Part 3
The biggest issue during the photo shoot was that the two needed to be very close.
Xie Shibai controlled the distance, leaving a gap between them, barely managing to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety in his heart. He thought it would be over in a few seconds, but the photographer uncle pursued perfection excessively.
“You two sit closer,” the photographer commanded. “You’re a couple about to get married; why leave a Yellow River between you? Don’t be so shy. Uncle has been in this business for over ten years; I’m used to seeing it all.”
Xie Shibai immediately spoke up. “No need. This is fine.”
Lu Ciheng acted as if he hadn’t heard Xie Shibai. Obediently following the photographer’s command, he leaned toward Xie Shibai. His long legs bent, naturally pressing against Xie Shibai’s leg through the fabric. Shoulders touching shoulders, they were packed as tightly as if the bench had very little space.
Xie Shibai’s body instantly tensed. He curled his fingers and said coldly, “That’s enough. Do you not have a stool over there?”
Lu Ciheng whispered, “Teacher Xie, we have to listen to instructions. Uncle said we need to be closer for the photo to look good. We’re both entertainers, after all; we need to have some image burden regarding photos, don’t you think?”
Xie Shibai: “…”
He thought Lu Ciheng was sick in the head. They were in a contract marriage; it didn’t matter what the photo on the marriage certificate looked like. This red booklet would never be opened a second time. Why have an “image burden” for a photo that would never be seen by anyone?
“Who is going to look at the photo on the marriage certificate?”
Lu Ciheng smiled brilliantly. “I will. It’s my first time getting married, after all. Such a novel thing as a marriage certificate must be looked at a few times. I’ll even have to frame it when we get home to show the family.”
Xie Shibai: “…”
The photographer shouted, “Starting to shoot! Look at the camera and smile. Save the whisperings for later.”
Xie Shibai swallowed the words he wanted to say and looked straight at the camera, not adding unnecessary delay to the shooting time.
The flash went off a few times. After the shooting was complete, Xie Shibai immediately stood up from the chair and moved far away from Lu Ciheng, as if afraid of catching something from someone with a brain problem.
Lu Ciheng, in a great mood after the shoot, stood next to the photographer’s computer, selecting photos one by one.
Both men were very good-looking. The rows of similar photos with red backgrounds were pleasing to the eye; any choice would be perfect.
After getting the photos, the process was simple. They went to the window on the first floor to go through the procedures and get the stamps.
The Civil Affairs Bureau staff repeated the process and dialogue as usual. Holding the IDs and documents, she carried the weariness of a work shift. Without lifting her head while flipping through the documents, she asked, “Are you two sure you want to register for marriage? The precautions for marriage are on the sign in front of you; please carefully—”
She stopped halfway through her sentence. The staff member stared at the ID cards for a few seconds, then jerked her head up to look at Xie Shibai and Lu Ciheng. having undergone professional training, she forced herself to act normal. “Sir, please remove your hat.”
Lu Ciheng took off his hat.
The staff member’s hand shook, her shock uncontrollably leaking out.
Lu Ciheng smiled. “Is there a problem with the documents?”
The staff member shook her head hurriedly, shocked internally. “No, no.”
I knew going to work was useful; I caught a huge melon (gossip)!
Perhaps having seen this often—many in the entertainment industry registered for marriage in secret—the staff member adjusted her state quickly despite her shock.
In her line of work, there were clear rules and regulations; she couldn’t be overly curious.
She calmly checked Lu Ciheng’s other half’s ID card. When she saw the name, she could no longer maintain her calm. First, her pupils quaked, and after a few seconds, her head was filled with question marks.
Although she didn’t follow the entertainment industry closely, she surfed the internet. If she remembered correctly, Xie Shibai was Lu Ciheng’s rival, right?!
What is this? “My Arch-Enemy is My Wife” literature?! Is this what’s popular in the entertainment industry now?
She calmed her emotions and watched them sign the application in a business-like manner. She revealed a standard, unit-model smile showing eight teeth. “The marriage certificate takes five minutes. You two need to go to the Oath Hall on the second floor to collect it.”
Lu Ciheng smiled. “Thank you.”
“Let’s go, Teacher Xie. I can’t wait to see what our marriage certificate looks like. Do you think the kids will take after you or me more?”
Xie Shibai: “…………”
“Void it.”
“Don’t do that. You can’t go back on something you promised.”
The staff member maintained her toothy smile. After the two walked away, she suddenly slid back, chair and all, with a kick of her leg. She spoke mysteriously to her resting colleague, “Guess who I just saw.”
The colleague didn’t look up from playing on her phone, asking habitually, “Saw another star or internet celebrity? Don’t spread it around, or you’ll get disciplined.”
Staff member: “I know! Aren’t you curious who it is?”
The colleague sighed, not taking her eyes off the phone, and played along. “Who?”
The staff member lowered her voice and said mysteriously, “Lu Ciheng.”
The colleague looked up instantly, looking a bit shocked. “Lu Ciheng is secretly married in this day and age?! Who is the partner?”
“I’m afraid you can’t handle it if I tell you,” the staff member teased.
The colleague’s curiosity was instantly piqued. She urged, “I’ll bring you the Three-Fresh buns from across the street for lunch. Speak.”
The staff member took a deep breath and enunciated the name with extreme gravity: “Xie Shibai.”
“????”
The colleague was shocked. The colleague was confused. The colleague scoffed.
“It’s not like I don’t go online. Lu Ciheng and Xie Shibai are still trending on the internet right now. I saw fans fighting for a whole day and night. If you’re going to make up a story, make it believable.”
Staff member: “I’m not lying! Why don’t you believe me?”
The colleague smiled, looking at her as if caring for a coworker who had gone silly from working too much. She patted her shoulder. “It’s not that I don’t believe you; it’s that it’s fundamentally impossible. Didn’t they just fight over an endorsement recently? Fans are fighting World War III every day. Last night at the Movie Gala, they almost fought in the same frame, and you’re saying they got married?”
“I’d believe I am Qin Shi Huang before I believe they got married.”
The staff member was silent for a few seconds. She looked toward the door and pointed blankly. “…No, sister. They just walked out with the marriage certificates.”
Colleague: “?!”
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