Marriage at Thirty - Chapter 53

“It’s thirty-seven point eight degrees now. It’s coming down quickly,” Lin Ran said happily, climbing out of bed and going downstairs to buy breakfast.

When she returned, she saw Fu Linling already washed up.

“Why are you up? Why don’t you sleep a bit more?”

“I can’t fall back asleep.”

“Then let’s eat.” Lin Ran set down the breakfast. “I bought it from your favorite steamed bun shop.”

After Fu Linling ate and took her medicine, she sat on the sofa to rest. Having slept for so long, she wasn’t sleepy anymore, but she also lacked the energy to do anything.

Lin Ran felt her forehead, unable to gauge the temperature difference clearly, so she bent down and pressed her own forehead against Fu Linling’s for comparison.

Fu Linling looked up at her concerned expression and couldn’t help but tilt her head to kiss her.

Lin Ran’s throat bobbed. She looked down at Fu Linling’s face, which was usually calm but now flushed slightly, completely soft and hazy-eyed, which was quite alluring.

“I heard that sweating after a cold makes you recover faster?” Lin Ran asked in a low voice.

Fu Linling slowly smiled, her eyes showing indulgence.

Half an hour later, Lin Ran used a towel to wipe the sweat from Fu Linling’s face and said with a grin, “You’ll definitely be better today!”

Fu Linling was about to speak but was interrupted by her phone ringing. It was a call from her supervisor, and she answered it.

Lin Ran slipped off her shoes, burrowed into the sofa, and snuggled up with her. Listening to Fu Linling discuss work matters, Lin Ran hugged her a little tighter to keep from falling off.

After a while, Fu Linling hung up the phone.

“What did he want? He’s not making you work overtime, is he?” Lin Ran asked.

“No, just asking about some work-related matters,” Fu Linling said.

“That’s good. Go back to work after you’ve recovered fully.”

“Mmm.” Fu Linling held her and fell asleep again.

They were both woken up by the sound of the doorbell.

“Who is it?” Lin Ran slowly walked over to open the door. Zhang Wu entered, carrying several shopping bags.

“How is Little Fu doing? Feeling better?” Zhang Wu briskly walked towards the kitchen.

Fu Linling sat up on the sofa. “Much better.”

“Why are you resting here? Hurry back to bed and rest. I’ll call you when the food is ready.” Zhang Wu shooed her back into the bedroom.

Fu Linling looked back at Lin Ran. Lin Ran asked, “Do you need my services?”

“No need,” Fu Linling smiled. After returning to the room and closing the door, she took a shower.

Outside, the sound of Zhang Wu instructing Lin Ran could be heard. After teaching her how to care for the sick, she coached Lin Ran in the kitchen on how to cook.

It was rare for Lin Ran not to resist; she obediently stood by, learning and helping out.

“The New Year is coming soon. What are your plans?” Zhang Wu asked while stir-frying vegetables.

“We haven’t discussed it yet. We’ll see when Doctor Fu gets her holiday,” Lin Ran said.

“This is your first year of marriage. Go back to her parents’ house for the New Year.”

“What about you?”

“Lao Liu, Liu Cen, and I will celebrate the New Year here in Jincheng. It’s easy for me to see you all whenever I want anyway.”

“Okay.”

Zhang Wu prepared a large table of dishes. During dinner, she brought up the New Year plans with Fu Linling.

Fu Linling was momentarily stunned. “Thank you, Mom.”

“Don’t mention it. I see you much more often than Sister Xu does. You only have a few days off for the New Year, so you should naturally go back and spend time with your parents,” Zhang Wu laughed. “Oh, right, I’ll take a picture and send it to your mother, so she knows your condition.”

Fu Linling froze. “You told my mother?”

“Yes. You’re sick. How could I not tell your mother about such an important thing?”

Lin Ran added, “She didn’t want to tell her parents, saying it was just a small issue and would only make them worry unnecessarily.”

Zhang Wu smiled. “It’s very normal for children away from home to share good news and hide bad news. But Little Fu, you don’t just have your parents now; you also have me, your mother. When you’re sick, we’ll take good care of you, so you can let your mother know your situation. That way, they’ll also feel reassured.”

Fu Linling looked touched. “…Mmm.”

