Marriage at Thirty - Chapter 26

The marriage was rushed, and many formalities were skipped.

Lin Ran had thought about rings, but she always felt they were neither practical nor suited to them.

Fu Linling worked at the hospital and performed surgeries every day, making it impossible for her to wear a ring.

As for Lin Ran, she preferred decorative rings. Her several jewelry boxes were full of accessories, from major brands to no-name ones.

She simply thought that a wedding ring wasn’t that pretty and would affect her daily outfits.

Since Fu Linling hadn’t brought it up before, Lin Ran had automatically overlooked the matter.

“Can you wear it for work?” Lin Ran asked uncertainly.

“I can wear it after work,” Fu Linling said. “What do you think?”

Lin Ran pondered for a moment. For some reason, she suddenly thought of Wang Ke’s hostile gaze, then looked at the slow-witted Fu Linling.

Having a wedding ring wouldn’t be bad. Maybe it could avoid a lot of trouble.

Dr. Fu encountered many people every day; surely there were a few who had their eye on her.

“Let’s buy them. You should wear one for work too,” Lin Ran poked her collar. “Buy a chain, string it up, and hang it here.”

“Good.” Fu Linling smiled.

They had originally planned to buy the rings together after work the next day, but in the afternoon, Lin Ran was suddenly summoned by Zhang Wu.

Zhang Wu’s wedding was approaching, and she called Lin Ran to help and get her opinion on a few things.

“We won’t invite your dad this time. What do you say?” Zhang Wu asked.

“Don’t invite him. He’s nothing but bothersome,” Lin Ran said.

“Mhm, that’s what I thought too. Also, your uncle can’t make it this time and is sending his daughter—your little cousin—as a representative. She’ll have just finished her college entrance exams, and your uncle wants her to stay here for a few days, like a trip.”

“Let her enjoy herself.”

“How’s your new place cleaned up? When can I come take a look?”

Zhang Wu had mentioned visiting several times before, but Lin Ran had blocked her, claiming the place wasn’t ready. She was afraid her mom would see the mess and insist on helping to clean up. Now that her mom was mostly recovered, a visit was fine.

“Anytime. Just send me a message before you come.”

The mother and daughter discussed the details of the wedding banquet for a while. Old Liu returned after buying groceries and asked: “What time does Little Fu get off work? Let her come over for dinner.”

“I’ll ask.”

The place was quite far from their home; it would take at least an hour with traffic.

Lin Ran called her and asked if she would come over.

Fu Linling readily agreed.

Zhang Wu was packaging wedding candies and nudged Lin Ran: “Go help out in the kitchen.”

Lin Ran didn’t want to go. She took the box from her mother’s hands: “I’ll do the packaging. You go.”

“Look at how spoiled you are. Are you like this at Little Fu’s place too?”

“Mhm.”

“Tsk tsk. I’ve truly spoiled you to the point of lawlessness. You don’t do any housework?”

“I do! Sweeping the floor is my job.”

Zhang Wu poked her head: “You have two robotic vacuums!”

“I’m the one who personally pressed the switches. How is that not work?” Lin Ran countered.

“You’re just lazy,” Zhang Wu said, heading to the kitchen to help.

About an hour later, the doorbell rang. Zhang Wu called from the kitchen: “Ran Ran, open the door.”

“Coming!” Lin Ran was already at the door. She opened it and casually slipped two candies into Fu Linling’s coat pocket: “Welcome.”

Fu Linling looked down at the candies, smiled, and stepped inside. She greeted them at the kitchen doorway: “Uncle Liu, Auntie, I’m here.”

“Look at you, bringing things again. Ran Ran, hurry and lend a hand,” Zhang Wu said.

Lin Ran took the fruit, placed it on the table, and whispered: “When did you buy this?”

“Just quickly bought some downstairs.”

“These oranges look so sweet,” Lin Ran said, staring at the few navel oranges that were beautiful in color and size.

“Ran Ran, come inside and help me find the slotted spoon,” Zhang Wu called out.

“Coming.” Lin Ran went inside, found the slotted spoon, and handed it to her. When she came out, she saw Fu Linling peeling an orange, so she picked up the other fruits and went into the kitchen to wash them.

