Marriage at Thirty - Chapter 27

The two rushed home in a panic and saw Zhang Wu already standing at the door.

Lin Ran said breathlessly: “Why did you suddenly come? It’s getting late. I’ll take you back. Don’t let Uncle Liu worry.”

“I was running an errand nearby and decided to drop by. I’m already here, you won’t even let me in for a glass of water?” Zhang Wu glared at her, then turned to Fu Linling: “Little Fu, what do you say?”

Fu Linling didn’t dare to refuse, so she opened the door and let her mother-in-law inside.

Lin Ran collapsed onto her in despair. Fu Linling supported her into the apartment and settled her on the sofa.

“The house is quite tidy.”

Zhang Wu walked around the living room, then peeked into the kitchen. The counter was spotless, with no residual oil stains. The fridge no longer held just a bunch of random drinks; it had vegetables, meat, and some preserved side dishes.

It looked like a home.

Zhang Wu returned to the living room, relieved.

Fu Linling washed some fruit and joined her in the living room to chat.

“What errand were you running nearby? Are you done?” Lin Ran asked.

“Nothing major. A friend had a grandson and invited us to dinner here. I figured it wasn’t far from your place, so I just came by to take a look.” Zhang Wu picked up an apple and took a bite, then added: “Little Fu, I made an appointment with you. I’m coming to you next week to get my teeth checked out.”

“Good.”

After sitting for a while, Fu Linling went to the balcony to water the plants. Lin Ran was on her phone communicating with a client and didn’t notice Zhang Wu go to the bathroom.

When she returned to the living room, Zhang Wu’s expression had changed: “It’s getting late. I’m heading back now. If you two are free on the weekend, come back for a meal. We’ll improve your diet.”

“Improve what? Dr. Fu cooks delicious and nutritious food every day. My appetite has actually increased now,” Lin Ran said with a smile, seeing her out.

“You have the nerve! Eating readymade meals all the time, shouldn’t you let Little Fu rest a bit?” Zhang Wu looked at her sideways.

“Yes, yes, yes, you’re right. We’ll come back when we have time.” Lin Ran walked her downstairs. “Uncle Liu didn’t come along, did he? Should I drive you back?”

“No need, I’ll take a taxi.” Zhang Wu frowned deeply. She looked back and, seeing that Fu Linling hadn’t followed them out, pulled Lin Ran’s arm: “What’s going on with you and Little Fu?!”

“What do you mean, what’s going on?” Lin Ran asked, confused.

“Are you two still sleeping in separate rooms?”

Realizing she had been discovered, Lin Ran gave an embarrassed smile: “Our schedules are different, so we’re sleeping separately for now, so we don’t disturb each other.”

“Don’t give me that. No one sleeps separately right after getting married.” Zhang Wu was displeased. After thinking for a long time, she said in a heavy voice: “Tell me honestly, did you two get married purely because of me?!”

“Not entirely.”

“Then I was still part of the reason. You brat! I wanted to see you get married, but I didn’t want you to just marry anyone! What did you tell me back then? That you two had a good foundation of feeling, that you had feelings since school—was that a lie too?” Zhang Wu demanded.

Seeing her mother angry, Lin Ran didn’t dare to lie anymore and rubbed her nose: “Classmate affection counts as a kind of feeling, right?”

“I’m going to be truly infuriated by you!” Zhang Wu stormed forward.

“Mom, Mom, don’t be angry. Isn’t I fine now? I’m getting along great with Dr. Fu,” Lin Ran hurried to catch up.

“‘Dr. Fu,’ ‘Dr. Fu,’ you still call her so formally.” Zhang Wu suddenly stopped, turning to look at her: “Little Fu is a good person, but you can’t harm her. A good person being trapped by you so inexplicably—I’m embarrassed for you.”

Lin Ran said sullenly: “She was the one who proposed to me…”

“Where did she propose?”

“…At the hospital.”

Zhang Wu poked her head: “You go think carefully about what you two should do. I’m going back!”

Lin Ran opened the door and saw Fu Linling about to take a shower.

“Auntie went back?” Fu Linling asked.

“Mhm.” Lin Ran sank onto the sofa weakly, staring blankly while holding the doll.