Ever since going to university, she had been studying and working alone in another city. She had never reported being sick to her family. It was also convenient for her to see a doctor at the hospital, so she didn’t worry about it much.

She was used to living alone.

But now, she also had a home in Jincheng.

She had not only a lover but also family who cared about her. She could eat a hot, hearty meal when she was sick and rest assured at home without having to do anything.

After eating, Zhang Wu rushed back to work, saying she would come back in the evening.

Fu Linling returned to the room and called Xu Yanyan.

“Has the fever broken?” Xu Yanyan asked.

“Mmm.”

“That’s good. Get plenty of rest. It’s cold, so wear more clothes. You’re not young anymore.”

“…Oh.”

“Are you coming back for the New Year?”

“Yes, I am.”

“What about Ran-Ran?”

“I’m coming back too!” Lin Ran chimed in.

Xu Yanyan laughed. “Great, great. Bring your mother back too. We’ll have a whole roast lamb!”

Lin Ran told her that Zhang Wu couldn’t make it, as she was celebrating the New Year with Lao Liu, and the conversation shifted to New Year’s shopping.

Fu Linling listened to their detailed discussion, simply handed the phone to Lin Ran, and sat on the side listening.

Lin Ran glanced at her, climbed into bed, and used Fu Linling’s leg as a pillow while continuing the phone call.

“Did you enjoy that medicinal meal last time?” Xu Yanyan asked over the phone.

Fu Linling lowered her head, stroked Lin Ran’s hair, and leaned down to kiss her on the forehead.

Lin Ran laughed. “I loved it! Mom, your cooking is really delicious, and your daughter is delicious too.”

Xu Yanyan: “Huh?”

“Oh, I mean the daughter you raised is really beautiful!”

Xu Yanyan burst into loud laughter on the other end of the phone, and Fu Linling smiled.

The next day, Fu Linling had to go to work. Lin Ran was worried, so she took Fu Linling’s temperature and, after confirming she was fine, drove her to work. “We’re having dinner at my mom’s tonight. Liu Cen is on winter break, and she invited us over to hang out. I’m not going to the cafeteria for lunch. An old client is taking me out. I’ll come pick you up tonight.”

“Okay.”

“Remember to take your medicine after you eat,” Lin Ran reminded her.

“I’m a doctor; I’m more obedient than you are,” Fu Linling laughed.

Lin Ran hummed, pulled the car over, and leaned in to kiss her cheek. “Go on to work.”

“Mmm.” Fu Linling turned her head and pointed to her mouth.

“Oh, I think I see your supervisor.”

“Ignore him. It’s not working hours yet.”

Lin Ran laughed and kissed her again. Only then did Fu Linling get out of the car, looking refreshed, and bumped right into her supervisor.

The supervisor: “…”

The supervisor pretended to be casual and greeted her. “Little Fu, is your cold better?”

“Yes, it is.” Fu Linling smiled, suddenly feeling her own shamelessness had grown significantly.

Close to the New Year, the hospital was busy with make-up shifts. Fu Linling covered two shifts for her local colleagues, and they would cover her shifts during the Spring Festival. This way, with her Spring Festival holiday and annual leave combined, she would have twelve days to spend a good New Year at home.

After her last day of work, she had dinner with Lin Ran at Zhang Wu’s place, and they flew back the day before New Year’s Eve.

“Yanyan, Mom, they’re home!” Fu Shanqing parked the car at the front door and got out to carry luggage.

“You’re finally here! The food is going to get cold!” Xu Yanyan ran out excitedly, pulling Lin Ran into an embrace with warm inquiries, and led her inside.

Grandma also walked out shakily with her cane. Fu Shanqing quickly helped her back inside.

“…” Fu Linling was left behind, completely ignored. She smiled helplessly and carried her luggage inside.

The dinner table was filled with all the dishes Lin Ran had mentioned loving during their phone call. The massive spread made Lin Ran feel a little embarrassed. “Next time, please make some dishes you all love, too.”

“We all love these! Our family isn’t picky,” Xu Yanyan said.

“Hmm?” Lin Ran was puzzled and turned to Fu Linling. “You’re not picky? I thought you didn’t eat onions?”

“Well, if she doesn’t cook them, I have nothing to be picky about,” Fu Linling said.

“…” So that’s how she wasn’t picky.

Lin Ran laughed uncontrollably, relying entirely on Fu Linling to serve her food.

