Niu Zhenzhu flipped through the calendar and calculated the days. “It’s about time to get ready. Quilts and coats take time to make.”
The three women were talking when there was a knock at the door.
“Is Commander Gu here?”
It was the guard, Xiao Chen, who had driven Gu Jilin and his wife over earlier in the morning. Likely because of the urgency, he was panting heavily, sweating all over, his collar soaked.
Hearing the noise outside, Gu Jingzhou quickly walked out. “What’s the matter?”
“The Northwest Military District sent a telegram. They want you to call back immediately.”
“I understand.”
Without wasting a moment, Gu Jingzhou followed Xiao Chen.
Niu Zhenzhu watched her future son-in-law’s retreating figure and squinted her eyes with a smile. “I bet it’s the approval for the marriage application.”
Su Die was taken aback. “Already? It’s only been a few days.”
“There’s a saying… special matters get special treatment. A week is enough,” Niu Zhenzhu said calmly.
Sure enough, Niu Zhenzhu’s guess was correct.
The military district had an urgent task requiring Gu Jingzhou to end his leave early and return to duty.
Of course, the marriage application had been approved, meaning they could now officially register their marriage.
Gu Jingzhou wasn’t afraid of the mission itself he just worried about being able to properly marry his fiancée.
He was given three days to prepare before he had to depart for the Northwest.
After hanging up the phone, Gu Jingzhou headed straight to Yangliu Alley.
Seeing him return so quickly, Su Die was surprised. “Was the call that quick?”
Gu Jingzhou nodded, eyes full of tenderness. “Xiaodie, we’ll register our marriage tomorrow.”
Su Die: “…Mom really guessed right.”
Military orders were strict, and with the task imminent, Gu Jingzhou explained everything he could to his future mother-in-law.
Niu Zhenzhu understood immediately and waved her hand. “Work comes first. Tomorrow morning, go register.”
Su Die was stunned this speed was extraordinary.
“What about Grandpa Ge…”
Since they planned to take the old master along, he needed to be notified in advance.
Gu Jingzhou gave her a reassuring look. “I’ll take care of it. Don’t worry. As for whether he takes the train with us or goes in the supply vehicle, he can choose himself.”
At that moment, Old Master Ge was resting in the courtyard. After hearing Gu Jingzhou’s explanation, he decided to take the supply vehicle for one simple reason… he couldn’t be without his books.
Once the Northwest arrangements were settled, they took their leave. The next three days would be busy, and translation work would have to be put on hold temporarily.
Walking through the quiet alley, the sunset cast a hazy glow over Su Die’s skirt, enveloping her entirely. Gu Jingzhou couldn’t take his eyes off her.
“I’ll pick you up first thing tomorrow.”
Looking at the woman who would soon be his wife, his heartbeat accelerated like a frantic drum.
“Okay… I’ll wait for you,” Su Die replied.
After being escorted home, she instinctively held her chest.
This feeling… she had never experienced it in her life. She called it a “physiological liking.”
“Auntie, you’re back!”
Duoduo, already knowing that Su Die would soon go to the Northwest with the army, felt reluctant to part. She clung to her arm, tears brimming in her eyes.
“I’ll try to come see you every year, okay?”
Su Die picked the little girl up onto her lap and stuffed a candy into her mouth.
“Where are Mom and Second Sister?”
“Xue went home to cook, Mom went to Uncle Yang Qi’s.”
Uncle Yang Qi was a skilled man in Yangliu Alley good at carpentry, goldsmithing, and could source rare items unavailable in the market.
Many secretly went to him to prepare wedding items.
Niu Zhenzhu planned to have him craft a pair of gold earrings overnight as a keepsake for Su Die and to send her some quilts and thick coats for the cold Northwest winter. She couldn’t bear for her eldest daughter to suffer from the cold.
Dinner was simple, and Niu Zhenzhu urged Su Die to rest early tomorrow was a big day.
Watching the bright moon outside, Su Die, unsurprisingly, couldn’t sleep.
Gu Jingzhou, likewise, was restless. Just thinking about fulfilling his wish tomorrow made his lips curl into a permanent smile.
The next morning.
After breakfast brought by Gu Jingzhou, Su Die took her household registration book and got into the jeep.
