116, Taking Your Name, Taking Wedding Photos

“Right!”
“That’s right!”
“We’re running out of time — we’d better get back!”
With that, the four of them dashed off in a flash. Were they really going to stick around? Just look at that man in his military uniform — they’d nearly tried to flirt with his wife just moments ago. If they didn’t scram fast, who knew where they’d end up being hauled off to!
Still, all four of them couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: all the good women were already taken!

Watching them leave, Gao Shen turned to Jing Qingxin with a light chuckle. “Quite the charm you’ve got there.”
Jing Qingxin gave a soft hum in reply. “Same to you.”
In that instant, the two exchanged a smile — one carrying a wordless understanding and trust that required no explanation. There was no need to question the feelings between them, for both knew that each had only ever chosen the other.
Each believed fully in the other’s sincerity, needing no further proof — just that subtle, wonderful sense of hearts beating as one.

Before long, Zhang Liangping and his wife arrived at the entrance, their hands full of bags. The four of them divided the load and headed home. There were things to do that afternoon, and a banquet to attend in the evening — the schedule was tight.

For lunch, everyone made do with a bowl of egg noodles. Then the four of them went to the civil affairs bureau to submit their documents. Thanks to Su Jianming’s intervention, the marriage certificates were obtained without a hitch.
Jing Qingxin looked at the certificate in her hands — it resembled a commendation scroll more than anything — and couldn’t help feeling amused. It was utterly steeped in the flavor of the era! This marriage certificate didn’t even have a photo — just their basic information and a solemn vow.
Such an antiquated yet dignified certificate — she would be sure to treasure it, and when she eventually traveled back in time, she’d show it to her parents!

Zhang Liangping and his wife examined the certificate with beaming faces, nodding with heartfelt approval.
As for Gao Shen, his heart was deeply moved. Finally — he and Qingxin were legally husband and wife!
With my surname, I crown your name. How wonderful!

Jing Qingxin had her fill of admiring the certificate, then turned to Gao Shen, extending her slender right hand with a radiant smile. “Mr. Gao, please do guide me through the years to come.”

Gao Shen paused for a brief moment, then reached out his right hand to clasp hers, a bright smile spreading across his face. “Mrs. Gao, please don’t hesitate to offer your guidance.”
One heart leaning toward another, two hands joined together, three lifetimes of steadfast devotion!
May time be gentle, and happiness ever at your side.

* * *

Watching the young couple’s playful exchange, Zhang Liangping and his wife stood by, grinning ear to ear. Seeing the two children so deeply in love, they felt genuinely happy for them. In a marriage, nothing mattered more than two people truly loving each other — love was the foundation of any union, and mutual trust, support, tolerance, and understanding were the keys to a lasting one.

With the marriage certificates taken care of, the older couple headed home. They had relatives and friends to host that evening, and plenty of preparation to do — the house was still in a mess.
Gao Shen and Jing Qingxin, however, had other plans. Gao Shen bade the couple farewell and led Jing Qingxin toward the city center.

Gao Shen brought Jing Qingxin to a photography studio. Since they had gotten their marriage certificate today, following the wedding customs of the time, they ought to have a wedding photo taken as well.
Now, don’t go imagining it like the modern era — swapping through several gowns and veils, shooting at outdoor locations. A wedding photo in this era was simply a black-and-white portrait, much like an ID photo.

Although her phone could take pictures — far better than that black-and-white photo, no less — unfortunately, the photos on her phone couldn’t be developed. In this era, all married couples had to have a joint photo taken, commonly called a wedding photo. Simple and plain as could be.
Gao Shen had brought this up with Jing Qingxin the night before. Though Jing Qingxin wasn’t exactly impressed by black-and-white photos and could perfectly imagine what they’d look like, since she was going to continue living her life here with Gao Shen, she couldn’t completely detach herself from this era. She had to learn its customs and ways.

The studio owner took one look at the couple walking in and guessed immediately: “Marriage photo?”
“Mm.” Gao Shen nodded in confirmation.
The two were led into a room — sparse to the point of being bare. A clean backdrop wall, a portrait of the nation’s leader hanging on it, and a wooden bench.
Jing Qingxin and Gao Shen sat side by side on the bench as instructed by the owner. Gao Shen sat ramrod straight, hands resting on his knees, staring gravely at the camera.
For some reason, the sight of Gao Shen like this made Jing Qingxin want to laugh. This wasn’t a wedding photo at all! With Gao Shen’s posture, combined with the black-and-white tones, Jing Qingxin was suddenly overwhelmed with dark thoughts.
“Comrade, please sit up straight — you need to look at the camera here!” the photographer called out when he noticed Jing Qingxin’s head slightly lowered. He’d photographed plenty of people who wouldn’t look at the lens, and took her for another one of those who simply didn’t know how to pose.

Hearing the call, Jing Qingxin looked up and saw Gao Shen gazing at her with a concerned, questioning expression. She couldn’t help recalling the image from a moment ago, and suddenly she was having none of it. Even if it was a black-and-white photo, she wanted to take one that was different. She had no intention of sitting stiff and solemn like a wooden figure — that would look dreadful!
With that, Jing Qingxin leaned slightly toward Gao Shen, winding her arm through his and resting her head gently against his broad, solid shoulder, a smile curving at her lips as she faced the camera.

Gao Shen’s body stiffened involuntarily. At home, or when the two of them were alone, he was more than happy to enjoy such closeness — but right now they were out in public, and there were other people watching. His ears began to redden.
Moreover, he was in his military uniform at the moment. Such an intimate gesture would hardly sit well with the image of a soldier. Yet he couldn’t bear to refuse Jing Qingxin’s closeness.
“Qingxin… this…” Gao Shen’s gaze dropped to look at her, his voice tinged with embarrassment.
Jing Qingxin didn’t look up at him, answering simply, “I want to take it like this!”
Then, smiling at the photographer up front, she said, “Boss, we’re all set on our end — go ahead and shoot!”

The photographer was taken aback at the sight of Jing Qingxin’s pose. In all his years of taking photos, he had never seen a young woman so bold and direct — holding a man’s arm, leaning her head against him, looking so intimately affectionate.
People in this day and age were reserved and understated in their emotions. Even a wedding photo was taken with proper decorum, and he’d grown accustomed to that style. To suddenly witness such an intimate pose caught him quite by surprise.
He found himself taking a long, thoughtful look at the couple. But since this was what they wanted, he could only oblige.
When he peered through the lens, he had to admit — the image was remarkably harmonious. You could see at a glance the sweetness and happiness between the two. In a flash, the photographer had a curious realization: this was how a wedding photo ought to be. They were husband and wife, after all — showing their joy was exactly the look new newlyweds should have, and a photograph could preserve that blissful moment forever.
Suddenly, as if he’d grasped something profound, the photographer adjusted the lens with a cheerful expression and pressed the shutter. And so, that beautiful moment was preserved for all time.

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