When Cai Xiaolan clearly saw what it was, she felt as if the sky had collapsed.
She let out a scream.
“Ahhhhhhh~”
“Come back and explain this to me! I didn’t sign up, why should I be sent to the countryside?”
All traces of schadenfreude had vanished from her face, replaced entirely by disbelief and panic.
The staff had already left, leaving no one to explain why this was happening.
Trembling with rage, she tore the notice into shreds.
Ruan Tang also understood what had happened to Cai Xiaolan. She withdrew from Ruan Mu’s embrace, wiped her tears, walked over to Cai Xiaolan, and gently patted her shoulder.
Softly, she said, “This is a done deal for you, so don’t struggle pointlessly. Be obedient, and you might still get compensation!”
She returned the exact words to her.
Cai Xiaolan was so angry she nearly coughed up blood. She raised her hand to slap Ruan Tang’s hand away.
But Ruan Tang anticipated her move and withdrew her hand first. Cai Xiaolan ended up slapping her own shoulder.
The pain made her grimace and bare her teeth.
Ruan Tang scoffed and paid her no further attention.
Hadn’t Cai Xiaolan deliberately called out to the Youth Office staff earlier, hoping to see Ruan Tang sent to the countryside?
She had guessed the beginning but not the ending.
Instead, she was the first to face retribution.
“Mom, Dad, let’s go home. Please give me the household register. Jiang Ye and I will go get our marriage certificate first.”
“I don’t want to be sent to the countryside.”
Now, Ruan Mu was also frightened and immediately agreed.
“Alright, alright, I’ll get it for you right away.”
Ruan Tang smiled, linked arms with her, and went inside.
Jiang Ye followed eagerly. Just as he was about to enter, he noticed Ruan Fu was still behind him. He quickly stepped aside and said, “Uncle, please go first.”
As he spoke, he gestured with both hands for Ruan Fu to enter first.
Ruan Fu glanced at him and inexplicably found him much more pleasing to the eye.
Admittedly, they owed this young man their gratitude for today’s events. If he hadn’t arrived in time, their Tangtang would have truly been sent to the countryside.
Of course, he also understood Jiang Ye’s intentions—having someone specially notify them was precisely to seize this opportunity to settle the marriage.
Considering that Jiang Ye had even dared to strike a public official for Tangtang’s sake, they decided not to make things difficult for him anymore.
On the way back, he and his wife had already discussed it—this time, they would listen to their daughter.
Su Jincheng’s conditions were indeed good, but behind that goodness lay unpredictable dangers and schemes.
They were ordinary folks, unsuited to getting involved in such matters.
Life should be simpler and more stable—that was better.
Ruan Mu brought out the household register. Instead of giving it to Ruan Tang, she placed it in Jiang Ye’s hands.
“Jiang Ye, we were wrong before. Please don’t hold it against us. As her parents, we only wanted her to marry well.”
“As for what counts as ‘well,’ we’re ordinary people who only know how to measure by material things and money.”
“Now, we don’t want to make things difficult for you. We hope that in the future, you won’t make things difficult for her either and that you can protect her.”
“It doesn’t matter if life is a bit harder or more tiring, but please don’t let her suffer unjustly.”
Holding the household register, Jiang Ye bowed solemnly to them.
“Uncle, Auntie, please rest assured. I will definitely protect Ruan Tang, treat her well, and never let her suffer the slightest grievance.”
“I may usually be a bit reckless, but I have all the responsibility and integrity a man should have. Please trust me this once.”
Jiang Ye’s tone was sincere, his eyes earnest.
Ruan Fu and Ruan Mu nodded.
Their daughter was getting married, and both couldn’t help but tear up.
Ruan Tang hooked her arm through Ruan Mu’s and shook it gently. “What’s with all this? My marriage is a happy occasion! Why are you all crying?”
“Our home is so close by. If Jiang Ye dares bully me, I’ll just come back to stay with you and leave him all alone in an empty house.”
Ruan Mu tapped her forehead and chided, “Shameless.”
Jiang Ye’s ears turned slightly red as he gazed at Ruan Tang with a doting smile.
“Alright, you two should get going now. The neighborhood office will be closing soon,” Ruan Fu urged at the right moment.
“Okay,” Jiang Ye responded.
