Chapter 88

Ye Qingshui tugged on Xie Tingyu’s arm to get him to move, but when he wouldn’t budge, she looked at him in confusion.

Xie Tingyu gave a soft cough and suggested, “No rush. Let’s go home and change first.”

They were getting married and had to take photos. On such an important day, he couldn’t accept going to get the marriage certificate looking so casual.

Ye Qingshui looked at him. He was wearing a green military coat — thickly padded but fitting broad and straight on his tall figure, making him look sharp and full of spirit. With his good looks, he had an unmistakable masculine charm.

Why did he need to change at all?

She had finished her last exam that morning. Since there was still time, she decided to indulge this man’s little obsession with perfection.

After much delay, Xie Tingyu finally changed into a neatly pressed Zhongshan suit. He combed his hair into a slicked-back style, checked himself in the mirror, and, finding his reflection acceptable, smoothed the hair by his temples before going out.

Mother Ye was smiling as she carried half a bucket of millet to feed the chickens, when she suddenly ran into her son-in-law — and was so startled she nearly dropped the bucket.

“Little Xie, why are you so dressed up today? Where are you two going?”

She was nearly blinded by how handsome her son-in-law looked. She had always known he was good-looking, but since he usually didn’t bother with his appearance, this sudden effort made him almost unrecognizable.

The saying “clothes make the man, saddle makes the horse” really was true.

Usually, Xie Tingyu was just that good-looking educated youth in the countryside, but after tidying himself up like this, he looked like a movie star — his looks suddenly elevated several notches.

Xie Tingyu looked positively radiant. With a gentle smile, he said, “Going to get our marriage certificate with Shuiya.”

Ye Qingshui had also combed her hair, changed into clean clothes, and tucked a few freshly steamed meat buns into her bag before leaving.

When she saw Xie Tingyu, she froze.

She was literally stunned.

Xie Tingyu reached out a warm hand. “Why are you just standing there? Let’s go.”

Ye Qingshui packed the hot buns into her schoolbag and sat on the back seat of his bicycle. Shyly, she said, “Brother Yu, you look so handsome.”

She looked down at her own plain outfit — simple and dull — and felt like a servant standing next to him.

Xie Tingyu couldn’t help but smile, his heart bubbling with happiness.

“It’s the clothes you made that look good,” he said.

The outfit he was wearing was the very one his wife had stayed up late making during the Spring Festival. The not-too-thick fabric fit snugly against him, wrapping him in warmth.

“Are you cold?” Ye Qingshui asked, leaning against his broad back.

The outfit was meant for spring; it was too thin for winter. But Xie Tingyu’s heart was so full of warmth that even the cold wind felt pleasant.

“Not cold — I’m warm!”

He was strong and sturdy; even wearing short sleeves in a snowball fight wouldn’t faze him.

After half a day’s ride, they reached the Revolutionary Committee of Hongqi County to register their marriage.

There were several other couples getting married that day, but none as striking as Xie Tingyu and Ye Qingshui. The groom’s starry eyes and sharp brows, usually cold as mountain snow, were now softened with joy — the ice melted into spring warmth, leaving people staring in awe.

“He’s even more handsome than a movie actor!” some unmarried girls thought secretly, staring until their heads spun.

He was riding a Phoenix bicycle, wore a watch worth hundreds of yuan, and was dressed in a perfectly fitted Zhongshan suit. These details alone made every other groom there pale in comparison.

The women waiting to register their marriages withdrew their envious gazes.

They watched as the “male lead” stopped his bicycle, wrapped an arm around his wife, and bent down to whisper something that made her cheeks flush pink.

Where could you find such a perfect man?

Even the old lady in charge of registering marriages couldn’t help but glance a few more times. Her heart thumped happily, and just looking at the couple brightened her day.

But Ye Qingshui, hearing Xie Tingyu’s teasing words, wanted nothing more than to throw him outside into the cold wind.

He said, “Why are you staring at me like that? I’ll let you look all you want when we get home. For now — watch where you’re going…”

He caught his wife just as she nearly bumped into the door and shook his head helplessly.

