Meanwhile, in the same compound, under the same sky, Shen Zhigao’s household was filled with gloom.
Just now, the outcome of Shen Zhigao’s case had come in: suspension pending investigation.
“I told you not to provoke Shen Qingyun! Are you deaf or just brainless? I’m going to be ruined because of you!” Shen Zhigao shouted furiously. Now, promotion was out of the question—he didn’t even know if he could keep his job.
Sun Lanzhi felt a twinge of guilt, but not enough. She argued, “Zhou Weiguo already went back to the southern province. Can’t you see Shen Qingyun’s tricking us? It might not even be her reporting you—maybe you offended someone else by mistake.”
Just then, the sound of firecrackers and bicycle bells came from outside. Sun Lanzhi, annoyed, muttered as she walked out, “Who’s getting married today? Really can’t pick a good day.”
She opened the door and was immediately struck by a jeep passing by, decorated with red flowers and ribbons. In the open top, she glimpsed a woman’s delicate profile.
Her cloth bag fell to the ground as she stared blankly at Shen Qingyun leaving.
Coming back to her senses, Sun Lanzhi grabbed a passerby and asked urgently, “Who’s getting married today?”
“Don’t you know? Today’s Shen Qingyun and Commander Zou Zhanyang’s wedding!”
“If you want to attend, hurry! Come late and there’ll be no seats left!”
Sun Lanzhi didn’t even pick up her bag. She rushed inside and told Shen Zhigao excitedly, “It’s Shen Qingyun and Zou Zhanyang getting married today!”
Shen Zhigao jumped up. “Are you serious?”
“I saw Shen Qingyun pass by our house myself,” Sun Lanzhi said.
Shen Zhigao’s earlier despair vanished, replaced with excitement. “Quick! Change your clothes—we’re going to our daughter’s wedding!” He could hardly contain his joy. This surprise from Shen Qingyun might even determine if he could get reinstated.
Sun Lanzhi and Shen Zhigao quickly changed and went to knock on Shen Qinghe and Shen Qingwei’s doors.
The siblings, just waking up, asked what was happening.
Before they could answer, a knock came at the door, and through it came a clear voice from the local street office:
“We are from the street office, here to take Shen Qinghe and Shen Qingwei to the countryside for re-education!”
The siblings were stunned, as if struck by a hammer.
Meanwhile, the jeep arrived at the compound, stopping at the ceremony hall.
A red carpet led the way. A portrait of the great leader hung in the center, and the walls were adorned with red “double happiness” characters. Zou Zhanyang and Shen Qingyun exchanged vows and tokens. The registrar read the marriage certificate number aloud, and as the crowd sang revolutionary songs, the ceremony was almost complete.
Then came the banquet and toasts. When Shen Qingyun saw Zou Bowen seated in the audience, she was surprised. As if sensing her gaze, he looked up and smiled kindly—but the surprise quickly shifted to horror.
When Shen Qingyun and Zou Zhanyang went up to toast, Zou Bowen even spoke first: “Being married means becoming adults. From now on, you must support and be responsible for each other, live well, and not disappoint the organization’s trust and approval.”
Aunt Cao Cui-zhen chimed in beside him: “Oh, Bowen, it’s a joyous day! Why so many rules? We just want you two to live happily—don’t disappoint everyone.”
Next, Zou Liyi, Lu Weihua, Su Xiangmei, and many familiar but unnamed faces came to toast. Among the crowd, Shen Qingyun noticed Xu Jianni leaving with reddened eyes.
After the round of toasts, Shen Qingyun felt a little tired. Zou Zhanyang rubbed her waist, concerned. “Wife, you go back to the room first. I’ll handle things here.”
Shen Qingyun nodded.
The bridal room was decked with red “double happiness” characters on the walls and windows. Colorful paper flowers hung in the west corner, converging into a paper lantern. The atmosphere was festive.
The bed was laid with new bedding, red satin covers embroidered with peonies. Red dates, peanuts, longans, and lotus seeds were scattered across the bed.
Shen Qingyun sat on the bed, quietly dozing. When she woke, most of the guests had left.
She had worried about a rowdy bridal night, but Zou Zhanyang had handed out the red envelopes and sent everyone off first. Shen Qingyun was very pleased.
Zou Zhanyang, in his military uniform, strode into the room and immediately saw Shen Qingyun sitting by the bed.
The warm light cast a glow on her delicate face. Zou Zhanyang’s sharp eyes softened instantly. He took a big step, scooped Shen Qingyun onto his lap, buried his head in her neck, nuzzling, and called out, “Wife.”
Feeling him stirring beneath her, Shen Qingyun pushed him away with effort. “Go take a shower first.”
Zou Zhanyang obediently went to shower. By the time he emerged, Shen Qingyun had finished hers too.
Zou Zhanyang’s gaze was deep; his Adam’s apple bobbed, his voice husky.
Shen Qingyun blushed under his gaze and needed courage from alcohol. “We toasted so much today, but we haven’t had any wine ourselves.”
“Come, a toast.”
Zou Zhanyang’s throat moved as he drank. The wedding wine burned through him, making him flush all over.
Momentarily forgetting that the earlier toasts had been mostly water, he could no longer resist. He lifted Shen Qingyun, and they fell onto the bed together. He leaned over her, nibbling lightly on her eyes, lips, ears, and neck. His hands, for the first time, grew restless, stirring sensations that made Shen Qingyun feel both ticklish and curious.
Before she could fully react, she heard soft breathing nearby.
Shen Qingyun turned her head: Zou Zhanyang’s eyes were closed, his face tinged pink, breath lightly scented with wine.
She hadn’t expected that her nearly 1.9-meter-tall husband would be so light-headed after one drink.
As it turned out, being drunk prevented him from mischief.
Shen Qingyun pushed him aside, pulled the covers over herself, and fell asleep slowly.
In the middle of the night, she dreamt of being licked by a giant cat. The wet tongue traced her cheek, and the cat sat heavily on her, making it hard to breathe.
Shen Qingyun woke suddenly, meeting a pair of heated, burning eyes.
Sensing she was awake, Zou Zhanyang grew more excited, moving even more vigorously. Shen Qingyun couldn’t resist kicking him.
Zou Zhanyang caught her foot and held it in his palm, murmuring, “Wife, I feel so uncomfortable.”
Was he drunk? Sober? Half-drunk?
Sweat formed on his brow as he finally found relief.
Shen Qingyun’s eyes teared, thinking groggily: being drunk truly prevents mischief—but not half-drunk.
Shen Qingyun felt like a fish being flipped and fried in extreme heat. She woke the next day with dark circles under her eyes.
Seeing Zou Zhanyang energetic and refreshed, she looked at him with a mixture of exasperation and envy. He had done all the work, yet he seemed to have absorbed all the vitality of the sun, showing no fatigue.
Sensing her sulky gaze, Zou Zhanyang, who was wiping her hands, dropped the towel, stood, and pulled her into his arms. He leaned down and kissed her twice. “Wife, let’s go eat. Grandpa must be waiting impatiently.”
Shen Qingyun gave a soft “hm” and pushed slightly but didn’t move him. She looked up at him, puzzled.
Why weren’t they leaving yet?
Zou Zhanyang’s throat moved, eyes deep. His wife looked adorable, sleepy yet cute, just waking up was cute. Unable to resist, he leaned down and kissed her again, whispering softly, “After breakfast, okay? Let me kiss you a little.”