Volume One, Chapter Seven: The Engagement Gift

"But what?" Gu Chengfeng’s body stiffened, his smile freezing.

"But we must agree on this: once your illness is cured, we will divorce." Shen Sisi was firm, leaving no room for negotiation. "Commissar Feng, you be our witness."

"Wait, why?" Feng Yanzhou didn't understand. If the illness were cured, wouldn't that be double the joy? Why get a divorce?

Shen Sisi’s heart sank. She knew Gu Chengfeng had a childhood sweetheart with whom he had been very close. He had been sent to Lin County in the first place because he had gotten into a fight while competing for that girl's attention.

That sweetheart was also from the military compound and was still in college. If not for his injuries, they would likely have been together long ago.

If Gu Chengfeng could be cured...

She was determined to divorce him; she didn't want to break up a pair of lovers.

Shen Sisi said in a low voice, "No reason... This is the only condition I insist on." Even though she knew she had no right to make demands.

Gu Chengfeng’s knuckles turned white as he clenched his fists. So, she really... only agreed to marry him out of pity? Was she still unable to forget that other man?

He gritted his teeth so hard it felt as if they might shatter. "Fine, whatever you say!"

What should have been a joyous occasion left Gu Chengfeng unable to smile.

Feng Yanzhou narrowed his eyes, feeling a headache coming on. He had thought Shen Sisi was a smart woman who knew how to assess the situation and choose Gu Chengfeng. He hadn't expected her to set such a condition; she was truly leaving Gu Chengfeng no path forward.

He silently gave Gu Chengfeng a sympathetic look, then lifted Niu Niu into his arms, breaking the deathly silence. "Well... Niu Niu, you're going to have a new daddy..."

Niu Niu didn't understand what the adults were talking about, but upon hearing the words "new daddy," she danced with joy.

*Yay, I have a daddy! I’m no longer a wild child with a mother but no father!*

But... was this bearded uncle the new daddy?

Niu Niu pouted, her eyes looking overly large due to her thinness, and she timidly scrutinized Gu Chengfeng. Although this uncle wasn't bad, she preferred Uncle Feng, who was holding her. Why couldn't Uncle Feng be her daddy? She really wanted her mother to marry Uncle Feng...

Gu Chengfeng was flustered by the title of "new daddy," and his gaze softened as he looked at Niu Niu. Shen Sisi, meanwhile, blushed and dared not even lift her head.

*This Commissar Feng is just too... direct!*

***

With the matter settled, the next step was to return and file the report. Military marriages required background checks and political vetting.

Feng Yanzhou looked at Shen Sisi, lost in thought. *The background and history of this future sister-in-law... this is going to be tough!*

Not wanting to show his concern in front of Shen Sisi, Feng Yanzhou simply shot a look at Gu Chengfeng.

"Well, you and your sister-in-law stay in Lin County and rest easy. Leave the paperwork to me. Marriage is a big deal, so I'll go back early tonight to inform the village and report the situation to the leaders," Feng Yanzhou said.

Gu Chengfeng nodded, giving him an appreciative look. "Go ahead. Once you're back, I’ll invite you over for a drink."

Shen Sisi’s mind was still reeling from being called "sister-in-law," and she couldn't quite find her words. "Um... thank you, Commissar Feng."

"Still calling me Commissar? Call me Brother Feng."

"Thank you, Brother Feng!"

The way she said "Brother Feng" was so sweet that Feng Yanzhou couldn't stop grinning. He bit the bullet and promised, "Don't worry, your happiness is in my hands."

Feng Yanzhou hurried off, fearing he might miss the tractor to Jinfeng Village.

This left only Shen Sisi and Gu Chengfeng, with Niu Niu, who was watching them with wide, curious eyes, caught in between. Gu Chengfeng felt his heart racing. Seeing that Shen Sisi was also lost in thought, he spoke up first: "Um... shall we go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy some things?"

Shen Sisi came back to her senses. "Buy things?"

"For such a big event, shouldn't we tell your family?"

Reminded, Shen Sisi thought of her great-aunt. She was the only relative she had left in Lin County. For something as significant as a wedding, she did indeed need to inform her. She had to catch the train tomorrow, and time was tight.

So, without being overly modest, she did the math and nodded. "You’re thoughtful. We should tell them."

She stood up and reached out to take Niu Niu, but Gu Chengfeng snatched the girl away. "I’ve got her!"

Niu Niu struggled a little—like a kitten scratching—but eventually gave up, letting those strong arms hold her tight.

"It's windy outside, wrap your scarf tight. Leave the child to me!" Gu Chengfeng reached out to adjust the knitted scarf around her neck, noticing a hole that had been snagged somewhere along the way. "We'll go to the cooperative later; I'll buy you a new one."

Shen Sisi looked down and saw the obvious hole. "There's no need..."

Gu Chengfeng didn't give her a chance to refuse. "I have plenty of ration coupons. I don't use them at the barracks, so they’d just go to waste."

***

Shen Sisi knew he was saying that on purpose, and knowing she couldn't out-argue him, she could only blush. "Then... thank you!"

"What are you thanking me for? We’ll be husband and wife soon. This is what I should do. No one who belongs to Gu Chengfeng will ever suffer or be wronged."

He finished with his chin held high, not daring to look at her expression, and turned to walk away, carrying Niu Niu.

His legs were long and his strides were large, quickly putting distance between them. Shen Sisi watched his back and was about to catch up when she noticed him shorten his stride, subconsciously waiting for her.

Looking at his tall, sturdy back, the corners of Shen Sisi's mouth curved upward.

After leaving the hospital, the two went to the nearby supply and marketing cooperative. They bought two packs of cigarettes, two bottles of Moutai, two pounds of milk candy and fruit candy, four pounds of red dates, five pounds of flour, a basket of eggs, and two slabs of pork belly.

Gu Chengfeng wanted to buy more, but Shen Sisi glared at him and pulled his sleeve, saying it was too much. Anyone would think they were going to propose a marriage.

Gu Chengfeng carried the bags in one hand and held Niu Niu with the other. "Your parents aren't here, so your great-aunt is your elder. This is only right."

Shen Sisi felt a slight ache in her heart. Ever since she had taken in Niu Niu, she had never expected anyone to be good to her, let alone value her family.

She stared at Gu Chengfeng, dazed, until she saw him walk straight to the women's clothing counter and beckon her over. "Come here, pick something out."

His hands were well-shaped, his fingers strong. Thinking of the feeling of being held by those large hands earlier, her cheeks grew hot.

"What style do you like?" Gu Chengfeng looked at her clothes, which were old and pilled. Though she took meticulous care of them, the fabric was faded. Seeing her stand still, he remained silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on her. "If you won't choose, I’ll choose for you. Consider it an engagement gift."

Shen Sisi felt a pang of distress looking at the mountain of gifts. Gu Chengfeng was being too reckless with his money, buying things as if they were cheap cabbage.

"Really, no need," Shen Sisi tried to decline, but the sales clerk’s eyes lit up. She smiled and said, "Oh, so it's an engagement! Then you must choose red; red is festive."

The red wool coat was the most expensive item on the counter.

"The size and cut of this set are excellent. This young lady would look beautiful in it!"

"Why don't you try it on, dear?"

Before Shen Sisi could speak, Gu Chengfeng lifted his chin firmly and looked at the simple, straight-cut coat.

"Take it down, have her try it on!"