Chapter 20: First-Time Marriage Is Like This—It Gets Better Later

Riding on the back of Pei Qingyuan’s bicycle, Sheng Chunxiang felt like she was in a dream.

It had only been three days since she transmigrated into this book, and she was already getting married.

As they neared the civil affairs bureau, she spotted a newlywed couple walking out, their faces full of hope and happiness.

Noticing their fresh new clothes, she suddenly asked, “Pei Qingyuan, be honest. This morning, you insisted on buying me a new outfit—was it all part of your plan?”

She was wearing it now—a red polka-dot blouse, fitted slacks, and a pair of little red shoes.

Altogether, it had cost 67.32 yuan and three ration tickets.

Pei Qingyuan had also bought himself a set, though his outfit was nothing special. What stood out was his black leather shoes—those alone had cost 35.20 yuan, as much as an entire outfit!

Pei Qingyuan grinned smugly. “My wife is so smart, figuring it out so quickly.”

He hadn’t expected to get married this fast, but he had planned ahead.

If they ended up marrying in winter, he’d just buy another set and let her choose which to wear.

Anyway, he had money.

And if he ever ran out, he could just scam a little from Pei Guokang or squeeze some out of Zhao Guihua.

They had plenty of money—it would be a waste not to take advantage.

“You’re something else.”

Sheng Chunxiang held her forehead with one hand. She suspected he was calling her dumb, but she had no proof.

Maybe today really was an auspicious day—they had to wait in line at the civil affairs bureau.

Pei Qingyuan got nervous and unconsciously grabbed her hand.

Sheng Chunxiang looked up. “What are you doing?”

Pei Qingyuan said anxiously, “Xiangxiang, I’m so nervous. Look, my palms are sweating.”

She felt it. His cold sweat had even transferred onto her hand.

“First-time marriages are always like this. It’ll be better next time.”

Pei Qingyuan was instantly upset. “Xiangxiang! I don’t plan on getting married multiple times!”

Sheng Chunxiang casually nodded. “Sure, sure. I got it.”

Pei Qingyuan switched hands to hold hers again. “Xiangxiang, you have to believe in me.”

Sheng Chunxiang: “When did I not believe you?”

Pei Qingyuan looked at her, his expression pitiful, like a 1.8-meter-tall little boy. “You never believe me.”

How could this be?

Where had he gone wrong? How did he make his dear wife doubt him?

Sheng Chunxiang ignored him—because it was their turn.

The registrar, an older woman, looked up, saw Pei Qingyuan, and froze.

“Pei Qingyuan? You’re getting married?!”

Her husband’s coworker’s sister-in-law’s family lived in Tiehuzi Courtyard, so she had heard all about Pei Qingyuan’s ‘glorious deeds.’

She had even met him once or twice, and he had left quite the impression.

From her years of experience, only blind parents would marry a good girl off to him.

Pei Qingyuan snapped out of his own sulking and nodded solemnly. “Auntie Zhang, you’re not mistaken. I’m really getting married. Don’t forget to give me a wedding gift.”

Auntie Zhang stared at him in shock. His clear, sincere gaze met hers, and countless words of insult ran through her mind—but she didn’t dare say them.

This little rascal held grudges. If she offended him, there would be trouble.

She changed the subject and turned to Sheng Chunxiang.

“Sheng Chunxiang, do you really want to marry Pei Qingyuan? Are you fully aware of his… situation?”

Sheng Chunxiang smiled sweetly and said, “Auntie, you have such a sharp eye! You also think we’re a perfect match, don’t you?”

“My Qingyuan is famous around here. No need to go overboard with the wedding gift—just ten yuan or so for good luck will do.”

“I even brought wedding candy for you—it’s delicious.”

She pulled a handful of bright red wedding candies from her pocket—about ten in total—and placed them in front of Auntie Zhang.

Pei Qingyuan had bought them that morning and secretly stuffed them into her pocket before they entered the bureau.

It was just regular fruit candy, ten pieces worth five cents.

Swapping five cents of candy for a ten-yuan wedding gift—Sheng Chunxiang thought it was a great deal.

Auntie Zhang’s mouth twitched. She really wanted to slap herself.

Why did she even ask?!

How was she ‘familiar’ with Pei Qingyuan?!

Since when did wedding gifts start at ten yuan?

Even close family and friends only gave five!

How thick was this girl’s face?!

No wonder—birds of a feather flock together!

Looking at the soft and delicate young girl, she was actually even more cunning than Pei Qingyuan.

