Chapter 53

The speed at which things were handled was far quicker than Su Xi had expected.

A week later, during dinner time, a weary Xie Zhen appeared at the Su residence—looking disheveled and exhausted.

At that moment, Su Xi and the others were having dinner in the yard.

Upon seeing Xie Zhen’s untidy appearance as he returned, the women felt an immediate pang of sympathy.

Grandma Chen, worried for her son-in-law, put aside her half-eaten meal, muttering a few words, before getting up to head to the kitchen to scramble some eggs.

Xie Ying also went inside to fetch a set of newly made clothes for her brother, handing them to him and urging him to freshen up quickly.

After a week of busyness, Xie Zhen had managed only about ten hours of sleep. Although he was utterly fatigued, the concern from his family made his usually indifferent black eyes brim with warmth and joy.

It wasn’t until he reached the entrance of the washroom that he noticed a girl trailing behind him like a little tail.

Xie Zhen stopped in his tracks, lowered his head slightly, and smiled, saying, “Do you want to come in with me?”

Su Xi was taken aback, finally realizing that she had been so focused on sticking close to him that she hadn’t paid attention to her surroundings.

However, now that she was an “old driver,” Su Xi, without a hint of embarrassment or breathlessness, tiptoed and planted a quick kiss on the man’s thin lips.

Then, under his surprised gaze, she added defiantly, “Anyway, it’s all mine, so I’ll see it sooner or later!”

After saying this, Su Xi slipped away, leaving Xie Zhen standing there in a daze.

After a while, he covered his face with his hands, laughing to himself at how easily he could be flustered.

—o—o—o—

After washing his face with cold water, Xie Zhen returned to the dining table to find everyone waiting for him.

Chen Xiangyun even pushed a large plate of stir-fried lettuce and eggs toward Xie Zhen, saying, “Good boy, you’ve lost weight. Hurry up and eat; Grandma Chen will prepare a chicken soup for you tomorrow morning to help you recover.”

In Grandma Chen’s eyes, there was no problem that a chicken couldn’t solve; if one wasn’t enough, they could always have two.

Xie Zhen did not hold back; he was indeed starving.

In the past week, he had been so busy that he hardly had any time to sleep, let alone eat. He had been reduced to nibbling on dry biscuits, washed down with cold water, just to get by. His mouth felt as parched as a bird’s.

After he devoured four steamed buns, a bowl of rice, and a good amount of vegetables, Xie Zhen finally felt like he was alive again.

Su Xi kept serving him food, and when he set down his chopsticks, she looked at him with concern and asked, “Are you full? Do you want some more? And next time, don’t eat so fast, especially since you often go hungry; it’s bad for your stomach.”

Xie Zhen let out a satisfied sigh before smiling and replying, “I’m full. When you’re in the army, you get used to this speed!”

Su Xi recalled that Xi Yan’nan seemed to eat in the same gluttonous manner, so she didn’t say anything further. Instead, she stopped the man, who was habitually preparing to wash the dishes, and went to the kitchen to pour a glass of peach wine, handing it to him before asking, “Why hasn’t my brother come back? Weren’t you together?”

Grandma Chen and Su Dong both turned their attention to Xie Zhen at this question.

Xie Zhen took a sip of the wine, feeling the fatigue in his brain ease a bit: “Brother will be back in a few days. The specifics are confidential, but I have to go out again tomorrow afternoon to provide support.”

Su Dong narrowed his eyes slightly, the corners of his lips twitching. Every time he heard his brother-in-law, who was just a year younger than him, refer to Yan’nan as “Brother,” he couldn’t help but smirk.

Su Xi furrowed her brows, recalling what Senior Colonel Zhang had said earlier. She understood that Xie Zhen and his team were indeed very busy in the short term.

Even though she felt heartache for them, there was nothing she could do; it was their mission as soldiers.

“How’s Major Wu doing?” Su Xi decided to change the topic.

Chen Xiangyun, also a bit anxious, chimed in, “Yes, Xiao Xie, I haven’t seen Yan Zi in days. There have been all sorts of rumors circulating in the family compound—everything from the ridiculous to the outrageous. It wouldn’t really be something serious, would it?”

