Chapter 44: Registering Marriage

Zhao Fang’s words had been too obvious. Although she hadn’t said a name, everyone present understood who she was mocking.

Su Yue naturally realized Zhao Fang was talking about her. Instead of getting angry, she sat there smiling and mirrored Zhao Fang’s tone of criticism. “Some people like to call themselves women of the new era and claim they’re no worse than men. So why do they always choose the easiest jobs? Why don’t they pick fertilizers or carry river mud like the men?”

Zhao Fang glared at her. “Women aren’t as strong as men, so of course they do easier jobs. But at least I work. Not like some people who are too lazy to do anything.”

Su Yue continued smiling, unbothered by the jab. “Why should I do it if someone’s willing to help me? Unlike some people who have no one to help, so they can only work alone and stew in jealousy.”

Her words struck right at Zhao Fang’s sore spot. Among the educated youths, most had admirers who helped them with tasks now and then. But Zhao Fang had none. She was short, plump, and plain, and since arriving in the village, not a single person had pursued her. The humiliation burned so badly that her lungs felt like they might burst.

Li Xiaoqing and the others burst out laughing and chimed in, “Good personality girls have partners, but ugly personality ones can only be jealous.”

The comment sent ripples of laughter through the group. Even the big men nearby glanced at Zhao Fang’s face and chuckled meaningfully.

Furious and humiliated, Zhao Fang threw down her tools and ran off in tears.

Wu Xiaoxiao sighed. “Why do you think Zhao Fang always stirs up trouble? Every time she fails, she still doesn’t learn her lesson. Doesn’t she find it tiresome?”

Mao Lin shook his head. “That just shows she’s the type who only grows bolder the more setbacks she faces.”

Su Yue laughed lightly.

Li Xiaoqing added, “She resents us for not inviting her to eat with us, so she keeps picking fights even though she doesn’t like us.”

Wei Jia rolled her eyes in disdain. “She contributes so little grain. Only a fool would let her eat well. And besides, she’s always trying to take advantage. I’ve seen her and Xiaoru sneaking oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar from our supplies. They never buy it themselves. It annoys me to death.”

Su Yue said calmly, “Forget it. From now on, we’ll just lock up our things and ignore her.”

She didn’t think much more about the matter. But two days later, news spread that someone had reported Su Yue to the party secretary, accusing her of shirking labor, letting others work for her, and displaying capitalist behavior.

In these times, any hint of “capitalist behavior” could get someone hauled away for investigation. Though the party secretary himself didn’t believe it was serious but he couldn’t simply ignore the accusation. So, he summoned Su Yue to the brigade headquarters for questioning.

To show the matter was being taken seriously, all the brigade cadres were present, giving the meeting an air of gravity.

The party secretary opened bluntly, “Comrade Su Yue, someone has accused you of evading labor and having others do your work. Such behavior is said to reflect capitalist tendencies. We are here to clarify this matter. Please explain truthfully.”

Su Yue remained calm. She could already guess who had reported her it was most likely Zhao Fang. Since Zhao Fang hadn’t managed to get the upper hand in words, she had resorted to stirring trouble behind the scenes.

Without batting an eye, Su Yue replied, “Secretary, I don’t know who deliberately slandered me, but I have never shirked work, nor have I asked anyone to work on my behalf. It’s just that my health isn’t very good, and I can’t handle heavier tasks. My partner worries that I’ll fall behind and slow the collective down, so he helps me sometimes. Secretary, he did this not to take advantage but to ensure the team’s work isn’t delayed. First, we haven’t exploited the commune. Second, we haven’t been lazy. Third, there’s no money involved. So, this shouldn’t count as capitalist behavior, right? Many couples in our brigade help each other in the fields.”

The party secretary usually didn’t meddle much in the members’ work, so he hadn’t known the details. After hearing her explanation, he turned to Han Qingsong, who had been silent until now. “Han Qingsong, is what Comrade Su Yue said true?”

