CHAPTER 36: CHAPTER 36: COLLECTING THE MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE

"Hmph, were you thinking of going to buy me shoes? I didn’t even want to call you out on it."

Ye Manman lifted her smiling face, deliberately winking at He Chen, making him feel a bit embarrassed.

"I want to get our marriage certificate and also want to buy you shoes."

He Chen felt particularly awkward, not daring to turn his head to look at her while in the car, focusing solely on keeping the vehicle steady.

Ye Manman carefully sat on the back seat and patted his firm back.

"Let’s go～Today, I’m going to shop till I drop!"

Her strength was too small; her soft little hands patting He Chen’s hard back felt like a tickle, not painful but rather itchy.

He wanted to scratch the itch but was afraid of touching her, focusing all his attention on that small spot, which made him ride the bike particularly slowly.

Ye Manman didn’t mind the speed; she suddenly remembered she hadn’t asked about his business affairs for a while. He Chen always left money by her bedside, sometimes one or two hundred, sometimes three or four hundred, but she never paid attention and collected it all.

"He Chen, are you still doing the Sweet and Spicy Duck business lately? Is it doing well?"

Right now, individual business operations aren’t allowed, but there’s clearly a trend starting. He Chen spends all day with a notebook, jotting down notes until late.

Perhaps not expecting her to ask, He Chen was momentarily stunned, then couldn’t help but laugh.

"Demand exceeds supply. I’m the only one with the formula in the market, and the demand is huge. There are even people coming from other places wanting to buy the formula, but I haven’t sold it. Still, I make quite a bit."

"Even though they’re offering a lot, I want to wait until individual businesses open up, then start a shop, hire a couple of people to help make and sell it, creating our brand."

"Being your own boss is more sustainable than one-off deals. Plus, with Sweet and Spicy Duck, I’ve connected with many business owners in various fields, so opening the market for Sweet and Spicy Duck is just a matter of time."

As he spoke of future plans, he sounded methodical, steady, and slightly spirited. Ye Manman was a bit surprised.

But before she could speak, He Chen continued.

"Actually, I’ve wanted to talk to you about this for a while."

"Those wanting to buy the formula are offering a very high price, around 20,000 to 30,000 for the formula, and they even accept my price increase."

"I’m not sure if my current decision is really right..."

Back then, 20,000 to 30,000 was an astronomical figure. Selling the formula would make the He Family one of those enviable tens of thousands households.

Ye Manman admired how He Chen resisted such a huge temptation of money. She dared say no man in Qingshui Village could endure it.

Everyone would immediately choose to sell the formula.

But He Chen had such boldness, surely understanding market trends and believing he could generate more benefits in the future.

Ye Manman also felt it would definitely be the case.

She hugged He Chen’s waist and laughed.

"I think you’re doing the right thing. If they’re willing to offer such a high price, it must be because they can make more. You need to believe in yourself; if they can earn more, so can you."

She was only good at studying and foreign languages, having never studied financial management, but the crux of it all was just two words: "benefits."

She believed He Chen could succeed, not only because she knew the ending but because she witnessed his efforts and growth over the past two months.

He had an extraordinary talent and keen decisive hand in business.

"Mm, thank you for supporting me. I’ll do my best."

Good days will surely arrive soon!

He Chen secretly vowed in his heart.

Ye Manman pouted and punched him again.

"Learning to say thank you now, such a bunch of nonsense."

"We’re going to be a married couple, who else would I support if not you? You just need to work hard; I’m waiting for you to make big money. I’m pretty skilled at spending money, I could spend all your earnings in no time, hmph."

She clenched her fist and gave his back a couple more punches before half-laying on his back again, a sweet smile involuntarily appearing on her face.

He Chen responded with a low laugh, also smiling along with her.

A happy and warm atmosphere gradually surrounded the two, unfazed even by the autumn breeze.

Upon reaching the town, He Chen rode straight to the civil affairs department. Fortunately, they were open today, and there weren’t many people getting certificates.

Maybe because He Chen wore new clothes today, or perhaps because there wasn’t much sun recently, making his skin paler, as soon as the two entered the hall, many eyes were drawn to them.

This time, no one questioned their relationship anymore.

Several couples getting certificates couldn’t help but sneak peeks at them, marveling at their looks.

He Chen wore the black and white outfit Ye Manman picked for him; he had been saving it for the wedding photo, never wearing it before.

A brand-new black jacket over a white T-shirt, sturdy long legs wrapped in black pants, with hinted smooth muscle lines visible.

He especially washed his face and hair, looking revitalized, his face softening despite his stern features, appearing inexplicably handsome.

Ye Manman, with a sleek and neat figure, small but well-formed, wore a new stylish blue suit, with her hair in a round bun. Despite her tender face, she didn’t seem overly sweet, more of a valiant vibe.

Clearly prepared, they submitted all their documents directly to the counter, and when the staff confirmed they were indeed there for their marriage certificate, many people sighed quietly.

Who knows if it was a pity or envy, but the emotions were quite complicated.

However, just as He Chen excitedly prepared to take wedding photos with Ye Manman, the staff handed him the marriage certificate directly.

"Wedding photos? You have to go to a photo studio to take wedding photos. The marriage certificate doesn’t need a photo."

The two held the certificate without a photo and stepped outside, He Chen still dumbfounded.

Ye Manman just then realized, during this era, they hadn’t started putting photos on marriage certificates yet. It only started a few years later.

She had led He Chen astray.

This guy didn’t understand it either and just listened to her.

"Hahaha, sorry, He Chen, I thought we needed to put a photo,"

"Hahahahaha."

Seeing He Chen standing dazedly at the door, looking incredulous, Ye Manman covered her mouth, unable to stop laughing.

"How about we go to a photo studio to take wedding photos? We can take some just for us, put them in a prominent place at home, or wherever you want."

Her suggestion lifted He Chen’s fallen spirits immediately.

He nodded repeatedly.

"Okay, individual shoot, take more shots!"

Every day when he was outside, he missed Ye Manman, wondering what she was doing, if she was hungry, tired, or even thinking of him...

If they took photos, he could see her anytime, anywhere!

He could look at it before sleeping too!

He could even put it by the bed and see her as soon as he opens his eyes!

Just thinking about all this made it hard for He Chen to contain his excitement.

If he had a tail, he’d probably wag it off right now.