The Civil Affairs Bureau was very efficient. After verifying the information and confirming that the two were marrying of their own free will, they filled in their names and ages—and just like that, the marriage was done.
Xia Wanqing looked at the marriage certificate, which resembled an award certificate. Staring at the names printed on it, she felt as if a lifetime had passed.
With this marriage certificate, she temporarily had a protective talisman.
Gu Huaichuan’s train was in the afternoon, and there was still time, so the two of them wandered around the streets for a while.
Passing by a photo studio, Gu Huaichuan suggested, “Wan… Xia Wanqing, let’s go in and take a photo as a keepsake.”
That was close—he had almost called her by her nickname, Wanwan. She’d probably be angry if he did, right?
Hearing him suddenly use such a distant form of address, Xia Wanqing didn’t pay much attention.
The last time he had called her Wanwan was probably just an impulsive reaction in an emergency.
It definitely wasn’t because he liked her.
Xia Wanqing lowered her eyes and took a deep breath, letting go.
Yet deep down, she felt a faint sense of loss.
The two sat side by side.
The woman looked straight ahead, the corners of her lips gently curved upward.
The man’s head and feet unconsciously angled toward her, his eyes unable to help drifting in her direction.
Click.
The moment was captured.
The shop owner sighed again in admiration. “So beautiful. You two are really stunning—the man is handsome, the woman gorgeous. I can’t imagine how beautiful your children would be.”
Xia Wanqing teased, “Boss, you really know how to do business.”
“Miss, I never lie. Your photo could be used for advertising. If you don’t mind me hanging it up in the shop, I can waive the fee for you.”
Gu Huaichuan nodded without hesitation. “Then let’s do that. Please make a few extra copies for me and mail them to me later.”
The owner looked like he’d struck gold. “No problem at all.”
Time flew by, and before they knew it, afternoon had arrived. Gu Huaichuan needed to catch his train.
At the train station waiting hall—
Using the cover of her large shoulder bag, Xia Wanqing took out a brown medicine bottle she had prepared in advance.
“Gu Huaichuan, I almost forgot. This is an anti-inflammatory medicine. If possible, you must carry it with you at all times.”
“You have to stay safe over there. I’m sorry I can’t stay with you,” Gu Huaichuan said softly, lowering his eyes to hide the guilt within them.
“Gu Huaichuan, you’re defending the country. Since I chose to be a military wife, I have this level of awareness. Once I finish dealing with things here, I’ll come find you.”
“Okay.”
Clang, clang—
The train pulled into the station.
“You should go.”
“Wait a moment.”
Zhao Zeyang, carrying a large army-green backpack, ran into the station and squeezed toward the train.
When he reached his seat, he saw that the seat next to him was still empty. He quickly looked around, growing anxious.
“What’s going on with Battalion Commander Gu? He hasn’t boarded yet? He’s always punctual—this isn’t like him.”
Woo— The train whistle sounded.
The conductor shouted, “The train is about to depart! Passengers boarding, please hurry!”
Zhao Zeyang was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. If they missed this train, it would delay their mission.
He stuck his head out the window and finally spotted Gu Huaichuan on the platform, his back facing him.
Zhao Zeyang shouted at the top of his lungs, “Gu Huaichuan, get on the train!”
Gu Huaichuan turned around, and only then did Zhao Zeyang notice a woman standing in front of him, partially blocked from view.
One glance was enough to make his eyes stick—sister-in-law was too beautiful, like a fairy descended from the heavens.
Xia Wanqing saw him, smiled faintly, and nodded in greeting, then withdrew her gaze. “Gu Huaichuan, hurry and go.”
“Take care!” Gu Huaichuan picked up the army-green duffel bag at his feet and, urged by the conductor, strode toward the train with his long legs.
As soon as he sat down, the train let out a woo and the wheels rolled over the tracks—clang, clang.
Gu Huaichuan looked at Wanwan. She smiled and waved, her fox-like eyes curving into crescent moons, as beautiful as could be.
Xia Wanqing grew smaller and smaller in his sight, shrinking to a sesame-sized dot, until she finally disappeared around the bend. Only then did Gu Huaichuan reluctantly withdraw his gaze.
Zhao Zeyang nudged Gu Huaichuan with his elbow. “Battalion Commander Gu, your wife is so beautiful, and you still dared to drag things out for so long. You’ve got guts.”
“We’re married,” Gu Huaichuan replied with a smile, his eyes soft. He set his duffel bag down and sat in his seat.
“Does sister-in-law have any sisters? Any unmarried ones? Can you introduce one to me?” Zhao Zeyang continued.
“We even took wedding photos,” Gu Huaichuan added calmly.
Zhao Zeyang couldn’t help scooting farther away, his face full of misery. “That’s not answering the question at all. Looks like I’m the only bachelor left now. Who knows how much they’ll laugh at me when we get back.”
