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He quickly tried to salvage the situation.
“Um, Comrade Su Ying, actually, there are many people in the compound. You won’t be the only one taking care of the commander. Old Ye, I, and some of the aunties and sisters-in-law—when we have time, we all pitch in…”
“Old Du,”
Gu Jinghong interrupted him with a stern voice.
Director Du awkwardly shut up and nervously looked at Su Ying, praying she wouldn’t back out. If she did, what would they do?
Su Ying met Gu Jinghong’s gaze. His earlier words kept replaying in her mind—he had made the consequences clear, explained his condition, and given her a choice.
This man didn’t match the image she had of a paralyzed person. Though he looked a bit worn, his aura was still commanding. He was intelligent, and… kind.
His eyes were like deep black holes, dark yet shimmering with starlight. Su Ying was curious—she couldn’t help wanting to explore them.
She pressed her lips into a smile.
“I agree. I’m not someone who hesitates once I’ve made up my mind.”
Gu Jinghong still seemed uncertain and asked again, “Are you sure you won’t regret it?”
Su Ying shook her head. “No regrets.”
She didn’t see any reason to regret. Gu Jinghong’s condition seemed quite serious—who knew how many years he could hold on? Although military marriages didn’t allow her to initiate divorce, surely they wouldn’t stop her from remarrying if she became a widow?
Gu Jinghong’s heart was a storm. He hadn’t expected this girl to actually agree to marry him—and so decisively.
Of course, if Commander Gu knew what Su Ying was thinking right now, all his feelings of being touched would turn to rage. He’d probably curse her as a heartless woman.
Director Du grabbed Su Ying’s hand, his face full of emotion.
“Comrade Su Ying, you’re truly a good comrade. We all thank you.”
Su Ying’s mouth twitched awkwardly. “No need. No need to thank me.”
Director Du had been genuinely panicked earlier. If Su Ying changed her mind, it would be a disaster. It had taken so much effort to find someone the commander liked—if this girl refused, he and Old Ye would be in for it again.
“Let go.”
The cold and stern voice from behind rang out. Director Du sprang back like he was on springs, quickly letting go and stepping back to his original position.
“Commander, can we take the photo now?” the photographer asked softly, holding the camera.
Gu Jinghong turned to Su Ying.
“Comrade Su Ying, are you ready?”
Su Ying took two steps forward and stood next to his wheelchair.
“I’ll do it.”
Director Du saw that Gu Jinghong said nothing and stepped aside, letting Su Ying push him to the red backdrop for the photo.
Su Ying moved a stool aside, locked the wheelchair in place, then sat on the other stool. She glanced at Gu Jinghong.
When she saw his deep, composed gaze on her, she felt a bit uneasy and asked:
“Do you need me to… support you?”
Veins popped slightly on Gu Jinghong’s neck. Using just the strength of his neck, he straightened his posture a little.
Su Ying saw beads of sweat forming on his forehead and his slightly ragged breathing. She moved the stool a little closer to him and subtly leaned her shoulder toward him so he could rest on her for support.
Gu Jinghong looked at her quietly for a moment, then didn’t refuse. His body slowly leaned over, and the moment he touched her shoulder, his lips pressed into a slight line.
Director Du stood nearby with a smile, feeling both moved and happy. He was glad for Gu Jinghong—this girl was kind. She’d surely be able to live a good life with the commander.
“Alright, smile for the camera. Comrade, lift your chin a bit—yes, just like that…”
With the photographer’s direction, Su Ying adjusted herself, and then—click—the shutter went off. At last, the photo was done.
Su Ying reached out to help Gu Jinghong first, then stood up herself and pushed his wheelchair over to Director Du.
Director Du looked at her with even more warmth and gratitude in his eyes than before.
“Comrade Su Ying, I’ve got other work to handle. After you get the certificate, can you take the commander back?”
Su Ying was slightly stunned but nodded.
“Okay.”
After Director Du left, it was just Su Ying pushing Gu Jinghong to complete the marriage registration. Since today was a special case—the marriage of a high-ranking officer—the civil affairs bureau had been cleared out. They were first in line, and everything went smoothly.
The moment she held the marriage certificate, Su Ying looked at the photo. Gu Jinghong’s face was cold and handsome, freshly shaved and well-groomed—very dashing. If one went by appearance alone, no one would believe he was paralyzed.
Gu Jinghong glanced at the official seal, then seemed to casually glance at Su Ying’s face. A mix of emotions flickered in his eyes. When he saw her staring blankly at the certificate, his gaze dimmed slightly.
“Let’s go. The car’s outside.”
Su Ying snapped back to reality and quickly tucked her marriage certificate into the satchel slung over her shoulder. She thought for a moment and reached out to collect the certificate sitting on Gu Jinghong’s lap—but was scolded by him.
“What are you doing?”
She quickly withdrew her hand. “I was worried it might fall, so I thought I’d keep them together.”
Gu Jinghong pressed his lips into a line and said nothing.
Seeing that he didn’t respond, Su Ying didn’t dare touch the certificate again. She just slowed down as she pushed the wheelchair, worried it might fall.
Outside, soldiers were already waiting. Leng Weimin, Gu Jinghong’s personal guard, was also there. When he saw them coming out, he immediately stepped up.
“Ma’am, I’m the commander’s orderly, Leng Weimin. I’ll take over from here.”
Su Ying figured there was no need for her to accompany them—there were so many people around, even a personal guard. But remembering she had promised Director Du, she still got into the car.
Gu Jinghong’s seat was specially fixed. His body fit snugly in it. When he saw Su Ying board, he turned to her.
“If you’ve got things to do, you don’t need to come along.”
Su Ying shook her head.
“No, it’s fine. My mom’s cooking lunch at home—I just show up and eat, no need to get back early.”
“Your mom? You just moved to Jiangcheng? Why come here—looking for work?”
Su Ying gave a helpless smile. She really didn’t know how to explain. But this man was now legally her husband—he did have the right to know. Still, with so many people around, she didn’t want to get into it.
Gu Jinghong noticed her discomfort and changed the subject.
“Old Du said you moved into the tube-style building. How are you adjusting?”
Su Ying glanced at him, wanting to say, We just moved in—barely caught our breath before getting dragged here to register the marriage. How would I know if I’ve adjusted?
But this man seemed to have a good temper, good character, and such a tragic background… she didn’t have the heart to be blunt.
She forced a smile. “It’s okay. It’s fine.”
Gu Jinghong wasn’t good at small talk. Su Ying, on the other hand, genuinely didn’t know what to say. She had thought she was marrying a regular disabled veteran—but this man was someone who once bore the weight of a general’s star. Her mind was a complete mess. Somehow, she’d become a military officer’s wife just like that.