CHAPTER 6

The Civil Affairs Bureau was a bit far.

Lu Zhi had already made up her mind to get married. Marrying Zhou Cheng’an felt like she was the one getting the better end of the deal, but she still couldn’t help feeling a bit nervous.

After all, she’d lived two lifetimes now and hadn’t even been in a relationship.

On the bus, Lu Zhi held the documents needed for the marriage certificate. The gold ring on her finger shimmered faintly in the sunlight.

Lu Zhi said seriously, “Comrade Zhou Cheng’an, you have to treat me well from now on.”

After all, things were different now.

If, in the future, she felt that their life together wasn’t working out—or if both of them were unhappy—she’d bring up divorce with Zhou Cheng’an.

Zhou Cheng’an turned to look at her, his voice firm like a promise. “You can count on it.”

Lu Zhi lifted her chin with a bright smile. “I’ll treat you well too.”

Zhou Cheng’an: “Alright.”

Lu Zhi added, “And your younger brother—I’ll treat him well too.”

Zhou Cheng’an looked at her, the serious expression on his face softening into a faint smile.

Lu Zhi tilted her head. “You smiled. You look better when you smile. Try smiling more often.”

After a pause, Zhou Cheng’an nodded. “Alright.”

It would still take a while to get to the Civil Affairs Bureau. Zhou Cheng’an took out a piece of red-wrapped wedding candy and handed it to Lu Zhi.

Lu Zhi ate the candy and found it sweet—really sweet.

Lu Zhi: “Do you want one too?”

Zhou Cheng’an took out another piece of the same red-wrapped candy, unwrapped it, and ate it.

When they arrived at the Civil Affairs Bureau, Lu Zhi realized there were quite a few couples there to register. Everyone was waiting in line.

From what the other couples were saying, Lu Zhi learned that today was considered an auspicious day for marriage.

The weather outside was sunny and clear too.

When it was Lu Zhi and Zhou Cheng’an’s turn, the two of them sat down in the chairs across from the desk.

Zhou Cheng’an handed some wedding candy to the staff.

The staff followed procedure, asking them questions and verifying their identities. Lu Zhi and Zhou Cheng’an cooperated very well.

The staff handed them their marriage certificate. “Alright, here’s your marriage certificate. And this—this is the newlywed handbook. You can read through it when you get home.”

Back then, marriage certificates were made of paper, unlike the ones in the future.

As Lu Zhi and Zhou Cheng’an walked out of the bureau, a few staff members chatted and laughed behind them.

“That couple—so good-looking.”

“Yeah, I’m jealous.”

“Back to work!”

“Got it.”

With the marriage certificate in hand, they were now officially husband and wife.

Lu Zhi had known this was her marriage partner, but holding the certificate made things feel different.

Of course, they still had to return to their respective homes for now.

Their wedding, as previously agreed upon during the proposal, would be held that weekend.

Lu Zhi took Zhou Cheng’an to the department store.

She still had the 500 yuan in dowry money, and while she couldn’t afford something very expensive, she could buy a gold ring.

Standing at the counter, Lu Zhi looked at the rings. Her long, thick lashes fluttered slightly as she blinked.

To her surprise, she saw a plain band style that would later become very popular.

Lu Zhi pointed at the ring in the case. “Isn’t it nice?”

At the time, gold was priced at over 120 yuan per gram, and this ring cost 260 yuan.

But since Zhou Cheng’an had given her a ring, it was only right she buy one for him too.

The ring on her finger probably cost over 700 yuan based on weight and price.

The shop assistant took out the ring. Lu Zhi picked it up and slipped it onto Zhou Cheng’an’s finger.

This simple style suited him well—much better than the fancier, more ornate designs.

Lu Zhi looked at Zhou Cheng’an’s long, well-defined fingers for a while before finally pulling her gaze away. “Does it look good?”

Zhou Cheng’an curled his fingers slightly and nodded. “It looks good.”

Lu Zhi: “Then we’ll take this one.”

Shop assistant: “Alright, you’ll need to pay first.”

Zhou Cheng’an paid before Lu Zhi could.

Lu Zhi: “…”

Arguing about who pays in front of a salesperson wasn’t really her thing. Otherwise, it’d just turn into a tug-of-war.

As they stepped out, Lu Zhi looked at Zhou Cheng’an and said, “I was the one who wanted to buy you a ring.”

Zhou Cheng’an pulled out an envelope and handed it to her. “This has most of the salary, stipends, and bonuses I’ve earned so far. Keep it safe. From now on, I’ll hand over my monthly wages to you.”

He really hadn’t spent much money over the years.

Lu Zhi didn’t make a fuss about it.

It didn’t feel like anything needed to be said between them.

She took the envelope and said, “I’ll give you twenty yuan a month for pocket money, okay?”

Zhou Cheng’an raised an eyebrow. “Pocket money?”

Lu Zhi replied matter-of-factly, “Of course. You have to have pocket money.”

She handed him twenty yuan. “This is for this month.”

Then she took out five da tuanjie bills (big-denomination hundred yuan notes). “We’re about to get married and go to the island. You might need money for things—it’s no good if you have to ask me every time. Take this and keep some extra on hand.”

….

Back in her room, Lu Zhi counted the money Zhou Cheng’an had given her. Inside the envelope were both cash and deposit slips.

