CHAPTER 5

When Lu Zhi got home, the sun was still bright outside.

“You should head back early,” she told him. “Grandpa Zhou and the others are still waiting for you.”

This was a matter of betrothal gifts. Now that Li Lan and Chen Xiangde were back from work, they’d surely want to ask about it—and Grandpa Zhou’s side probably would too.

Zhou Cheng’an said, “Alright, I’ll head back then.”

What a steady man—he looked calm even when in a rush. He must have everything planned already, probably even knew which bus to take back to the Hongxing commune.

….

Zhou Cheng’an queued at the post office to make a phone call.

When Political Commissar Li picked up the call, he was stunned into silence for several seconds.

Zhou Cheng’an said, “Commissar Li, when will my marriage application be approved?”

Commissar Li had already been shocked when he first got a call from Zhou Cheng’an about getting married. He didn’t expect a follow-up call so soon.

He chuckled heartily. “What, your family pushing you hard?”

After teasing him a bit, he got to the point—calls were expensive after all.

Commissar Li said, “It’s been approved today. Someone’s heading out for a meeting, so I’ll have them bring the documents to you. You’ll definitely have them before the day after tomorrow.”

Zhou Cheng’an said, “Alright. Thank you, Commissar.”

Commissar Li asked a few more questions, but truthfully, he didn’t need to. Zhou Cheng’an’s future second sister-in-law was on the island, and Li knew her husband too. Asking someone as tight-lipped as Zhou Cheng’an wouldn’t get much anyway—he might as well ask that future brother-in-law.

And phone calls were expensive.

Commissar Li laughed, “Well then, I’ll wish you both a happy marriage in advance.”

After hanging up, he shook his head and muttered, “Zhou Cheng’an and that cold temper of his… That won’t do. When he gets back, I’ll have to remind him—can’t keep a cold face toward your wife.”

….

These past few days, Lu Zhi had made rapid progress in her cooking under the “guidance” of Li Lan and her sister-in-law.

That evening, with no one else home from work yet, she washed the vegetables and started cooking in her own kitchen.

She decided to cook the cured meat Zhou Cheng’an had brought over.

This time, no stir-fried spicy cured pork—she planned to make a big pot of braised cured meat rice.

She stir-fried the prepared cured pork in oil, added potatoes and tofu, seasoned it with salt and soy sauce, then simmered everything together with rice—the smell was rich and fragrant.

Lu Zhi even found herself a reason for knowing how to make it: she’d heard about it from someone before.

Thinking about all the seafood on the island, Lu Zhi figured it’d be a good idea to buy some cookbooks. After all, her second sister was also on the island—it would be easier to explain that way.

In the courtyard-style housing, everyone could tell who cooked well—just by the smell drifting through the air.

Li Lan and Lu Xiangde returned home together. As soon as they stepped into the courtyard, they caught a whiff of something delicious.

Li Lan, who had originally hurried back to ask about the betrothal gifts, slowed her pace.

“Whose cooking is that? Smells amazing.”

Everyone busy in the courtyard turned to look at them.

Aunt Zhou, who was doing laundry, said, “Yours.”

Li Lan and Chen Xiangde exchanged glances—and quickly headed inside.

When Li Lan and Chen Xiangde saw Lu Zhi in the kitchen, they were absolutely thrilled.

Li Lan’s voice even rose a pitch. “My daughter is amazing! She’s only been learning to cook for a few days, and already the food smells so good. What did you make today?”

Lu Zhi replied, “Braised rice with cured meat, and I added potatoes and green beans.”

Lu Xiangde asked, “Didn’t we already finish off all the cured meat at home?”

Lu Zhi explained, “Cheng’an brought some over when he came by today.”

Li Lan chuckled from the side. “That’s thoughtful of him. He must’ve noticed you like cured meat. And you know what? That man’s got high standards—after just one meeting, he insisted on marrying you. He definitely likes you!”

Chen Xiangde nodded in agreement. “Yes, Cheng’an’s standards are high.”

When Lu Zhi’s eldest brother and sister-in-law returned home, they brought little Lu An’an back from kindergarten too.

The whole family sat down for dinner.

The braised rice was infused with the smoky aroma of cured meat. The potatoes were soft and tender, and the green beans had soaked up the flavor and melted in the mouth.

Just one bite was enough to make the taste linger.

Though Lu Zhi had added more rice and potatoes than meat, the flavor wasn’t compromised at all—everyone ate their fill.

Even little An’an was stuffed.

….

That night, Lu Zhi and her sister-in-law chatted in the room.

Her sister-in-law glanced at the watch on Lu Zhi’s wrist and smiled. “That’s a nice watch. Looks good.”

After that, they sat together and examined the radio.

The Lu family already had a radio—bought when her brother and sister-in-law got married.

Listening to the sounds coming from the new one, her sister-in-law asked, “Are you going to send the sewing machine and bicycle over first?”

Lu Zhi nodded. “Mm, they need to be delivered ahead of time.”

Outside, the courtyard was just as lively as usual. The summer heat made everyone gather outside to cool off.

While chatting, Lu Zhi and her sister-in-law could still hear the voices from outside.

“I think your son-in-law is really something. But Lu Zhi’s a good girl too, right?”

“Exactly! That rice she made today—so fragrant.”

