Su City Newspaper Office.
With the loss of a key staff member, the already stretched-thin Editorial Department found itself in even more dire straits.
Thus, Gu Fangbai, who had only managed to secure three hours of leave, rushed back to the office without even taking a sip of water before hastily diving into work.
It wasn’t until lunchtime that she managed to steal a brief moment of respite.
It was then that Hu Yaoying, equally swamped with work, finally found an opportunity to present her gift.
Gu Fangbai swallowed her food, surprised: “For me?”
Seeing her friend hesitate to accept it, Hu Yaoying stood up and firmly pushed it toward her: “Yeah, aren’t you getting married?”
“But I’m not holding the banquet here in Su City.” Judging by the size of the box, it was probably a fountain pen. Gu Fangbai wanted to return it.
Hu Yaoying waved her hand: “Keep it, keep it. We’ve been friends for years—shouldn’t I give you a small gift for such a big occasion?”
“Then… thank you.” Gu Fangbai didn’t refuse further and tucked the small box into her trouser pocket. “Remember to let me know in advance when you get married.”
“What? Planning to return the favor?”
Gu Fangbai laughed: “You said it yourself—we’ve been friends for years.”
Hu Yaoying didn’t beat around the bush either: “Hehe, alright then. But my wedding isn’t too far off either.”
“So soon?” Gu Fangbai was astonished. If she remembered correctly, Yaoying had only gone on a blind date a couple of days ago, hadn’t she?
Hu Yaoying gave her friend a look that spoke volumes: “Could anyone be faster than you?”
Gu Fangbai choked back her words, wanting to say that she was getting married to save a life. Unfortunately, she couldn’t reveal the truth and could only grumble: “My… situation is different. Anyway, marriage is a big deal—you need to think it through carefully.”
Knowing that Fangbai was worried about her, Hu Yaoying shared a bit more: “Don’t worry. When I said ‘soon,’ I didn’t mean in the next few days. It’ll probably take a month or two.”
Right, Gu Fangbai had misunderstood. In these times, as long as both parties found each other suitable, most wouldn’t delay for long. She smiled and said: “It seems you’re quite satisfied with your blind date.”
“Hehe, he’s really good—tall and sturdy, he makes me look petite.”
“That’s great. But you should still spend more time together to see what his character is like.”
Mentioning this made Hu Yaoying furious. She gritted her teeth and slammed the table indignantly: “The editor-in-chief is downright heartless! He dumps endless work on us every day. I even have to time my bathroom breaks—how can I find time to spend with my boyfriend… Wuwu… Who could be more miserable than me?”
Watching the girl’s fake sobbing, Gu Fangbai twitched her lips: “Aren’t I more miserable than you? I’m getting married tomorrow, but I still have to work today.”
Hu Yaoying’s expression shifted instantly: “Now that I think about it, I feel much better…”
Gu Fangbai rolled her eyes: “Shut up.”
“Hey, don’t be mad. If you’re going to be angry, don’t blame the wrong person—it’s all the editor-in-chief’s fault…”
Ahem, ahem…
Sudden coughing interrupted the girls’ whispered conversation.
They both turned around and froze in unison: “Ed… Editor-in-chief?”
Zhou Ruchen hadn’t expected the two girls to be hiding in a corner bad-mouthing him. Though he was usually sharp-tongued, he wasn’t petty. He merely glared at Little Hu with a dark expression before turning to Little Gu: “Come see me after you finish your meal.”
With those words, Editor-in-chief Zhou turned and strode away sternly.
But after taking only two steps, he looked back: “Little Gu, you can leave on time today.”
Gu Fangbai beamed: “Thank you, Editor-in-chief.”
Hu Yaoying’s eyes lit up as she eagerly sought benefits for herself: “Chief Editor, then I…”
Zhou Ruchen shot her a glare and asked coolly, “Are you getting married too?”
“……” Choked into speechlessness, Hu Yaoying threw a few air punches at the chief editor’s retreating back, barely venting her frustration, before leaning in curiously: “What did Lao Zhou want with you?”
Gu Fangbai quickened her eating pace: “You’ll find out soon enough.”
Hu Yaoying reminded her: “If he’s assigning you a new task, refuse it… you’re about to get married.”
Gu Fangbai: “Probably not.”
Of course, if there really was some urgent task requiring assistance, she’d be willing to help.
After all, Lao Zhou was quite principled – he’d put in great effort to get her marriage application approved so quickly.