Xie Zhen took another sip of the peach wine. “The situation with Major Wu has been handled. He was innocent and just caught up in it all. The army isn’t unreasonable. Plus, Senior Colonel Zhang made some efforts on his behalf, and it’s been confirmed that he will be transitioning out.

Given his rank, even if he transferred to a local position, he could have been the head of a department. However, due to the sensitivity of this incident, he ultimately got assigned as a police officer in the county police station. This is the best outcome everyone could secure for him.”

Grandma Chen let out a sigh of relief. To her, as long as he could still receive a government salary, it was good enough.

She cheerfully began to urge Su Xi, “After dinner, go for a walk. Xiao Xie, make sure to head back early and get some sleep; look at those red veins in your eyes.”

As a rare considerate eldest brother-in-law, Su Dong had already started clearing the table. Xie Ying followed Grandma Chen, each taking a child for a stroll. Su Xi exchanged a smile with Xie Zhen.

“Let’s go; I’ll walk you home!”

“And then I’ll walk you back?”

Su Xi chuckled, “What are you thinking? Normally, it’s you who walks me home. What’s wrong with me sending you this time?”

Xie Zhen laughed as well. He intertwined his fingers with hers before they stepped outside. “Alright then, I’ll enjoy being escorted home by my partner for once.”

Su Xi laughed even harder, and the two strolled leisurely toward Xie Zhen’s single dormitory.

In fact, their wedding room had already been prepared and was ready for them to move in.

However, Xie Zhen insisted on waiting until the wedding day to live with Su Xi, the female lead, so for now, he still lived alone in the dormitory.

As they neared Xie Zhen’s dorm, Su Xi couldn’t help but ask, “What will happen to Wu Hongmei?”

Xie Zhen frowned at the mention of her name and coldly sneered, “The army wouldn’t wrong an innocent person. She’ll probably have it easier than anyone else.

After all, from a certain perspective, if it weren’t for her, the spies wouldn’t have been so exposed. The army has to consider these factors. Once the relevant departments confirm that she is indeed innocent, she should be sent back to her hometown.”

Su Xi was a bit confused. “Just like that?”

Xie Zhen remained indifferent. “Yeah.”

Su Xi didn’t know how to describe her feelings; suddenly, she felt a pang of bitterness. She looked up at the sky, which was beginning to darken, and after a while, let out a heavy breath. “That’s a bit unfair!”

Xie Zhen patted the top of her head. “There are many unfair things in the world. Let’s not talk about this. My childhood friend has already heard news about Brother-in-law.”

Su Xi snapped back to attention. “You mean Zheng Jun? He found Brother-in-law?”

Xie Zhen replied, “Yes!”

Su Xi’s earlier sadness instantly transformed into excitement. “Where is Brother-in-law? Is it far from our Hongqi Brigade?”

Xie Zhen smiled wryly. “It’s not too far, but it’s not close either—over six hundred miles away, at Dahe Farm below Huji City.”

Su Xi fell silent for a moment, not knowing what to say. Over six hundred miles would only take a few hours by car in her previous life, and a high-speed train would only take about two hours.

But in the current era with underdeveloped transportation, it might require multiple transfers, and they could be bouncing around for three or four days on the road. “Then… is there a way to transfer him to our Hongqi Production Brigade? Or does he have someone familiar taking care of him where he is now?”

Xie Zhen tightened his grip on the girl’s hand and sighed, “We don’t have any acquaintances over there, so I’ve already asked Zheng Jun to find a way to contact my father and see if he can help transfer Brother-in-law to Red Flag Commune. From what Zheng Jun heard, Brother-in-law has suffered quite a lot…”

Su Xi wasn’t too familiar with the past ten years, but she had seen plenty of harrowing accounts in history books from her previous life. She reassured him, “Everything will be fine. I’ll call my uncle later and see if he knows anyone from the Dahe Farm.”

Xie Zhen looked at her with warm eyes. “Thank you, Xi Xi!”

Su Xi smiled back at him, her eyes curving sweetly.

