After the previous cheating scandal blew up, Su Ya’s workplace leaders had already become deeply dissatisfied with her. However, since her husband had indeed passed away not long ago and she was technically single, they could only issue her a warning at the time.
But now that everything had made it onto the newspapers, Su Ya was immediately called in for questioning the moment she arrived at work. Unwed pregnancy, concealing the truth, issues regarding moral conduct—Su Ya was directly dismissed from her job.
When Old Madam Song learned that Su Ya had lost her job and could no longer bring income into the household, she immediately dumped all the housework onto her.
Su Ya had spent more than ten years living a pampered life in the Lin family. Aside from occasionally cooking, she was unfamiliar with housework, and curses from Old Madam Song could often be heard coming from the Song household.
Because work had not been going smoothly for Song Zhiqiang, he turned a blind eye to everything and treated Su Ya with extreme indifference. Sometimes he would not even return home at night. Su Ya became suspicious, but Old Madam Song kept such a close watch on her that she could not even go out alone, much less return to the Lin residence to find Lin Zhitang.
After Wu Jianguo brought Su Yun back to the Wu family, he dragged her into the room and beat her half to death without another word.
When Old Madam Wu learned about what happened at the wedding from Wu Jianguo, she tormented Su Yun even more viciously. In just a few days, Su Yun became utterly haggard.
While Su Ya and Su Yun were living miserable lives, Lin Zhitang was thriving like a fish in water.
“Zhitang, the marriage approval came through. Let’s go get our marriage certificate now,” Lu Ming’an said.
Lin Zhitang looked surprised. “Now?”
“But don’t we need to return to the capital first to meet your family? And don’t military marriages require a formal marriage application?”
Lu Ming’an had thought Lin Zhitang was unwilling. Hearing her ask that, he immediately took out a sheet of paper. “I already applied. Grandpa pulled some strings, so it was specially expedited.”
Seeing that Lu Ming’an had already arranged everything, Lin Zhitang became delighted. “Alright, wait for me then. I’m going upstairs to change clothes.”
“Slow down.”
Watching Lin Zhitang hurriedly run upstairs, a clearly visible smile finally appeared on Lu Ming’an’s face. If the soldiers under his command saw him now, they would probably think pigs could fly. The usually stern and unsmiling Battalion Commander Lu was actually smiling so happily.
Lin Zhitang wore a white dress patterned with tiny red flowers. Her thick waist-length black hair was braided into two plaits that rested against her chest.
Lu Ming’an had also changed clothes. His tall and straight figure perfectly carried the military uniform.
Standing together, the handsome man and beautiful woman formed a stunning sight.
When they arrived at the office, work hours had already begun.
When it was finally their turn, they handed over the documents. The clerk handling their registration was an older sister-type woman who smiled from ear to ear as she repeatedly praised how well-matched the two of them looked.
Looking at the marriage certificate in his hands, Lu Ming’an was thrilled.
Lin Zhitang looked at the marriage certificate she was seeing for the first time in both lifetimes, her heart overflowing with joy.
Lu Ming’an took out the candies he had prepared and handed them to the female clerk. “Please have some wedding candy and share in the good fortune.”
“Come on, let’s go to the department store and buy some things,” Lu Ming’an said as he walked in front of her.
“Okay.”
Lu Ming’an brought Lin Zhitang straight to the watch counter. Looking at the watches displayed there, Lin Zhitang said to him, “Brother Ming’an, I already have a watch, and it’s still very new. Don’t waste money on this.”
“It’s not a waste. We’re married now, so of course we should buy new ones. See which style you like.”
“Alright then, let’s buy a pair. We’ll both use new ones.”
Lin Zhitang had no intention of treating herself poorly. No matter how low-profile the Lin family had been, Lin Chennian had always doted on her as before. She lacked nothing in food, clothing, or daily necessities.
Lin Zhitang owned many watches, but all of them were stored inside her space, and it was not suitable to take them out for now.
Lu Ming’an watched Lin Zhitang happily choosing watches at the counter, smiling softly.
Lin Zhitang did not choose foreign brands like Rolex. During these special times, her identity as the daughter of capitalists already made her sensitive enough, so it was better to keep a low profile.
She picked a pair of Plum Blossom brand watches. The men’s watch had a large dial that radiated masculine strength, while the women’s watch had a delicate and refined design.
