On the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, Qin Jianmin brought Qin Sheng to Qin Shui’s parents’ house to propose marriage. Both parties negotiated smoothly, and the bride price was set at one hundred thousand. Qin Jianmin immediately handed the cash to Qin Kang on the spot.
Originally, they discussed sixty thousand as already being quite generous, but Qin Sheng had quietly reminded Zhang Haimei that they could set it a bit higher, so his father would contribute more and treasure the daughter-in-law who did not come easily.
Qin Jianmin knew nothing about Qin Sheng siding with the other family. He felt that one hundred thousand was one hundred thousand. He only wanted to make up to his son before entering old age, and giving money and effort was the simplest way.
The two families went to the restaurant downstairs to eat. They drank happily. Zhang Haimei had long prepared for this and, in front of everyone at the table, returned the red envelope of bride price intact to Qin Shui, telling her to keep it and use it together with Qin Sheng after marriage.
After all, the Qin family did not ask for dowry. Qin Sheng also considered the matter of property before and after marriage, and in order to reassure his parents-in-law, before they obtained the marriage certificate, he deposited all the dowry into a passbook under Qin Shui’s name.
He never wanted anything from Qin Shui. He only cared about her as a person. Both families’ elders were reasonable and hoped only for the children to live well. All these so-called gifts and money passing through the elders’ hands would, in the end, be used for his and Qin Shui’s life.
Qin Sheng no longer contacted Hu Lifan. After the proposal, it was only when they were driving back on the highway to the provincial capital that Qin Jianmin called her.
Hu Lifan’s younger son from her remarriage was about to take the high school entrance exam and she was overwhelmed with stress. Last time in the video call, she cried and made a scene, looking as if she cared greatly about Qin Sheng’s marriage, yet after hanging up, she immediately returned to ignoring everything.
She only replied to the message Qin Jianmin sent asking her to buy the three gold bridal gifts, sending a long voice message saying that since she was not satisfied, why should she pay?
To speak honestly, Qin Sheng never held any expectations for his biological mother, so he didn’t feel disappointed at all. When Qin Jianmin connected the call, the first thing he said was: “Our son’s marriage is settled. The bride price and the five gold pieces are all prepared.”
The receiver was silent for a few seconds, then Hu Lifan said irritably: “Whatever. Didn’t you say the child was given to you? It’s none of my business.”
Qin Jianmin laughed: “It’s best if you don’t care. I called not only to inform you, but also to tell you that even if you oppose it, it’s useless. We’ve already met my daughter-in-law and the in-laws. We don’t need you involved.”
“Qin Jianmin, are you truly satisfied, or are you only pretending to go against me?”
Though Hu Lifan said “whatever”, she still cared. “How much did you give as bride price?”
“The five gold pieces were all good ones. They cost more than fifty thousand. The bride price was one hundred thousand.”
“Are you insane? Are you trying to save face by going broke, Qin Jianmin?” she cursed. “Here in the Liang-Guang area, marrying a normal girl only costs eighty-eight thousand. You dare throw out one hundred fifty thousand? How much is your monthly retirement pension? Do you think you’re some high-level retired official from Beijing?”
Qin Jianmin had just drunk wine, and hot-headedly retorted: “I’m willing to give it. What’s given to the daughter-in-law is given to the son. People who don’t pay a single cent have no right to speak!”
Qin Sheng, who was driving, quietly interrupted: “If we can’t speak the same language, then don’t speak. Why provoke her?”
“From now on, just pretend you don’t have a son named Qin Sheng. Also, don’t ever come back to torment my daughter-in-law. Their family of three is reasonable. Don’t stir up trouble again.”
After speaking, Qin Jianmin pressed the hang-up button, immensely pleased with himself. He proudly said to Qin Sheng: “All my life, people say I have a clumsy tongue, but today I finally made things clear with Hu Lifan.”
