Chapter 397 - 397 Sweet Marriage
397 Sweet Marriage
“Joey is my daughter and has nothing to do with the Xiao family,” Qiao An announced firmly.
Mr. Xiao wanted to argue, but Joey suddenly threw a tantrum. She said angrily to Mr. Xiao, “I’m my mommy’s daughter. I’m not a child of the Xiao family.”
She hugged Qiao An tightly, afraid someone would carry her away.
Mr. Xiao saw how dependent Joey was on Qiao An and sighed helplessly.
Qiao An comforted Joey. “Don’t be afraid, baby. No one can take you from Mommy. Mommy will protect you. Don’t worry.”
Only then did Joey calm down slightly.
Old Master Xiao knew that this was not the time to discuss Joey’s ownership. He gave his son a look and stood up to bid farewell. “Qiao An, Xiaoran, we’ve disturbed you today.”
With that, the two of them stepped away.
After leaving Xiaoran’s house, Father Xiao asked his father in confusion, “Dad, are we going to watch Joey grow up in the Huo family?”
Old Master Xiao rolled his eyes at him and said earnestly, “Can’t you tell that Qiao An really loves Joey?”
Mr. Xiao recalled how Qiao An and Joey had interacted. Joey’s dependence on Qiao An and Qiao An’s domineering protection of Qiao An left no doubt that they were mother and child.
“That’s true, but Joey is still our Xiao family’s flesh and blood. How can we watch her grow up under the care of others?”
Old Master Xiao said, “Although bloodline is important, isn’t Joey’s healthy growth more important? I think Qiao An really loves that child. With parents like Qiao An and Xiaoran, the child is actually not inferior to those growing up in the Xiao family. Other than your wife, who else in our Xiao family can raise Joey? And your wife might not be more suitable than Qiao An.”
Mr. Xiao thought for a moment. Qiao An was young and cheerful. Therefore, her three children were very cute. Mr. Xiao did not say anything else.
Mr. Xiao was only puzzled. “I just don’t understand why Xiao Ming entrusted Joey to an outsider like Qiao An instead of us.”
Old Master Xiao smiled. “Xiao Ming is not stupid. Of course, he knows that Qiao An is better suited to raising Joey than we are.”
Mr. Xiao thought of the sons of the Xiao family. Most of them did not end well. He was silent. At that moment, he completely gave up the stubborn notion of having Joey come home.
It was the weekend and a rare time for Huo Xiaoran and Qiao An to have a leisurely time.
Qiao An suggested, “Brother Xiaoran, let’s take the children out to play.”
The children were overjoyed.
“I’m going to the playground,” Angel said.
“I’m going to the zoo,” Joey said.
Ki Ki sighed. “Sigh, I still have to practice martial arts.”
Huo Xiaoran hugged Ki Ki and said with heartache, “Daddy will help you apply for leave, okay?”
Ki Ki’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
He looked at Qiao An timidly. “Mommy, can I?”
Qiao An had always been strict with Ki Ki, but seeing the light of anticipation in the child, she softened. “Don’t do it again.”
Ki Ki’s face bloomed with a bright smile.
When packing his things, Huo Xiaoran deliberately took out Qiao An and his identity card and household register. Qiao An found it strange. “Brother Xiaoran, why are you bringing our household registers?”
Huo Xiaoran smiled mysteriously. “You’ll know later.”
Then the family, accompanied by bodyguards, set out.
When the car stopped at the Civil Affairs Bureau, Qiao An was stunned.
The children asked suspiciously, “Where are we?”
Huo Xiaoran turned around and explained to the children, “This is the Civil Affairs Bureau. Daddy and Mommy are getting married here today. I want the three of you to witness the great moment of Daddy and Mommy’s marriage. Are you happy?”
The children dreamed of their parents getting married and immediately cheered. “That’s great. Daddy and Mommy are getting married.”
Qiao An didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Huo Xiaoran got out of the car, then opened the car door for Qiao An and invited her to get out. “Miss Qiao An, are you willing to marry me?”
Qiao An elegantly got out of the car and imprinted a kiss on Huo Xiaoran’s forehead. “I do.”
They entered the Civil Affairs Bureau and took photos according to the procedures. At this moment, Qiao An realized that she and Huo Xiaoran were wearing matching couple attire. She was wearing a fiery red dress, and he was wearing a shirt of the same color.
They looked very good together. The photographer was full of praise. “This is the best-looking bride and groom I’ve ever taken. But…”
The photographer frowned and his gaze landed on Huo Xiaoran and Qiao An’s inseparable heads. Because Huo Xiaoran was too excited, he moved too close to Qiao An’s face.
“Could you move a little apart,” the photographer warned. “The bride’s face is squashed.”
Huo Xiaoran reached out and touched Qiao An’s face. This time, he pressed Qiao An’s face against his shoulder. The photographer smacked his lips. “The ID photo needs to be a little more formal.”
He must have been depressed. They were too intimate.
In the end, Huo Xiaoran and Qiao An adjusted their positions countless times and paid no heed to their public displays of affection.
When they arrived at the counter for the marriage certificate, the staff glanced at them and saw the unconcealed joy in their eyes. The staff seemed to be infected. He grinned.
“Are you in love?” he teased deliberately.
Huo Xiaoran said, “What’s with that look? The pair in front clearly looked like they were forced. Instead of asking if they really loved each other, you asked us.”
The staff explained, “That’s right. They were forced to marry by their parents. Originally, I was unwilling to do it, but they immediately changed their tune and said that they were free to fall in love and that they married willingly.”
Qiao An felt sad. “Marriage is not easy. If you don’t really love each other, why would you enter the siege of marriage?”
The staff glanced at Qiao An. “Girl, you’re thorough.”
Huo Xiaoran looked terrified. “An’an, don’t talk nonsense. He’ll misunderstand that you’re unwilling to marry me.”
The staff really touched on a sore spot. “Miss, are you really willing to marry him?”
Qiao An nodded. “Yes. Sincerely. I want to be married to him for the rest of my life.”
The staff smiled and registered their marriage. Soon, the marriage certificate was out. Huo Xiaoran picked up the marriage certificate, took a look, and was about to tear it.
“Brother Xiaoran, what are you doing?” Qiao An was shocked.
Huo Xiaoran asked the staff, “Will I be unable to settle the divorce procedures in the future if I tear up the marriage certificate?”
The staff was dumbfounded.
Qiao An snatched the marriage certificate and smiled. “Why tear it? We won’t get a divorce.”