The next morning, the sky was clear after the snow.
There was nothing planned for the whole day today. Mei Ran lay lazily in bed playing with her phone. Fu Shijin had also, unusually, stayed in bed with her. Last night, they had been deeply emotional, their passion barely controllable, and had fallen asleep in each other's arms close to one-thirty.
She scrolled through Weibo comments, nestling her face into the crook of his neck and giggling, "The netizens are so hilarious, hahaha…"
"What's the matter?" The man's voice still carried a hint of huskiness from the previous night's revelry, lightly brushing against her ear, sounding incredibly sensual.
Mei Ran sat up slightly, her raven-black tresses cascading over his shoulders. In high spirits, she read several comments aloud in succession. "Fans have somehow heard about you going to the civil affairs bureau to register. They're all discussing your 'final destination' now."
She reached for his phone on the bedside table, waited patiently for it to boot up, and opened Weibo. Whether too many notifications had crashed the app or some other reason, she tapped several times but couldn't get in. Mei Ran had no choice but to click on her 'Special Follows' list. Curving her lips, she scrolled through the comments under his latest Weibo post.
They were indeed much more interesting than the ones under hers.
"Hey," she suddenly noticed something and counted again seriously. "When did your fan count get so big?"
Fu Shijin thought for a moment. He seemed to recall his assistant mentioning that since that ocean swimming race, his followers had been increasing at an incredible rate almost daily. However, he wasn't really part of that online circle, so he hadn't paid much attention.
Mei Ran added, "It's almost seven times mine."
He couldn't help finding it amusing. Under the blanket, he wrapped an arm around her slender, bare waist. His warm fingertips traced lightly along her smooth skin, pausing near her navel. "Aren't mine yours?"
She quickly pressed down his hand. "That does sound right."
A certain awakened part felt scorchingly hot.
"W-what are you planning to do?" She instinctively squeezed her legs together.
"Why not satisfy their curiosity," the man said, seeming completely oblivious to her little gesture and slightly raising an eyebrow. "Besides, for such good news, I don't mind letting more people know."
It would be best if, in the future, when you walk down the street, everyone who knows Fu Shijin would also know this is his woman.
***
After two consecutive sunny days, the two of them had almost explored the entire small town—hiking, boating on the lake, night fishing, and even watching a black-and-white film at the town's only cinema.
The engagement day arrived quickly. Early that morning, firecrackers began cracking from East Stone Bridge all the way to the entrance of the Mei family compound. Although they had tried to keep the engagement ceremony low-key, the procession of jubilantly decorated cars moved forward slowly in rows. The cold wind picked up again, blowing red paper shreds swirling along the road. From a distance, it truly looked like a bride's procession stretching for miles.
The engagement formalities were also greatly simplified, but all the necessary courtesies were observed. Auntie, acting as the male side's elder relative, had rushed over the previous night and stood next to Fu Lanxin, who wore a purple *qipao*, both smiling so broadly their eyes crinkled.
On such an important day, Yu Sheng and Old Master Yu naturally wouldn't miss it. Even Ye Qihan shamelessly tagged along.
Mei Hongyuan and Mei Liangzhi greeted the guests at the entrance.
As it wasn't the formal wedding, most guests were elders from the family and some particularly close relatives. Mei Hongyuan graciously received their "congratulations" and welcomed them inside with beaming smiles to be seated.
"It's been a long time since I've seen Sir so happy," Old Zhou-Shen was helping Mei Ran comb her long hair. "Young Lady Ran, you've found such a wonderful match. I'm truly happy for you…"
Mei Ran's makeup was already done. She gave a light smile; with her delicate features and sparkling eyes, she truly resembled flawless jade.
Old Zhou-Shen secured her hair with a jade hairpin and uttered many more auspicious well-wishes, practically comparing her to a fairy descending from heaven.
Mei Ran's cheeks flushed pink. "Aunt Zhou, you're exaggerating."
"How so?" The previously silent Yu Sheng suddenly leaned in close. "There are even more exaggerated praises," she said, gesturing with her chin. "Don't you see your man staring so hard his eyes are practically glued?"
After lighting these verbal firecrackers, she cheerfully pulled Old Zhou-Shen out the door.
Mei Ran turned her head and saw the man standing outside the doorway. Their eyes met. The depth of mirth in his eyes almost overpowered the sunlight flickering on the doorstep. She watched as he walked towards her, step by step.
Over a dozen steps, yet it had taken seven years to walk them. Fortunately, he had finally reached her side.
He took her hand, first placing a soft kiss on her palm. Raising his gaze, the affection within was already too thick to dissolve. "Ranran, let's go."
Walking out this door, from now on they would rely on each other, keep watch together, and share the path, weathering all storms.
After the hours-long engagement ceremony concluded, Mei Ran leaned back against the bed headboard, exhausted as if drained of all strength. Rubbing her sore calves, she mumbled, "It's so tiring just for an engagement. Won't the official wedding be even more exhausting?"
"The wedding will probably be next spring," the man considerately massaged her shoulders. "We have over two months yet."
Mei Ran enjoyed his rare pampering, responding with a contented hum.
"We're returning to City A tomorrow?"
