At the warehouse gate, after loading everything onto the car,
Zhou Runqing watched the woman busily flitting about like a little bee, sweat beading on her rosy little face.
He couldn’t help but curve the corner of his lips slightly and said in a steady, commanding voice: “Let’s go back to the compound.”
Lin Yuqiu mumbled a quiet “Mm,” but her heart couldn’t help but race.
The last time she had encountered Zhou Runqing’s mother and sister was still fresh in her memory, leaving her uneasy.
Before returning to the compound, they had the guard drive first to the sanatorium guesthouse to pack everything and check out.
From the guesthouse to the jeep, there was silence. The vehicle drove smoothly into the military compound and stopped in front of a small two-story red-brick building.
The courtyard was clean and orderly, with blooming bougainvillea climbing the brick walls in thick clusters of deep red flowers, as if someone had splashed an entire wall with rouge. Neatly arranged potted flowers lined the edges.
Unlike the other yards along the way, filled with vegetables and fruits, this little courtyard was exquisitely maintained.
As soon as Lin Yuqiu’s eyes landed on the open redwood door, her heart leapt into her throat.
Sensing her anxiety, Zhou Runqing suddenly reached out, took her hand, and led her inside.
Stepping into the living room, they saw the Zhou family seated on the sofa.
Zhou’s father, in military uniform, wore a stern expression. Zhou’s mother, also in uniform, looked calmer, less intimidating than the first time Lin Yuqiu had met her.
Zhou Runqing’s younger sister, Zhou Wanyi, sat with one leg crossed, eating a seasonal pear. When she saw them enter, the smile on her lips vanished instantly. She bit the pear, her gaze tinged with disdain.
The three of them were waiting.
“Collected the certificate?” Zhou’s father spoke first, his voice low and authoritative.
“Yes,” Zhou Runqing nodded, stepping forward with Lin Yuqiu and handing over the marriage certificate.
Zhou’s father took it, glanced through it, and passed it to Zhou’s mother.
She examined it and showed little expression, yet the previous cold distance was gone.
Looking at Lin Yuqiu, she smiled faintly, enhancing her dignified features, the kind of beauty untouched by time.
Lin Yuqiu quickly scanned both parents and thought to herself: Zhou Runqing’s features must come from his mother.
The living room was quiet. Lin Yuqiu, initially nervous, felt her heart flutter ever since stepping under this unfamiliar roof.
Suddenly, Zhou Runqing draped an arm over her shoulder, leaned close to her ear, and whispered gently: “Call them ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad.’”
Seeing his protective gesture, Lin Yuqiu felt a rush of safety and warmth, her cheeks flaming as she politely said,
“Dad.”
Zhou’s father nodded.
She looked to the side, softly: “Mom.”
Zhou’s mother also smiled gently.
On the sofa, Zhou Wanyi rolled her eyes disdainfully at the scene.
Zhou Runqing immediately looked at her coldly, a warning in his gaze.
Intimidated, Zhou Wanyi reluctantly lowered her head: “Sister-in-law.”
Lin Yuqiu quickly smiled at her.
Then Zhou’s mother stood and beckoned Lin Yuqiu over warmly: “Yuqiu, come here.”
Encouraged by Zhou Runqing’s eyes, Lin Yuqiu followed her into a clean, tidy room on the ground floor.
Zhou’s mother went to the dresser, opened the bottom drawer, and pulled out a red velvet box.
Inside were a pair of Shanghai-brand watches customized for a man and a woman.
Zhou’s mother smiled: “These are wedding gifts specially prepared for you both by Runqing’s father. One for you, one for Runqing. Keep them.”
Lin Yuqiu’s fingers trembled as she accepted the watches. She had thought being accepted by the Zhou family was already fortunate, but now they had prepared wedding gifts for her as well.
Nervous yet touched, she said reflexively: “Thank you, Auntie.”
Zhou’s mother’s lips curved in a faint, meaningful smile. She said nothing, simply observing Lin Yuqiu.
