Chapter 21

Weimin Photo Studio was close to the electronics factory, but it was tucked away in an alley. Chen Zai had to ask two people for directions before he finally found the small storefront. He pushed the door open and asked Huang Juan, who was standing behind the counter, “Excuse me, does Shu Yuan work here?”

Huang Juan looked up at him and nodded. “She’s our photographer. Just wait a bit, she’s in the back room taking photos. She’ll be out once she’s done.”

Photographer? Since when did Shu Yuan learn that skill?

She’d been unemployed for over a year, but it turns out she really did go out to find a job like she said.

Xiao Man was quietly drawing in a corner. Upon suddenly hearing Chen Zai’s voice, he looked up in surprise and joy, instinctively set down his paper and pencil, and ran over. “Dad.”

Chen Zai turned around and saw Xiao Man hurrying toward him on his short legs. The child’s joyful expression and sweet, milky voice instantly struck him, making his heart soften at once.

In the past few days, he had been traveling back and forth, urgently transferring his post, and hastily handing over his thriving position as hospital director to the deputy director. He had wondered whether disrupting his work and life like this was truly worth it, whether the decision to marry Shu Yuan was the right one. But seeing Xiao Man running toward him, he felt that it was.

He quickly reminded Xiao Man not to trip, bent down, and placed his hands under the child’s arms to gently lift him up.

In an instant, Xiao Man’s height matched Chen Zai’s. With the corners of his mouth lifted high, he hurried to remind him, “Dad, aren’t you allergic to kids? Don’t hold me, put me down.”

Chen Zai had never held a child before, but he continued to lift Xiao Man with his arms fully extended, his voice gentle. “It’s fine. I’d have an allergy attack whether I touch a kid or not.”

Huang Juan widened her eyes, examining the father and son’s faces. They really did look alike. Both were especially handsome.

She called out loudly toward the back room, “Sister Shu Yuan, are you done with the shoot? Your husband is here to see you.”

There was a hint of excitement in her voice. Shu Yuan always brought Xiao Man to work, but she had never once mentioned the child’s father. So this was her husband. He looked so sharp and put-together.

Shu Yuan was standing behind a box-style camera, giving instructions to a couple taking their wedding photos. “Move your heads a little closer, don’t let your lips droop, and don’t blink,” she was saying. Upon hearing Huang Juan’s shout, she paused for a moment, speechless.

When Shu Yuan came out of the studio with the clients, Chen Zai was still holding Xiao Man in the air. Neither father nor son was familiar with the customers, and both were unaccustomed to being warm with others, so there wasn’t much to say. They were simply staring at each other in silence.

Xiao Man hung midair, staring at Chen Zai with his big eyes. He didn’t look very comfortable. Shu Yuan stepped forward, took Xiao Man from him, and asked, “You’ve been transferred back to Lucheng?”

Chen Zai nodded. “Yes, my work arrangement is settled.”

“That was fast,” Shu Yuan said.

She turned to Huang Juan, who was writing out a receipt for a customer. “I’m leaving a bit early today. I’ll make up the hours another day.”

Huang Juan didn’t pause her writing and said, “Go ahead and take care of your things, Sister Shu Yuan. We’ve got things covered here.”

Stepping out of the photo studio and into the alley, it was quiet before the rush hour began. Chen Zai spoke up, “You haven’t changed your mind, have you?”

He had already gone through the trouble of transferring jobs. If Shu Yuan had changed her mind, all his efforts would have been for nothing.

Shu Yuan looked surprised. “You’re the one who changed your mind?”

Chen Zai steadied himself and said, “Of course not. I’m just asking you.”

Shu Yuan lifted her chin. “Someone’s offering to pay living expenses. For that alone, I wouldn’t back out. Which hospital were you transferred to?”

“The Fifth Hospital. There’s a vacancy for a chief physician,” Chen Zai replied.