“You’re crowding the place! Go wash them outside,” Zhang Wu complained.

“If I don’t come, you say I’m lazy. If I come, you say I’m in the way. You should just nail me up and hang me. Look at me when you miss me, and I won’t take up any space when you don’t.”

Uncle Liu laughed, and Zhang Wu gave her a playful, scolding glance.

A soft laugh came from the doorway. Lin Ran turned around with the fruit and walked up to Fu Linling: “The cooking fumes are heavy here. Go wait in the living room.”

“It’s fine.” Fu Linling raised her hand.

Several peeled orange segments were offered to her mouth. Lin Ran opened her mouth and took a bite.

“Sweet?”

Lin Ran nodded vigorously: “Very sweet. Didn’t you try it?”

“Not yet.” Fu Linling fed her a few more segments before eating the last one herself. She nodded: “It is quite sweet.”

Zhang Wu turned around, nudged Old Liu, and the two exchanged a look and smiled silently.

During dinner, Zhang Wu told Fu Linling: “I spoiled Ran Ran rotten before. Don’t spoil her anymore. You should still make her do the housework. Don’t do all the work yourself.”

“I’m not spoiling her. Even without her, I would still do those chores, and she does sweep the floor,” Fu Linling said.

Lin Ran was holding back a muffled laugh.

“When more people live together, there’s always more work. Just the cooking requires more effort,” Zhang Wu said.

“One or two extra dishes isn’t much trouble, and eating with two people is more fun than eating alone.” Fu Linling was used to eating alone before and didn’t think anything of it, but now with someone eating with her, talking and laughing, she actually ate more.

Zhang Wu: It’s no use. I can’t convince her at all.

After dinner, Old Liu and Zhang Wu both took out toothpicks to pick their teeth.

Fu Linling’s professional instinct kicked in. She went downstairs to the convenience store and bought two boxes of dental floss, telling them to use floss instead of toothpicks whenever possible.

“We don’t know how to use this thing. We’re used to toothpicks,” Zhang Wu said.

“You’ll get used to dental floss too. Toothpicks are unhygienic and can damage your gums,” Fu Linling said.

“Oh dear, then why don’t you teach us how to use it?”

“Good idea.”

Lin Ran watched with a grin as Dr. Fu conducted a makeshift lesson, patiently and meticulously teaching her two elderly students.

But unexpectedly, after teaching her elderly students, Dr. Fu turned her attention to Lin Ran.

“Ran Ran, let me look at your teeth,” Fu Linling lifted her face with one hand.

“No!” Lin Ran covered her mouth tightly with both hands. “I just ate, I haven’t brushed yet.”

“It’s fine. I just want to check the condition of your teeth.”

“They’re in great condition. I get regular cleanings.” Lin Ran absolutely refused to open her mouth.

“Little Fu, why don’t you look at mine? I feel like one of my molars is a little loose,” Zhang Wu said.

“Okay.” Fu Linling turned on her flashlight and examined her mouth. “There is a bit of a problem. Come to the hospital to get it checked out another day. The sooner you treat it, the easier it is. The longer you drag it out, the bigger the problem becomes.”

After speaking, she glanced at Lin Ran.

Lin Ran looked up at the ceiling.

By the time they returned home, it was quite late, so buying the wedding rings had to be postponed until the weekend.

Unexpectedly, on Friday, Fu Linling was temporarily assigned by the Department Chief to attend a lecture out of town, so the plan was delayed again until the following weekend.

On Saturday morning, Fu Linling made breakfast and knocked on the bedroom door: “Ran Ran, time to eat.”

“I’m not eating…” Lin Ran mumbled half-asleep, turned over, and buried herself under the covers again.

Fu Linling didn’t disturb her again. She put the congee in a thermos bowl, went to the gym, and by the time she returned it was nearly eleven. She saw Lin Ran brushing her teeth and said: “There’s still breakfast in the kitchen.”

“Mhm, okay.” Lin Ran sped up her brushing, caught a glimpse of the figure in the mirror, quickly turned her head back, and looked at what Fu Linling was wearing.

She was wearing a sun-protection jacket over a sports bra, left open, revealing a flat, firm abdomen with visible abs. The tight leggings clung to her skin, emphasizing the length and shapeliness of her legs. She had a very healthy physique.

