Marriage at Thirty - Chapter 11

In the car, Fu-mama stared at Lin Ran’s back for a long time before finally asking, “Ran Ran, how did you two meet?”

To alleviate Fu-mama’s suspicions, Lin Ran answered honestly: “Auntie, she and I were classmates. We attended Yu Bei High School together for one year of our final year.”

“Oh, you were classmates…” Fu-mama nodded, glanced at Fu Linling, and asked, “Did you keep in touch all that time?”

“No, we only recently reconnected. A neighbor upstairs set us up on a blind date, and when we met, we realized we were old classmates. That’s how we reconnected,” Lin Ran explained.

“But you only recently reconnected. Even for dating, that’s not enough time. Why the sudden decision to get married?”

“Mom,” Fu Linling cut in, stopping her, “She’s driving; don’t distract her. Besides, I’m the one who proposed marriage.”

Lin Ran gave her a grateful look.

“Oh, you, you brat,” Fu-mama shook her head, sat back straight, and stopped talking.

However, Fu-daddy took over: “Ran Ran, what do you do for work?”

Fu-mama perked up her ears.

“I draw and make money through my artwork.”

“Oh, a great artist then.”

Lin Ran let out a laugh. Fu Linling remembered what Lin Ran had previously said about Auntie Wang—how she called anyone who drew an “artist”—and she couldn’t help but smile, too.

Fu-daddy had no idea what he had said to cause both of them to burst into successive laughter.

Upon arriving at the hotel, Zhang Wu was at the entrance to welcome them. The two mothers, who had never met, exchanged warm pleasantries like long-lost sisters.

Old Liu ushered them inside to their seats.

There were five tables set up in total.

Lin Ran led Fu Linling to the changing room to change. She placed the pearl necklace on Fu Linling’s neck, looked her over, and helped her pin up her hair.

Lin Ran stood behind her, looking at Fu Linling in the mirror: “Excellent, excellent. You look truly beautiful.”

Fu Linling met her gaze: “You look even better.”

“Are we entering the phase of mutual flattery now?”

Fu Linling curved her lips: “I’m telling the truth.”

“And what I’m saying is false?”

“I can never win an argument with you.”

“Then just be a good girl and listen to me,” Lin Ran laughed, picking up a powder puff. “Come, let me touch up your makeup.”

She reapplied some pressed powder, subtly enhanced her eyebrows, and finally took out a tube of lipstick.

“Open up.”

Fu Linling slightly parted her lips. Lin Ran held her chin, carefully applying the lipstick, her expression completely focused and lively.

“Blot it.”

Fu Linling obediently blotted her lips.

“It’s perfect,” Lin Ran said, satisfied. She turned to the mirror and touched up her own lipstick. “Let’s go.”

“Wait a moment.” Fu Linling pointed at the lipstick in Lin Ran’s hand. “That shade is lovely. Can you give it to me?”

“Sure. If you like it, take it. I have tons of lipstick,” Lin Ran generously handed it over.

“Thank you.” Fu Linling put the lipstick into her bag, where it rested in the inner compartment next to her household register.

The wedding banquet simplified many traditional steps; there was no wedding planner or master of ceremonies, just a simple dinner with relatives.

The two held wine glasses and toasted everyone at each table. Most of the attendees were Lin Ran’s relatives.

These people had originally come for Zhang Wu’s wedding, but the celebration was suddenly changed to Lin Ran’s, which led to a lot of good-natured teasing.

After the toasts, the two sat down at the main table, where the parents from both families were seated.

The two mothers-in-law chatted warmly. Fu-mama then got up to go to the restroom and asked Fu Linling to take her.

Zhang Wu turned to Lin Ran and whispered, “Little Fu’s family is really wonderful. I can tell her mother genuinely likes you. You need to make sure to respect and take care of both sides well from now on.”

“I know,” Lin Ran said.

Just then, another family arrived. The man spoke first, chuckling, “Ran Ran, why didn’t you even tell me you were getting married? We’re not too late, are we?”

Zhang Wu shot him a look and couldn’t help but roll her eyes. She didn’t know how he’d found out. She complained indignantly, “You’re an hour late! What kind of father are you?”

“There was traffic on the way,” Father Lin said, sitting down with his wife and child. He turned and handed Lin Ran a red envelope. “Here, this is a small token of my fatherly affection. Take it.”

“Thank you, Dad,” Lin Ran said, motioning for a waiter to add a few sets of dishes and utensils.

“Where is my daughter’s partner? I haven’t seen them,” Father Lin looked around.

“She went to the restroom,” Lin Ran replied.

“Fine. I’m curious to see who is good enough for my daughter.”