…
Watching the train disappear around the bend, Xia Wanqing finally withdrew her gaze.
She didn’t know whether Gu Huaichuan would be able to escape this looming disaster.
She needed to settle matters here as soon as possible, then go join the army—maybe she could be of some help.
Xia Wanqing first went to the Shanghai Silk Reeling Factory.
The Shanghai Silk Reeling Factory was where she worked, but not under her own name.
Xia Jianye had said that Xia Yiyi was in poor health and asked Xia Wanqing to work in her place.
Because of this, Xia Yiyi had accumulated many years of work seniority and would receive a decent pension upon retirement.
At the Personnel Office—
Director Zhou widened his eyes. “Your name is incorrect—why didn’t you say so earlier?”
“Sorry, Director Zhou. I want to change the name back and then sell the position.”
“Xia Yiyi, you’ve always been diligent and responsible at work. If the name is wrong, just change it back. Don’t resign so easily—it’s not easy to find a stable job.”
He knew this young woman—she was a model worker every year and had even won the ‘March 8th Red Banner’ title once.
“Thank you for your concern, Director Zhou. I’m married now—it’s a military marriage. I’m going to find him. I know what I’m doing,” Xia Wanqing said with a grateful smile.
Even strangers could care about her, yet her own family only wanted her dead.
“My younger sister happens to be looking to buy a job. Why don’t you sell it to her?”
His sister had just graduated, had never endured hardship, and the family didn’t feel at ease sending her to the countryside. They were looking everywhere for ways to keep her in the city.
Usually, buying and selling a job cost about two years’ salary. Xia Wanqing’s technical position paid 60 yuan a month—1,440 yuan in total.
The Zhou family paid 1,000 yuan in cash and made up the remaining 440 yuan with grain coupons.
Everything went smoothly, and the whole process was completed in less than two hours.
Seeing that there was still time, Xia Wanqing went to visit her uncle.
Ruan Jiahe was much calmer now. Looking at Xia Wanqing’s marriage certificate, he smiled so broadly his mouth wouldn’t close. But then he seemed to think of something, and worry crept onto his face. “I hope you won’t misjudge people this time.”
“Don’t worry, Uncle. Gu Huaichuan is a very good man. He knew the consequences of marrying me, yet he didn’t hesitate at all.”
“Consequences? What consequences could there be to marrying you?”
Xia Wanqing told the truth. “Uncle, I’ve heard news that my family may be investigated and liquidated.”
A chill ran through Ruan Jiahe. “After everything the family has done, they actually…”
“Uncle, human nature is complicated, and the people involved have already changed. Now that I have Gu Huaichuan’s status as protection, I’m very safe.”
Hearing this, Ruan Jiahe’s approval of Gu Huaichuan increased by several degrees.
Uncle Wen advised, “Son-in-law Gu really is quite good. He waited for our young miss for so many years—only watching from the side, never disturbing her. Men this deeply devoted are rare.”
Ruan Jiahe thought it over and nodded in agreement. “Gu Huaichuan is indeed rare in his devotion. You should also treat him well. A human heart is made of flesh—living a good life together is better than anything else.”
Xia Wanqing rubbed her nose shyly. “He really did come to see me every year. This place is far from the capital—it must have been hard on him, running around like that.”
Uncle Wen didn’t understand. “What does seeing you have to do with the capital?”
“Every time he came to see me, he had to go back to the capital first, and then return to his unit from there,” Xia Wanqing explained.
Uncle Wen let out an “Oh,” finding it amusing. “Son-in-law Gu has been staying in Shanghai all along. He never went back to the capital.”
Xia Wanqing was confused—what did that mean?
Uncle Wen continued, “That’s why I say he’s deeply devoted. After seeing you, he wouldn’t disturb you—just stayed nearby, watching you.”
“Watching you go to work, watching you get off work. I’ve seen him several times. Afraid you’d get angry if you found out, he even asked me to keep it a secret.”
Xia Wanqing’s heart skipped a beat, then began pounding wildly, thudding hard against her chest.
Her heart… seemed to be acting up again.
She placed her hand on her wrist. Aside from her heart beating a bit fast, there didn’t seem to be anything else wrong.
How strange.
When she was leaving, Uncle Wen handed Xia Wanqing an envelope.
Xia Wanqing opened it, saw what was inside, and smiled. “Uncle Wen, what a coincidence. Gu Huaichuan gave me the same thing last night. I already submitted the evidence overnight.”
Uncle Wen said, “Son-in-law Gu is very capable.”
Ruan Jiahe’s satisfaction with Gu Huaichuan increased once more. Xia Wanqing marrying him—she would surely be happy, wouldn’t she…?