“Such a great figure,” Lin Ran reached out a hand, pointing to her abdomen. “Can I touch those abs?”

Fu Linling looked down and agreed.

Lin Ran’s fingers were still damp from the water. The moment they touched her, Fu Linling took a breath, making the lines of her abs even more pronounced.

“Seriously impressive.” Lin Ran traced the lines of the abs. The last two lines disappeared into her waistband. Her fingers just brushed the waistband, then she drew her hand back—it would be rude to touch any further.

She looked up and smiled contentedly, but the foam from her mouth spilled out, and she quickly turned to rinse.

Fu Linling turned and went to her room to shower. The blush that had just faded from her face was brought out again by the steam.

When they went out in the afternoon, Fu Linling decided to change her clothes. She looked in the closet for a long time, and her gaze landed on the blue dress.

This style was something she would never have bought before, but Lin Ran had bought it for her, saying it looked great.

Lin Ran was lying on the sofa playing on her phone. She caught a glimpse of Fu Linling out of the corner of her eye, suddenly paused, sat bolt upright, and her eyes lit up: “You actually wore this dress!”

“Mhm… is it okay?”

“It’s perfect!” Lin Ran walked up and circled her twice. The dress was a spaghetti strap, leaving her chest area bare. Her neck was too empty, so Lin Ran went back to her room, brought out two necklaces, and layered them on her neck. “My taste is truly impeccable!”

“Mhm.”

“No way. You’re dressed so beautifully, I can’t let the standard slip. Wait for me to change.”

A moment later, Lin Ran also came out wearing a blue dress, only hers was a lighter color, looking youthful and vibrant.

The two entered a jewelry store. The clerk greeted them warmly: “What would you like to buy?”

“Wedding rings,” Fu Linling said.

The clerk covered her mouth in surprise and tentatively asked: “Who are you buying them for?”

Fu Linling pointed to Lin Ran: “This is my wife.”

Lin Ran nodded in affirmation.

“Oh, oh, I understand! The wedding rings are over here!” The clerk immediately reacted and led them to the back counter.

Fu Linling trusted Lin Ran’s eye more, letting her take the lead the entire time. After visiting several stores, they returned to this one.

“Can you bring out the pair we looked at just now for us to see again?” Lin Ran said.

The clerk knew they were serious when they returned. As she helped them try on the rings, she said: “You two are truly a match. How old are you? Are you over twenty?”

“Are you the top salesperson?” Lin Ran asked.

The clerk laughed: “You really don’t look that old.”

“Guess how old she is. Guess high. If you guess correctly, I’ll place the order right now,” Lin Ran said, pointing to Fu Linling.

The clerk looked at Fu Linling: “Twenty-five… is that right?”

Fu Linling shook her head.

Lin Ran smiled at Fu Linling: “Well? Twenty-five years old. Is this ring worth buying?”

“Don’t pay for the top salesperson’s sweet talk,” Fu Linling said soberly.

The clerk: “…”

“I’m sorry, my wife is just that rational,” Lin Ran said.

The clerk: …She’s apologizing, but she’s smiling too triumphantly.

Lin Ran looked at the ring on her finger for a long time, then picked it up and held it against her neck, saying: “This is the one. It’s quite good.”

“Okay.” Fu Linling agreed immediately.

The clerk was overjoyed, but she didn’t expect the two of them to start arguing when it came time to pay.

Fu Linling: “I’ll pay.”

Lin Ran: “Why you? Let me pay this time.”

“I was the one who suggested it, so I should pay.”

“Well, I was the one who chose it!”

The clerk: …I’ve seen people fight over the dinner bill, but I’ve never seen anyone fight over who pays for the wedding rings.

“How about you split the cost? Think of it as a gift to each other?” the clerk suggested cautiously, afraid they might actually fight.

“That’s why you’re the top salesperson,” Lin Ran snapped her fingers. “Let’s do that.”

The two each paid their share. Lin Ran also bought a platinum necklace, telling Fu Linling she could wear the ring on the chain around her neck later.

But Fu Linling said she wanted to wear it on her hand right away. So, they took the new rings and put them on each other.

Click.

