chapter 16 : Marriage certificate

Ethan Ye glanced at Ava An, who was wearing a bit of makeup, and hesitated for a moment. Then, he nodded to the certification staff who had been waiting for a long time, saying, "Let's begin."

The certification officer coughed lightly and asked, "Miss, do you have your household registration booklet with you?"

Ava An nodded. Her household registration booklet had been separated from her family's a long time ago and had been kept with Emily Song. Now, Ava An was grateful for her foresight at the time; otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to secretly obtain the marriage certificate with Ethan Ye.

The certification officer took the household registration booklet from Ava An's hand and then instructed them to go to the photography studio for a picture.

The photographer had already set up the lighting and a red backdrop in advance, waiting for them.

Seeing that they were about to take a photo, Ava An put down her handbag and took off her overcoat.

After taking off her coat, Ethan Ye's gaze was unexpectedly drawn to the qipao Ava An was wearing underneath without any warning.

The qipao Ava An wore had a unique style, not entirely traditional. The upper part was designed with exquisite buttoning, and handmade buttons held the high collar snugly around her slender neck, making it appear even more graceful.

Her waist was also slender, barely a handful hidden within the fitted qipao. Following the curves of her waist downward, the lower half of the design incorporated a fishtail skirt style. The fishtail hem swayed at the level of her calves, slightly playful yet elegant.

Her figure was excellent, well-proportioned, and coupled with this qipao, she looked like a beautiful mermaid—classical and luxurious, embodying a blend of Eastern and Western beauty in a remarkable way.

"Is it not to your liking?" Ava An felt a bit nervous as she noticed his intense gaze.

This qipao was something she had made five years ago, and she wasn't sure if it still matched current aesthetic standards. But she couldn't find any other new clothes; her closet was filled with old clothes left behind at Emily Song's house. This qipao was the newest one she had, and she had only worn it twice, including today.

"Very beautiful," Ethan Ye sincerely praised. It was genuinely beautiful. He had seen many women in qipaos, but without a doubt, Ava An looked the most stunning in it.

The three words "very beautiful" made Ava An breathe a sigh of relief. After all, today was their wedding day, and she wanted to look beautiful, just as Emily Song had advised her. She didn't want Ethan Ye to feel like he was entering into a ghost marriage.

Following the photographer's instructions, the two of them sat in front of the red backdrop. Ava An's qipao was a simple white color, which complemented the backdrop perfectly. Ethan Ye's dark suit and white shirt also matched the red background seamlessly.

The photographer watched them through the lens and thought to himself, "A match made in heaven."

"Young Master Ye, and the beautiful Madam Ye, on this joyous day, could you please smile for a moment?" The photographer found the perfect angle and made the request.

Ethan Ye had always had a poker face, and even when he smiled, it was just a slight curve of his lips.

But when Ava An smiled, it was different. The corners of her mouth lifted slightly, revealing two rows of bright white teeth, as if sunlight had spilled onto her face, making her look exceptionally lively and beautiful.

Click!

The photographer captured Ava An's smile in an instant. As for Ethan Ye, if he managed to move the corners of his mouth even a little, the photographer considered himself lucky. After all, he had a universal-level level of handsomeness, even with a stoic expression.

After the wedding photos were taken, they were called over to sign the marriage application form. Ethan Ye lagged behind Ava An by a few steps and, as he passed the couch, picked up her coat that was lying there.

Ava An was leaning over the table to sign the document as per the certification officer's instructions when she suddenly felt warmth on her body. She looked up and saw that Ethan Ye was helping her put on her coat.

"Put it on before signing. You don't want to catch a cold, do you?" Ethan Ye's expression remained indifferent as he offered his advice.

Ava An made a soft sound of acknowledgment and obediently put on the coat before finishing signing the remaining half of her name.

Afterward, the certification officer took the form, and five minutes later, the newly minted red and gold marriage certificate lay in Ava An's palm, still warm from the printer.
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