Magic City, Yueyang District.
At the entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau, a Maybach slowly rolled to a stop; the ones who had come were Lin Xuan and Su Qingge, who had hurried over from the hospital after saying goodbye to Su Fan to get their marriage license.
"Qingge, we're here."
Lin Xuan smiled as he pushed the wheelchair down from the car.
Not far away, young couples were holding hands, leaning happily against each other as they went in and out through the main doors of the Civil Affairs Bureau.
Perhaps influenced by the joyful atmosphere of the laughter all around, the smile on Lin Xuan's face deepened, and a faint trace of nervousness rose in his heart as well.
Adding up his two lives, so many years in total, this was still his first time stepping into a Civil Affairs Bureau......
Before, he'd only ever seen it online; he hadn't expected that today it would finally be his turn for real, and he couldn't help feeling inexplicably emotional.
From today on, he would completely give up the entire forest and guard the one eternal violet that belonged to him alone.
"Qingge, are you nervous?"
"It's just getting a certificate, right? What's… what's there to be nervous about?"
Seeing the slight flush on the girl's cheeks, Lin Xuan gave her a very meaningful look and drew out a long "Oh~~~~."
"Oh, your big-headed ghost! Hurry and go in! Let's get it done quickly and go home."
"Didn't you say you prepared a duet? I'm already a little impatient—I want to try singing it~~~"
"......"
At this point, an unconcealed hint of anticipation appeared on Su Qingge's face.
She had always liked music in the past and even dreamed of becoming a singer when she was little; for that, her family had specially hired some well-known music tutors to help her realize her dream.
Unfortunately, heaven doesn't always go along with human wishes.....
Because later an unexpected change at home forced her to give up her dream.
And just recently, Lin Xuan had suddenly suggested composing a duet, to be sung by the two of them together, to commemorate today's sweetness and romance.
By some strange impulse, Su Qingge had subconsciously nodded and agreed; at this moment... she really was looking forward to it....
"......."
Urged on by Su Qingge, Lin Xuan helplessly shrugged his shoulders and pushed the wheelchair to the entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau, striding inside.
As soon as they walked through the main doors, a faint scent of ink greeted them, making people unconsciously slow their steps.
In the lobby of the Civil Affairs Bureau, the light was gentle and warm; it filtered through the semi-transparent curtains, spilling onto the pale-yellow walls and creating a quiet and solemn atmosphere.
Service windows were neatly arranged on both sides; in front of each window stood a signboard clearly marked with the names of various services and the corresponding procedures.
On the walls all around hung several warm, heartening posters.
The images depicted scenes of harmonious families and happy lives, making people feel a positive, uplifting energy.
In a corner not far away, several green plants and flowers had been placed, adding a touch of life and vitality to the space.
Even though this moment was the peak of a workday, the order inside the Civil Affairs Bureau was still well maintained.
Staff in uniform wore friendly smiles as they patiently answered questions and offered help to the citizens who had come to handle their business.
Every detail of theirs reflected professionalism and care, making the young couples who were here for the first time to get their license all feel a shared sense of warmth and reassurance.
"........"
"Looks like quite a lot of people are getting married, huh?! We even have to line up..."
"That stuff online about the Civil Affairs Bureau hitting a divorce wave, with five couples getting married and a hundred getting divorced on the same day—turns out it's all just stoking anxiety!"
"Journalism really is that terrifying~~~"
Lin Xuan complained.
Since there were a lot of people applying for licenses today, he had no choice but to push Su Qingge over to sit in the rest area and wait for a while.
"Hubby (?ω?)~~ I want a smooch~~~"
Just then, an extremely cheesy voice sounded beside them.
Startled, the two of them turned their heads and saw that in the seats next to them, a fashionably dressed couple was being all lovey-dovey.
The man was wearing a name-brand tracksuit; he looked like he came from a good family—a typical rich second-gen template.
The girl was wearing a pink dress and looked fairly cute.
The two of them were probably in their honeymoon phase; they didn't care at all about the surprised looks from the people around them and were shamelessly sprinkling dog food in public......
(づ￣3￣)づ╭?～ smooch~~~
Watching the two of them kissing nonstop, Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow, and imitated them by leaning his face toward Su Qingge and pointing at his own cheek.
"Wifey (°?‵?′??), I want it too~~~"
"......"
Su Qingge froze for a second, and her face instantly turned scarlet; she glared at the man, very much wanting to refuse outright. ×
But considering that they were in public.....
If she coldly said no like that, wouldn't it make Lin Xuan lose face and feel all kinds of awkward?
After all, men all seem to care a lot about their pride, right?! (ー`′ー)
'Forget it! On account of you helping me realize my dream of singing, I'll reluctantly....'
Su Qingge struggled for two and a half seconds.
In the end, she quickly gave Lin Xuan's face a light peck like a dragonfly touching water.
Immediately after, her face still red, she turned her head away, not daring to meet the man's burning gaze.
"Hmm?"
At this moment, the rich second-gen youth in the adjacent seat frowned.
He'd heard the exchange between Lin Xuan and Su Qingge and felt they were picking a fight with him.
So, he suddenly jumped to his feet, wanting to use his kingly aura to properly intimidate the two of them in front of his girlfriend so that his woman would admire him even more!
"You— eh, Brother Xuan?!"
The rich second-gen rolled up his sleeves and had just pointed at Lin Xuan's nose, ready to start cursing.
In the next second, his whole body froze up completely.
Because he'd recognized who Lin Xuan was, and he hurriedly pulled his hand back.
At the same time, he wished he could slap himself twice on the spot, annoyed at himself for not recognizing this Buddha sooner?!!
"(O_o) And you are? Which one???"
Lin Xuan looked completely at a loss; he really couldn't remember who this guy in front of him was.
(⊙o⊙) Uh....
Seeing that Lin Xuan didn't recognize him, the rich second-gen youth seemed deeply wounded and looked utterly aggrieved.???
"Brother Xuan, it's me! Your little bro, He Yicheng; my family runs KTVs—the Tiancheng Entertainment KTV over in Yuexiu District is ours."
"Back when it was my girlfriend's birthday, we even drank and sang together. During that time, we had a little conflict with Tiger Ye too—don't tell me you really forgot...."
"......"
With He Yicheng jogging his memory, Lin Xuan finally slapped his forehead and remembered who this little small fry in front of him was.
He clearly recalled that KTV trip; he'd gone because Chen Kexin had called him over.
There, he'd met his Brother-in-law Su Fan for the first time......