Zhou Ruchen indeed had other matters in mind. When his subordinate approached, he stubbed out his half-smoked cigarette, opened the window to air out the smell, then pointed to a nearby stool and got straight to the point: “Sit, don’t be nervous, no new tasks… Mainly wanted to ask if you’ll continue writing work after joining the army?”
Gu Fangbai hadn’t actually had time to consider this, her mind completely occupied with getting married first. She decided to be frank: “Not sure.”
Zhou Ruchen wasn’t one for beating around the bush: “I think your excellent writing skills shouldn’t go to waste. You could consider becoming a contributing writer for the newspaper.”
Between 1966 and 1976, publishing articles didn’t pay royalties.
Even authors specifically commissioned by newspapers could only receive a few ration coupons.
To be honest, Gu Fangbai wasn’t very interested. After all, with the wedding money added by her uncle and aunt plus the 2,000 yuan bride price from Chu Yu, her personal savings had already exceeded ten thousand yuan.
In the 1960s, being a ten-thousand-yuan household made her quite wealthy – completely unnecessary to trouble herself for a few ration coupons.
However, Lao Zhou meant well, and Gu Fangbai herself hadn’t yet decided on her future career direction, so she didn’t refuse: “I’ll seriously consider it.”
“Alright, write to me if you want to contribute.” After finishing business, Zhou Ruchen pulled out a small box from his drawer: “Here, a wedding gift.”
“Thank you, Chief Editor.” From memory, when the chief editor got married two years ago, her original self had also given a gift – basic social courtesy. But… why another fountain pen?
Zhou Ruchen waved his hand: “Get back to work… Oh, and you have tomorrow off.”
This was a pleasant surprise: “Thank you, Chief Editor.”
=
Though supposed to get off work on time.
By the time Gu Fangbai finished her work, it was already 6 PM.
There had only been a few light rains over the past couple days, and the water level on the ground had visibly receded considerably.
Bidding farewell to her unfortunate overtime-working colleagues, Gu Fangbai put on her rain boots, waded through the rainwater, boarded the bus, and after half an hour of bumpy travel, returned to the Glass Factory Family Compound.
Seeing her niece, Xu Huailan expressed surprise: “Why are you back at this hour? Have you eaten dinner?”
Changing into cloth slippers while scooping water to rinse her rain boots, Gu Fangbai replied: “Not yet. Have you eaten?”
Xu Huailan deftly tied on an apron: “We ate long ago. What would you like? I’ll cook for you.”
Gu Fangbai continued scrubbing her shoes with her head down: “I’m quite hungry. Are there any leftovers at home?”
“None, and it’s rather unlucky – Little Chu had dinner here. He has a good appetite and cleaned everything out… How about I cook you some noodles? That’ll be quick.”
“Noodles it is… What did Brother Chu come for? Has he already left?” Gu Fangbai tossed the cleaned rain boots onto the corridor to dry, then went to fetch water to wash her hands.
“He left half an hour ago.” Xu Huailan took out half a pack of dried noodles from the third drawer of the five-drawer cabinet. “Little Chu came to deliver wedding candies and pastries. He said he bought too many, and he doesn’t have many relatives or friends on his side.”
Both Grandpa Chu and Chu’s Father were only children, so they truly had few close relatives. As for those beyond the third degree of kinship, they now wished to have nothing to do with the Chu family. Thinking of this, Gu Fangbai sighed silently. “Please remember to set aside thirty portions for me.”
Xu Huailan dug out two more eggs. “For your colleagues? Is thirty enough?”
“That should be about right.”
“Then I’ll save thirty-five for you. Better to have too many than too few.”
Gu Fangbai had no objections. She dried her hands and leaned against the doorframe, watching her aunt light the coal stove, heat the pan, and add oil… Only then did she belatedly realize: “Where did Uncle and Rongzhi go?”
“They went to catch ricefield eels. Tomorrow you’re registering your marriage, so the family should have a proper meal.” The circumstances being what they were, Xu Huailan felt quite upset that they couldn’t hold a wedding banquet for her niece.
Surprised by this answer, Gu Fangbai was touched but also skeptical. “Uncle… can he actually catch eels?”
To her knowledge, Comrade Gu Weiguo loved fishing but was terrible at it. Over the years, the fish he’d brought home could be counted on one hand.
If he couldn’t even catch fish, wouldn’t the slippery eels be even harder?
Clearly, Xu Huailan was also aware of her husband’s capabilities. She chuckled. “It’s his only hobby, let him have his fun. If he can’t catch any, we can always buy some.”
