A beautiful summer night

After lunch, the old man dismissed his second and third uncles' families, leaving only Xie Tan behind.

During their conversation, Richard and Josh clearly weren't in a hurry to discuss the marriage between the two families. The old man tried to bring it up several times, but Richard avoided the topic.

Xia Wanzhi smiled but remained silent.

At times like this, her words were useless; she could only helplessly watch as the old man and Xie Qiyan went from tense to anxious.

The old man glanced at Xie Qiyan.

Then I looked at Ross, and he started playing with Xie Tan instead.

The old man then turned his attention to Xia Yongqing.

Xia Yongqing took a sip of tea and then slowly shifted his gaze to the distance.

Grandpa Xie: "..."

It's okay, I understand.

Even if Xie Tan were to be married off to someone else, he would still be reluctant to do so.

Xia Wanzhi calmly brewed and drank tea, occasionally joining in the conversation between her grandfather and her maternal grandparents, until her clothes were slightly tugged by a hand.

Xia Wanzhi's eyes were bright, and she tried her best to suppress her laughter. In front of everyone, she directly pressed that hand down and intertwined her fingers with his, and then coughed a few times softly.

Enough with the small talk and the site visits, it's time to get down to business.

Xie Qiyan's palms were indeed sweaty. He had initially looked confident of victory, but as time passed, he noticed the conversation veering off course, Xia Yongqing's tense expression, and Ross's continued interaction with Xie Tan...

He got nervous.

He was afraid that they might suddenly change their minds or be dissatisfied with something about the Xie family and therefore refuse to marry Xia Wanzhi to him.

Ross noticed their clasped hands and chuckled, teasing Xie Tan in a cheerful voice, "Look at your brother and sister-in-law, they're getting impatient."

Xie Tan smiled so hard his eyes narrowed.

She admitted that she had contributed a lot to making the relationship work out.

Xia Wanzhi scolded, "Mom!"

"Uncle Xie, the tea's almost cold. Have your future granddaughter-in-law brew a hot pot so we can talk about the kids," Ross teased.

The old man was overjoyed and quickly agreed, "Yes, yes, I was just about to say that. I've had someone pick a date, let's choose one and see when to hold the engagement banquet?"

The old man couldn't wait any longer and quickly took the initiative to seize control of the conversation.

When Richard was young, he went through the entire traditional Chinese process of matchmaking and betrothal to marry Qiao Shu. Now, the mention of the old almanac brought back long-forgotten memories, and he eagerly took the almanac from the old man's hand to look at it.

“There are three auspicious days this month.” Richard stroked his chin and directly asked Xia Wanzhi’s opinion, “Wanzi, shall we get married in two days?”

Xia Wanzhi: "..."

Xia Yongqing choked on his tea, glanced at Old Master Xie, stood up and stood behind Richard to take a look at the auspicious date that the old man had chosen.

A whole bunch of them were listed.

Are there so many good days this year?

Xia Yongqing: "..."

The old man was naturally pleased, but seeing Richard so readily set a date, he realized that they were actually quite satisfied with the two children's situation. Their silence earlier was just to keep him in suspense and make him anxious.

With a silent smile, the old man handed the decision over to Xia Wanzhi: "Wanzi, what do you think?"

Xia Wanzhi blinked. She didn't care about these formalities, but with all the elders in the family present, she could only obediently turn her gaze to Ms. Ross.

Ross chuckled: "Things are all discussed and agreed upon. Otherwise, why are we gathering together? Ah Yan, what are your thoughts?"

Xie Qiyan smiled gently: "Ahem, I'll listen to Wanzi."

Xia Yongqing glanced at him: "From now on, you'll listen to everything she says?"

Xie Qiyan remained calm and composed, his brows relaxed: "With pleasure."

Xia Yongqing: "..."

They're really good at adapting to changing circumstances.

With such shamelessness, no wonder he was able to get a wife.

Xia Wanzhi pretended to ponder for a moment, then grinned under everyone's gaze and directly raised a bold idea: "Is an engagement really necessary?"

Xie Qiyan was slightly taken aback.

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

Xie Qiyan originally planned to discuss with the elders of both families today before proceeding with the plan. He was aware of Xia Wanzhi's feelings for him, and because he was aware of this, he had been focusing on her family and trying to please the elders in order to marry her.

Thus, Xia Wanzhi's thoughts were overlooked.

“I mean… since we’ve come this far, we can just get our marriage certificate.” Xia Wanzhi scratched her cheek, noticing Xie Qiyan’s fingers tightening. She turned to meet his gaze and explained earnestly, “I proposed, and Ayan agreed. I think the initiative should be on my side.”

"You all ask for my opinion, and my opinion is—"

"I want to get a marriage certificate with him and officially become a legal couple."

Xie Qiyan has done enough for her. He did so much, all for one result.

Xia Wanzhi, however, only wanted to achieve the desired result.

Even Xie Qiyan was stunned when he heard Xia Wanzhi's heartfelt words, while Ross smiled and looked at his precious daughter.

When someone feels sorry for another person, they want to give that person something in return.

What Xia Wanzhi wanted to give Xie Qiyan was a home.

It was a home that Xie Qiyan had never had in all these years.

-

January 27th, the day before Lunar New Year's Eve, and also the day before the Civil Affairs Bureau closed for the holiday.

On the last working day of the Civil Affairs Bureau, Xie Qiyan and Xia Wanzhi became the first legally married couple in Beicheng to have their marriage certificate stamped and issued by the bureau.

"Congratulations to you both." The staff member smiled and handed over the two newly issued marriage certificates with both hands.

Xie Qiyan's fingers trembled slightly as he took it.

Even after leaving the Civil Affairs Bureau, Xie Qiyan's mind was still churning with emotion, as if it were coursing through his body. He tried to calm down and grasp this sense of reality, but even though his feet were firmly planted on the ground, he seemed to be experiencing a kind of ethereal illusion.

It's like walking on clouds.

Fortunately, I brought Yu Fei with me as my driver today.

Xie Qiyan was extremely fortunate.

Otherwise, those legs with flowing hair wouldn't be able to drive.