The girl was beautiful, and with that smile, even the heaviest heart could feel a little lighter…

—o—o—o—

On the fifteenth day of the fifth lunar month, the weather was sunny and clear, the sky a brilliant blue.

This day marked Su Xi’s birthday, as well as the auspicious day she and Xie Zhen would officially become husband and wife.

At 4 AM, Grandma Chen and Xie Ying wasted no time in pulling Su Xi out of bed, showing no mercy.

One was her maternal Grandma Chen, and the other was her sister-in-law from the in-laws. They had no sense of boundaries between the two families and immediately set to work dressing Su Xi.

In fact, there was nothing much to fuss over for weddings in this era.

Both Su Xi and Xie Zhen were soldiers, so their wedding outfits were brand new military uniforms.

The only change was that, to keep up with the times, Su Xi often wore her long hair in two braids or a single braid. Under Xie Ying’s skillful hands, her hair was all neatly arranged in an updo.

After drowsily chewing on a steamed bun, Su Xi noticed Xie Ying, who had somehow found a large red flower, was about to stick it in her hair. Suddenly, she jolted awake, no longer feeling sleepy, and immediately raised her hand to block it. “This… can’t we skip that? Sister, you’re not into this kind of aesthetic!”

Xie Ying couldn’t help but laugh at Su Xi’s horrified expression. She nudged her chin toward Grandma Chen, who was busy inspecting the wedding gifts. “Grandma Chen said to put it on. It’s bright red; she said that’s how a bride should look.”

Su Xi stared at the plastic flower that was almost as big as her face, feeling utterly disoriented. She tried to mount one last desperate defense, “But it’s just too ugly!”

Xie Ying thought it was ugly too. After teasing Su Xi enough, she finally set aside the large red flower and rummaged through a small basket, pulling out a few fresh blooms—a cluster of bright red wild roses.

These were the wild roses that Su Xi had asked Xie Zhen to pick from Senior Colonel Zhang’s yard that morning. The Colonel’s sister-in-law loved flowers, and the yard was filled with a variety of them, blooming beautifully in this season.

Su Xi nodded eagerly, “This is great! Let’s use these roses!” At this time, roses weren’t yet in bloom, but she remembered that the language of roses represented beautiful love.

Xie Ying said, “But these are fresh flowers, and I’m worried they won’t stay fresh for long.”

Su Xi waved her hand dismissively. “They’ll be fine; they won’t be around for too long anyway.”

In fact, with her half-demon constitution, she could extend the life of fresh flowers for a few hours.

Xie Ying also thought the fresh flowers were nice and felt that the large plastic flower was just too ugly.

With deft hands, she arranged six roses in layers atop Su Xi’s head and secured them with small black clips to prevent them from falling.

Once everything was done, she stepped back a couple of paces, carefully examining Su Xi’s appearance. Finally, she nodded in satisfaction. “Not bad! Very pretty! It’s a shame you can’t wear a wedding gown, but with how beautiful you are, this is already lovely!”

Su Xi was quite satisfied with her wedding attire as well. “I think getting married in a military uniform is the most sacred and romantic thing. We can talk about wedding gowns later; if there’s another chance, I’ll wear one again to take photos for keepsakes.”

Xie Ying nodded with a smile. She was studying music and had a touch of romanticism; she felt that Su Xi’s words made perfect sense. Taking out some lipstick and an eyebrow pencil from her small bag, she began to do Su Xi’s makeup, responding, “That’s right! You and Xiao Zhen both in military uniforms is quite meaningful.”

Xie Ying was very skilled at makeup, at least much better than Su Xi. When she finally stopped, Su Xi looked into a small round mirror on the table and noticed that Xie Ying hadn’t applied the trendy, exaggerated makeup that was popular, like the “monkey butt” style. Instead, she had only lightly touched up Su Xi’s eyebrows and put a soft layer of lipstick on her lips.

Su Xi’s natural beauty shone through, and with such a light application of makeup, she appeared even more stunning.

Just as she was admiring herself in the mirror, Shi Lingling entered, holding her baby son, who was only a few months old. She had gained some weight since giving birth, but her complexion looked great—rosy and vibrant.

