Chapter 43: Take Your Time, No Rush

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Jin Nian had already developed the habit of putting on makeup when she went out: “Wait for me!” Jin Nian said to Lu An. “Ten minutes! Let me put on some makeup!”

“Take your time. There’s no hurry.” Lu An leaned lazily against the sofa.

Jin Nian was now very familiar with the makeup steps. First, she applied some sun protection, then she applied foundation. She only needed to add some color to her already stylish eyebrows, put on earth-colored eyeshadow on her eyelids, draw a small, upturned eyeliner, and apply mascara… She said that it would take more than ten minutes, but in the end, it took less than ten minutes.

Jin Nian tidied her hair and asked Lu An: “Is this okay?”

“It’s pretty.” Actually, in Lu An’s eyes, Jin Nian looked good even without makeup. Lu An walked towards Jin Nian and reached out to take off the hairband that she used to tie her hair. Her soft long hair fell on her shoulders, making her look more feminine. He was almost standing at her back when he suddenly reached out and pinched the back of her neck, “Jin Nian, where’s the way you used to show off in front of me? The unreasonable you still looks more pleasing to the eye.”

“How am I being unreasonable?” Jin Nian was embarrassed. “However, since you praised me for being pretty, I will be magnanimous and not hold it against you.”

“Childish.” Lu An scoffed, “Let’s go?”

“Let’s go!”

• •

Jin Nian had lived in this city for more than 20 years, but she was still confused when it came to finding the Civil Affairs Bureau. On the other hand, Lu An was familiar with the road. He did not even turn on the GPS and drove straight to the Civil Affairs Bureau. In less than 20 minutes, a white jeep stopped by the roadside in front of the Civil Affairs Bureau.

Until now, Jin Nian did not have the feeling that she was going to marry the man in front of her. She was more curious about the future. This feeling was like when she was 18 years old and waiting for the results of the college entrance examination. She always felt that after the clock struck midnight, it was the moment to witness a miracle.

How would her life change? She and Lu An would get along well, right? From now on, she would not have to be chased by her aunts to force her to get married right?

Lu An was much calmer than Jin Nian. He did not have much of an expression on his face. He signed the papers quickly as if he was signing a small, unimportant contract. Perhaps his calmness had infected her, so much so that she felt as if she had only come to the Civil Affairs Bureau to do something. She did not think of getting married as a major event in her life.

The two of them filled in the information step by step, signed, and took a photo. Jin Nian was dizzy the entire time, and it was all led by Lu An. When Lu An asked her to take out her ID card, and she handed it over. When she was asked to come over and take a photo, she looked at the camera and pulled out a perfect smile. This feeling was very similar to the two of them going out to play while studying. Lu An could arrange all the procedures by himself, and she only needed to follow behind him to eat, drink, and have fun.

According to the lunar calendar, today was not a good day. Moreover, it was already afternoon, so there were only the two of them in the registration hall. The staff of the Civil Affairs Bureau was very efficient. In the end, she sat side by side with Lu An in front of the computer and watched the staff enter their information on the computer one by one.

Lu An was a Hong Kong citizen. The documents he needed to bring were different from Jin Nian’s, but he did not miss anything. The staff sorted out the documents. “I have a valid pass, ID card, and marriage certificate. Yes, that’s right.”

Two brand-new marriage certificates with their photo and ID numbers were quickly completed. Under the witness of Jin Nian and Lu An, the staff stamped the two marriage certificates with a steel stamp.

“Congratulations on becoming husband and wife. I wish you a happy marriage.”

In a rare moment, Lu An put away the arrogance on his face and nodded at the other party to thank him. Jin Nian was lost in her thoughts, her eyes darting about.

Not only could they get a marriage certificate here, but they could also get a divorce certificate. Just as the staff handed the warm marriage certificate to Jin Nian, Jin Nian’s attention was attracted by the argument beside her. Jin Nian had seen the young couple when she was filling in the information just now, but she did not expect them to be here to settle the divorce.

In this era, a divorce was nothing unusual. The key was that this was the first time Jin Nian had seen someone else go through divorce procedures. She suddenly thought of an inappropriate thing. She wondered if she and Lu An would have to go through the same process in the future.

The girl looked about the same age as her. She was cursing the man hysterically. “Now you regret it? Did not you feel good when you cheated on me? Stop pretending here.. I’m definitely getting a divorce!”