"Ruoruo has her dreams and ideas, but she's not overly career - driven. Regarding the matter of going abroad..." Dad Ding gave Fang Siyan a meaningful look. "Now that you two have got the marriage certificate, as a couple, you're one entity. As parents, we can only offer our blessings."
"If Ruoruo has been spoiled by us, if there's anything you're dissatisfied with in the future, just tell us. We'll teach her well."
What he meant was that it was impossible to expect her to create a remarkable career. Their daughter had even given up on a prestigious university for him. He should think carefully about how to treat her.
They doted on their own daughter. Even if she made mistakes, he shouldn't blame her. If she didn't understand something, they would teach her.
Dad Ding rambled on for a few more sentences and then fell silent. He just stared at Fang Siyan, his gaze calm like still water.
He was waiting for Fang Siyan to make a statement, to give his promise.
Fang Siyan had never been so solemn. His eyes, when looking at Dad Ding and Mom Ding, were filled with deep piety.
"Dad, Mom, Ruoruo and I have grown up together since childhood. Before, I was just her elder brother. Now, I'll not only be her brother but also her partner, friend, and husband. As long as she wants something and I'm capable of it, I'll spare no effort to fulfill her wishes. You've entrusted your precious daughter to me. I cherish her so much that I'd never dream of making demands. If there's something she doesn't understand or doesn't want to do, as her husband, I'll surely take the responsibility. No matter what, the honor that belongs to Mrs. Fang will never be lacking for her."
Ding Ruola felt as if her heart had been soaked. It swelled painfully. Her nose turned sour, and she buried herself in Dad Ding's arms.
Dad Ding hugged his daughter, his heart filled with mixed emotions. When Fang Siyan had once rejected the idea, he'd felt both disappointed and relieved, thinking he could keep his daughter with him for a few more years.
Now, his beloved daughter had grown up. She'd found someone she loved and wanted to get married. His heart ached, yet he was also gratified.
Mom Ding's eyes hurt from watching. She stole a glance at Fang Siyan. He was looking intently at their daughter, his eyes gentle yet restrained.
Fang Siyan had basically grown up under her watch. If he was going to be with her daughter in the future, she had nothing to worry about.
Mom Ding knew well that one couldn't spoil Ding Ruola blindly, but after all, a mother's heart was biased. If her son - in - law wanted to dote on her daughter, as a mother, she'd wholeheartedly approve; there was no reason to object.
Ding Ruola studied in City B while her home was in City A. After lunch, Dad Ding and Mom Ding rushed back. They'd come in a hurry and left in a hurry, their hearts full of love for their daughter.
After seeing her parents off, Ding Ruola was still immersed in the sadness of parting. Her eyes were wet. Fang Siyan felt a sharp pain in his heart.
He pulled Ding Ruola into his arms. Just as he was about to comfort her, he heard the little girl in his arms say in a muffled voice.
"Old Fang, how about we postpone our wedding for a while?" She was reluctant to part with her parents and just wanted to spend more time with them.
Fang Siyan's heart skipped a beat. He'd be willing to bear the blame for going against his promise to Dad Ding, but he didn't want to let his future wife slip away. He was ten thousand times reluctant.
"Ruoruo, have you forgotten that we were neighbors before? After we get married, you can still see Mom and Dad often. I can even go with you to pay filial piety to them. Isn't that better?"
Ding Ruola blinked her eyes, then blinked them again. She actually thought it made a lot of sense.
But, getting the marriage certificate after just one night together? It seemed so easy that it felt unreal.
Did Old Fang fall in love with her because of sex or because of true love?
Or... was it just a sense of responsibility?
Thinking of this, Ding Ruola felt an inexplicable panic. She stared at Fang Siyan, her eyes flickering.
Fang Siyan noticed the changing expressions on Ding Ruola's face. His heart skipped a beat.
