23 Identification Documents

Chapter 23

The morning and afternoon classes were close together, and Xuan Congnan hadn’t eaten properly at noon; his stomach had long since digested what little was inside. The hungrier he became, the more he missed the meals Gu Shi cooked at home, and thinking about it only made him hungrier.

By seven in the evening, rushing home, Xuan Congnan just wanted to eat.

“Ah—Who are you?! Why are you hitting me?! I’m telling you, my nephew lives here. If you hit me again, I swear I’ll call the police! Help—help! Someone’s being beaten to death!”

A crowd gathered along the street in the residential complex. Xuan Congnan wasn’t usually curious about others’ affairs, but the wailing voice sounded oddly familiar. Unsure if he had heard correctly, but if so, he was quite tempted to see what was happening.

“Call the police? What a coincidence—I was just about to take you to the police. I just withdrew money from the bank, had it in my briefcase, and you tried to snatch it as soon as you came up. If I don’t beat you to a pulp, it’s a miracle!” A man in his thirties pinned Xuan Ye to the ground, slapping his left cheek with the palm of his right hand, then the right cheek with the back of the same hand. “There are so many people here, everyone’s watching. Did you rob my money first or not?!”

“Yes, it was that old man who tried to steal the money first,” came a voice from the crowd.

Xuan Ye was barely in his forties, not yet an “old man,” but he had been beaten so badly his face was swollen like a pig’s head, blotched with bruises here and there—a palette of colors.

“Who robbed your money? I didn’t! I was just picking it up! I was definitely just picking it up!” Xuan Ye had no strength to fight back; he raised his arms to shield his face and wailed in despair.

Hearing this, the man hitting him grew even more vigorous, grabbing Xuan Ye by the collar and slamming him onto the ground. “That was mine that dropped! You knew it was mine and still picked it up—are you trying to get yourself killed?!”

As Xuan Ye flew through the air, the crowd quickly scattered to avoid the trajectory. Xuan Congnan had quietly edged closer but hadn’t seen clearly what happened. Suddenly, several people stepped aside, and Xuan Ye fell at his feet.

Looking down, their eyes met—Xuan Ye’s tearful and terrified gaze locked with Xuan Congnan’s.

“Ah, Xiao Nan! Save uncle—someone’s trying to kill me! Help! Tell him I’m a good person, I really am! I didn’t mean to rob his money! It was his money that fell, and I was just picking it up—it’s not my fault!” Both his blood-stained hands stretched out desperately, trying to grasp Xuan Congnan’s pant leg.

Xuan Congnan leapt backward like a startled rabbit and turned to walk away—they weren’t close.

“Xiao Nan—!!!”

“No, Xiao Bei won’t do either! Why call a kid? Does he even know you? Just calling him to shift the blame, huh?” Hu Yue grabbed Xuan Ye up again, cursing, “Come with me to the police station!”

He looked back sharply at Xuan Congnan’s retreating figure and muttered to himself: Gu Shi really is something—he actually has such a beautiful wife.

Xuan Congnan sped up like he had rocket wheels under his feet but still felt he wasn’t running fast enough. The elevator was constantly in use, and unable to wait, he ran straight to the sixth floor and used his fingerprint to unlock the door.

“I’m home,” he said, slightly out of breath.

Gu Shi had just finished cooking and still wore his apron. Hearing the tone in Xuan Congnan’s voice, he came over and took the schoolbag from him. “What’s wrong?”

“There was a fight downstairs,” Xuan Congnan’s dark eyes brightened slightly. “It was pretty entertaining.”

“Oh?” Gu Shi prompted, “Tell me more.”

Xuan Congnan rubbed his stomach. “I’m hungry. Let’s eat first.”

After knowing each other for so long, this was the first time Xuan Congnan spoke so plainly to Gu Shi about his needs—even if it was just about eating.

Gu Shi paused briefly before saying, “Okay. Go sit in the dining room, I’ll bring it out soon.”

“I can help,” Xuan Congnan followed him into the kitchen.

At the dinner table, Gu Shi served food into Xuan Congnan’s bowl. “What happened downstairs?”

Xuan Congnan replied cheerfully, “My uncle got beaten.”

Since Xuan Ye managed to find his way here, it was definitely not a casual stroll. He must have been looking for Xuan Congnan, who understood that clearly.

