21
Marriage Certificate
Lu Xuanzhou didn’t understand why he was so easily swayed—when Lin Jianchun suggested it, he just went along.
After exiting the civil affairs bureau, both held a marriage certificate in their hands.
Lin Jianchun then dragged Lu Xuanzhou to a photo studio and asked the photographer to frame their marriage certificates. “When you’re out driving, take it out and look at it often. Remember you’re a married man—don’t do anything wrong.”
Lu Xuanzhou glanced faintly at Lin Jianchun and earnestly requested the photographer to frame the other marriage certificate as well.
The photographer found the atmosphere between this new couple rather odd, as if they were preparing to storm a battlefield to catch a cheating spouse.
He tentatively promoted his services: “Since you’re already here, why not take a wedding photo? You can attach it to the marriage certificate—then it’ll be clear who belongs to whom.”
“Let’s do it!”
“Let’s do it.”
They spoke in unison.
But in front of the camera, they couldn’t seem to capture a natural, intimate vibe.
“Move closer together—you’re so far apart I can’t fit both of you in the frame.”
“The lady has a sweet smile, but the gentleman’s is stiff. Tilt your head toward her a bit.”
“Think of something happy, sir. Are you really getting married willingly?”
Lin Jianchun felt if they sat there any longer, the photographer might report them for an arranged marriage.
“Sir, could you give us three minutes? Just three minutes—let me coach my man.”
“Alright.” The photographer left the room to them.
Lin Jianchun stood up and circled the rigidly seated Lu Xuanzhou. Under her gaze, Lu Xuanzhou grew parched. “Maybe I shouldn’t be in the photo—just you take it.”
“No! Wedding photos need both people complete. Otherwise others might think I became a widow right after marrying.”
“Follow my lead—pull your lips back and smile!”
Lu Xuanzhou complied with a stiff smile.
“The photographer said to think of something sweet—so think!”
“There’s nothing to think about.”
With three minutes nearly up, Lin Jianchun grew anxious. She grabbed Lu Xuanzhou’s shoulders, making him look at her. “How can there be nothing sweet? Isn’t it sweet when I touch you?”
Lu Xuanzhou’s expression froze.
Lin Jianchun groaned inwardly—wrong thing to say. Now his face was even stiffer.
Gritting her teeth, she squeezed Lu Xuanzhou’s cheeks and, as if possessed, kissed him.
His lips were thin and pleasant to kiss. Lu Xuanzhou’s burning hands settled at her sides, pulling her into his embrace.
Neither moved further—just the press of lips was enough to send hearts racing.
“Time’s up! Ready, comrades?”
They scrambled apart. Lu Xuanzhou gazed deeply at Lin Jianchun, whose dazed almond eyes shimmered like spring-fed ponds.
Lin Jianchun cleared her throat softly. “Ready.”
As she sat back down beside Lu Xuanzhou, the photographer remarked in confusion, “You coached him for three minutes, but now the lady forgot how to pose too?”
Just as Lin Jianchun flushed with embarrassment, large hands reached from behind to wrap around her waist. She instinctively looked up at Lu Xuanzhou and met his restrained gaze. One thought crossed her mind: This exceptional man was really hers to keep.
She beamed with joy. Lu Xuanzhou smiled too.
The photographer quickly captured the moment, then had them move closer for a formal portrait.
“Come back in a week to collect the photos.”
After leaving the photo studio, Lu Xuanzhou rode his bicycle with Lin Jianchun sitting behind him. Throughout the journey, Lin Jianchun kept feeling frustrated at her own incompetence—they had already kissed, yet she failed to initiate a passionate French kiss. She wondered when she’d get another chance to taste those sweet lips.
Sigh~~~
It wasn’t until they parked that Lin Jianchun realized Lu Xuanzhou had brought her to the state-run store.
“Do you need to buy something?”
Lu Xuanzhou nodded and led Lin Jianchun straight to the watch counter. “Pick one you like.”
Lin Jianchun: “Do you have Industrial Coupons?”
Lu Xuanzhou nodded. “I exchanged for some.”
Lin Jianchun did need a watch. She still couldn’t accurately tell time by the sun’s position, and not having a watch was indeed inconvenient.