The line was long, so Ye Qingshui took out the still-warm meat buns from her bag and asked, “Are you hungry?”

Xie Tingyu was so happy he didn’t even feel hungry, but he loved being fed by his wife. With a smile, he spread his hands. “My hands aren’t clean.”

So Ye Qingshui tore the bun apart and fed it to him piece by piece.

The other couples in line had their faces pulled long. As if being force-fed dog food wasn’t enough, now their appetites were being tortured too.

The smell of those pork buns filled the whole room when the wind blew.

The couples who hadn’t eaten before coming could barely stand it — the aroma was making their stomachs rumble.

After finishing three buns, Xie Tingyu wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, helped his wife wipe hers, and then it was finally their turn.

The marriage certificate looked like a commendation certificate. Reading it aloud, he said:

“Xie Tingyu, 21 years old. Ye Qingshui, 18 years old. Both parties marry voluntarily. Upon examination, they meet the requirements of the Marriage Law of Huaguo. This certificate is hereby issued.”

He pulled out a handful of wedding candies from his pocket and handed one to everyone he saw. With his face full of pride, he led his wife out of the Revolutionary Committee office.

Though they had been married for over a year, it wasn’t until today — holding that marriage certificate — that Xie Tingyu felt truly settled.

The other couples sighed in relief once the dazzling pair finally left.

After leaving the office, Xie Tingyu pulled his wife toward a photo studio.

“But we already took pictures during the New Year,” said Ye Qingshui.

“That’s different,” he said confidently. “Those were keepsake photos. Today’s are our official wedding pictures.”

“How is that different?” she asked, puzzled.

He replied seriously, “Today is the day our marriage is officially recognized by law. I already regretted not having photos from our wedding ceremony. If we don’t take them today, I’ll feel guilty. Besides, you look beautiful today, and I specially changed into this outfit for our pictures.”

Ye Qingshui’s head was spinning from his sweet talk, and before she knew it, he had coaxed her into the county’s only photo studio.

——

After the college entrance exams, Shen Weimin went looking for Xie Tingyu everywhere. When he finally reached the Ye household, he learned the young couple had gone to the county to get their marriage certificate.

He had actually invited Xie Tingyu to a meal at the state-run restaurant before the exams, telling him to bring his wife along.

Who knew Xie Tingyu would abandon friendship for love, stand him up, and not even send word!

Only after finishing the photo session did Xie Tingyu finally remember. “Weimin invited us to eat at the state-run restaurant today,” he said casually.

He paused, adding, “To celebrate the end of the exams. I didn’t know we’d be registering today… so I agreed.”

At that, Ye Qingshui blushed deeply.

So that was the meal… In her previous life, after the exams, Shen Weimin had hosted a dinner at the state-run restaurant — but Xie Tingyu had gotten completely drunk and unrecognizable afterward.

That time, Ye Qingshui hadn’t gone.

“Hurry then,” she urged. “Aren’t you going?”

Xie Tingyu was still talking with his wife when he noticed her blushing and got confused — it was just a meal, why the red face?

Was she angry?

Realizing what she might be thinking, he said quickly, “Today’s our registration day. What’s the point of joining them? Let’s celebrate on our own.”

“Not sure if the market’s still open — I’ll go to the supply cooperative and buy a few jin of pork.”

Ye Qingshui pinched him. “That won’t do. You gave your word — you can’t go back on it.”

So Xie Tingyu changed direction, parked his bicycle at a villager’s house, and they took the bus into the city together.

Shen Weimin had reserved a private room at the state-run restaurant and invited about a dozen fellow educated youths to celebrate.

That restaurant, an old establishment dating back to before the 1960s, had once been a famous spot in Qing City. After being nationalized, it became a symbol of prestige — and its dishes, though expensive, were still skillfully made.

When Ye Qingshui and Xie Tingyu entered the room, a wave of rich aromas hit them.

On the table were tender duck-lip fish, crispy golden roast pigeons, jade-white pork belly with preserved vegetables, and savory stuffed tofu… the sight dazzled Ye Qingshui’s eyes.

