“Comrade Shen,” Chu Yunli said as he turned to Shen Yong, his military boots striking the ground with steady, measured steps. “The agreement to sever family ties clearly states that neither side will interfere in the other’s affairs. This betrothal gift is for Zhouzhou alone and has nothing to do with the Shen family anymore. Don’t reach for things that don’t belong to you, or you’ll only damage our relationship and break the rules.”
“Ei… eight… eight hundred? And the Three Turns and One Sound?”
Shen Yong’s eyes were practically burning as they locked onto the money in Shen Zhouzhou’s hands, his Adam’s apple bobbing wildly. He had never seen such a thick stack of cash in his entire life. If that money ended up in his pocket, securing the workshop director position would be easy, and Shen Jianjun’s future bride price would be covered as well…
But Chu Yunli’s words stabbed into his heart like icy spikes.
“It has nothing to do with the Shen family anymore.”
He wanted to rush forward and snatch the money, but the moment his gaze landed on the insignia on Chu Yunli’s shoulders, and he remembered Wang Xiulan’s warning about Wu Hao, the Revolutionary Committee Director, his legs began to tremble.
“Y… you…”
Shen Yong’s face flushed the color of pig’s liver. His fingers clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, turning his knuckles white. His eyes were bloodshot with jealousy. He hated that Shen Zhouzhou had stumbled into such incredible luck, hated his own inability to keep the money, and hated Chu Yunli’s words about not coveting what wasn’t his.
Wasn’t that simply calling him greedy?
But what could he do?
Fight back? Report them to the police?
He would only be arrested first for interfering with a protected military marriage.
Shen Fangfang shrieked, “Why does she get so much money? She’s nothing but a discarded slut that nobody wanted!”
Chu Yunli shot her a single icy glance.
Her voice died in her throat at once, and she shrank behind Shen Yong, trembling.
Wang Xiulan folded her arms with a cold smile.
“Brother Shen, Yunli is giving this money because he cares about Zhouzhou. It has nothing to do with you. When you treated her like a beast of burden, did you ever think of giving her even a single cent? Now you’re jealous? Too late.”
Chu Yunli stepped forward, the toe of his boot tapping lightly against the ground with a dull thud that landed like a hammer blow in Shen Yong’s heart.
“Stop wasting time. My patience is limited. Hand over the household registration booklet. Once we’ve registered our marriage and transferred her household registration, we’ll return it to you.”
Shen Yong finally took out the household registration booklet. His fingers gripped it so tightly that they turned white, as though he were clutching a red hot branding iron. Suddenly, he slammed it onto the table.
“Take it! Take everything! Shen Zhouzhou, you ungrateful little wretch! If I’d known, I would’ve drowned you in the chamber pot when you were born!”
Although Shen Zhouzhou was no longer the original owner of this body, the words still made her heart ache for a moment.
Soon enough, she let it go.
Better days lay ahead. There was no reason to grieve over trash like them.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she picked up the household registration booklet.
Chu Yunli gently wrapped her hand in his warm palm, instantly driving away the unease in her heart.
“Don’t worry, you have me now.”
His deep voice carried unwavering certainty.
“Our marriage approval and your accompanying army application have already been approved. We’ll register our marriage shortly, and tomorrow we’ll return to the army.”
Looking deeply into Shen Zhouzhou’s eyes, Chu Yunli made a solemn promise that would last a lifetime.
The group walked in silence toward the neighborhood administrative office.
Shen Yong’s knuckles were white from gripping the agreement severing family ties, his steps dragging as though his feet were filled with lead.
Chu Yunli carried Shen Zhouzhou’s bag for her, his military boots sounding steady against the stone-paved road, silently giving her the strongest support she could ask for.
The clerk at the neighborhood administrative office handled everything efficiently.
“Since both parties are acting voluntarily and all the paperwork is in order, I’ll stamp and file it immediately.”
The moment the red official seal came down, everything was settled.
