The next day, Zhou Runqing came downstairs in his casual clothes. His tall figure stretched out in the morning light, the light sculpting his cold, hard lines.
His shoulders and back were as steady as a mountain ridge, and the well-pressed military green shirt made his back stand even straighter.
Even the folds in the fabric look like they were meticulously sculpted by an artist, not only pleasing to the eye but also exuding the unique spirit of a soldier.
He walked down the stairs step by step, his gaze sweeping over the coffee table in the living room, but then he suddenly stopped, his pupils shrinking slightly.
On the coffee table sits a gold badge and a military marriage certificate stamped with a bright red seal.
His eyes flickered slightly as he picked up the Party emblem and marriage certificate, his gaze sweeping eagerly downwards.
Comrade Zhou Runqing and Comrade Lin Yuqiu
Marriage approved
In an instant, his Adam’s apple bobbed silently, and even his breathing became soft.
Behind him came Zhou’s mother’s gentle voice: “Your father didn’t sleep a wink last night. He called Political Commissar Wang at the regimental headquarters to check the girl’s political background check information and went through the documents issued by the army over and over again, just in case there was any oversight.”
“Fortunately, you are a reliable person and prepared all the information about that girl in advance. However, she is still the daughter of a capitalist and it is not appropriate for her to stay here and become the subject of gossip.”
Zhou’s mother then gestured to the two items in his hand, “Look, this morning, your father went to the government office building and brought back the certificate for you. This party emblem should have been delivered by that girl Shiwen yesterday.”
Zhou Runqing clutched the certificate in her hand, looked at her mother, and her gratitude was evident in her eyes.
Even the hardest-hearted Zhou’s mother softened when she saw her son like this.
If she were to choose, it would definitely be her daughter-in-law, Shiyun, who is considerate, kind, and understanding.
She didn’t like the look of that Miss Lin at first sight.
She was born like a lady from a wealthy family in the old era, with overly gentle features and no trace of the heroic and capable spirit of a revolutionary woman in the new era.
She walks with a slow and graceful demeanor, unlike the girls in our compound who can both join the army and work in the fields.
Moreover, it would be a hindrance to his son’s career!
But she hoped her son would choose someone he liked to settle down with!
Zhou’s mother sighed helplessly: “Your father still has something to say to you.”
“Go.”
“He’s waiting for you in the study.”
Zhou Runqing took a deep breath, put away his Party badge, carefully folded the certificate, and placed it in the pocket of his uniform. His voice was deep and steady: “Mom, I know what you and Dad are thinking. You can rest assured.”
“My son went upstairs first.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he turned around nimbly, his back ramrod straight, his steps steady and powerful, each step carrying the aura of a soldier, and also revealing an undisguised joy.
He strode upstairs, but stopped at the door of the study, caught his breath, and knocked on the door. His voice was deep and resonant: “Dad.”
Mr. Zhou was standing with his back to the window. Hearing the sound, he slowly turned around, rubbed his brow with his knuckles, and looked deeply into his son’s eyes and brows, which had learned seven or eight parts of his son’s understated composure. After a long while, he finally spoke: “It proves that you saw it. If you have made up your mind, then do what you want to do.”
“Thank you, Dad.” Zhou Runqing nodded slightly, his tone solemn.
Mr. Zhou frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, “But I have three pieces of advice for you. First, you have to finish the path you chose. Second, keep an eye on your wife; her identity is special, so don’t let her cause trouble for the family. Third, within three years, you need to achieve something to shut everyone up.”
“I don’t want my son, Zhou Jianjun, to have his future ruined because of a woman.”
“Your path ahead will be even more difficult. But remember, you are a descendant of soldiers, and there is no obstacle you cannot overcome.”
Zhou Runqing responded earnestly, “Thank you for your teachings, Dad.”
Zhou’s father didn’t say anything more. Instead, he turned around, opened the desk drawer, took out a deposit slip and a thick stack of bills, and pushed them in front of him.
“Your fiancé has a special status, so it’s not appropriate to have a grand wedding ceremony in the compound.”
“Once you’ve got the marriage certificate, take her back to your island!”
Zhou Runqing took the deposit slip and a thick stack of bills, gave his father a standard military salute, and then turned and strode away.
The sound of a car engine starting came from outside the courtyard. Zhou’s father closed his eyes tightly and shook his head helplessly.
