Chapter 15 : Registering the Marriage

Zhang Xinyan felt it was a bit rushed and asked Shen Zheng, “Captain Shen, with April 6th being so soon, do you think it’s too rushed?”

“It’s fine,” Shen Zheng replied. “Ten days is enough time to get everything ready.”

Fang Xiaoluo clapped her hands. “Alright, then it’s settled.”

Zhang Xinyan and the others didn’t object. Although they were reluctant to part with their daughter, it had already happened, and sooner or later, she would get married. Besides, the military compound wasn’t far from their home.

Later, Fang Xiaoluo went to the village committee to get a certificate with Shen Zheng.

Shen Zheng took the certificate, saying, “Once the approval comes through, I’ll come to pick you up for the marriage registration. I’ll also buy you a few new outfits. You can tell Auntie not to worry about preparing anything, we’ve got it covered.”

Fang Xiaoluo teased, “You’ve emptied your savings just to marry me, haven’t you?”

Shen Zheng replied, “It’s okay, money can be earned again.” He was determined to marry Fang Xiaoluo.

He thought this in his heart but didn’t say it out loud.

Fang Xiaoluo felt that Shen Zheng’s words were very pleasant to hear.

Before Shen Zheng left, he told Fang Xiaoluo, “Tell Auntie, there’s no need to prepare anything for the wedding gifts. The things I brought should be more than enough. For the items not listed on the gift list, just use those directly.”

He had been informed by the wives of the military compound; otherwise, he wouldn’t have known what to prepare. Knowing the Fang family’s situation, he made sure to prepare everything to save them from spending extra money.

Fang Xiaoluo didn’t make a fuss and responded generously, “Okay.”

Watching the small truck disappear at the village entrance, Fang Xiaoluo returned home.

Zhang Xinyan handed her two envelopes. “Xiaoluo, take this dowry and these tickets. We’re marrying you off, not selling you. With so much money, Shen Zheng must have emptied his savings. You’ll still need to live together afterward, and if you live comfortably, we’ll feel more at ease.”

Fang Xiaoluo looked at the thick envelopes in her hand and pulled Zhang Xinyan’s hand over. “Mom, since I’m marrying Shen Zheng, we’re all family now. You can use this money to improve your life. Don’t worry, after marrying Shen Zheng, I’ll still keep earning money. Plus, Shen Zheng has a steady salary, so we’ll be fine.”

“No!” Fang Shijun said firmly, “Xiaoluo, our family is not well-off, and I’ve been ill these past few years. We haven’t been able to provide much for your wedding, so we can’t take your dowry. Be good, keep it. Otherwise, we’ll feel guilty.”

Seeing how determined they were, Fang Xiaoluo knew they wouldn’t take the money no matter what.

She decided to keep part of it somewhere and would tell them about it when the wedding procession left.

“Alright, I’ll keep it for now,” Fang Xiaoluo said. “But we’ve agreed, if you have any difficulties, you must tell me. We’re family.”

That afternoon, Zhang Xinyan started to get busy. Villagers who were close to her came to help make quilts and cotton clothing.

Fang Xiaoluo joined in too.

In the evening, Fang Xiaoluo prepared a lavish meal and invited everyone who had helped to stay for a big feast.

There was chicken and mushroom stew with vermicelli, braised carp, dry-fried potato slices, and a cold salad of bracken fern.

The Fang family had been enjoying delicious meals these past few days, and the fragrance of the food filled the air. As they ate, everyone couldn’t stop praising Fang Xiaoluo’s cooking skills.

The fish and meat were fresh and delicious, with the mushrooms and vermicelli fully absorbed in the rich flavor. The first bite released a burst of rich broth on the tongue.

Potato slices were something they often ate, but this version—fried in oil, with extra seasonings and stir-fried, was a method no one had ever tasted before.

It was undeniably delicious, but everyone couldn’t help but feel like they were eating money. Although they thought that, they continued to eat without stopping.

Even the wild bracken fern, which every family in the village ate in spring, tasted extra special this time.

It was bright green and tender, refreshing yet smooth, with a lingering fragrance on the lips and teeth.