Han Qingsong looked at Su Yue for a long moment, his gaze complicated, then finally nodded. “What Comrade Su Yue said is true.”

The secretary nodded and asked Su Yue, “Comrade Su Yue, who exactly is your partner?”

Su Yue opened her mouth to answer, but before she could speak, a man strode in and spoke up: “Secretary, her partner is me.”

Everyone turned. The party secretary’s eyes widened when he saw who it was. His gaze flicked between Su Yue and the newcomer. “Han Aiguo, are you and Comrade Su Yue truly in relationship?”

Han Aiguo stepped forward. His tall figure immediately shielded Su Yue, as though to protect her petite frame. “Secretary, Su Yue is my partner.”

The secretary blinked in surprise, then broke into a smile, tapping his cigarette pole against his palm. “Good, good. You’re a lucky man.”

Han Aiguo smiled faintly and took out a folded document from his jacket. “Secretary, Su Yue and I are not only courting but we’re also preparing to register our marriage soon. Comrade Su Yue will officially become my wife.”

It was a marriage introduction letter, issued by Han Aiguo’s army. The party secretary took it, examined it carefully, and then chuckled. “Excellent, excellent. That’s a happy occasion. We’ll be waiting for the wedding feast.”

Han Aiguo nodded. “When the banquet is held, I’ll personally invite you, Secretary.” Then, steering the conversation back, he added, “But regarding today’s matter, since Su Yue is in poor health, as her fiance, I help her with some work. This doesn’t count as capitalist behaviour, does it?”

The secretary quickly waved his hand. “Of course not. If a husband can’t even help his wife, then what separates husband and wife from strangers? As long as your work gets done, there’s no problem. Today was only to clarify the situation. It’s all settled now, you may go.”

If it had been someone else, the secretary might have taken a stricter stance. But Han Aiguo was different. The secretary had always admired him as a young man of talent and determination, who had volunteered from the countryside, made a name for himself in the army, and had a bright future. Although his leg injury had been unfortunate, now he seemed recovered and had even found such an outstanding partner. It was best to maintain a good relationship with such a junior, who knew when his help might be needed.

With just a few words from Han Aiguo and the presentation of the marriage letter, the entire accusation was dissolved.

Su Yue, however, was left a little bewildered. Was this all part of Han Aiguo’s plan? When exactly had he gotten that marriage letter? Why did it feel as though he had deliberately produced it at this very moment?

Han Aiguo, expression steady, refolded the letter and tucked it neatly into his jacket. Then he said firmly, “Let’s go to the registration office tomorrow. From then on, we’ll be an official couple, and no one will dare gossip again.”

Su Yue pinched his side hard, making him stiffen. “When did you get that letter of introduction?”

Enduring the pain, Han Aiguo answered, “The army just issued it.” He had secretly gone through all the procedures without telling her. Only with this document could they register. Even while she pinched him, he repeated earnestly, “Yue’er, let’s register tomorrow.”

This man, was he trying to abduct a wife? He was already set to marry her on the 15th, yet he was in such a rush, as though she might disappear tomorrow.

Su Yue twisted him harder and snapped, “Are you that anxious? We’re getting married next month anyway. Why do you always act like I’m going to run away?”

But Han Aiguo couldn’t help himself. He desperately wanted to make her his wife. Enduring her pinch, he said in a low voice, “Then… when do you want to register?”

Su Yue huffed. “Not tomorrow. I don’t have time. Let’s wait until I do. I have to work every day.”

Disappointment flickered across his face. He had no idea when she would finally be free.

But luck seemed to favor him for once. Two days later, it rained, not heavily enough to damage houses like before, but enough to flood the fields, halting farm work. No one had to go out to labor.

The next morning, when Su Yue stepped outside, she found Han Aiguo already waiting at the gate. She looked up at the drizzling sky, wondering if she had somehow brought him good fortune. Why was it raining just when he needed it?

