You Owe Me, My Love novel Chapter 198

“I got what you said. We shall not speak of this again.” Gu Mingchen’s tone was commanding.

Since they had decided to get married, she should focus on this happy day and put all negative thoughts out of her mind.

Bai Rong nodded, smiling widely. “Let’s go, my dear Mr. Gu.”

“Still Mr. Gu?” Gu Mingchen was obviously not satisfied with the term. He needed her to be sure that she wanted to marry him.

“How about my dear husband then?” Bai Rong offered, grinning.

Gu Mingchen beamed. “That is acceptable.”

“Let’s go.”

They walked hand in hand into the Civil Affairs Bureau.

The morning sun was scorching and it beat down relentlessly on them, casting a shadow that made them look intertwined.

Bai Rong realized that Gu Mingchen was nervous.

His palm was sweaty and it stuck to her palm as well.

He walked in, looked around the room and headed for the window.

“Hello. We’re here to get married.” Gu Mingchen said to the staff at the window.

“Identification card, passport and picture will be taken together inside. You are not allowed to apply any makeup. The fee is nine bucks and if the lady is pregnant, she needs to go for a prenatal check-up. Do you have a marriage contract? Do you need a prenuptial agreement?” The staff member seemed impatient, prattling off a whole string of words.

“Not pregnant and there is no need for either contract.” Gu Mingchen replied, not missing a beat.

The staff pushed her black-rimmed glasses up her nose and looked at Gu Mingchen.

Bai Rong handed her identification card and passport to the staff wordlessly and the man did the same.

He could have used his military identification but was afraid that it might attract too much attention. So, he went with his personal one.

Gu Mingchen was gorgeous, that staff member had to admit. She could not help but take a closer look to see if he was some celebrity. If so, she could be the first to break the news about a celebrity’s marriage.

“Is something the matter?” Gu Mingchen raised his eyebrows.

“Nothing.” She quickly dropped her head back down.

She needed to check if they were registered as unmarried in the system, then ensure the numbers on their identification card and passports matched.

Bai Rong strained her neck over the counter to peek at Gu Mingchen’s identification card photo.

“Usually, people’s identification card photos turn out really ugly. But yours is alright. Did you use photoshop? Bai Rong teased, sniggering.

Gu Mingchen cleared his throat and whispered, “Be serious.”

Bai Rong resumed silence.

How was she not being serious? He was the one taking it too seriously, looking like a catatonic robot on their wedding day.

“Don’t forget to smile during the photo.” She reminded him.

He did not say anything. The staff member pointed out, “You’re not allowed to show teeth when taking the photo.”

Her comment sent Bai Rong into an uncontrollable fit of giggles.

The staff shot Bai Rong a look. “You go in for the marriage examination. The groom shall pay.”

“Okay.” Bai Rong headed into the room labeled Marriage Examination.

Gu Mingchen took out twenty from his wallet and passed it to the staff.

“We have the ninety-nine and the nine hundred and ninety-nine sets as well. Are you interested?” The staff asked politely.

“What is the set about?” Gu Mingchen enquired.

He had no experience in this after all.

“With the nine hundred and ninety-nine set, you can leave your handprints as well as taking it home as a souvenir. It is very meaningful.” The staff explained.

“Okay.” Gu Mingchen replied kindly as he pulled ten one hundred bills from his wallet and handed them over to the staff.

The latter received the money with a smile and returned him his change.

Gu Mingchen deposited the coin into the charity box sitting on the counter.

“Are you a celebrity?” The staff could not hold the question back any longer.

“No.” Gu Mingchen replied seriously.

“Oh. You’re so handsome that you would definitely do well as one.” The staff exclaimed excitedly.

Gu Mingchen did not reply.

Bai Rong stepped out of the examination room and joined Gu Mingchen on the sofa.

She followed his gaze to a couple standing at the counter.

“What’s wrong?” Bai Rong asked him.

“They’re here to get divorced. Look at how neither is smiling. This is obviously an unhappy affair for both of them. Don’t ever say that you want to divorce me.” Gu Mingchen said in a low voice, locking his gaze with Bai Rong’s, but she didn’t reply.

“Let’s go get our photos taken.” Gu Mingchen then pulled her into the Photography Room.

The room was furnished very simply, with just a camera facing two chairs.

They took their seats.

“Lean in closer.” The photographer instructed them.

Bai Rong leaned closer to Gu Mingchen.

“Closer.” The photographer urged.

She shifted towards him even more.

“Closer.” The photographer repeated.

Gu Mingchen pressed his hand to the side of Bai Rong’s head, and she came to rest on his side.

“Okay, okay, okay, the groom can remove his hand now.” The photographer said good-naturedly.

Bai Rong burst into laughter.

Gu Mingchen could not help but smile too. It was bright and full of life, the best he had in his life so far.

“Got it. If you want to put up any hand gestures now, you can. When you’re done, you can go and collect your marriage license.” The photographer reminded them.

They left and returned to the counter where the staff was already waiting. She led them over to get their handprints taken.

The mold was already set up to look like a novelty gift. It was heart-shaped and had roses garnished on the sides.

Peeling off the plastic covering the material, the staff said, “Just press your hands into it.”

They did so.

“This needs to be fired up in the furnace. It takes about five minutes. Please wait here.” The staff explained as she carried their handprint out.

“Nine can surely go a long way nowadays.” Bai Rong commented.

Her words reminded Gu Mingchen that this was Bai Rong’s second marriage and an uncomfortable feeling gnawed at his heart.

“Nine hundred and ninety-nine.” Gu Mingchen replied monotonously.

“Oh.” Now Bai Rong understood why they were able to get so many items.

Five minutes later, the staff came back with a red gift bag and placed it into Gu Mingchen’s hands. “The molds, marriage license, passports, your identification cards and a gift from the Civil Affairs Bureau are all inside. Have a happy and harmonious life together. As long as you don’t smoke, gamble, cheat, or use drugs, everything can be settled through compromise.”

“Thank you.” Bai Rong nodded graciously.

The staff member gave Bai Rong one last look before leaving.

Bai Rong rummaged through the bag for the marriage license.

When she found it, she gave it a good look. They were smiling blissfully.

She thought of her first marriage license.

She had forced Su Xuyan into marrying her, a fact he showed throughout the process by keeping a fixed scowl on his face. He stared furiously at the camera and she was unhappy too.

The photographer at the time had figured out their situation but did not comment on it, nor did he instruct them to move closer like he did today.