CHAPTER 3

The garment factory had been busy lately, but after Li Lan worked overtime to finish her duties in the logistics department, she took a day off to bring Lu Zhi to the mall.

Their first stop was the sewing machine counter, where they found a relative of Aunt Zhou’s.

Li Lan said, “I’m here to buy a sewing machine.”

The saleswoman smiled. “My aunt told me about it. I’ve saved one for you. Just hand over the ration ticket and 130 yuan, and it’s yours.”

After receiving the money, the saleswoman filled out the receipt and said, “We’ll deliver it this afternoon. I already know the address.”

Li Lan: “Great, thank you.”

She handed the saleswoman some wedding candy.

The sewing machine part went smoothly, but things were much more chaotic at the fabric and ready-made clothing section.

“Comrade, don’t push!”

“I’m not pushing—don’t you push!”

“You stepped on my foot!”

“Everyone, form a proper line! Line up!”

Lu Zhi stood on tiptoe and looked ahead. “Looks like they just stocked some new fabric.”

Li Lan had already charged into the crowd.

Lu Zhi quickly followed, barely managing to keep up with Li Lan’s brisk pace.

Li Lan bought three feet of blue plaid fabric, six feet of red cloth, and three feet of red polka-dot fabric.

Then they went to buy enamel basins, soap, toothbrushes, a kettle, and towels—even enamel cups for brushing teeth. All of it was part of the dowry.

By the time they came out, both of them were carrying quite a few things.

Li Lan said, “The quilts were prepared long ago. Two in total, all made with the cotton and ration tickets we’ve saved over the years. Same as what we gave your second sister. We’ll get someone to fluff the cotton again and make fresh covers.”

She continued, “I also made a summer quilt for you—it doesn’t take much cotton.”

Back at the courtyard, the neighbors all turned their heads.

The Lu family sure was giving Lu Zhi a lot for her dowry.

Some people even turned green with envy. If only Lu Zhi wasn’t so picky and so pretty—maybe their sons could’ve had a chance.

Aunt Zhou called out, “You’re back?”

Lu Zhi replied, “Mm, we’re back.”

After Lu Zhi and Li Lan went back inside, the people outside started chatting.

“Lu Zhi’s sister-in-law didn’t go to the sugar factory today. She was out buying candy, said the defective ones were cheap but she wouldn’t buy those. Said it’s her little sister-in-law’s wedding, and she can’t use flawed wedding candy.”

“Just hate that my son’s not good enough to marry Lu Zhi.”

“Haha, same here!”

“All right, all right, let’s get dinner going.”

Lu Zhi washed her hands and face, then went to rest.

Li Lan called out, “Let’s have noodles for lunch.”

Lu Zhi replied, “I want a poached egg.”

Li Lan laughed, “Sure, one poached egg coming right up.”

At lunchtime, Lu Zhi sat at the table in front of a steaming bowl of wheat noodles, topped with leafy greens and a poached egg.

The noodles were perfectly chewy and smooth—absolutely delicious. Lu Zhi slurped up the noodles and quickly polished off the egg in just a few bites.

Li Lan said, “These next few days, I’ll teach you a few simple dishes. When you’re married and your husband’s off on duty, you’ll be able to cook for yourself.”

Lu Zhi looked up and smiled. “Okay.”

In that strange other life she had lived, Lu Zhi had been a food blogger.

Cooking was easy for her.

This was actually a good chance to pretend to be learning—it’d be hard to explain otherwise.

Li Lan kept thinking about what else still needed preparing for the dowry, or what she should remind Lu Zhi about.

They’d need to set aside some ration tickets for her too.

And don’t forget the trunk—it had to be packed.

Thinking of this, Li Lan glanced at her sweet-faced daughter happily eating her noodles, feeling just a little awkward.

….

That evening, Lu Zhi’s sister-in-law came back.

In a courtyard like this, everyone saw what you brought home—it was impossible to be discreet.

Lu Zhi’s sister-in-law was carrying a quilt and some cured meat.

They had already bought so many things that afternoon, and even the sewing machine had been delivered. Now her sister-in-law had returned with even more.

Aunt Zhou saw her and asked with a smile, “What’s all this?”

Lu Zhi’s sister-in-law explained, “My parents really like my little sister-in-law. When they heard she’s getting married, they gave her a quilt for her dowry. This cured meat was from a friend—they gave it to me to use for entertaining her fiancé.”

With everyone watching, she carried the items back home.

She left the cured meat in the kitchen and brought the quilt into Lu Zhi’s room, saying a few words to her before coming back out.

Li Lan looked at her with a hesitant expression.

She said quietly, “Hey, there’s something… Can you be the one to tell her? I’d feel awkward saying it myself.”

Lu Zhi’s sister-in-law caught her look and understood.

She blushed a little and said, “I’ll stay with her tonight.”

….

That evening, Lu Zhi was called into the kitchen.

She steamed the rice.

Li Lan beamed. “My daughter is so smart. She learns everything so quickly.”

Her sister-in-law laughed, “Isn’t that the truth? Our Lu Zhi’s been clever since she was little. Back when she was still in preschool, I’d be reading out loud and she’d sit quietly beside me and read along.”

Lu Zhi looked up and gave them a smile.

She even felt like she was kind of amazing.

Under the combined “guidance” of Li Lan and her sister-in-law, Lu Zhi steamed rice and also made a dish of spicy shredded potatoes.

That night, the whole Lu family gathered to eat dinner.

The aroma of the spicy shredded potatoes was overwhelmingly appetizing.