"Hm." She had almost used up all her annual leave at the hospital.
What Mei Ran didn't anticipate was that within just a few days of returning to work, her annual leave would be docked by yet another day.
Because she had so much backlogged work, she was busy for a long time dealing with it. Only after resting did she remember she hadn't given wedding candy to her colleagues. So, during the midday break, she went out to do it.
"My male god works so fast! I just made another trip to the mountain region, and back again, and our hospital flower has already been swept off her feet!" Little Assistant's speech was somewhat garbled as she munched on wedding candy. After a passionate outburst, her eyes narrowed into joyful slits. "Senior Sister, can I apply to be your bridesmaid?"
Receiving a positive reply, she nearly jumped for joy. "Thank you, Senior Sister!"
Male god's wedding! Just thinking about it felt incredibly wonderful.
Mei Ran smiled. She was just about to tease a little when her phone suddenly rang.
As soon as she answered, a low chuckle came from the other end. "Ranran, I just received the notification. We can go get our marriage certificate now."
Before Mei Ran could say anything, he continued, "I've already taken care of your leave."
"I'm outside the hospital now."
What speed…
Mei Ran gave the assistant a few instructions, grabbed her bag, and hurried out.
S City Civil Affairs Bureau.
Receiving them was still the same Little Zhang from last time. The moment the couple appeared, she stood up from her chair and solemnly handed over the two stamped marriage booklets with both hands. Taking a deep breath, she said, "Congratulations on your marriage!"
"Thank you," Fu Shijin said. "We are very happy."
He neatly aligned the two marriage booklets, carefully placed them inside his bag, and gently zipped it up—as if completing an extremely important task. A relaxed smile appeared on his handsome face.
Little Zhang was momentarily stunned. Though her expression looked composed, inwardly she was screaming, "Ahhhh! Is this really my cool, detached male god Fu Shijin right before my eyes? Why does his voice sound so tender? My heart is melting, okay?!"
Mei Ran gave a slight nod towards her. "Goodbye."
"Take… care."
The two hurried straight to the airport. In the car, Fu Shijin took out his phone and posted a Weibo update. It had no extra content, just showcased a photo and tagged @Think It Over Carefully.
The photo was also taken in the car. The window was slightly open, letting in flecks of golden sunlight that fell on the two freshly-issued little red booklets held in his slender, fair fingers. The entire scene looked exceptionally warm and beautiful.
Within minutes, comments from fans under that Weibo post practically exploded!
"Ahhhh! It's her, it's really her! My life is complete, I have no regrets. Blessings and more blessings!"
"Male god has ultimately become @Think It Over Carefully's man. You two must stay well! Thank you for making me believe in love once again."
"Male god has an owner now. Probably no chance to pry him loose in this lifetime [crying emoji]. Tonight, no one will sleep [heartbreak emoji]. Who'll drink with me tonight?" (1.5k likes)
Fu Shijin Global Fan Club: Congratulations! Sweethearts finally become family [heart emoji]
Zhang Shanshan: Ahhhh! I can finally say it! My male god Fu Shijin's marriage certificate was delivered to him by my own hands! Wishing the newlyweds marital bliss and everlasting love! This time remember to @Think It Over Carefully!
Ping'an XiJing: Congratulations, congratulations. Any wedding candy to share? [beckoning finger emoji]
Thirty minutes later, everyone noticed that the other party involved had also reposted the Weibo:
Think It Over Carefully: It's me. Thank you, everyone! // @Fu Shijin: @Think It Over Carefully [photo]
So the fans shifted battlegrounds once again, igniting a fresh wave of fervor.
After reposting the Weibo, Mei Ran looked up to see a flight attendant smiling as she approached. Mei Ran raised her phone, then turned it off right in front of her.
It was already two hours later when they returned to City A. Mei Ran went straight home with him. Grandmother had already received the news and stood amidst the evening glow, quietly waiting for their return.
When the black Cayenne slowly appeared from the end of the tree-lined path, her aged face broke into an exceedingly tender smile. Her standing posture seemed as reverent as if welcoming a new life.
Heaven knows how long she had waited for this day.
Welcoming the two inside, Grandmother urgently called for Lao Yang. "Come quick!"
Mei Ran watched the two elders, wearing reading glasses, turn over the little red booklets in their hands with such earnest expressions. Suddenly, a peculiar emotion welled up within her. It seemed only at this moment did she truly become conscious that she was now, in every sense, "Mrs. Fu."
She would be a part of this family from now on. These people were her family.
After dinner, Mei Ran called her father, talking for almost half an hour before hanging up.
She opened Weibo again. Her notifications were utterly flooded. "Fu Shijin Think It Over Carefully Marriage Certificate" had also become a trending topic. She smiled and clicked into the comments of her latest repost. The top comments were mostly voices of blessing. Suddenly, one comment jumped out at her:
"What a good day today! My male god gets his marriage certificate, and my goddess MR announces her return. Truly blessed beyond measure~"
MR is back?
Mei Ran frowned. What on earth was going on?
After refreshing the page, she saw the top "Trending Searches": Mind blown! Mei Mengran is actually the legendary MR!
This topic was simultaneously also number one on the hot search list.