“What’s wrong?” Fu Linling noticed her mood wasn’t right and sat down beside her.

“My mom found out we’re sleeping in separate rooms,” Lin Ran said, turning her head.

“Did she scold you?”

Lin Ran buried her chin in the stuffed toy, mumbling: “She said I harmed you and wasted your precious time. She also told us to seriously consider our relationship, and since she’s exposed us, there’s no need to pretend anymore. She said if it’s not working out, we should get a divorce.”

Fu Linling’s expression tightened: “Then what have you decided?”

“It’s true that I benefit more from this marriage. I will respect your opinion.” Lin Ran looked into her eyes: “Do you… want a divorce?”

Fu Linling turned her head, with her back to Lin Ran.

Lin Ran couldn’t see her expression. Her heart sank halfway, and she buried her entire face in the stuffed toy, feeling lost.

Just then, a voice entered her ear from the side.

“No divorce.”

Lin Ran lifted her head. Fu Linling turned back at that moment, meeting her gaze, and said word for word: “Unless you yourself grow tired of me, I will not be getting a divorce.”

After speaking, she went to take a shower, leaving Lin Ran stunned in her place.

The moment the bedroom door closed, Lin Ran collapsed onto the sofa, silently chuckling and continually kneading the stuffed toy.

The incident was like a minor interlude. Neither of them brought it up again, implicitly agreeing that this marriage was still worth continuing.

The next day, Lin Ran went to Uncle Liu’s house to see if she could help with anything.

Zhang Wu was slightly disappointed to see her come alone and pulled her into the room: “Where’s Little Fu? Are you two divorcing?”

“Bah, bah, bah, don’t say inauspicious things. She’s on duty today and is coming to pick me up tonight,” Lin Ran said with a smile, leaning against the wardrobe.

Zhang Wu breathed a sigh of relief. Although she wanted them to make the right choice, she was happy to hear they weren’t divorcing. She truly liked the girl, Little Fu.

“What did you two decide?”

“She said no divorce, and I don’t want a divorce either.” Lin Ran pulled up a chair and sat in front of her mother, counting on her fingers: “Her looks, character, job, and family background are all great. Even you, my own mother, scold me all the time, but she has never said anything bad about me. She is all about appreciation education. Tell me, where am I going to find such a good partner?”

Zhang Wu said: “That’s because she has good upbringing. Don’t take advantage of her kindness and start treating her good nature toward you as something you’re entitled to.”

“I know that, of course. Some people get tired of each other the longer they spend time together. She won’t. The more you spend time with her, the more you discover her merits, and I really like this life now.” Lin Ran rested her hand on her chin, looked at her mother, and smiled: “Mom, I have feelings for her. Stop worrying, okay?”

“Are you serious?”

“Could I be lying? You have to give us some time to develop our feelings, right? Who shares a room right away? Dr. Fu is such a proper person. I’m afraid she’d be shy if we progressed too fast.” Lin Ran said.

Zhang Wu thought about it and felt a great sense of relief, laughing: “Alright, then you two take your time. I’ll wait for your good news.”

That evening, Fu Linling came to pick her up, bringing a case of milk, and stayed for dinner before taking Lin Ran home.

“Little Fu, take this with you. I made this myself. You can’t buy it outside.” Zhang Wu gave her a few jars of a homemade sauce. Earlier at the dinner table, Fu Linling had tried some and liked it very much.

“Thank you, Auntie.” Fu Linling happily accepted it.

“Don’t be so formal. I’m waiting for you to change how you address me,” Zhang Wu said, patting her arm with a laugh.

Fu Linling thought for a moment, then suddenly called out: “Mom.”

Everyone was stunned. Lin Ran looked up at her.

“What did you just call me?” Zhang Wu asked in disbelief.

“Mom.”

“Yes, yes!” Zhang Wu beamed, unable to contain her joy. She immediately turned to Uncle Liu: “Did you hear what she called me?”

“I heard it, I heard it,” Uncle Liu laughed.

Fu Linling looked hesitantly at Uncle Liu: “Uncle, I was just…”

Uncle Liu laughed: “It’s fine. You can continue to call me Uncle Liu, just like Ran Ran.”