In the heat of summer, mosquitoes were everywhere. Gu Fangbai didn’t understand what her uncle and cousin were thinking, but she didn’t dwell on it. Instead, she talked about having tomorrow off and the wedding gifts from Yaoying and the chief editor…
Xu Huailan was naturally delighted and full of praise, then added, “Speaking of gifts, have you told your eldest brother and second sister about the marriage? They’ll definitely want to send presents too.”
Gu Fangbai had completely forgotten but didn’t dare admit it. “I plan to call them after we’ve registered.”
Two eggs slid into the hot oil with an immediate sizzle. Xu Huailan flipped the omelet with a spatula. “Why call? You queue for one or two hours just to talk for two or three minutes. Better to write letters—they can’t make it back anyway.”
True enough. If the call got cut off halfway, they’d have to start over. Gu Fangbai, bothered by the cooking fumes, shifted aside. “Should I write today then?”
Xu Huailan: “Go ahead. You can mail them tomorrow after registering—it’s on the way.”
“What about… would you and Uncle like to write a few lines too? It’s just one stamp anyway.”
“Fine. I’ll let you know when we’re done. It’s about time Oldest and Second started looking for partners—I need to give them a push.”
“……”
=
Around 9 p.m.
When the Gu father and son returned covered in dozens of mosquito bites, they indeed hadn’t caught a single eel.
But unlike Comrade Gu Weiguo, who had a clear understanding of his own abilities, the young and spirited Gu Rongzhi was far more stubborn.
While grimacing as he applied medicated oil to his bites, he pointed at the bamboo basket. “We didn’t get any eels, but I caught a few frogs.”
Xu Huailan raised her hand and smacked the back of the brat’s head. “What can three frogs even do?”
Gu Weiguo chuckled cheerfully, “I’ve already made arrangements with Old Hu. Tomorrow he’ll get us two jin of ricefield eels. Stewing those frogs with the eels will make a deliciously fresh soup.”
Gu Rongzhi proudly mimicked, “That’s right, deliciously fresh!”
Gu Fangbai, who had come out upon hearing the commotion, was amused. “Three frogs in exchange for dozens of mosquito bites, and you’re actually proud of that?”
“Sis?! When did you get back? Mom, why didn’t you tell me Sis was home?”
Xu Huailan couldn’t be bothered with her silly son. She picked up the medicated oil and began applying it to the mosquito bites on her husband’s back that he couldn’t reach himself, all while complaining, “I’ve always said you’re not the brightest. Look how clever our future nephew-in-law is? He even remembers to light mosquito coils when going to watch movies. How come it never occurred to you to light one when you went crawling through the ponds and grassy patches?”
Gu Weiguo protested, “Of course I thought about it! I was just afraid I might set the grass on fire.”
“See? You really are dense. We’ve had so much rain in June it’s practically flooding the city. Where would you find dry grass to burn?”
“But it hasn’t rained much these past couple of days…”
“……”
Seeing their parents falling into their endless bickering pattern, Gu Rongzhi quickly pulled his sister into his room and presented her with a carefully prepared gift.
Gu Fangbai looked at the familiar box being offered to her, hesitated for a moment, then reached out to accept it. “A wedding gift for me?”
Gu Rongzhi grinned, showing his white teeth. “Yes! Take a look, Sis. Do you like it?”
Opening the box, Gu Fangbai wasn’t surprised to see a familiar fountain pen inside.
It was completely identical to the one Yao Ying had given her – even the color was the same. It just went to show how limited gift options were during this era.
Though she now had yet another fountain pen, this was her younger brother’s heartfelt gesture, so Gu Fangbai felt genuinely pleased. “I really like it.”
Gu Rongzhi looked quite proud. “I knew you pen-pushers would all like fountain pens.”
So that’s why all three of them gave me pens, Gu Fangbai thought, both amused and exasperated. She then pulled two Da Tuan Jie bills from her pocket and pressed them into her brother’s hand.
Gu Rongzhi looked confused. “Why are you giving me money?”
Gu Fangbai reached up and ruffled her brother’s short hair. “This pen must have cleaned out your savings, right? Consider this your allowance from your big sister.”
Gu Rongzhi refused. “If I take this money, would this fountain pen count as a gift from me, or something I sold to you?”
