Chapter 10: Baoni Gets Her Marriage Certificate, Lin Tao Leaves

Baoni’s marriage application had been approved, and the matter was settled.

The Lin family had no choice but to accept it.

In Lin Tao’s enlistment notice, his reporting date was fast approaching. He needed to first gather at the city’s military unit before heading to the capital with other new recruits.

During these days, aside from work, the whole family was busy preparing for Lin Tao’s departure.

Lin Tao was a native of the island, and the farthest he had ever been was to the city. He didn’t know whether he’d be able to adapt to life in the capital.

“Mother, Grandma, there’s no need to pack all this stuff. The Military Unit provides all the necessary supplies. Just bring Second Brother some spare clothes and clothes for the trip.” Baoni said, seeing her mother packing a large bundle of items—basins, lunchboxes, and water bottles—into the bag. She quickly stopped her.

Mother Lin asked suspiciously. “Really? They provide everything? Baoni, how do you know this?”

Baoni quickly replied that she had asked Comrade Gu Ye, though she couldn’t tell her mother that she had known this since she was little!

When Mother Lin heard that Baoni had asked Colonel Gu, she believed it and took the items back out of the bag, leaving only a few undergarments and a set of clothes for Lin Tao to change into.

---

While the Lin family was busy preparing for Lin Tao’s departure, Gu Ye was discharged from the hospital.

“How did you get discharged so quickly? Did the doctor approve it? You didn’t sneak out again, did you?” Xiao Chaoyang asked in surprise when he saw Gu Ye walk into the office.

It wasn’t surprising that Xiao Chaoyang asked this.

Gu Ye had a history of disregarding doctors’ advice and leaving the hospital against medical advice.

The reason his grandfather and older brother were so eager for him to get married was because they feared that his reckless attitude towards his own life would lead to further trouble.

Gu Ye glanced sideways at Xiao Chaoyang and said: “You’re overthinking it. The doctor approved it. That’s why I was discharged.”

“That’s good, that’s good. The doctor must’ve given you instructions, right? You have to follow those precautions. You can’t go back to the training ground again.” Xiao Chaoyang, true to his role as a drill instructor, was thorough in his concerns!

“By the way, the house has been approved. It’s right next door to mine. You can go take a look later. If anything’s missing or lacking, make sure to fill it in.” After saying this, Xiao Chaoyang took a set of keys from the drawer and threw them to Gu Ye.

Gu Ye caught the keys and put them in his pocket. “Thanks, I’ll check it out later.”

Once the personal matters were dealt with, Gu Ye got down to business. After being in the hospital for so long, a mountain of work had piled up.

Xiao Chaoyang left as well, as he had his own tasks to handle, especially with Gu Ye being absent during the past period.

The next day, Gu Ye brought cigarettes, alcohol, candy, and tea that he had bought from the Supply and Marketing Cooperative and went to visit the Lin family.

---

At Captain Lin’s house, the first team on the island, even the children on the island knew where it was, so Gu Ye easily found the Lin family’s location.

In the courtyard, Grandma Lin was sitting on a small stool, mending clothes, while Lin Baoni was playing with Dabao.

“Dabao, guess which hand your auntie has the tasty snack in? If you guess right, it’s yours. If you guess wrong, it’s mine.” Baoni made fists with both hands and waved them in front of Dabao, letting him choose.

Dabao hesitated, unsure which to pick, worried that if he chose wrong, the treat would be gone.

“Dabao, a real man does things decisively. Don’t be so hesitant. And once you choose, you can’t change your mind. No crying or making excuses!” Baoni continued shaking her fists while talking to Dabao.

“I want this one.” Dabao grabbed his auntie’s right hand and even tried to pry it open to check if the treat was inside.

“Once you’ve chosen, no going back. You can’t regret it!” Baoni said, opening her clenched right hand.

“Wow, I guessed right!” Dabao cheered as he grabbed the big white rabbit milk candy from Baoni’s palm, jumping with joy!

“Comrade Lin Baoni.” After watching the two from the door for a while, Gu Ye had no choice but to interrupt their game.

Hearing the call, Baoni turned her head to look outside and saw Gu Ye standing straight at the gate. 

He wore a white shirt and blue pants, his height over 1.8 meters, paired with his sharp facial features and serious expression. He looked like the male lead in an idol drama.

What was the term again? Ah, yes: “abstinence type”—that was the word.

