Marriage at Thirty - Chapter 23.2

You should write a few pages for him so he can practice tracing them. He writes every day, but I don’t see any improvement.”

The students laughed. Fu Linling quietly explained to Lin Ran: “Senior Aunt is a language arts teacher, and she’s quite accomplished in calligraphy. She loves Wang Xizhi the most.”

That was truly an accidental stroke of luck. Lin Ran’s first tracing practice was Wang Xizhi’s Preface to the Holy Teachings. Although she later developed her own style, traces of Wang Xizhi’s influence could still be seen.

The dishes were served, and everyone ate and chatted. Being from the same university, their conversations flowed naturally.

Lin Ran had originally thought she would be awkward and unable to find common ground with these people, but she found that most of their conversation revolved around daily life, and the occasional mention of campus life was very engaging.

Moreover, the advisor and Senior Aunt seemed very fond of her profession. After asking about her major and job, they praised her highly. Senior Aunt even trendily followed her on Weibo.

The meal concluded with everyone having a good time.

The group walked the elderly couple back to their hotel, while the other students went out shopping.

Having not seen her advisor for a long time, Fu Linling naturally wanted to spend more time with them.

The advisor took out the tea leaves he carried with him and brewed a cup of tea for them.

Senior Aunt, however, said it was bland and insisted on going downstairs to buy cola.

Lin Ran couldn’t help but laugh: “Senior Aunt, I’ll go with you to buy it.”

“Lin Ran, you don’t need to worry about her. She’ll buy it herself if she wants it. Don’t trouble yourself,” the advisor said.

“It’s fine, Advisor. She wants a drink too,” Fu Linling said.

Senior Aunt and Lin Ran exchanged a glance, both smiled, and linking arms, they went downstairs chatting and laughing to buy cola.

The advisor laughed: “Linling, tell me, why did you marry a wife like that? Your life will be miserable later on.”

Fu Linling held a smile at the corner of her mouth: “But I see you enjoying it thoroughly, Advisor.”

The advisor and his mentee chatted about work for a while. Hearing a knock on the door, Fu Linling thought they had returned. She got up to open the door, but it was a young woman wearing glasses and a white dress.

The woman immediately beamed when she saw Fu Linling: “Senior Sister.”

“Feng Ming? What brings you here?” Fu Linling looked at her in surprise. “Didn’t you go abroad?”

“I just came back recently. I was planning to visit the advisor, but he said he was here, so I came over, and to see you, too.”

“It’s truly been a long time. Come in quickly.” Fu Linling led her into the room and turned to the advisor: “Advisor, Feng Ming is here to see you.”

“I know. She called me last night. Come, Feng Ming, have some tea.” The advisor poured her a cup of tea.

“Advisor, happy birthday.” Feng Ming presented her gift first.

The advisor looked at it and burst out laughing: “You two are truly in sync! Both of you gave me the Four Treasures of the Study. This will last me a long time.”

Feng Ming smiled and glanced at Fu Linling. After exchanging pleasantries with the advisor, she asked: “Senior Sister, where are you working now?”

“The Third Hospital. How about you?”

“I’m still considering. What do you think about me coming to the Third Hospital?”

“The Third Hospital has good benefits, and the colleagues are easy to get along with. It’s great,” Fu Linling said.

“Anything I recommend won’t be bad,” the advisor said cheerfully.

All three laughed.

“It would be good for you to go to the Third Hospital, Feng Ming. You could also work with Linling and look out for each other,” the advisor said.

“Yes, Senior Sister, maybe we’ll be colleagues soon,” Feng Ming looked at Fu Linling.

“That would be excellent, of course,” Fu Linling said.

Feng Ming was two years behind Fu Linling. She hadn’t been a straight-through student but had followed the advisor for three years after getting her Master’s.

During Fu Linling’s Ph.D. stage, the advisor often had her mentor the younger students, and Feng Ming was the most outstanding one in that batch of graduate students.

Fu Linling greatly appreciated her junior mentee and found her easy to guide.

The two were a very seamless team and never had any conflicts; their friendship was solid.

After graduation, Fu Linling began working in Jin City, while Feng Ming went abroad for her Ph.D.

The advisor asked about the educational system and training methods overseas, and Feng Ming spoke eloquently.

Just then, the two people who went to buy cola returned.

“Oh, Feng Ming is here too! It’s truly been a while.” Senior Aunt entered with Lin Ran.

“Hello, Senior Aunt. You look as young as ever.” After Feng Ming spoke, her gaze shifted to the girl beside Senior Aunt. She hadn’t met her and assumed she was one of the advisor’s students.

“You continue your conversation; don’t mind us.” Senior Aunt led Lin Ran toward the small inner room, whispering, “This one is also the old man’s favorite mentee. Whenever the two of them get together, they only talk about professional things. It gives me a headache listening to them.”

Lin Ran curiously glanced outside. The girl was of average height, with a clean look and an elegant demeanor—she looked like the type whose scholarly depth naturally radiated elegance.