She spotted the well-dressed Su Xi and exclaimed, “Look, look! Our bride is truly beautiful! Colonel Xie has struck gold!”

Su Xi laughed and playfully held the little boy’s tiny hand before looking at Shi Lingling. “Where’s your Colonel Yan?”

Shi Lingling replied, “He’s your groom’s chauffeur!”

Su Xi truly had no idea about this, and she exclaimed in surprise, “You two are still operating separately?”

Shi Lingling laughed heartily. “Of course! I’m part of my family, and he’s part of his. What do you think? Am I a good friend or what?”

Su Xi chuckled and gave her a thumbs-up. “You’re more than good enough! Absolutely!”

As they giggled together, Chen Xiangyun entered from outside.

Upon seeing her granddaughter all dressed up, her eyes filled with love, a mix of pride and reluctance washing over her.

Time had flown; her little granddaughter, once as small as a kitten, was now on the brink of getting married.

Although she regretted that her son and daughter-in-law could not witness this day, she felt reassured knowing that her granddaughter’s husband was a good man. It was a comfort for her, providing some peace of mind about the future.

Chen Xiangyun felt a lump in her heart. She raised her hand to touch her granddaughter’s cheek but hesitated halfway, worried about ruining Su Xi’s makeup. Just as she was about to pull back, Su Xi’s hand grasped her own, marked by the passage of time.

Su Xi pressed her cheek against her grandmother’s rough palm, playfully rubbing against it. “Grandma, I’ll be back tomorrow. Don’t be sad!”

Chen Xiangyun raised her other hand, gently stroking her granddaughter’s hair. Tears were already brimming in her eyes, but she held back her emotions and scolded her with a smile, “Silly girl, what nonsense are you talking? Once you’re married, who goes running back home every day?”

But Su Xi straightened up, looking at her grandmother with sincerity. “Grandma, Xie Zhen and I have already discussed it. We’ll keep things the same as before. We’ll just return to stay at home at night, and I’ll still come here for meals during the day. If Xie Zhen goes on a mission, I’ll come back to live with you.”

Chen Xiangyun was taken aback, then instinctively glanced at Xie Ying. When she saw Xie Ying nodding with a smile, she confirmed that her granddaughter was speaking the truth.

Although some might say it was inappropriate or that there would be people making sour remarks, Grandma Chen was genuinely happy.

So happy that she momentarily forgot her reluctance to let her granddaughter go, her whole being radiated a youthful glow that belied her age as she joyfully welcomed her grandson-in-law.

This left Su Xi and the others exchanging glances, unsure of what to say next.

Suddenly, several people laughed together. Xie Ying glanced at the time on her watch, then bent down to hug Su Xi. Gently, she said, “Xie Zhen should be here soon. As a member of the family, I will go over to help entertain the guests first. Xi Xi, I am so happy that you can become my family!”

Su Xi’s watery eyes curved into a smile as she returned the hug to Xie Ying. “Thank you, sister. I am also very happy!”

The two little ones obediently said goodbye to their aunt before holding their mother’s hands, one on each side, and bouncing off joyfully.

After watching Xie Ying’s slender figure leave, Su Xi sat down on the bed, as Grandma Chen had advised, to wait for the groom to come pick her up. Thinking about the man who would soon become her husband, she felt a wave of anticipation and her eyes sparkled.

Meanwhile, Shi Lingling, as Su Xi’s best friend, had been holding her child and staying by her side all along!

“The groom has arrived! The groom has arrived! Hurry, set off the firecrackers!”

At nine in the morning, Xie Zhen sat in a military jeep, personally driven by Yan An and arrived punctually at the gate of the Su family’s courtyard.

It was rare for the military to have such a joyous occasion. Senior Colonel Zhang not only took the initiative to apply to be the officiant but also generously lent out the military jeep.

When Xie Zhen, dressed sharply in his military uniform and wearing a bright red flower on his chest, jumped down from the vehicle in high spirits, the crowd erupted in laughter and cheers:

“Oh my! The groom looks so handsome today!”

“Look at how anxious the groom is! He jumped out of the car before it even came to a stop! He can’t wait to marry our Doctor Su Xi!”

