Chapter 421: Wife, My Dear

Certificates must be obtained in a city, specifically a prefecture-level city; called a city, it's roughly equivalent to a better-sized county.

In a private photo studio, Liu Tianxian was dressed as usual, wearing a large overcoat that concealed her figure, a hat on her head, wide sunglasses, and a mask.

She wandered around, observing the decor and furnishings, checking for hidden cameras or the like, while Fang Hong was discussing details with a young photographer.

The photographer kept glancing at Liu Tianxian as she moved about, feeling she was familiar, yet unable to recognize her face.

Too mysterious, yet he desperately wanted to know who she was.

This was a photographer they had booked in advance, aiming to take a couple's photo; going to the civil affairs bureau would attract crowds, and so would a photo studio.

So they booked a local photographer, of course paying generously, with no shortage of compensation.

"Sign this agreement," Fang Hong said, pulling out a sheet of paper—the confidentiality agreement.

It was sent by the Beijing Consultant, printed directly here.

The photographer glanced at the agreement: the photos could not be leaked, had to be deleted immediately after shooting, could not be kept by him, and could not reveal their identities.

Violation would incur legal liability.

"Isn't this a bit overkill?" the photographer thought they were being excessive.

It's just a photo—no backups allowed, no talking about it, and they're not even big celebrities.

"Sign if you want the money; if not, we'll find another photographer," Fang Hong said firmly, insisting on the signature.

The photographer had no choice; he took a pen and signed the agreement—they had paid well.

"Is it done?" Liu Tianxian asked, walking over.

"All set. Let's shoot here," Fang Hong nodded.

Liu Tianxian removed her hat, sunglasses, and mask.

The photographer saw her face in person, his pupils dilating involuntarily—he could hardly believe it: it was Liu Tianxian.

Liu Tianxian appearing in this small city was utterly unbelievable.

He glanced at the man too—familiar, but he couldn't place where he'd seen him before; Fang Hong hadn't appeared in the media for years, and most people had forgotten him.

Even when he did appear, it was only on niche gossip outlets.

"Take the photo," Fang Hong said.

The photographer snapped back to reality, suppressing his shock, and gestured: "This way, please."

The three entered a sealed photo room, where one wall had a red backdrop—standard for wedding photos. The photographer asked: "What's this photo for?"

"For marriage registration," Fang Hong replied.

The photographer's heart surged—he couldn't believe Liu Tianxian was marrying a man.

So disappointing—his goddess was now someone else's.

Still, he suppressed his inner turmoil and served them professionally.

Fang Hong took off his outer coat, revealing a black suit underneath; Liu Tianxian did the same, wearing a women's black suit beneath her coat.

Others wear white for weddings, but these two wore all black—though there was no rule mandating attire for wedding photos.

"You could wear lighter-colored clothes," the photographer suggested.

"We'll shoot like this."

Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian sat side by side; she brushed her hair back, exposing her ears and neck.

The photographer crouched before the camera and gestured: "Lean your heads closer, smile."

Their heads touched, faces lit with happy smiles; the camera clicked rapidly, capturing the moment.

"Let me see," Liu Tianxian rose and walked toward the photographer.

Her wedding photo couldn't be left to chance.

She studied the image displayed on the camera, then said: "Take another one."

"Again? One shot's enough. If you need more, go to Beijing," Fang Hong said.

"Don't be so careless," Liu Tianxian scolded him, sitting back beside him.

She pulled one of his arms behind her, letting her shoulder rest against his, forming a half-embrace.

Then she turned his head slightly, pressing their heads tightly together.

"Shoot like this," Liu Tianxian said.

They maintained their smiles, bodies pressed close front to back, heads touching; the photographer clicked twice.

Liu Tianxian checked again, then nodded: "Good enough. This one."

No physical prints needed now—just print and trim directly, so it was quick.

Liu Tianxian had the photographer send the photos to her phone, then ordered him to delete them; only after deletion did they head to the civil affairs bureau.

The photographer dared not keep a copy—if they sued him, he couldn't bear the consequences.

The civil affairs bureau wasn't far, but they still drove there; Fang Hong asked: "Did you bring your documents?"

"Documents?!" Liu Tianxian froze, suddenly panicked, patting her body as if searching but finding nothing.

Fang Hong stared at her, astonished: "You didn't bring them, did you?"

"What do we do?" Liu Tianxian looked at him, her phoenix eyes filled with panic.

"Sigh," Fang Hong exhaled, silently turning the car around.

He couldn't scold her—she'd outdo him if he did.

"Ding ding ding!" Liu Tianxian pulled out her national ID card, waving it in front of Fang Hong's face, grinning brightly: "Just kidding!"

