Chapter 147

Chapter 147

After lunch, the Old Master sent away the families of Xie Qiyan’s second and third uncles, leaving only Xie Tan behind.

As they chatted, Richard and Qiao Shu made it very clear, both openly and between the lines, that they were in no hurry to discuss the marriage between the two families. The Old Master tried several times to bring it up, only for Richard to smoothly steer the conversation elsewhere.

Xia Wanzhi pressed back a smile and said nothing.

At a time like this, anything she said would be useless. All she could do was sit there and watch the Old Master and Xie Qiyan go from nervous to anxious.

The Old Master glanced at Xie Qiyan.

Then he looked at Rose, only to find that she had started playing with Xie Tan instead.

At last, the Old Master shifted his gaze to Xia Yongqing.

Xia Yongqing took a sip of tea and leisurely turned his eyes away, gazing into the distance.

Old Master Xie: “…”

It was fine. He understood.

If he had to marry Xie Tan off into someone else’s family, he would be just as reluctant.

Xia Wanzhi sat there as steady as a mountain, brewing tea and drinking it, occasionally joining in the conversation between the Old Master and her grandparents-until a hand tugged lightly at the corner of her clothes.

Her eyes bright, Xia Wanzhi tried her hardest not to laugh. In front of everyone, she simply pressed that hand down and laced her fingers through his. Then she gave a few quiet coughs.

They had chatted enough. They had observed enough. It was time to talk business.

Xie Qiyan’s palm was indeed damp with sweat. He had looked absolutely determined at first, but as time ticked by, as the topic drifted further and further away, as Xia Yongqing kept a straight face, and as Rose focused only on playing with Xie Tan…

He got nervous.

He was afraid they might suddenly change their minds, or become dissatisfied with something about the Xie Family and refuse to let Xia Wanzhi marry him.

Rose noticed their tightly clasped hands and burst out laughing. In a bright, clear voice, she teased Xie Tan, “Look at your brother and sister-in-law. They’re getting anxious.”

Xie Tan laughed until her eyes curved into crescents.

If these two had managed to get together, she considered herself to have contributed quite a bit.

Xia Wanzhi protested, “Mom!”

“Uncle Xie, the tea’s almost cold. Why don’t we have your future granddaughter-in-law brew a fresh pot, and we can talk about the two children?” Rose said teasingly.

The Old Master could not have asked for more and immediately agreed. “Yes, yes, yes. I was just about to bring it up. I’ve had someone select a few auspicious dates. Let’s take a look and see which day we should hold the engagement banquet.”

The Old Master truly could not wait. He quickly took the initiative, seizing control of the topic first.

Back when Richard had courted Qiao Shu in his youth, he had followed the full set of traditional Chinese customs, complete with matchmakers and betrothal gifts, before he married her. Now, the mention of almanacs and auspicious dates stirred up his distant memories. He took the almanac from the Old Master with great interest and began looking through it.

“There are three good days this month alone.” Richard stroked his chin and asked Xia Wanzhi directly, “Wanzi, shall we hold it in two days?”

Xia Wanzhi: “…”

Xia Yongqing choked on his tea. He gave Old Master Xie a long look, then got up and stood behind Richard to glance at the so-called auspicious dates the Old Master had someone choose.

There was a whole page of them.

Were there really that many good days this year?

Xia Yongqing: “…”

In his heart, the Old Master was naturally shouting yes. Now that Richard had so decisively settled on a date, he understood that they were actually very satisfied with the two children’s relationship. They had simply kept quiet earlier to keep him in suspense and make them worry.

With a silent smile, the Old Master also handed the decision to Xia Wanzhi. “Wanzi, what do you think?”

Xia Wanzhi blinked. She did not care about these formalities, but with all the elders of the family present, she could only obediently turn her gaze toward Ms. Ross.

Rose laughed. “Things are meant to be discussed. Otherwise, why would we all gather here? Ayan, you go first. What do you think?”

Xie Qiyan smiled gently. “Ahem. I’ll listen to Wanzi.”

Xia Yongqing glanced at him. “You’ll listen to her about everything from now on too?”

Xie Qiyan was calm and composed, his expression relaxed. “Gladly.”

Xia Yongqing: “…”

He really knew when to bend and when to stand firm.

No wonder someone this shameless could get a wife.

Xia Wanzhi pretended to think. Under everyone’s gaze, she broke into a grin and boldly suggested, “Do we have to get engaged?”

Xie Qiyan was slightly startled.

Before this, the two of them had never discussed getting engaged.

Xie Qiyan had originally planned to discuss things with the elders of both families today, then continue according to the proper process. He knew how Xia Wanzhi felt about him. It was precisely because he knew that during this period, he had focused all his attention on her family, working hard to satisfy all the elders so he could marry her.

And in doing so, he had overlooked Xia Wanzhi’s own thoughts.

“What I mean is… since we’ve already come this far, we can just get our marriage license.” Xia Wanzhi scratched her cheek. Feeling Xie Qiyan’s fingers tighten around hers, she turned to meet his gaze and explained seriously, “I was the one who proposed. Ayan already said yes. So I think the initiative should be with me.”

“You’re all asking for my opinion, and my opinion is-”

“I want to get a marriage license with him and officially become his lawful wife.”

Xie Qiyan had already done enough for her. He had done all of this for one result.

And Xia Wanzhi only wanted to go straight toward that result.

Even Xie Qiyan was stunned when he heard Xia Wanzhi’s heartfelt words. Only Rose’s eyes curved with a smile as she looked at her precious daughter.

Once a person felt heartache for someone, they would want very much to give that person something.

And what Xia Wanzhi wanted to give Xie Qiyan was a home.

A home Xie Qiyan had never had all these years.

–

January twenty-seventh, the day before Chinese New Year’s Eve, was also the day before the Civil Affairs Bureau went on holiday.

On the final working day before the break, Xie Qiyan and Xia Wanzhi became the first legally married couple that day to receive stamped marriage certificates at the Beicheng Civil Affairs Bureau.

“Congratulations to you both.” Smiling, the staff member handed over the two freshly issued marriage certificates with both hands.

When he took them, Xie Qiyan’s fingers trembled slightly.

Even after they left the Civil Affairs Bureau, the emotions in Xie Qiyan’s mind were still surging, as if flowing through every part of his body. He wanted to remain calm. He wanted to grasp hold of this sense of reality. But even though his feet were clearly on solid ground, he felt as if he were floating.

As if he were stepping on clouds.

Fortunately, they had brought Yu Fei along as the driver today.

Xie Qiyan felt extremely grateful for that.

Otherwise, with legs this unsteady, there was no way he could drive.