Zhang Wu shot an embarrassed look at Fu-daddy, who maintained his easygoing expression while eating. Zhang Wu frowned and told Father Lin: “If you can’t say something nice, shut up. Could the person Ran Ran chose possibly be bad?”

Father Lin just grunted twice, stopped talking to her, and turned to urge his wife and child to eat: “Song Song, give your sister a toast.”

Lin Song was Lin Ran’s half-brother, only a few years younger than her. The two had no emotional bond, and he was only here for the wedding banquet out of obligation.

Their parents’ relationship hadn’t been good when she was little. It wasn’t until her final year of high school that Zhang Wu found out he not only had a mistress but also a son about ten years old. Unable to bear it any longer, Zhang Wu resolutely decided to temporarily send Lin Ran away to school in another city and deal with the mess herself.

“Congratulations,” Lin Song muttered, his mouth drooping, offering a reluctant toast.

Father Lin, having heard that Fu-daddy was his new in-law, raised his glass to praise Lin Ran. After only a few compliments, the conversation somehow turned to Lin Song.

“My brother, my life is complete. I gave birth to Ran Ran, who is as beautiful as a celestial fairy. And I also gave birth to Song Song, who is incredibly smart and has never worried me about his studies. Look at me, I’m a big brute who never managed his studies, yet he got into graduate school and is now interning at a top-tier hospital…”

“You didn’t manage him! Wasn’t it entirely thanks to me that he’s doing so well?” Father Lin’s current wife interjected.

Father Lin: “Right, right, thanks to you, Song Song is doing me proud. Song Song, tell them how hard it is to get into graduate school now.”

The entire table was soon dominated by Father Lin boasting about Lin Song, seemingly completely forgetting that this was Lin Ran’s wedding banquet.

Zhang Wu’s face turned white with anger. If it weren’t for the many relatives present, she would have swept this whole family out with a broom. She whispered to Lin Ran, “I knew he was a terrible person, but I never expected him to be so uncivilized at your wedding banquet. He doesn’t deserve to be your father.”

“It’s okay. I’m used to it,” Lin Ran said, soothingly patting her hand. She whispered, “I felt the red envelope was quite thick, so let’s just leave it at that.”

“It’s so difficult to get into graduate school now. Luckily, our Song Song is smart, and he’s very diligent at his internship. I hear the doctor guiding him really likes him,” Father Lin said contentedly, taking a sip of wine. He then urged Fu-daddy to drink with him again.

Fu-daddy, however, didn’t drink. He turned to Old Liu to discuss the calligraphy on the wedding invitation instead.

Just then, the mother and daughter who had gone to the restroom finally returned. Fu-mama smiled as she sat down: “It’s so lively here! What is everyone chatting about?”

“Who is this?”

“Dr. Fu?!”

The voices of Father Lin and Lin Song rang out simultaneously, but clearly, everyone was drawn to Lin Song’s exclamation.

“Why are you here?” Lin Song looked at Fu Linling in surprise. Seeing her outside the hospital for the first time, dressed so beautifully, he almost didn’t recognize her.

Fu Linling looked back: “You are…?”

“I’m Lin Song! I just started interning with you last week.”

Fu-daddy: “Oh, so Linling is the supervising doctor who is fond of you? She didn’t recognize you; that’s very impolite.”

Father Lin: “…”

Everyone’s expressions were a picture.

Lin Ran lowered her head, her lips tightly pursed, seeing Zhang Wu covering her mouth, her shoulders shaking with stifled laughter.

“Oh, I apologize. Without the lab coat, I didn’t recognize you immediately,” Fu Linling genuinely hadn’t recognized him. Usually, everyone wore masks and caps, and there were so many interns coming and going, rotating frequently. Unless someone performed exceptionally well, it was difficult for her to intentionally remember a specific person.

Lin Song was a little embarrassed and quickly moved past the topic: “Dr. Fu, why are you here?”

“Today is my wedding banquet,” Fu Linling said.

“You…” Lin Song looked at her in astonishment, then looked at Lin Ran. “You’re the one marrying Lin Ran?!”

Hearing this, Fu Linling proudly lifted her head: “Yes, I am.”

Lin Song was frozen stiff. Father Lin and his wife were mortified.

Fu Linling didn’t have time to worry about them, as she had something more important to attend to. She nudged Lin Ran.

Lin Ran turned around and saw Fu Linling holding her wrist. She felt her face flush, thinking, so many people are watching. Then, Fu Linling placed a large gold bracelet into her hand.

Lin Ran looked at her questioningly.

“This is a gift from my mother for meeting you,” Fu Linling whispered.

Lin Ran weighed it in her hand. She estimated it was at least one hundred grams: “Isn’t this too valuable?”

“Not at all. She really likes you.”

Fu Linling silently added in her heart: I do too.