57: Notes from a Paranoid Educated Youth 26

Zhou Linchuan was eager to marry Wen Ci and bring her home; he couldn't wait any longer.

So, preparations for the wedding began quickly.

Not long after.

Sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, casting dappled shadows on the brand-new mahogany dressing table.

Wen Ci's slender fingers gently caressed the smooth surface of the dressing table, her fingertips feeling the delicate grain of the wood.

This room was the bridal chamber Zhou Linchuan had personally prepared for her; every detail revealed his thoughtfulness. The walls were freshly painted a light pink, the curtains were made of the most fashionable Dacron fabric of the time, and even the flowerpots on the windowsill were Jingdezhen porcelain specially brought back from Shanghai.

Outside the window, the crabapple blossoms in the courtyard garden were in full bloom, their pink and white petals dancing in the wind. A few mischievous ones landed on the windowsill, like elves specially come to offer congratulations.

On the dressing table were several rare items: a brand-new Hong Dengpai radio, its casing polished to a shine. A bottle of Shanghai-produced vanishing cream, its faint fragrance subtly present. And a box of her favorite White Rabbit creamy candies, their wrappers sparkling in the sunlight.

In the 1970s, these items were luxuries ordinary people wouldn't even dare to dream of.

Zhou Linchuan stood outside the door, his chest slightly rising and falling beneath his formal attire. He had barely slept during this time, all to prepare the wedding as quickly as possible.

Whenever he thought of Wen Ci soon belonging entirely to him, his blood would boil wildly. He couldn't wait to give them a legitimate status, to let everyone know that this beautiful girl was his wife, yet he also felt a reluctance to let others even glance at her.

"Ci Ci, are you ready?" he deliberately softened his voice, afraid of startling the little bride inside.

Wen Ci took a deep breath, her rose-colored lips trembling slightly. She took one last look at herself in the mirror, her dark hair styled into a dignified bun, revealing her long neck.

The brand-new red qipao fit her perfectly, making her skin appear as white as snow. As she stood up, the fabric rubbed together, making a faint sound, as if it too was rejoicing in this moment.

The moment the door opened, Zhou Linchuan's breath hitched. Sunlight streamed from behind her, giving her a golden outline, like a fairy stepping out of a painting.

Today, Zhou Linchuan wore a crisp military-green Zhongshan suit, his broad shoulders and narrow waist making the uniform look exceptionally sharp. His eyes, usually as keen as an eagle's, were now filled with an unmelting tenderness.

"Today is the day we get our marriage certificate," his voice was slightly hoarse, his Adam's apple unconsciously bobbing. The bouquet in his hand was carefully tied with a red ribbon, a few delicate roses interspersed with pure white jasmine. "Ci Ci, is it beautiful?"

Wen Ci took the bouquet. She lowered her head to sniff the flowers, her long lashes casting delicate shadows on her face. "Yes, it's very beautiful."

Zhou Linchuan chuckled softly, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. When his fingertip brushed against her sensitive earlobe, Wen Ci couldn't help but tremble slightly.

The man's Adam's apple bobbed. He leaned in, his hot breath caressing her ear, "Tonight... I will make Ci Ci more radiant than the flowers."

Wen Ci's ears instantly burned. She glared at him, embarrassed, but was suddenly pulled into a firm embrace.

Zhou Linchuan lowered his head and kissed her soft lips. The kiss was gentle and restrained at first, but deepened gradually as he felt her response. His large hand cupped the back of her head, while his other hand tightly circled her waist, as if he wanted to meld her into his bones and blood.

*

In the corridor of the Civil Affairs Bureau, the concrete floor was polished to a shine.

The staff member took their documents, both surprised and impressed, then excitedly offered congratulations, "Minister Zhou, Wen Miss, congratulations! Wishing you both a happy marriage and many children!"

The process went surprisingly smoothly. When the steel stamp clicked onto the marriage certificate, Zhou Linchuan's eyes reddened slightly. He took the two thin pieces of paper, yet felt they weighed a thousand jin, carefully placing them into his inner pocket, close to his heart.