“What was it called again?”

“Braised rice with cured meat.”

“Yeah, that’s the one.”

He Li, wearing a forced smile, didn’t want to come out and sit in the yard, but if she didn’t, it would look too deliberate.

When her second son and daughter-in-law returned, she suddenly raised her voice, “Oh, you’re back?”

Everyone glanced in their direction, and the courtyard quieted slightly.

Hearing the change in tone, Lu Zhi’s sister-in-law instinctively looked at Lu Zhi.

….

That night, Lu Zhi had trouble falling asleep.

Because of Li Yu—the male lead of the novel.

Lu Zhi wasn’t sure if her former feelings for him were because of the plot or for other reasons.

But now, she was certain: she no longer liked Li Yu.

He was already married and would have a happy life with the female lead. She had finally come to her senses.

From the next room, her sister-in-law called out, “Zhizhi, are you asleep?”

Lu Zhi answered, “Not yet, Sister-in-law.”

Her sister-in-law came in with a blanket and lay down beside her. They shared the bed, each with their own quilt.

The quiet of the night was perfect for heart-to-heart talks.

Her sister-in-law said, “Li Yu’s back. He and his wife were visiting her family and stayed there for a few days.”

Lu Zhi couldn’t help but smile. “Sister-in-law, I’m not losing sleep because of him. I was just thinking… why did I even like him before?”

Honestly, everyone in the Lu family probably still worried she wanted to marry Li Yu.

Her sister-in-law said, “I remember once, we all went to the countryside. You got bullied, and Li Yu beat the kid up. After that, you always wanted to play with him. Then you got older, and as girls do, you started liking him.”

Lu Zhi remembered now. It had been such a strange period in her life. After reading the novel and waking up in this world, she realized how ridiculous it all was. She had never really thought about why she liked him.

Maybe it was that moment her sister-in-law mentioned. Or maybe it was just because she was always around Li Yu and, during that early crush stage, mistook familiarity for love.

Lu Zhi nodded. “I see.”

Her sister-in-law asked gently, “You really don’t like him anymore?”

Lu Zhi replied, “No, I don’t. Let’s go to sleep.”

Her sister-in-law smiled. “Alright.”

This time, Lu Zhi fell asleep quickly.

….

Meanwhile, He Li was complaining to her son and daughter-in-law. “You wouldn’t believe it—just because Lu Zhi found a man, her whole family is strutting around like peacocks!”

Li Yu said, “She found someone good. We should be happy for her.”

Still, he felt uncomfortable.

A beauty like Lu Zhi had once chased after him. How could he not feel smug? But now, she’d found someone far better than him, and he couldn’t explain the strange discomfort in his chest.

Chu Tong tried to comfort He Li gently, though she, too, felt a little bitter.

She and Lu Zhi had been classmates. She wasn’t as pretty, nor did she come from as good a background. Yet she had married the man Lu Zhi once liked. But now, Lu Zhi was marrying someone even better.

He Li said, “Well, you know, it’s just an arranged marriage. Maybe it’s just settling. I heard that guy even brings a younger brother with him. Lu Zhi’s second sister is on the island too. Maybe they just want her to help take care of the younger brother. After all, her sister lives nearby, right?”

Chu Tong looked uncomfortable. “You shouldn’t say that.”

Li Yu said stiffly, “We’re married because we love each other.”

When Chu Tong and Li Yu lay down to sleep that night, neither of them brought it up again.

….

The next day, Zhou Cheng’an came to the courtyard again—with all the documents in hand.

When Lu Zhi saw him, she beamed. “Did it get approved?”

Zhou Cheng’an nodded. “Yes. We can get the marriage certificate now.”

Everything Lu Zhi needed for the marriage paperwork—her family had already prepared it in advance.

The two stood facing each other—one with a serious expression, the other with lips pressed together.

Suddenly, Zhou Cheng’an stood at attention and gave a salute. His voice was clear and earnest, “Comrade Lu Zhi, I’m applying to go to the Civil Affairs Bureau with you to get married!”

Lu Zhi couldn’t hold back her laughter. “I accept.”

That could be considered a proposal.

When Li Yu and Chu Tong came back—they had gone out earlier, and Li Yu bought some floral fabric for Chu Tong from the supply and marketing cooperative.

Because of this, Chu Tong became the envy of many again. She’d found herself a good man.

As the two returned to the courtyard, Chu Tong was already thinking about how she’d answer people when they asked about the fabric. She’d already planned to turn it into a doll-collar dress.

When they saw Lu Zhi and the man standing in front of her, both Li Yu and Chu Tong froze.

They had only heard that Lu Zhi’s fiancé was good-looking, but they hadn’t expected him to be this good-looking.

Lu Zhi locked the door—she was heading to the Civil Affairs Bureau with Zhou Cheng’an to get their marriage certificate. Zhou Cheng’an held out a ring to her.

A gold ring!?

Zhou Cheng’an said, “My grandmother told me to give this to you. It’s for the family’s future granddaughter-in-law.”

Lu Zhi beamed. “Put it on for me.”

Zhou Cheng’an held the ring with his long, slender fingers and carefully slipped it onto her hand.

Lu Zhi looked at the ring gleaming under the sunlight and smiled. “After we get the marriage certificate, let’s go buy one for you too.”