At last, Shen Zhouzhou had completely broken free from her scumbag father and his family of parasites.
She felt as though an enormous weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
After leaving the administrative office, Aunt Wang Xiulan had to return to work.
She reminded them, “Your uncle will be home tonight. Bring Zhouzhou over for dinner. We’ll celebrate your marriage properly. Zhouzhou, I’ll make plenty of delicious food and wait for you.”
“Thank you, Auntie. We’ll definitely come tonight.”
Shen Zhouzhou held her aunt’s hand tightly and smiled warmly.
“Brother Chu, what’s the plan now?”
Chu Yunli tightened his grip on her hand, his thumb gently stroking her fingers.
“We’ll go to the supply and marketing cooperative first, then register our marriage afterward. I don’t have much leave left. We have to return to the army tomorrow, so I won’t be able to hold a wedding ceremony. I’m sorry.”
“Brother Chu, I don’t feel wronged at all. This is perfect.”
Honestly, not having to face a crowd of strangers and force a smile through an entire wedding banquet was a blessing.
Chu Yunli took a thick stack of colorful ration coupons and several rolls of ten yuan notes from his pocket and handed them to her.
“Zhouzhou, keep these. Buy whatever you need. From now on, you’re in charge of our household.”
The moment Shen Zhouzhou saw the colorful assortment of coupons, her eyes widened.
In this era, having money alone wasn’t enough to buy things.
You also needed ration coupons.
“Where did you get so many coupons? Keep some for yourself. You don’t have to give me everything.”
“Buy whatever you want. Don’t be frugal. If you spend it all, I’ll earn more for you. Your husband can afford to support you. I eat and live in the army most of the time, so I hardly spend any money.”
Chu Yunli tucked the bundle of cash into her bag.
Warmth surged through Shen Zhouzhou’s heart.
To say she wasn’t touched would have been a lie.
In this age of scarce supplies, hearing someone say they were willing to support you was already one of the sincerest promises in the world.
“Okay.”
When Shen Zhouzhou followed Chu Yunli into the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, the sales clerk behind the counter was busy working an abacus.
Inside the cooperative in 1975, the shelves were neatly stocked with bolts of fabric, enamel mugs, and canned goods. A slogan on the wall read:
“Develop the Economy, Ensure Supply.”
Her gaze swept across the counters before settling on the top shelf, where bolts of dacron fabric were stacked.
It was the most fashionable material of the era, softer than coarse cloth yet crisper than cotton. The most common colors were army green, navy blue, and gray.
The afternoon sunlight slanted across the shelves, making the fruit candies inside the glass jars sparkle brilliantly.
Her eyes moved past the enamel mugs and coarse cloth until they landed on the very top display.
Several Bulaji dresses hung there.
One was a soft aqua green, with tiny embroidered white plum blossoms around the collar and a gently flared A line skirt. Amid the sea of gray, blue, and military green, it resembled the first orchid blooming in spring.
Another was made from pale blue and white plaid fabric, standing out refreshingly among the otherwise dull colored clothing.
Shen Zhouzhou fell in love with both dresses at first sight.
“Brother Chu, what do you think of those?”
Excitement filled her voice as she pointed through the glass.
“They’re Bulaji dresses! I’ve seen old photographs of Soviet style dresses before, but I never expected to actually find them in this era.”
Chu Yunli followed her gaze.
Both dresses were the most eye-catching pieces in terms of both style and color.
He turned to the sales clerk.
“Comrade, could you take down those two Bulaji dresses for us to have a look?”
The sales clerk, a woman in her forties, looked at the insignia on Chu Yunli’s military uniform before glancing at Shen Zhouzhou’s delicate, palm sized face. Smiling teasingly, she said,
“So the People’s Liberation Army comrade is buying new clothes for his sweetheart? Those Bulaji dresses just arrived last week. These are the only two left, and they’d suit this young lady perfectly.”