Lin Jianchun leaned over the counter, examining each watch carefully. “Mother Lu gave me a hundred yuan from the betrothal gifts specifically for buying a watch. I’ll just pick one around that price.”
Noticing Lin Jianchun’s gaze lingering several times on the Plum Blossom Watch, Lu Xuanzhou decisively asked the salesclerk to bring out the women’s model.
The black strap encircled Lin Jianchun’s delicate, fair wrist. Lu Xuanzhou glanced once before quickly looking away. “This one.”
After paying with cash and coupons, Lu Xuanzhou said, “No need to take it off. It looks very nice on you.”
“I’ll pay you back when we get home.”
“No need. It’s my gift to you.”
Lin Jianchun was utterly mesmerized by Lu Xuanzhou’s handsome, decisive payment demeanor: “Lu Xuanzhou, is this your belated work gift for me?”
“No. It’s a wedding gift.” He wouldn’t give the same generic presents as everyone else.
A happy smile curved Lin Jianchun’s lips. Lu Xuanzhou’s mouth wasn’t just good for kissing—his words were delightful too.
Even the salesclerk was infected by their sweet dynamic: “Comrade, your man treats you so well! I’ve seen many newlywed couples buying watches where the female comrade wants an expensive, beautiful one, but the male comrade finds all sorts of excuses to say it doesn’t look good, eventually persuading her to choose the cheapest option.”
Lin Jianchun preened in agreement: “Well, my man is different. My man only minds spending money on me. When a man truly cherishes you, how could he be unwilling to spend? If he spends nothing but talks a good game, his sincerity is limited…”
A newlywed woman nearby suddenly slapped the counter: “I’m not getting married! Go marry whoever you want!”
Lin Jianchun froze. She had only intended to give Lu Xuanzhou a live demonstration of model husband behavior—she hadn’t noticed other people nearby.
The corner of Lu Xuanzhou’s mouth twitched upward. He collected the receipt and pulled Lin Jianchun away by her sleeve. If they didn’t leave immediately, he feared the jilted groom might kill her with his glare.
Mother Lu had been restless, worried the couple might change their minds halfway and not register their marriage. She waited anxiously until Lu Xuanzhou and Lin Jianchun finally returned.
“Where’s the marriage certificate?”
Lin Jianchun handed the framed marriage certificate to Mother Lu. Seeing the carefully preserved document, Mother Lu’s heart finally settled. Treating the marriage certificate with such importance showed the young couple’s growing affection. Now she could relax and await her future grandchild.
“Did framing it take that long?”
“No, Brother Zhou also bought me a watch.” Lin Jianchun showed the watch to Mother Lu, who praised it repeatedly.
Mother Lu felt even more reassured. She knew her own son well—if he hadn’t genuinely taken a liking to Lin Jianchun, he wouldn’t be so eager to spend money on her.
Unable to withstand Mother Lu’s teasing look, Lu Xuanzhou said: “I’m going to the factory to check if anything needs attention. If I’m not back for dinner, don’t wait for me.”
“Go ahead, and remember to come home early tonight.”
After Lu Xuanzhou left, Lin Jianchun returned to her room to organize the information in her mind, preparing to write a teaching plan.
But when she sat at the desk and wrote the first line with a fountain pen: “CT Machine Training Lesson Plan.”
“Tsk tsk, my handwriting is both messy and beautiful.”
After casually writing a few lines, Lin Jianchun didn’t want to continue. Fountain pen ink cost money, so she’d better use it sparingly—after all, she had always hated writing lesson plans back when she was a teacher.
Besides, there really wasn’t much to write about the operation method of a CT machine.
Lin Jianchun closed the notebook and decided to take a nap. Being a good teacher required maintaining a good mental state too.
When Little Lu returned home, dragging his exhausted body after a whole afternoon of manual labor, Mother Lu scolded him: “Walk quietly! Your sister-in-law is preparing lessons in her room. She has to teach doctors and nurses tomorrow.”
Lin Jianchun woke up naturally from her nap only to find it was already dark outside.
When she came out, she saw Little Lu with hunger gleaming in his eyes. “Mom, sister-in-law has finished preparing her lessons. We can eat now.”
Feeling guilty, Lin Jianchun kept putting meat in Little Lu’s bowl during dinner, secretly resolving in her heart that she must find him some more work opportunities.
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