Chapter 32: Evidence and Rumors

“Big brother, you’re here!” Gu Hongwen rode his bicycle up from a distance, sweat soaking his clothes, and stopped in front of Ji Tangtang and Gu Shiyu. Looking at Ji Tangtang, he spoke to himself: “I told you, you’re too weak to carry my big brother. See? We’re only halfway there, and you can’t ride anymore, right? I think I should do it! You’ve followed me around since we were kids, so why are you acting stubborn now?”

His words clearly implied that Ji Tangtang had liked him since childhood, and now, by choosing to marry Gu Shiyu, she was deliberately provoking him, throwing a tantrum.

Ji Tangtang snorted and smiled. She couldn’t understand what the original version of herself saw in someone like him. And that ridiculous author—how could they make such a character the protagonist? Thinking of the book that had inexplicably appeared in her mind, she frowned slightly, sensing something off. The book seemed… like something she had actually seen before. Besides this one, she had read many other strange books. But now was not the time to ponder that!

“You better focus on yourself! You’re panting like a bellows,” she said, tossing the remark aside, placing Gu Shiyu on the bicycle, and setting off again.

This time, getting onto the bike was much smoother. With the energy-filled Qingling Fruit she had just eaten, Ji Tangtang was bursting with strength. Gu Hongwen, pedaling furiously behind, couldn’t catch up and even derailed his chain, ending up having to push his bicycle to the county.

Ji Tangtang and Gu Shiyu, however, arrived early in the county. Yesterday, Liu Daocheng had prepared the certificate and handed it to Ji Tangtang, so when they went to the commune, getting their marriage certificate went smoothly.

Although obtaining the certificate was easy, Gu Shiyu’s mobility limitations meant that wherever he went, Ji Tangtang had to carry him, drawing a lot of attention. A woman carrying a man in a bridal-style hug was already surprising, and both Ji Tangtang and Gu Shiyu were attractive. Ji Tangtang, small and petite, lifted the tall 1.88-meter Gu Shiyu effortlessly, which made everyone stare.

People whispered among themselves, wondering why a woman was carrying such a large man through the streets. Knowledgeable commune members kindly explained to the onlookers: “That man is a battalion commander who retired from the army. He was injured while on duty and can’t walk. His family receives the allowance from the army but ignores him. When he was fed, they’d only give him a little soup, starving him to a skeleton. Female comrades in the production team couldn’t stand seeing a man who risked his life for the country neglected, so one of them voluntarily applied to marry him and care for him for the rest of his life. She’s a kindhearted, patriotic comrade!”

The crowd nodded approvingly: “Exactly! There aren’t many kindhearted women like her!”
“Right! That man is a hero; don’t stare too much, or he’ll be embarrassed.”
“Yes, yes!”

People continued discussing, some praising Ji Tangtang, others criticizing the Gu family:
“This is outrageous! How could they treat their child like this?”
“I heard they favored their second son, and the allowance the battalion commander sent back was used by the old couple to buy a job for their second son at the fertilizer factory. All the money was tied to him.”
“Fertilizer factory? Who’s that bloodsucking younger brother? I need to see this for myself.”
“Seems his surname is Gu; I don’t know the full name.”
“I know! My house is next to Hongxing Village. I heard yesterday the Gu family caused quite a scene, and the old lady even tried to ask that Ji comrade for a bride price…”

In villages, there was little entertainment, and one of rural women’s favorite pastimes was gossiping. Nothing unusual usually happened, but yesterday, several unusual events occurred, and the gossip-loving women spread the news quickly. By evening, the drama at the village entrance had already spread, and many knew what happened with the Gu family. Women vividly recounted the story as if they had witnessed it firsthand. People were outraged:
“This is too much! They want to sell their son! Favoring the second son and neglecting a national soldier, and now demanding a bride price from her—it’s shameful!”
“What’s the name of that man leeching off his brother? I’ll report him to the factory director.”
“Gu Hongwen.”
“Gu Hongwen! No wonder he never seemed like a rural man, dressing more neatly than city workers. So he’s leeching off his brother? I must report him; our fertilizer factory can’t let a poorly behaved worker ruin its reputation!”
“Yes! He should be fired. People like him don’t deserve to work in the factory!”

Ji Tangtang, sticking to her principle of not being taken advantage of, had slightly publicized the actions of Shen Meifang and Gu Weiguo while registering the marriage, not expecting such a chain reaction.

After leaving the commune, she carried Gu Shiyu to the supply and marketing cooperative.

“Wait here for me. I have something to handle.” Ji Tangtang handed the bicycle to Gu Shiyu to watch and ran into the cooperative. She went straight to Liu Xuemei’s counter and said, “You’re Comrade Liu, right? My master sent me to find you. I’m Ji Tangtang.”

Liu Xuemei’s eyes lit up when she saw Ji Tangtang. “So you’re Comrade Ji! Just as your master said, you really are beautiful.”

Ji Tangtang feigned shyness and smiled.

Liu Xuemei glanced around and lowered her voice. “Did your master mention anything about the meat?”

Ji Tangtang also lowered her voice. “My master hunted a wild boar and said we could have some of it.”

Liu Xuemei’s face lit up with delight. She hadn’t expected it to happen so soon. She happily glanced behind Ji Tangtang.

Ji Tangtang said, “I’ve already hidden the stuff. If you want it, we can arrange another place, and I’ll bring it over.”

Liu Xuemei replied, “Could you come see me later? I’ll go find my brother first, is that okay?”

Ji Tangtang nodded, then asked for the name of a reputable tailor in the city before adding, “Do you have a bag here? I just need to borrow one for now. I’ll return it later.”

Liu Xuemei pulled a burlap sack from under the counter and handed it to Ji Tangtang.

“All right, I’ll come find you later,” Ji Tangtang said, taking the sack outside. She found a quiet corner, transferred the cloth from her Qian Kun bag into the burlap sack, and then carried it to find Gu Shiyu.

“Let’s go!” Ji Tangtang tied the sack to the bike’s crossbar with a rope, then helped Gu Shiyu onto the back seat.

“Where are we going?” Gu Shiyu’s gaze fell on the burlap sack in front of him.

“First to the tailor’s,” Ji Tangtang said. “We’re going to have a few sets of clothes made.”

Gu Shiyu thought she had gone into the supply and marketing cooperative just to get fabric and said, “I don’t need any. Make a few extra sets for yourself.”

Ji Tangtang replied firmly, “You follow my plan, no refusing. I decide everything, and you’ll obey me in the future too. Did you forget?”

It was the first time Gu Shiyu had seen her so adorably yet bossily commanding, and he couldn’t help but smile. “Fine, I’ll follow you.”

“That’s better,” Ji Tangtang said, satisfied, and then rode the bicycle to the tailor recommended by Liu Xuemei.