When Qiao Yuewei came out, Qin Xingye was sitting rigidly on the sofa, his expression tense. His fingers tapped unconsciously on his leg, betraying his mood.
Glancing at his outfit, she saw that his uniform seemed tailor-made for him.
Two words summed up her feelings: satisfied.
“I’m ready. Let’s go.” She checked her watch—it was almost eleven. She would have lingered even longer trying on clothes if it weren’t for the certificate they needed to collect.
Qin Xingye looked at Qiao Yuewei, eyes filled with undisguised admiration. She wore a white cloth dress, her hair braided into two plaits, each tied with a red ribbon.
“Wait for me a moment.”
Qin Xingye got up, pushed a bicycle into the yard, and said, “I’ll take you.”
Qiao Yuewei climbed on, holding his clothes, a bright smile playing on her lips.
“小 Qin, Yuewei, where are you two going?”
He Qiurong stood at the doorway with a bag, catching sight of them leaving and called out.
Qiao Yuewei was about to answer when Qin Xingye spoke: “We’re going to get the certificate.”
He Qiurong grinned. “Good, good, hurry up.”
Qin Xingye’s rare smile curved his lips. “Sister, tonight we’ll have a family dinner with the old commander.”
“All right!” She had to attend that meal!
Watching them leave, He Qiurong’s steps were light as she returned to the kitchen.
“I plan to invite a few familiar families over tonight. I’ll cook. They’re all good people—you don’t need to feel burdened.”
Besides the old commander’s family, who had always cared for him, there was also Commissar Zhao’s family.
“Fine, I have no objections. I may not help cook, but I can entertain them.”
“After we get the certificate, I’ll buy some groceries. Anything you want to eat?”
Qiao Yuewei thought for a moment. “I’ve heard the soups in Haicheng are good. Maybe a light soup?”
Qin Xingye hummed softly, already planning in his mind. Anyone who knew him well could tell how pleased he was.
They mounted the bicycle and headed to the marriage registration office.
The process went surprisingly smoothly. When they came out holding their marriage certificate, both looked awkward.
Qiao Yuewei’s cheeks were flushed; Qin Xingye’s ears were red.
Recalling the staff’s congratulations, Qiao Yuewei felt a little lightheaded. Although she had spoken casually earlier, actually receiving the certificate made the change in status real.
From today onward, she was not just Qiao Yuewei—she was Qin Xingye’s wife.
After safely storing the certificate, Qin Xingye first took Qiao Yuewei back to the housing compound, then went grocery shopping.
Qiao Yuewei stored the certificate in her space. The certificate was done, but she still needed to take wedding photos and frame them at home.
Not just wedding photos—every stage of life, every special day worth celebrating, should be recorded.
Qin Xingye took full charge of cooking, but Qiao Yuewei stayed busy. She surveyed their home and made a list of what was needed.
For example, a wardrobe for hanging clothes—the living room had too few furnishings. When her sent items arrived, they would need a place to store them.
So she decided to add another cabinet for her radio and leave space for a TV—even if they didn’t have one yet, they would eventually buy it.
Some things couldn’t be left unplanned.
Just as she thought about when her things would arrive, a young soldier came by to inform them.
“Is Commander Qin here? You have a package.”
Qiao Yuewei came out of the room, holding a handful of candy, and handed it to the young soldier. “Hey! Thank you for running over.”
“You’re too polite, Sister!” The young soldier grinned, reaching to return the candy, but his eyes lingered on the sweets.
Although he hadn’t met Qiao Yuewei before, she had already become somewhat famous in their company.
Rumor had it that Commander Qin’s new wife was not only beautiful but also skilled, just like him!
Qiao Yuewei knew what it meant to say one thing and do another. The young soldier, only seventeen or eighteen, radiated youthful energy and eagerness.
“Here, take it! Consider it candy from your commander.”
Hearing that, the young soldier eagerly stuffed it into his pocket. “Thank you, Sister! Thank you, Commander!”
“Wait a bit—I’ll bring more!”
Qiao Yuewei returned with a few more pounds of candy and a tin of cookies. The items were too heavy for her to carry alone, so she needed the young soldier’s help—but she wouldn’t let him help for free.
“What’s your name?”
“Reporting, Sister, my name is Qian Xiao’an.”
“All right, Xiao’an. Commander Qin isn’t here. Can you help me with something?”
“Yes! Please tell me what to do!” Qian Xiao’an stood at attention, making Qiao Yuewei smile.
“Take these. I have a lot of stuff. Could you help me borrow a cart and bring them over?”
“Not a problem! I’ll carry them over.” Without waiting for her, he ran off. Qiao Yuewei put the bags aside, planning to give them to him when he returned.
“Who just ran off?”
Qi Danfeng and another troupe girl had gone to see the women’s officer. From a distance, she saw Qiao Yuewei laughing and chatting with a young soldier, tugging at each other playfully.
Her interest piqued immediately.
“Looks like Commissar Zhao’s orderly?”
Commissar Zhao? Qi Danfeng narrowed her eyes, sensing something unusual. “Xiao Zhu, you can go back first. I suddenly remembered I need to ask Director Wang something.”
Xiao Zhu scratched her head in confusion. “All right.”
After Xiao Zhu left, Qi Danfeng hid behind a tree, watching.
She had already told Fang Yuanyuan that Qiao Yuewei was no ordinary woman—a fox who seduced men everywhere. Fang Yuanyuan, the foolish one, had even defended her. And yet? Yesterday she didn’t even complain to her.
Too bad Qin Xingye, such an excellent man, was like all the others, chasing beauty!
Sure enough, men were all hopeless!
Cursing Qiao Yuewei ten times in her heart, and Qin Xingye five times, Qi Danfeng’s expression suddenly changed.
Tsk, tsk—caught red-handed!
Qian Xiao’an pushed the cart and moved all of Qiao Yuewei’s packages at once.
“I’m here, Sister!”
Qi Danfeng pressed her lips tightly, her eyes a mix of excitement and disdain. Qiao Yuewei had just arrived at the housing compound, and already another man was visiting.
Hearing the voice, Qiao Yuewei came out and brightened at the sight of the packages.
“Sister, these are pretty heavy. I’ll help you bring them in.” Qian Xiao’an wiped his forehead.
“Thank you, Xiao’an.”
They went into the living room, one after the other.
Qi Danfeng watched for a while, then saw Qian Xiao’an emerge, carrying a bag, face flushed.
She thought to herself: just as expected! Those two spent so much time inside during the day—they must have been up to something!
Her eyes darted, and she ran off.