Lu Xiangde took a bite and said, “These potatoes are too good today!”

Five-year-old Lu An’an, Lu Zhi’s niece, hugged her rice bowl and declared, “Yummy! Auntie’s food is the best!”

Li Lan smiled, “I told you my daughter is smart. Look, it’s her first time making it, and it already tastes this good.”

Lu An’an nodded seriously. “Auntie is smart!”

….

That night, Lu Zhi and her sister-in-law slept in the same bed.

Each had her own quilt.

It was quiet at night. They spoke in hushed tones.

Her sister-in-law asked, “You’re getting married—are you nervous?”

Lu Zhi turned on her side. “Not nervous.”

She really wasn’t.

After all, she wasn’t the same Lu Zhi anymore.

Her sister-in-law chuckled. “You know, when I got married, my sister-in-law asked me the exact same question. I also said I wasn’t nervous. But on the wedding night, my face turned so red, I was mortified.”

After a moment of silence, Lu Zhi whispered, a bit shyly, “Sister-in-law… are you going to teach me that stuff?”

Her sister-in-law grinned. “You’re not allowed to cover your ears!”

She talked for a good ten minutes, while Lu Zhi listened with her cheeks burning red.

Finally, it was time to sleep. Lu Zhi tugged her quilt up. Her sister-in-law was already asleep, but she was still wide awake.

Sure, Zhou Cheng’an had a good figure and good looks… but she’d never been in a relationship before either.

If her sister in–law were to ask her again now whether she was nervous, Lu Zhi would probably answer: yes, she was.

….

The day of Zhou Cheng’an’s formal proposal finally arrived.

The Lu household had been bustling since early morning.

Everyone had taken the day off for this occasion—even Lu Zhi’s five-year-old niece didn’t go to school.

The fabric bought from the department store had already been made into clothes for Lu Zhi by sister-in-law.

During a break in the preparations, sister-in-law came over especially to remind Lu Zhi to wear her new outfit.

Lu Zhi put on a red polka-dot blouse and jeans. Her hair was down, with both sides tucked neatly behind her ears.

Lu An’an rested her chin on her hands and stared at Lu Zhi with her big eyes. “Auntie, you’re so pretty. I want to be as pretty as you when I grow up. I’ll be just like you, right?”

As she spoke, she clenched her little fists, making Lu Zhi laugh.

At the moment, Lu Zhi didn’t have any makeup on. Looking at herself in the mirror, she felt like she didn’t need it at all.

After waiting a while longer, Lu Zhi heard movement outside.

“Excuse me, is this the Lu residence?”

That voice—Lu Zhi recognized it. It was Zhou Cheng’an.

Zhou Cheng’an’s voice was deep and clear, magnetic yet cool.

Chen Xiangde came out and spotted the man carrying several large packages. His eyes first landed on Zhou Cheng’an.

This time, Chen Xiangde’s smile grew even more genuine.

Excellent—such a fine young man!

In the courtyard, the neighbors who weren’t at work either came out or peeked curiously from inside their homes.

Wow!

Lu Zhi’s fiancé was just as good-looking as she was.

And seeing all the things they brought—now that was sincerity.

Chen Xiangde turned to look at Zhou Cheng’an’s grandfather, walked forward a few steps, and clasped his hand. “Uncle, it’s been a long time.”

Zhou Cheng’an hadn’t come to propose on his own. After filing his marriage application, he went home to find his grandparents, prepared the betrothal gifts, and came to propose formally.

Lu Zhi came outside, with Lu An’an trailing behind her.

When their eyes met, Lu Zhi thought she’d feel shy—but instead, she felt just fine and even gave Zhou Cheng’an a bright smile.

Zhou Cheng’an walked over. “Comrade Lu Zhi, we meet again.”

Lu An’an giggled out loud. Zhou Cheng’an looked down at her.

“You’re my uncle, right?” she asked.

Lu An’an was adorable and chubby, and she did bear some resemblance to Lu Zhi.

Zhou Cheng’an crouched down to meet her gaze. “Mm, I’m your uncle.”

Lu An’an tilted her head. “You’re so silly. If you’re my uncle, why did you call my auntie ‘Comrade Lu Zhi’?”

Pitter-patter, she ran over to Lu Zhi and mimicked Zhou Cheng’an’s tone. “Comrade Lu Zhi, I’m Lu An’an!”

Lu Zhi couldn’t hold back a laugh.

Just then, Li Lan came out, wiping her hands, and saw the scene. “Cheng’an, is it? What’s with the ‘comrade’ stuff—just call her Zhi Zhi.”

Then she turned to Lu Zhi. “And you don’t need to call him Comrade Zhou Cheng’an either—just call him Cheng’an-ge. I remember when you were little, you used to call him that.”

The two stood face-to-face.

Everyone else was busy exchanging greetings. Brother Lu had already picked up Zhou Jun, and only Lu An’an stood between the couple, looking at one, then the other.

“Uncle, Auntie, are you both embarrassed?” she asked.

Zhou Cheng’an’s hand, hanging at his side, subtly clenched. His voice was a little tense. “Zhi Zhi.”

Lu Zhi replied with a soft, sweet lilt in her voice. “Cheng’an.”

But the word “ge” never made it out.

Back inside, Li Lan gave Lu Zhi an errand, stuffing some money into her hand. “Go buy a bottle of soy sauce.”

Zhou Cheng’an offered, “I’ll go.”

Li Lan was very satisfied with Zhou Cheng’an, but sending Lu Zhi out to buy soy sauce was never really necessary. Smiling, she said, “You two can go together.”