Carlos had registered Gwyn's name in the Huo family's residence booklet. They hadn't changed the kid's ID card or family name yet. So, they decided to talk about the shares transferred to her after they handled everything else.
After the Huo family and Tang family saw all their guests off, Sheffield also said his goodbyes to the Huo family. He was about to climb into Peterson's car when Evelyn called out to him.
She jogged over and said, "I'll drop by tonight. We need to talk."
"Okay. I'll pick you up—if I can get off work early."
"No, thanks. I'll get Felix to drive me to your place."
"Okay, see you tonight," said Sheffield in a gentle voice, and he kissed her forehead.
"Hmm. You reek of alcohol. Remember to take a rest first after you return to your office."
"Yes, ma'am!" Sheffield winked at her playfully.
He wore that smirk that said he was up to no good. He was teasing her again! Evelyn pushed him into the back seat of Peterson's car. She didn't come back until the car was out of sight.
That evening, at Sheffield's apartment, Evelyn was sweating profusely. After doing what couples normally do, her hair was messy, and she was still trying to catch her breath. She looked at the man who was getting ready to take a shower. She called out, "Honey!"
He turned around and snickered, "I'm just going to grab a shower first. Wait a minute. I'll be back for another round with you."
Evelyn didn't know what to say. She didn't mean it like that at all.
"I have something to tell you."
Sheffield looked down at the sheen of sweat on his body and asked, "Is it that urgent? Can't it wait till I finish my shower?"
"Fine, get a shower first." She needed one too.
"How about…" Sheffield returned to the bed and held the woman in his arms. "Let's hop in the shower together, and then you can tell me. How does that sound?"
A tingle of pleasure passed through her heart. That sounded wonderful. He gathered her up to carry her into the bathroom with him. Evelyn wrapped her arms around him and nuzzled his neck.
He set her down gently and turned on the shower, feeling the warm spray hit him. As soon as he got the right temperature, he pulled her into his arms. "What did you want to talk about?"
"Let's get our marriage licenses as soon as we can!"
"That's it?"
"Yeah." It was not like he wasn't as eager as she was.
He moved his head closer to her and kissed her on the lips. "That's what I want too." He wanted to register their marriage today, but he found that the day after tomorrow was a more auspicious time. Even if Evelyn hadn't told him tonight, he would have brought it up himself.
Evelyn smiled, warm water streaming down her hair. She asked in a feigned casual tone, "So when we get our marriage certificates, how does that work with Gwyn's household registration? And mine? Do we automatically get put in the Tang family's residence booklet?"
Her question made Sheffield go silent.
After waiting a few seconds, she didn't hear him say anything. With a guilty conscience, she raised her head to look at him.
Sheffield flashed her a smile. Instead of answering her question, he asked, "So you really wanna get married?"
Evelyn's face reddened. "Well, yeah. Don't you?"
"You bet. I can't wait any longer. How about the day after tomorrow we go down to the Civil Affairs Bureau and make it official?"
"Cool." Evelyn didn't mention the Tang family's household register anymore.
However, a moment later, she was startled when Sheffield suddenly said, "Peterson talked to you."
He sounded very sure he was right.
Evelyn didn't expect him to be so astute. She looked up at him and said anxiously, "I didn't mean anything by it. It was just a dumb question. I know you don't get along with them. I don't care as long as Gwyn and I can be with you."
Looking at the anxious and seemingly worried expression on her face, Sheffield chuckled, "Evelyn, just ask me. I'll do it."
"You don't have to do that, Sheffield. I told you… Mmmph…" Her lips were covered by his.
After a long time, he whispered in her ear helplessly, "It's not your problem. I know I can't avoid it. After all, I'm tied to the Tangs by blood. I can't wish that away no matter how much I can't stand them. I didn't want to go back to the Tang family. But I changed my mind. I want you to be the legal daughter-in-law of the Tang family. It'll be better for you and Gwyn." He felt bad. He needed to try harder to put her needs first. To say nothing of Gwyn's needs.
Biting her lower lip, Evelyn stroked his cheek lovingly. "But it's hard on you. I'm still your wife even if we build our own family and have our own booklet. Don't put yourself out." She knew how much he loathed the Tang family.
He smoothed her long, wet hair and said gently, "Don't worry about me. My mom's name is still in the Tang family tree. If we build our own family, she will be all alone there. Probably a good idea to register ourselves there too, so her spirit won't be so lonely." So he changed his mind.
"Then… Fine."
"Okay. Household registration gets done tomorrow. And the marriage licenses the day after. Then, after that, we're going to visit our mom. The dresses for the wedding photos will arrive at your office tomorrow. We'll take the wedding photos when everything is taken care of."
When he said "our mom," she knew who he was referring to. "Okay." She also wanted to thank her mother-in-law for giving birth to a wonderful guy like Sheffield.
Things went just like Sheffield had described. He had the household registration done the next day.
As soon as he got the news, Peterson called Evelyn to thank her. But Evelyn said, "I can't take any credit for that, Uncle Peterson. Sheffield decided on his own."
"But you must have played an important part in it. Sheffield always listens to you. Thank you, Evelyn."
Evelyn did have an effect on Sheffield. Peterson couldn't persuade his son to do something no matter how he tried. But Evelyn did it by saying a few words.
Peterson felt lucky that Evelyn was a reasonable and generous woman. It was not a bad thing that Sheffield listened to his wife.
"You're welcome, Uncle Peterson," Evelyn replied modestly.
"Don't be so formal with me. You're about to marry Sheffield, and we'll be family soon. Evelyn, don't worry. The Tang family will be good to you." Evelyn was his favorite daughter-in-law. She stood out from the rest. He would protect her no matter what.
"Thank you, Uncle Peterson."
"Well, then I'll let you go. I know you have lots to do."
"Okay, bye!"
The day they registered for marriage, Sheffield dressed formally in a dark suit, with the tie Evelyn got him.
In the car, as she was straightening his collar, she said, "If I'd known that you liked my gift so much, I would have given you a few more ties. That way you wouldn't need to wear the same tie all the time."
"Not just ties. You've got a great eye for fashion. From now on, Mrs. Tang, please take over my wardrobe, like ties, clothes, shoes and watches!" Sheffield grinned.
'Mrs. Tang…' Evelyn couldn't help smiling! "No problem. It's my honor to serve you, Mr. Tang."
Sheffield tried to kiss her. However, Evelyn stopped him by pressing a finger to his lips. "No. we're going to take a picture later when we register our marriage. Don't smudge my lipstick." Marriage was a once in a lifetime event. She wanted to make sure she looked amazing in the picture.
