MGASC -Chapter 214 He Finally Married His Wife Home

Especially Lin Tianyue—he was a little unwilling.

Today was the day he and Zhang Qiao were registering their marriage. What did it have to do with the three kids?

And besides, who brings a whole crowd to a marriage registration?

What was this, going to the market?

Zhang Qiao nudged his elbow. “Yes, together. After we register, we’ll go eat something good and buy some New Year goods.”

Lin Tianyue pointed at Lin Xun. “Fine. Then you three, hurry up!”

Lin Ran and Lin Jin had been hiding behind the bedroom door, waiting for exactly those words.

As soon as Lin Xun went in, the two of them had already changed their clothes.

“You two are really fast. Such little foodies!”

When they had discussed how to address her, Lin Xun had agreed with them that today they wouldn’t be third wheels. They would let Zhang Qiao, their dad, and Xia Xia spend the day together as a family of three.

Who would’ve thought these two attention-seekers would deliberately say that instead?

No tact at all!

Soon, the family of five set out in high spirits. When they arrived at the marriage registration office, Lin Xun voluntarily took on the task of holding and entertaining Xia Xia.

The three boys sat on the bench outside, treating the baby like a little treasure, teasing her together.

Seeing this, Lin Tianyue quietly said to Zhang Qiao, “Good thing we brought the three of them. Otherwise, who knows what we’d do with Xia Xia?”

Zhang Qiao shot him a look. “You’re so careless. That’s exactly why I said we couldn’t leave them at home. Kids are the most sensitive. I’m already their stepmother—I have to treat them equally. Otherwise, how would the three of them see me in the future?”

“Yes, yes, yes. I was biased today.” Lin Tianyue readily admitted his mistake.

Before registering, they had to take photos. The two of them took off their coats and sat upright in front of the camera.

The photographer instructed, “Comrade, don’t look so serious. Tilt your head a bit. No, toward your wife.”

“Yes, good. Comrade lady, your smile is very nice, very beautiful. Comrade sir, smile more naturally too. Three, two, one—cheese!”

The wedding photo was finally taken. After waiting a while longer, their marriage certificates were ready.

Holding those two pieces of paper, Lin Tianyue felt like a young lad again—so excited.

Heaven above, earth below—he had finally married his wife home. Now she had nowhere to run.

“Tianyue, let’s take another family photo with the kids. Last time we took one, Xia Xia was still in my belly.”

Zhang Qiao looped her arm through his and said sweetly.

“Alright, let’s take it!”

Lin Tianyue called the three children over, and they stood again in front of the backdrop.

He held Xia Xia and stood in the back row with Zhang Qiao, while the three boys stood in front.

The shutter clicked. Afterward, Lin Tianyue specifically asked the photographer to print a line on the photo:

January 8, 1984 — Lin Tianyue and Zhang Qiao Married. Family Keepsake.

The family of five left the registration office. Lin Tianyue decided to celebrate and asked Zhang Qiao what she wanted to eat. She, in turn, asked the three boys.

The little ones discussed briefly and unanimously said they’d follow her choice.

Just then, snow began drifting down again. She tightened Xia Xia’s scarf and suddenly had an idea. “How about we buy some mutton and go home to have hot pot?”

Lin Jin licked his lips. “Mom, what’s hot pot?”

That single “Mom” made Zhang Qiao’s heart tremble. She felt a little flustered. At that moment, Lin Tianyue explained, “I’ve had it outside with Gu Yu before. You use a copper pot, cook mutton in it, add some pickled cabbage, frozen tofu, greens—throw everything together in one big pot. It’s pretty warming in winter.”

Lin Ran said, “Sounds good, but where are we going to get a copper pot?”

Zhang Qiao replied, “We don’t need one. We can buy an electric pot. Xia Xia’s still little, so let’s eat at home. We’ll invite your Aunt Ling and Uncle Jin Quan too.”

