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“Call her sister-in-law. She’s my wife now. We just got our certificate, it’s legal.”
What “Comrade Su”? That sounded awkward. The boy was still young, still green, lacking social sense. He’d learn with time.
Lin Xingchen had already turned these thoughts over a few times in his mind.
“Yes. Sister-in-law, hello. I wish you and the deputy commander a hundred years of happiness together.”
“Thank you for your kind words. Here, this is our wedding candy.”
Lin Xingchen nodded to himself. Good lad.
With candy in his pocket, Xiao Liu eagerly helped carry the purchases. In no time, the three men had loaded everything onto the truck.
“Momo, the luggage you left in the trunk yesterday, I already placed it in your new house. And the parcel from Aunt, I’ve also put it away.”
“Perfect. Let’s grab lunch and then pick up the photos. I’m starving.”
She really was. The morning’s errands had burned through the energy of three buns and a cup of soy milk as if she’d eaten nothing at all.
“Let’s go.”
They returned to the same state-run restaurant as yesterday. Today’s menu included chicken stewed with mushrooms. Xingchen ordered two portions, one to eat now and one packed for dinner later. With nothing yet stocked at home, it was a thoughtful move.
They added two bowls of shredded pork noodles, a plate of braised eggplant, and stir-fried tomato with egg. Four dishes in all, plenty for four hungry people. The chicken stew came in a basin, with the extra portion filling two lunch boxes to the brim.
“This is too much, Deputy Commander, so much meat!”
Soldiers never went hungry, but they didn’t often get to eat so well. Meat dishes were a rare treat.
“Eat. You’ve worked hard today, have a little more.”
All of them were hungry, and they dug in with relish. Momo finished half her noodles before sliding the rest toward Xingchen. The chicken and potatoes in the stew were too delicious; she couldn’t resist overeating them, so the noodles were left untouched.
For three young men, though, the food was just enough. At their age, university-aged by modern standards, it was normal to put away three or four bowls at a sitting.
Afterward, they picked up their photographs and drove to the family housing compound.
The road was remote and rough, dirt paths flanked by trees. After passing through a small forest, the space opened up, and the gates of the military district appeared.
“This is our entrance. First-time visitors must register.”
Xingchen led Momo to sign in. The duty soldier nearly popped his eyes out staring at her.
Good heavens, the deputy commander’s wife is stunning! Skin fair and glowing, elegant features, refined temperament far beyond the song-and-dance troupe’s leading ladies.
Rumors had painted Lin Xingchen as undesirable. Orphaned, with no family backing, he wasn’t the most sought-after groom. Some had even tried to match their relatives with him, but his icy demeanor had scared them off. His face was handsome, yes, but that stern black expression made most hesitate.
Yet now seeing this radiant young bride, who could say he’d lost out?
Once registered, they continued, stopping at the gate of their small courtyard. A crowd had already gathered. Word had spread in the morning when Su Tingjie delivered things that Momo would be arriving today. Everyone had waited eagerly to catch a glimpse.
“This is our home.” Xingchen’s voice carried both pride and warmth.
“It’s wonderful! better than I imagined.”
The courtyard was spacious, half planted with vegetables and half arranged with deck chairs and a table for leisure. The house itself had five rooms: two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a storage room.
“Should we hand out candy to the sisters-in-law?” Momo whispered.
“Yes. That’s the custom, new wives usually do.”
Having helped other comrades move before, Xingchen knew the drill.
Momo stepped forward with a bright smile.
“We just got our marriage certificate today. Please, have some wedding candy. My name is Su Momo. I just arrived, and I hope I’ll have the chance to chat with everyone soon.”
“Comrade Su, you’re too polite. We all live in the same compound, of course, we’ll help one another.”
As the new couple unloaded the “three big pieces” the radio, sewing machine, and bicycle – eyes widened. Some women secretly regretted not pushing harder when the chance to introduce relatives to Lin Xingchen had come. Too late now.
“Yes, yes… neighbors should help each other.”
Sweetened by candy, the women were all smiles. Soon they drifted away, eager to spread the gossip about the stunning new bride. The candy, of course, went straight into their pockets, saved for their children.
Once the crowd dispersed, Momo closed the gate. The truck was unloaded, and everything was carried inside.
Here, in winter, people slept on heated brick beds, so the bedrooms were especially large. Momo’s luggage and parcels filled half a kang already.
“Wife, where should we put the sewing machine?”
“In the spare room.”
“All right.”
With the heavy items settled, Xiao Liu excused himself. Before he left, Momo stuffed his pockets full of candy. Embarrassed, he tried to refuse, but couldn’t. Face red, he ran off grinning.
“Brother, here are the sauces Mama and Second Aunt made. Take some back to your dorm.”
“Leave a little for Tinghao. The rest I’ll just come here to eat.”
“Fine. From now on, whenever you have time, come have dinner here. Everyone in the family praises my cooking.”
“Good. Our Momo has really grown up.”
Su Tingjie looked at his sister with both tenderness and pride. Part of him still wished she could remain carefree forever.
“Of course. I can take care of you, too. I inherited Mama’s medical skills. If you’re ever injured, don’t hide it; come to me. Ordinary doctors can’t compare.”
She was right. Many surgeries were botched due to poor conditions and a lack of expertise. She was already the youngest attending physician, and in three years, barring accident, she would become the youngest associate chief physician. She stood on the shoulders of giants, her knowledge more advanced and comprehensive than her peers.
“All right. Brother knows.”
After tidying the kitchen and wiping away the dust, Su Tingjie returned to his own quarters.
Momo continued unpacking little by little, even sneaking a few items from her hidden space.