
Huo Yanli followed.
The form-filling station was long and narrow, and a young couple was already filling it out at one end. The girl would occasionally whisper something to the boy, who would answer with a smile, creating a warm atmosphere.
Song Zhiyi stopped at one end of the table, took out a black fountain pen from her briefcase—a very ordinary office pen, the body of which was somewhat worn. She unfolded the form and began filling it out almost without pausing. Her handwriting was neat and legible, the strokes crisp and clean, and every blank was filled in accurately.
Watching her fluid movements, Huo Yanli picked up the pen provided on the table, the nib hovering over the paper, but for a moment he didn't know how to begin. Name, gender, date of birth... he could write this information with his eyes closed, but at this moment, in this setting, every stroke felt incredibly heavy.
He glanced at Song Zhiyi sideways. She lowered her head slightly, a small strand of hair falling from her forehead, which she casually tucked behind her ear. The lines of her profile were soft, but her expression was so focused that it was as if she were signing an important diplomatic document, not her own marriage application.
"Here," Song Zhiyi suddenly spoke, pointing her pen to a spot on the form, "you need to write down the detailed address of your registered residence."
Her reminder was natural, without any emotion, just like a work-related instruction between colleagues.
Huo Yanli hummed in agreement and lowered his head to fill out the form.
After filling out the form, taking a number, and waiting, Song Zhiyi didn't say a single unnecessary word throughout the entire process. She even took out a thin document from her briefcase and quickly skimmed through it during the few minutes of waiting, occasionally making simple marks on it with a pen.
Ji Yun leaned close to Zhou Mubai's ear and whispered, "...Is she here for a wedding or a meeting?"
Zhou Mubai didn't speak, but just stared at the document in Song Zhiyi's hand—it was all in English, with the United Nations logo in the header.
Call their number.
Take photos, swear an oath, and sign.
In the photo studio, the photographer looked at the two standing side by side and tried to lighten the mood: "Come closer, smile... Yes, today is a happy day!"
Huo Yanli tugged at the corners of his mouth, revealing an expression that could barely be called a smile. He could feel that Song Zhiyi's body beside him was not tense or stiff at all; she simply looked calmly at the camera, the corners of her mouth curving into a very faint, polite arc.
The flash went off.
The photo was printed quickly. In the photo, the man was handsome but had a distant expression, and the woman was pretty but had a calm demeanor. They didn't look like a newlywed couple, but rather like two strangers forced to pose for a photo.
The final step is to sign and confirm.
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