「Half an hour later.」
Lin Feng drove his electric scooter, bringing Zhang Yuxi to the entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau.
After they got off, Lin Feng took Zhang Yuxi's hand and they walked toward the building.
Zhang Yuxi looked inside, a little nervous.
She never expected to marry a man so hastily.
Although they had been intimate before, she had never dared to dream of one day becoming his wife.
"Let's go in. I'm with you," Lin Feng said softly.
Hearing this, Zhang Yuxi nodded and followed him inside.
Upon entering the Civil Affairs Bureau, Zhang Yuxi saw that it was crowded. Some people were there to get married, their faces beaming with joyful smiles, as if they were full of hope for the future. Many more, however, were there to get divorced. Their expressions were varied—some were reluctant, others were openly hostile, and still others seemed completely indifferent.
It seemed the old saying was true: Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.
Zhang Yuxi and Lin Feng were both exceptionally attractive, becoming the center of attention wherever they went. Holding hands, they approached the marriage registration window.
"Hello, we're here to register our marriage," Lin Feng said to the staff member with a smile.
"Do you have your household registers?" the staff member asked, her eyes flashing with surprise as she looked at the young couple.
They look so young. They probably haven't been dating for long. To be getting married already… how enviable!
Lin Feng handed over both of their household registers. The staff member took them, checked them against the couple, and then made a photocopy. She then picked up a form from the desk and handed it back to Lin Feng along with the registers.
"Fill this out, go get your photo taken, and then bring everything back to me when you're ready."
Lin Feng and Zhang Yuxi stood before the camera, sweet smiles on their faces.
CLICK!
The flash went off, capturing their blissful smiles on film. The photos turned out beautifully. Lin Feng asked for several extra prints to keep as mementos.
Finally, the most exciting moment arrived. The staff member stood before them and asked if it was their heartfelt wish to become husband and wife.
"Yes!" they said in unison, looking into each other's eyes.
After receiving their marriage certificates, Zhang Yuxi stared at the little red booklet in her hand, still in disbelief. It felt like a dream.
Did I really just marry Lin Feng? This feels so surreal.
"Let's go!" Lin Feng said, getting back on the electric scooter and patting the seat behind him.
"Okay!" Zhang Yuxi nodded, climbing on and hugging Lin Feng tightly, as if she were holding on to the entire world.
As Lin Feng drove toward an unfamiliar area, Zhang Yuxi asked with some confusion, "Where are we going now?"
"To buy you rings!" Lin Feng replied, turning his head to smile at her. "We have the marriage certificate, how can we not have wedding rings?"
Hearing this, Zhang Yuxi was deeply touched, her cheeks flushing slightly.
I really chose the right husband!
「Ten minutes later.」
Lin Feng drove to Zhengjia Plaza. They found a jewelry store and walked right in. A sales associate immediately came forward to greet them.
"Sir, miss, how may I help you?" When the clerk saw the red certificate booklet in Zhang Yuxi's hand, she knew a big customer had arrived. Newlyweds were a jewelry store's primary clientele.
"We'd like to buy a set of rings," Lin Feng told the clerk, walking over to the counter to browse the selection.
"Sir, do you have any specific requirements?"
"Hmm… do you have wedding rings?"
"Yes, we do!" The clerk led Lin Feng to a counter. "These are all matching sets for men and women. Many newlyweds buy from this collection."
Lin Feng gestured to the display and said to Zhang Yuxi, "Pick a set you like."
Zhang Yuxi looked over the numerous styles and finally chose a matching set priced at 8,000 yuan.
Seeing her choice, Lin Feng frowned.
My wife is really used to being frugal.
He pointed directly to another set with a 50,000 yuan price tag. "Let's get this one."
Seeing the price, Zhang Yuxi quickly shook her head. "That one's too expensive! Let's just buy the set I chose."
Although she said that, her eyes were glued to the other set. The 50,000 yuan ring was inlaid with eight small diamonds and a one-carat center diamond. It sparkled brilliantly under the lights, looking incomparably beautiful. Any woman would be captivated by it.
Lin Feng, of course, noticed the look in her eyes. He picked up the expensive set, slid the woman's ring onto Zhang Yuxi's ring finger, and then placed the man's ring in her hand.
"Yuxi, it's time to exchange rings," Lin Feng said, holding out his left hand. "Will you put mine on for me?"
Being watched by the clerk, Zhang Yuxi felt a little embarrassed, but she took the ring and slid it onto Lin Feng's finger. The nearby sales associate immediately began to applaud.
"Congratulations to you both! May your love last forever! These two rings will be with you on your journey to everlasting happiness!"
Faced with the well-wishes, Zhang Yuxi felt a bit awkward. Lin Feng, however, just laughed heartily and took her to pay for the rings.
After they left, the jewelry store staff immediately started gossiping.
"See? Sweet love stories always happen to other people! That guy was so handsome. The woman wanted to buy a cheaper diamond ring, but he didn't even hesitate and picked out a 50,000 yuan wedding set. Isn't that just the sweetest thing? Ugh, why can't I meet a guy like that! Seriously, it just makes me sick thinking about that stingy jerk I'm with. What a shame. If he weren't already married, I would have totally asked for his WeChat!"
After leaving the jewelry store, Zhang Yuxi's excitement vanished, replaced by a wave of self-reproach.
Zhang Yuxi, what on earth are you doing? You have four babies to raise, and you don't even have a stable job, yet you just spent 50,000 yuan on rings? You're being far too extravagant!
Seeing her troubled expression, Lin Feng asked with concern, "Yuxi, what's wrong? Are you not feeling well?"
At his words, Zhang Yuxi grew flustered. "I… I should have stopped you. We have babies to raise. How could we spend so much money on rings?!"
Her eyes reddened with agitation, and she began to cry.
Zhang Yuxi, oh Zhang Yuxi, you're so thoughtless! That money could have bought enough diapers and formula to last the four babies for over half a year. It's one thing for Lin Feng to be young and impulsive, but how could you be so reckless, too?
Seeing her so anxious, Lin Feng's heart ached.
I owe this woman so much…
He pulled the sobbing Zhang Yuxi into a tight embrace and comforted her.
"Yuxi, I'm sorry. You've had it hard these past two years."
"Don't you worry about money. I'm here now, and I absolutely won't let you and the children struggle."
"When I make more money in the future, I swear I'll give you a proper wedding and a house of our own!"
"I will give you and our babies a happy future. Do you believe me?"