The New Year atmosphere was stronger in this small city. Walking through the streets and alleys, whether people knew each other or not, they would exchange greetings and well wishes.

There were fireworks to watch in the evening, with one family setting them off after another.

Fu Shanqing bought a lot of fireworks too. Lin Ran looked up, oohing and aahing, and even tried lighting one herself.

The fuse was lit, and after a few seconds of hesitation, she screamed and ran back, the fireworks exploding behind her, making everyone laugh.

She jumped into Fu Linling’s arms and looked up. “You’re laughing at me too!”

“I’m laughing at how cute you are.”

“Where am I cute?”

“Here, and here, and here…” Fu Linling poked her on the cheek, nose, eyes, ear, and mouth.

Lin Ran threw her head back and laughed.

Xu Yanyan and Fu Shanqing pretended not to notice, whispering to each other, “I was worried Yuan-Yuan couldn’t say sweet things, but she’s better than anyone. You old man, you should take notes.”

Fu Shanqing: “Hey, why should I take notes? It’s all genetic. She’s simply excelled beyond her teacher.”

“Get out of here!”

The morning of the first day of the New Year was also marked by the sound of firecrackers.

After breakfast, Lin Ran followed Fu Linling to visit relatives.

Many relatives had already met her during the National Day holiday, so she wasn’t a stranger. Everyone liked Lin Ran, offered her delicious food and drinks, and even gave her red envelopes.

Lin Ran stayed for three or four days and felt like she had gained five or six pounds. She pinched the flesh around her waist. “I’m done for. I’m fat.”

“Where?” Fu Linling asked.

“Here! Can’t you see?”

Fu Linling reached out and touched her. “You haven’t gained weight. The texture is still the same.”

With most of the immediate relatives visited, Fu Linling and Lin Ran spent their days at home eating, drinking, and sleeping.

On the fifth day of the New Year, Lin Ran received a call from Lian Fang, asking if they wanted to attend a class reunion.

“A reunion? Why haven’t I heard you mention it before?” Lin Ran asked.

“We haven’t had one before. Everyone was always busy. I don’t know who organized it this year. What do you say? Are you two going?”

“I want to go.”

Lin Ran had gotten along well with her classmates in the past and naturally wanted to join the fun of a reunion, but she wasn’t sure if Fu Linling wanted to go.

After finding out the time and place, she asked Fu Linling.

“I won’t go. I’ll stay home and keep Grandma company. You go,” Fu Linling said.

“Okay, I’ll be back soon. I haven’t seen them in years.”

The next day, Lian Fang drove over to pick her up and chatted with Fu Linling downstairs.

“Aren’t you bringing your husband and kids?” Fu Linling asked, seeing her alone.

“No, they’re too much trouble, and the classmates don’t know my husband or kids anyway,” Lian Fang laughed. “Are you really not going?”

Fu Linling shook her head and smiled. “I’m not interested. I’m not close with the classmates.”

“Aren’t you afraid someone will covet Lin Ran? A lot of people had a crush on her back then,” Lian Fang teased.

“Who would still covet me at my age?” Lin Ran walked out with her bag.

Fu Linling thought: I would.

“Oh, you look so pretty all dressed up. It makes me look dull,” Lian Fang said.

“You’re already dull, trying to sow discord between wives here.” Lin Ran gave her a series of light pummels on the shoulder.

“I’ve been wronged, Your Honor!” Lian Fang laughed and dodged, shouting at Fu Linling, “I’m just joking! Hurry up and control her before she kills me!”

Fu Linling chuckled softly and opened the car door. “Hurry up and go. Come back early.”

“Okay.” Lin Ran got into the car.

Fu Linling looked down at her hand. “Where’s your ring?”

“It’s right here.” Lin Ran held out her left hand, showing her wedding ring.

Fu Linling smiled warmly. “Go and return quickly. Call me when it’s over.”

“No problem.” Lin Ran waved at her.

Fu Linling leaned over.

Lin Ran grabbed her head and planted several big, smacking kisses on her face before closing the car door.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk,” Lian Fang quickly drove away. “I can’t look at this anymore.”

Lin Ran looked back, imagining Fu Linling going back inside to face Xu Yanyan and Fu Shanqing with a face full of lipstick prints, and she laughed wildly in the car.