Lin Yuqiu suddenly realized her slip and blushed.
She had wanted to call her “Aunt,” but without Zhou Runqing encouraging her, she couldn’t have spoken to the still-stranger Zhou mother.
Zhou’s mother spoke calmly, reassuring her: “It’s okay, child. Take your time.”
She then went to the corner of the room and opened a heavy camphorwood chest.
She first took out two silk quilts: “The winters on the island are harsh. Runqing’s tough, but you’re a young lady. You can’t be cold. These quilts were prepared for you. Take them.”
She placed them on the bed and took out a camel-hair military cloak quilt: “This is a special military issue, provided by Runqing’s father’s unit, saved especially for you.”
Finally, she took out a thick pure wool blanket: “And this one is to keep you warm through winter.”
Lin Yuqiu’s heart felt warm, her nose tingling with emotion, seeing the care in Zhou’s mother. She saw a mother’s reflection in her.
She knew it was all because of Zhou Runqing.
Zhou’s mother then pulled out three complete sets of soft silk bedding, each with matching pillowcases. The fabric was smooth, with a gentle sheen in sunlight.
Each set came with two fine cotton sheets from a Shanghai textile factory soft, delicate, and pleasant to the touch.
The colors were simple and elegant.
Next, Zhou’s mother went to the wall wardrobe, opened it, and brought out neatly stacked new cotton quilts. She explained with a smile: “I had these urgently made at the textile factory. Some for covering, some for bedding. Don’t mind the quantity. Your marriage is recent, so this is all I could arrange.”
She paused, looking at Lin Yuqiu with a gentle warning: “If you ever need anything else, send a message. I’ll make sure you receive it.”
Then she added: “I’ll have your father’s communicator ship these to you. By the time you reach the island, they should arrive, just in time.”
Lin Yuqiu stared at the towering stack of quilts eight or nine in all and asked softly: “Do we really need this many?”
Zhou’s mother smiled warmly and gently patted the top quilt: “Child, don’t think it’s too much.
“These are for spring, summer, fall, and winter. Thickness varies. And when you have children, you’ll never have too many.”
“Runqing’s room on the island is spacious; there’s room for all this. It doesn’t hurt to prepare extra.”
Suddenly remembering something, she went to the study and returned with a hardwood pen case.
Lin Yuqiu opened it to find a gold Parker fountain pen inside.
Zhou’s mother smiled: “This is from Runqing’s father.
“It’s a treasured item from the Commander, captured from an enemy officer during the war. It’s been with him for over twenty years.
“When you have children, use it to teach them to write and study.”
Lin Yuqiu felt overwhelmed. The gifts were not only valuable but carried tremendous thought and weight.
Zhou Runqing wasn’t there yet, so she had to face his mother’s careful attention alone.
Finally, Zhou’s mother carefully took a small red silk-wrapped box from the bottom of the wardrobe.
Inside the paulownia wood box lay a jade bangle.
The jade was so clear that the pattern of the cushion beneath it was visible. Its green was deep and vibrant, almost like a spring pool, sparkling under sunlight.
She placed the bangle carefully in Lin Yuqiu’s hand: “This has been passed down in the Zhou family. Registered during the early years of the founding of the nation, specially preserved.
“It should have gone to the Zhou family’s eldest daughter-in-law, but now it’s for you.”
Lin Yuqiu’s heart skipped. Her fingers trembled as she hurriedly declined: “It’s too valuable. I can’t accept it.”
Zhou’s mother pressed her hand gently: “Take it. The eldest daughter-in-law of the Zhou family should keep this heirloom.
“Treasure it, and one day pass it to your children with Runqing.”
Lin Yuqiu felt tears welling and whispered: “Thank you, Mom.”
Zhou’s mother responded with a smile, lightly patting her hand.
At that moment, a spoiled voice suddenly rang from the doorway:
“Mom! How can you give that bangle to her?!”