"You're driving!" Fang Hong's vision was briefly blocked. Fortunately, the car was moving slowly—almost at turtle speed—traffic in this small city was lax.

Liu Tianxian moved the card away and tapped his head with it: "Got you!"

"Yes yes yes, Miss Liu, your acting is flawless—you're this year's Best Actress without question," Fang Hong flattered, silently turning the car back toward the civil affairs bureau.

He'd been driving and hadn't noticed whether Liu Tianxian was acting or not—his attention hadn't been on her.

"That's right." Liu Tianxian preened.

The two chatted, and soon arrived at the civil affairs bureau entrance; Liu Tianxian still wrapped herself tightly, entering the processing hall.

The hall was noisy, filled with couples in pairs—some engaged in intimate conversation, others sitting with their bodies pressed together, and some even kissing publicly; there were still many people coming to register their marriage, unlike later times.

Fang Hong took two application forms and filled them out; the forms required only names, gender, date of birth, marital status, and similar details—just copy them directly.

But Liu Yifei did not write "Liu Yifei"—she wrote "Liu Ximeizi"; Liu Yifei was merely her stage name after returning to China.

And this name had nothing to do with any Japanese name—it was given by her grandmother after her parents divorced and she took her mother's surname.

Four-character names were very common.

After filling them out, they went to a glass-partitioned room, a private booth for individual service.

They handed their documents to the clerk, who, upon seeing their names, froze in surprise and gestured: "Take off your masks and sunglasses so I can see you."

Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian each removed their masks and glasses.

Seeing their faces, the clerk was stunned, his mouth hanging open; he clicked his tongue, then checked their documents again: "Do you have certification from the embassy?"

Foreign nationals must provide embassy certification.

"We have it." Liu Tianxian pulled the certification from her bag—it was something she had prepared long ago.

The clerk's mind felt hazy: Liu Tianxian had married into this small town? Who would believe that?

Still, he followed procedure and processed their application, then handed them a declaration form stating their voluntary marriage, requiring both signatures.

After signing, it was done; the clerk handed back their documents: "Wait a moment—it'll be ready in half an hour."

"Thank you." Liu Tianxian took their documents.

After they left, the clerk remained dazed—she was truly Liu Tianxian.

The two put their sunglasses, masks, and hats back on, sat in a corner waiting, and Liu Tianxian scrolled through their wedding photo on her phone.

She showed the phone to Fang Hong and laughed: "Look, you look so dumb."

"You're the dumb one." Fang Hong looked.

"You're the dumb one—clumsy and stupid."

Liu Tianxian hit him lightly and leaned closer: "We're married now—what should you call me?"

"Wife," Fang Hong said.

"Wrong," Liu Tianxian shook her head.

"Then what should I call you?" Fang Hong was confused.

"It's 'WIFE! LADY!'" Liu Tianxian said those four words slowly, each syllable emphasized.

"You really have to add 'Lady'?" Fang Hong said.

"I absolutely must," Liu Tianxian nodded.

"Then why don't you call me 'Husband Lady'?" Fang Hong countered, feeling his status challenged.

"Hey, you're bargaining over a simple name change now?" Liu Tianxian slapped him.

"I feel like my status just plummeted," Fang Hong said.

"Do you? I don't think so! You're still you," Liu Tianxian acted as if she didn't understand.

"I do—I already feel oppressed. I regret it. I'm going to tell the clerk I want to annul the marriage." Fang Hong pretended to rise and leave to cancel the wedding.

"Get back here."

Liu Tianxian yanked him back: "You begged and pleaded to propose to me—I only agreed because you were so persistent. You gave me no dowry, no ring, just a bottle cap—and tricked me into marrying you."

She pulled out the cherished bottle cap, speaking with a pout.

"I was just joking—I could never annul this marriage with you, baby. You're the one I can't let go," Fang Hong knew he was in the wrong, pulled her into his arms, and patted her cheek to comfort her.

Indeed, he owed Liu Tianxian much—she had never asked him for anything.

Liu Tianxian's eyes sparkled: "Then who's the boss now?"

"You're the boss, you're the boss—I'll listen to you," Fang Hong had surrendered completely.

"That's better," Liu Tianxian was satisfied.

As the two argued over household authority, the staff had already printed their marriage certificates.

Liu Tianxian paid ten yuan for the processing fee, opened the certificate, glanced at their names, and her face lit up with happiness.

She tucked the marriage certificate into her bag, taking Fang Hong's as well—she'd let him see it once.

"Let's go!"

Liu Tianxian seemed utterly content—she had finally married, become a wife.

She linked arms with Fang Hong: "Where should we go now?"

"Home, of course—what else?" Fang Hong said.

"Let's go out and stroll, maybe grab something to eat—to celebrate," Liu Tianxian was in high spirits.

(End of Chapter)