Han Aiguo’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. “Now you’re free. Let’s go register.”

Su Yue: … What else could she say? She had promised she would register when she had time. Now that she was truly free, there was no way to back out.

So, in the end, Su Yue took her ID card and household register, slipped on her raincoat, and climbed onto her bicycle. Together, she and Han Aiguo rode to the town’s marriage registration office.

—-

The Marriage Registration Office was just a few brick buildings with red doors and the words “Marriage Registration Office” painted in red across the white walls.

As soon as Su Yue and Han Aiguo arrived, they saw a young couple coming out with a slip of paper in their hands. Su Yue guessed that this was the era’s version of a marriage certificate.

There were quite a few people registering even on a rainy day. Clearly, just like them, others had seized the chance to come since the weather had stopped farm work.

They waited in line outside the door for more than twenty minutes before it was finally their turn. Behind the desk sat a woman in a red blouse with curled hair. She glanced up at them, her eyes lingering on Su Yue’s face for a moment. A flash of wonder crossed her expression, she had worked here for so long, yet Su Yue was easily the most beautiful girl she had ever seen.

Her gaze shifted to Han Aiguo, tall and handsome, calm and steady. Together, the two made an undeniably striking pair.

“ID card, household register, and letter of introduction,” the woman instructed as she pulled two forms from the side. “Fill out the forms as well.”

Han Aiguo handed over his documents first, followed by Su Yue. Then he bent his head to fill out the form. Su Yue picked up her pen too, and as she wrote, she couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

So… is this really me getting married? Once I fill this out, I’ll no longer be an unmarried girl but a married woman. Just like that, my identity changes completely after stepping through this door.

Once both forms were completed, the clerk carefully reviewed them, confirmed there were no problems, then stamped a bright red seal on the papers. She handed them a slip that looked like a certificate and said with a smile, “Congratulations to you both.”

Han Aiguo accepted it as if it were the most precious treasure in the world. His eyes shone with joy as he smiled for the first time so brightly. “Thank you.”

Su Yue blinked at the so-called certificate. So… this is a marriage certificate? Am I already a married woman now?

As if sensing her disbelief, Han Aiguo took her hand, gripping it firmly as he said with a smile in his eyes, “Yue’er, you’re my wife now, a real wife.”

“Oh,” Su Yue replied softly, still unable to truly accept the reality.

She, Su Yue, was a married woman.

Just like on the way there, she insisted on pedaling the bicycle on the way back, with Han Aiguo seated behind her. Many people on the road looked at them in surprise. Normally, it was men who rode with women sitting behind them. Rarely did anyone see a delicate, slender woman carrying a tall and sturdy man instead.

The sight was… rather odd.

As she pedaled, Su Yue hummed and then laughed. “Comrade Han Aiguo, I bet everyone is thinking the same thing right now: ‘This man is really something. How can he bear to enslave such a delicate little wife like that?’”

Han Aiguo, in truth, felt uncomfortable. He had wanted to pedal with her riding behind, but she had been afraid his legs might not be strong enough yet and refused to let him. He had then suggested walking behind the bike while she rode, but she wouldn’t allow that either. She had insisted on carrying him. And so, despite just getting married, he was already experiencing the rather humiliating feeling of being unable to protect his wife.

The two of them returned to the village right at noon. Villagers who saw Su Yue pedaling with Han Aiguo seated behind her were stunned. What drew even more attention was the fact that Han Aiguo had his hands resting lightly on Su Yue’s waist. A group of women immediately laughed and teased, “Han Aiguo, where did you come back from with your partner?”

Normally, Han Aiguo would have ignored such comments. But today, strangely enough, he replied, “I went with my wife to the registration office.”

The women gasped, and then broke into chatter.

“You went to register? Oh, are we going to have a wedding banquet soon?”

“From now on, Su Yue is the eldest daughter-in-law of the Han family!”

“Han Aiguo, you’re so lucky. The daughter-in-law you’ve married is the most beautiful woman in the entire village.”