If Xuan Ye had confronted him at the complex gate right after work, it would have ruined his entire day. But now, with this different outcome, it felt quite satisfying.

“He was definitely looking for me but got beaten before he even found me.”

Xuan Congnan ate quickly, speaking clearly: “From their conversation, it seems like Xuan Ye tried to rob that guy’s money. He has a greedy streak—he could really do something like that.”

“Is that so?” Gu Shi nodded in agreement, his mood equally good. “Evil meets its just deserts.”

He asked for confirmation: “He really is your uncle?”

“Yeah,” Xuan Congnan said.

“Do you know why he came today?”

“I can guess a little,” Xuan Congnan replied.

Gu Shi didn’t press further but shifted the topic. “Have you made up your mind?”

“What?” The two sat about half a meter apart, their arms resting on the table, eating perfectly in sync. Xuan Congnan understood and said, “It’s only the first day of the three-day consideration period. Why the rush?”

Gu Shi said, “Because I’m really anxious.” He added, “I’m really, really anxious.”

The matter was still unresolved, with uncertainties looming.

Humans fear the unknown.

“I’ve memorized your uncle’s face now,” Gu Shi said. “If I see him downstairs again, I’ll get someone to chase him off. I won’t let him bother you.”

Xuan Congnan’s heart stirred.

“I have a house, a car, and savings,” Gu Shi said, “And half the rights when we get the marriage certificate.”

Xuan Congnan felt awkward and whispered, “I have no house… no car… no money.”

“Hmm,” Gu Shi said, “Having you is enough.”

Gu Shi always spoke in strange ways, leaving Xuan Congnan unsure how to respond. But his speech was always straightforward—just his style.

Xuan Congnan tightened his chopsticks and glanced at the phone beside him to check the date.

“Tomorrow is the 25th day of the sixth lunar month.”

“Mm.”

“I looked it up,” Xuan Congnan raised his head, “It’s a good day for registering a marriage.”

Really agreeing to it made Xuan Congnan’s heart flutter slightly—tingling but not anxious.

He couldn’t sleep well again that night.

Gu Shi was the same, tossing and turning. He sent a message: [Thanks.]

Hu Yue replied: [No problem. I enjoyed the beating I gave today. [Three thanks.jpg]]

Gu Shi: [He tried to rob your money?]

Hu Yue: [Yeah. When I got there, I purposely had a briefcase with 200,000 yuan. I purposely “accidentally” dropped it next to that deadbeat. I didn’t pick it up immediately. I waited for him to come and pick it up, then accused him of robbing. I had to find a decent excuse to beat him. [Shrug pout.jpg]]

Gu Shi: [Mm.]

Hu Yue: [I saw your girlfriend. Damn, you’re something else, really pretty. But are you sure it’s good to be living with her now? How come I never knew you were this kind of dog?]

Gu Shi: [That person is male. Not my boyfriend.]

Hu Yue, still adrenaline-pumped from the fight and unable to calm down, suddenly sat up in bed, holding the phone close to his face to confirm: “—What?!”

He immediately dialed, but Gu Shi hung up.

Gu Shi: [He’s almost asleep.]

Hu Yue: [No, bro, she has long hair!]

Hu Yue: [Sorry, him!]

Hu Yue: [You two sleep in the same bed? You just said he’s not your boyfriend! You said this afternoon he’s your lover, but how can he be your lover if not your boyfriend? How do you sleep in the same bed?!]

Hu Yue: [When did you become such a scumbag?!]

Gu Shi: [We register tomorrow.]

Gu Shi: [Just so you know, if it leaks, make sure you handle the PR.]

Hu Yue: [???]

Hu Yue: [!!!]

Hu Yue: [Dating is one thing, but how can you get married immediately?! How dare you reveal it? If you don’t want to stay in the industry, I still want to! Keep this a secret!!!]

Gu Shi: [He doesn’t want it public.]

“Are you busy with work?” Thinking of going to the civil affairs bureau tomorrow to register, Xuan Congnan couldn’t fall asleep. He opened his eyes and saw the faint glow of Gu Shi’s phone screen beside him, and asked.

Gu Shi turned off the phone. “No, just talked to the manager about some things. If anything unexpected happens, he’ll handle PR.”

