When they arrived at the police station, Zhou Runqing took out the identity proof and referral letter he had arranged yesterday at the street office for Lin Yuqiu. The officer on duty immediately began registering and verifying their documents.
Lin Yuqiu stood behind Zhou Runqing, watching him communicate with the police with practiced ease, and an inexplicable sense of reassurance settled in her heart.
Soon, her household registration was restored.
The two of them left the station, got back into the car, and headed to the street office to find the civil affairs section.
Zhou Runqing handed over the military referral letter, their identity proofs, and a certificate of marriage application.
The officer carefully examined the documents, looked up at the two of them, and smiled warmly: “Comrade Zhou, Comrade Lin, are you both entering into this marriage willingly?”
Zhou Runqing glanced at Lin Yuqiu, his gaze firm: “Yes.”
Lin Yuqiu’s cheeks flushed slightly. Her voice was small but clear: “Yes.”
The officer then took out a blank marriage certificate in the style of an award certificate, filled in the basic details, and asked them to sign.
Zhou Runqing signed quickly and handed it to her.
Lin Yuqiu looked at the marriage certificate, her hand trembling slightly as she signed.
She wondered what her father and second brother, imprisoned in the labor camp, would feel if they knew she had made such a decision on her own entrusting her future to a man she had only known for a few days.
The man’s eyes flicked toward her, revealing a faint trace of admiration.
Her handwriting was not delicate and traditional but strong and flexible, like resilient grass, full of vibrant life.
After signing, the officer stamped the certificate in red and handed it to them, smiling warmly: “Congratulations, Comrades! From today, you are legally husband and wife!”
Zhou Runqing took the certificate and, for some reason, stared at it for a long while.
It was just their names, nothing more.
She scanned it in an instant, but he seemed intent on reading some deeper meaning from the certificate.
Lin Yuqiu, puzzled, suddenly looked up as he raised his eyes to meet hers.
That restrained gentleness hit her unexpectedly. Her heart tingled as if his gaze had kissed her lightly.
She froze, her senses enveloped by that tingling, spreading from her heart to her fingertips, making her breath falter.
Only when he gestured for her to step outside did she follow, her steps quick.
Once in the car, Zhou Runqing had the guard drive them first to the street office’s materials management section.
The place was a gray brick building, with a white sign in black letters: “All property belongs to the state. Private appropriation is strictly forbidden.”
The sentry at the gate saw the military jeep and Zhou Runqing getting out, recalled the advance notice from the revolutionary committee director, and did not question them further.
Inside the courtyard, a staff member in blue work clothes, surnamed Zhang, approached cautiously, smiling politely.
“Commander Zhou, you’re here!”
“The director instructed us yesterday that you would be coming to collect the Lin family’s belongings. Please, this way we’ve prepared everything for you.”
He led them to the back warehouse. Opening the locked door, a mixed smell of dust and mildew hit them.
The warehouse was packed to the brim with confiscated goods, neatly sorted by category.
Zhang pointed to two boxes on the floor sealed with the Lin family’s confiscation tags: “Commander Zhou, these are the Lin family’s belongings.”
He continued, “To be clear, when the family’s property was seized, all gold, silver, antiques, and calligraphy had to be handed over to the state. That’s ironclad policy no one can change it.
“But since you are a decorated officer, and Comrade Lin is now a military dependent, our leadership made an exception. Personal clothing and daily necessities may be returned to her.
“Other items? There’s nothing we can do.”
Lin Yuqiu’s heart leapt. She could hardly believe her ears. She had thought the things that had accompanied her growing up were lost to her forever yet here she had a chance to reclaim them.
Zhou Runqing glanced at her, his eyes soft with reassurance, his voice calm: “Go ahead. Pick what you want to take.”
Zhang, reading the situation, had the boxes carried outside to the open yard and wiped clean before stepping aside.
The moment Lin Yuqiu opened a box, tears welled up.
One box contained gifts from each birthday from her eldest brother, second brother, father, and mother;
Her father’s favorite fountain pen and leather journal;
Her eldest brother’s first-year military souvenir medal;
Most importantly, a thick photo album containing memories of her entire family.
The other box held her regular clothing and scarves, sweaters, and hats knitted by her mother from premium cashmere.
Times had changed, but everything was still wearable.
Lin Yuqiu looked up at Zhou Runqing, her eyes brimming with gratitude.
Such a gaze, wet and sincere, could soften any man’s heart.
Zhou Runqing’s Adam’s apple moved slightly. He said nothing, only gave a faint nod. The tenderness in his gaze was deeper than ever before.
Since obtaining the certificate, his look toward her had subtly changed.
Lin Yuqiu turned to the officer: “Comrade Zhang, all of this is mine, right? Can I take it?”
Zhang hurriedly nodded: “Of course, Comrade Lin. Anything that belongs to your family, you may take. We’ve checked there’s nothing prohibited in there.”
Lin Yuqiu’s eyes filled with gratitude: “Thank you.”
Zhang waved his hand: “Don’t thank me. Thank your husband, Commander Zhou. Without him, these things would have been disposed of long ago.”
She looked back at Zhou Runqing but, under his unwavering gaze, blushed and looked away.
Zhou Runqing had the guard help pack the boxes, and together they loaded everything into the jeep.
Meanwhile, in the alley outside the materials office, Shen Lichuan and his followers were lying in wait.
He stared at the maroon figure at the warehouse gate, his desire and rage nearly overflowing.
After days apart, the young lady he had pined for showed no trace of her previous misfortune. Worse, she was even more beautiful.
Today she wore a maroon dress, the soft fabric revealing glimpses of her figure, alluring.
Her slender waist, supple like a willow branch, her long black hair falling as she crouched to pack, concealing her profile and revealing only a delicate neck, pale under the sunlight it tormented him.
She had deliberately dressed this way to come collect her belongings.
Earlier, as they passed by, he had overheard a clerk praising the couple as a perfect match, which had enraged him.
Damn it!
This woman was supposed to be his possession.
She should be by his side, as his woman.
Yet now, she belonged to that Zhou man.
He had seen her first how could he bear it?
He gritted his teeth, fists clenching until the knuckles cracked, bloodshot eyes about to burst.
At that moment, an underling whispered: “Boss, we found out. Lin Yuqiu’s mother is at the sanatorium in the suburban military district. The place is heavily guarded; it’s difficult to act.”
Shen Lichuan’s eyes lit up: “So that Zhou man has hidden her under his protection.”
Another underling cautioned: “Boss, Zhou is a regiment commander. He has people and guns.”
Shen Lichuan scoffed: “Only a few low-level guards no real threat.
“He may be a regiment commander, but he can’t mobilize local forces. You think Zhou runs this city single-handedly?
“Besides, if I write a complaint to the army about him marrying a capitalist’s daughter, do you think he can keep his position?
“A promising regiment commander, ruining his future for a capitalist’s daughter? I don’t believe it.”
He instructed his men: “Go to the train station and find out when Zhou departs. Keep eyes on the sanatorium as well.
“The moment Zhou returns to the army”
He clenched his jaw, staring at the maroon figure with a ruthless determination.
“Yes, Boss.”