AYLS – Chapter 55

On the way back, they rode bicycles.

Along the way, Li Ermei chattered nonstop about what had happened in the provincial city. Only then did Gu Huayuan realize that Lin Qiao hadn’t just refrained from buying anything for herself—she had spent almost all her money buying things for others.

Although he didn’t turn around, Lin Qiao nervously held onto his clothes. “I wanted to buy something for you too, but I couldn’t find anything suitable.”

Gu Huayuan smiled. “We can buy it another time.”

He didn’t mind; he just found it odd. Lin Qiao had previously insisted on saving money to buy things, so why would she suddenly be willing to spend everything today?

Gu Huayuan didn’t say anything, but Xu Yuanzheng and Instructor Chen both felt embarrassed and kept apologizing, saying it should have been them preparing wedding gifts for the two, yet it ended up costing Lin Qiao instead.

“It’s fine, as long as they’re happy,” Gu Huayuan said with a smile.

“It’s still too much,” Instructor Chen admitted, feeling genuinely embarrassed. He hadn’t even bought so many things for his own wife.

How much would this have cost? In the future, returning such gifts would be awkward.

If they didn’t reciprocate, it would seem stingy.

Xu Yuanzheng also thought about consulting Su Weizhen later: even if he didn’t attend the wedding banquet, he would still need to give a gift, and he needed to figure out the appropriate amount.

After returning, the three families had a simple meal together. They had been too busy traveling before, had skipped dinner, and were both cold and hungry.

After finishing the meal, Lin Qiao hurried home to pack.

She looked through her belongings to see what else she could give away.

Leaving these things behind would be wasteful. Gu Huayuan wouldn’t need them, and she couldn’t keep them for a future girlfriend of his.

Thinking about it made her feel a bit bittersweet.

The thought of another girl living here in the future, sleeping in her small rustic bed, made her feel a little uncomfortable.

Knowing she would leave tomorrow morning after getting her marriage certificate, Lin Qiao didn’t sleep at all that night.

She spent the night reminiscing about her life in this little world.

Early the next morning, she first went to check on the chickens she had been raising. “Hurry up and lay eggs, work hard!”

Li Ermei came to take care of the chicks. Seeing her there, she exclaimed in surprise, “Why are you still here? Aren’t you going back to pack?”

“I’m going back soon. By the way, Ermei, do you want any of the things I have over there?”

Li Ermei’s eyes widened. “You really want to give all your old stuff away? You’re too extravagant. You just got married—be careful that your Gu Huayuan doesn’t mind.”

“He won’t, and many of these things are mine anyway.”

Li Ermei once again realized how empowering it was for a woman to have her own money.

“You’re really willing to give them to me?”

“Really willing. I’ve already packed everything.”

The two hurried back to Lin Qiao’s place.

Inside, the clothes were all packed—some new, some old.

Lin Qiao gave Ermei her old clothes and the handmade homespun garments she had made herself. The military uniform, one Braji outfit, and a Lenin-style suit she couldn’t bear to part with; these were gifts from Gu Huayuan. Giving them to Ermei, who would wear them around the compound every day, didn’t seem appropriate. It was better to have Su Weizhen help sell them in the county and turn them into cash for Gu Huayuan.

Ermei didn’t mind the old clothes; in these times, having even one wearable garment was a blessing.

She happily carried the clothes away.

Lin Qiao sent the yarn to Sister-in-law Wang’s house.

Sister-in-law Wang said, “I just saw Li Ermei carrying something away? Don’t let anyone trick you.”

“No, it’s fine. I wanted to give it away myself. These are old clothes I can no longer wear.” Lin Qiao smiled and handed the yarn to Sister-in-law Wang so she could knit a sweater for Huzi.

Sister-in-law Wang said, “What’s this for? Such good yarn—why don’t you keep it for yourself?”

“I specifically bought it for you. You’ve taken care of me this whole time I’ve been here, and I’m very grateful. This has nothing to do with Gu Huayuan, don’t misunderstand—it’s not a gift in that sense.”

“I know, you and Xiao Gu aren’t like that,” Sister-in-law Wang said. “But even so, I can’t accept it. You should keep it to knit a sweater for yourself.”

“I don’t need it either. I don’t know how.”

Sister Wang heard this and said, “Alright then, I’ll keep it.”

She thought that having two small-sized sweaters on hand would be useful—Lin Qiao and Xiao Gu were young and healthy, and once they got married, they might have children soon. It could come in handy then.