She blinked at Lin Tianyue.

Though Zhang Qiao wasn’t entirely optimistic about Jin Quan, matters of the heart required mutual willingness. If her sister liked him, she couldn’t just forcibly separate them.

All she could do was remind Lin Tianyue to keep an eye on Jin Quan and guide him well, so he wouldn’t go astray.

The whole family agreed. They went to the market together and bought a fresh leg of mutton. Zhang Qiao noticed some lamb spine bones for sale at a cheap price and bought a few jin, planning to make spicy lamb spine stew at home.

For vegetables, she bought spinach, cilantro, and napa cabbage. They already had wood ear mushrooms, pickled cabbage, and vermicelli at home—they could soak some. In addition, she bought a jar of freshly ground sesame paste and fermented bean curd.

With so many people at home—and all of them men—once they returned, some washed vegetables, some minded the baby. It made Zhang Qiao look like the idle one.

So she quickly went to call Zhang Ling.

“Sister, Tianyue and I registered today. We’re celebrating. Come to my place for hot pot tonight.”

Zhang Ling replied, “The shop’s busy. I won’t go. Qiao Qiao, I wish you and your husband a long and happy marriage. On a day like this, you should celebrate as a whole family.”

“Come on. Brother Quan is coming later too.”

“I really won’t go, Qiao Qiao. I’m learning to make flower buns from Master Li. I’ll make a whole batch for you during New Year. The kids will definitely like them.”

“Sister, you’re really not coming? I was going to ask you to bring some mushrooms from the shop.”

“Then I’ll have a server deliver them to you…”

From the sound of it, she truly didn’t want to come.

Zhang Qiao muttered inwardly—did mentioning Jin Quan make her sister embarrassed?

She should’ve just tricked her into coming first.

At that moment, in another room, Lin Tianyue was calling Jin Quan.

“Brother Quan, come over for hot pot tonight. Your sister-in-law is treating—make sure you come.”

Jin Quan answered while directing workers, the background noisy.

“What? Hot pot?”

“Yeah, and lamb spine too. Gotta go—hurry up. Sister Ling will be there.”

Jin Quan had been about to agree instinctively, but upon hearing that, his expression changed. “Not going. No time. You guys eat yourselves—don’t mind me!”

Lin Tianyue froze. “Brother Quan, you alright?”

He lowered his voice. “Don’t think I don’t know about you and my wife’s sister. You’re a grown man—why are you acting all reserved? Come on. Tonight we’ll help smooth things over for you.”

“I said I’m not going. Hanging up!”

Lin Tianyue’s relationship with Jin Quan wasn’t as close as with Gu Yu. They usually interacted politely. Being snapped at so abruptly caught him off guard.

Such a bad temper. Did he swallow gunpowder or something?

Lin Tianyue exchanged a look with Zhang Qiao, who had just come out of the bedroom.

“My sister said she doesn’t have time.”

“Jin Quan said he’s not coming!”

Neither of them were coming?

Both Lin Tianyue and Zhang Qiao felt something was off. What was going on? Yesterday they’d agreed to watch acrobatics together—why refuse hot pot today?

Zhang Qiao, being a woman, was more sensitive about emotional matters. “Could they have had a falling-out on the way home yesterday? Jin Quan looks like he has a bad temper—doesn’t seem like the type who knows how to coax someone. Every time I see him, I feel like he’s about to hit someone the next second!”

Lin Tianyue protested, “Don’t judge a book by its cover, okay? Old Jin just looks fierce. But I heard from Gu Yu that he really hasn’t had much contact with women.”

“A crude brute,” Zhang Qiao muttered.

Lin Tianyue objected again. “Don’t lump me in with that. I’m way more cultured than him.”

Zhang Qiao sat down gloomily, not sure whether to feel regret or relief for her sister.

“Forget it. Maybe it’s better if my sister doesn’t date. She can be a strong career woman and focus on making money.”