“Auntie?” Sheng Chunxiang called out softly.

Aunt Zhang took out a red envelope from her drawer—it was originally prepared for her niece’s wedding and contained five yuan.

So many people were watching, and she had already accepted Sheng Chunxiang’s wedding candy!

“Wishing you a long and happy marriage and many children,” she said, forcing a smile that looked worse than crying as she unwillingly stuffed the red envelope into Sheng Chunxiang’s pocket.

Sheng Chunxiang casually felt it and immediately knew that it definitely wasn’t ten yuan. But it didn’t matter—she’d take whatever she could get. Anything was better than nothing.

“Thank you, Aunt Zhang,” Sheng Chunxiang replied, her sweetness doubled.

“Aunt Zhang, if we hold a wedding banquet, we’ll definitely invite you!” Pei Qingyuan chimed in.

Aunt Zhang didn’t even look at them, quickly ushering them to take their wedding photos.

Most people opted for black-and-white photos because they were cheaper—one yuan for a two-inch black-and-white photo, while a colored photo cost five yuan per piece.

Pei Qingyuan directly took out money. “We’ll take both!”

The photographer was stunned. “Young man, why are you taking so many photos? Only one is needed for the marriage certificate.”

Pei Qingyuan grinned. “I’m only getting married once in my life—I’ll take as many as I want!”

Sheng Chunxiang laughed. This petty guy was still holding onto that matter.

“Mainly because my in-laws are wealthy. The old man and lady told us to do whatever makes us happy,” she added.

Rich and willful!

Aunt Zhang’s eyes widened like copper bells.

Pei Qingyuan’s stepmother and father—kind people?

What a joke!

Those two were just putting on a good act!

After taking both versions of the photos, they went in front of the portrait of the great leader to take their vows.

This step was optional, but Pei Qingyuan insisted. He even deliberately shouted loudly, “I, Pei Qingyuan, will only love Sheng Chunxiang in this lifetime! I will only get married this once! Let the great leader bear witness!”

Everyone in the hall turned to look, laughing uncontrollably.

Where did this reckless fool come from?

Saying such things at home was fine, but life was long—who could really say for sure?

Sheng Chunxiang understood now. This guy had grievances, and he really needed to let them out.

After the full ceremony, Aunt Zhang handed them their marriage certificate—it looked just like an award certificate from the future.

A black-and-white photo of them was attached.

Sheng Chunxiang was puzzled. “Why didn’t they use the colored photo?”

That cost five yuan!

Pei Qingyuan replied, “After we die, we can use this as our memorial photo. Saves the kids the trouble of looking for one.”

Sheng Chunxiang couldn’t take it anymore.

She jumped up and smacked his head. “I was just joking! Why are you taking it so far?!”

“Say that again, I dare you!”

They had just gotten their marriage certificate, and he was already thinking about their death—what’s more, their future children?!

The entire civil affairs office erupted into laughter, and Aunt Zhang doubled over in amusement.

“These two are still just kids…”

But their future life would be just fine.

Pei Qingyuan, that little rascal, had good fortune. Without a wife like this, he wouldn’t be able to handle his stepmother at all.

After leaving the civil affairs office, Pei Qingyuan took Sheng Chunxiang straight to the supply and marketing cooperative.

He spent one yuan and eighty-three cents on the best photo frame and immediately framed their marriage certificate.

Sheng Chunxiang no longer cared—she let him do whatever he wanted. A clueless, newlywed young man—truly a product of this era.

“Xiangxiang, now that we’re legally married, shouldn’t we buy some essential newlywed items?”

Pei Qingyuan was eager to spend money again. Whenever he looked at Sheng Chunxiang, he just wanted to spend money on her.

Sheng Chunxiang nodded. “That’s right. But shouldn’t these things be paid for by the groom’s parents?”

Pei Qingyuan had been about to pay out of his own pocket but immediately slapped his thigh when he heard this.

“You’re right! I was too excited and almost forgot!”

“Let’s go home right now and get money from my dad. We also need the bride price, red envelopes, and other gifts.”

Sheng Chunxiang loved his quick thinking.

The two of them left the supply and marketing cooperative and rode their bicycle home.

Zhou Qingsao, who came out after them, gritted her teeth and spent ten cents on a tricycle ride home.

It was over. Everything was over.

She had only taken her eyes off them for a little while, and now Sheng Chunxiang and Pei Qingyuan were officially married?!

She had to hurry home and get her in-laws to come up with a plan.