Chapter 22: We Got Our Marriage Certificate!

As for everything else, Sheng Zexi said he wanted it all—especially Gu Jianing’s solo photo and their couple photo. Right in front of Gu Jianing, he solemnly placed them into his wallet.

Watching how carefully he treasured the photos, Gu Jianing couldn’t help but think of her previous life. Back then, when she and Wen Zhuqing got their marriage certificate, they’d also taken photos.

But Wen Zhuqing hadn’t cared much—he just snapped a random picture.

At the time, Gu Jianing had been so wrapped up in the joy of getting married that she hadn’t noticed.

Now, comparing Sheng Zexi to him, the difference between genuine affection and indifference was crystal clear.

After carefully putting the photos away, Sheng Zexi looked up and saw the girl staring at him, her gaze a little strange.

He couldn’t help but reach out and tap her on the head. “What are you looking at me like that for? Your eyes look weird.”

That look in her eyes just now was really odd—so odd he couldn’t even put his finger on it. There was a hint of sadness, but also relief and happiness.

Sheng Zexi couldn’t decipher it, but the look vanished so quickly he almost thought he’d imagined it.

Gu Jianing covered her head with both hands, her delicate brows furrowing as she pouted. “Why’d you hit me? That hurt.”

Of course, Sheng Zexi had controlled his strength and hadn’t hit her hard, but for some reason, Gu Jianing just wanted to act a little spoiled and pretend to be aggrieved.

She wanted to see if Sheng Zexi would feel sorry for her.

Sure enough, as soon as she said this, Sheng Zexi frowned, worry flashing in his eyes as he leaned over to move her hands away.

“Did it really hurt? Let me see.”

“I shouldn’t have hit you.”

Gu Jianing was secretly delighted. That’s more like it! But the next second, the man’s deep, magnetic voice came from above her head.

“You’re already silly enough. If I keep hitting you, won’t you get even sillier? Then I’d end up marrying a silly wife.”

“Sheng Zexi!” Gu Jianing raised her little pink fist, pretending to hit him as she threatened, “Careful, or I won’t go get the marriage certificate with you.”

It was as if Sheng Zexi had been hit right in his weak spot. He immediately stopped dodging, a helpless yet amused smile spreading across his face as he raised his hands in surrender. “Alright, alright, I give up. I was wrong, my dear fiancée. Please forgive me, don’t stoop to my level.”

Then, with a mischievous grin, he leaned in and said, “Next time I see any pretty clothes, hair clips, or jewelry, I’ll buy them all for you.”

He knew this little girl loved beautiful things the most.

Gu Jianing gave a little humph, shooting him a playful, enchanting glare. “That’s more like it.”

She was coaxed back into a good mood—though honestly, she hadn’t really been angry in the first place.

She just thought Sheng Zexi’s mouth was really something—so sharp and poisonous.

But she never asked him to change.

After being reborn, Gu Jianing saw a lot more clearly.

Sometimes, instead of picking apart someone’s flaws, it’s better to think about why they became that way.

Was Sheng Zexi born with a sharp tongue?

Of course not.

Gu Jianing had a vague feeling it had something to do with his family background.

But she’d wait until she met more of the Sheng family to think about that.

After getting their wedding photos, the two of them quickly went to the Civil Affairs Bureau to get their marriage certificate.

At this time, the marriage certificate looked like a big red award certificate—so different from the ones in the future.

But as they walked out of the bureau holding that award-like certificate, it meant that they were officially husband and wife.

A gentle breeze blew, and time seemed especially pleasant in that moment.

Gu Jianing felt a bit dazed, as if time and space had overlapped.

But she quickly snapped out of it.

Sunlight fell on the man, as if gilding him in a golden glow.

Sheng Zexi was undeniably tall and handsome, and in his military uniform, standing there, he attracted the gaze of countless girls on the street, as if drawn to the light radiating from him.

Gu Jianing thought, whether in her past life or this one, Sheng Zexi was always someone who shone.

And the light he gave off, in both lives, always fell on her, giving her warmth and love.

In her heart, Gu Jianing silently promised: Sheng Zexi, I’ll live well with you. In this life, we’re going to be happy together.

After getting their certificate, Sheng Zexi took Gu Jianing to the hotel to pick up Grandpa and Grandma Sang, and together they went to a state-run restaurant for a meal.

The two elders were now staying at the hotel, planning to remain until after Sheng Zexi and Gu Jianing’s wedding banquet before heading home.

Actually, they hadn’t planned to stay so long—especially since the National Weapons Research Institute really needed Grandpa Sang back.

But Grandpa Sang said he still had years of unused vacation time.

In the past, he hadn’t cared much about taking leave.

He was a man devoted to his research.

But now, with his grandson finally getting married, he definitely wanted to stay with his wife and be part of the celebration.

Since Grandpa Sang had made up his mind, the institute couldn’t push him. After all, he had a valid reason. Still, because of his special status, they quietly assigned extra people to protect him.

The two elders were overjoyed to hear the couple had gotten their marriage certificate, showering Gu Jianing with affection and calling her “Ning Ning” nonstop.

Watching the three of them get along so well, Sheng Zexi’s eyes softened with a gentle smile.

After the meal, once the elders were back at the hotel, Sheng Zexi took Gu Jianing back to Huaihua Village.

But—he took the big red, award-like marriage certificate with him.

“I’ll keep this safe for us.”

Gu Jianing didn’t mind. They were married now—who kept it didn’t matter.

Sheng Zexi gazed at her, then gently tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. With a hint of emotion in his voice, he said, “Ning Ning, you know, I once thought I’d be alone for the rest of my life.”

Gu Jianing fell silent, feeling that Sheng Zexi seemed a little sad in that moment.

Like a hedgehog who’d always kept his quills up, pricking everyone around him, always on guard.

A silly hedgehog, unaware that when he raised his quills to protect himself, he was also hurting himself.

Gu Jianing could tell that Sheng Zexi had always been very guarded.

But somehow, she’d managed to walk right into his heart—and once she was in, she took root.

Even in her past life, when she realized she was Sheng Zexi’s first love, she’d wondered: what did she do to deserve it? What was so special about her?

She was pretty, sure—but she knew that wasn’t what Sheng Zexi valued most.

And now, this hedgehog, showing his vulnerable side in front of her, seemed to have put away his sharp quills and exposed his soft underbelly, longing for her touch.

The breeze carried his deep, sincere voice: “It wasn’t until now, with you, that I realized—I can have someone by my side. That the future can be something to look forward to.”"