The name “Fifth Hospital” made it sound like one of the top hospitals in the city, but in reality, it used to be the electronics factory’s affiliated hospital. It had only separated from the factory and been renamed after the political campaigns. In terms of medical facilities and overall standards, it was fairly average in Lucheng.

Shu Yuan thought for a moment and said, “But you used to be a hospital director. Isn’t that a bit of a step down?”

Chen Zai looked at her in surprise. Since when had Shu Yuan become so considerate?

Having a calm and normal conversation with Shu Yuan felt unfamiliar to him.

Three pairs of eyes met. Xiao Man was also looking at Chen Zai. So his dad used to be a hospital director? That was impressive.

Xiao Man’s little mind was working hard. Had Dad given up his position as director and transferred back to Lucheng for the sake of Mom and him?

Chen Zai withdrew his gaze and said calmly, “Back in the countryside, I worked as a barefoot doctor for two years. I didn’t hold any administrative position, so I could fully focus on treating patients.”

Still, Shu Yuan felt that it had been better when he was a hospital director. Transferring back to Lucheng in such a short time and joining a hospital that wasn’t considered top-tier, it was clear he had made a compromise.

According to the book, he was supposed to become a leading expert in the field of cardiac surgery, a towering figure in medicine, an academician of the Academy of Engineering. Would a change like this affect his medical skills and future achievements?

Seeing Shu Yuan lost in thought, Chen Zai explained, “The director of the Fifth Hospital was also sent down to Baihua County back in the day. That’s where we met. He sincerely invited me to join, and since there’s a vacancy for a chief physician, I agreed to transfer to that hospital.”

His composure and steady tone made Shu Yuan feel that he had a clear sense of direction and a plan for his career. He didn’t need her to worry about him. She should probably worry about herself.

“Shall we take a walk at the stadium nearby?” Shu Yuan suggested. The main street wasn’t the right place for the conversation they were about to have.

Chen Zai nodded. “Alright.”

The three of them walked along the main road and turned into a nearby stadium. It wasn’t very large, and there weren’t many people around. It’s perfect for a conversation.

“When are we registering the marriage?” Shu Yuan asked directly.

Lately, she and Xiao Man had endured plenty of gossip. Once they were officially married, those people could finally shut their mouths.

“Any time is fine with me. You decide,” Chen Zai replied calmly.

“No time like the present. Let’s do it tomorrow then. I’ll be done with work around ten in the morning. Come wait for me at the photo studio,” Shu Yuan said.

Since they had decided to get married, there was no point in dragging things out.

Xiao Man sat beside Shu Yuan, his eyes shining as he looked at the two of them. His little heart was brimming with joy. He had been worried that something might go wrong, but now they had finally confirmed the wedding date!

Now he had both his mom and dad.

Chen Zai thought: hmm, she’s being very proactive.

He spoke up. “Did you forget we need to get an introduction letter? I have to register my household first, then report to the hospital, and have them issue the letter. It’s hard to say how long that’ll take.”

Shu Yuan smacked her forehead. “Right. I need one too. I’ll get mine from the neighborhood committee. No, the people there will gossip about me. I’ll just have the photo studio issue one. I’ll definitely be faster than you. Once you’re done, come find me anytime.”

Chen Zai nodded. “Alright.”

Xiao Man’s eyes sparkled as he silently prayed that everything with the introduction letters would go smoothly and without any hiccups.

As for how to explain things to the gossipy neighbors, Shu Yuan had already prepared an answer. “Since we’re getting married all of a sudden, people are bound to ask questions. We have to stick to the same story. Just say we truly love each other, and back in the countryside it wasn’t convenient to get married. Now that you’ve been rehabilitated and I’ve returned to the city and brought Xiao Man back, of course we’re getting married.”

Xiao Man listened very intently, his eyes sparkling and the corners of his mouth lifting. So Mom and Dad truly loved each other!

But Chen Zai was thinking something quite different. While he agreed with Xiao Man about keeping their story consistent, when he heard words like “truly in love” and “deep affection,” he suddenly felt uncomfortable all over.

