Chapter 133 Extra Chapter (Song Zhiyi and Huo Yanli): 8. Our Home
Autumn arrived suddenly in New York. After a night of rain, the leaves in Central Park seemed to have turned golden and ochre overnight. Song Zhiyi finished her rotation in a high-risk area and returned to the United Nations headquarters, taking on a relatively stable position responsible for long-term strategic coordination of global climate negotiations and conflict prevention. This means that for at least the next two to three years, her permanent residence will be in New York, her business trips will be less frequent, and she will no longer need to be ready to rush to the front lines of sudden crises at any time.
The night she received her official appointment letter, she sat at her desk in her apartment, staring at the job description on her computer screen for a long time. She picked up her phone and sent Huo Yanli a message: "New position confirmed, based in New York, minimum two to three years. Risk level: significantly reduced."
The reply came almost instantly: "Received. The logistics support system will be adjusted accordingly."
As she looked at the message, a smile unconsciously crept onto her lips. A moment later, she sent another message: "Also, I checked my schedule. I have a five-day break in the middle of next month."
This time, the reply was a few seconds slower: "My schedule can be adjusted. Do you need me to come over?"
Song Zhiyi's fingers lightly traced the edge of her phone before she typed: "It's not about coming over. It's... shouldn't we clarify some legal matters as well?"
After sending the message, she put down her phone, picked up the slightly cooled tea on the table, took a sip, and felt a little flustered, though her heart was beating a little fast. It felt a bit like deciding to launch an important diplomatic consultation—cautious, but with a clear objective.
Huo Yanli called directly.
"When you said 'let's clarify,'" his voice came through the receiver, steady but with a hint of tension, "was it what I meant?"
“If you understand it as formally establishing a marital relationship, then that’s correct.” Song Zhiyi’s tone was normal, as if she were discussing work arrangements. “Based on our current living situation and the predictability of the next few years, I think this is a reasonable and necessary step.”
There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, followed by a very soft, relieved sigh.
"Okay." He only said one word, but the end of his voice had an upward curve. "You set the time, and I'll cooperate. If you have any requests, feel free to make them."
“The request is very simple,” Song Zhiyi said, looking out the window. “No ceremony, no guests, no public appearances whatsoever. Just the two of us, and we’ll complete the legal process as quickly as possible. Afterwards… if you’d like, you can treat Ji Yun and the others to a simple meal, as a gesture of closure.”
Huo Yanli chuckled softly: "Song Zhiyi, sometimes I feel that your negotiation style has remained consistent for decades... efficient and direct."
“Wasting time on meaningless formalities is not efficient,” she said matter-of-factly. “Besides, you know I don’t like those kinds of occasions.”
“I know.” His voice softened. “I’ll do whatever you say. But if Ji Yun and the others find out we secretly registered and only notified them afterwards, they might make a scene.”
“Then let them make a fuss.” Song Zhiyi smiled as well. “Zhou Mubai should understand, and Shen Yu will probably think it’s the cheapest way. As for Ji Yun… order him a couple more dishes he likes.”
And so the matter was settled. Huo Yanli quickly coordinated the schedule, postponing the signing ceremony of a European merger and acquisition deal that he originally needed to attend in person by three days. Song Zhiyi also finished her urgent work ahead of schedule, freeing up three days for herself.
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The day we got our marriage certificate, Beijing was blessed with clear autumn skies.
Song Zhiyi wore a light apricot cashmere dress with a beige trench coat over it. She wore very light makeup, and her long hair was loosely tied into a low bun at the back of her head, revealing her smooth forehead and neck. Finally, she looked at the ring on her left ring finger, which she had worn for a long time, turned it gently, and did not take it off or add any other jewelry.
Huo Yanli wore a dark gray suit with the dark blue tie she had chosen. Before leaving, he carefully adjusted her collar in the entryway, then stepped back to examine her closely.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"I'm thinking," Huo Yanli said with a smile in his eyes, "this time the photos should be good."
There weren't many people at the Civil Affairs Bureau. While waiting for his number to be called, Huo Yanli took a small box out of his suit's inner pocket.
“I almost forgot.” He opened it, revealing two brand-new wedding rings. The design was minimalist, a plain platinum band, but the inner ring was engraved with: Forever.
Song Zhiyi picked up the women's ring, held it up to the light to look at the inscription, and asked softly, "When was this prepared?"
“In your second month in the Sahel,” Huo Yanli took her hand, took off the old ring she had worn for a long time, and put on a new one. “At that time, I thought, if you come back safely, if there is another chance… I must get a new pair.”
The size was perfect, and the ring gleamed warmly on his finger. Song Zhiyi also helped him put on the men's ring. Their hands clasped together, and the new rings reflected a gentle glow under the incandescent lights of the Civil Affairs Bureau.
The old ring was carefully put into a velvet pouch and placed back into Huo Yanli's inner pocket. "Keep it," he said. "It's the beginning of our story."
"Are you nervous?" he asked, looking down at her, his thumb gently stroking the back of her hand.
Song Zhiyi shook her head: "I know the process." She looked up at him, "Are you nervous?"
Huo Yanli nodded honestly: "A little. I'm afraid you might change your mind at the last minute, or feel that we've made a mistake."
Song Zhiyi gripped his hand tightly in return, not with much force, but with firmness: "No. This is a decision made after rational evaluation."
Their number was called. The process went smoothly. The staff member was a kind lady. When she saw the divorce certificate they handed over and the application materials they had submitted, she paused for a moment, then gave them an understanding smile.
"You're here for the second time?" the older woman said while organizing the materials. "Make sure you get through this time."
"Yes, I will," Huo Yanli replied earnestly.
When Huo Yanli received the marriage certificate with the red cover, he took it, looked at it carefully, his fingertips lingered on the cover for a moment, and then carefully put it into the inside pocket of his suit and pressed it against his heart.
Stepping out of the Civil Affairs Bureau, the warm autumn sun bathed him. A couple was having their photos taken at the entrance, the girl's laughter ringing out clearly and cheerfully. Huo Yanli stopped and turned to face Song Zhiyi.
“Mrs. Huo.” He looked at her, his eyes swirling with emotion. “This time it’s for real.”
Song Zhiyi's eyes welled up slightly, and she nodded: "Mr. Huo, please give me your guidance."
He stretched out his arms and gently pulled her into his embrace. The hug was tight, carrying the precious weight of something lost and found again, and the reassuring peace of a settled life. Song Zhiyi nestled in his arms, able to hear his steady, powerful heartbeat and smell the clean scent of cedar on him.
After a long while, Huo Yanli finally let go of her, but they were still holding hands. He looked down at her and asked, "Where do you want to go now?"
"Go home," Song Zhiyi said. "Our home."
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