When they arrived at the Civil Affairs Bureau, there were already three or four couples ahead of them, all looking like young people from the city.
Although the country encouraged marriage registration and obtaining a marriage certificate in accordance with the law, rural people at this time still valued traditional customs more than legal concepts. In the countryside, holding a wedding banquet meant you were married. People generally did not bother getting a marriage certificate.
But Su Wan still carried memories from her previous life. In her heart, getting the certificate was an essential part of marriage. How could it count as marriage without a marriage certificate?
As for Han Rui, he had served in the military for many years. Law and discipline were already engraved into his bones, so of course he insisted on registering officially.
Soon, it was their turn.
The registration staff saw how handsome and beautiful the couple looked together and could not help taking a few extra glances. Even the other staff members kept sneaking looks at them. It was rare to see such an eye-catching couple. Just looking at them made people feel they were perfectly matched.
After asking a few simple questions, the marriage certificate was issued.
The marriage certificate was very simple, just a sheet of paper that looked much like a school award certificate. In the upper-left corner were their names, followed by the printed words:
“…voluntarily married. Upon examination, found to comply with the provisions of the Marriage Law regarding marriage, this certificate is hereby issued.”
In the lower-right corner was the date, stamped with the red seal of the county Civil Affairs Bureau.
Even though it was such a simple piece of paper, Su Wan felt its weight deeply.
From this moment on, they were husband and wife who would accompany each other for a lifetime.
Su Wan and Han Rui looked happily at the marriage certificate and smiled at each other at the same time.
On the tenth day of the Lunar New Year, before dawn had even broken, Su Niang pulled Su Wan out of bed early.
The night before, Su Wan had been nervous, excited, and happy all at once, tossing and turning for a long time before finally falling asleep. Still half-asleep now, she slapped a wet towel onto her face and instantly woke up.
At this time, there were no wedding dresses or bridal gowns. For weddings, people who cared about appearances would wear something red, while those with fewer means simply wore ordinary clothes.
Su Wan wore a specially knitted red sweater on top, black pants underneath, and a red overcoat on the outside. On her feet were black leather shoes with heels. She looked festive and radiant, obviously a bride at first glance.
The Su family did not have many relatives, but all of them came. Villagers also came over because the brigade leader’s daughter was getting married, and everyone wanted to join in the celebration. Besides, everyone knew the Su family was well-off, so the banquet food would definitely be good.
As a result, the Su household was bustling inside and out that day. The sounds of congratulations, laughter, chatting, and children playing filled the air. Sitting inside her room and listening to the lively atmosphere outside, Su Wan smiled.
Aunts, sisters, and women close to the Su family came into the room to see the bride. The moment they entered and saw Su Wan standing there, they were all stunned.
Goodness, she was dressed beautifully!
That bright red sweater, the expensive-looking overcoat, and even the black leather shoes with heels!
They had never seen anyone dressed so fashionably before. Everyone felt instantly amazed by how pretty she looked.
Su Wan greeted them before sitting at the table to begin her makeup.
Originally, Su Niang had wanted to invite the village woman who specialized in bridal makeup, but Su Wan had seen her work before—ghostly pale faces with two bright red circles on the cheeks. She absolutely refused to wear makeup like that on her wedding day and insisted on doing it herself.
Finally, after applying lipstick and styling her hair up, everything was complete.
Su Wan was already beautiful to begin with. Now that she had changed out of her dull everyday clothes and put on makeup, she seemed to glow.
After getting ready, Su Wan sat obediently on the bed, listening to everyone teasing and chatting. She could not help smiling along.
Time passed quickly.
Then she heard someone outside shouting, “They’re here! The groom is here!”
Su Wan unconsciously straightened her back and listened carefully to the commotion outside.
Outside, Han Rui was leading the procession on a bicycle while wearing his military uniform. Behind him followed more than ten bicycles in a grand procession. Children ran behind them laughing and shouting.
Han Rui stopped his bicycle and strode into the Su house.
Walking up to Su Father and Su Mother, he straightforwardly called out, “Dad, Mom.”
Han Rui stood there in military uniform, tall and straight, with broad shoulders and long legs. His usually calm and serious face could not hide the joy shining on it.
Although Su Father and Su Mother felt reluctant to part with their daughter, they felt even more satisfaction and happiness. They answered warmly, “Ah, ah,” and let someone bring him into Su Wan’s room.
Han Rui entered the room he had visited before, but this time his emotions were completely different.
The moment he stepped inside, he immediately saw Su Wan sitting at the edge of the bed.
She was even more beautiful than usual.
That vivid red clothing seemed to ignite a fire in his heart.
Han Rui stared at Su Wan without looking away as he walked toward her in large strides.
Su Wan sat there quietly, watching the man who would accompany her for the rest of her life walk toward her.
Han Rui took her hand and led her outside.
Together, they stood before her parents and bid farewell to them.
Su Father and Su Mother’s eyes were red as they smiled at the two of them.
At that moment, Su Wan could no longer hold back her tears.
It was finally time to leave.
Su Lei carried Su Wan slowly outside on his back. Though filled with reluctance, he could only place her onto the back seat of the bicycle. The three of them watched as Han Rui gradually rode farther and farther away with her.
Sitting on the back seat, Su Wan wrapped one arm around Han Rui’s waist while gently wiping her tears with the other hand.
Han Rui knew that no number of words could truly comfort her, so he simply said, “Wanwan, we’ll be happy.”
When they arrived at the Han family home, there was another round of busyness.
Finally, Su Wan sat on the bed in their bridal room.
Outside was still lively and noisy as Han Rui continued entertaining guests.
Su Wan looked around the room.
Because they would soon leave to follow the military and would not stay here often in the future, the room had only been arranged as a bridal chamber. Her clothes and belongings were all packed inside wicker suitcases, so there was no need to unpack anything. In a few days, she could simply carry them away directly.
As Su Wan quietly thought about these things, someone pushed open the door and entered.
Looking over, she recognized her as Han Rui’s elder brother’s wife—Sister-in-law Han.
Sister-in-law Han carried in a bowl and placed it on the table before saying, “Little sister-in-law, Mother asked me to bring this for you. You’ve been busy all day, so don’t go hungry.”
Su Wan looked at the bowl of noodles with an egg resting on top and smiled at her.
“Thank you, Sister-in-law. Please thank Mother for me too.”
“Aiya, no need, no need to be so polite,” Sister-in-law Han said awkwardly.
She thought to herself that this younger sister-in-law really was educated. She even said thank you for a bowl of noodles! And she was so beautiful and delicate too.
“Little sister-in-law, then I’ll go back out to help. Just leave the bowl here after you finish eating. I’ll come collect it later while cleaning up.”
“No need, Sister-in-law. Han Rui can take it out later. No need to trouble yourself to come back again.”
“Alright then, that works too!”
Su Wan had been exhausted all day. She had only eaten breakfast that morning and was already starving. Holding the bowl, she carefully ate small bites, afraid of smudging her lipstick.
After finishing the entire bowl of noodles, she felt extremely full. There had simply been too much food in it. Since she was embarrassed to leave leftovers, she forced herself to finish everything.
Then she stood up and slowly walked around the room to help digest the meal.