She didn’t tell Lin Qiao this, fearing it might make her embarrassed.

After handing over the yarn, Lin Qiao finally exhaled in relief and took the other two sets of clothes to find Su Weizhen. On the way past Sister Wang’s house, she saw Xiao Huzi playing with a snowman. She called him over and stuffed the money wrapped in red paper into his hands as New Year’s money.

Xiao Huzi couldn’t believe it, covering his mouth to stop himself from shouting.

Lin Qiao smiled, “Xiao Huzi, Happy New Year in advance.”

Xiao Huzi still stared wide-eyed, watching Lin Qiao leave before he finally believed that the money was really for him. He suddenly felt like a rich kid!

Once everything was taken care of, Lin Qiao felt a weight lift off her chest and headed straight to Su Weizhen’s house.

Su Weizhen wasn’t home, so she left a note at the door.

After finishing all this, Gu Huayuan arrived.

He usually came early, but today, going to get the marriage certificate, he had freshened up a bit in the dorm.

His hair was neatly combed, his facial stubble shaved, face washed with soap. He looked sharp and refreshed.

He wore a crisp military uniform, ironed carefully with a kettle.

Seeing Lin Qiao, he noticed her hair wasn’t done yet—she’d been busy handling things all morning.

Seeing him, Lin Qiao immediately rushed inside to fix her hair.

Following the style of the time, she braided two thick, dark pigtails. Her eyebrows were shaped with a razor. Because she hadn’t slept well the night before, the skin under her eyes was slightly dark.

Gu Huayuan asked, “Didn’t sleep well last night?”

“Mm, couldn’t sleep.”

He calmed his nervous heart and smiled, “Actually, I couldn’t sleep well either. Lin Qiao, don’t worry, things will only get better.”

He had confidence in this.

He had already planned that after marriage, once they had a child and the land reclamation work was mostly done, he would request a transfer to a place with a better climate, giving Lin Qiao and the child some breathing room.

By the time the child grew older, his rank would have risen, and accompanying him in the military would be more comfortable.

He wasn’t someone who thought only of the country without considering his family. While defending the nation, he also wanted to create a better life for his family.

Ever since Lin Qiao came here, he had been thinking every day about their future. So now, aside from a little nervousness, he felt no confusion at all.

Sitting in the back seat, Lin Qiao tugged at Gu Huayuan’s uniform, “Gu Huayuan, there’s still some grain left in the jar—you have to remember that.”

“And the cured meat Su Weizhen sent last time—we’ve only cut it once, it’s still hanging by the stove.”

“Goge is still at the poultry farm serving, but she’s our hen. When you bring her back, she’ll lay an egg every day for you to keep healthy.”

Gu Huayuan sighed, “Comrade Lin Qiao, we’re going to get our marriage certificate, not off to war.”

“Fine, I won’t nag you anymore.” Lin Qiao frowned.

He asked, “Really that nervous? Or… should we postpone?”

Lin Qiao hesitated, “…No, it’s fine. We have to go through this day anyway.” She had finally mentally prepared herself; delaying it again might bring another round of parting anxiety.

In the county, they first went to the hospital for a medical checkup.

It was Lin Qiao’s first time getting a marriage certificate. Normally, she would have been very nervous, but the feeling of impending separation replaced that, so she remained surprisingly calm.

After receiving the medical report, they went straight to the marriage registration office.

All the documents were prepared in advance—they submitted them and filled out the forms.

Finally, at the signing, Lin Qiao hesitated, looked at Gu Huayuan, and said, “Gu Huayuan, remember everything I told you earlier, alright?”

Gu Huayuan replied, “…Alright! Got it.” She still hadn’t signed—if the clerk saw this, they might think the marriage wasn’t voluntary.

Gritting her teeth, Lin Qiao finally signed her name and closed her eyes.

There was a brief, inexplicable pause. When she opened her eyes again, nothing had changed—the same clerk, the same Gu Huayuan with an exasperated expression.

The clerk was still scrutinizing Lin Qiao, hesitating whether to complete the certificate.

Lin Qiao noticed and urged, “Comrade, hurry up! We’re waiting for the certificate.”

“…Right.” The clerk quickly finished the paperwork, feeling embarrassed—they realized they had misunderstood. This wasn’t reluctance, it was just wedding excitement.

At the moment the certificate was stamped, Lin Qiao closed her eyes again. Then the clerk nudged her, “Comrade, the certificate is ready.”