Since the little girl had entered the university dormitory, she'd been like a wild horse running loose, coming up with one strange idea after another. Just thinking of her theory of "choosing the best" made Fang Siyan's temples throb.
He took Ding Ruola's hand and held it in his. Trying to suppress the restlessness in his heart, he said slowly, "Ruoruo, don't you want to have a good relationship? After we get the marriage certificate, our relationship will be legal and protected by laws and regulations. We don't have to worry about either of us being seduced by someone else. We can just keep a good mood and have a long - lasting relationship."
"Since our marriage has been decided long ago, why should we give others a chance to come between us? Even if we're heartless, we'll still be sad when we break up. Moreover, how could I bear to let you experience a heart - wrenching relationship?"
Ding Ruola was a bit confused when she listened, but finally she grasped the key point. Just thinking that it might not be Old Fang but someone else with her made her heart ache.
"Old Fang, I'm so confused. I want to wait."
"Okay, it's fine. I can wait."
Ding Ruola didn't feel relieved just because Old Fang had given in. She moved her lips, only to feel a bitter taste on her tongue.
Just then, the doorbell rang. Fang Siyan ruffled her hair, sighed softly, and then went to open the door.
When he came back, there were a group of people following him.
Ding Ruola stared at them in disbelief.
Fang Siyan pulled her up, smiling warmly, "These are the makeup artist and the photographer."
Ding Ruola was stunned for a moment, then quickly realized that they were here to take pictures for their marriage certificate.
She quickly glanced at the name tags on the staff. It was a well - known photography studio. One couldn't make an appointment without booking in advance.
Her previously empty heart gradually filled up.
She hesitated and tugged at the corner of Fang Siyan's sleeve. After being coy for a while, she whispered in his ear, "Old Fang, aren't you going to propose to me?"
Fang Siyan looked down. The little girl's nervous yet expectant expression caught his eye. His heart felt at ease.
He gave the staff a look to wait patiently, then pulled Ding Ruola aside to whisper to her. The little girl's face showed both shyness and joy. Finally, with a blushing face, she followed the makeup artist away.
The photographer standing by was amazed. Fang Siyan watched Ding Ruola's back, his eyebrows knitted together. His little girl had really grown up. She even knew to ask for romance.
While getting her hair done, Ding Ruola sent a message to Bi Shuang to share the good news.
Bi Shuang replied immediately: You're amazing, my Ding Bao. Giving up a whole forest of young men for an old hunk. Are you heartbroken?
Ding Ruola was angry. Her Old Fang was only six years older. He wasn't old at all.
Before she could finish typing, another message from Bi Shuang came in. "A woman in her thirties is like a tiger, and in her forties is like a wolf. When you reach that age, are you sure your weak old man can satisfy you? At that time, he'll be unable to do anything. You'll be like a widow. Think it through, my dear!"
Ding Ruola stared wide - eyed. She stole a furtive glance at the mirror and was surprised to find that Old Fang, in a suit, was standing behind her at some point.
She quickly covered her phone and forced a smile, "Old Fang, you're done so soon."
Fang Siyan felt a fire burning in his heart. He forced a smile and said calmly, "I'm afraid if I'm slow, my wife will run away."
After the makeup artist finished doing her hair and put on the headgear, she went out to call the photographer, leaving the space for the two of them.
Ding Ruola saw the ambiguous smile on Old Fang's face. The phone in her palm beeped. Her finger slipped, and accidentally she pressed the voice message on WeChat.
Immediately, Bi Shuang's northeast - accented Mandarin came out.
"Ding Bao, don't say I don't take care of you. Sister here has found a magic potion for you. May you and your Old Fang have deep affection from sharing a bed and have a long - lasting and powerful relationship..."
Ding Ruola watched helplessly as Old Fang's face turned ashen. She hurriedly stuffed the phone into her pocket, on the verge of tears. "Little brother, please listen to my explanation..." She wasn't a vulgar person!