"I will, I will. We'll get the marriage certificate tomorrow," Ge Hong said.
He had even settled on a date for obtaining the certificate.
Hu Lanfang and Gu Qingcheng couldn't help but cast their eyes toward Gu Chaobei again.
Damn, he was really being framed. He truly had no idea when Ge Hong and Hehua got together!
His entire focus was on researching the antidote; how could he have the time to concern himself with Ge Hong's love life?
However, despite his thoughts, Gu Chaobei found it difficult to rush into an explanation in front of Ge Hong.
The way his wife looked at him suddenly made him sense danger.
Hu Lanfang's gaze seemed to imply: If Daoist Ge can find time for a relationship and marriage amidst his busy schedule, then what about you, Old Gu, who always claims to be swamped? Does that mean...
Seeing his wife's gaze shift strangely, Gu Chaobei felt wronged. He truly hadn't done anything, spending all his days absorbed in his work.
Interrupted by Ge Hong, Gu Chaobei almost had to kneel on a durian that night.
Fortunately, his "public grain" contributions were satisfactory, and he didn't appear to have any surplus energy outside the household. Hu Lanfang was still quite pleased with him, and after a barrage of curses and oaths from him, Hu Lanfang finally let go of her lingering sentimentality.
Unexpectedly, Ge Hong was true to his word. The very next morning, he brought Hehua to the village's marriage registration office to get their certificate.
As Ge Hong and Hehua entered, Hu Lanfang had just settled at her desk, brewing a cup of tea to wake herself up.
Although Old Gu was only in his thirties, which was equivalent to being in his forties in modern times, he was still quite vigorous. Last night, to show his prowess, he had left her completely exhausted, her energy not yet recovered.
Seeing Ge Hong enter with Hehua, Hu Lanfang, who had just taken a sip of tea, almost spat it out.
Seeing Hu Lanfang's surprised expression, Hehua actually became shy, wanting to run away with a bashful demeanor.
But before she could escape, Ge Hong pulled her back, saying urgently,
"Didn't we agree to get the certificate today? I'm free today. If we delay any further, I might not have the time."
Hehua then stopped, her face flushed red as she walked towards Hu Lanfang.
Hu Lanfang quickly wiped her mouth, masking her lapse in composure, and enthusiastically took Hehua's hand, saying,
"Oh, you're here to get married? That's wonderful news! Neither Daoist Ge nor you will be alone anymore; you'll have each other to rely on."
However, a thought suddenly struck Hu Lanfang, and she mused inwardly: this marriage, in a way, puts Hehua at a disadvantage.
Previously, Hehua took care of Daoist Ge, and the village public funds subsidized her. Now that she's becoming a Daoist's wife, wouldn't she be doing it for free?
Stop, stop, what kind of nonsensical thoughts are these?
Hu Lanfang immediately recalled the famous story of a professor proposing to his nanny.
It was said that a retired university professor, with a high pension of tens of thousands per month, lost his wife and hired a nanny for 8,000 yuan a month to care for him.
Over time, the professor developed different feelings for the nanny. When the nanny proposed to him, he had assumed that given his status and wealth, she would readily agree. To his surprise, she refused.
The professor was astonished and likely hurt. He asked the nanny why she refused him.
The nanny smiled and said, "As your nanny, you pay me 8,000 yuan a month, and you have to be polite to me, fearing I won't take good care of you.
But if I marry you, there's no salary, you keep your money in your own hands as your private property, I won't earn a penny. I'll be ordered around, yelled at, and have to serve you for free. Not to mention, after you die, your estate will be considered pre-marital property, belonging to your biological children. I won't get a cent, and I might even be kicked out by your children. Do you think I'm that foolish?"
The professor was speechless and didn't dare to reply.
For a man's little schemes, a woman, as long as she's not blinded by love, will see through them with clarity.
Hu Lanfang felt that Hehua had it tough. When Ge Hong went to find the registrar and wasn't around, she quietly said to Hehua,
"It's good that you're getting married. It's most important for a man to have the ability to earn money, and for a woman, it's most important to be able to manage his finances."
Hehua was also intelligent. Working in the public canteen, she had interacted with countless people and had gone through a previous marriage. She was actually quite confident about this marriage.
After all, Ge Hong had no parents-in-law, sisters-in-law, or sisters-in-law to deal with. Marrying Ge Hong meant she would be the sole decision-maker.
Upon hearing Hu Lanfang's advice, she became even more determined to hold Ge Hong's purse strings. With gratitude, she thanked Hu Lanfang.
At this moment, Ge Hong entered with the registrar. Seeing the two women whispering to each other with mysterious expressions, he paid it no mind.
After completing the marriage procedures, Hu Lanfang signed her name on the marriage certificate. Ge Hong and Hehua received their marriage certificates, two copies each. They distributed wedding candies to everyone and returned home happily.
Ge Hong and Hehua had no relatives in the village, so after getting their marriage certificate, they returned home discreetly.
However, Gu Qingcheng would not allow such a low-key affair.
How could they not properly celebrate such a momentous occasion in life for the meritorious Daoist Ge?
During their first wedding in Phoenix Village, Ge Hong hadn't yet revealed his abilities, and no one knew him. A quiet wedding was understandable.
But now, he had become a distinguished member of the village, his status incomparable.
Even Hehua herself had become an important figure in the village through her hard work and dedication.
Although Hehua was merely a manager in the canteen, through her enthusiasm and initiative, she had taken on the entire process for new villagers entering the village.
First, she arranged delicious food to soothe the stomachs of the new villagers, then guided them to get de-wormed and bathed, and directed them to Qin Yue to receive their welcome gift package...
All these tasks, though trivial and cumbersome, ensured that every new villager felt revitalized upon entering the village and experienced the greatest goodwill from Phoenix Village.
Such friendly and benevolent work requires unwavering perseverance, a love for the village, and a passion for one's job; it cannot be sustained long-term.
Hehua had consistently worked diligently, undertaking tasks beyond her official duties. Such a responsible and kind woman, encountering a good man and remarrying, Gu Qingcheng could not let her simply pass by so quietly.
Although Hehua was a second-time bride, there were many people in Phoenix Village who had remarried. No one looked down on them; instead, it was considered normal. Ge Hong might have simply lacked the understanding of how to manage wedding arrangements and navigate the complex wedding etiquette. Of course, he also wanted to give his wife a grand wedding.
Therefore, when Gu Qingcheng offered to help them organize the wedding, neither Ge Hong nor Hehua objected. The village public funds were used to host a grand wedding for the couple.
On an auspicious day chosen for the wedding, Daoist Ge rode a magnificent horse, dressed in a groom's bright red wedding attire, leading the wedding procession to fetch the bride.