He pulled a thin red paper from his pocket with the character “Double Happiness” printed on it. Unfolding it revealed a photo of He Jianguo and Bai Xiaomei.
It was indeed a marriage certificate.
Lin Xiyue felt momentarily dazed, recalling how He Mingchu had suddenly asked her to go home first after school yesterday afternoon. So he had gone to retrieve their marriage certificate!
This guy… truly had foresight!
No wonder he was the male lead! No wonder he was a Top University Seed Candidate!
“Bai Jiaxing, they’re really married. As the younger brother, can’t you stand to see your sister happy? Coming here first thing in the morning to cause trouble?”
“That’s right! Now that you’ve seen the marriage certificate, shouldn’t you call him brother-in-law?”
Bai Jiaxing’s face alternated between pale and flushed, his neck stiff with defiance. “So what if they have a marriage certificate! My parents don’t approve! They didn’t agree before, and they still don’t agree now! This marriage still lacks proper recognition!”
Having said this, he pushed through the crowd and stormed off angrily.
Lin Xiyue chased after him: “Who cares! The day they kicked us out, they said we’re no longer relatives! Don’t come to our house again!”
Her eyes reddened with anger. What kind of person was he! Completely unreasonable!
He Mingchu carefully folded the marriage certificate and returned it to He Jianguo, then glanced at Lin Xiyue with amusement.
This little girl had quite a sharp tongue.
During the entire confrontation, Lin Xiyue had done all the talking for them, while Bai Xiaomei, the actual person involved, seemed almost unnecessary.
He Jianguo breathed a sigh of relief and asked curiously, “Ming Chu, when did you go get it? If not for you, we might not have gotten out of that situation today.”
He Mingchu gave a slight smile: “It’s getting late. Xiyue and I need to get to class.”
Bai Xiaomei suddenly clapped her hands: “Oh no, my congee!”
The congee had boiled over. Since He Mingchu and Lin Xiyue were in a hurry to get to school, they each grabbed a pancake and rushed out the door.
No sooner had Lin Xiyue taken her seat than the teacher entered the classroom accompanied by a beautiful girl.
In this era, her hair was exceptionally glossy, styled into two braids that hung over her chest. Her bangs were pinned back with a pretty hair clip, and she wore a pink-and-white checkered dress that fit perfectly—clearly new.
The girl’s features were delicate and refined, with eyes that seemed to speak and a smile at the corners of her mouth that made people feel happy just looking at her.
Her skin was fair and smooth, like a peeled hard-boiled egg.
She was clearly from a wealthy family.
Teacher Wang asked her to introduce herself to the class.
“Hello everyone, my name is Jin Yao. I look forward to your guidance in the future.”
The classroom erupted with excitement.
“So pretty!”
“She looks rich…”
“Jin Yao, how old are you?” someone called out loudly.
Jin Yao continued smiling: “I’m 17 this year.”
Lin Xiyue was shocked and instinctively glanced at He Mingchu. Goodness, an older woman-younger man romance!
A domineering older sister fighting over me—how exciting!
He Mingchu’s expression remained indifferent, perfectly matching his initial disinterest in Jin Yao as established in the original storyline.
Perhaps it was the allure of the unattainable that made Jin Yao develop an interest in He Mingchu. After a dynamic of her pursuing while he retreated, her giving up followed by his sudden realization, and the emotional turmoil of “chasing his wife through the crematorium,” the two eventually found happiness together.
He Mingchu showed no interest in the new female student, though he had noticed her appearance. He turned and saw Lin Xiyue looking at him.
Her hair… dry as straw, this is due to malnutrition. Her skin too—she needs proper nourishment and some skincare products.
Clothes… I’ve only seen her wear two patched-up outfits these past few days, probably doesn’t have any others. Need to buy her clothes.
As his pet, she naturally had to be pretty and adorable, fitting his preferences.
Lin Xiyue seemed tailor-made to his tastes—her oval face full of classical beauty, almond-shaped eyes large and bright.
But that wasn’t the most important part. What interested him more was her silver tongue, capable of arguing fiercely against countless opponents yet also adept at acting cute to win affection.
This personality mustn’t be spoiled away.
He Mingchu quickly formulated a “Spoiled Pet Project” in his mind.
Jin Yao scanned the classroom and immediately spotted He Mingchu standing out from the crowd.
Her eyes lit up as she walked straight to Lin Xiyue.
“Classmate, could I switch seats with you?”
Lin Xiyue thought: The female lead wants to switch seats with me? Should I agree?
Of course…
Agree!
Must never offend the female lead!
Lin Xiyue nodded repeatedly: “Sure, sure, no problem!”
As she packed her things, her hand was pressed down. Lin Xiyue looked up in confusion.
He Mingchu frowned, though his tone remained gentle: “Classmate Jin Yao, this is my younger sister. I need to look after her. There are plenty of empty seats—please find another spot.”
Jin Yao’s eyes widened slightly. Someone actually refused her!
“I was discussing this with this young classmate, and she agreed.”
None of your business!
Lin Xiyue: “Yes, yes, I agreed.”
Everything must make way for the male and female lead’s relationship development. She was just following the plot.
Otherwise she might end up labeled as a villain—that would be truly miserable!
He Mingchu tightened his grip on Lin Xiyue’s hand.
“I need to tutor my sister. It would be inconvenient if we’re too far apart. Sorry, Classmate Jin Yao.”
He looked down at Lin Xiyue disapprovingly: “Do you want to be demoted to first year?”
Lin Xiyue didn’t dare speak anymore.
Teacher Wang was preparing to start class when he noticed they still weren’t seated. He called out loudly: “Which classmate would like to sit with Jin Yao?”
Many competed eagerly: “Classmate Jin Yao, sit next to me!”
“I have an empty seat here! Classmate Jin, come over here!”
Jin Yao’s unpleasant expression softened somewhat. Pressing her lips together, she randomly chose an empty seat.
Her new desk mate diligently wiped the desk for her.
Jin Yao glanced back at He Mingchu again.
So handsome, yet so blind!
Lin Xiyue grew anxious—would she become a villain?
Now she somewhat regretted getting involved with the male lead. They should just love and fight each other—why did she have to get mixed up in this? What if the plot required her accidental death?
Her mind filled with chaotic thoughts, she performed poorly on the afternoon test.
He Mingchu appeared emotionless. Lin Xiyue shouldered her backpack and walked home with him.
Going home…
Why were they heading toward town?
“Brother, are you buying something?”
He Mingchu responded indifferently with “Mn,” then fell silent.
Lin Xiyue followed closely behind him as he entered a shop selling assorted grains.
Compared to decades later, coarse grains weren’t expensive at this time.
But food stamps were still required, making shopping somewhat troublesome.
He Mingchu selected some black beans, black sesame seeds and other grains, had them ground into powder, and took them with him.
Then he went next door to the butcher shop for some lean meat.
He had money, but not many stamps, so he bought only small amounts of everything.
He Mingchu pondered how to acquire more meat coupons and fabric coupons.
Having used up most of his fabric coupons to buy red cloth a few days prior, he and He Jianguo didn’t mind going without, but his little pet still needed proper outfits.
When Lin Xiyue saw He Mingchu enter the fabric store, she followed him in with a head full of questions.
“Brother, are you getting new clothes made?”