“Oh,” Xuan Congnan said.

“Want me to tell you a bedtime story?” Gu Shi asked.

“You can tell bedtime stories?” Xuan Congnan asked.

“Probably,” Gu Shi replied.

“Go ahead, let’s hear it,” Xuan Congnan said.

Gu Shi thought for a moment and began: “Once upon a time, there was a mountain. On the mountain was a temple. In the temple was a little monk listening to the big monk telling a story. The story was about a mountain, with a temple, and a little monk listening to a big monk telling a story about a mountain, with a temple, and a little monk listening to a big monk telling a story about a mountain, with a temple, and a little monk listening…”

Xuan Congnan laughed aloud. “You… you really are…”

Gu Shi stopped, forced. “What’s wrong? Not sleepy enough?”

“Enough,” Xuan Congnan said. “Keep going, I’ll fall asleep soon.”

The next morning at eight, Xuan Congnan and the fully equipped Gu Shi went to the civil affairs bureau.

Since Gu Shi’s mobility was limited, he arranged in advance for someone to take both of them there.

“You scared me so badly I didn’t sleep all night. I have to personally take you early in the morning… Hello, I’m Hu Yue.” When the back door opened and Xuan Congnan got in, Hu Yue immediately dropped his complaints and introduced himself.

“Xuan Congnan,” Xuan Congnan replied politely.

“I know, I know,” Hu Yue said with a bitter smile. “I found out yesterday, scared me to death.”

Before leaving, Gu Shi had consulted Xuan Congnan about having someone trustworthy and discreet to escort them.

To outsiders, they were truly married. Xuan Congnan said, “Thank you for your trouble.”

Gu Shi protected Xuan Congnan’s head until he sat properly before entering and said to the driver, “Thanks.”

“Heh, you’re welcome,” Hu Yue replied with a sly smile.

Though looking straight ahead, he was internally exploding—so many questions filling his mind.

Everyone in the industry knew Gu Shi was aloof—no scandals, no kissing scenes, no dating talk—so how had he suddenly ended up sharing a bed with someone and registering marriage directly?

“I want to hold hands,” Gu Shi suddenly said softly to Xuan Congnan.

Xuan Congnan glanced at Hu Yue then back at Gu Shi, his eyes saying: We’re registering marriage, and you act so distant with me in front of your manager of eight years?

“Are you two really close?” Hu Yue asked in confusion.

Gu Shi said, “I’m nervous about registering.”

Hu Yue didn’t believe it. “You nervous?”

“Hold hands,” Xuan Congnan raised his right hand and reached for Gu Shi’s, pretending, “Don’t ask me such small things.”

Gu Shi’s hand immediately pressed against his, fingers weaving tightly together.

Xuan Congnan could feel Gu Shi’s genuine nervousness. His hand was cool, and his thumb continuously stroked the knuckles.

Leaning his head close to avoid Hu Yue overhearing, Xuan Congnan asked, “Are you this nervous even when it’s fake?”

From the rearview mirror, they looked unusually intimate, prompting Hu Yue to wipe his face in disbelief, thinking: That question about whether they’re really close was completely unnecessary.

Gu Shi lowered his gaze into Xuan Congnan’s eyes, then looked down at his lips. “Mm.”

There weren’t many people at the bureau, but they still had to queue for a while. At just after nine, it was their turn, and by half past nine, each held a marriage certificate.

Due to their special status, they entered and exited through the back door. The street across was nearly empty. Gu Shi stared at the certificate in his hand, unable to come back to himself.

Hu Yue had gone to drive; only Xuan Congnan and Gu Shi remained.

When their large hands met and fingers intertwined, Xuan Congnan looked down in slight surprise but didn’t pull away.

“You said I don’t need to be asked about little things like this,” Gu Shi explained.

They really got the certificate—their relationship had changed.

One hundred million—the money given was substantial.

Holding hands wouldn’t cost a thing.

“Mm.” Xuan Congnan let him hold on tightly and slipped the marriage certificate into the side pocket of his bag.

Gu Shi continued to look at the certificate, its bright red color shining under the sun, so beautiful one couldn’t look away.

He said, “I want to post on Weibo.”

Looking at Xuan Congnan beside him, Gu Shi asked, “Can we make it official?”