Taking the Bulaji dress, Shen Zhouzhou smiled at the sales clerk.
“Auntie, may I try it on?”
“Of course, dear. Come this way.”
The fitting room of this era was nothing more than a tiny corner partitioned off with a curtain. When Shen Zhouzhou stepped out after changing into the dress, everyone looked over.
Her fair complexion made the blue and white plaid Bulaji look even more striking. The dress hugged her slender waist perfectly, the rounded neckline brushing against her graceful white neck. The skirt fell just to her knees, revealing a pair of long, straight legs that were impossible to ignore. Her hair was braided into two plaits that rested over her chest, with a few loose strands framing her face. Her fox-like eyes curved into crescents as she smiled.
“How does it look?”
Her bright, sparkling eyes met Chu Yunli’s deep gaze.
The moment he looked at her, his breathing fell completely out of rhythm.
His breath became difficult to control.
For some reason, his mind wandered back to that day, remembering how impossibly slender and soft her waist had felt beneath his hands, so delicate that he had been afraid he might break it if he held her too tightly. He remembered the pair of fair legs wrapped around his waist…
He suddenly felt as though something warm was about to trickle from his nose and hurriedly looked away.
“…Beautiful.”
The tips of Chu Yunli’s ears quietly turned red.
Shen Zhouzhou immediately realized he was embarrassed and decided not to tease him any further.
“Beautiful! Absolutely beautiful!”
The sales clerk finally snapped out of her daze, praise spilling out effortlessly.
“Comrade, this dress looks like it was tailor made for you. The moment you stepped out, you nearly stunned me with how beautiful you are! Just look, even our People’s Liberation Army comrade has turned red! This young lady looks like someone straight out of a magazine!”
Once Chu Yunli had steadied his breathing, he walked over to Shen Zhouzhou.
“You look wonderful in it. Do you like it?”
“I do, I’ll take both.”
“Good! Wear it out, no need to change back. And try on these leather sandals while you’re at it.”
He casually picked up a pair of white leather sandals.
“See if they’re comfortable.”
The size he had chosen fit her perfectly, matching the Bulaji dress as though they were made to go together.
Shen Zhouzhou also picked out three dacron shirts, several pairs of matching trousers, and two pairs of cloth shoes.
There was no helping it.
The clothing of this era was simply too plain.
She would have to consider buying fabric and making her own clothes in the future.
Chu Yunli’s eyes swept across the display counter before stopping at the watches inside the glass case.
He tapped lightly on the glass.
“Comrade, could you take out that Shanghai Plum Blossom wristwatch for us?”
The sales clerk carefully removed the watch.
It had an elegant white dial, a silver case, and a black genuine leather strap that gleamed softly beneath the lights.
Chu Yunli examined it carefully before handing it to Shen Zhouzhou.
“Do you like it?”
She accepted the watch, her fingertips lightly brushing over the smooth, cool surface of the dial. Looking up into his gentle eyes, she nodded.
“I like it.”
“Then we’ll take this one.”
Without hesitation, Chu Yunli took out the money and industrial coupons and handed them to the sales clerk.
After paying, he walked over to Shen Zhouzhou and motioned for her to extend her wrist.
She shyly held out her hand.
Gently taking her wrist, Chu Yunli carefully fastened the watch around it. His movements were incredibly gentle, and every now and then his fingertips brushed against her skin, causing her cheeks to flush faintly.
“It fits perfectly.”
He smiled with satisfaction before taking a step back to admire her wrist.
“It looks beautiful.”
Lowering her head, Shen Zhouzhou looked at the watch. The hands moved steadily around the dial, producing a soft ticking sound.
Back in the modern world, she had owned countless watches, though she had rarely worn them. Because of her profession, they had simply been inconvenient.
She looked up and gave Chu Yunli a bright smile.
“Thank you, Brother Chu.”
“Silly girl. Why are you thanking me?”
He gently ruffled her hair.
The sales clerk smiled from the side.
“Our People’s Liberation Army comrade treats his sweetheart so well. That’s the finest watch in our Supply and Marketing Cooperative.”
Chu Yunli thanked her with a smile before leading Shen Zhouzhou to the food counter. Inside the large glass jars, fruit candies, milk candies, and hard candies glittered in the sunlight.
“Please weigh out two jin of White Rabbit Milk Candy.”
Hearing his order, Shen Zhouzhou remembered how the original owner of this body had only been allowed one piece of candy during the New Year. She asked cautiously,
“Isn’t that a little extravagant?”
“A wedding is an important occasion. It should be celebrated properly.”
After paying with both money and ration coupons, Chu Yunli tucked the wrapped candy into her arms.
“We’ll hand some out after we register our marriage, and we’ll bring the rest to Auntie’s house for dinner tonight.”
The sweet fragrance of the candy seeped through the oil paper wrapping.
Shen Zhouzhou peeled one open and popped it into her mouth.
It was wonderfully sweet.
The photography studio stood in the center of town, displaying photographs of model opera performers arranged inside the glass showcase.
The photographer, a middle aged man wearing glasses, immediately became enthusiastic when he saw Chu Yunli’s military uniform.
“A People’s Liberation Army comrade getting married? Come, have a seat over here.”
Adjusting his glasses, the photographer made a few final adjustments to his metal camera with a click.
“Comrade, lean your head a little closer. That’s right. Relax your shoulders. And smile! Wedding photos should look joyful!”
Shen Zhouzhou stood there in her newly changed blue and white plaid Bulaji, the hem of her skirt swaying gently as she turned, shimmering softly beneath the afternoon sunlight.
Chu Yunli wore his crisp military uniform, every button perfectly fastened. The stars on his shoulder insignia caught the light before the camera.
His large hands gripped the sides of his trousers nervously, his fingertips turning white.
Noticing his tension, Shen Zhouzhou suddenly reached out and lightly hooked one of his hands with her slender fingers.
“Don’t be nervous. Look at me.”
The soft touch against his palm sent ripples through his heart. Instantly, the tension melted away, and a gentle smile naturally appeared at the corners of his lips.
“Yes, that’s it!”
The photographer’s eyes lit up as he tightened the shutter release.
“Groom, look at the camera. Bride, tilt your head just a little more. Perfect! Hold it right there!”
Click!
The flash burst so brightly that they could barely keep their eyes open.
In the photograph, Shen Zhouzhou’s cheeks were lightly flushed, a gentle smile curving her lips.
Chu Yunli wore a warm smile as well, his gaze as gentle as spring water.
Behind them hung a large red Double Happiness character.
Even in black and white, the sweetness of newlywed bliss shone through.
Shen Zhouzhou blushed even more deeply, casting him a playful glare.
Inside, however, it felt as though she were carrying a piece of candy in her heart.
Everything was sweet.
Afterward, each of them had an individual portrait taken as well.
“Come back in three days to collect your photos! I guarantee they’ll be developed perfectly!”
The photographer patted his chest confidently.
Chu Yunli carefully accepted the claim receipt, folded it neatly, and tucked it into his inner pocket before reaching over to gently pat Shen Zhouzhou’s head once more.
“You’re beautiful when you smile.”
“Comrade, please make two copies of each photograph for us. We plan to mail one set home.”
Chu Yunli gave the photographer another reminder.
Turning to Shen Zhouzhou, he explained, “My parents, grandfather, and grandmother have been looking forward to seeing some photographs. They want to see what you look like with their own eyes.”
“It’s alright, I understand.”
She laughed softly.
“Even an ugly daughter-in-law has to meet her parents-in-law eventually. I just wonder whether this ‘ugly daughter-in-law’ of yours will end up frightening them.”