“Fen, have you thought it through? Don’t change your mind later.”

Tang Hongen’s voice carried an indescribable joy.

He wasn’t very confident Liu Fen would agree, as proposals usually required multiple attempts to show the man’s sincerity.

But since Liu Fen had shown some inclination, Tang Hongen naturally seized the opportunity, not giving her time to reconsider: “I can get my marriage certificate ready anytime, yours will be more troublesome, needing a certificate from Yunan. How about this – I’ll book tickets to Yunan immediately, we’ll meet in Shangdu, then return to Anqing for the certificate, alright?”

Liu Fen was startled, “This is too fast—”

“Fen, please understand my feelings. I’m not young anymore, and I cherish every day ahead.”

What did he mean by not young? He wasn’t much older than her.

Just over forty, in his prime – the age when a man was most charmingly mature without being over-mature!

Liu Fen couldn’t argue with Tang Hongen.

But having made up her mind, she wasn’t one to dawdle.

“Then I’ll book tomorrow’s train ticket, and we’ll meet in Shangdu to discuss further?”

“Let’s do plane tickets, trains are too slow!”

Liu Fen hung up the phone, her cheeks burning.

Grandmother Yu listened anxiously beside her, “Is it that simple?”

Whether to have a wedding banquet and where to have it – even for a second marriage, they couldn’t just quietly get married, could they? Grandmother Yu had been actively pushing for Liu Fen and Tang Hongen to get together, doing much behind the scenes.

But when Liu Fen agreed to Tang Hongen’s proposal without any conditions, Grandmother Yu thought it was too hasty.

How could they let Tang Hongen marry her so easily?

There might be a novelty in the short term, but would Tang Hongen continue to cherish Fen over time?

Grandmother Yu was anxious.

Yet Liu Fen seemed unbothered, “We’re both in our second marriages, no need for complications. I don’t like dealing with too many people either. Just getting the marriage certificate simply, with only close ones knowing, is enough.”

Grandmother Yu couldn’t reason with her.

When suggesting they get Xia Xiaolan’s opinion, Liu Fen immediately became embarrassed.

“Maybe we should wait until I return from Shangdu to discuss…”

Although she had already discussed it with Xiaolan, now that the moment arrived, Liu Fen was having second thoughts.

Grandmother Yu poked her forehead, “She won’t oppose you and Mayor Tang’s marriage. Not telling her – are you planning to act first and report later?”

That was true.

Others could be notified afterward, but if Xiaolan only found out later, Liu Fen worried her daughter would overthink it.

Her premise for marrying Tang Hongen was that their current life wouldn’t change. For Liu Fen, her daughter would always be most important, even above herself, let alone the current Tang Hongen.

Two divorced people had found compatibility – whether they could live well after remarriage would need time to prove.

Currently, she had good feelings toward Tang Hongen and was willing to live as husband and wife… but truly deep feelings would need to be accumulated slowly after marriage.

“Then I’ll tell Xiaolan.”

Having made up her mind, Liu Fen went to pick up Xia Xiaolan from school for dinner.

She rarely came to Huaqing University.

Not just because she was busy with business, but also due to a subtle inferiority complex, fearing she might embarrass Xia Xiaolan as a rural woman.

This had nothing to do with how well Liu Fen dressed or whether she drove.

Like Shao Guangrong, despite his good family background, after visiting Huaqing University once, he wanted to return to school.

The weight of knowledge stood above money and power… it was intangible yet substantial, making people feel insecure and timid.

Within Liu Fen’s inferiority complex lay a streak of pride.

Though she hadn’t received much education, she had given birth to an extremely excellent daughter.

She parked her car far away and walked into the Huaqing campus.

Xia Xiaolan was happy to see her mother, “What brings you here?”

Counting on her fingers, it seemed her mother had only visited during freshman orientation.

Liu Fen hesitated, beating around the bush for a long time without getting to the point. Fortunately, Xia Xiaolan wasn’t impatient at all, just listening to her mother’s small talk. Finally, having said everything else, Liu Fen steeled herself: “I’m planning to get the marriage certificate with your Uncle Tang, what do you think?”

Oh, she’d made up her mind so quickly?

Xia Xiaolan thought it would take much longer, given her mother’s usually indecisive nature.

It seemed Uncle Tang was quite eager.

Before the master of strategies, all resistance was futile – her mother had held out for a year before falling, already showing remarkable willpower.

“I agree!”

Why should she oppose?

Xia Xiaolan had long prepared to let go. She could keep Liu Fen by her side forever, but daughter and partner were two different types of companionship.

Xia Xiaolan not only expressed verbal support but showed it through action.

She gave Liu Fen a big hug:

“Just promise me one thing – if you’re unhappy after marriage, don’t force yourself to endure. There’s no shame in women divorcing; what’s shameful is continuing to endure unhappiness, and suffering just to avoid others’ gossip… Of course, I’m not saying Uncle Tang isn’t good enough, I’m saying even good people living together might have conflicts.”

Liu Fen didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Who supports remarriage while simultaneously hinting at a second divorce if things don’t work out?

Liu Fen had no control over her first marriage, but this second one was her choice, and she would cherish it.

It wasn’t about compromising, but she wouldn’t just discard the relationship at the first sign of incompatibility like Xiaolan suggested.

If there were incompatibilities, it wouldn’t matter as long as Tang Hongen could communicate and they showed mutual understanding – Liu Fen believed they could make it work.

Her views differed from Xiaolan’s, but she didn’t require mother and daughter to think alike. Young people were naturally spirited, and her daughter was especially capable – Liu Fen feared her views might be detrimental to share.

Xia Xiaolan’s quick agreement left Liu Fen somewhat flustered:

“Even after marriage, nothing will change. We’ll still live together, mother and daughter – your Uncle Tang promised.”

Xia Xiaolan softly replied, “I know, I’m your most beloved.”

Liu Fen finally relaxed, “Your Uncle Tang said he’d accompany me back to Yunan for the certificate. We’ll just get the marriage certificate simply, then have a family meal together – what do you think?”

Why not?

This was her mother’s and Tang Hongen’s marriage – naturally, it should be done however made them comfortable.

Xia Xiaolan also didn’t want things too complicated.

The notion that every woman must wear a wedding dress once in her life didn’t exist in 1985. Liu Fen wanted to keep things simple, and Xia Xiaolan fully supported that!

…

In Pengcheng.

Tang Hongen asked Secretary Peng to book him a flight to Shangdu and arrange a few days of leave. Secretary Peng didn’t ask many questions.

When Tang Hongen wanted time off, it meant rearranging work or delegating to others – no approval needed.

But Tang Hongen couldn’t hold back, standing up from his chair:

“See if you can arrange more days – this is marriage leave.”

Does marriage leave?!

Secretary Peng bumped into the table corner – so quietly, the Mayor and Comrade Liu Fen were getting married!