“Xiaoluo’s cooking is really amazing.”

“Yeah, we’ve never eaten anything this delicious before.”

“I think it’s even better than the dishes at the Peace Restaurant or East Wind Restaurant in Jiangcheng.”

“Helping out here really is a treat.”

To Fang Xiaoluo, if she was going to ask people to help, she couldn’t be stingy.

The meal she served made everyone work even harder, eager to help with the preparations.

On Monday, Shen Zheng appeared at the Fang family house, riding a bicycle.

When he saw Fang Xiaoluo, he waved the documents in his hand. “The approval has come through.”

Fang Xiaoluo told Zhang Xinyan and the others, grabbed her household registration book, and followed Shen Zheng as they rode to Jiangcheng.

With all the materials in order, after the staff at the Civil Affairs Bureau reviewed them, they quickly completed the marriage registration process.

Before long, Fang Xiaoluo and Shen Zheng each held a piece of paper in their hands.

“Congratulations to both of you! Wishing you a happy marriage, a harmonious life, and an early arrival of children.”

Shen Zheng placed a packet of sunflower seeds and a packet of candy that he had prepared earlier on the counter. “Thank you.”

Outside, the sky was clear, and the sun was shining brightly. As they left the Civil Affairs Bureau, Fang Xiaoluo looked up at the sky, feeling a sense of wonder.

She had traveled to a strange place and quickly settled her lifelong affairs.

Fang Xiaoluo stood there and took another careful look at the paper. “Shen Zheng, this marriage certificate looks more like a diploma.”

This was Fang Xiaoluo’s first time seeing a marriage certificate from this era.

She had always seen red little booklets posted online.

Seeing Fang Xiaoluo’s expression, Shen Zheng found it especially cute. “Then I’ll hang it on the wall when we get back.”

Fang Xiaoluo chuckled, “No, that would be so embarrassing if someone saw it.”

Shen Zheng didn’t think there was anything embarrassing about it after all, this was the only certificate like this in a lifetime, one of a kind.

But since Fang Xiaoluo said so, he agreed. “Alright, I’ll listen to you. I won’t hang it.”

“Let’s go, I’ll take you to buy some clothes.”

They headed straight to the department store, which had everything they needed.

When the saleswoman saw Fang Xiaoluo and Shen Zheng standing there, she became very enthusiastic.

“This one would look perfect on your wife. She has such fair skin and a great figure, and this dress suits her so well.”

“This sweater is perfect for the fall, even though it’s warm now. It’s on sale right now, feel how soft the fabric is.”

“This red suit is perfect for a wedding, it’s definitely the latest style. Look at the waist area, oh, your wife’s waist is so slim.”

“This shirt…”

“These wide-leg pants are definitely this year’s new trend…”

And so on, the saleswoman introduced several items, and Fang Xiaoluo tried on a few pieces.

As she put on the clothes, she couldn’t help but marvel at how fashion truly is cyclical, it seemed like the styles were those that would be popular in three or four decades.

When Fang Xiaoluo went to try on a pair of pants, she came out to find that Shen Zheng had already opened a bill for all the clothes she had tried on and was ready to pay.

“You don’t need to buy so much,” Fang Xiaoluo began to feel guilty about the money. “These clothes are really expensive.”

Shen Zheng seemed a little puzzled. “You look good in all of them, why not buy them?”

Fang Xiaoluo tugged at his sleeve. “It’s too expensive, I don’t need that many. Two sets are enough.”

Shen Zheng had his own logic. “Maybe they’re expensive because they look good, but it’s okay. I brought enough money.”

Watching Shen Zheng walk away to pay, Fang Xiaoluo realized that his logic seemed flawless.

When Shen Zheng took Fang Xiaoluo to buy shoes, she had learned her lesson and only selected a pair of red shoes to wear for the wedding, trying them on and confirming they fit.

Shen Zheng stared at the shoes for a while, then pointed to a pair of leather shoes, two pairs of cloth shoes, and a pair of sandals, asking, “Do these come in the same size?”

The saleswoman immediately replied, “Yes.”

Shen Zheng said, “Then get one of each.”