Stepping out of the alley and back onto the main street, Lin Wan finally spoke.
“Brother Ma is…”
“A contact from the black market,” Lu Zhanye replied openly. “He manages this area, has a wide network and many connections. I occasionally move goods through him. We’re familiar already—trustworthy.”
He tapped the bundle tied to the bicycle handlebar. “I asked him to help source these. The fabric is second-grade from the cotton mill—slightly uneven dyeing, but fine for clothes. The hair ties and clips are also from proper factories, just minor defects, so they’re cheap.”
Lin Wan felt a warmth in her chest. She hadn’t expected him to think so carefully.
“Thank you,” she said sincerely. “You prepared all of this so thoroughly.”
Lu Zhanye glanced at her. “It’s what I should do. If you’re marrying me, you can’t even be without a proper set of new clothes.”
He paused, then added, “Don’t worry. I won’t hold you back. I’ve been doing black-market work for years—I know my limits. I only deal with familiar clients, pass goods to downstream contacts, and don’t show my face directly. My connection with Brother Ma is stable.”
“You still need to be careful,” Lin Wan reminded him. “They’re cracking down pretty hard these days.”
“Mm,” he nodded. “I know.”
They pushed the bicycle toward the outskirts of town. The sunlight warmed their bodies pleasantly. Lin Wan looked at the bundle on the handlebar and suddenly felt that this marriage might truly work out well.
Once they left town, Lu Zhanye got back on the bike. The road back was downhill, making it easier to ride.
“I’ll tell you about my family,” he said as he pedaled. “My father, Lu Guangcai, is the brigade leader. You’ve met him—he doesn’t talk much, but he’s fair and respected in the village.”
“My mother, Wang Xiulan. She’s straightforward and capable, just a bit talkative sometimes. But she means well. She should treat you well.”
“My eldest brother, Lu Xiangjun, is a tractor driver for the brigade. My sister-in-law, Li Guizhi, works at the town food factory as a propaganda officer. They’ve been married five years and have a son, Tie Dan, four years old.”
He paused slightly.
“My brother’s family separated from the household after marriage. My sister-in-law gets along well with my parents, no conflicts. When Tie Dan was little, my mother helped take care of him. Later, he went to the factory’s daycare—that’s one of the factory benefits.”
Lin Wan listened quietly, memorizing everything.
“After we marry, we’ll also live separately,” Lu Zhanye continued. “But not far away—close enough to help each other if needed. My mother will probably still help out. Don’t find her annoying.”
“I won’t,” Lin Wan said. “Having help is a good thing.”
“That’s fine then.” He pedaled harder, the bicycle picking up speed. “We’ll live our own lives. I earn enough to support us. You won’t have to eat corn porridge and pickles like you did in the educated youth dorm.”
The wind brushed past their ears, carrying the scent of farmland. Lin Wan held onto the seat, watching the scenery blur past on both sides.
When they reached the old elm tree at the village entrance, Lu Zhanye stopped the bike. Lin Wan got off, her legs slightly numb.
“Don’t forget to share the candies,” he reminded her. “Keep the fabric and hair ties safe. If you need a sewing machine for clothes, you can ask my mother—or go to Old Wang the tailor at the east end of the village.”
“Alright,” Lin Wan said, taking the candy bag and bundle.
“I still have to go check the drainage ditch by the river this afternoon,” Lu Zhanye said. “You go back and rest.”
They parted ways. Lin Wan walked back to the educated youth dorm, while Lu Zhanye rode toward the brigade office.
Inside the dorm, Zhou Xiaomei and Sun Xiuying were already there. Seeing Lin Wan return, they immediately gathered around.
“Got the marriage certificate?” Sun Xiuying asked.
“Mm.” Lin Wan placed the candy bag on the table. “Wedding candy—share it.”
“Oh wow! There’s candy too!” Zhou Xiaomei’s eyes lit up.
Lin Wan opened the oil paper bag. Inside were colorful fruit candies. She handed each of them a handful, keeping a few for herself, and wrapped the rest back up.
Sun Xiuying popped one into her mouth. “What does the marriage certificate look like? Let me see!”
Lin Wan took out the red document. Sun Xiuying examined it with amazement. “It looks like an award certificate! But the handwriting is really neat.”
Zhou Xiaomei leaned in too, her eyes showing a hint of envy.
Lin Wan said nothing more and carefully put the certificate away. Then she opened the cloth bundle.
Inside was a piece of deep blue fabric—thick cotton, exactly as expected. A closer look showed slightly uneven coloring in places, but it didn’t affect usability. There were also several red and green hair ties and two simple hair clips—ordinary items for this era, but already quite good in her eyes.
“This fabric is really nice!” Sun Xiuying said, touching it. “Perfect for a coat. The hair ties are pretty too.”
Lin Wan rewrapped everything and placed it in her wooden trunk.
In the afternoon, she didn’t go to work—Lu Zhanye had already asked for leave for her. She sat in the room, looking out the window.
The smell of red ink from the stamped marriage certificate still lingered faintly on her palm. That thin piece of paper in her chest pocket reminded her:
From today onward, she had a legal partner in this world.
A partner who remembered to prepare new clothes and hair accessories for her.
A partner who openly told her about his black-market dealings.
A partner who would hand over all his earnings to her.
That was enough.
As for feelings…
Lin Wan peeled a candy and put it in her mouth. The sweetness spread across her tongue, sinking slowly into her heart.
Take it slow.
There was still a long road ahead.
Outside, sunlight streamed through the window, casting bright patches on the floor. In the distance came the shouts of villagers heading to work, and the rumble of a tractor.
This stretch of black soil… was truly becoming her home.