Li Cuifen’s eyes rolled “round and round,” and she immediately switched to an even more earnest expression than before. Leaning forward, she said to Chen Xiulian, “Mother, I understand that our third daughter-in-law doesn’t want to be extravagant, but even if it’s simple, the necessary things still have to be prepared! Buying meat and vegetables costs money, sewing new clothes from fabric costs money—how can you handle it all alone? Me and Second Sister-in-law aren’t busy either; it’s only right that we help you run errands and manage the accounts a bit, isn’t it?”
Chen Xiulian furrowed her brow and was about to speak, but Su Wanning beat her to it. From her pocket, she pulled out a small cloth pouch she had prepared in advance and gently placed it on the dining table. The pouch was deep blue, worn at the corners from use, clearly old.
She pinched the edge and slowly opened it. Inside, a neat stack of ration coupons and small notes was revealed, and at the bottom lay a few larger “Da Tuanjie” (Great Unity) notes—bright red with familiar patterns that stood out under the light.
“Mother, this is the money I’ve earned over the past few days from treating patients,” Su Wanning said, pushing the pouch toward Chen Xiulian with a sincere tone. “It’s not much, just a few dozen yuan, but it should be enough for some simple wedding necessities. I don’t want to spend the family’s money on my wedding, so you take this and handle things as you see fit.”
Everyone at the table froze! Li Cuifen and Wang Qin’s eyes widened as they stared at the pile of money, their throats moving as if to speak—it had only been a few days, and she had already earned so much just by treating patients and giving a few acupuncture sessions? That money was far too easy to make!
Jealousy sprouted like wild weeds in their hearts, scratching at their nerves. What frustrated them even more was that Su Wanning had completely blocked their last hope—she was paying for her own wedding, leaving them with no excuse to interfere in the finances.
Chen Xiulian looked at the money on the table, warmth filling her heart. She clearly understood that Su Wanning was making a statement with action—giving full respect to her mother-in-law while shutting down any meddling from the first and second daughter-in-law families. The more she looked at this daughter-in-law, the more perceptive and likable she became!
Having been reborn, Chen Xiulian’s mindset had changed—there was no way she would let those two greedy women meddle in her third son’s wedding. She gently pushed Su Wanning’s money back to her and slowly stood up, walking into the inner room.
Everyone watched her curiously, unsure of what she was doing. Li Cuifen still held a glimmer of hope, thinking perhaps her mother-in-law was going to retrieve more money, and that they might still get a chance to manage the accounts.
After a short while, Chen Xiulian came out of the inner room, holding a small wooden box with a lock. The box was dark brown, carved with simple patterns, showing signs of age—it contained her treasured personal savings, usually untouched even by her own children.
With a “click,” she removed the small key hanging around her neck, inserted it into the lock, and turned it gently. The lock opened.
The moment the box opened, Li Cuifen and Wang Qin’s breaths caught! Inside, wrapped in red cloth, was a thick stack of money—much more than what Su Wanning had just produced. They knew it was the allowances and severance pay Lu Zhanxiao had sent home from the army over the years, carefully saved by Chen Xiulian.
Chen Xiulian placed Su Wanning’s money into the box, then took out a portion of her own savings—about fifty yuan—and locked the box again, returning it to the inner room. She came back to the table, tapping the portion she had taken out on the table with a “plop.”
The sound was soft, yet it struck everyone’s hearts like a hammer. Chen Xiulian’s gaze swept over her eldest and second sons, Lu Guoqiang and Lu Guoliang, whose faces were full of greed, before finally resting on Li Cuifen and Wang Qin. Her tone was firm and commanding: “Our third son’s wedding will be handled personally by me, his mother! We’ll use my own savings and Zhanxiao’s money. No one else is to interfere!”
The last sentence was almost spat out word by word, carrying a fierce warning that made everyone uneasy.
Li Cuifen and Wang Qin went pale, their lips moving as if to say something, but seeing Chen Xiulian’s stern expression, they swallowed their words. They knew their mother-in-law meant business—she had completely cut off any chance of interference.
Lu Guoqiang and Lu Guoliang dared not speak either, keeping their heads down as they pushed at the remaining rice in their bowls, hearts full of resentment—they wouldn’t get a single yuan from this huge sum!
Su Wanning looked at Chen Xiulian with warmth and quietly said, “Mother, you really didn’t have to go to so much trouble…”
“It’s not trouble!” Chen Xiulian interrupted firmly. “Your wedding must be grand and proper; you cannot suffer any wrongs!”
Yesterday, she had gone to the farm office to borrow the tractor—today they had two important tasks in the county: one, to register their marriage; two, to buy wedding supplies at the supply and marketing cooperative.
Su Wanning wore a freshly washed white shirt with a light gray jacket over it, her hair neatly combed and falling over her shoulders. She walked to the tractor, where Lu Zhanxiao had already laid down hay in the cargo bed and put an old canvas underneath. He smiled: “Come on up. Sitting here will be more comfortable.”
Su Wanning nodded and climbed up the edge of the cargo bed, settling onto the hay. The morning breeze was cool, making her arms shiver slightly, and she instinctively wrapped her jacket tighter around herself. The wind also lifted stray strands of hair onto her cheek, tickling lightly.