Lin Qiao blinked.

What’s going on? Why am I still here?

Beside her, Gu Huayuan beamed as he took the certificate and handed out candies from the bag.

Everyone who received the candy quickly congratulated them.

Among the chorus of congratulations, Lin Qiao walked out of the registration office with Gu Huayuan.

She could hardly believe it. “Gu Huayuan… we’re really married now?”

Gu Huayuan examined their certificate. “Of course. The certificate is official. If you don’t believe it, look for yourself.”

Lin Qiao took it and checked—yes, it was a real marriage certificate, fully stamped.

She mentally shouted at Fat Cat, “What’s happening? I’m married now, officially Gu Huayuan’s revolutionary partner… so why can’t I go back?”

Fat Cat yawned, “It doesn’t say anywhere that getting the certificate lets you go back.”

Lin Qiao groaned, “…We can’t go back even after getting the certificate?! Surely we don’t have to hold a big wedding too, right?”

Fat Cat said, “Don’t humans usually have a wedding ceremony when they get married?”

Lin Qiao felt as if she’d been struck by lightning. “So… so all these days I’ve been suffering for nothing? Once you get the certificate, you can’t just leave? You actually have to wait for the wedding?”

Fat Cat said, “Of course, the wedding has to happen.”

“You didn’t tell me earlier!” Lin Qiao was furious, feeling like she’d been tricked.

Fat Cat said, “It was planned by that dog; I didn’t know either. I only found out it wouldn’t work after you got the certificate.”

“That planner is really a dog!” Lin Qiao cursed in her heart. “People in your world care too much about appearances. Our generation doesn’t care about that anymore. Isn’t a travel wedding better?”

Fat Cat said, “Maybe you could try a travel wedding.”

“…”

Lin Qiao felt a surge of frustration.

Ahhh, you should have said this earlier! Now I have to hold a wedding and can’t leave right away. Why was I suffering so much before? Why was I so nervous?

And why was I so reluctant?

All those feelings… wasted.

The most crucial thing is… my money! There’s not a single penny left in my pocket. The last few coins were spent this morning.

How am I supposed to survive for the next few days? Gu Huayuan said they’d be in the capital for at least ten to fifteen days. It would be so inconvenient if I have no money then.

Lin Qiao’s heart was crying, and her body honestly reflected it—her eyes red as she looked at the marriage certificate, looking excited to the point of being unable to contain herself.

So this damn game wants her to feel penniless in advance too?

Is it hinting that she’ll have to continue being broke when she returns to the real world?

Gu Huayuan asked, “…Lin Qiao, what’s wrong?”

Lin Qiao looked up with her reddened eyes and said, “Gu Huayuan…” then just started sobbing, too sad to speak.

Having gotten the certificate, Lin Qiao cried from excitement and even hiccupped.

Gu Huayuan didn’t know how to comfort her; after all, he had no experience. Were all other women like this when they got married?

To avoid being seen by others, he led Lin Qiao aside. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I’m just too excited.” Lin Qiao wiped her eyes. “This feeling… it’s impossible to calm down. I need to… hic… lie down on my kang for a bit.”

Gu Huayuan took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears, his voice unusually gentle. “Don’t cry. Getting the certificate is a happy thing. From now on, we have a home.”

Lin Qiao asked, “…Will we have a wedding?”

“Of course. I’ve already asked someone to prepare it. Once we return to the capital, we’ll have it.”

Lin Qiao’s nose tingled. Even though they were about to leave, she felt like they’d waste a wedding. Weddings cost a lot, and Gu Huayuan’s salary wasn’t high. She didn’t want to waste his money.

Excited, she hugged Gu Huayuan tightly. “Gu Huayuan…”

Sorry, sorry, sorry…

I shouldn’t have spent money recklessly. Otherwise, I could have saved a bit more for you. Now… nothing’s left. Not a single penny.

It was their first hug, still out in the open. Gu Huayuan felt a little shy and somewhat uncomfortable, but mostly happy.

It seems women really do look forward to weddings.

His efforts weren’t wasted.

He pretended to be stern and pulled Lin Qiao away. “It doesn’t look good in public.”

Lin Qiao said, “You don’t understand, you don’t understand my feelings right now.”

Gu Huayuan smiled and hummed. In his heart he thought, I understand, I really do. The wedding will be perfect. Whatever others have, you’ll have too.