He must not spend much, and he probably earned a lot in bonuses too.

There was a total of 1,300 yuan in cash and 3,300 yuan in the bankbook—altogether, 4,700 yuan.

In this time period, that was an enormous sum!

Lu Zhi had also given Zhou Cheng’an 100 yuan from her own 500-yuan dowry fund, but the 20 yuan in pocket money didn’t come from that. In total, they had about 5,100 yuan between them now.

Lu Zhi herself still had 31 yuan and 26 cents.

On top of that, there were all kinds of ration coupons and certificates.

This man truly intended to build a life with her.

She didn’t hide it from the Lu family either. When they found out, they were very pleased, though no one asked about the exact amount.

After organizing everything neatly, Lu Zhi felt that her days ahead would only get better.

Her sister-in-law knocked and came in. “Where’s the marriage certificate? Mom and Dad want to see it.”

Lu Zhi sat up and found the certificate, handing it over.

Her sister-in-law took it and left the room.

Lu Zhi got up and followed her out.

Chen Xiangde looked at the certificate and kept saying “good” over and over again.

This son-in-law—he was satisfied.

….

Zhou Cheng’an returned to the Tenth Team of the Hongxing Commune.

Even before he arrived, word had spread—his parents were back!

That was big news.

After all, their team leader was well-respected for getting things done. Compared to the other teams, they had noticeably better conditions.

They had raised their son well, and now even the grandson was being raised well.

Last time Zhou Cheng’an came home, so many girls had been eyeing him. The matchmakers practically wore out the Zhou family’s doorstep.

To be bold, if Zhou Cheng’an so much as nodded, the line of girls wanting to marry him would stretch from one end of the village to the other.

Now that it was confirmed he was getting married, everyone was curious—just what kind of girl had caught his eye? But honestly, for a man like Zhou Cheng’an, she had to be an exceptional one.

As soon as little Zhou Jun saw his older brother, he ran over with quick little steps. “Big Brother, Mom and Dad are back!”

Zhou Cheng’an patted his head and then walked in. “Grandpa, Grandma. Mom, Dad.”

His parents had always been busy. They both worked in the capital and were often separated by distance.

They couldn’t look after Zhou Jun themselves—that’s why Zhou Jun had been left in Zhou Cheng’an’s care.

Originally, Zhou Jun was supposed to stay with his grandparents, but they were getting older, and now his second uncle’s daughter was also being sent back to them.

She was even younger than Zhou Jun—barely able to speak clearly—and caring for her took a lot of work.

Zhou Jun had insisted on staying with Zhou Cheng’an.

Chen Jiaojiao got up and hugged her son. “My boy is getting married now—marrying Lu Zhi, right? I remember her from when she was little. I liked her even back then.”

She continued, “Your grandparents and you went to propose, but your father and I should go too. We’ve brought quite a few things for your wife, and your second uncle and aunt also wanted to come, but they’re too busy. They’ve sent some gifts with us.”

Then she asked, “You got the marriage certificate today, right? Let me see it.”

Zhou Cheng’an’s father, Zhou Ang, looked at his wife with softened eyes.

Zhou Cheng’an pulled out the certificate, and everyone gathered around to see the photo of Lu Zhi and Zhou Cheng’an on it.

Chen Jiaojiao couldn’t help but laugh. “Who would’ve thought my son would actually get married? Your dad won me over with his good looks—guess it’s the same for you. Thank goodness you inherited that face.”

She turned to Zhou Jun. “You’d better take after me in temperament.”

Zhou Jun blinked, confused. “Because I’m not good-looking?”

Everyone burst into laughter.

Zhou Jun was certainly good-looking—he took after both his attractive parents.

….

That night, when Lu Zhi went to bed, she was still a little giddy at the thought of being a married woman.

The next morning, when she woke up, the Lu family had already gone to work. They’d left breakfast for her: egg congee and homemade pickles.

The congee was still warm.

Lu Zhi ate, then waited for Zhou Cheng’an to arrive.

Today, he was arranging for someone to help transport the big items they were bringing to the island—mainly the sewing machine and the bicycle.

Lu Zhi didn’t have much else to pack, and everything was already prepared.

After lunch, the courtyard was lively again.

He Li and Chu Tong were chatting with some of the neighbors.

He Li didn’t have much choice about Lu Zhi finding such a good match—what else could she say? That old sense of superiority she once had was now tinged with unwillingness to let go.

Today, she’d even bought new clothes for Chu Tong and sent a bunch of goodies to her family—things she normally wouldn’t bear to part with.

He Li said, “My son and daughter-in-law just got married—of course I have to treat my daughter-in-law well. That’s how it is: the daughter-in-law eventually becomes the mother-in-law, don’t you all agree?”

Sitting beside her, Chu Tong looked a little embarrassed.

As the adults chatted, a few children from the courtyard came running in.

“There’s a car coming!”

“Yeah! A car’s driving into the alley!”

Just as they were speaking, a small car pulled up outside their courtyard.

Zhou Cheng’an got out first and opened the door. Grandpa Zhou and Grandma Zhou followed him out of the car.

Zhou Ang got out as well and opened another door—Chen Jiaojiao stepped out.

Zhou Cheng’an said, “I’ll go in and talk to Zhizhi.”