Chapter 8: Comrade Ye Zhi, Are You Willing to Be My Revolutionary Partner?

The crowd watching them grew larger, and whispers about Lu Wei and Ye Zhi spread among them.

Ye Zhi gently twisted her fingers before suggesting to Lu Wei, “Shall we take a walk?”

Lu Wei nodded, his gaze steady on her. “Alright, lead the way.”

Meeting his deep, dark eyes, Ye Zhi instinctively turned her face away.

She glanced around but didn’t see the jeep he had driven last time. How had he gotten here this time?

Leaving the textile factory, they walked through an area where several state-owned factories were clustered. It was still a bit of a walk to the creek. The houses of the local residents were built along the water, with stone bridges connecting the villages. Small wooden boats drifted lazily in the clear stream.

The sun was setting, casting the quaint town in hues of red and gold, making it look as though time had slowed to a peaceful standstill.

Thin trails of smoke curled up from chimneys, adding a touch of warmth and life to the tranquil town.

They arrived at the far end of the village, where it was quieter. There were no noisy villagers or towering factory buildings blocking the view, just the distant mountains bathed in the golden light of the setting sun.

Lu Wei quietly observed Ye Zhi. They were standing even closer now than they had been at their matchmaking meeting, allowing him to see her beauty more clearly.

She was still in her textile factory uniform, yet back at the factory gate, he had spotted her immediately in the crowd.

Her delicate features stood out, and her fair skin glowed against the muted grays and blues of the work attire surrounding her.

Up close, her eyes were luminous, as clear and deep as autumn waters.

Breaking the silence, Lu Wei finally spoke.

“Comrade Ye, I left in a hurry the other day. I hope you don’t mind.”

He had no experience with matchmaking. After returning to his base in Shanghai, his grandfather had scolded him harshly over the phone, making him realize that his actions might have been inappropriate.

He wasn’t sure if Ye Zhi had taken offense.

Ye Zhi, however, glanced at him and smiled understandingly. “It’s alright. You had official duties to attend to. I understand.”

Hearing her words of understanding, Lu Wei felt some of his tension ease.

Still, even though she said she understood, he felt the need to explain things properly.

“The matter was urgent,” he continued. “I came as soon as I finished, but I was still a little late.”

Ye Zhi chuckled. “It’s really fine. These things will happen often in the future. Am I supposed to get upset every time?”

She looked at the man before her—full of energy, standing tall and straight as always, his gaze sincere and filled with a strong sense of duty.

He was a soldier. His responsibilities to his unit and country would always come first.

She understood that. There was no home without a country.

And over the past couple of days, she had thought it through—she wanted to marry Lu Wei.

Not just because of his sense of justice and the security he provided.

But because he was handsome and had a great physique!

The evening breeze was cool, but at this moment, Lu Wei felt a warmth spreading through his entire body.

She said “in the future” … Did that mean they had a future together?

Clutching the wooden box in his hand tightly, he took a deep breath and said, “Comrade Ye, my current mission is complete, and I’ll soon be returning to Qiongzhou Island. Before I go, I have something to ask you. I need your guidance.”

Ye Zhi was momentarily stunned by his serious military tone, but she couldn’t help laughing.

Why did it sound like something really major was about to happen?

“You don’t have to be so formal,” she said with amusement. “I’m not your revolutionary comrade. We can just talk like friends.”

Lu Wei carefully considered the phrase “revolutionary partner.”

A thought flashed through his mind, and his resolve grew even stronger.

Before long, Ye Zhi straightened her posture just like Lu Wei, meeting his deep and sincere gaze.

“Comrade Lu, please go ahead.”

Lu Wei looked into Ye Zhi’s bright, clear eyes, his heart pounding wildly. He swallowed, his Adam’s apple moving slightly, and then, gathering all his courage, he spoke:

“Comrade Ye Zhi, after these past two days of reflection, I have come to a decision.”

“I would like to get to know you better.”

“Would you be willing to give me this opportunity?”

Lu Wei had thought it through. While their childhood engagement had been arranged by his grandfather, this decision was not made out of outdated traditions. It was made after meeting her and considering it carefully.

Ye Zhi was slightly surprised. If she remembered correctly, in the original novel, he had never married—not even by the time “she” had died.

So why was he the one taking the initiative now?

She had even come up with several plans to make him fall for her!

Though puzzled, she smiled gracefully and nodded. “Alright.”

“What would Comrade Lu like to know about me?”