“Haha~ If I were him, I’d be anxious too with someone like Doctor Su Xi!”

“Haha~ I must say, our Colonel Xie and Doctor Su Xi truly make a perfect match, a match made in heaven!”

The onlookers chatted and laughed, exchanging auspicious congratulations, while many children squealed and ran over to join in the excitement.

Xie Zhen and the Su family were not stingy; they scattered generous amounts of wedding candy and small red envelopes, causing the children to laugh and shout as they scrambled for the treats, adding even more festive cheer to the already joyful occasion.

When Xie Zhen, accompanied by a group of brothers, finally overcame the numerous obstacles set up by the two eldest brothers-in-law to see his bride, it had already been over twenty minutes.

Su Xi sat barefoot on the bed, gazing at the handsome man with striking features and a tall stature, who was slowly walking towards her against the morning light. Then, in front of everyone, he knelt down to put shoes on her feet, his gaze tender and lingering on the exceptionally beautiful bride. “Xi Xi, I’m here to pick you up!” he said gently.

As Su Xi beamed with a sweet smile, he swept her up into his arms in one smooth motion.

The crowd immediately erupted into cheers and whistles.

Su Xi, rarely shy, buried her face in the man’s shoulder, revealing only her blushing ears.

—o—o—o—

The wedding was held in the military cafeteria.

It was not a grand affair; including the medical staff from Su Xi’s side, there were only four tables set up. Additionally, Xie Zhen had spent his own money to provide extra meat dishes for all the soldiers, spending over five hundred to buy two pigs. Each soldier received a portion, which amounted to almost a pound for each, adding a bit of joy from both him and Su Xi to the gathering.

At this time, the ceremony was quite simple. After the two faced the officiant to vow their promises, under Senior Colonel Zhang’s proclamation, the couple officially became husband and wife…

Next came the toast segment. The usually serious soldiers became lively and raucous.

In the end, it was Senior Colonel Zhang who stepped in to rein in the rowdy group of men. Consequently, Xie Zhen ended up drinking quite a bit. His tolerance was already average, and now his gaze started to become a little unfocused.

By the time the gathering dispersed, it was past noon.

Amidst everyone’s good-natured laughter, Su Xi refused the offer of others to see her off and confidently took the inebriated Xie Zhen by the hand, leading him to their new home.

—o—o—o—

Su Xi was awakened by a kiss.

Having gotten up early that morning and been busy with the wedding all morning, once they returned to their new home, she effortlessly settled the drunken man down, thanks to her own strength. After giving herself a quick refresh, she climbed into bed, drifting off into a drowsy sleep.

She did not know how long she had been asleep, but in a half-dreaming state, she felt as if she had fallen into an oven, feeling unbearably hot.

Just as the heat of the “oven” finally subsided and it became a bit cooler, Su Xi suddenly felt short of breath.

As the oxygen grew scarce, her drowsy brain slowly began to awaken. Although her eyes were closed, she recognized the culprit disturbing her sleep from the familiar scent. Without opening her eyes, she lifted her arms and reached around the man’s neck, giving him a sweet kiss in return.

The man tightened his arms and lifted her to sit on his lap, his scorching lips still pressed firmly against hers. Amid heavy breaths, he murmured a few indistinct words, “You’re awake!”

At this point, Su Xi was fully alert, but the man’s kisses were too fierce and urgent, leaving her with no chance to respond. Gradually, she could only passively endure the whirlwind of sensations.

It wasn’t until she felt like she could hardly breathe that the man pulled back slightly, resting her head on his shoulder while continuously stroking her slender back.

After a moment, Su Xi softly asked, “When did you wake up? Did you go take a shower?”

Xie Zhen chuckled lightly, “A little earlier than you. I’ve already showered. Are you hungry?”

Su Xi squinted lazily, still feeling a bit sluggish. “I think I’m a little hungry. What time is it now?”

Xie Zhen’s voice was deep and husky, “It’s 6:45 PM. Let’s eat before you sleep, okay?”

Su Xi hadn’t realized she had slept for so long. She gently patted her cheeks. “I must have slept too long; I can’t sleep anymore, or I won’t be able to sleep tonight.”

