Marriage at Thirty - Chapter 41

Fu Linling waited a little while. Seeing that there was no movement outside, she continued her shower. When she came out, she saw Lin Ran asleep, holding her mobile phone—it seemed she was tired after a full day of travel.

After a bit, Lin Ran suddenly woke up, rolled over, and was about to go back to sleep when she noticed Fu Linling sitting by the bed reading a book. She murmured, “What time is it? Why aren’t you asleep yet?”

“It’s not eleven yet.”

“So early.” Lin Ran yawned, then sat up, saw that Fu Linling’s hair was still a bit damp, and asked, “Why didn’t you blow your hair dry?”

“I was afraid of waking you. It’s rare for you to fall asleep so early.”

Lin Ran smiled, took the hairdryer from the bathroom, plugged it into the socket by the bed, and said excitedly, “I’ll dry it for you.”

“That would be nice.”

The warm air swirled around her head, and her hair was gently parted by Lin Ran. Fu Linling held the book in her hands, but her thoughts had long drifted elsewhere; she focused only on the warmth on her head.

“All done,” Lin Ran said, putting down the hairdryer and feeling her dry hair. Suddenly, she leaned her head over from behind, rested her chin on Fu Linling’s shoulder, and whispered, “Are you really not going to tell me what you wished for on that plaque?”

Fu Linling turned her head slightly, her gaze catching Lin Ran’s face in her periphery. She smiled sweetly and replied, “That wasn’t for asking for a marriage, but for protecting a marriage. I already have my marriage; I don’t need to ask for one anymore.”

Lin Ran curved her lips and kissed Fu Linling on the cheek.

Fu Linling put down her book, turned around, pressed the back of Lin Ran’s head, and captured her soft lips, slowly deepening the kiss.

This time, they broke their usual time limit. As they kissed, they eventually lay down, stroking each other’s backs, sometimes urgently intertwining their tongues, sometimes slowly licking each other’s lips. Their breaths mingled like a spring breeze brushing against their cheeks.

It wasn’t until they parted that Fu Linling realized Lin Ran’s hand had already found its way onto her chest, a realization that made her earlobes turn crimson.

Lin Ran propped up her chin, enjoying the change in Fu Linling’s expression with great interest. She asked with a playful grin, “Doctor Fu, are you scared?”

“Scared of what?” Fu Linling countered.

“What do you think?” Lin Ran moved her hand a bit.

Fu Linling raised her arm and shielded her eyes, but Lin Ran could clearly see her lips continuously curving upward, letting out a chuckle. “Ranran, you…”

“What is it?”

“Nothing,” Fu Linling said, putting her arm down and turning to look at her, smiling gently. “Let’s sleep. You must be tired today, and we’re going out tomorrow, so you need to recharge your energy.”

Lin Ran licked her lips and quietly asked, “Did you take your vows at the temple today?”

Fu Linling burst into laughter. After a moment, she said, “This is a hotel.”

“What, are you afraid?”

“Mmm, I am afraid.”

Only then did Lin Ran obediently withdraw her hand. In any case, she had given both direct and indirect hints; giving the other person some time to mentally prepare was acceptable. No need to rush.

However, what Fu Linling actually said was, “I’m afraid this place isn’t clean. The hygiene might not be great. Hotels arranged for business trips are definitely not top-tier.”

Lin Ran replied, “… Fine.”

The next day at noon, the two went out for a stroll. While eating hot pot, Lin Ran video-called Liang Qingbo.

Liang Qingbo saw Fu Linling going to prepare the dipping sauces in the background on the screen and laughed, “No wonder you didn’t come to the opening today. Turns out you were chasing your wife. Lin Ran, you look like a stranger when you’re in a relationship.”

Lin Ran laughed and whispered, “Sorry about that. She’s on a business trip for half a month, so I just came over to visit for two days. How’s the shop? Is everything going smoothly?”

“Smoothly. Thanks to you, quite a few people showed up,” Liang Qingbo turned the camera to show the shop and some friends.

Lin Ran greeted the friends she knew through the video call, chatted for a while, and then hung up.

Fu Linling placed the dipping sauce in front of her. Lin Ran mentioned the recent video call: “Qin Shanshan was there too. She was dressed beautifully today.”

“I’m sorry, you really should have been at the shop for the opening today,” Fu Linling lamented.

“It’s the same if I go tonight. Lots of people went to show their support today; they don’t need just me. Oh, and Feng Ming is going over this afternoon, too,” Lin Ran said.

Fu Linling nodded, transferred money to Feng Ming, and asked her to take an extra floral basket along.

Feng Ming set off from home after lunch, carrying two floral baskets to Liang Qingbo’s studio.

From a distance, she saw a crowd gathered on the street. Curiously, she walked over and was immediately drawn to the painting on the wall, where many people were taking photos.

After admiring the artwork for a while, she noticed the shop sign next door: Qingtian Tattoo Studio. There were several floral baskets placed outside the door—this must be the place.

