Chapter 10 Ticket Delivery

Ji Tangtang took out the wooden token Gu Shiyu had given her and handed it over, saying:

“I’m Shiyu’s fiancée. He sent me here.”

Without Ji Tangtang needing to explain further, Lin Xinming immediately understood her meaning just from the token in her hand. He glanced at the old gatekeeper, then led Ji Tangtang aside.

This time, his gaze did not lightly fall on her and politely move away. Instead, he carefully studied the beautiful young woman before him.

Such a beautiful girl, willing to marry Gu Shiyu?

It wasn’t that he thought Gu Shiyu was unworthy. Before Gu Shiyu was paralyzed, he was outstanding. Countless daughters of military leaders wanted to marry him. But now, he was paralyzed—he would never be able to stand again. His bright future was gone. Those women who had once clung to Gu Shiyu, desperate to marry him, had all disappeared the moment they learned he was completely paralyzed.

And yet, the girl in front of him was even prettier than the “flower” of the art troupe. Could she truly want to marry Gu Shiyu?

But when his eyes met hers—so clear, so pure—he instantly felt ashamed of his doubts.

With eyes that pure, this girl must truly love Brother Gu. How could I question her…

Full of guilt, he said:
“I’ve kept the things at home. Sister-in-law, would you be willing to come with me there?”

Ji Tangtang nodded.
“Alright.”

After explaining briefly to his colleagues, Lin Xinming brought Ji Tangtang out of the Public Security Bureau.

On the way, Ji Tangtang carefully probed him about the black market. Lin Xinming assumed she wanted to prepare wedding supplies there.

“Sister-in-law, if you need anything, just tell me. I still have some ration tickets saved up. I live alone, so I don’t use much. You can take them first.”

As he spoke, he pulled a few tickets from inside his coat and handed them to Ji Tangtang.

“These are sugar and cloth coupons. I still have some industrial vouchers at home. Once we get there, I’ll give those to you too.”

But Ji Tangtang was inquiring about the black market because she wanted to do business there, not to freeload. So she quickly waved her hands and declined:

“No need. We’ll keep the wedding simple; we won’t need so many coupons. You should keep them.”

Lin Xinming said seriously:
“Sister-in-law, if you don’t accept, you’re treating me like an outsider. Even if the wedding is simple, once you and Brother Gu are married, you’ll need coupons for many things in the future. If you truly won’t take them, then I’ll just have to go find Brother Gu in the countryside. But that would only cause him trouble.”

Seeing that he was sincere, Ji Tangtang didn’t refuse any further. But since she disliked taking advantage of others, once they reached the Lin household, she reached into her basket. Hidden under some herbs, she pulled out a cloth bag of fresh fruits from her secret realm and handed them over:

“I picked these wild fruits in the forest. They’re especially tasty—eat them while they’re fresh.”

Lin Xinming assumed she had simply hidden them in the bottom of the basket earlier and didn’t doubt her. Worried that refusing her gift would make it hard for her to accept his coupons, he accepted them openly.

Carrying the fruit inside, he quickly found the small iron box Gu Shiyu had left with him for safekeeping. He also added his own saved-up industrial and grain coupons, then handed the box to Ji Tangtang.

“Sister-in-law, I’ll head back to work now. If you need anything, just come find me at the Bureau. Don’t worry—your matters with Brother Gu are my matters too.”

Ji Tangtang thanked him, casually slipping the iron box and the tickets into her Qiankun Bag inside her cloth pouch.

After parting ways with Lin Xinming, she found a secluded spot. Using a rag for cover, she took out some herbs from the Qiankun Bag, placed them in her basket, then carried the basket on her back and headed for the supply and marketing cooperative.