Chapter 26

“You don’t need to worry. I may be lazy and dislike waking up early, but I have my own ways of making money. You know that—I speak several languages, can take photos, and have a few tricks up my sleeve.”

Su Nian had countless ways to earn money, but she couldn’t say them out loud.

“Alright, my little wife is the most capable. Whatever you want to do, just do it. As long as you’re my wife, I’ll spoil you endlessly.”

Su Nian felt a twinge of emotion.

She thought to herself that having a husband like this might not be so bad. If only she could change his early death… What exactly would happen in 1977?

“Fu Tingchuan, do you know someone named Han Zheng?”

Fu Tingchuan was clearly shocked to suddenly hear that name.

“You know him? We were good brothers—we served in the same unit. But he was outstanding, rose through the ranks faster than me, and we slowly lost contact. Last I heard, he was stationed in the Capital. How did you come across his name?”

“Oh, I just vaguely remember hearing someone mention him. Said he was pretty impressive. Never mind! Fu Tingchuan, I don’t really like the Capital. Can we go back to Hangzhou in the future?”

Fu Tingchuan looked a little troubled.

“Nian Nian, I’m in the army. A lot of things are beyond my control. But I promise you, the first chance I get, I’ll apply for a transfer back. Okay?”

Fu Tingchuan thought she just missed home and didn’t like living elsewhere, so he didn’t read too much into it.

Reassured by his promise, Su Nian smiled.

“Then I’ll go get ready. I heard from Instructor Wang that people will be arriving tomorrow. I need to prep my camera and film—I can’t embarrass our Regiment Commander, right?”

Fu Tingchuan loved seeing her playful side.

He momentarily lost control and reached out to pinch the face he had long adored, muttering softly, “Thank goodness you didn’t get lost all these years.”

Su Nian didn’t catch what he said and, blushing, asked again.

Fu Tingchuan snapped out of it, quickly dropped his hand, cleared his throat, and said, “You go ahead and get busy. Once this matter is wrapped up, I’ll take you to get our marriage certificate.”

If not for the leadership review being more important, he truly couldn’t wait any longer.

He’d gone to great lengths behind the scenes to marry this girl. Pulling out that long-tolerated tumor named Tian Li was just one part of the effort.

But he wouldn’t let her know any of that.

His wife, Su Nian, only needed to be happy every day by his side. The sooner he got her name on his household registration, the better—before some other wolf snatched her away.

Su Nian bounced cheerfully back toward her dorm. Just as she approached, she saw Xu Zhaodi tossing Qiao Qiqi’s belongings out.

“Comrade Qiao, I’m sorry, but I can’t keep sharing a room with someone like you. I’m still a proper young lady—I hope you understand.”

Qiao Qiqi raised her hand to strike back, but Shen Mo, standing nearby, stepped in and shoved her.

Unprepared, Qiao Qiqi fell hard, landing right at Su Nian’s feet.

“Comrade Qiao, what’s the point of this? It’s not a holiday—no need for such a grand gesture. I really can’t accept it. Why don’t you go pick up your things? Otherwise Su Yue might snatch them.”

Su Yue, who had just reached out, quickly withdrew her hand: “Don’t slander me! My family isn’t short on money. Su Nian, stop projecting your petty thoughts onto others.”

But if she couldn’t room with Xu Zhaodi, where was she going to sleep?

“Shen Mo, you were chatting away with Su Nian on the train, and now you’re siding with Xu Zhaodi. Which one of them do you actually like?” Qiao Qiqi figured as long as he wasn’t on Xu Zhaodi’s side, she could worm her way back into the room.

Unexpectedly, the usually composed Shen Mo blushed.

“I think someone like Comrade Qiao, who has questionable conduct, should live alone—for everyone’s sake.”

Xu Zhaodi was at least kind enough to leave Qiao Qiqi some dignity, unlike Shen Mo, who was brutally blunt.

Seeing the situation going nowhere, Su Nian decided to step in to help Xu Zhaodi. After all, Qiao Qiqi was bound to cause trouble if she had nowhere to stay.

“Comrade Xu, why don’t you move into my room for now? In a few days, I’ll be registering my marriage with Fu Tingchuan and moving into his place.”

Xu Zhaodi really just wanted to protect her reputation.

“Really? Thank you, Comrade Su! I don’t have many belongings—I won’t take up much space.”

Shen Mo gave Su Nian a long look, then walked to a corner and signaled for her to follow him.

“You wanted me to come over here? Aren’t you afraid of people getting the wrong idea?”

“Are you really going to marry him? Have you thought this through?”

In Shen Mo’s opinion, none of the Fu men were any good. Fu Mingjun was bad, and Fu Tingchuan probably wasn’t much better. Plus, there was a nine-year age gap between them.

“I’ve thought it through. He’s actually pretty decent.

Besides, it was my mom who arranged this engagement. He even has a photo to prove it. He’s already called my dad, and it sounded like Su Daqiang agreed.

He even handed over his payroll book and savings passbook—what more do you want, cousin?”

Yes, Shen Mo was Su Nian’s distant cousin. His mother had married well into a revolutionary military family in the Capital, which saved him from being implicated in past troubles. Because they were distant relatives, the connection hadn’t caused problems.

Su Daqiang, afraid his daughter wouldn’t be cared for, had gotten in touch with them.

Coincidentally, Shen Mo had also joined this rural re-education program, supposedly as punishment from his grandfather after making a mistake.

“If you’ve really made up your mind, then I won’t say any more. Just don’t come crying to my house later.

My mom lost two nights of sleep over your situation before—you know she’s not young anymore and can’t take the stress. Does Fu Tingchuan know who I am?”

Su Nian froze.

“No. You said you didn’t want to rely on family or let anyone know. You even pretended not to know me this whole trip—how could I sell you out?”

The way he said it, like he was the wise one.

“Good. One day I’ll test him—see if he truly loves you or just wants a young wife because he’s getting old.”

Su Nian wasn’t sure what kind of test he meant, but she had a bad feeling Fu Tingchuan might suffer because of it.

“Cousin, that’s my future husband. Don’t mess things up. If you cause trouble, your grandpa might throw you straight into the military.”

“Don’t worry.”

In his heart, Shen Mo was already thinking he should write to his mother. Even if the family connection was distant, his mother and Wen Wan had been close. A dowry should definitely be sent.

His grandfather had been so mad he didn’t give him any ration tickets—just his own pocket money. He couldn’t afford to spend any more.

Back in the room, Xu Zhaodi looked at her oddly.

“Comrade Su, I know it’s none of my business, but after what just happened with Qiao, I think it would be best if you kept your distance from Comrade Shen.”

Su Nian was honestly curious. Her cousin was so cold—why did he care about Xu Zhaodi’s business at all?

The reason she offered the room wasn’t really for Xu Zhaodi’s sake, but because it seemed like her cousin had a soft spot for her. She was just buying herself some goodwill.