Lu Wei took a step closer, his gaze locking onto hers. “Comrade Ye Zhi, what are your expectations for a future partner?”

Ye Zhi bit her lip and thought seriously before answering:

“He must be responsible, have a strong sense of duty, and possess good character. Of course, if he is to be my lifelong partner, loyalty is fundamental.”

“And most importantly, he must respect women. A man should never hit a woman.”

In this era, many men had a strong sense of male dominance.

Ye Zhi could tolerate a certain degree of it, but having seen too many men who resorted to violence at the slightest displeasure, she found it utterly infuriating.

Women didn’t necessarily need men to protect them, but they at least deserved respect.

No matter how handsome or well-built a man was, if he raised his hand against a woman, she would never accept him.

Hearing this, Lu Wei looked at her with unwavering sincerity. Without the slightest hesitation, he solemnly vowed:

“Comrade Ye Zhi, I swear on my life—if you are willing to be with me, I will be as loyal to you as I am to my country. I will be a responsible man who respects others.”

“I will never hit a woman—especially not you.”

Seeing the soft smile in Ye Zhi’s eyes, Lu Wei felt his nerves tighten even further. His heart pounded furiously—this was more nerve-wracking than going into battle.

But what he appreciated most was that Ye Zhi openly expressed her expectations.

Before, he had never given marriage much thought. He didn’t know how to be a husband, nor did he understand how to please a woman.

But now, for this one person, he was willing to change—to become everything she hoped for.

Blushing, Ye Zhi averted her gaze, ignoring the fluttering of her heart. In a soft voice, she murmured, “Mm.”

She took a quiet breath and then asked, “What about you, Comrade Lu? What do you like?”

Lu Wei replied without hesitation, “As long as it’s you, anything is fine.”

His deep, husky voice carried through the quiet evening, making Ye Zhi’s ears burn. The warmth quickly spread up her fair cheeks, painting them with a shy blush.

Flustered, she lowered her head, trying to avoid Lu Wei’s intense and straightforward gaze, but the smile on her lips was impossible to hide.

Who said people in this era were reserved?

Ye Zhi was utterly captivated by his words.

“…Oh.”

Lu Wei’s gaze remained fixed on her as he asked, “Comrade Ye Zhi, if you were to marry me, I have a selfish request. If possible, would you be willing to come with me to Qiongzhou Island?”

“Life as a military spouse is tough, and Qiongzhou Island is still under development. The environment there isn’t as comfortable as your town, and resources are scarce. If you don’t want to go, just tell me. My mother works at a military hospital in Yangcheng and lives in the family quarters. If you prefer, you can stay in Yangcheng instead.”

Ye Zhi, hearing this, quickly sobered up from her earlier flustered state. She looked at him seriously and said:

“Comrade Lu Wei, I am willing to go.”

“Building our nation is not suffering.”

Of course, she liked Yangcheng as well.

Even in the 1970s, this southern provincial capital was more developed and prosperous than most cities.

But if she was going to spend her life with Lu Wei, no matter how hard it was, she would rather stay by his side than spend her days under the watchful eye of her mother-in-law.

Besides, she loved the sea—and even more so, the seafood!

And honestly, what could be more meaningful than helping to build the country?

Upon hearing her answer, Lu Wei let out a deep breath of relief. This trip had been worth it.

His tense brows eased, and he carefully opened the wooden box in his hand. Then, with the utmost solemnity, he asked the final question:

“Comrade Ye Zhi, would you be willing to become my revolutionary partner?”

Ye Zhi was caught off guard by his sudden proposal, her lips parting slightly as she took in a sharp breath.

She stared at Lu Wei, his face serious yet tinged with a shy nervousness. His ears were flushed red, even brighter than the evening glow on the horizon.

Her bright, watery eyes reflected the glimmering badge inside the box he held. A soft, warm light flickered in her gaze.

She nodded. “I am willing.”

At her words, Lu Wei gently placed the box into her palm and said, “This is my promise to you.”

Ye Zhi felt as if the box in her hand weighed a thousand pounds.

She had noticed something about Lu Wei’s arm the first time they met—something wasn’t quite right.

This badge might have been earned at the cost of his own life and safety.

Ye Zhi pushed it back toward him. “This honor belongs to you. It’s too precious—I can’t accept it.”

Her soft, delicate fingers brushed against Lu Wei’s palm, sending an unfamiliar tremor through him.

A sincere light shone in his deep, dark eyes. With a faint smile on his lips, he said earnestly, “From now on, what’s mine is yours.”