Chapter 3 Newly Married

Wang Guifen gritted her back teeth, rushed forward in a few quick steps, and while pretending to cry, pressed Su Zhaodi into her arms. “Zhaodi! I know you can’t bear to let your sister go…”

She used her rough hand to wipe her nose, flung it to the ground, and continued scolding, “Su Jianshan! Are you a dead man? Take Zhiye to the back hill for a walk. I’ll let the two sisters have a nice, private chat.”

Completely confused, Gu Zhiye and Su Jianshan soon disappeared into the yard, their brisk departure making Su Niannian want to laugh — it seemed this man was quite perceptive.

Meanwhile, Su Zhaodi was nearly smothered. The oppressive grip, combined with the heavy smell of her grandmother’s sweat, made her dizzy. Her vision grew dark. Staggering forward, Su Zhaodi grabbed a nearby acacia tree in the yard and said bitterly, “Su Niannian, you want everything! This marriage into the Gu family was meant for me — by what right can you take it away?!”

Su Niannian’s lips curved up in a slight smile. “I have better judgment than you.”

Su Zhaodi shook her head in disbelief. So that’s why Su Niannian’s neck seemed thick — it was the trunk of a crooked tree, not her!

“That’s enough! I’m the matriarch of the Su family! Whatever I say goes — you’re not going to make a mess today!” Wang Guifen placed her hands on her hips and stood in front of Su Niannian, fiercely protective.

Su Zhaodi forced back her tears. “Grandma, you said it was meant for me… even if we take a step back, the Gu family is looking for someone to care for their elderly. Niannian cannot carry heavy loads or do hard work. She’d be more of a mess… you’re not helping their family, you’re ruining it! Besides… she’s a capitalist’s miss, someone who prefers men in suits, drinking coffee — a coarse soldier certainly isn’t a match for her…”

Wang Guifen snatched up a broom from the corner and raised it threateningly toward Su Zhaodi, her face shaking with rage. “Who’s gone wild? You, you shameless girl! Carrying someone else’s child and you still want to compete with your sister? Get back in the house and spare us the embarrassment!”

Su Niannian’s eyes widened as her gaze fell upon Su Zhaodi’s flat stomach. The latter covered it with her hands, her face turning ashen. She pressed her back molars together, reluctantly putting down her dignity: “Niannian… I’ve never meant to compete with you. You’re beautiful — there’s a whole trail of men who would pursue you from the entrance of the village to the town. So I’m begging you… let me have him, please! He’s a stinky soldier who doesn’t know romance or appreciate a woman’s affections — you’re not a match for him. Really, you’re not…”

At the mention of the word “soldier”, Su Niannian’s resistance suddenly fell away. In this era, soldiers were upright, responsible, and trustworthy — a man who would protect their country, their family — a man worth trusting. Furthermore, a military marriage was legally recognized and sheltered by marriage law. This might be an opportunity.

Su Niannian lowered her lashes and said softly, “He is a soldier — someone who spills his blood for the country. That’s something to be respected. Your madness is your own, Cousin; you fell into this mess yourself.”

Su Zhaodi fell silent in disbelief. “But you… you didn’t even like him…”

Things were already starting to diverge from their trajectory, and their grandmother’s arrangement was, in a way, the most correct. Su Niannian pressed her red lips together: “Who said I didn’t like him? I fell in love at first sight.”

As soon as the words fell, silence fell over the courtyard — even Su Zhaodi stopped crying. Everyone turned their gazes toward the doorway. Su Niannian followed their view — and was startled. Gu Zhiye was there! His piercing stare fell directly upon Su Niannian. His expression remained impassive, as if he hadn’t heard the confession.

He stood perfectly straight, his back a strong, erect pine tree. His very presence made him seem a world apart. He walked directly toward Su Niannian. Su Zhaodi staggered forward, reluctantly trying to block him. “Comrade Gu… I’m Su Zhaodi… I can take care of…”

Gu Zhiye gave her a brief, indifferent look. “You’re stepping in chicken droppings.”

His piercing gaze was icy — it cut through Su Zhaodi’s heart. Her knees nearly gave way, and Su Jianshan rushed forward to steady her — then promptly turned and shoved her aside in disgust. “Ew! Chicken droppings are so stinky!”

Su Zhaodi glared, covered her face, turned, and ran away in tears.

A large shadow fell across Su Niannian’s view. As a breeze blew by, she could even smell the scent of soap from him. Gu Zhiye’s voice was calm and firm, each word ringing distinctly: “Comrade Su Niannian, I’m Gu Zhiye, 186 cm tall, currently serving as a battalion commander in the Northwest Military Command. I’m here to propose marriage — for my mother’s health. So please consider carefully. If you are unwilling, we can destroy this marriage agreement.”

He stood in front of her, a wall of broad shoulders and a strong back.

Su Niannian tugged at her side braid, the red ribbon emphasizing her fair skin and adding a spark to her clear, piercing eyes. “I’m willing… but…” Her voice was soft, much like a feather gliding across the heart. The man was a soldier — Su Niannian felt it was her duty to be frank with him about the capitalist background related to the Chen family — worried it might affect Gu Zhiye’s future promotions. But before she could say another word, Wang Guifen suddenly pushed her forward.

The man’s hard chest was there to break her fall.

…the collision made the tip of her nose ache.

Wang Guifen’s excited voice came from behind: “As long as you’re happy! Happy is all that matters! Jianshan, go get your sister’s packed bags. Let’s send her to the Gu family. We’ll share a meal together — this marriage is a done deal. We shouldn’t delay it much longer or invite gossip. She’s nearly an old maid as it is…”

The man’s warm hands slowly loosened their grip on her waist, his jaw tightening slightly. “What were you about to say?”

Before Su Niannian could let the words in her throat come out, Wang Guifen darted forward with the bundle, her voice nervous. “Niannian, come and help.”

“Oh.”

Su Niannian was called aside by her grandmother for a brief talk. In a rush of confusion, the grandfather, grandmother, and granddaughter hopped into Gu Zhiye’s jeep and drove toward Long County.

Su Niannian carefully placed the gift she had prepared for the Gu family on her lap. The warm breeze flowed in through the window, tugging at the new red medium-skirt’s lace short sleeves. Sweat slowly trickled down her chest. With Su Jianshan, fast asleep and resting his head against her shoulder, Su Niannian was growing uncomfortably warm, her face turning rosy — much like a stranded fish.

Glancing in the rearview mirror, Gu Zhiye suddenly pressed down the horn. The snoring Su Jianshan sprang up in alarm, bumping his head against the car’s rooftop. “Are… are we there yet?!”

“There are still three hours left.”

For the rest of the ride, while Wang Guifen snoozed away, Gu Zhiye casually exchanged stories from the army with Su Jianshan. The latter grew more and more delighted, even exclaiming, “Sister, marriage is a wonderful thing — I want to get married, too…”

Su Niannian fell silent.

Eventually, the jeep came to a halt at the entrance of Lotus Village. Gu Zhiye turned off the engine. A group of villagers had already gathered there — an elderly man, nearly toothless, called out in giddy happiness, “Boy, you really brought back your wife! How wonderful — really wonderful!”

Su Jianshan and Wang Guifen, both loving a bit of a crowd, hopped out first. Gu Zhiye opened the car door and turned his piercing black eyes toward Su Niannian, who was still trying to collect herself. “If you want to back out, it’s not too late.”

Some children from the nearby houses rushed forward to see the new bride. Gu Zhiye turned to chase them away.

At that moment, a pair of porcelain-like hands tugged at his belt, a delicate voice tremoring as it said, “Wait… wait for me…”