Huo Jingnian’s lips curled slightly. “Later, when we go to the civil affairs bureau to register, hand it to me on the way.”
Qiao Zhiwei nodded. “Okay, though compared to this ring, it’s much cheaper.”
Huo Jingnian nodded. “Then you can make it up to me later.”
Qiao Zhiwei was momentarily taken aback. “Can’t you be a little more polite?”
Huo Jingnian thought for a moment before saying, “As far as the matter of our marriage goes, you are already mine. Whatever I give is only appropriate. So anything I give, you should accept without worry, instead of comparing it to something else.”
Qiao Zhiwei was stunned. Had this man forgotten the purpose and term of their marriage?
Yet his expression now was as if he had truly stepped into the role, and even the usually sharp lines of his face had softened.
Or perhaps she was overthinking, just like before. Thankfully, he had made it perfectly clear to everyone yesterday afternoon why he had to marry her.
Even if she was overthinking now, she didn’t want to ruin the atmosphere. From any perspective and for any reason, he was still beneficial to her.
Besides, he was still her creditor.
“Is there anything here that needs to be changed?” Huo Jingnian asked her again.
“No, it’s perfect,” Qiao Zhiwei replied immediately.
This room clearly had been carefully designed and arranged.
“Anything else we need to add?” Huo Jingnian asked again.
“No,” Qiao Zhiwei answered once more.
Indeed, there was nothing else. Everything she had thought of or hadn’t was already here.
And since her marriage to Huo Jingnian wasn’t real, there was no need to trouble anyone further.
Seeing her satisfied, Huo Jingnian’s lips lifted slightly. “Alright, let’s go get our marriage certificate.”
“Okay.”
Qiao Zhiwei stepped out of the room and saw Qiao Zhilan sitting by the pearwood tea table in the living room, drinking tea. She called out, “Zhilan, let’s go back.”
Qiao Zhilan put down her teacup, walked over, and smiled. “Looks like you’re pleased, sister.”
Qiao Zhiwei nodded.
Apart from the intrinsic value of the house, the interior design and furnishings were impeccable even by later standards, there was nothing to fault.
Qiao Zhilan hooked her arm through Qiao Zhiwei’s. “Aren’t you going to the civil affairs bureau to register today? I’ll take a cab back myself.”
“No need. I’ll send you home; I need to pick up something for your sister.”
“Alright then.”
Huo Jingnian’s car stopped at the gate of the Qiao residence. The sisters got out together. Qiao Zhilan was in a good mood. “I don’t know why, but as soon as Brother Jingnian shows a little consideration, I completely forgive him for what he said yesterday at the Huo residence. He still seems really good, and suits you perfectly. Even though he’s realistic, he’s a hundred times better than Huo Jingchen.”
Qiao Zhilan’s mood came quickly, and went just as quickly.
Qiao Zhiwei smiled. “Don’t think about such things too much normally.”
“Why?”
“Because if you think too much, it might not turn out the way you expect, and you’ll be disappointed. Didn’t you just experience that yesterday?”
Qiao Zhilan tilted her head. “Is it possible that what Brother Jingnian said was really meant for Huo Bo and the others? After all, it concerns his reputation.”
“But I’ve already clarified for him. If he had any other thoughts, he wouldn’t have completely disregarded our feelings. Besides, everyone there yesterday except Huo Jingli wasn’t a fool; they could have stopped there, yet he didn’t. So what he said was both for Huo Bo and the others, and clearly for us sisters as well.”
Qiao Zhilan pouted reluctantly. “So he’s telling you not to overthink things, aside from the debt and grandpa’s favor?”
Qiao Zhiwei nodded. “That’s probably it.”
Qiao Zhilan fell silent.
Qiao Zhiwei patted her shoulder and smiled. “Alright, Lanlan, this isn’t really important. What matters is that he can help us, and we should be grateful, not have any unreasonable expectations.”
Qiao Zhilan understood. “The important thing is to make money during this period, repay his debt, and find our parents.”
Qiao Zhiwei nodded appreciatively. “Yes. I’ll go get the item; you stay and rest at home.”
Qiao Zhiwei grabbed a belt and stepped out. As she approached Huo Jingnian’s car, she saw him standing by the passenger seat. “Sit here,” he said, opening the door.
She didn’t argue over small matters and immediately got in, politely saying, “Thank you.”
The door closed, and Huo Jingnian returned to the driver’s seat. “The gift?”
Qiao Zhiwei took out a small box and handed it to him. “This belt caught my eye when Lanlan and I were shopping for clothes. I thought it suited you, so I bought it. Do you like it?”
“A belt?” Huo Jingnian smiled.
He opened the box and unrolled the black matte leather belt. Its texture was even, the feel excellent, with a steel silver buckle that looked sharp and substantial.
Qiao Zhiwei noticed him studying it for a long time and couldn’t help but glance sideways. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a transparent reflection on the silver buckle across his face.
The light flickered across his brow and fell beneath his long eyelashes, flowing like liquid platinum over his fair skin. It was so striking that Qiao Zhiwei was momentarily stunned.
Snapping back to reality, she quickly looked away, thinking: when did I start being so impressed by a handsome man?
Fortunately, Huo Jingnian didn’t notice. He calmly asked, “Are you satisfied?”
“Yes, very satisfied,” she replied. Huo Jingnian rolled the belt back up and put it into the box.
He glanced at Qiao Zhiwei, saw her seatbelt was fastened, pressed the accelerator…
The car stopped at the civil affairs bureau.
Qiao Zhiwei opened the door and got out, walking in with Huo Jingnian.
They arrived neither too early nor too late; two couples had just finished their procedures.
Huo Jingnian and Qiao Zhiwei approached the registration desk and sat down. The normally expressionless clerk was momentarily surprised, then smiled. “Do you have your ID and household registration book?”
“Yes,” they replied.
“Please go inside to take a photo for registration.”
Qiao Zhiwei pulled out pre-taken photos and their documents and handed them to the clerk. “We’ve already prepared them.”
“Very thorough, well prepared.”
Huo Jingnian calmly pulled out the marriage application, household registration, and IDs from his black briefcase and placed them on top of Qiao Zhiwei’s documents.
The clerk immediately recognized Huo Jingnian as a soldier and treated him with greater courtesy.
The registration went smoothly, and they successfully received their marriage certificate.
After getting back in the car, Huo Jingnian held the certificate, examining it carefully.
Qiao Zhiwei, noticing his scrutiny, asked, “Is something wrong with the information?”
Marriage certificates in the 1980s were thin, folded sheets, all handwritten. Differences or errors between the two copies were possible.