Long Lines Outside the Civil Affairs Bureau. What Day Was It?
Su Wanqing was startled by Jiang Xuan's enthusiasm, but she was quite happy, and her initial nervousness gave way to ease.
The lobby was no place for idle chatter. After leading Lin Yi and the others to the VIP reception room, Jiang Xuan turned her attention to the babies in their arms.
Fair and tender, chubby and adorable, the babies were irresistible even to her, though she had no desire to marry.
Tangtang lay asleep in someone's arms, while Yuanyuan looked around with his big eyes wide open.
At the sight of the adorable baby, Jiang Xuan looked at Su Wanqing expectantly. "Wanqing, can I hold Yuanyuan?"
"Sure."
Su Wanqing nodded and passed Yuanyuan to Jiang Xuan, taking the opportunity to show her how to hold him.
Jiang Xuan quickly got the hang of it, and Yuanyuan didn't cry in a stranger's arms. Instead, he studied her intently.
"Yuanyuan, I'm your auntie. Say Auntie~"
"Wah~"
"Mmm~"
"Hoo-ah~"
"Giggle~"
Yuanyuan babbled and giggled, and the sight melted Jiang Xuan's heart. She wanted to hold him and never let go.
Just then, Jiang Xuan suddenly remembered that Lin Yi must have wanted something from her. As she played with Yuanyuan, she asked, "Xiao Yi, what did you come to see me for today?"
"It couldn't have been just to show me your precious children, could it?"
"Mm, nothing gets past your keen eyes, Sister Xuan." Lin Yi first showered her with flattery, then grinned. "Wanqing and I are going to the Civil Affairs Bureau in a bit. Could you help her with her makeup?"
Happiness filled Lin Yi's face as he spoke, while a blush rose to Su Wanqing's cheeks. Even though it was true, she couldn't help feeling shy.
Jiang Xuan froze at Lin Yi's answer. She looked at the two of them in confusion. "You already have children, but you haven't registered your marriage yet?"
Realizing they might be a little embarrassed, she quickly said, "No problem. I'll make sure Wanqing looks beautiful today."
Jiang Xuan reluctantly handed Yuanyuan to Zhang Meilan, then did Su Wanqing's makeup.
Su Wanqing was naturally beautiful, and even with light makeup, she looked stunning. Even Jiang Xuan, who had seen countless stars' faces, silently admired her.
Perhaps because Su Wanqing was blessed with natural beauty, Jiang Xuan worked quickly and finished in no time.
They were taking their marriage registration photo today, so she had given Su Wanqing light makeup.
Jiang Xuan linked arms with Su Wanqing and brought her before Lin Yi, smiling as she said, "Xiao Yi, what do you think? Your big sister's skills haven't gotten rusty, have they?"
"Mm."
Lin Yi nodded, his eyes fixed entirely on Su Wanqing.
Even Zhang Meilan, standing beside him, couldn't take her eyes off Su Wanqing.
Su Wanqing was normally stunning, but with makeup on, she was absolutely a sight to behold.
Lin Yi's burning gaze made Su Wanqing a little embarrassed.
She turned to Jiang Xuan and said shyly, "Sister Xuan, thank you."
"No need to thank me. We're family."
Jiang Xuan smiled, then patted Lin Yi on the shoulder. "Xiao Yi, Wanqing is a good girl. You'd better treat her well."
"All right, you should hurry along."
"Mm-hmm."
Lin Mo replied softly, then left with the others.
The Civil Affairs Bureau was not far from the Beauty Workshop, just over ten minutes away by car.
After getting out of the car, Lin Yi was stunned to see the long line.
"Why are there so many people registering their marriages today?"
"I don't know. Since we're already here, let's hurry and get in line."
Su Wanqing was the first to walk over. So that the two babies wouldn't be unregistered, she was determined to get her marriage certificate with Lin Yi today.
Since his wife hadn't complained, Lin Yi followed her.
After learning yesterday that they would be taking their marriage certificate photo today, Su Wanqing had found a plain white short-sleeved shirt overnight.
Not only that, he had found one for Lin Yi as well.
Only when they reached the Civil Affairs Bureau did Lin Yi realize Su Wanqing had made the right decision. All the couples about to marry were wearing white tops, and some of the women even had white veils on their heads.
By then, Su Wanqing glanced at the line behind them. Quite a few people had joined it in no time. Looking at the women's veils, she remarked casually, "Those veils are quite pretty."
Though her voice was quiet, Lin Yi heard her. Their marriage registration was already happening in a rush, and he wanted to give Su Wanqing the best.
Though someone might have been willing to sell him a veil at a high price, Lin Yi didn't want to do that.
He took out his phone and checked, but there were no bridal shops nearby.
After thinking it over, he sent Hu Hailin a message and felt reassured when he saw his reply.
Fortunately, trees had been planted on both sides of the Civil Affairs Bureau. Otherwise, the blazing sun could have roasted them all to a melt.
Tangtang was asleep in the stroller, while Yuanyuan, having seen the outside world, no longer wanted to go back into it.
"Wah~"
"Mmm~"
"Hey~"
Su Wanqing and Lin Yi had always thought Yuanyuan was a quiet little handsome boy. It seemed they had simply been in the wrong setting; outside, he was a lively, playful baby.
There was a willow tree right beside them, with many branches hanging down.
Yuanyuan's dark eyes lit up, and although he was in Lin Yi's arms, he wouldn't keep still.
His little body kept flailing, and he seemed to be trying to reach the willow leaves above.
"Wah~"
"Mmm~"
Yuanyuan chattered and stretched his little hand upward, but the leaves were still some distance away, and he couldn't reach them.
His initial patience gradually gave way to frustration.
"Boo-hoo~"
"Boo-hoo~"
The little fellow's lips turned down and his brows pinched together. Tears glistened in his bright, big eyes, making him a heartbreaking sight.
Hearing his whimpers, Zhang Meilan and Su Wanqing turned their attention to him.
"Yuanyuan, what's wrong? Be a good boy."
"Yuanyuan was just fed. Could he have wet himself?"
Zhang Meilan wondered aloud, and Lin Yi checked the little fellow's diaper. It was still quite dry.
Yuanyuan now realized everyone's attention was on him. Even with teardrops on his eyelashes, the little fellow glanced upward.
Afraid they wouldn't understand, Yuanyuan also reached his chubby little hand toward the willow tree.
Having done all that, the little fellow looked at them expectantly, as if to say, I've made it so obvious. You should know what I mean!
Zhang Meilan and Su Wanqing were still a little confused and couldn't tell what the little fellow wanted. Lin Yi, however, looked up and said, caught between laughter and tears, "Good boy, do you want a leaf?"
"Wah~"
"Mmm~"
Yuanyuan seemed to understand, and his gloomy little face finally broke into a smile.
"Giggle~"
"Ah~"
Seeing how happy her good boy was, Su Wanqing hesitantly plucked a clean leaf from the willow and held it in front of Yuanyuan.
Sure enough, as soon as the little fellow saw the leaf, his little hand darted out and snatched it, as though afraid Su Wanqing was only teasing him.
"Wah~"
"Hoo~"
"Puh~"
Yuanyuan was delighted to hold the leaf. His little hand clutched it tightly, as though afraid someone would snatch it away.
The older brother was having so much fun outside, while the younger sister slept comfortably in the stroller. Looking at the two utterly different babies, Lin Yi didn't know whether to laugh or cry.