The two turned to look at the clerk. The clerk sheepishly showed them her phone: “Both of your hands are very pretty. I thought this moment was romantic, so I took a picture. I’ll delete it now if you mind.”

The photo only showed their hands, putting the rings on each other.

Lin Ran gave her a thumbs-up: “You deserve to be the top salesperson!”

“Send it to me before you delete it,” Fu Linling said.

As they walked out the door, Fu Linling was still looking at the photo. Just then, her phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number.

“Senior Sister, I passed the Third Hospital interview,” Feng Ming said on the other end of the line.

“Congratulations. Is this your number?”

“Yes. Are you free tonight? I’d like to treat you to a meal.”

“Ran Ran and I are out.”

“Invite her to come along,” Feng Ming said.

“I’ll ask her.” Fu Linling turned and told Lin Ran, who happily agreed.

“See you tonight, then.”

After hanging up, Lin Ran said: “She’s going to the Third Hospital too?”

“Mhm.”

“Then you’ll have a companion. That’s great. Let’s go buy her a small gift.” Lin Ran ducked into a general store and accidentally spotted another stuffed toy she liked. “This one feels so soft to touch!”

Fu Linling picked up the doll and went to pay.

“Hey, Dr. Fu, we’re supposed to be buying a gift for your junior!

“You have good taste. Help me pick one out.” Fu Linling followed her, holding the doll with the tag removed. It didn’t quite match her outfit, and several people were secretly looking at them.

Lin Ran was in a good mood. She chose a desk lamp that looked like a book when closed and opened into a lantern.

As it was getting late, the two hurried to the agreed-upon restaurant.

Feng Ming was visibly stunned when she saw Fu Linling’s outfit, and then noticed the doll in her hand: “Is that…”

“It’s Ran Ran’s. She likes these things.” Fu Linling placed the doll in Lin Ran’s arms.

Lin Ran hugged it and fondled it, laughing: “You insisted on buying it. Are you blaming me now?”

“I’m not blaming you. Don’t wrong me.”

Watching their private conversation, Feng Ming lowered her eyes in dejection and handed over the menu.

“Feng Ming, this is a gift from your Senior Sister. Congratulations on joining the Third Hospital,” Lin Ran handed her the desk lamp.

“Thank you, I love it.” Feng Ming opened it and looked surprised at Fu Linling: “It’s impressive that you were able to think of this, Senior Sister.”

Fu Linling was a person of simple tastes and wouldn’t have thought of such a thing naturally. She said awkwardly: “Ran Ran thought of it and chose it. I just paid for it.”

Feng Ming’s smile stiffened. She turned to Lin Ran: “Thank you. You’re much more thoughtful than Senior Sister.”

The compliment was well-received. Lin Ran happily picked up the menu to order, asking Fu Linling what she wanted to eat.

Their heads were close together as they looked at the menu, whispering and discussing the dishes.

The rings on their hands sparkled under the light.

Fu Linling unintentionally looked up, noticed Feng Ming’s gaze, looked down at the ring, and said with a hint of pride: “See? I told you we’d have them.”

Feng Ming smiled bitterly and shook her head: “Senior Sister, you’re… a little too competitive, aren’t you?”

Fu Linling smiled arrogantly: “We even have wedding photos. Ran Ran took them herself, but we haven’t had them developed yet.”

“What are you two talking about?” Lin Ran looked up and asked.

“Nothing. Keep ordering,” Fu Linling raised the menu in her hand, blocking the questioning look on Lin Ran’s face.

After dinner, Feng Ming didn’t linger. They said their goodbyes and parted ways.

Lin Ran had planned to continue shopping, but then Zhang Wu suddenly called: “Are you two not home?”

“We’re out for dinner. What’s wrong?”

“I’m at your front door. Hurry up and come back to open the door for me.”

“Oh, okay.”

Lin Ran hung up and told Fu Linling, but noticed that Fu Linling’s expression was suddenly strange.

“What’s wrong?”

“Does Auntie know we sleep in separate rooms?”

“She doesn’t know. She…” Lin Ran slowly widened her eyes, suddenly realizing the gravity of the situation. She grabbed Fu Linling’s hand and ran toward the door. “Quick, quick, quick! She’s going to scold me to death!”