“The wedding won’t be large. We’ll only invite close friends. No need to invite relatives. We can handle them another time.” Qin Sheng lowered the car window to let the wind in. “Everything else is my responsibility. Thank you for coming with me. You don’t have to worry anymore.”
Qin Jianmin waved his hand: “I can’t manage you. I’ll just go collect the needed gift money.”
Qin Sheng said: “Don’t collect from unfamiliar relatives. If we take it, we’ll have to return favors and hold banquets in the future. We don’t have the time. Qin Shui’s side won’t have many relatives either. At most five tables for both families combined. We’ll save the extra money for the honeymoon.”
“I’ll just notify a few good brothers. So many years of friendship. We should at least give them wedding candy.”
He agreed, drove Qin Jianmin home, and over the next two days booked the restaurant, bought what needed buying, and arranged the house neatly before Qin Shui returned.
The ingredients and baking tools Qin Shui ordered online after the New Year arrived even earlier than she did. On the second day after she got home, she began making cookies, chocolates, and marshmallows. She packed them in small bags and asked Qin Sheng to take them to the repair center for his colleagues. She also set aside one for Yan Jiabao.
Qin Sheng cleaned the house thoroughly. He put up the double-happiness characters and prepared the wedding candies without missing a thing.
The wedding was set after the New Year. On February 14th, the two went to obtain their marriage certificate. They simply gathered close colleagues and friends for a meal. It was quiet and low-key, which suited Qin Shui’s wishes.
Once everything about the wedding was handled and done, they didn’t even have time for a honeymoon. Qin Sheng already couldn’t wait to complete the real matter and fulfill his wish.
The days after getting the certificate were too busy. Now he finally had wedding leave, and took annual leave at the same time. After dinner, while Qin Shui was bathing, he went downstairs to buy something.
Qin Shui’s close friend Jiang Yang gifted them a set of bright red silk bedding. When Qin Sheng returned, she had just finished drying her hair, a toothbrush in her mouth as she stood by the bedroom door examining the newly bought mite-removal device.
“You went out?” Qin Shui asked through sign language.
Qin Sheng hung his coat, pursed his lips, and nodded with a subtle expression. He approached, carrying the chill of the outdoors, braced one hand on the door frame, and took out two small boxes from behind his back, shaking them lightly before her.
“……”
Qin Shui took the box of condoms from his hand and burst into laughter, even blowing a bubble of toothpaste foam. She pointed to the bathroom and said to Qin Sheng: “You go shower first.”
Qin Sheng obediently went. Qin Shui rinsed her mouth in the basin on the balcony, used the machine to clean the sheets and quilt cover carefully. After checking that the front door was locked, she left a small light on in the bedroom, opened one of the boxes, and read the instructions.
Though Qin Shui felt that since they were already married and they didn’t plan to have children so soon, even if they didn’t use it, it wasn’t a big deal for the first time.
When Qin Sheng came into the bedroom, he saw Qin Shui holding the box and studying it. He sat on the bed casually, patted her shoulder to get her attention, and asked with interest: “Figured anything out yet?”
Qin Shui shook her head and asked: “Do we have to use it?”
Even conveyed through sign language, the question was direct and tricky. Qin Sheng showed a puzzled expression. She then added: “Use it next time. Let’s keep it for now.”
She put both boxes into the drawer, but Qin Sheng clearly misunderstood. Unable to hide his urgency, he asked: “What’s wrong? Are you tired?”
Qin Shui sat on the bed with her knees drawn up and shook her head: “I’m not tired. Aren’t we going to sleep?”
“……” Qin Sheng almost acted spoiled and rolled himself into her arms. Hugging her tightly, he pleaded: “Good wife, my sweetheart. The wedding has been over for several days. Please, let me have this…”
Qin Shui held his face, hurriedly explaining: “I agree. I just meant we don’t need that. We’ll do it directly.”
Qin Sheng was shocked: “We’re not using contraception?”
“We are, but not this time.” She opened an app on her phone and showed him. “I’m very safe today. No need.”