“Okay, Uncle Liu, Mom, you don’t need to see us off any further. We’re heading back now.” Fu Linling opened the car door, and Lin Ran got in.

In the rearview mirror, the figures of the two elders gradually faded. Lin Ran turned to look at Fu Linling: “My mom is so happy. Why did you change how you address her so quickly?”

“I should have changed it a long time ago. Maybe it was because I hadn’t changed it that caused the elderly lady to worry,” Fu Linling said.

Lin Ran looked at her profile—her features were sharp, yet her overall demeanor was gentle. There was truly nothing to criticize.

The road was a little congested. It would be a while before they got home. Lin Ran picked up her phone and made a call.

“Hello?”

Fu Linling heard Ms. Xu Yanyan’s voice. She glanced over and saw Lin Ran holding the phone, saying with a smile: “Mom, it’s me.”

Fu Linling’s fingers tightened abruptly, gripping the steering wheel firmly. She looked straight ahead, seemingly nonchalant as she listened to their casual chat, but her mind was in turmoil.

Fu Linling’s father’s muffled voice came from the other end of the line: “Is that Linling’s call?”

“It’s Ran Ran,” Xu Yanyan replied to Fu’s father, then laughed: “Your dad is outside sorting herbs and didn’t hear clearly.”

“Does Dad help out at the shop often?” Lin Ran asked.

“Of course. He’s idle all day, so he comes when he has time. Linling helps too when she’s home. By the way, have you finished all your medicine?” Xu Yanyan asked with a laugh.

Fu Linling was in charge of the medicine, so Lin Ran didn’t know and handed the phone toward Fu Linling.

“It’s almost finished. Please send some more. Mom’s supply is probably running low soon too.”

“Alright.” Xu Yanyan immediately called out: “Old Fu, go prepare some more medicine for Ran Ran and Sister Zhang Wu!”

Lin Ran was greatly amused hearing Xu Yanyan’s vigorous voice.

After chatting for a while, the car entered the parking garage.

Lin Ran told Xu Yanyan she was hanging up and ended the call.

After getting out of the car, she rubbed her belly: “I’m still a little full. Want to go for a walk?”

“Sure.”

Fu Linling rarely saw her wanting to go out for a stroll, so she naturally agreed.

There was a large park near the residential area with a pond full of lotus leaves, a popular spot for many people.

Lin Ran had been there as a child. It wasn’t as modernized then and was smaller. Now, there were specialized walking trails.

It hadn’t cooled down much, even at night. The two walked to the edge of the pond. They could only see the lotus pond directly in front of them by the light of the lamps; the distance was blurry.

“Shall we come back during the day tomorrow to see it?” Fu Linling suggested.

“It’ll be too hot during the day. I don’t really want to go out,” Lin Ran said, stopping her steps.

There were a few small stalls secretly set up by the side of the road. Lin Ran stopped exactly where a lemon tea stall was.

“Want one?” Lin Ran asked.

“No.”

“I want one.”

Fu Linling looked at the surrounding environment and wasn’t keen on her buying one: “There’s no food safety guarantee.”

The stall owner looked at her unhappily: “Buy it or don’t. Just move along if you’re not buying.”

Lin Ran had originally wanted one, but seeing the owner’s attitude toward Fu Linling, she changed her mind, turned, and took Fu Linling’s arm: “Let’s go. I’m not buying.”

“We’ll buy two lemons when we go back. I’ll make you one. It’ll be healthier,” Fu Linling said.

“Really?” Lin Ran looked at her expectantly: “Can you make it?”

“Mhm.”

“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go back now!” Lin Ran pulled her arm and walked forward.

Fu Linling looked down at Lin Ran’s hand.

Lin Ran followed her gaze and slightly loosened her grip.

Fu Linling’s expression tightened slightly, and her fingers moved. At that moment, Lin Ran’s hand slid toward Fu Linling’s.

Their two hands brushed against the back of each other.

The next second, their palms clasped together.

It was hard to say who initiated it, or perhaps their fingers hooked together simultaneously.

Summer had arrived. The night air was warm, and their palms were moist, but neither of them seemed to notice. They smiled silently, looking ahead, walking back under the glow of the streetlights.