She stepped into the entrance and saw two or three people chatting in the small courtyard, one of whom was Qin Shanshan.

“Doctor Feng, why are you here too?!” Qin Shanshan walked over happily, all smiles. “You came at the perfect time. I finally know someone here.”

“Did Lin Ran ask you to come?” Feng Ming asked.

“Yes, but unfortunately Wang Ke had to work, and besides the owner, I don’t know anyone else here.” Qin Shanshan led her inside to find Liang Qingbo. “You know the owner, right?”

“I’ve met her once.”

Entering the main hall, there were about a dozen people seated around the sofa. Each of them had some tattoos; some were smoking, some were looking at their phones, chatting and laughing.

Liang Qingbo came out of a room, looked surprised to see Feng Ming, and took her floral baskets. “Welcome, Doctor Feng. Where would you like to get a tattoo?”

Feng Ming backed up awkwardly. “I’m here to celebrate the opening, not to get a tattoo.”

“That won’t do. I’m giving a free tattoo to every guest who comes today. If you don’t believe me, ask everyone,” Liang Qingbo looked toward the group on the sofa.

“That’s right! Thanks, Boss Liang!” they all echoed.

“Have you decided where to get it?” Liang Qingbo asked.

“… I’ve decided.”

“Where?”

“Here,” Feng Ming poked her lower arm with her index finger.

Liang Qingbo was stunned for a moment.

Qin Shanshan laughed beside them. “Doctor Feng is too smart; you can’t trick her at all.”

Liang Qingbo also laughed. “My mistake, my mistake. Have you seen the inside yet?”

“Not yet.”

“Come on, let me show you?”

“Sure.”

The studio was brightly lit and elegantly decorated. If it weren’t for the tattoo art hanging on the walls, it would be hard to guess it was a tattoo parlor. However, this may just be because, subconsciously, one expects tattoo shops to still be those old, dark-themed street shops.

There were three workrooms, each with a machine and a bed; two were currently occupied. Feng Ming, not being familiar with this field, felt awkward staring and only glanced briefly through the doorways before moving on. She casually asked about something else: “How many artists are there?”

“Including me, three,” Liang Qingbo said.

“Who are those people outside?”

“Some friends and long-time clients.”

After the tour, Feng Ming returned to the main hall and sat with Qin Shanshan on the other side, idly observing the environment.

“This street is great for walking around. If you’re bored sitting here, you can go for a walk. If you have other things to do, you can also head home now,” Liang Qingbo knew they weren’t used to this kind of place, especially with the other guests making them feel a little constrained.

“I really do have to go; I have something to do at home,” Qin Shanshan had been there since the morning and had stayed long enough.

Feng Ming had only just arrived and felt it would be impolite to leave right away, so she decided to wander outside. There happened to be a coffee shop diagonally across the street. She ordered an Americano, took out a medical document from her bag, and began to read.

Whenever Liang Qingbo went in or out, she could see Feng Ming’s figure sitting by the window. She couldn’t help but secretly take a photo and send it to Lin Ran: [Are all you brainy people like this?]

Lin Ran replied with several photos of Fu Linling reading—at home, at the airport, and at the hotel.

Ran: [Yes, they are!]

Qingzi: [I’m done for.]

As evening approached, the sun was no longer scorching, gradually losing its brilliance as it descended toward the horizon.

Feng Ming picked up her cup, realized the coffee was finished, and set it down. She looked into the distance; the number of people strolling on the street was increasing, as were those gathered around the mural.

After watching for a while, she noticed a cat perched on the wall of the small courtyard next door. It was scrawny and had a patch of missing fur, calling out pitifully.

Just then, Liang Qingbo’s head appeared over the wall. She was holding a bowl, which seemed to contain water, and the small cat eagerly lapped at it.

Then, Liang Qingbo picked up the cat, instructed someone inside, and left the studio.

When it was completely dark, Liang Qingbo returned, ready to take her friends out for dinner. She first came to the coffee shop to invite the isolated Feng Ming, but Feng Ming declined. “You all go ahead; I’m going straight home.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to come?”

“No, I won’t. I don’t know those people, and dinner would likely be quite awkward.”

“Alright then. I’ll treat you another time, where it won’t be awkward.”

“What about that cat?”

“It’s still at the pet hospital.”

Feng Ming nodded, packed her things, and went home. The next day, on her way home from work, she reached the hospital entrance and suddenly heard a car horn. She turned back in confusion and saw Liang Qingbo with half her head out the window, waving to her.

She walked over, surprised. “Why are you here?”

“To take you out to dinner. No other friends this time. Let’s go.”

Feng Ming got into the car, realizing that this dinner would be without the tattooed friends—just the two of them.

… Isn’t that more awkward?!