Using such expressions to describe his relationship with Shu Yuan felt like nothing but irony and a joke.

How could she say those words so naturally?

Chen Zai remained calm. “Alright. But there’s no avoiding gossip. First, there’s the issue of having a child out of wedlock. That’s bound to get people talking. Second…”

He paused and looked toward Xiao Man, then pointed at a nearby slide. “Xiao Man, want to go play on the slide?”

Xiao Man quickly nodded. “Okay, Dad.”

He knew his parents were about to discuss something not suitable for a child to hear.

Watching Xiao Man trot obediently over to the slide on his short legs, Shu Yuan grew alert and asked, “What are you trying to say?”

Chen Zai’s eyes never left Xiao Man as he replied calmly, “What happened between you and Shen Zhongcheng won’t be wiped clean just because we’re getting married. You’d better think of a good explanation.”

Shu Yuan bristled like a cat that had just had its tail stepped on. She sat up straight and turned sideways to face him. “What do you mean by that? I only gave him some money. There was nothing else between us.”

Chen Zai’s tone remained indifferent. “Calm down. I’m just reminding you to come up with a proper story.”

Shu Yuan pressed her lips together, staring at Chen Zai’s composed expression. “…”

She gave a disgruntled snort and turned to look at Xiao Man.

There were children playing on the slide, but Xiao Man didn’t join them. He just stood nearby, watching.

To ease the tension, Chen Zai said, “Why isn’t Xiao Man playing with them?”

Shu Yuan looked toward the little guy not far off and said, “Maybe he’s not used to playing with other kids, or maybe he thinks it’s too childish.”

She withdrew her gaze, then lowered her head to rummage through her shoulder bag. She pulled out a notebook and a fountain pen, handed them to Chen Zai, and said, “Let’s write up an agreement, listing what both sides need to follow. It should help keep the family harmonious in the future.”

Chen Zai reached out to take the pen and notebook, replying calmly, “Alright. You go ahead.”

Shu Yuan glanced at his hand. It was an exceptionally beautiful hand, with long fingers and clearly defined veins on the back. But there were some red spots on it, just from holding Xiao Man for a little while. So it seemed that his allergy to children was indeed real.

Shu Yuan looked at Xiao Man again and began, “First clause: we are only Xiao Man’s parents. There is no need to fulfill the rights and obligations of a married couple. We won’t interfere in each other’s work or personal life, but in front of outsiders, we must appear to have a harmonious family and a loving relationship.”

Chen Zai completely agreed. He crossed one long leg over the other, placed the notebook on his knee, and swiftly wrote down the clause in elegant, flowing handwriting.

Once he finished writing, Shu Yuan continued, “Second clause: during the period of marriage, both parties must remain loyal to the family. No extramarital affairs are allowed. Neither physical nor emotional.”

Chen Zai nodded as he wrote. “Very good. I’d like to add that if either party engages in an affair, the other has the right to forcibly take Xiao Man away.”

Shu Yuan gave him a mischievous smile. “Dr. Chen, I know why you proposed marriage. What you really want is to take Xiao Man with you. But since I wouldn’t agree to hand him over, you suggested marriage instead. You think I might get involved with another man, and when that happens, you’ll divorce me and then have a legitimate reason to take Xiao Man away. So this is a roundabout tactic with an ulterior motive.”

“You’re not worried that I’d ruin your reputation by running off with someone else. On the contrary, you’re hoping I would. So you can take advantage of the situation.”

His handwriting flowed smoothly across the page. Only after finishing did Chen Zai look up at her. His deep-set eyes held a dark, unreadable glint, and his voice remained cool and steady. “I don’t believe you’ll have anything more to do with Shen Zhongcheng. He’s not worth it.”

Shu Yuan was genuinely surprised. “…”

She had expected him to argue back.

