Qiao Yu noticed everyone staring at her blankly and looked down at her outfit.
It looked quite nice.
She also glanced at what Gu Shaoyuan was wearing today—a very formal military uniform.
He was tall and sturdy, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, like a walking clothes hanger.
The military uniform on him, combined with his cold expression, inexplicably gave off an air of restraint.
It made Qiao Yu’s thoughts wander into less-than-innocent territory.
Zhang Xiulian was the first to walk over, smiling as she looked at Qiao Yu and said, “Oh my, Xiao Yu looks so beautiful today, just like a starlet on a poster.”
Having such a pretty daughter-in-law would surely make her the envy of others.
Liu Cuicui’s eyes were filled with jealousy. She realized she truly couldn’t compare to a young lady from Shanghai—Qiao Yu’s clothes were all expensive.
She didn’t even have a single pretty dress.
Gu Ling couldn’t take her eyes off Qiao Yu and whispered to Liu Cuicui, “Since Qiao Yu is my sister-in-law now, can I borrow her pretty dresses to wear in the future?”
Liu Cuicui didn’t answer, gritting her teeth so hard her molars almost cracked, her nails digging into her palms.
Gu Jianhua stood up and said, “Alright, Shao Yuan, hurry up and take Qiao Yu to get the marriage certificate. I checked the almanac—eight o’clock is the perfect time!”
Gu Shaoyuan nodded and instinctively reached for Qiao Yu’s hand.
But Qiao Yu had already lifted the hem of her dress and walked ahead. Seeing he hadn’t caught up, she turned back and blinked at him.
“Let’s go.”
Gu Shaoyuan’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he followed.
The marriage registration office had just opened at eight o’clock. When the staff saw that it was Battalion Commander Gu and his fiancée coming to get their marriage certificate, they were a bit surprised.
Although they had heard that Battalion Commander Gu’s fiancée had come to the island, seeing her in person was still hard to believe.
“I heard Battalion Commander Gu’s wife is from Shanghai. She’s really stunning.”
“Exactly! No wonder the battalion commander never showed interest in the girls on the island—he already had such a beautiful fiancée!”
Under the curious gazes of the staff, Gu Shaoyuan and Qiao Yu completed their marriage certificate in less than five minutes.
Afterward, Qiao Yu cheerfully took some wedding candies from her bag and handed them out.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
The staff happily accepted the candies and congratulated them, saying, “Congratulations to Battalion Commander Gu and his wife on your marriage. May you have a happy union and a child soon!”
Hearing their blessings, even Gu Shaoyuan’s stern and resolute face softened slightly.
As for the part about having a child soon, Qiao Yu silently thought to herself, “Let’s not rush that.”
She and Gu Shaoyuan weren’t close enough to even think about having children yet.
After leaving the office, Qiao Yu looked at the marriage certificate in her hand, which resembled an award certificate, with great curiosity.
But before she could examine it for more than two seconds, the certificate was taken away by a rough, large hand.
Qiao Yu looked up and met Gu Shaoyuan’s deep, dark eyes.
Gu Shaoyuan said matter-of-factly, “I’ll keep it. It’s safer with me.”
Qiao Yu thought to herself, wouldn’t it be even safer in her Spatial Dimension? No one else could enter it except her.
Who would be so idle as to steal a marriage certificate?
She glanced at the certificate in his hand, then looked up at Gu Shaoyuan’s unyielding expression.
“Fine, you keep it then.”
…
Since they were married now, of course they had to take a wedding photo.
Qiao Yu took Gu Shaoyuan to a photo studio.
It was Gu Shaoyuan’s first time taking a photo with a girl. Sitting beside his fragrant, soft wife, he occasionally caught a faint, sweet scent drifting into his nostrils.
He instinctively straightened his spine, his shoulder line taut like a fully drawn bowstring.
Qiao Yu, on the other hand, was much more relaxed, not deliberately posing, with a slight upward curve at the corner of her lips.