Xie Zhen bent down to help her into her slippers, and as she let out a small gasp, he effortlessly lifted her up, cradling her as if she were a child.

His eyes held a dark, dangerous glimmer, and his tone was enticing. “Don’t worry! I won’t let you go to bed early tonight! I promise you’ll sleep very soundly.”

Su Xi: “……”

Today was the first day of the newlywed couple’s marriage.

Grandma Chen had refused their plan to go back to her family for dinner and had strictly insisted that the young couple cook for themselves until they returned to her home after the wedding.

Having eaten a heavier meal at noon and with some drinks, they kept dinner light, simply cooking rice porridge served with a few steamed buns and cold dishes.

Of course, all of this was the handiwork of Colonel Xie.

Su Xi was thoroughly satisfied with the meal, praising Colonel Xie’s skills and thoughtfulness.

After dinner, Xie Zhen washed the dishes and took Su Xi, whose small belly had rounded from eating, out for a walk. This had become their routine; as long as Xie Zhen wasn’t on a mission, he would hold Su Xi’s hand and take her for a stroll every day.

By the time they returned, an hour had passed, and Su Xi watched as the man used a dangerously unrestrained gaze while preparing her bath water.

Su Xi originally wasn’t afraid; after all, she was a modern woman who had seen a bit of the world. Even if she hadn’t done it herself, she felt confident in her theoretical knowledge.

However, when it came down to it, she felt shamefully timid. She took more than half an hour to dawdle in the washroom. Just as she was about to faint from the heat, she finally mustered the courage to quietly open the wooden door of the bathroom.

Before she could even peek out to gauge the “enemy’s” movements… she was suddenly swept up by the man who had been waiting outside, and he strode purposefully toward the bedroom.

Su Xi couldn’t help but laugh as she patted his sturdy arm, playfully scolding, “You naughty boy! When did you start waiting out here? I had no idea!”

Xie Zhen chuckled in response, “If you had known, you wouldn’t have come out until tomorrow!”

Su Xi stammered, trying to defend herself, “Don’t talk nonsense! Am I really that kind of person?”

Xie Zhen didn’t argue with her. By this time, they had reached their bedroom, and he placed her on the bed, quickly following her down. Just as he was about to lean down and kiss her, she covered his lips with her hand.

With her face flushed, she met the man’s confused gaze and nervously said, “You… you haven’t showered yet.”

A glint of amusement flickered in Xie Zhen’s eyes as he took her small hand and gently moved it away from his lips. “I’ve already showered. While you were bathing, I took a quick rinse in the yard!”

Then Xie Zhen reined in his earlier urgency and slowly lowered his head, tenderly kissing his wife’s smooth, fair forehead, a fleeting touch. He gently asked, “Are you scared?”

Su Xi’s long, dark lashes trembled. Feeling a bit shy, she admitted, “I… I’m just a little nervous.”

Xie Zhen reassured her, “I’m nervous too! So, don’t be afraid!”

With that, his lips found Su Xi’s.

At first, the man’s kisses were gentle and restrained, brushing against her brows, nose, and cheeks before finally landing on her red lips…

As he kissed her tenderly, Su Xi gradually forgot her nervousness and began to respond to him, to the man who had become her husband and with whom she would share her life.

Her response seemed to signal a shift; the man abandoned his previous soft rhythm and unleashed a torrent of passionate kisses upon Su Xi, enveloping her in fervent breaths and intimate exchanges, slowly pulling her into a strange, intoxicating world of desire…

It might sound a bit insane.

For two whole days, the man on leave seemed to have taken some sort of invigorating tonic, tirelessly entwining himself with Su Xi again and again. Aside from meals and freshening up, she hardly left the bed.

After each encounter, Su Xi would angrily pound the bed, yet when he drew close again, she found herself irresistibly tempted.

Yes, that’s the only way to describe it—a bewitching term that fit Xie Zhen, a hardened soldier.

Aside from cursing her own infatuation, she had no face to show her displeasure to others, considering she couldn’t resist the temptation.

Su Xi lay in bed, covering her face once more. This was not her fault; it was all because of that man!