Ch 114: As Long As He’s Here
Before he could finish speaking, the sound of a car engine suddenly came from outside. Xiao Jianbo got up, walked to the window, and looked out. He saw a luxurious car slowly driving into the courtyard. A moment later, Zhuang Lingyun, tall and handsome, entered the house carrying a handbag.
As soon as the door opened, they suddenly found two more people in the living room. Zhuang Lingyun changed his shoes, glanced at the two in the living room, paused, then looked at Xiao Yao and walked towards her.
No matter what happened, the first thing he said was to ask if she was alright.
Because Zhuang Lingyun saw that her complexion didn’t look happy, and they had only returned from Xinjiang a week ago, Xiao Jianbo and his wife followed closely behind. Their purpose was self-evident.
Xiao Yao nodded. “It’s all settled. Go to the bedroom and change your clothes.”
“It’s fine. Since the elders are here, why don’t we go out to eat tonight? Let’s call Mom and come together.”
Xiao Yao hesitated slightly. She hadn’t planned to have them stay for dinner, lest it cause her more trouble. But on second thought, now that they were already at home, not offering a meal would be impolite of them as the younger generation.
Xiao Yao could only nod, rather reluctantly.
After Jiang Yu’s incident, Xiao Jianbo and his wife didn’t learn any other skills, but their ability to observe expressions became increasingly proficient. Seeing Xiao Yao’s displeasure, and also planning to try their luck at Xiao Qiang’s place that night, Xiao Jianbo played along, repeatedly saying they didn’t need to stay, that they had something to do, and refused to stay for dinner.
Seeing her Third Uncle’s cautious manner, Xiao Yao suddenly felt uncomfortable. She felt that she had been too harsh and hadn’t given them a good complexion, making her mood even more depressed. In the end, she didn’t keep them and let them leave.
Zhuang Lingyun drove them to the hotel where they were staying in the city district and then drove back.
It didn’t take half an hour. He drove a little fast on his way back because he knew Xiao Yao was in a bad mood and wanted to come back to accompany her.
Sure enough, as soon as he entered the house, he saw Xiao Yao leaning on the balcony looking out, seemingly in a daze, her back somewhat lonely, and she didn’t even notice him returning and approaching.
Zhuang Lingyun sighed softly, put his arms around her slender waist from behind, buried his head in her ear, and exhaled warm air. His voice was low and magnetic, “What are you looking at?”
Xiao Yao pointed to the villa of the young couple opposite. “Is that a telescope in the corner showing from behind the window on the second floor? I feel like the lens is pointed at our house?”
Upon hearing this, Zhuang Lingyun immediately frowned, glanced in the direction Xiao Yao indicated, and saw the curtains opposite suddenly yanked shut, completely blocking the view. Zhuang Lingyun didn’t manage to see clearly.
Xiao Yao frowned, “Isn’t it a peeping Tom?”
“Are you sure it’s a telescope?”
“It looks like it to me.”
“It could also be an astronomical telescope.”
Xiao Yao thought about it too, feeling she might be overthinking it. She had seen the couple opposite a few times, and their relationship seemed very good. They didn’t seem like the type to have a peeping fetish. It was more likely that they were astronomy enthusiasts since they often sat side-by-side in the yard looking at the sky.
Xiao Yao stopped thinking about it and changed the subject, asking where he had sent her Third Uncle and his wife.
Zhuang Lingyun gave a general address, didn’t ask how she had resolved their matter, and then took out his mobile phone and showed it to her. “I’ve checked the dates. Tomorrow is an auspicious day. I’ll clear my work and bring our IDs. Let’s go to the Civil Affairs Bureau, shall we?”
They had originally planned to register as soon as they returned from Xinjiang, but Zhuang Lingyun’s company had a lot of backlog, and he didn’t have time, and it also happened to be a weekend, so it was delayed until now.
Xiao Yao naturally had no objections, but his mention of the auspicious day did make her laugh.
“Why, do you even calculate this?” Last time, she casually mentioned that he was bad luck for her, and he immediately threw a Bazi Six Harmonies at her, and some top-grade fortune slip, making her think he was being superstitious.
Xiao Yao couldn’t help but laughingly ask, “Is this auspicious day also calculated online?”
Zhuang Lingyun raised an eyebrow and asked back, “Don’t you like it?”
“No, I just didn’t expect you to be so… well, how should I put it, so superstitious about those mysterious things?”
Zhuang Lingyun chuckled and shook his head. “It’s just that anything related to you, I’d rather believe it exists.”
Xiao Yao was slightly stunned, then her heart melted. He was always like this, solemnly telling her love words. Xiao Yao hugged him, resting her head on his chest, and softly said: “Zhuang Lingyun, we will never be separated again, right?”
“No.”
Never again.
“What if…”
“Unless I die.”
Upon hearing this, she suddenly looked up. Zhuang Lingyun also lowered his eyes to meet hers, his dark eyes full of firmness and tenderness. “Otherwise, there will absolutely be no what ifs.”
Xiao Yao looked at him, suddenly bursting into a smile, and nodded vigorously.
She had experienced so much that even though she often gave herself an affirmative answer in her heart, sometimes she still felt insecure and lacked security. But the firmness Zhuang Lingyun gave her at this moment shattered that layer of worry in her heart.
With him, as long as he’s here, it’s alright.
The next morning, the sky was clear.
A gentle breeze caressed the willows, the temperature was cool, comfortable, and pleasant.
It was a beautiful day. The Civil Affairs Bureau is located in the bustling city district of Beibin City.
Zhuang Lingyun followed the navigation instructions and turned into an alleyway. He immediately saw a spacious courtyard, and a two-story retro building on the left side. A silver-white vertical sign was embedded in the right-hand wall of the main entrance.
Beibin City Suoyuan Civil Affairs Bureau.
The main gate was still closed, and there wasn’t a single person around.
Xiao Yao held Xiaobao, which contained their IDs, and leaned out of the car window to look around. She didn’t see anyone and couldn’t help but ask, “Why isn’t there anyone here? This place is so remote. Didn’t the navigation get it wrong?”
Zhuang Lingyun was also a little doubtful, but he still comforted her, “It’s okay, wait here, I’ll go down and take a look.”
After getting out of the car, Zhuang Lingyun ran to the main entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau. Seeing that the door was locked, he leaned against the glass door and looked inside. He didn’t see anyone, but he could see that the office supplies were complete in the lobby, which relieved him.
As he walked back, he suddenly thought of something, raised his wrist, and looked. He had been in such a hurry that morning that he had forgotten to bring his wristwatch.
Seeing him return, Xiao Yao couldn’t help asking, “How is it?”
Zhuang Lingyun smiled and asked, “What time is it?”
Xiao Yao belatedly glanced at the time on her mobile phone. “Six fifty…” Before she could finish speaking, she suddenly widened her eyes, then giggled, looking at him a little embarrassedly. “We seem to have come too early. They haven’t started work yet, have they?”
Zhuang Lingyun hummed in response and smiled as he sat back in the car.
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