Fish, duck, pigeon, pork — such a feast must have cost Shen Weimin a fortune.

He was just pouring wine for everyone when he turned around and saw the couple who had stood him up.

Quickly, he poured a bowl for Xie Tingyu.

Although everyone had come out of the exam room looking glum, Shen Weimin remained cheerful, smiling broadly as he said, “Brother Yu, that study guide you recommended worked wonders! I knew how to answer almost everything on the test!”

Though his test papers were pretty bare, at least he managed to write something — and after comparing answers with others, he realized some people’s papers were completely blank, which made him feel much better.

Xie Tingyu modestly said, “Actually, that set of books was recommended by Shuiya.”

The others nodded in agreement. “It really is a great book. Saved us so much time reviewing. When we couldn’t buy copies, it was Comrade Ye who helped us get them. We were even planning to ask friends in the capital to mail some over.”

“Comrade Ye deserves a drink too — thanks to her, we might all get a few extra points! Even if we don’t pass this year, we can use it to prepare better next time.”

So Ye Qingshui was given half a bowl of liquor.

She took a small sip — her throat burned, and her face turned red immediately.

Xie Tingyu finished her drink for her. “Shuiya can’t handle white liquor — drink with me instead.”

Zhou Tingting smiled and said, “I heard you two went to register your marriage.”

Xie Tingyu nodded. “She wasn’t eighteen before, so we couldn’t. After the exams, we had time, so we went and did it.”

Zhou Tingting nodded approvingly. “That’s smart. I heard the policy changed — college students can’t marry while studying. If you both get accepted, it’ll be hard to get the certificate then.”

Everyone fell silent.

Because, realistically speaking — both of them getting into university? That was impossible.

They had all just taken the same brutal exam. Beforehand, maybe they could still dream a little; after the test, all hope was gone — it had been far too difficult.

Being able to write something was already impressive, let alone writing the right answers .

And besides, Comrade Ye hadn’t even attended middle school. During exam prep, Comrade Xie was busy day and night with the biogas pit, working himself like a dog — where would he find time to study?

Someone asked suddenly, “Do you think anyone in our village will get into college this year?”

Silence.

Sun Lingyu tried to comfort everyone: “Come on now, what’s done is done. If not this year, there’s always next year…”

Thinking the exam was easy, Ye Qingshui stuffed her mouth with fish — tender and fresh, with a thick savory sauce. The pigeon was crisp, the tofu soft and fragrant — everything was delicious.

The state-run restaurant was really something. Others might be lucky just to get some meat, but this table had all kinds. Since her rebirth, Ye Qingshui hadn’t eaten duck — let alone duck-lip fish.

Xie Tingyu only smiled as he picked food for her, not joining the conversation at all.

What were they saying? He didn’t hear a thing. His eyes were full only of his wife, who was eating with sparkling eyes and puffed cheeks like a squirrel.

Shen Weimin hadn’t even filled his stomach yet, but he’d already had his fill of “dog food.” He grabbed the wine and poured another bowl.

“Brother Yu, let’s drink! Just eating’s boring!”

Ye Qingshui tugged on his sleeve and whispered, “Don’t drink too much. How will we get home if you’re drunk?”

Xie Tingyu chuckled softly and said, “Don’t worry, Shuiya. I’ll drink less.”

But Shen Weimin slurred, “Sister-in-law, you don’t know — Brother Yu’s never been drunk in his life…”

Ye Qingshui almost dropped her chopsticks.

She looked up seriously. “Brother Yu holds his liquor well?”

Shen Weimin nodded vigorously. Fearing she wouldn’t believe him, he added quietly, “His mother’s family ran a distillery — very famous in their region. He’s been sipping wine since he was a kid. He won’t get drunk. Honestly, I’d rather not waste good liquor on him — don’t worry, sister-in-law.”

Support Sansukini on Ko-fi

Thanks for visiting. If you like this story, then I’m shamelessly asking you to visit NovelUpdates and give a 5⭐ review. (人❛ᴗ❛)♪тнайк　чоц♪(❛ᴗ❛*人)

You can also check out my other translations Here