“Regimental Commander Gu, soften your expression a bit. Today is a joyous occasion, smile more.”
The photographer tried taking a shot but noticed Gu Shaoyuan’s stern expression and tightly pressed lips—anyone unaware might think he was heading off to war.
Qiao Yu turned her face to look at him, frowning as she said, “Relax a little.”
Upon hearing her words, Gu Shaoyuan’s facial expression softened considerably in an instant.
The photographer quickly captured this moment, extremely satisfied.
Regimental Commander Gu was tall and handsome, while Qiao Yu was radiant and captivating—truly a match made in heaven.
They changed poses and took several more photos, both sitting and standing, their bodies gradually drawing closer together.
Qiao Yu directly linked her arm with his and said to the photographer, “Let’s take one like this.”
The moment she linked arms with Gu Shaoyuan, his entire body tensed up, his mind filled with the soft, smooth sensation of her skin.
Qiao Yu didn’t notice that his ears had turned red; her eyes were only filled with anticipation for the developed photos.
They were taking color photographs, two yuan per photo—quite expensive.
Regimental Commander Gu paid without a word.
The photographer said with a smile, “Regimental Commander Gu, the photos will be developed next week. Would you like me to deliver them then?”
“No need, I’ll come pick them up myself.”
Gu Shaoyuan didn’t trust them, and besides, he was looking forward to these wedding photos.
As the two walked out of the photo studio, Yang Zhongcheng was already waiting outside in the jeep.
“Congratulations, Regimental Commander, congratulations, Sister-in-law! Happy wedding day!”
Yang Zhongcheng couldn’t contain the smile on his face. Good heavens, their regimental commander had been single for so many years and had finally taken a wife.
Seeing Yang Zhongcheng’s excited expression, Qiao Yu couldn’t help but chuckle.
Gu Shaoyuan watched as the smile curled at the corner of her lips, sweeter and warmer than freshly steamed osmanthus cake.
Except, that smile wasn’t directed at him.
Gu Shaoyuan expressionlessly glanced at Yang Zhongcheng and said in a deep voice, “To the family quarters.”
Yang Zhongcheng immediately snapped to attention and got into the car. He couldn’t understand—today was the regimental commander’s joyous day, so why was he still wearing such a cold expression?
What if he scared off the new sister-in-law?
Yang Zhongcheng was endlessly worried for their regimental commander.
Qiao Yu didn’t forget to hand Yang Zhongcheng a handful of wedding candies. Thankfully, she had been clever enough to buy extra; otherwise, there wouldn’t have been enough to share.
Gu Shaoyuan looked down at the candies in her hand and asked, “When did you buy these?”
Qiao Yu pouted, “Yesterday. You were so busy I couldn’t find you, so I bought them while I was out strolling.”
Gu Shaoyuan pressed his lips together—he had been neglectful.
This was his first time getting married, and he truly didn’t know what to prepare. Qiao Yu had been more thoughtful.
Arriving at the family quarters.
Yang Zhongcheng parked the car directly in front of a one-and-a-half-story bungalow with a courtyard.
Qiao Yu followed Gu Shaoyuan out of the car and watched as he took out two keys, handing one to her.
Qiao Yu naturally accepted the key. Gu Shaoyuan used his to unlock the door, and both wooden doors were pushed open simultaneously.
The first thing that caught her eye was a large tree on the left side of the courtyard.
The tree was lush and robust, with thick branches extending outward. Two ropes hung from a sturdy branch, and beneath them was tied a thick wooden plank.
It was sturdy enough to support two people sitting on it.
When she saw this homemade swing, Qiao Yu was momentarily stunned.
She suddenly remembered mentioning the family housing building to Gu Shaoyuan a couple of days ago, saying she wanted a swing in the yard—and now, there it was right before her eyes.
But that wasn’t the only surprise for Qiao Yu.
Following the stone-paved path further inside, she also noticed a row of stone-built troughs along the right wall.
The soil inside looked rich and fertile, perfect for planting flowers or vegetables.