The registration went extremely smoothly. In less than half an hour, the “big red certificate” was in their hands.
Gu Jingzhou, elated, handed out pre-prepared fruit candies to the clerk.
“Congratulations! A perfect match of talent and beauty.”
The clerk happily received a candy and gave her blessings in return.
As they left the civil affairs office, Gu Jingzhou couldn’t help but say:
“Wife, you’re finally mine.”
Su Die shyly nodded, barely able to respond before he pulled her onto the back seat of the car and into his arms.
“Wife…”
His kiss was fierce and overwhelming, leaving Su Die stunned.
Only when she could barely breathe did he reluctantly release her.
He dared not continue, afraid of losing control, and had to pause.
Su Die, still in shock, realized… this was what kissing felt like.
Not repulsive, not unpleasant, even carrying a faint thrill and sweetness.
Her body was honest she liked being close to Gu Jingzhou.
Thinking this, her courage surged.
She grabbed Gu Jingzhou by the collar and kissed him back.
Gu Jingzhou: “…My wife is so wild, but how can I not love her?”
Luckily, the jeep was in a quiet spot, or their kiss might have lasted forever.
“Come back to the compound with me. Lunch at home.”
Holding her small hand, he asked for her opinion.
Such a beautiful wife of course he wanted to bring her home immediately.
Su Die nodded, agreeing. Registering the marriage meant she would formally meet her in-laws.
…
Gu Jingzhou, smiling all the way, drove back to the military compound.
Zhao Shuyi was already at home waiting.
Old Master Gu had only one son, Gu Jilin, and Gu Jilin had only two children: Gu Jingzhou and Gu Jingxi.
Gu Jingxi had long wanted to meet the legendary sister-in-law. Her classmate’s brother had been introduced to Su Die, but nothing came of it and he had even been scared off by a kitchen knife.
“Hello, sister-in-law. I’m Jingxi.”
Gu Jingxi, already working, was around the same age as Su Die both eighteen, only months apart.
Su Die smiled. “I’m Su Die. From now on, we’re one family.”
Zhao Shuyi came over and slipped a red envelope into her hand. “This is the greeting money for changing how you address me.”
Su Die accepted it and sweetly said, “Mom”
Zhao Shuyi loved hearing that her son’s lifelong matter was settled, now she could look forward to grandchildren.
Old Master Gu also came down the stairs with his cane. Seeing him, Su Die quickly said, “Grandpa.”
Gu Zhengning nodded approvingly. “Sit down. I’ve already arranged for people to help Old Master Ge. Don’t worry.”
Su Die didn’t expect the Gu family to be so easy to get along with, and again felt lucky.
Her family genuinely cared for her, and her in-laws were so reasonable.
Lunch was sumptuous, with Zhao Shuyi preparing a full table.
With the new bride visiting, the Gu family showed full respect.
Gu Jingzhou signaled to his mother and sister; receiving the cue, they smiled and said:
“Sister-in-law, stay here tonight. We get along so well, let’s chat a bit,” Gu Jingxi said, serving her with chopsticks.
Zhao Shuyi urged similarly, “Yes, Xiaodie, you’re going to the army soon. Stay home these couple days.”
Su Die blinked and immediately agreed. “Okay, but I need to go back and pack a couple of clothes.”
“Then Jingzhou can accompany you later,” Zhao Shuyi said, pleased at Su Die’s quick consent, already thinking about what soup to cook that night she wanted her son to drink nourishing soup to hopefully conceive a grandson on the first night of marriage.
After lunch, Zhao Shuyi and Gu Jingxi took Su Die out. Ostensibly, to aid digestion, but really to introduce the new bride to the compound.
The Gu family wasn’t large, but their status was high.
Many in the compound had been keeping an eye on Gu Jingzhou’s marriage.
Unfortunately, he hadn’t returned for years, and now he came back only to marry in a flash.
So when Su Die appeared in the compound, all eyes were on her.
Some were jealous, some envious, some looking for trouble.
“Is she a distant relative?”
“No, she’s my daughter-in-law.”
Zhao Shuyi beamed while introducing Su Die.
“Daughter-in-law? Impossible! Didn’t Jingzhou just return from the border? How… how did he get a girlfriend so fast?”
