Chapter 12
The day they went to register their marriage was sunny. Lu Xun spent extra time in his walk-in closet, trying on different outfits. He knew the marriage was fake, but he couldn’t help but feel the significance of the occasion. It was a first, a major life event.
He adjusted his collar, looking at himself in the mirror, and realized he was nervous. He attributed it to the importance of the event, assuming Liang Xusheng felt the same.
However, on the way to the Civil Affairs Bureau, he called Liang Xusheng. The first call went unanswered. On the second, he was greeted with a sleepy groan. “What is it?” Liang Xusheng mumbled. “What time is it? Why are you calling so early?”
Lu Xun: “…” Apparently, he was the only one nervous.
“Do you remember what we’re doing today?” he asked, slightly exasperated.
“Yeah, just…” Liang Xusheng paused, then a loud “Holy shit!” echoed through the phone. He was fully awake now, his voice panicked. “I’m coming! I’m coming! Where are you? Are you already there?”
“No, I’m on my way,” Lu Xun said, calming himself.
“Scared me to death,” Liang Xusheng said. “I’ll be there soon. I’m close. Won’t take long.”
“Or we could reschedule. You can go back to sleep,” Lu Xun offered.
“No way! We agreed on today. I haven’t forgotten. I’ll be quick. Bye!”
Liang Xusheng scrambled out of bed, rushed through his morning routine, grabbed his keys, and ran out the door, pausing only to fix his hair in the mirror. He arrived ten minutes after Lu Xun.
“Not bad,” Lu Xun commented, checking his watch.
Liang Xusheng, bent over and panting, explained, “Stayed up late watching anime.”
Lu Xun’s expressionless face made him look annoyed, but that was just his usual demeanor. He pulled a bag of steamed buns from his pocket. “Haven’t eaten yet?”
Liang Xusheng grinned, taking the buns. “Thanks.”
While waiting for their number to be called, Lu Xun held their ticket while Liang Xusheng devoured the buns. Lu Xun watched him, feeling a sense of ease. He handed Liang Xusheng a bottle of water when he nearly choked. “Slow down.”
“Can’t,” Liang Xusheng said, chewing furiously. “They’ll call our number soon.”
After finishing his breakfast, Liang Xusheng threw away the trash and went to the restroom. He returned, looking refreshed and presentable. Lu Xun, already impeccably dressed, knew he was ready. With his handsome features, he barely needed any preparation.
“Just so you know,” Liang Xusheng said as he sat down, “I do take this seriously. I just slept late. I’m not usually awake at this hour.”
“No need to explain,” Lu Xun said calmly. “This husband is fake anyway.”
Liang Xusheng punched him playfully. “Don’t say that. You sound jealous.” He then added sweetly, “It’s not fake. The certificate will be real, and so will the husband.”
Lu Xun couldn’t help but smile.
“You’re smiling! You’re smiling!” Liang Xusheng exclaimed, leaning closer.
“I’m not,” Lu Xun denied.
“You are!”
Lu Xun finally gave in, a smile playing on his lips. “Alright, alright.”
They continued waiting. Liang Xusheng played Rewind on his phone, and Lu Xun watched him.
“This level is hard,” Liang Xusheng commented, tapping furiously on the screen. “Even with my high-level cards, it took me several tries. Everyone’s asking for strategies online.”
“I’ll have someone look into it,” Lu Xun said.
Putting his phone away, Liang Xusheng noticed a couple waiting nearby. The girl was wearing a veil. He nudged Lu Xun and whispered, “See? That’s what a real wedding looks like.”
“Want a veil too?” Lu Xun asked.
Liang Xusheng playfully elbowed him. Then he walked over to the girl and whispered something. The girl nodded.
“Did you borrow her veil?” Lu Xun asked as Liang Xusheng returned.
“Wow, you guessed it!” Liang Xusheng said, feigning surprise.
Lu Xun chuckled, shaking his head.
Finally, their number was called. They were led to a small room for their photo. A red backdrop hung on the wall, with a long bench in front of it. The photographer instructed them to sit closer, then closer still.
“Should I just sit on his lap?” Liang Xusheng joked when they were practically touching.
“Regulations don’t allow it,” the photographer quipped.
“I’m not marrying the regulations,” Liang Xusheng retorted, making the photographer laugh. Lu Xun smiled too.
The relaxed atmosphere eased Lu Xun’s nerves. He saw Liang Xusheng smile at him, and he instinctively smiled back.
“That’s it! Hold that smile!” the photographer exclaimed, snapping several photos.
When the small, square photos were printed, Lu Xun saw their smiles – subtle, yet filled with genuine joy. He had never seen himself smile so brightly in a photo, especially not on an official document.
“Wow, they look great,” Liang Xusheng said, picking up the photos.
“Of course,” the photographer said, cutting the photos. “They’re for your marriage certificate.”
Liang Xusheng pulled out his phone. “Can I get a digital copy? I want to post it on my WeChat Moments.”
“No problem,” the photographer said.
Liang Xusheng winked at Lu Xun. “First time ever. Gotta commemorate the occasion.”
Lu Xun didn’t reply, but he agreed. It was a significant moment.
They went to the counter to complete the registration. As they filled out the forms, Liang Xusheng leaned over to peek at Lu Xun’s, just like he used to do with homework in school.
“You don’t need to look at his,” the staff member said. “Just fill out your own.”
“I’m making sure he’s not lying about his identity,” Liang Xusheng joked, making the staff member and Lu Xun laugh.
When the staff member brought out the blank marriage certificates, Liang Xusheng became a live commentator. “Here we go! Here comes the red book! Almost there! Almost there!”
“Calm down,” the staff member chuckled.
“First time, you know,” Liang Xusheng grinned.
As the certificates were printed, the photos affixed, and the official seals stamped, Liang Xusheng finally quieted down, watching intently with Lu Xun.
“Here you go,” the staff member said, handing them the certificates.
Lu Xun looked at his certificate in silence, and Liang Xusheng did the same. They looked at each other, and Liang Xusheng smiled. “We’re married.”
With that simple statement, a new chapter in their lives began.
As they walked out, Liang Xusheng was still staring at his certificate.
“Haven’t you seen enough?” Lu Xun asked.
Liang Xusheng turned to him, his face beaming. “So this is what getting married feels like. It’s so fast!”
Lu Xun chuckled, amused by his reaction. Who describes getting married as “fast”?
Then they saw their parents waiting outside with flowers. Lu Xun was surprised. He looked at Liang Xusheng, questioning him with his eyes.
Liang Xusheng, not surprised at all, smiled and slung his arm around Lu Xun’s shoulder. “Such a momentous occasion calls for witnesses. It might be fake, but the sentiment and the ceremony are real. Let’s take a picture.”
He had asked the couple from earlier to take their photo. Soon, Liang Xusheng and Lu Xun, holding their marriage certificates and flowers, were surrounded by their parents, posing for a photo in front of the Civil Affairs Bureau.
Lu Xun looked at Liang Xusheng, a feeling he couldn’t quite describe washing over him. He never cared much for ceremonies or sentimental gestures, but he was touched by Liang Xusheng’s thoughtful arrangement. He was grateful to have this special moment documented and witnessed by their parents. He finally understood why his parents adored Liang Xusheng and why Liang Xusheng was so good with people.
This person…, Lu Xun thought, I married him.
