Jiang Wangchuan glared fiercely at Zhao Qiuju and Lin Qingshan.
Lin Qingshan’s legs started shaking on the spot.
Everyone in the village knew how skilled Jiang Wangchuan was at hunting. People said he was incredibly strong and could shoot an arrow through a target from a hundred paces.
The villagers often said that if he had not lived alone for so many years and gotten used to doing things his own way, he would not still be so poor.
Lin Qingshan had no desire to test Jiang Wangchuan’s strength. With trembling legs, he turned and ran down the mountain.
Following behind him, Zhao Qiuju pointed at him and cursed loudly.
“You coward! Didn’t you say we would definitely take that girl away today? Why are you running like a turtle hiding in its shell? Do you really think Jiang Wangchuan would beat you up?”
As he ran, Lin Qingshan looked back and shouted, “A wise man doesn’t fight a battle he can’t win! Jiang Wangchuan, just wait! This isn’t over!”
Jiang Wangchuan and Lin Suhe both watched until the two disappeared from sight. Only then did they let out a sigh of relief together.
Jiang Wangchuan spat in the direction they had gone.
“What shameless people!”
However, Lin Suhe was worried about something Lin Qingshan had just said.
“Brother Jiang, is the marriage contract my second uncle mentioned really that important? Without it, can no one prove that we’re husband and wife?”
Jiang Wangchuan frowned.
“I almost forgot about that. Only with a marriage contract will the government officially recognize our marriage. Without it, we won’t have any legal status as husband and wife.”
So the marriage contract was basically the ancient version of a modern marriage certificate.
Lin Suhe anxiously grabbed his sleeve.
“Then let’s go get our marriage contract right away!”
Without the marriage contract, they were simply an unmarried man and woman living together. With it, they would become a legally recognized married couple.
Not wanting to risk any more trouble, Jiang Wangchuan threw down the harrow and took Lin Suhe’s hand.
“First, we’ll ask the village chief to transfer your household registration to my family. Then we’ll go to the government office in town to get the marriage contract.”
…
When they reached the front yard, Lin Suhe ran into the house and searched through her small bundle. She took out eighteen copper coins and put them into her pocket.
“The village chief lent me eighteen coins so I could hire a doctor for Father. I should return the money to him.”
The money had been borrowed by the original Lin Suhe. When her father was injured, the old village chief of Wenhe Village had been one of only two people who had offered her help. Those memories remained in Lin Suhe’s mind.
After she put the money away, Jiang Wangchuan took her to see the village chief.
The chief of Wenhe Village was Luo Jingen, a man over sixty years old. In ancient times, that was considered a very old age. Even so, he was still healthy and energetic, with kind wrinkles covering his face.
During the past few days, everyone in the village had already heard that Jiang Wangchuan and Lin Suhe had decided to become a couple on their own. The moment the old village chief saw them together, he guessed why they had come.
“Chuan, Hey girl, are you here to transfer the household registration and get your marriage contract?”
Jiang Wangchuan nodded.
“That’s right, Uncle Luo. Without the marriage contract, people keep trying to take my wife away.”
Looking at Lin Suhe’s increasingly beautiful face, Luo Jingen sighed.
“Since Lin Da passed away, there’s no one left to protect you. It’s not easy for a young girl to live alone.”
He opened the village household register and narrowed his eyes as he searched for their names.
Jiang Wangchuan had separated from his family years ago, so he already had his own household. Lin Suhe had no family left either. Since both were independent, they didn’t need anyone else’s permission.
Changing a household registration in the village was simple. The chief only had to write the woman’s name under the man’s name and record her birth details. From that moment on, she officially belonged to the man’s household.
As they watched the old village chief carefully write the three characters “Lin Suhe” beneath Jiang Wangchuan’s name, both of them finally relaxed.
Luo Jingen smiled at them.
“All right. Once you get your marriage contract in town, you’ll officially be one family.”
The two thanked the village chief.
Lin Suhe took the eighteen copper coins from her pocket and handed them to him.
“Village Chief, this is the eighteen coins you lent me before. I’m here to return them.”
Luo Jingen accepted the coins and sighed.
“Ah… It’s a pity that Lin Da still passed away. From now on, you two children should live a happy life together.”
…
After leaving the village chief’s house, Jiang Wangchuan and Lin Suhe hurried toward the town without stopping.
On lucky days, many newly married couples from nearby villages would go to town to register their marriages, so there was often a long line outside the government office.
When Lin Suhe’s feet became sore from walking, Jiang Wangchuan carried her on his back.
Lying against his broad, sturdy back with her arms around his neck, she sighed.
“It would be nice if we had an ox cart. Going to town would be much easier.”
Jiang Wangchuan answered without hesitation.
“We’ll buy one after we earn enough money.”
Lin Suhe giggled.
“If we had an ox, it could help you plow the fields. You wouldn’t have to work so hard.”
Jiang Wangchuan didn’t think it was necessary.
“Our little piece of land isn’t that big. I can plow it myself. We don’t need an ox.”
“Then wouldn’t buying one be a waste? We don’t go to town every day.”
Jiang Wangchuan smiled.
“If it’s something my wife wants, then it’s never a waste.”
Lin Suhe lightly punched his shoulder with her small fist.
“You always know how to make me happy.”
Talking and laughing together, the journey seemed much shorter. Around noon, they finally arrived in town.
The government office of Qingliu Town was on East Main Street. When they arrived, they saw several newly married couples already lining up to register their marriages.
Lin Suhe and Jiang Wangchuan quietly joined the end of the line.
One person waiting in line grew bored and looked around. After noticing the two of them, the person looked them over several times before whispering to someone nearby.
The look in their eyes was clearly full of contempt.
Most couples registering their marriages wore brand-new clothes. The brides might not wear gold or silver jewelry, but they all had at least a few hair ornaments.
None of them looked as plain as Lin Suhe, who simply tied up her long hair without any decorations.
Jiang Wangchuan looked even poorer, wearing coarse clothes covered with patches.
Not only were they dressed very simply, but they also looked like an unusual pair.
Lin Suhe was petite, gentle, and beautiful.
Jiang Wangchuan was tall, broad-shouldered, and handsome with a strong, determined face.
Among all the couples waiting in line, they stood out the most, so people couldn’t help but stare.
Jiang Wangchuan folded his arms across his chest and glared fiercely at the people in front of him.
Frightened by his intimidating presence, everyone quickly looked away.
Lin Suhe frowned slightly and tugged at his sleeve.
“Brother Jiang, don’t glare at people like that. Be a little friendlier.”
In the world she originally came from, countless fights had started over nothing more than someone saying, “What are you looking at?” followed by, “So what if I am?”
She didn’t want Jiang Wangchuan getting into unnecessary trouble.
As soon as Lin Suhe spoke, Jiang Wangchuan immediately lowered his arms. The sharpness in his handsome eyes softened.
“My wife is right. We’re here to register our marriage. This is a happy occasion. We should be more friendly.”