Marriage at Thirty - Chapter 43

Fu Linling had not yet recovered from the previous tremor when she was suddenly engulfed in a new maelstrom.

This new whirlwind was deeper, more intoxicating.

Lin Ran’s hair was scattered around Fu Linling’s cheeks, carrying a faint fragrance. Fu Linling opened her eyes and gazed into Lin Ran’s, her heart suddenly filled with honey—soft, sweet, and mixed with an unspeakable surprise and relief.

Lin Ran liked her. Lin Ran was making that expression for her. Lin Ran was truly with her.

“Doctor Fu,” Lin Ran murmured her name, “Fu Linling, Linling…”

The names, spoken through Lin Ran’s voice, made Fu Linling’s heart beat faster.

Back in school, every time Lin Ran called her, it would make Fu Linling freeze for a moment to confirm it was Lin Ran’s voice, then her heart would fill with expectation, eager to hear what the other person would say to her.

After they reconnected, Lin Ran always called her Doctor Fu. Outsiders might find it too formal, but this very formality made Fu Linling feel a subtle, indescribable tenderness.

With an unprecedented sense of fulfillment, a blush rose on Fu Linling’s face. Her breathing grew more rapid, and she involuntarily made sounds she would never usually make.

Lin Ran gazed at Fu Linling’s hazy eyes, equally moved, and together they became immersed in the clamorous night.

The time had long passed Fu Linling’s usual bedtime, but Fu Linling felt no sleepiness whatsoever.

The two embraced silently, letting the afterglow subside.

Fu Linling turned over and finally saw the full picture of the tattoo on Lin Ran’s waist, her fingers tracing the creeping vines downward.

She had never known before that her desire for Lin Ran was hidden so deep.

Ever since they got married, she had restrained herself every day, afraid of hurting the other person and afraid of leaving herself no retreat.

She liked Lin Ran, but she was also unwilling to use the marriage to truly trap the other person. If Lin Ran never fell in love with her and wanted to leave in the end, she would let go.

Fortunately, she didn’t have to wait long. She finally received Lin Ran’s love, and it was so intense.

“Aren’t you going to sleep early?” Lin Ran noticed her stirring and smiled, touching her cheek. “But I’m a little tired. What should we do?”

“I’m not tired,” Fu Linling leaned down and captured Lin Ran’s lips.

Lin Ran: “??”

Lin Ran:

Lin Ran:

Lin Ran:

The next day, Lin Ran groggily turned over and continued sleeping. After a while, she suddenly woke up with a start.

Checking the time, it was indeed noon.

She had just resolved to go to bed and wake up early last night, and today she had failed.

Fu Linling had prepared breakfast on the table. Lin Ran washed her face and brushed her teeth, just about to eat, when a sound suddenly came from the front door.

Fu Linling had returned after going out.

“Why are you back today?” Lin Ran asked, holding an egg.

“I figured you wouldn’t be up yet.” Fu Linling walked over and took the egg from Lin Ran’s hand. “It’s cold now. Let’s eat.”

They were both quiet while eating, but the atmosphere was slightly different from usual.

An occasional look made both of them blush.

After the meal, Lin Ran drove Fu Linling to the hospital entrance. Seeing her about to get out of the car, Lin Ran suddenly cleared her throat loudly twice.

Fu Linling looked at her in confusion.

Lin Ran pointed to her own cheek, raised her head proudly, the hint being very obvious.

Fu Linling’s lips curled up slightly. She leaned in and kissed Lin Ran’s cheek. “See you tonight.”

“Mmm, I’ll pick you up tonight.”

Fu Linling got out of the car, and as she looked up, she ran straight into the approaching Feng Ming.

Feng Ming averted her gaze, seemingly having seen something. Her expression carried a hint of awkwardness, which made Fu Linling even more flustered.

The two walked inside. Fu Linling, trying to make conversation, said, “She’s going to see Qingzi and gave me a ride.”

“Mmm, I didn’t see anything.”

Feng Ming’s denial only made the truth more obvious.

They hurried their steps and entered the elevator. The narrow space only increased the awkwardness. Feng Ming casually asked, “What is she seeing Qingzi for?”

“She seems to be trying to set her up with a girlfriend.”

Feng Ming looked at her in surprise. “A girlfriend? I didn’t hear Liang Qingbo mention it.”

“It’s one of Lin Ran’s college classmates who wants to pursue Qingzi, and she asked Lin Ran to help scout things out.”

“Oh,” Feng Ming nodded thoughtfully. The awkward atmosphere quickly dissipated, and she asked curiously, “Will Liang Qingbo agree?”

“I don’t know.”

“Qingzi, want to meet her?” Lin Ran said, pointing to a photo on her phone. “This is my college classmate. She had a crush on you when you came to visit me at school. A few days ago, she saw a photo of the two of us and asked me to help set you up.”

Liang Qingbo glanced at the photo. “She’s quite good-looking.”

“She is. And she’s a good person, too. So, what’s your decision?”

