Since both sets of parents were present and the groom's parents had shown such clear sincerity, marriage was inevitable. The exact timing of registering their marriage was no longer a pressing matter.
Mother Tong genuinely approved of the match, so she offered no objections when Tong An'an finished speaking.
She shot Tong An'an a look and said, "Why are you shouting? I didn't say I disagreed. It's just that our household registration book is ready, and your family..."
"We brought ours too."
Jiang Jingyu was incredibly thoughtful and had everything prepared, immediately producing their book.
"Then go get it done. I'll be cooking at home. Come back for lunch when you're finished."
Jiang Jingyu and Tong An'an took their books and hurried out the door.
On the way, Jiang Jingyu held her hand, his heart filled with emotion.
"Finally, I'm going to marry you. I'm so happy, it was so difficult."
Tong An'an felt a pang of guilt. "I'm sorry, my mom is just like that."
"Don't say that. Your mom is absolutely right; a girl should be reserved. We have three other girls in our family, and their marriages will be the real challenge."
Tong An'an asked why, confused. Jiang Jingyu explained.
"Each one of them has a more difficult and eccentric temper than the last. They've never found anyone good enough since childhood. They even proclaim they'll never marry and want to be single their whole lives. Even I can't stand them, I don't know who in this world could put up with them."
Tong An'an asked, "If your sisters were to find a poor boy..."
"My parents would certainly have no objections, as long as they themselves are willing. "
"I mean someone who can't even afford the betrothal gifts."
"It doesn't matter. If she's willing to marry someone who can't afford the betrothal gifts, it means he must have some extraordinary shining qualities. I, for one, have no objections."
It wasn't a special day, so there weren't many people registering their marriages. The couple didn't even have to queue before it was their turn.
The staff handed them each a form, asking them to read it carefully and sign.
It was their first time getting married, so Tong An'an read it with great seriousness.
Jiang Jingyu, however, didn't even glance at it and signed directly.
Tong An'an noticed there were regulations regarding pre-marital property.
"Don't you want to take a look?"
"What's there to see? As long as you have no objections."
"Look at this clause, pre-marital property..."
"If you don't trust me, we can go and get a property notarization, and I'll willingly transfer all of it to your name."
"That's not what I meant." Tong An'an felt as if she were coveting his money, so she quickly signed her name as well.
The two recited their wedding vows and smoothly obtained their marriage certificates.
Back in the car, the first thing Jiang Jingyu did was post on his social media.
Tong An'an advised him, "Do you really need to be so high-profile?"
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime event. If not now, then when? If you don't want to post, you don't have to. I definitely will."
Since he was posting, why should she hide anything?
They would post together.
The Zhan Group was soon abuzz again.
President Jiang got married, and it was to Tong An'an!
My goodness, had this woman really become the boss's wife?!
When the couple returned, the two mothers had already become good friends. They were chatting and cooking in the kitchen, bustling around in their aprons.
Zhan Bei Jue and Father Tong were sitting by the door playing chess.
The two taciturn men, forced into social interaction, looked incredibly comical.
Jiang Jingyu joined them, and Tong An'an went into the kitchen.
She wanted to help, but both mothers wouldn't let her interfere.
"Go play with Jingyu. You just got your marriage certificate; it's a time for sweet affection. You're not needed here."
Tong An'an felt a bit embarrassed. "It's alright. He and I aren't in a rush for this."
Her mother educated her, "Why aren't you in a rush? The first day you get your certificate is the most memorable. It's a once-in-a-lifetime event; won't you have good memories of it later? Take him to your room to sit, or if not, go for a walk outside."
Tong An'an had no choice but to go find Jiang Jingyu and quietly ask him if he wanted to go out for a walk.
They held hands and walked forward from the house.
Tong An'an told him about the road she took to school as a child, amusing anecdotes from her childhood, and her childhood friends.
As they were chatting, an uncle on an electric scooter with an aunt passed by them. The uncle greeted Tong An'an.
"Uncle Zhang, Aunt Zhang, are you going out shopping?"
"Yes, we're going to buy a few things. Why aren't you at work? Who is this?"
She hadn't quite gotten used to the identity of "boyfriend" before it suddenly became "husband," and Tong An'an felt a bit shy to say.
But seeing their hands clasped, Uncle and Aunt Zhang instantly understood.
"You have a boyfriend? He's so handsome, oh my, he's so well-presented, a perfect match for our An'an."
"We always said An'an was blessed since she was little, pretty and good at her studies, she'll surely achieve great things in the future. Where is your boyfriend from? What does his family do?"
Jiang Jingyu offered Uncle Zhang a cigarette and took over the conversation.
"From Nancheng. My family runs a small business. Thank you, Uncle and Aunt, for your compliments."
"You're welcome, you're welcome. Are you back to see your parents? Getting married soon? Let us know when the wedding is, Uncle and Aunt will definitely come to drink your wedding wine."
As the two walked forward, they encountered many of Tong An'an's neighbors. Everyone said pretty much the same thing.
They praised how well-matched the couple was and said they would attend their wedding.
By the end, Tong An'an started to worry.
"How many relatives do you have on your side? My parents own a restaurant, they know a lot of people and interact with them frequently. If everyone comes..."
"Let them come. Can we not afford a wedding or host guests? We can handle as many as come."
"That's not what I mean. You saw it yourself, the people on our side are all... it will be neither fully Western nor fully traditional, will it make you a laughingstock?"
Jiang Jingyu stated righteously, "Who would dare laugh? We are in a proper relationship, married with proper ceremony, not stealing or robbing, so why should we be laughed at? I think you have a flawed perspective."
They ambled to the end of the road and stood there for a while. Estimating that the meal was almost ready, Tong An'an pulled him back.
Jiang Jingyu clung to her, refusing to leave. "Are you not satisfied with me?"
That statement was so out of the blue.
"When have I ever been unsatisfied with you?"
"Then why were you silent whenever others asked what I was to you on our walk just now?"
"There's no need to say it. With us like this, people can tell our relationship at a glance."
"Everyone said I was your boyfriend, but am I your boyfriend?"
His words made Tong An'an blush.
"We just got our certificate, people aren't used to it yet."
"Sooner or later, we have to take the first step and get used to it. Get used to it now, show me."
"How do I get used to it?"
"Call me."
"Call you what?"
"Tong An'an, are you playing dumb with me?"
Tong An'an turned to run, but Jiang Jingyu pulled her back. "Can you outrun me?"
"But I can't bring myself to say it~ Can we do it in a couple of days?"
"No. If you don't say it, I won't let you go."
Tong An'an had no choice. Seeing that no one was around, she blushed and changed her address, "Husband~"