Lin Ran arrived back in Jincheng at around nine o’clock. Fu Linling had to go to work that day, so Lin Ran had slept in until noon at the hotel and then slowly made her way to catch the flight.

The airport was closer to Uncle Liu’s house, so she simply went there for dinner.

Zhang Wu was delighted to hear that Lin Ran had gone to visit Fu Linling two days earlier and immediately asked how their progress was going.

“What about you? How are things progressing with Uncle Liu? Are you still going to get me a little brother or sister?” Lin Ran countered.

“Get lost! Don’t tease me. Your mother here is over fifty; what nonsense about having a baby!” Zhang Wu laughed.

Lin Ran seized the opportunity to change the subject: “Mom, I want to discuss something with you. During the National Day holiday, Doctor Fu is going back to her hometown to see her parents, so I won’t be able to stay here with you.”

“That’s proper. You two haven’t officially visited her family since getting married. Why don’t I go too? I can meet the in-laws and visit your Great-Aunt’s husband at the same time.”

“Okay, I’ll ask if that’s convenient.”

She called Xu Yanyan and told her that she and Doctor Fu would be coming back for the holiday. Xu Yanyan was overjoyed.

Before Lin Ran could even mention Zhang Wu’s suggestion, Xu Yanyan enthusiastically invited them: “Have Sister Zhang Wu and her husband come along too! We’ll make it a lively time.”

Two days later, Lian Fang called her and invited her over to eat crab.

While shelling the crab, Lin Ran mentioned going back to Wucheng, and Lian Fang said, “We’re going back too. Want to go together?”

“How are you traveling?”

“Driving. It’s too much trouble with the kids.”

“Driving is too far. We’ve already bought plane tickets. Let’s just meet in Wucheng when we get there.”

“Sure. If you have time, come over to my house. My mother still remembers you.” As Lian Fang finished speaking, she suddenly frowned, covering her cheek and constantly rubbing the area.

Lin Ran recognized the motion immediately. “Toothache?”

“Mmm, it’s been hurting on and off recently, but it never gets so bad that I can’t stand it. Every time I decide to go to the hospital, it stops hurting,” Lian Fang said.

“Go see about it when you have a chance. You can’t put off a toothache; the longer you wait, the worse it gets. Don’t you remember when I was like that?” Lin Ran reminded her.

Lian Fang laughed. “Of course, I remember! It was hard to get a leave of absence in high school, and you were too embarrassed to ask your Great-Aunt to take you to the hospital. You just had to tough it out every time, tossing and turning in your seat from the pain.”

Lin Ran chuckled. “I was originally planning to wait until after graduation to go to the hospital. But during the class meeting, the teacher was criticizing our class discipline, and everyone was absolutely silent—except for me, gasping for breath and making weird noises. The head teacher found out and approved my leave so I could go to the hospital.”

Lian Fang roared with laughter. “Then you came back from the hospital and cried, saying the hospital was scary and the doctor was mean. It’s so funny to think about that!”

“It’s scary the first time you go to the dentist! If you have a problem, get treatment early. The longer you wait, the more terrifying it gets,” Lin Ran warned.

“Alright, alright, I’ll register for an appointment right away. What do you think about registering with Fu Linling?”

“You can, but her appointments are hard to get. The numbers are released at eight in the evening. Set an alarm and try to book one tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

On her way back, Lin Ran passed a dental clinic. Thinking she was due for a cleaning, she stopped the car and went in for a procedure.

On the day Fu Linling returned from her business trip, Lin Ran drove to pick her up. As soon as they met, Lin Ran chatted about the interesting things that had happened that week and discussed what gifts they should take back for the National Day holiday and what their plans would be.

After they arrived home, Fu Linling put away her luggage and sat down on the sofa. She saw a business card on the coffee table, picked it up, and saw that it was a promotional card for a private dental clinic.

Lin Ran noticed and said, “Lian Fang had a toothache recently and booked an appointment with your clinic.”

“Then what is this?”

“I got my teeth cleaned a couple of days ago, and the staff gave it to me. I brought it back without thinking.”

“… Mm,” Fu Linling put it back down.

Lin Ran bustled around for a while, seeing that Fu Linling seemed a bit downcast, sitting on the sofa like a mushroom, motionless, staring intently at the business card.

“What’s wrong?” Lin Ran sat down beside her, tilting her head to ask.

“Why do you always refuse to let me look at your teeth?” Fu Linling mumbled.

Lin Ran scratched her head, realizing belatedly that Fu Linling seemed very concerned about her teeth. It made sense; she was a dentist herself, yet Lin Ran kept going elsewhere to get her teeth treated. No wonder she was upset.

“I…”

Before Lin Ran could finish her sentence, Fu Linling abruptly stood up, went to the study, and brought out a stack of certificates, placing them in front of Lin Ran. “These are the awards I’ve won from university until now, and a few commendation banners are hanging in the hospital. I also have published academic papers. Can these make you trust me? Ranran, can I be your dentist?”