Inside the sanatorium guesthouse, Lin Yuqiu sat by the window, resting her chin on her hand, holding a tube of military-grade ointment in her hand.
I applied the ointment for the past two days, and this morning the scabs have almost completely fallen off, leaving no trace.
Twist open the cap and take a sniff; there’s a rich aroma of animal fat mixed with a faint herbal scent, which isn’t unpleasant.
She put the ointment in her pocket and then took out the phone number the man had written for her.
The extension number following the main switchboard number is probably an extension number for the military compound.
Yesterday, she wanted to visit her mother at the nursing home. Although it was just a few steps away from the guesthouse, the guard at the gate refused to let her in and insisted that she show her work certificate and a visitation application.
After leaving Zhou Runqing, she tried everything she could, but she couldn’t even see her mother.
She paced anxiously in the room, clutching the number, and finally decided to go out.
As soon as she opened the door, she saw a man standing in the hallway, about to knock.
The man’s sharp eyes caught sight of the note she was holding between her fingers, and a slight smile curved his lips, casting a soft glow over his cold face.
Looking for me?
Her tone was unusually soft, as if something was different.
After a slight pause, Lin Yuqiu nodded.
Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of a man casually stepping in, his eyes revealing a predatory glint in them, which sent a chill down her spine.
Her heart seemed to leap into her throat, and she involuntarily took two steps back, feeling weak. Then she saw the man close the door behind him.
He was very polite a few days ago and would never lock the door when the two of them were alone.
Her heart pounded in her chest, and her breath caught in her throat. He seemed oblivious, his gaze fixed on her since she entered, undisguised, as if inspecting his territory. His tone was casual, yet carried an undeniable intimacy: “Was the household registration lost during the confiscation of your property?”
Lin Yuqiu asked in confusion, “What’s wrong?” and nodded in response.
Zhou Runqing nodded slightly and said seriously, “Pack up, we’re going to the police station to reissue your household registration information.”
Lin Yuqiu’s heart skipped a beat. “What?”
The man raised an eyebrow slightly and suddenly walked towards her. Although his steps were not fast, they carried an undeniable sense of pressure as he approached her step by step.
Looking into her clear, spring-like eyes, his voice, deep and almost a whisper, drew near her face: “What else? Get your household registration, get your marriage certificate.”
The slightly swaying tone at the end seemed to hook into her heart.
The moment that faint, clean masculine scent washed over her, the tension in her body snapped with a thud, like a fully inflated balloon being suddenly punctured. All her panic, helplessness, and forced composure crumbled completely.
She suddenly blurted out, “So fast.”
“Soon?” Zhou Runqing raised his eyebrows, then murmured helplessly, “Honey, I don’t have many days of vacation left.”
Lin Yuqiu blushed instantly, her heart pounding on her chest, and she lowered her head in embarrassment: “Don’t call me that.”
The man looked at the woman’s flushed cheeks and the graceful charm she exuded in that moment when she lowered her head; it was so beautiful that he forgot to breathe.
Just as she looked up, he quickly pulled out the deposit slip and a stack of bills that her father had given her, and said in a serious tone, “These are from Dad.”
Lin Yuqiu glanced at the two thousand yuan on the deposit slip and was slightly surprised: “For me?”
Zhou Runqing nodded, then gently took her hand and carefully stroked her delicate fingertips, spreading them out one by one in her palm.
Her fingers felt numb from the caress, but when she looked up, the man had a cold and aloof expression, as if it were all just her imagination.
The man slowly and deliberately placed the items into her hands, his voice deep and solemn: “Since the wedding couldn’t be held in the compound, I’m giving you these as compensation.”
Seeing her gentle expression, he added earnestly, “I know you used to be a rich young lady, and this is not as grand as the life you’ve seen before, but from now on, all my allowances and awards will be kept for you.”
Having gone through family upheavals, this current stability is more than comforting.
Recalling the days when she could only earn a few cents by unloading coal and wearing out her hands, Lin Yuqiu knew that being content with the present stability was the best life.
Her nose tingled slightly, and a question suddenly arose in her mind: “How could your father so easily agree to you marrying me?”
Zhou Runqing paused slightly, then stared intently at her face. His Adam’s apple bobbed before he said in a deep voice, “He has a condition.”
“I’ll take you back to the island immediately after we get married.”