He seemed to possess a strong inner core; calm, composed, not easily provoked. It was probably impossible to have a real fight with someone like him.

“The third point?” he asked mildly.

Shu Yuan, still a little flustered from earlier, couldn’t think straight. “You go ahead.”

As he spoke, Chen Zai continued writing. “My salary will be handed over to you, to cover Xiao Man’s upbringing and household expenses.”

He added, “This is my greatest show of sincerity.”

Shu Yuan also had something to add. “My income will be used for my own expenses. I won’t spend your money, and you have no right to interfere with my earnings.”

Chen Zai looked up in surprise. “You can use my salary to buy your clothes and daily necessities. The salary is limited anyway.”

Shu Yuan lifted her chin slightly, her tone full of pride. “No. I’m capable of earning and spending my own money. I need to reclaim the dignity I lost in front of you because of money.”

Chen Zai: “…”

Her actions and thoughts seemed so contradictory, he truly couldn’t understand them.

If there was anyone whose dignity had been shattered in this relationship, it had to be him.

Still, following her wishes, he completed the third clause.

Chen Zai continued with the fourth clause. “Whoever initiates the divorce automatically forfeits custody of Xiao Man.”

It was clearly aimed at Shu Yuan, but she agreed to it.

They managed to finish writing the agreement fairly smoothly. Chen Zai then began copying out a second copy. Shu Yuan stood up to stretch, bouncing slightly on her feet and raising her arms to loosen up.

Meanwhile, little Xiao Man was still watching the other kids play on the slide. He still hadn’t joined in.

Shu Yuan ran over, took his small hand in hers, and asked, “Xiao Man, why aren’t you playing?”

Xiao Man looked up at her. “Mom, are you and Dad done talking?”

Shu Yuan nodded with ease. “Yes, we’ve finished discussing the important things. Do you want to go on the slide now?”

Xiao Man gave a soft “mm” in response.

He had never gone down a slide before and wanted to try, but he didn’t know how to join the group of children.

Shu Yuan held Xiao Man’s hand and walked with him toward the metal ladder. “I want to play too. Let’s play together.”

Xiao Man responded cheerfully, “Okay, Mom.”

The two of them climbed up the slide one after the other. It was made of metal and had a rather steep slope. Shu Yuan held Xiao Man in her arms and slid down with him. But she had miscalculated. While the other kids knew to stop themselves at the bottom, Shu Yuan didn’t, and ended up bumping herself. She cried out, “Ouch, I hit my butt! It hurts like crazy!”

Chen Zai looked over at the sound of her yell. “…”

Xiao Man quickly helped Shu Yuan up. “Mom, are you okay?”

Shu Yuan stood up, patted the dirt off her clothes, and asked, “Do you think you can slide down by yourself?”

Xiao Man was full of confidence. “Of course I can.”

The other children accepted him, and he finally blended in among them. A smile began to spread across his little face.

Back in Xiaohe Village, he hadn’t formed good relationships with the children in the production team. They hadn’t been very friendly. He was always the one being bullied and laughed at. Only now did he realize that playing with other kids could actually be this simple.

The weather was warm now. Spring winds were gentle, and the setting sun cast a golden glow. Chen Zai finished copying the second agreement and walked over to hand it to Shu Yuan for her signature. Each of them kept a copy, storing them separately. Then the two of them stood by the slide, watching Xiao Man play.

Xiao Man sat at the top, looking down. For a moment, he worried that all of this might just be his imagination. He quietly pinched the palm of his hand. The sharp sting reassured him that it was real.

Dad and Mom were both here.

He was a child with both a dad and a mom!

Back at home, Li Hongxia could tell at a glance that Shu Yuan was in a good mood. She asked, “What are you secretly so happy about?”

Shu Yuan replied, “I’ve got a job, I’m not eating for free, and I don’t have to see Mom’s eye-rolls anymore. How could I not be happy?”

Li Hongxia: “…”

She was busy stir-frying and didn’t bother arguing with Shu Yuan.