He quickly stepped out, picked up the bicycle from the ground, and led Ruan Tang out of the compound.
Ruan Tang watched her home fade into the distance, her thoughts swirling.
She took a deep breath and discreetly wiped the tear from the corner of her eye.
Though she didn’t know if marrying Jiang Ye was right or wrong, at least for now, it was her best choice.
She was also grateful that Jiang Ye had chosen her.
So no matter what he was like, no matter how others viewed him, she was willing to treat him sincerely.
When he shielded her in his embrace, she no longer felt afraid or panicked.
Her heart was at peace.
Staring at Jiang Ye’s back, Ruan Tang’s lips unconsciously curved into a slight smile.
She let go of the bicycle’s rear seat and gently placed her hand on Jiang Ye’s waist.
The sudden touch made Jiang Ye’s heart skip a beat. The handlebars wobbled instantly, and the bicycle nearly crashed into a tree.
Fortunately, he reacted quickly and steadied it.
Startled, Ruan Tang patted his back. “Ride properly.”
Jiang Ye chuckled. “Alright, whatever my wife says.”
Ruan Tang’s eyes curved into smiles. “I’m not your wife yet!”
“In my heart, you’ve been my wife for a long time.”
“Taking advantage of me! How annoying.”
Jiang Ye tilted his head and whispered, “I’ll let you take advantage of me later.”
Ruan Tang humphed. “That’s more like it.”
Jiang Ye shook his head with a smile. His little wife was so naive.
That kind of advantage wasn’t the same as this kind of advantage!
They arrived at the neighborhood office at half past five. Luckily, it hadn’t closed yet.
Jiang Ye led Ruan Tang directly to the marriage registration office.
He knocked on the door first.
Only after hearing a response from inside did they enter.
Yang Wenhui was surprised to see them. “Xiao Wu, what brings you here? And who is this?”
Since Jiang Ye was the fifth child in his family, some relatives and close friends were accustomed to calling him Xiao Wu.
Jiang Ye placed all the documents on the table. “Aunt, we’re here to get married. Please review these quickly.”
“Oh, this is Ruan Tang, my wife.”
“Tangtang, this is my aunt.”
Ruan Tang obediently greeted, “Hello, Aunt. I’m Ruan Tang, Jiang Ye’s wife.”
Hearing her introduction, Jiang Ye’s grin nearly reached his ears.
Yang Wenhui was completely stunned.
Her sister hadn’t mentioned Jiang Ye having a girlfriend—how were they getting married already?
Suspicious, she opened the referral letter and carefully examined it. It was indeed her sister’s handwriting, and the official seal was correct.
She then opened Ruan Tang’s household register and scrutinized it thoroughly—everything was in order.
After putting the documents away, she looked at Ruan Tang and asked softly, “Sweetheart, are you doing this voluntarily?”
“Did this rascal threaten you?”
Ruan Tang shook her head. She took Jiang Ye’s hand and smiled. “I’m doing it willingly.”
Her smile was sweet—she couldn’t let her aunt misunderstand Jiang Ye. She truly wanted to marry him.
Jiang Ye naturally enveloped Ruan Tang’s hand in his.
Her hand is so small and soft!
Ruan Tang looked up at him, and they exchanged a smile.
Jiang Ye’s gaze was practically dripping with affection.
Yang Wenhui shuddered, goosebumps rising all over.
Goodness, how lovey-dovey! Now she was convinced.
So Yang Wenhui took out a certificate, on which were written the words “Marriage Certificate” in bold characters.
She filled in Jiang Ye and Ruan Tang’s names, genders, and ages, followed by: Voluntarily married, having been reviewed and found in compliance with the marriage regulations of Hua Nation, this certificate is hereby issued.
In the lower right corner, she wrote today’s date: August 28, 1975.
Then she glanced at the two of them and stamped the official seal.
From that moment on, Jiang Ye and Ruan Tang became a legally married couple.
Jiang Ye was so overwhelmed that his eyes reddened, momentarily unable to contain his emotions. He raised his arms and pulled Ruan Tang into a tight embrace.
Resting his chin on the top of her head, he whispered softly, “Wife, you’re my wife now.”
Ruan Tang patted his back and replied, “Mm, your wife.”
She was happy too, though not as emotional as Jiang Ye.