Chapter 6: Getting the Marriage Certificate

After lunch, once Cheng Jinghao and his mother had left, Lin’s mother took Lin Momo to her room.

“I never expected that our daughter would get married so early, and that she’d have to follow him to the army. The Tibetan region is one of the harshest places,” Lin’s mother said, gently stroking Lin Momo’s face, her eyes glistening with tears.

She had just learned from Cheng Jinghao and his mother about the conditions in Tibet, and she was reluctant to let Lin Momo go, fearing that she would suffer.

“Mom, the Southwest Military Region is located at the lowest elevation in Tibet. It’s not as difficult as you think,” Lin Momo comforted her, leaning into her mother’s embrace.

The Southwest Military Region, where Cheng Jinghao was stationed, is in Tibet, but it’s not like the construction brigades. The military district is situated in the southern part of Tibet at a relatively low elevation—just a few hundred meters above sea level. However, due to the long transportation routes and the harsh winter from October to February, the conditions here are considered the most difficult among all military districts.

Lin’s mother didn’t say anything more. It was too late to go back on it now, and she couldn’t stop Lin Momo from getting married. She would have to find a way to send her daughter more supplies once she was in Tibet.

“Your sisters-in-law gave you cash, and your father and I went to the bank this morning to put the money in this savings book,” Lin’s mother said, handing Lin Momo the bankbook, money, and tickets.

“When you go to get the certificate later, you can also deposit the money,” Lin’s mother reminded her.

“Okay,” Lin Momo replied, taking the money and nodding.

Cheng Jinghao was still waiting outside. Lin’s mother didn’t say much more and took Lin Momo out of the room.

Lin Momo, with her small handbag, followed Cheng Jinghao out of the house. She secretly stored the money and tickets given by both the Cheng and Lin families in her space.

Cheng Jinghao walked beside her, pushing his bicycle. The two walked in silence as they exited the residential complex.

“Hop on,” Cheng Jinghao said once they reached a quieter area, climbing onto the bike and signaling for Lin Momo to get on.

“Are you sure you can handle it?” Lin Momo asked skeptically.

“Didn’t I carry you when we were kids?” Cheng Jinghao countered.

“Didn’t you drop me then?” Lin Momo shot back. Despite the teasing, she still climbed onto the back of the bike.

“Let’s go,” Cheng Jinghao said, pushing forward with long strides, his legs easily pushing the pedals.

“You seem quite happy,” Lin Momo said, holding onto his military jacket, noticing how much broader his back had become compared to when they were younger.

“Do I?” Cheng Jinghao responded casually.

Lin Momo didn’t answer right away. “Cheng Jinghao, we’ve taken over the original bodies. How heartbroken must their families be to find out?”

Lin Momo couldn’t help but feel a sense of sadness, thinking about the time spent with her family these past few days.

“Then let’s consider ourselves their children and honor them on their behalf,” Cheng Jinghao replied. He, too, had seen traces of his own mother in his adopted mother, Cheng’s mother.

“Mm, you’re right,” Lin Momo nodded in agreement.

“I’ve already booked the tickets. We need to leave tomorrow. I’ll come pick you up in the morning,” Cheng Jinghao said. His leave was short, and the journey would take about three and a half days, so they had to depart the next day.

“Okay.”

In the morning, Lin’s father had already prepared the household registration certificate, and the two only needed to go to the registry office to apply for their marriage certificate.

The process of getting the marriage certificate was quick. Looking at the simple piece of paper, which didn’t even have a photo but only a red stamp, Lin Momo found it quite novel.

This was the first time in her life getting married, and it was to Cheng Jinghao, even if it was a false marriage. Lin Momo couldn’t help but sigh.

Cheng Jinghao looked at the marriage certificate, then glanced at Lin Momo before putting the certificate into his chest pocket. Later, her household registration would also be transferred to the military.

He thanked the staff at the registry office, then led Lin Momo out of the office.

“How about we take a wedding photo?” Cheng Jinghao suggested.