He finally understood and was overjoyed. He stopped Qin Shui from leaning over to turn off the light, pressing her down on the bed without hesitation.
Qin Shui’s voice was indeed soft and gentle like a little lamb. Qin Sheng rarely heard her speak so smoothly and unrestrainedly. The reality of marriage settled only at this moment. The happiness of gaining Qin Shui melted into the present, dissolving into sweetness and heated air.
Time had never passed so slowly. In the second half of the night, Qin Sheng came out of the bedroom full of energy and went to the kitchen to fetch cola from the fridge for his wife.
Everything was as harmonious as he imagined. Qin Shui fell asleep lying on his chest. He stroked her smooth, soft back and also drifted into sleep.
The next day was a rare rest. Qin Shui had spent the past half year developing a side business at home. Her mood was good, sleep was sufficient, and her complexion became even better, glowing and fair.
Qin Sheng was afraid of waking her. He moved lightly to wash up and went downstairs to buy breakfast.
When Qin Shui woke up, Qin Sheng wasn’t there, but her pajamas had already been neatly folded and placed beside her pillow. She stretched lazily, still drowsy, and picked up her phone.
Ever since she posted their marriage registration photos on her Moments, blessings from classmates and friends had been arriving over the past two days. Gifts had also been received. She replied to each one carefully to express thanks.
She still hadn’t replied to Jiang Yang’s message from last night. When Qin Shui got up and slightly moved, overcoming the soreness spreading through her body, she grabbed a pillow to support her back.
The other person asked: “Are you alright? Isn’t getting married exhausting?”
Qin Shui replied: “Not exhausting. We handled everything warmly and simply. Everyone felt relaxed.”
“Is the bedding comfortable?” Jiang Yang sent a mischievous emoji. “It’s extremely expensive. Pure silk. The embroidered patterns are all handmade. I chose it for so long.”
“It’s very comfortable. Thank you, Yangyang.”
She smiled while typing: “I slept naked last night.”
Jiang Yang understood. A row of spanking emojis filled the screen. After a while, she unexpectedly sent two voice messages of 60 seconds each.
Considering Qin Shui’s hearing issues, Jiang Yang seldom sent voice notes. Qin Shui was a little surprised, tapped to convert them into text, wanting to see what she had said in one breath.
“Qin Shui, I didn’t approve of Qin Sheng before, honestly because of his job. When I called Uncle and Aunt on the eighth day of the New Year to send New Year greetings, they mentioned Qin Sheng and spoke highly of their son-in-law. After I saw the photo you sent, I also felt he’s more handsome than I expected. That day I lectured you because I wanted you to live a rich and easy life, but thinking back now, I was indeed a bit shallow. Please apologize to Qin Sheng for me.”
She opened the next voice message: “Being born in this era, it’s not easy to find a partner who truly loves you back. After a few relationships, I understand it very well. As your good friend, I sincerely wish you happiness, and I know you have a very clear mind. You were smart even back in school. Your judgment can’t be bad. The gift and money are all from my heart. May you two stay united forever and grow old together. When I return to China at the end of September after graduation, you two must treat me to a meal!”
“We’ll definitely treat you to a big meal.”
Qin Shui replied: “Don’t worry. This decision is something I’ve thought about for a long time. No matter if choosing Qin Sheng turns out good or bad, I’ll accept it.”
The bedroom door was knocked. Qin Sheng called: “Good wife, get up and eat. Fried dough sticks and sweet soy milk, your favorite.”
On the bed, wrapped in the smooth red silk sheet, Qin Shui made an OK gesture toward him.
This was just the most ordinary day of her life, and Qin Shui would face it with an ordinary heart. Marriage was not a ticket to happiness, but the beginning of a new story. Having lived twenty-two years, this was the first time Qin Shui chose to enjoy the present with no reservations.
At this moment, her friend’s affection was on her, her husband’s affection was on the table, and she desired nothing more.