Chapter 35 – Premarital Exam

Having gone to bed early the previous night, Sang Feiyu woke up bright and early the next morning.

She had to fast for the exam, so after washing up and changing clothes, she simply waited for Ning Zhiyuan to pick her up so they could go together to the military hospital for their premarital checkup.

While waiting, Sang Feiyu habitually grabbed a cloth to wipe the yellow dust off her shoes. But when her eyes landed on the handcrafted soles—layered in the traditional style by an old artisan from Yangcheng—she hesitated. In the end, she put the cloth down. Better not clean them too thoroughly and risk someone noticing the shoes had been tampered with.

Bored with nothing to do, she began air-playing Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. The piece had been dedicated by Beethoven to his lover during a difficult time in his life, and was filled with a melancholy mood.

She had been learning piano since she was a child, and had also studied ballet under a Nordic aristocrat in exile.

As she played in the air, her body instinctively began to spin. The familiar yet distant dance steps made her lips curl into a faint smile.

When the music ended and the dance was done, she instantly returned to her usual self and sat quietly on the bench, waiting for Ning Zhiyuan to arrive.

It was as if that entire scene had never happened.

Before long, there was a knock at the door. “Xiaoyu.”

Sang Feiyu quickly walked out, locked the door, and left with Ning Zhiyuan for the military hospital.

On the way there, to ease Sang Feiyu’s nerves, Ning Zhiyuan briefly explained the main items and process of the premarital checkup. Sang Feiyu hadn’t expected the military version to include more than just physical and fertility tests—there were also special procedures like loyalty assessments and cross-questioning.

To be honest, Sang Feiyu found military marriage quite a hassle. Just getting married required submitting three forms and multiple certificates: the political background check form, medical exam form, household registration plus application form, ID copies, work certificates, introduction letter, and public notice certificate.

Upon arriving at the hospital, Sang Feiyu’s eyes were drawn to the female doctor in a white coat, whose collar revealed a green military uniform underneath. The sign outside the women’s examination room read, “Women Hold Up Half the Sky,” while the men’s read, “Be Prepared for War and Famine, Serve the People.”

The first step was to submit the “Certificate of Marital Status” and the military-approved “Marriage Application Authorization Form.” Each of them also handed over a one-inch photo to be affixed to their premarital exam registration cards.

The second step was to stand in the hospital hallway and recite quotes from Chairman Mao, then sign a guarantee letter promising not to hide any illnesses or marry into hostile forces.

Next came the actual medical exams, which were conducted separately for men and women.

During the exam, the hospital might suddenly ask unexpected questions to observe the subject’s response time and capability.

Finally, the results would be sealed in waxed kraft paper, stamped with a five-pointed star seal. They also needed verification by the military doctor, political commissar, and women’s committee director.

Only those who received a “Class A” result would be permitted to marry. Others would either be marked for observation or outright denied marriage approval.

Because of how strict the military premarital exam was, Sang Feiyu and Ning Zhiyuan both took it extremely seriously. Until the results came out, they couldn’t let their guard down.

By the time they walked out of the military hospital, it was already around noon.

Sang Feiyu touched her stomach and asked, “Shall we get something to eat?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“I’ll walk you back first, then head to the cafeteria to get food.”

Ning Zhiyuan didn’t want Sang Feiyu to eat in the cafeteria and had his reasons.

It was mealtime, and the place would be packed with sweaty, smelly men. He was worried she might throw up before even stepping inside, which could lead to awkward misunderstandings.

Sang Feiyu wasn’t eager to squeeze into the crowd either. “I know the way. You go get the food, and I’ll wait for you at home.”

The words “I’ll wait for you at home” echoed in Ning Zhiyuan’s ears, making his heart thump uncontrollably and his cheeks flush red.

Sang Feiyu assumed it was just the sun making his face red and didn’t think much of it.

“Be careful. See you later,” Ning Zhiyuan reminded her gently, reluctant to part, then turned and walked toward the cafeteria.

Sang Feiyu retraced her steps, trying to avoid people as much as possible. As the pampered daughter of a capitalist household, she constantly reminded herself to keep a low profile. As long as she stayed out of trouble, with the Ning family’s protection, she should be able to survive safely.

By the time she got home, her face was already covered in a fine sheen of sweat. She fetched some warm water to wash her face and changed into a comfortable house dress before finally feeling a bit better.

While Ning Zhiyuan was still on his way back, Sang Feiyu quickly slipped into her hidden space to look for her grandfather and grandmother.

Unfortunately, neither of them was there. Then she remembered—they were taking the train back to Shanghai today. Just as she was about to exit the space, she noticed that a tea table had appeared outside her home, complete with three neatly arranged covered teacups.

She used to love watching her grandfather brew tea: warming the cups, adding tea leaves, shaking to release the fragrance, rinsing the leaves, brewing, and finally pouring the tea.

Staring at the three teacups, she realized it had been a long time since she’d enjoyed a proper afternoon tea.

…

Inside the military hospital, Shen Yunyun saw her chance and caught up with a nurse from the lab. “Sister Liang, it’s already lunchtime. If you don’t go soon, all the good food will be gone.”

Nurse Liang sighed lightly, “There’s no helping it with our kind of job.”

Shen Yunyun didn’t agree. Compared to field medics, nurses in military hospitals had it way better. At least they didn’t have to keep running to the frontlines.

She felt like she was already getting tanned just after a few months on the job.

Snapping back to her purpose, she smiled and offered, “I’ve already eaten. Why don’t I deliver those samples to the lab for you?”

Nurse Liang tightened her grip on the tray. “Absolutely not. If something goes wrong with the test results, everyone involved will be investigated. Don’t get me into trouble.”

And with that, she walked away.

Shen Yunyun quickly caught up. “Sister Liang, you make it sound like I have some hidden agenda. I was just being kind—I saw how busy you were and wanted to help.”

Nurse Liang rolled her eyes. If she was busy, what did that make the ER staff?

Still, she was grateful for her steady job.

She had only complained in passing—was Shen Yunyun actually taking it seriously?

As she approached the lab, she said flatly, “No unauthorized persons allowed. Don’t come in.”

She entered first, then locked the door behind her.

Shen Yunyun: “…”

She stood outside the lab for a while until Nurse Liang came back out.

“You’re still here?” Nurse Liang was surprised.

She’d only met Shen Yunyun a couple of times and didn’t know her well. But anyone who suddenly approached her like this was up to no good. She immediately became alert and warned sternly, “Don’t even think about touching those samples.”

“If you get caught, you’ll end up in prison!”

Shen Yunyun scratched her nose awkwardly and gave a sheepish smile. “Sister Liang, you’re joking. I’m not that kind of person!”

Nurse Liang replied coldly, “I don’t know you well enough to be sure of that.”

Shen Yunyun: “…”

Clearly, the lab nurses were tough nuts to crack.

To keep a close watch on her, Nurse Liang even skipped lunch and had her colleagues bring takeout, which she ate right there in the corridor outside the lab.

Shen Yunyun was treated like a thief. At this point, if she dared make a move, she really would be brainless.

So she smiled politely and bid farewell to Nurse Liang, deciding she needed to come up with a new plan.

But just as she was heading back to the family quarters, a guard told her her eldest aunt had called.

Her instincts told her—this had to be good news.