“Why are we taking wedding photos for a fake marriage?” Lin Momo couldn’t help but murmur.

“To show to the elders. My mom will come pick them up later,” Cheng Jinghao narrowed his eyes and said.

“Fine,” Lin Momo replied without refusing when she heard him say that.

Since it was Lin Mei’s insistence, Lin Momo wore a red blouse that had the style of wedding photos from this era.

After taking the wedding photos, Cheng Jinghao sent Lin Momo back home. After greeting the Lin family, he left. He had to leave the next day and needed to spend more time with his father.

Once Lin Momo returned home, she learned that he would be leaving the next day. The Lin family was reluctant, but they understood that this was something that couldn’t be changed.

The two sisters-in-law started helping Lin Momo pack, and Lin Mei sat beside her bed, watching over her daughter.

“Since it’s not summer over there, we’ll pack autumn clothes for you. Anything else we can send over later, along with some food and other things,” Cao Shulan said as she packed.

“I think we should pack more cotton tickets. The winters over there are long and cold,” Zhang Hui nodded in agreement.

“I brought two bottles of Snowflake Cream for you. Don’t hesitate to use it up, and when it’s finished, I’ll send you more,” Cao Shulan chattered on.

Since Cao Shulan worked at the supply and marketing cooperative, the Snowflake Cream that Lin Momo used was always brought by her.

“Eldest sister-in-law, they must sell it at the supply and marketing cooperative over there too,” Lin Momo whispered. The more they did this, the more reluctant she felt to let go.

“Do you think the goods in Beijing are the same as the ones here?” Cao Shulan gently tapped Lin Momo’s forehead.

“Exactly, the ones you’re used to, we’ll send them to you,” Zhang Hui added.

“I wonder if they sell bedding there. I’m worried you won’t even have decent bedding after getting married,” Lin Mei, who hadn’t spoken until now, voiced her concern.

“If they don’t have them, Momo, just write to us. We’ll send it to you. Marriage is a lifelong matter, and this can’t be taken lightly,” Cao Shulan said as she continued packing.

“Okay,” Lin Momo nodded. She knew that if she argued, they would all bombard her with more suggestions.

“I can’t believe you’re leaving tomorrow, we didn’t even get a chance to prepare some jerky to send with you,” Zhang Hui said regretfully.

“I’ll have your dad buy some meat from the black market tomorrow and make jerky. We’ll send it over when we can,” Lin Mei said.

“Since we’re sending things, let’s prepare more,” Cao Shulan nodded.

Lin Momo looked at the three of them. After all, it was a military district, not a refugee camp. They were really overthinking things, but she didn’t dare to say it.

The packing was done with two bamboo baskets, which were very sturdy and handmade by Cao Shulan’s father. These baskets had just been brought back by Lin Ze.

When the two baskets were filled to the brim, Cao Shulan and Zhang Hui finally stopped and checked them carefully, making sure nothing essential was left behind.

Seeing the two sisters-in-law busy packing and her mother staying by her side, Lin Momo’s eyes turned red.

“Hey, why are you crying?” Zhang Hui turned around just in time to catch sight of the tears on Lin Momo’s face.

“Momo, don’t cry. Your elder sister-in-law went back to her parents’ house to send Xiao Jie. We’ve already confirmed the news. Apart from those getting married, anyone in the family with two kids must go to the countryside. If there’s work, they can’t refuse,” Cao Shulan comforted her.

“Don’t worry. You have two brothers and two sisters-in-law. If Cheng Jinghao dares to bully you, we won’t let him off,” Zhang Hui added.

“Exactly. Tomorrow is your big day to get your marriage certificate. We can’t be shedding tears,” Lin Mei said as she pulled Lin Momo into a hug.

“I just don’t want to leave you,” Lin Momo whispered.

The three women looked at each other, sighed, and continued talking to Lin Momo in her room for a long while.

In the evening, when the sky had darkened, the Lin family’s brothers and sisters-in-law finally went back to their homes. Lin Mei stayed in Lin Momo’s room that night, keeping her company.