Chapter 68

Zhang Chaoyang’s family, in contrast to the Xu family, was filled with nothing but joy. There was no hesitation.

The marriage report, if it followed the normal procedure, would take a long time to be approved.

Zhang Chaoyang didn’t have that much time. His vacation was limited.

To expedite the approval of the marriage report, Zhang Chaoyang directly called their regiment commander.

After being transferred, Zhang Chaoyang heard their regiment commander’s booming voice through the receiver.

“Regiment Commander, I’m getting married. You have to find a way to approve the marriage report quickly.”

“You’re really getting married? Comrade Zhang Chaoyang, you’re not fooling me, are you?”

“Regiment Commander, is this something to joke about? Find someone to give me a special approval. Start the process from Beijing first. I want to get my marriage license before my vacation ends. The sooner the better.”

Before meeting Xu Di, Zhang Chaoyang hadn’t considered getting married. He thought it was a hassle.

But now that everything was on the agenda, he felt like a fire was burning inside him.

“What, eager to get into the bridal chamber? If you’re capable, get married, spend your honeymoon, and be a father this time next year.”

“Regiment Commander, watch your words.”

Zhang Chaoyang blushed slightly and protested quietly.

“Okay, okay. I’ll talk to the political commissar and have him arrange it.

By the way, is the woman okay?”

The regiment commander was asking about her background. The most troublesome thing during the political review was the background check.

“No problem. Her family has been poor peasants for generations.”

Comrade Xu Di had mentioned this casually, and he remembered.

“That’s good. Wait for the letter.”

The regiment commander hung up the phone and immediately went to find the political commissar. This was his responsibility.

Zhang Chaoyang thought for a moment and then called his grandfather.

This matter had to go through the Beijing Military District. It would be bad if his grandfather heard about his marriage from someone else.

He wanted to get married smoothly and avoid any complications.

After the call was connected, Zhang Chaoyang told his grandfather about his marriage.

“You decided so quickly. Is she the girl your grandmother chose?”

“Yes, we exchanged letters for a while and had a good impression of each other.

After this long vacation, who knows when I’ll have another one.

Grandma explained the situation to the Xu family and asked them to agree to get the marriage license and have the wedding before I return to my unit.”

Zhang Chaoyang briefly explained the cause and process. It was he and his grandmother who were eager to get married, not Comrade Xu.

“As long as you like her, I’ll keep an eye on the marriage report.

Once you’ve set a date for the wedding, let me know. Come over sometime. I’ll also contribute to your wedding.”

“Thank you, Grandpa!”

Zhang Chaoyang didn’t decline. This was something all grandsons received. He wouldn’t refuse.

“Did you tell your parents?”

“My grandmother said to tell them after the date is set. They don’t need to contribute money or effort anyway.”

Hearing that it was Grandma Chaoyang who said it, the old man didn’t say anything. He had no standing.

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Chaoyang started measuring his room.

He needed to buy a new bed. The current one had been used for many years. He would change it to a double bed. The wardrobe was also his old one. It was too old.

Tomorrow at noon, he would go see Comrade Xu and ask if she had any styles in mind.

Zhang Chaoyang made notes as he looked around, recording everything that needed to be replaced. He couldn’t miss anything.

The next day, Zhang Chaoyang didn’t go see Xu Di. His grandmother said to wait until the marriage report came through.

That way, it would be a done deal. Otherwise, if something unexpected happened, Xu Di would be the one gossiped about.

Zhang Chaoyang thought about it. He hadn’t considered that. He would have to pay more attention to his thinking in the future. He couldn’t think like a soldier.

Because of the special approval, Zhang Chaoyang’s marriage report came through three days later.

He went to the Beijing Military District to pick it up in person and stopped by to see his grandfather and tell him.

There was no one else in the old man’s office. Zhang Chaoyang didn’t wait and went straight in.

“The marriage report is approved. You’re getting married. Have you set a date?”

“No, Grandma said to set the date after the report comes through and we get the marriage license.

That way, it’s more secure for the woman. I’ll contact Xu Di later. If she’s available, we’ll go get the license tomorrow.”

Zhang Chaoyang had the marriage application. The rest was easy.

“Your grandmother is thoughtful. Once you set a date, don’t forget to let me know.

And your parents, you can’t avoid them.”

“I know. I’ll let them know.”

“Here you go. When you siblings get married, I’ll be fair. Everyone gets a share.”

The old man handed him an envelope, bulging with what was probably money.

“Thank you, Grandpa. Then I’ll go back.”

“Go back. If you need me to do anything, just ask.”

“Yes, I know.”

Zhang Chaoyang took the envelope and left his grandfather’s office.

When he got home, his grandmother was there too. These past two days, she had been busier than him. He hardly saw her.

“Grandma, the marriage report is approved. I’ll go ask Xu Di later if we can go get the marriage license tomorrow.”

“It’s approved. That’s great. Go now. She needs to get a marriage certificate too.”

“Okay, I’ll go now. By the way, Grandma, this is from Grandpa. He said it’s money for my wedding.”

Zhang Chaoyang put down the envelope and went to find Xu Di.

“Xu Di, someone’s looking for you.”

Sister Tang had just come back from outside. She saw someone looking for Xu Di and called out to her.

“I’m coming, Sister Tang. Are you done?”

“I’m done. Go quickly. It’s a man.”

Sister Tang was mysterious, looking like a gossip monger.

Xu Di guessed it was probably Zhang Chaoyang.

“Xu Di, I need to talk to you.”

“Let’s go outside.”

Xu Di saw people peeking out from the doors of various offices. They were ready to listen to gossip.

“Okay, put on your coat. It’s cold outside.”

“Yes, wait for me.”

Xu Di went into her office, grabbed her coat, and quickly went out, not giving them a chance to ask questions.

“The marriage report is approved. That was fast!”

Behind the office building, Xu Di was surprised to hear that the marriage report had been approved.

“It was expedited. Your family background is simple, so the process is faster.

Xu Di, let’s go get the marriage license tomorrow. After we get the license, we can start preparing things.

I’ve written down everything that needs to be replaced in the house. Take a look and see if there’s anything else we need. We’ll buy it together then.”

“Okay, I’ll go get the marriage certificate later. Tomorrow morning, I’ll take a day off. We’ll go get the marriage license.

After we get the license, I’ll go back home and see what we need.”

Xu Di didn’t hesitate. Since they had decided to get married, they had to prepare well.

“Alright, I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning. We’ll go get the marriage license together.”

“Okay, don’t forget to bring some candy.”

“I know. Grandma has already prepared it.”

Xu Di still had to get her marriage certificate. She didn’t say anything more and quickly went to find her leader.

Xu Di’s marriage certificate was easy to get. She met the age requirement for marriage registration, and it was a military marriage, so it wouldn’t be a problem.

Holding this simple certificate, Xu Di felt a sense of reality. She was getting married, in the 1970s.

This time, she would live her life according to her own wishes. She wouldn’t get angry. She would live a healthy life and live to be a hundred years old.