“Quite the principled one, aren’t you…” Seeing her stubborn younger brother’s determination, Gu Fangbai didn’t insist. Instead, she changed tactics. “Brother Chu will be coming over for lunch tomorrow. When you see him, call him ‘third brother-in-law’ and get him to give you a greeting gift.”
“……” Gu Rongzhi shot his third sister a look full of admiration.
=
June 28, 1968.
Clear weather – an auspicious day for weddings.
On her thirteenth day in the 1960s, Gu Fangbai was getting married!
Though she was getting married without even having dated, and though she still had various uncertainties about marriage…
When the day finally arrived, she still got up early to prepare.
However, she had slept together with her aunt last night, and the older woman had shared many words of wisdom about married life. They had talked until very late, so now she could barely keep her eyes open, nearly falling back asleep while doing her hair.
Xu Huailan, seeing her niece’s head nodding off, laughingly took the comb and began helping with her hair. “We need to hurry up. Little Chu has already arrived.”
Gu Fangbai instinctively glanced at her wrist, noticing it was only just past five o’clock. She vigorously rubbed her cheeks, trying to wake herself up properly. “Why is Brother Chu here so early?”
“Perfectly normal. What young lad wouldn’t be eager to marry?” Especially when her niece was such an outstanding person. In Xu Huailan’s view, Little Chu’s enthusiastic attitude was exactly the right approach.
Gu Fangbai smiled, finding it impossible to associate Chu Yu’s image with that of an impulsive young man.
“Shall I braid your hair into two pigtails again today?”
Gu Fangbai snapped out of her thoughts and reached for the comb: “Auntie, please go attend to your tasks. I can manage this myself.”
Xu Huailan didn’t insist, but before leaving she reminded: “Do dress up nicely now, it’s your wedding day.”
Though she said this, considering the current social climate, Gu Fangbai didn’t dare to be too extravagant. At most, she made the pigtails slightly looser and more stylish.
For clothing, she chose a modest Peter Pan collar white blouse paired with navy blue trousers.
Gu Fangbai had considered wearing a skirt – after all, she loved looking pretty too.
But she didn’t want to take risks. What if someone at the civil affairs office decided to pick on her because of Chu Yu’s family background? That would be gaining little at great cost.
The more critical the moment, the more careful one must be…
Xu Huailan completely failed to understand her niece’s caution. Seeing her niece emerge from the bedroom, she expressed dissatisfaction: “Why are you dressed so plainly? Don’t you have any festive colors? Didn’t I pick out a red dress for you last night?”
Gu Fangbai twirled around: “Doesn’t it look nice? I think it’s quite beautiful.”
“That’s because you’re pretty to begin with, so everything looks good on you… How did you do your braids? They look unusually nice… Really not going to change into the red one? The pink would work too…”
Seeing her aunt ramble on endlessly, Gu Fangbai quickly interrupted: “Didn’t you say Brother Chu was here? Where is he?”
Xu Huailan’s attention was successfully diverted: “Knowing you like eating Cifantuan, he went with your uncle to buy some… Why are you just standing there? Go wash up quickly.”
Weren’t you the one keeping me talking? Suddenly being criticized like this, Gu Fangbai found it both amusing and frustrating…
=
The 1960s didn’t have civil affairs bureaus yet.
Most people either went to neighborhood offices or civil affairs departments within the government to register their marriages.
The staff started work at eight, but shortly after seven, Chu Yu was already pedaling his bicycle with his partner straight to their destination.
Except for the over hour-long wait, everything else went smoothly.
So smoothly that… even after successfully obtaining their marriage certificate that resembled an award certificate, Gu Fangbai still found it unreal.
“…Fang Bai?”
Gu Fangbai looked up blankly, meeting a pair of beautiful phoenix eyes filled with concern: “What’s wrong?”
Chu Yu sighed helplessly: “What’s wrong with you? Why are you spacing out?”
Gu Fangbai told the truth: “It’s just… I didn’t expect it to go so smoothly. I thought someone might cause trouble.” Heaven knows how many worst-case scenarios she had imagined these past few days.
Chu Yu took the marriage certificate and carefully put it away before saying meaningfully: “The staff helping with registration are our people.”
As long as Fang Bai was willing to marry him, he would clear all obstacles in advance. Although today’s smooth process had actually cost him considerable effort… it was completely worth it!
Gu Fangbai was surprised: “Is your social circle that extensive?” He had connections in the Educated Youth Office, neighborhood offices, and even acquaintances in the civil affairs department?