Just as Senior Aunt said, their current topic of conversation was already very difficult to interrupt.

Fu Linling listened attentively, occasionally interjecting a few comments that made Feng Ming laugh.

Lin Ran wondered: It doesn’t seem that funny, though? Is my sense of humor too sophisticated?

Seeing that the two outside were engrossed in their conversation, Senior Aunt simply brought the gift Fu Linling had given into the room. After unwrapping it, she said to Lin Ran: “If you’re bored, let’s do some calligraphy.”

“Sounds good.”

This was indeed a great way to pass the time. Before they knew it, the sky was starting to get dark.

“What are you two doing?” the advisor walked to the doorway and asked. The other two also came in curiously, crowding behind them to look.

“My, Lin Ran’s calligraphy is really something,” the advisor’s eyes lit up.

Fu Linling stood nearby, looking at the way Lin Ran bowed her head to write, and said proudly: “She won awards in calligraphy competitions.”

“That’s truly wonderful. Ran Ran, can I take this calligraphy back for my students to appreciate?” Senior Aunt asked.

“Of course you can, as long as you don’t mind it,” Lin Ran said with a smile.

Feng Ming watched their familiar conversation and couldn’t help but ask: “Advisor, is this lady also your student?”

“Oh, no, she’s my student’s wife.” The advisor intentionally held back, looking at Fu Linling, letting her personally deliver a surprise to her old friend.

In Feng Ming’s confused gaze, Fu Linling smiled and introduced: “She is my wife.”

Feng Ming froze, as if she had heard a lie, her pupils constricting: “You… you’re not joking, are you?”

“No, I just got married recently.” Fu Linling looked at Lin Ran: “Her name is Lin Ran. She’s Mrs. Fu now.”

Lin Ran hadn’t expected her to call her Mrs. Fu in front of the advisors. She glanced at her, put down her brush, secretly pinched her arm, and then turned to greet Feng Ming: “Hello, my name is Lin Ran. It’s nice to meet you.”

Feng Ming remained stunned for a moment before slowly nodding: “Hello… I’m her… her junior mentee.”

Lin Ran suddenly recalled the phone call she had answered earlier, remembering the voice she had heard. It sounded like the voice of the person standing in front of her.

“Senior Sister, you got married, and you didn’t tell me? Did you not consider me a friend at all?” Feng Ming looked directly at Fu Linling.

“I apologize. The marriage was a spur-of-the-moment decision, and we didn’t have a wedding. I’ll treat you to a meal another day,” Fu Linling said.

Lin Ran nodded.

“Don’t worry about her; even we only found out two days ago,” the advisor said, laughing heartily. “Don’t wait for another day, let’s do it tonight! Linling, you’re treating.”

“Sounds good.” Fu Linling readily agreed.

The group went out to eat. Lin Ran held Senior Aunt’s arm and walked at the back. As they talked, Lin Ran suddenly felt someone looking at her. She turned her head and saw it was Feng Ming, so she gave her a friendly smile.

The other person nodded, then turned back to chat with the advisor.

When they sat down, the advisor and Fu Linling sat on either side. Feng Ming then sat down right next to Fu Linling.

Lin Ran awkwardly paused in her step.

Fu Linling turned to look at her, then looked at Feng Ming.

Feng Ming realized her mistake and slowly stood up, offering the seat to Lin Ran: “I’m sorry, it’s a habit. You sit here.”

Senior Aunt smiled and sat down next to the advisor, explaining to Lin Ran: “Those two always used to sit together. It’s normal for them to be used to it.”

Lin Ran nodded and also smiled: “Habits are indeed hard to break. We still haven’t changed the way we address each other’s parents; we’re not used to it yet.”

“That’s very normal for newlyweds. You have to force yourself to change,” Senior Aunt said.

“Did you two elope?” Feng Ming suddenly asked.

“Yes, we did,” Lin Ran replied.

“For what reason did you get married?”

Lin Ran was stumped. She turned to look at Fu Linling. Fu Linling placed the hot, cleaned dishware in front of her and replied: “The right time, the right place, and the right people.”

In other words, the time was right, and all factors contributed to their marriage. Lin Ran fully agreed.

Hearing this, Feng Ming’s expression brightened slightly.

An impulsive marriage was either due to infatuation with the other’s looks or external factors forcing the marriage.

She understood Fu Linling; she was definitely not someone who would make such a crazy decision based on appearance alone.

“Senior Sister, seriously, you once said you didn’t like women, yet now you’re married to Ms. Lin. It’s truly surprising,” Feng Ming said.

“Oh?” Lin Ran looked at Fu Linling curiously.

Senior Aunt was also puzzled: “Linling, is that true?”

“Was it? I don’t remember,” Fu Linling said.

“It is. A junior undergrad confessed to you back then, and you specifically said you didn’t like women.”

Feng Ming didn’t seem to be lying. Fu Linling thought hard for a long time: “I forgot.”