“Let’s meet first.” Liang Qingbo slumped on the sofa, yawning idly because she had few customers that morning. She asked curiously, “Is she outgoing?”

“A little introverted.”

“How introverted?”

“You’ll know when you meet her.”

“Fine. She can’t be more introverted than…”

Lin Ran keenly looked at her. “Hmm? Than whom?”

“Feng Ming.”

Lin Ran was surprised. “You two went out alone?”

“For a meal, for a meal. Don’t make it sound ambiguous.” Liang Qingbo stretched. “She came for the grand opening last time, didn’t she? So I invited her out for a private meal. She could barely string a good sentence together. If I didn’t talk, she could go silent the whole time.”

Lin Ran laughed. “No way? She talks a lot when she’s with us.”

“Then she just doesn’t like me,” Liang Qingbo shrugged.

“How is that possible? You two get along quite well.”

Liang Qingbo gave a cryptic smile. “Just a facade. I hold her secret, so of course, she wouldn’t like me.”

“What secret?” Lin Ran gossiped. “Why is there so much history between you two all of a sudden?”

Liang Qingbo looked at her and laughed twice. “Let’s get tom yum goong for dinner tonight.”

“Deal.”

Lin Ran’s college classmate worked in another city. They agreed to meet Liang Qingbo during the National Day holiday. Liang Qingbo had no objection, only saying, “The National Day holiday might be busy. We can discuss the specific time later.”

As the National Day holiday approached, Lin Ran went to re-dye her hair pink in the afternoon, then went shopping for gifts. She bought Xu Yanyan a pearl necklace and a coat. For Father Fu, she chose a good bottle of wine and two cans of tea.

Hearing there was also a grandmother, who was advanced in years, Lin Ran didn’t dare to buy health products randomly, especially with Xu Yanyan, a Chinese medicine practitioner, around. Lin Ran figured she wouldn’t need to worry about that. After much thought, she decided to buy a set of clothes and give some cash so the elderly woman could buy whatever she wished.

On the first day of the National Day holiday, the couple took Zhang Wu and flew back to Wucheng.

Uncle Liu had taken Liu Cen to visit the Liu family relatives.

Fu Shanqing came to pick them up at the airport.

“In-Law, long time no see! Still so handsome!” Zhang Wu greeted him with a cheerful smile.

Fu Shanqing smiled reservedly. “In-Law, you still look just as graceful. It must have been hard traveling all this way.”

“Not hard at all. The air here is much better—so beautiful and refreshing,” Zhang Wu said.

The group walked toward the exit. When Zhang Wu finally took a break, Lin Ran found a moment to call out, “Dad.”

“Aye, good, good, good.” Fu Shanqing responded excitedly several times, which greatly amused Zhang Wu.

Fu Linling also smiled, put the luggage in the car, and pulled Lin Ran into the car.

Lin Ran and her mother kept staring out the window at the scenery. Zhang Wu sighed with emotion, “I’ve been here many times before. I haven’t come back since her Auntie passed away. The changes are huge.”

“Tell me about it. Even Yuan-Yuan comments on the changes every year when she comes back,” Fu Shanqing said.

Lin Ran had spent more time here than Zhang Wu, but she could barely recognize the city herself.

“Is this the old street from before?” Lin Ran asked, pointing outside. Shops were lined up everywhere, dazzling to the eye, with many brand stores, and people coming and going, making it very lively.

“Yes, the old street was re-expanded later, but you can still find some old shops in the alleys behind these businesses,” Fu Linling said.

“I used to love coming to the old street to wander around. There was so much good food and fun stuff.”

“Now, all the food is on another street.”

“Wow, there’s a shopping mall here!”

“It was built a few years ago.”

“Wow, wow, wow, is that Yubei No. 6 Middle School!” Lin Ran exclaimed excitedly, leaning against the window.

“Yes, it is.”

“Oh my goodness, I miss those old days so much!” The car had already driven far away, but she kept looking back until she couldn’t see it anymore. Then, she asked, “Can we go back to visit our alma mater?”

“You should be able to. Just register at the security office,” Fu Shanqing smiled.

“That’s great!”

The car soon stopped in front of an old house. Xu Yanyan stood on the steps, with an aged Chinese medicine shop behind her. Several people were standing next to her, talking to her.

An elderly woman sat by the doorstep, leisurely fanning herself with a cattail fan.

“They’re here, they’re here.” Seeing the car arrive, Xu Yanyan immediately came forward to greet them, pulling Zhang Wu into a warm hug. “Long time no see, dear sister.”

“It has been a while. You still look so energetic.”

Lin Ran stepped forward, interrupting their sisterly reunion, and called out with a smile, “Mom.”

“Oh, Ranran is such a good girl!” Xu Yanyan took her other hand. “Come on, let’s go inside to talk. It’s cooler there.”

Fu Linling and her father followed behind, carrying the luggage.

“Is this Yuan-Yuan’s wife?” The women at the door scrutinized Lin Ran.