Chu Yu unlocked his bicycle, swung his long leg over the seat, and patted the padded rear carrier, signaling Fang Bai to sit: “Didn’t know them before. Got acquainted after sharing some cigarettes and liquor.”
Now that’s… a practical and down-to-earth approach. Gu Fangbai didn’t press for details but smiled and hopped onto the bicycle’s rear seat: “Where are we going now?”
Chu Yu pushed off forcefully, and the bicycle sped forward. He turned back to look at the beautiful girl who had become his wife and smiled: “Come with me to the post office?”
“Watch the road ahead, don’t fall.” Gu Fangbai reached out to push the man’s head back: “I actually need to go to the post office to mail a letter too. Are you doing the same?”
Though his head was pushed, Chu Yu wasn’t annoyed at all—instead, he was particularly delighted by Fangbai’s intimate gesture. They… were married now.
Just thinking about it made the smile on his face uncontrollable, truly radiating springtime joy: “Not mailing a letter. I’m calling the regiment commander to ask him to help arrange housing.”
Gu Fangbai asked curiously: “How long will the approval take?”
Chu Yu: “There are already vacant houses in the Family Compound. It should be approved in a day or two… Don’t worry, by the time we return to the army, we’ll definitely have a clean place to live.”
“I believe we’ll have a house, but ‘clean’ is questionable.”
Chu Yu, however, played coy: “You’ll find out soon enough.”
Although Brother Chu was being mysterious, Gu Fangbai didn’t pay it much mind. In her view, he was probably just going to ask his subordinates in the army to help clean in advance.
Little did she expect that the usually steady and reliable man would completely change his demeanor after connecting with the regiment commander’s call.
He began making demands with full confidence: “Old Yue, I’ll be bringing my family back to the army in a couple of days… Yes, my wife is coming with me. Help me pick a good house… What requirements? It should have good sunlight, the neighbors should be easy to get along with, and it’s best to be close to the well… Why am I being difficult? Didn’t you tell me to state my requirements? Oh, and have someone clean it up for me, plus the furniture…”
Standing nearby, Gu Fangbai was utterly stunned… So, this Regimental Commander Yue had the image of a kind, fatherly figure?
Author’s Note: Actually, I wanted to write some antagonist content, but my editor reminded me to watch the limits, so I had to gloss over it, [facepalm][facepalm]
Dear readers, there’s a promotion tomorrow, so the midnight update is moved to 11 PM. I’ll also post another preview… Mwah! (╯3╰)[rose][rose]
It’s another day of asking for favorites, comments, and nutrient solutions. Randomly dropping 100 small red envelopes as usual. Leave comments, fairies! Mwah! (╯3╰)
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Recommending the next story I’m going to publish. Interested readers, please help by adding it to your collections! Mwah (ω)[heart][heart]
Title: Republic Era Writer
Synopsis: Year 8 of the Republic, opium addicts everywhere.
They say “When guns fire, you either sell your children or pawn your wife.”
Xie Lao San, having squandered his family fortune and just pawned his wife, inevitably set his sights on his 13-year-old daughter.
Xie Qinghe, who had crossed over and found herself worth only one silver yuan and eight copper coins, refused to accept her fate.
She fled dozens of miles overnight and boarded a small steamer.
She was going to Shanghai to seek refuge with her aunt.
=
Su Gongguan.
As a technical backbone among servants, the cook Aunt Liu had a poor relative arrive from her hometown.
The little girl was thin and small, yet her delicate features couldn’t be concealed.
Servants also had their own hierarchy.
Gatekeepers, kitchen helpers, cleaning maids… All the lower-level laborers with sons at home began contemplating marrying her to “curry favor” with Aunt Liu.
Yet several months later, the orphan girl whom everyone had reluctantly accepted, clutching her textbooks, stepped into the school campus.
Though the servants felt sour about it, they no longer dared to entertain any hopes, only cursing Aunt Liu inwardly for her cunning.
Such cultivation of a poor relative was probably intended to offer her as a concubine to one of the young masters.
Unexpectedly, the orphan girl once again shattered everyone’s expectations—she actually bought a house, moved out of Su Gongguan, and even published books to become a renowned writer.
Disclaimer: This story is set in an alternate universe—a highly fictional one. The plot is entirely fabricated; please do not scrutinize it for historical accuracy. Thank you!
The female lead is a great beauty! This is an atypical strong female lead story—a brainless, satisfying read, sweet romance, and slice-of-life!
Synopsis subject to change! Screenshots have been taken on Weibo!