"We finally got our certificate," Wen Ci's voice was full of sweet laughter as they walked out of the Civil Affairs Bureau.

Zhou Linchuan's heart stirred, almost bringing tears to his eyes. He stopped, turning to face her. The midday sun illuminated her face, making even the tiny downy hairs clearly visible. He reached out to gently caress her cheek, his voice trembling slightly,

"From today on, you are my wife." His expression was solemn and firm. "I will be good to you for a lifetime, ensuring you never suffer any grievance again."

Wen Ci sweetly rubbed his hand, "Okay, Xiaochuanchuan ~"

The wedding was held in the courtyard's auditorium. Though simple, it was grand. All the leaders attended. There were over a dozen round tables in the auditorium, covered with white tablecloths, each with a vase of fresh flowers.

Wen Ci wore a custom-made red qipao, embroidered with subtle peony patterns, shimmering as she moved.

Her dark hair was styled into an exquisite bun, a golden hairpin gleaming under the lights. She stood beside Zhou Linchuan, like a blooming peony, dazzlingly beautiful.

"Minister Zhou, how did you manage to win such a capable and beautiful wife?" a colleague teased with a smile, his eyes constantly darting towards Wen Ci.

Zhou Linchuan's lips curved slightly, his gaze never leaving Wen Ci. "I snatched her."

Wen Ci laughed, and everyone was stunned, "She's truly beautiful..."

Zhou Linchuan turned his head to look at her. Seeing Wen Ci's blushing cheeks, a strong sense of possessiveness surged within Zhou Linchuan. He couldn't wait to hide her away, to keep her only for himself.

But at the same time, he wanted the whole world to know that this beautiful girl was his wife. This conflicting emotion made him both excited and tormented.

So, he suddenly leaned in and whispered in her ear, his warm breath making her tremble slightly, "Ci Ci, you are so beautiful. I want to consummate our marriage right now. I want to fiercely c..."

Wen Ci's body instantly quivered. She realized that this guy, who used to be so restrained and unmoved no matter how much she teased him, had completely changed after getting a taste of intimacy. Now, all he thought about was getting into bed, constantly uttering these suggestive words to entice and provoke her...

She glared at him, embarrassed, but his deep gaze made her heart race. Zhou Linchuan took the opportunity to steal a kiss on her lips, drawing a chorus of good-natured cheers.

*

Lin Hongying was exhausted when she returned to the city. She dragged her worn-out Liberation shoes, the blisters on her feet aching with every step. Outside the train station, a red banner read, "Welcome Educated Youth Returning Home."

"Comrade, your certificate." The ticket inspector frowned, examining her crumpled letter of introduction, which bore a blurred red stamp from a remote farm.

Lin Hongying clutched the yellowed paper tightly, her fingernails almost piercing the surface.

This was her chance, bought with three months' rations, to return to the city, to return to Zhou Linchuan's side. Thinking of the man who had been so devoted to her in her previous life, her chapped lips curved slightly upwards.

She finally understood. In this life, she must capture his heart.

She remembered how Zhou Linchuan had saved ration coupons to buy her vanishing cream in her previous life. Those sacrifices she had once taken for granted, she only realized their preciousness after losing them. In this life, she swore to be a virtuous wife, to make him the happiest man in the world.

To make him fall in love with her.

"Did you hear? Minister Zhou got married!" Two women with vegetable baskets at the alley entrance whispered to each other, their voices still jarringly loud. "He married that eldest daughter of the Wen family. I heard the betrothal gifts alone filled three trucks..."

Lin Hongying's mind buzzed. Her vegetable basket clattered to the ground, wilting greens scattering everywhere. She grabbed one of the women's arms, her fingernails digging deep into the woman's flesh. "Who did you say got married?"

"Ouch! You crazy woman!" The woman shook off her hand. "Zhou Linchuan Minister, today! The wedding banquet just happened..."

The world spun before her eyes. Lin Hongying stumbled back a few steps, her back hitting the mottled brick wall with a thud.

Impossible! Wen Ci? That delicate capitalist young lady? What right does she have?!