Su Die was held tightly in Gu Jingzhou’s embrace, unable to move.
Their eyes met, and the man exuded a crisp, masculine aura that seemed to envelop her completely.
Su Die’s heart felt like a stone had been dropped into a calm lake, sending ripples spreading outward.
“Honey…”
“Hmm?”
“I… I want… you.”
“It’s… daytime,” Su Die thought to herself, unable to stop a mental scolding. How could he be so bold, saying things that made her blush so fiercely?
“Then… can I have you tonight?” Gu Jingzhou persisted, teasing her relentlessly.
Su Die bit her lip and nodded slightly.
Now that she had given her consent, Gu Jingzhou’s heart soared with excitement, eagerly awaiting nightfall.
They lingered in each other’s closeness for a while longer before Su Die was finally released.
Zhao Shuyi watched her son and daughter-in-law descend the stairs one after the other, smiling knowingly.
“Su Die, come sit and have some mung bean cakes.”
The flush on Su Die’s cheeks hadn’t faded yet; her skin glowed like a ripe honey peach, irresistibly charming.
Not just Gu Jingzhou, Gu Jingxi, even as a young girl, couldn’t help but steal a few admiring glances.
“Sis-in-law, no wonder my classmate’s brother couldn’t forget you. You’re so beautiful. If I were a man, I’d want to marry you too.”
After what had just happened, Gu Jingxi had even more respect for Su Die. Not only was she beautiful, but capable and even able to fight a truly amazing sister-in-law.
Gu Jingzhou was especially smug: “Good thing I was quick, or someone else would have had no chance.”
Su Die rolled her eyes at him with little force, still feeling weak from his earlier kisses. The man was terrible.
Zhao Shuyi watched their interactions, heart full of satisfaction.
When both hearts are in sync, marriage is bound to be lively and sweet.
“You’re supposed to go with Su Die to get her clothes. Go early, and come back for soup tonight.”
Zhao Shuyi emphasized the words “come back for soup,” and Gu Jingzhou of course understood perfectly.
Gu Jingxi wanted to tag along, but a sharp glance from Gu Jingzhou made her reconsider. No one was going to interfere with his private time with his wife.
Gu Jingxi muttered: “……”
After returning to Yangliu Alley, they first visited Grandpa Ge’s house.
The three helpers Grandpa Gu had sent had already packed up the books and locked the boxes.
The supply truck for the month would depart early the next morning, so Grandpa Ge had to leave before them.
Though the supply truck stopped along the way, it would still arrive later in the northwest than the train.
Grandpa Ge was in high spirits, humming a little tune while packing his clothes.
“Grandpa Ge, please stay safe on the road. If you need anything, just tell the team leader. I’ve already arranged a place for you near the military compound in the northwest, so you’ll have a place to stay as soon as you arrive.”
Gu Jingzhou was thorough in planning; the day Grandpa Ge agreed to go, he arranged for someone to rent a place near the military housing so Su Die wouldn’t have to worry about a thing.
Su Die hadn’t expected him to be so thoughtful, taking care of everything in advance, which made her admire him even more.
Before she could praise him, Gu Jingzhou cheekily asked for his reward.
“Honey, shouldn’t I get a reward?”
Su Die gave him a glance, already knowing what he was thinking, and said vaguely, “We’ll see when we get back.”
Grandpa Ge pouted, feigning annoyance:
“Get going already. Seeing you two gives me goosebumps.”
Su Die laughed helplessly. “Grandpa Ge, I’ll wait for you in the northwest.”
The old man waved his hand. “I know.”
…
Back at the Su family home, Niu Zhenzhu was admiring the gold earrings Yang Qishu had made, when Su Die and Gu Jingzhou returned.
“My precious girl is back! Try them on!”
For Su Die’s wedding, Niu Zhenzhu had spent all the savings she could muster but she was happy. Her daughter’s happiness was all that mattered.
The earrings weren’t heavy, but they carried a mother’s heartfelt blessing.
Su Die knew her family wasn’t wealthy. That her mother could provide her with gold jewelry meant she had truly given everything.
Her two older sisters had made four quilts and two thick jackets, and Grandpa Ge had given her a box of gold.
This genuine, tangible affection moved Su Die deeply.
“Mom, these next few nights, let Su Die stay at our house,” Gu Jingzhou said sweetly, adapting quickly, calling her “Mom” naturally.
Niu Zhenzhu froze for a moment, then immediately understood her son-in-law’s intention.
“You’re married now, of course you should stay together. But on the last night, you must come back here.”
With her daughter leaving soon, the last night was precious for mother-daughter bonding.
Gu Jingzhou nodded earnestly. “Yes, Mom. On the last night before leaving, I’ll bring Su Die back.”
Su Die: “…” This man really had no shame.
After quickly packing two sets of clothes, Gu Jingzhou took her back to the military compound.
In just one afternoon, Su Die had become a household name there.
Everyone knew Gu Jingzhou had married a beautiful and formidable wife someone even bold and unreasonable like Qi Suxu dared not provoke.