Han Aiguo listened with a rare smile on his face, none of his usual cold indifference in sight.

Su Yue, meanwhile, suppressed a laugh in her heart.

When they passed by the educated youth compound, Han Aiguo said, “Mother is probably waiting for us at home. Let’s go back for lunch first.”

Su Yue agreed, and they headed to the Han house.

Before they even reached the gate, they saw two figures waiting. Old Lady Han and Han Aimin were standing outside, craning their necks to look down the road.

The moment they spotted Su Yue and Han Aiguo, Han Aimin came running. “Brother! Sister Su Yue! You’re finally back. We’ve all been waiting so long!”

Old Lady Han quickly followed, giving her son a light tap on the head. “Still calling her Sister Su Yue? You should call her sister-in-law now.”

Han Aimin grinned wide. “Right! From now on, Sister Su Yue is my sister-in-law.”

Su Yue climbed off the bicycle and passed it to Han Aiguo, but before she could say anything, Old Lady Han had already grabbed her hand. “Alright, tell me, did you register? Where’s the marriage certificate?”

Han Aiguo parked the bicycle, went inside, and carefully pulled the marriage certificate from his jacket pocket, handing it over to his mother.

The old lady examined it for a long while, then narrowed her eyes in a smile. “Good, good. From now on, Yueyue is the eldest daughter-in-law of our Han family.”

Su Yue pursed her lips in a small smile.

The whole Han family had gathered. Han Lao-san was the first to call out, “Sister-in-law!”

Han Lao-er followed right after.

Su Yue flushed faintly, feeling awkward and unused to the new title.

Old Lady Han waved her hand. “Go fetch the dishes from the kitchen. Today is a good day for your eldest brother and sister-in-law, we must have a proper family celebration.”

The second daughter-in-law hurried to the kitchen to bring out the dishes, and the third daughter-in-law trailed behind with a stiff face, no smile at all.

At lunch, Old Lady Han had truly gone all out. Two big pots of meat dishes and six vegetable dishes filled the table, as rich as a New Year’s feast.

The children stared with wide eyes, swallowing their saliva. Maomao and Xiaolei couldn’t resist clambering up with their bowls, clamoring to eat.

Even Han’s second daughter-in-law secretly swallowed, her eyes glued greedily to the meat. Since the family separation, she hadn’t seen meat even once, and now the smell alone made her crave it desperately.

In her good mood, Old Lady Han announced, “Let’s eat.”

The children cheered and lunged for the meat. Han’s second and third daughters-in-law also quickly reached for the dishes, giving their children two pieces each, slipping two into their husbands’ bowls, and then hurriedly snatching some for themselves. They ate ravenously, as though they hadn’t touched meat in their lives.

Old Lady Han frowned at their greedy manners, but since today was such a joyful day for her eldest grandson and new granddaughter-in-law, she restrained her temper. Instead, she turned to Su Yue with a smile.

“Yue’er, since you and Han Aiguo are officially husband and wife now, you can start packing your things these next two days. I’ll ask Han Aiguo to move them here in advance. Auntie will make preparations too. On the fifteenth, we’ll hold a lively banquet, and Han Aiguo will bring you home with all due honor.”

In this era, marriage customs varied widely. Some couples simply held a banquet without ever registering, living together their whole lives without a certificate. Others, unable to afford a banquet, just registered and moved in together. Among educated youth especially, marriages were often simple, no bride price, no banquet and just moving into the man’s home.

But Old Lady Han held to traditional values. To her, a wedding was essential. Only when a man personally brought a bride home in full ceremony could she truly be considered his wife. That was why she insisted Han Aiguo formally fetch Su Yue back on the fifteenth.

Su Yue had no objections. Han Aiguo, however, was a little disappointed.

They already had the marriage certificate, yet his wife was not truly his yet. He had to wait until the fifteenth before he could openly live with her.

Still… at least it was only a few days away.