Lu Ming’an personally fastened the watch onto Lin Zhitang’s wrist. The silver strap perfectly complemented her fair and slender wrist. Without hesitation, he said, “We’ll take this pair.”
Lu Ming’an paid with money and industrial coupons. The pair of Plum Blossom watches cost more than three hundred yuan altogether.
“Let’s go buy two sets of clothes too. Newlyweds should wear new clothes.”
“Okay. Let’s take a look. If there’s nothing suitable, we can buy fabric and make them ourselves.”
“You know how to make clothes?” Lu Ming’an asked, his tone tinged with surprise.
Lin Zhitang immediately became unhappy upon hearing that. Raising her chin, she said, “Who are you looking down on? Most of my clothes were made by me.”
“I’ve loved looking pretty since I was little. Sometimes I don’t like the clothes sold outside, so I started making them myself.” Lin Zhitang did not feel embarrassed at all. Every woman loved beauty, and with how pretty she was, what was wrong with wanting beautiful clothes?
“Alright, our Tangtang is the most amazing. Then when you get the chance in the future, make a couple outfits for me too.” Looking at the proud little girl, Lu Ming’an felt his heart overflow with happiness and did not hold back his praise at all.
After receiving the marriage certificate, Lu Ming’an changed how he addressed her from “Zhitang” to “Tangtang.”
“We’ll see how you behave.” Lu Ming’an’s indulgent support and new way of calling her caused Lin Zhitang’s ears to turn red as she spoke coquettishly.
Lin Zhitang bought two ready-made outfits for herself and also picked one out for Lu Ming’an.
“Young lady, we still have plenty of excellent fabrics inside. Do you want some?” the woman at the counter quietly asked Lin Zhitang.
“Yes, let’s go take a look.”
Inside the warehouse, Lin Zhitang selected many fine silk fabrics: a bolt of dark green, one apricot white, one cyan, and one yellow. She planned to make sleepwear out of them.
Seeing there were also many winter clothes available, she remembered she would be accompanying the army and picked out quite a few for herself and Lu Ming’an.
After buying the watches, fabrics, and clothing, they spent a considerable amount of money. Fortunately, Lu Ming’an kept his own salary and subsidies, and his family did not require him to send money home, so he had brought plenty with him on this trip to Shanghai.
“Tangtang, let’s stop by the pharmacy.”
“The pharmacy?”
“Grandpa Wen prescribed medicine for us. Did you even go pick it up? I was away on a mission and didn’t drink mine, and you didn’t either, right? I didn’t see any medicine dregs at home, and there were no signs of herbal medicine being boiled in the kitchen.”
“My health is fine. Besides, Grandpa Wen’s medicine is way too bitter. It tastes terrible,” Lin Zhitang complained.
“Your health isn’t a small matter. I’ll drink it too. I’ll suffer through the bitterness together with you.”
Lin Zhitang stuck out her tongue. As expected, she still could not escape it.
“Alright then.”
Lin Zhitang brought Lu Ming’an to the neighborhood office.
The director there was a serious and meticulous older sister-type woman who always handled matters strictly according to procedure.
Seeing them arrive, she asked, “What can I help you with?”
“Director, I’m here to apply for proof to transfer my grain ration registration. I’m married now and will soon be accompanying the army.”
“Alright, please wait a moment.”
Lin Zhitang also used some connections to go to the police station and transfer Su Ya and Su Yun’s household registrations out.
From now on, the Lin family household register would only contain Lin Zhitang’s name.
“Old Madam, where’s your daughter-in-law Su Ya?”
“She’s here. Su Ya, Su Ya, someone’s looking for you!” Upon hearing someone was searching for Su Ya, Old Madam Song shouted for her impatiently.
“Your daughter asked me to deliver something to you.”
When Su Ya saw the visitor carrying a box, she thought Lin Zhitang still cared about her as a mother and was sending her money because she knew her current life was difficult.
Old Madam Song snatched the box away. Inside were proof of household registration transfer and grain ration transfer documents.
Su Ya instantly froze in shock. She never expected Lin Zhitang to be so heartless.
“Looks like your daughter really means what she says. From today onward, I’ll transfer your grain ration here properly. No salary and still eating for free—you’re useless.”
Lin Zhitang also arranged for the documents to be delivered to Su Yun. Old Madam Wu did not even allow Su Yun to come out before snatching them away directly.