Su Wanqing glared at him and said with a hint of pride, “It is not far at all. Why would I need you to pick me up? So troublesome.”
Lu Shiyan did not argue. Instead, he took out a baked sweet potato wrapped tightly in oil paper from his pocket. The fragrance seeped through the wrapping, sweet and rich, with a hint of honeyed moisture.
“Here. Just baked. Eat it while it is hot.”
“Wow, it smells so good.”
Su Wanqing immediately took it. The heat made her fingers flinch slightly, but she still took a bite eagerly.
The sweet potato was soft and sticky, sweet and tender, with a honeyed richness. She narrowed her eyes in satisfaction, looking like a content little cat, a few crumbs sticking to the corner of her mouth.
After a couple of bites, she held it up and offered it to Lu Shiyan’s lips, lifting her chin slightly.
“You try it too. It is really sweet.”
Lu Shiyan looked at the spot she had bitten, his eyes warm. His throat moved slightly as he leaned in and took a bite right from that mark on purpose.
The sweetness of the sweet potato mixed with the faint trace of her warmth lingering there, sweeter than anything he had ever eaten before, sinking deep into his heart.
He looked at her bright eyes, a nameless fire quietly burning in his gaze.
He reached out and gently wiped the crumbs from the corner of her mouth with his thumb, his movement soft beyond measure.
Su Wanqing felt her cheek heat up from his touch. Her heartbeat skipped. She slapped his hand away, pretending to be annoyed.
“What are you doing? People are watching.”
Lu Shiyan let out a low laugh, his voice hushed.
“Let them watch. You are my wife. What is wrong with me touching my wife?”
Her face turned even redder. She shot him a glare and lowered her head to eat the sweet potato quickly to hide her embarrassment, muttering through her mouth, “Who is your wife? We have not even registered yet.”
Lu Shiyan looked at her reddened ears and smiled even more.
He did not expose her. Instead, he stood quietly beside her, watching her eat, his gaze overflowing with affection.
The two of them walked side by side toward the brigade office, taking turns biting the sweet potato, one bite for you, one bite for me.
When they arrived, the Team Leader was already waiting.
Seeing Su Wanqing, he paused for a moment, clearly not expecting her to be dressed so brightly today. After a brief hesitation, he coughed and looked away to hide his awkwardness.
“Um… the certificate is ready.”
He handed them two documents.
“You can take these and go register at the commune. Remember to bring your household registration book and introduction letter. Do not forget.”
Su Wanqing accepted it, carefully folded it, and put it into her pocket with a smile.
“Thank you, Team Leader.”
Lu Shiyan also thanked him, then led her out.
The sun was bright outside, warm and gentle on their bodies.
“Let’s go,” Lu Shiyan said, taking her hand. “Old Li’s tractor is waiting at the village entrance. We will ride it to town.”
Su Wanqing nodded and let him hold her hand as they walked, a smile never leaving her face.
At the village entrance, a hand tractor was indeed waiting. An old man with gray hair sat on it, smoking a dry pipe. It was Old Li.
Seeing them arrive, he exhaled a puff of smoke and lifted his chin.
“You are here? Get on. If we wait any longer, we will be late.”
Lu Shiyan climbed on first, then reached down and steadily pulled Su Wanqing up.
“Careful.”
She stepped onto the wheel for support and jumped up, but he pulled her into his arms, seating her securely beside him. Her shoulder leaned against his arm, giving her a strong sense of safety.
She quickly pushed away the slightly inappropriate thoughts that flashed through her mind.
Old Li glanced at them, smiled faintly, said nothing more, and put his pipe away.
“Sit tight. We are moving.”
The tractor started up with a rumbling sound, slowly rolling forward and leaving the village behind.
Su Wanqing sat in the wind, her hair gently lifted. The red ribbon on her braid fluttered lightly.
She leaned closer to Lu Shiyan, pressing her shoulder against his arm. Her heart felt sweet and warm.
The tractor bumped along the dirt road.
As it jolted, her hair occasionally brushed his face, making it slightly itchy.
He lowered his head to look at her. She was half-squinting at the fields, smiling quietly, clearly enjoying herself.
“What are you looking at? You look so happy,” he asked, idly playing with her braid.
She immediately pointed at the fields.
“Look at those sunflowers. They are growing so well, all of them facing the sun like little fools.”
Lu Shiyan found it amusing. It was the first time he had heard someone describe sunflowers as “little fools.”
But he still followed her gaze and smiled faintly.
“Yes, they are good. When they are ripe, I will pick some for you.”
She turned to him.
“Have you seen sunflowers before? City educated youths usually have not. I had not seen them before either.”
“I have,” he said. “I had not seen them before coming down to the countryside. I have seen a lot in the past two years. They are everywhere in the fields.”
She nodded and looked back at the passing scenery.
Corn stalks towered higher than people, green leaves rustling in the wind like singing. Bean vines climbed trellises with small purple flowers blooming beautifully. Farther away, eggplants glowed deep purple, and peppers hung in green and red clusters full of life.
She watched everything with great interest, unwilling to look away.
Lu Shiyan watched her quietly, suddenly feeling a bit of heartache.
She had once been a young lady from a wealthy family, raised in luxury. She had probably never seen such countryside scenery before. After coming here, she must have spent most of her time confined to the educated youth point, sharing a room with people she did not get along with, enduring a lot.
He gently tucked the stray hair blown by the wind behind her ear.
She turned to him, slightly puzzled.
“What are you doing?”
“Nothing,” he said softly, indulgent. “After we get the marriage certificate, I will take you around town.”
Her eyes immediately lit up.
“Really?”
“Why would I lie to you?” He smiled. “Wherever you want to go, we will go. Whatever you want to buy, we will buy it. It is all up to you.”
She blinked and teased him.
“Then it is settled. I am going to buy a lot of things and spend all your money.”
“Spend it,” he said without hesitation, smiling. “As long as you are happy.”