Xiao Man was quietly thrilled. Mom and Dad had decided to register their marriage first, then tell Grandma. He was going to help Mom keep this little secret.

That evening, Xiao Man read a picture book while Shu Yuan flipped through the original host’s diary. Aside from asking for money, there wasn’t much written about Chen Zai. However, there was an entry where Shen Zhongcheng had recited a line of Byron’s poetry to her: I shall look into those jet-edged eyes, where lashes brush the blush upon your cheek.

Goosebumps rose on Shu Yuan’s arms. Maybe the original host had been won over by poems like that, but Shu Yuan couldn’t relate at all to whatever had gone on between her and Shen Zhongcheng. She just hoped that 1,600 yuan wouldn’t turn into bad debt.

——

The next day, Master Zhao came to the photo studio. Shu Yuan quickly asked him to issue the introduction letter. This old fellow was just as gossipy, asking, “Getting married, huh? To Xiao Man’s dad?”

Xiao Man proudly announced, “Yes, to my dad.”

Master Zhao busied himself with finding paper, a pen, and the official stamp. “Great, that’s a wonderful thing.”

It was Huang Juan, quick with her words, who chattered away, recounting everything she knew about Shu Yuan and Chen Zai’s situation. Master Zhao and the two apprentices listened with great interest, which saved Shu Yuan the trouble of explaining.

Once she had the marriage introduction letter in hand, Shu Yuan carefully tucked it into her shoulder bag. Then she heard Master Zhao say, “I actually came today to settle accounts. Business has been really good lately.”

Huang Juan said excitedly, “Yes, we’ve never had this much business at the photo studio before!”

All the new customers had come through promotions, and Shu Yuan and the two apprentices were getting busier by the day.

Although their wages remained the same, with the photo studio’s business booming, there was no risk of it closing anytime soon. Everyone was full of energy and motivation.

Taking advantage of the momentum, the studio stocked up on film, developer, fixer, and other supplies and equipment needed for color photos, and launched a color photography service. This new offering also attracted customers with specific needs, putting the studio on a positive, self-sustaining path.

Since it was early in the morning and there weren’t many customers yet, Master Zhao and Huang Juan focused on settling the accounts. Once they were done, they called Shu Yuan and the two apprentices over. Master Zhao said, “Our prices are a few mao lower, but our profits this month are up by forty percent. You’ve all worked really hard, barely getting a moment’s rest.”

Huang Juan grinned and said, “It’s all thanks to Sister Shu Yuan’s great ideas.”

Shu Yuan quickly said, “I only did one demonstration. It’s Xiao Wang and Xiao Hu who’ve been out there running around. They’ve been really proactive with the promotions, and that’s what brought in so many customers.”

Master Zhao said, “Alright, no need to be modest. It’s also because our skills are solid that we’re able to keep the customers coming back. Keep up the good work. If we can maintain these profits next month, we’ll be in great shape. As for this month, we’ll hand out some benefits, that’s two jin (1 kg) of soybean oil for each person.”

The two apprentices were thrilled. Hu Zhiqiang said, “Master, you’re really generous! We used to envy other factories handing out benefits. Ours never gave out anything before. This is the first time!”

Wang Youcai chimed in, “Master, don’t make empty promises. Hurry up and make good on it.”

The following evening, Shu Yuan came home carrying a bottle of oil. Li Hongxia’s eyes lit up. “Where did you get that oil?”

Oil was a precious commodity. Each adult’s monthly ration was only half a jin (250 g), so their household got just one and a half jin (750 g). total. It was never enough. Every meal lacked oil and flavor.

Shu Yuan answered with pride, “From the photo studio. It was my idea. Business has been good lately, so they were able to hand out benefits.”

Li Hongxia beamed as she took the bottle of oil and said, “Alright, give it to me.”

She felt that her daughter had changed quite a bit. She had skills now, was willing to work, and seemed much more confident than before.

——