The only flaw was that his face was a bit tanned!

As Baoni in the courtyard continuously sized him up, seemingly evaluating his appearance, Gu Ye’s gaze became sharp.

“Ah, you scared me!” 

Lin Baoni unconsciously patted her chest. His gaze felt like it could kill.

“Comrade Gu Ye, you’re here. How’s your recovery? Why didn’t you rest a few more days?” Realizing she had been caught, Baoni quickly tried to change the topic.

He’s a skilled professional soldier, indeed.

She’d have to be extra careful with her words and actions in the future, especially when it came to military matters!

Baoni hurriedly opened the gate, letting Gu Ye enter.

“Grandma, this is Comrade Gu Ye.” Lin Baoni quickly introduced to her grandmother.

“Gu Ye, this is my grandma.” Baoni said as she introduced Gu Ye to her.

“Hello, Grandma.” Gu Ye put down the items he was holding and, out of habit, gave a military salute.

“Good, good, you’re a fine young man.” Grandma smiled, thoroughly satisfied as she looked at the young man in front of her.

Baoni had a good eye for people!

The Lin family, from top to bottom, from old to young, all had a thick filter when it came to Baoni!

After the salute, Gu Ye picked up the items from the ground again and placed them on a square table in the courtyard.

“Comrade Lin Baoni, I came to find you to go get the marriage certificate. After we get the certificate, we can go check the assigned family house and see what’s missing or what needs to be added.” Gu Ye believed that once they got the marriage certificate and confirmed their relationship, there would be fewer rumors.

Both Grandma and Lin Baoni had also thought of this point. Grandma urged: “Baoni, hurry up and change your clothes. Go to the brigade office and get a proof from your father first.”

---

Baoni went inside to change clothes, leaving Gu Ye and Dabao in the courtyard. The two men, one big and one small, sized each other up curiously.

Once Baoni changed, she and Gu Ye headed to the brigade office. Along the way, the young women, married women, aunts, and other villagers all watched Gu Ye.

“My goodness, isn’t that the one from the People’s Liberation Army that Baoni became intimate?”

“The People’s Liberation Army is here, do you think Baoni’s in trouble?”

The aunts from the village were quite worried but didn’t dare approach to ask.

“Baoni, the People’s Liberation Army has come knocking, huh?” Wang Daya, enjoying others’ misfortunes, asked.

Gu Ye glanced at her, just a quick look, but it made Wang Daya feel a chill run through her. She immediately sat down on the ground.

Baoni thought to herself: You deserve it!

She’s both a coward and a troublemaker.

She must’ve hit a brick wall now!

She gave Wang Daya a look of disdain and walked into the brigade office with Gu Ye.

“Father, this is Gu Ye.” Baoni introduced him to her father.

Gu Ye didn’t need an introduction. He quickly gave another military salute, a gesture he was used to by now.

Father Lin looked Gu Ye over, and though he thought he looked alright, he still felt uncomfortable.

“What brings you here?” Father Lin asked with a tense tone, his discomfort showing.

“Father, can you give me a proof? We’re going to get our marriage certificate.” Baoni didn’t understand why her father seemed upset.

“Is it so urgent?” Father Lin, still uneasy, asked unwillingly.

“Once we have the certificate, it’ll shut those gossiping mouths.” Baoni responded, equally frustrated by the endless chatter about the matter.

“Alright, I understand. I’ll get it for you.” Father Lin said, thinking back to Wang Daya’s comment earlier. He fell silent.

After preparing the proof, Father Lin handed it to Baoni, his hand trembling slightly.

“Gu Ye, you must take good care of my Baoni!” Father Lin’s voice caught in his throat.

“I swear by my name as a soldier!” Gu Ye said, offering another salute.

As he watched Baoni leave, Father Lin felt as though his heart was being fried in oil. He could no longer hold back his tears.

Did Baoni go to get the marriage certificate, with that officer?” the accountant inside the house asked uncertainly.

“Mm, she went to get the certificate.” Father Lin replied reluctantly.

When Baoni returned after getting the certificate, the entire island was in an uproar. Lin Baoni had married the People’s Liberation Army officer she had kissed!

Meanwhile, Lin Tao, with a sense of reluctance towards his family, quietly left the island.

The dramatic rescue incident that had caused such a stir had finally come to an end, leaving behind only the envy of the people.