“Yes, her name is Ranran. She’s a great painter,” Xu Yanyan introduced proudly.

“She’s so beautiful. Yuan-Yuan has good taste. You two are so lucky,” the neighbors praised.

Lin Ran smiled and thanked them, then Xu Yanyan led her to the door.

“Mom, this is Yuan-Yuan’s wife!” Xu Yanyan shouted into the elderly woman’s ear.

Lin Ran’s face flushed at the loudness of the shout. She looked back at Fu Linling, who was standing at the door, silhouetted against the sunlight, smiling brightly at her.

The grandmother looked up, pointed at Lin Ran, and asked, “Yuan-Yuan, is this your wife?”

“Yes, Grandma,” Fu Linling nodded with a smile.

“Good, good child.” The grandmother reached out her wrinkled hand, held Lin Ran’s fair, soft hand, and laughed continuously, patting her back. “You are both good children.”

Lin Ran felt the warmth in the grandmother’s palm.

The neighbors around heard the commotion and all came over to join in the fun, staring at Lin Ran. Fu Linling said, “Mom, let’s go inside. Dad is probably sweltering.”

Everyone looked and saw Fu Shanqing standing outside, laden with large bags and small packages, his face covered in sweat, unable to squeeze through. They all laughed.

Wucheng’s autumn wasn’t very hot, but the sun was quite strong at noon.

After setting their things down, Xu Yanyan began arranging for them to go out to eat.

The grandmother insisted that the two children sit next to her, constantly chatting with Lin Ran, asking about her age, work, and so on. Every time Lin Ran answered into her ear, the grandmother would nod for a while, only then processing the information she heard, before tremulously asking the next question.

The three people of similar age on the other side had their own topics, only occasionally glancing at them. Xu Yanyan turned to Zhang Wu and said, “Ranran is so patient. You taught her very well.”

“You taught well, too. Although Xiao Fu doesn’t talk much, she’s very attentive,” Zhang Wu said, smiling at Fu Linling. Fu Linling was busy either pouring soup for the grandmother or serving food to Lin Ran, constantly aware of everything and everyone around her.

After the meal, the group returned. The family lived on the second floor above the shop. The old house had a staircase.

The grandmother’s legs weren’t strong, so Fu Shanqing carried her up. Xu Yanyan and Fu Linling followed behind, supporting them both to prevent a fall.

Zhang Wu looked at the back of the family, deeply touched, and whispered to Lin Ran, “Just by seeing how this family interacts, I know you didn’t marry the wrong person. I’m truly relieved.”

“Yes,” Lin Ran nodded with a smile.

The old house was a four-bedroom, one-living-room with all wooden furniture. The home faintly carried a slight scent of Chinese medicine, which wasn’t strong and was quite pleasant to smell.

“Dear sister, you’ll stay in this room. It’s a bit small,” Xu Yanyan led Zhang Wu to the guest room.

Zhang Wu was very satisfied. “Oh, there are so many books in this cabinet.”

“Those are all Yuan-Yuan’s school books. We haven’t sold them yet. Yuan-Yuan, take Ranran to see your room.”

Fu Linling led Lin Ran to her bedroom. Lin Ran put down her bag and began looking around the room.

The bedroom was quite large, and the bed was big. A window was open on the side for ventilation, and the breeze felt very comfortable.

The closet held some old clothes, and she could smell mothballs.

There was a rattan chair next to it. She sat down, heard the subtle creaking of the rattan chair, and laughed. “Your house is so quaint and charming.”

“You’re being tactful. It’s just old, why say it’s quaint and charming?” Fu Linling laughed.

“I’m not lying. I really love this feeling of home,” Lin Ran said, looking up.

Fu Linling touched her hair. “Are you hot? Should I turn on the air conditioner?”

“No need. The breeze is lovely,” Lin Ran moved the rattan chair to the window, rested her arms on the windowsill, and contentedly enjoyed the moment.

Fu Linling leaned against the window, watching her hair flutter in the wind, and couldn’t help but gently stroke it. She said, “Once, you and a few classmates walked past my window downstairs. I was doing homework and could only see your back.”

“Really?” Lin Ran looked up curiously. “What were we doing then?”

“Probably shopping. You were all loud and noisy.”

Lin Ran laughed. “We were loud, indeed. Did we bother you? Were you annoyed?”

“No,” Fu Linling shook her head, her fingers tracing the ends of Lin Ran’s hair, moving to her cheek, and then she leaned down to kiss her.

“Here, have some plum juice.” Xu Yanyan entered with two glasses of water, unexpectedly walking in on the scene.

Lin Ran didn’t turn around, instead leaning back against the window, too shy to look up.

Fu Linling turned her head. Xu Yanyan feigned nonchalance and placed the plum juice on the nearby table. “Have some. I made it myself. It cools you down and quenches your thirst.”

With that, she exited the room, not forgetting to give Fu Linling a thumbs-up.

Fu Linling: “……”