So those who wanted to tease her gave up.
Su Die didn’t care what others thought; she was living her own life, as long as no one provoked her.
The young couple returned on time, just as dinner was served.
Zhao Shuyi had prepared a nourishing soup with Morinda root, Eucommia, and pork kidneys.
Su Die, familiar with medicinal ingredients, immediately recognized them upon entering the house.
She secretly glanced at Gu Jingzhou, silently praying for twenty seconds.
It seemed tonight… was destined to be a sleepless night.
Dinner was light; Su Die ate sparingly.
Gu Jingzhou, however, had a huge appetite, drinking two bowls of soup, which made Su Die’s heart race.
After dinner, Gu Jingxi pulled Su Die into her room to chat, while Gu Jingzhou was taken aside by Zhao Shuyi for instructions, then went to shower.
Su Die, distracted, couldn’t focus on the conversation; after all, it was her first night entering the marital room in this life. It was impossible to stay calm.
Gu Jingxi was tactful and didn’t keep her sister-in-law long, letting her return to her room, winking and teasing as she left:
“Good luck, sister-in-law, hehe…”
Su Die: “…” She felt awkward a thousand times over.
Finally, the freshly washed young couple lay in bed.
Gu Jingzhou’s room was at the back of the second floor, quiet and undisturbed.
Su Die, wearing a thin nightgown, clutched the blanket tightly, her heart thumping wildly as if a rabbit was trapped inside.
Gu Jingzhou, grinning mischievously, lifted the blanket, pulled her into his arms, and leaned in to kiss her:
“Honey…”
…
That night, Su Die drank water four times.
The tireless man had thoroughly exhausted her.
The pork kidney soup truly lived up to its reputation.
By the next morning, she could barely get up, waking only around 2 p.m.
Gu Jingzhou, however, was energetic, tending to her early at dawn.
“Honey, you’re awake?”
She hadn’t gone downstairs for lunch, so he brought her a meal.
Su Die felt crushed as if run over by a tank, her body sore all over.
“Hmph” she weakly complained, “No restraint…”
This man was like a starving wolf, never satisfied.
Gu Jingzhou held her in his arms, soothing her. “Tonight, I’ll go easy, okay…”
Su Die: “…”
After lunch, she quickly washed up and went back to sleep.
Zhao Shuyi, knowing her daughter-in-law was worn out, prepared a nourishing black-boned chicken soup.
Gu Jingzhou was called by Xia Weiguo to drink at home.
The last time, he had abandoned two childhood friends to pursue his wife.
Now that he was returning to the northwest, he wanted to enjoy himself properly.
Gu Jingzhou, feeling pleased, of course went along, and Su Die let him go.
Xia Weiguo had prepared a table full of dishes, Li Dong brought baijiu, and Yu Shurui had returned especially from Jinling.
The four childhood friends drank heartily together.
They were all from military compound families Li Dong and Xia Weiguo had joined the workforce, Yu Shurui and Gu Jingzhou had become soldiers.
Their brotherhood had endured over the years, only Gu Jingzhou’s situation had changed he was the first to marry.
The other three couldn’t help but feel envious.
Yu Shurui had had two previous relationships, but they hadn’t worked out.
Li Dong and Xia Weiguo were not outstanding in appearance but had high standards, so they remained single.
Gu Jingzhou either didn’t search or, when he did, found the brightest, most remarkable woman.
Su Die’s beauty was well known at school.
Her personality was fiery; many admired her in secret, but few dared to pursue her seriously.
“Zhou, I heard your sister-in-law can speak foreign languages and is doing translation work with Grandpa Ge?”
Xia Weiguo’s grandfather had a connection with Grandpa Ge; years ago, he wanted Xia Weiguo to apprentice under Ge Wenhan, but Grandpa Ge was too picky.
Whenever Gu Jingzhou mentioned his wife, his pride showed. “My wife is incredibly talented. Grandpa Ge already recognizes her as his granddaughter, and this time she’s going to the northwest with me.”
“Your sister-in-law is amazing! Grandpa Ge comes from a prominent red-capitalist family; once half of Beijing belonged to the Ge family. In his youth, he donated money and planes amazing!” Li Dong marveled.
“Zhou, what about you? Not planning to transfer back?”
Yu Shurui was serving in Jinling, hoping to be reassigned to Beijing.
Gu Jingzhou shook his head. “Not yet.”
He had his own plans.
Achieving merit and establishing oneself was ingrained in Gu men. Gu Jingzhou felt he hadn’t accomplished enough, so he intended to work harder.
Yu Shurui hadn’t met Su Die yet; in his mind, a native Beijing girl might not endure life in the frontier. “And your wife? Is she willing to stay with you in the northwest?”
“Of course. My wife loves being by my side,” Gu Jingzhou said proudly.
Li Dong sighed with envy after drinking. “Zhou, you’re so lucky.”
Gu Jingzhou smiled, thinking he truly was fortunate to have such an outstanding wife by his side.