“Young people see eye to eye, naturally they’ll be together.”
“Zhao Shuyi!”
Xue Mingxia, clutching her daughter Qi Susu, stormed up. “This marriage cannot stand!”
“Why can’t it? Who do you think you are? Controlling my family, laughable,” Gu Jingxi said, never getting along with Qi Susu, even though he knew she wanted to be his sister-in-law.
Zhao Shuyi glared at Xue Mingxia. “My son’s marriage is none of your business, Director Xue. You’re meddling too much.”
Xue Mingxia could not accept it. In the whole compound, the Gu family had the highest status. Gu Jingzhou was outstanding, young and already a regiment commander. His future was limitless.
And her daughter Susu had long been infatuated with Gu Jingzhou.
Previously, they even sought mutual friends to arrange a match, but Gu Jingzhou refused, delaying matters.
She hadn’t expected that the “golden bachelor” she had been aiming for would be swept away by a girl without background.
How could she swallow this anger?
“You shameless girl, how dare you seduce Brother Jingzhou!”
Qi Susu, seeing Su Die’s jade-like face, was furious, spitting curses.
Su Die, protected behind by her sister-in-law: “…”
Another fool who hasn’t heard of me, I see.
Daring to pick a fight with me interesting.
Su Die gave a mocking smile and pulled her behind her.
She raised her hand and slapped Qi Susu full force.
Qi Susu couldn’t keep her balance and fell, her face instantly swollen and red.
Everyone in the compound was shocked.
They hadn’t expected Su Die to go straight for violence without a word.
“I’m Gu Jingzhou’s lawful wife. You call me shameless then what are you? Can you bear the charge of sabotaging a military marriage?”
Su Die glanced at Zhao Shuyi and apologized. “Mom… I’m not done yet.”
Zhao Shuyi smiled slightly, thinking… hit her. The Gu family has your back.
Seeing her mother-in-law’s approval, Su Die grabbed Qi Susu by the hair, continuing to slap while saying:
“I never let anyone take advantage of me. You’ve messed with the wrong person. Tough luck for you.”
Xue Mingxia wanted to rescue her daughter but was stopped by Gu Jingxi.
“Qi Susu shamelessly tried to ruin a military marriage. My sister-in-law hitting her? She deserves it.”
Gu Jingxi’s argument was sound, making Su Die hit even harder.
Where there are many women, there’s always trouble.
“But she can’t just hit people like this! Suxu is almost beaten to death!”
Xue Mingxia cried in anguish.
Su Die finally stopped. “Better not provoke me again, or next time you’ll get the same treatment.”
When Gu Jingzhou finished in the kitchen, he saw his wife in a heroic stance.
Feeling concerned, he pulled her close and rubbed her hand. “Wife, are your hands hurt? Next time, use shoes. Don’t damage your hands hitting someone.”
Onlookers: “…”
So the cold and aloof Gu Jingzhou is actually like this never asking questions, unconditionally defending his wife?
Qi Susu, seeing this, was heartbroken and cried loudly.
Xue Mingxia ground her teeth. “Zhao Shuyi, we’ll see about this!”
Zhao Shuyi raised an eyebrow and said softly:
“See about it, then. The Gu family doesn’t cause trouble, but we don’t fear it either.
Bullying my daughter-in-law? Not allowed.
Today, a few slaps for Qi Susu serve as a lesson.
If something like this happens again, don’t blame me for being strict.”
The Zhao family, being old revolutionaries, could withstand storms of course they had the ability to back up their words.
So Zhao Shuyi wasn’t afraid.
Su Die, seeing her mother-in-law and sister-in-law protect her, felt a warm current flow in her heart.
Mother-in-law relationships are often considered one of the hardest to handle.
Yet for her, it was easy.
Gu Jingzhou held Su Die tightly, voice like tempered ice:
“I’m making this clear. If anyone dares trouble my wife in the compound, they’re opposing the Gu family. I advise you, best not to be foolish!”
With that, he took Su Die home.
“You… saw everything?”
Su Die felt a bit guilty recalling her fierce actions.
First day at her in-laws, and she had revealed her true colors.
Gu Jingzhou pulled her into the room, pressing her against the door. “Wife, no matter what you’re like, I love you…”