Lu Zhanxiao sat in the driver’s seat, back straight. Though his leg couldn’t handle long periods of standing, driving the tractor was no problem—he had handled far more complex machines in the army. From the rearview mirror, he could clearly see Su Wanning sitting quietly in the cargo bed, her gaze distant, her profile softened by the morning mist.
The sunlight gradually rose over the horizon, golden rays piercing the thin fog, casting a faint halo around Su Wanning. Lu Zhanxiao watched her in the mirror, his heartbeat quickening for no reason, faster than the engine’s hum.
The farm to the county was over ten li, all dirt roads full of bumps. The tractor bounced along, the hay in the cargo bed swaying, and Su Wanning had to hold the edge for stability. Yet neither spoke—there was a quiet but comfortable atmosphere between them, occasionally scented by wild grass along the road.
By the time they reached the county commune, it was nearly nine o’clock. The courtyard was bustling with people in various clothes and speaking different dialects, all busy with their own errands. The marriage registration office was at the far end of the yard, a small room with a portrait of a great leader on the wall. Behind the desk, a serious-looking clerk with glasses was writing notes.
Lu Zhanxiao led Su Wanning inside. The clerk looked up, set down his pen, and gestured to the chairs across from him: “Please sit. Are you here for marriage registration?”
“Yes,” Lu Zhanxiao said firmly, taking Su Wanning’s hand as they sat.
The clerk adjusted his glasses, scanning their faces—the man tall and strong, wearing an army-green jacket, eyes steady; the woman delicate and fair-skinned, elegant and matching.
He placed two forms on the desk, asking formally: “Voluntary marriage?”
“Yes, voluntary.” Lu Zhanxiao’s voice was low but resolute; Su Wanning nodded gently, her voice soft yet clear: “Yes.”
“Introduction letters?” the clerk asked.
Lu Zhanxiao pulled out two envelopes containing their introduction letters—prepared the day before at the village and farm offices, stamped with bright red official seals. The clerk checked them carefully, confirmed everything, then took out a book of quotations, opening a page and reading a passage aloud.
Afterward, he brought out two red steel seals and two brand-new marriage certificates. The certificates were red, embossed with the words “Marriage Certificate” and simple decorative patterns. Using a pen, he filled in their names and registration date, then stamped the certificates with the steel seal with a solid “bang.”
The red ink left a crisp mark on the paper, faintly scented with ink. When the thin but weighty certificates were handed to them, Su Wanning felt a strange, overwhelming emotion.
She lowered her eyes to the certificate in her hand, the neat script and red seal stirring a mix of feelings. She looked at Lu Zhanxiao beside her and saw him also staring at his certificate, gripping the edge so tightly that his knuckles whitened, his gaze solemn as if holding the most precious treasure in the world.
After a long moment, Lu Zhanxiao slowly lifted his head to meet Su Wanning’s eyes. His deep eyes sparkled like stars. He looked at her, moved his lips, and for the first time spoke with such gravity, word by word: “Su Wanning, from today, you are my wife.”
His voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable weight, like a promise, a vow, leaving a deep mark in Su Wanning’s heart. She felt a gentle ripple stir inside her and nodded softly, whispering, “Mm.”
After registering, Lu Zhanxiao didn’t go directly to the supply cooperative. Instead, he drove the tractor around a bend, stopping at the county’s only state-run restaurant. The sign above the door was red, reading “State-Run Xiangyang Restaurant,” with two red lanterns hanging at the entrance, looking lively and festive.
Su Wanning jumped down from the cargo bed, looking at Lu Zhanxiao in puzzlement. “Why are we here? Weren’t we going to the supply cooperative to buy things?”
“First, we eat.” Lu Zhanxiao’s reply was short and to the point. He parked the tractor, jumped down first, then turned to Su Wanning and held out his hand—wide, strong, calloused from years of holding a rifle, knuckles well-defined, hands solid and reliable.
Su Wanning hesitated for a moment, then placed her hand into his palm. His hand was warm, instantly enveloping her slightly chilly fingertips. The heat spread up her fingers and into her chest, making her unconsciously curl her fingers slightly.
Feeling her small movement, Lu Zhanxiao’s lips curved into a subtle smile. He led her into the restaurant. Inside, the air was alive with chatter, the clatter of bowls and chopsticks, and the rich aroma of food—greasy, fragrant braised pork and the fresh scent of noodles that made one’s stomach grumble.
He chose a corner table, a quiet spot with a view of the street outside. A waiter quickly approached with a small notebook and pen. “What would you like to order?”
“One portion of braised pork, one portion of braised fish, some dumplings, and two bowls of rice,” Lu Zhanxiao replied, handing over the corresponding money.
The waiter nodded. “Alright, we’ll bring it when it’s ready.”
Lu Zhanxiao placed one bowl of braised pork in front of Su Wanning and picked up a pair of chopsticks, dipping them in hot water before handing them to her. His gaze lingered on her, awkward and a little hesitant, as he whispered, “Today… we’re treating you.”
Not “I’m treating you,” but “we.”
Su Wanning’s heart stirred softly, a gentle warmth spreading through her chest.