Senior Aunt laughed aloud: “She probably just made up an excuse to turn her down.”

“Is that so…” Feng Ming lowered her gaze but smiled thinly.

As Lin Ran reached for a dish, her arm extended a bit too much, accidentally revealing the tattoo on her wrist.

Feng Ming immediately noticed it but remained silent, saying nothing.

It was Senior Aunt who found it novel: “Ran Ran, you have a tattoo?”

Lin Ran gave an awkward smile.

“It’s drawn on,” Fu Linling explained for her, using the opportunity to repair Lin Ran’s image in the advisor’s mind, so she wouldn’t keep worrying that the advisor thought she was a bad kid.

“It’s a Henna tattoo. It’s drawn with dye, and once it dries, it achieves this effect. I have one drawn too.”

“There’s such a thing?” Senior Aunt looked at her wrist. “Let me see yours.”

“You can’t.”

“Why?”

“Hers is on her thigh,” Lin Ran laughed nearby.

Senior Aunt also laughed: “That’s right. As a doctor, it’s better not to show it. Ran Ran, did you draw it for her?”

“Yes, I did.”

“That’s wonderful. It’s so convenient for a couple.”

The statement made both of the young women blush.

Feng Ming glanced at them, took a sip of her wine, and then inquired about the work at the Third Hospital.

Fu Linling was naturally happy if she came to the Third Hospital, so she chatted with her about it. After the meal, she and the advisor continued the conversation.

Catching sight of Lin Ran sitting quietly on the side, unable to interject, Fu Linling worried that she might feel neglected. She instinctively reached out and held one of Lin Ran’s hands, signaling that she was still paying attention to her.

Lin Ran looked up at her.

Fu Linling gave her a faint smile and turned back to the conversation.

Lin Ran lowered her eyes, looking at their hands clasped together.

Fu Linling’s hand was long, and her nails were neatly trimmed and rounded. Lin Ran turned her hand over and compared their lengths, pressing palm to palm.

Feng Ming noticed their small action. Lin Ran was looking down, playing with their hands, and though Fu Linling was talking, the corner of her mouth was constantly upturned, whether from the pleasant conversation or something else.

After the dinner, the group said their goodbyes. Feng Ming hugged Senior Aunt, then stepped forward and hugged Fu Linling: “Senior Sister, let’s have a meal together again soon.”

“Okay. I look forward to you joining the Third Hospital.”

“I’m looking forward to it too,” Feng Ming smiled.

Lin Ran exchanged a few more words with Senior Aunt, then got into the car with Fu Linling. Fu Linling had a little more wine tonight, so Lin Ran drove again.

She noticed that Fu Linling handled her liquor very well. She mostly drank moderately, unlike some people who can’t stop once they start or are easily persuaded. Fu Linling drank only in appropriate settings, stopped automatically when she was lightly tipsy, and never overindulged. No amount of persuasion would work after that.

“Did you have fun today?” Fu Linling leaned against the seatback, closed her eyes, and said in a relaxed tone.

“I had a lot of fun. The advisor and Senior Aunt are very nice people. If I had met teachers like them before, maybe I would have become an academic star too,” Lin Ran said.

Fu Linling smiled: “Senior Aunt really likes you. Only you can keep up with her weird and wonderful ideas; the rest of us students are too proper.”

“Properness has its benefits, but Senior Aunt is quite a surprise. She seems to always bicker with the advisor.”

“Yes, their personalities are actually quite different. I heard they argued more fiercely when they were younger, mainly due to big differences in habits, but after all these years of adjustment, they’re fine now.”

“Isn’t that just like us?” Lin Ran asked, glancing at Fu Linling. Seeing her maintain her original posture, a soft chuckle came from her.

“Yes, but we’ll be even better than them.”

“How dare you boast like that,” Lin Ran said, amused.

“Mhm, we will be happy,” Fu Linling mumbled a few vague words. Lin Ran didn’t quite catch them. When she looked over, the other woman had turned her head to the side, resting it on the car window.

The alcohol must be kicking in.

After parking the car, she woke Fu Linling up: “Can you walk?”

“Mhm.” Fu Linling shook her head. Her steps were steady as she walked home. Once inside, she poured herself some hot water to drink.

“Right, I need to ask you something.” Lin Ran walked in front of her and looked up at her.

“What is it?”

“It’s just… are you really marrying me only to help me, to put my mom at ease?”

Fu Linling looked down at her, silently.

“Do you like women at all?” Lin Ran pressed.

This issue genuinely bothered her.

If the other person didn’t like women at all and was just helping her, then there was no need for this marriage to continue.

The two stared at each other for a long time. Lin Ran looked at her face, flushed from the alcohol, her eyes hazy, and said: “If you don’t like them…”

A shadow slowly moved closer. Fu Linling leaned in toward her.

And then a moist kiss landed on her lips.

The other woman had drunk water, and her lips were wet.

Lin Ran froze completely, staring motionless at Fu Linling.

Fu Linling asked: “What do you think?”