Chapter 12: Filing the Marriage Report

He’d heard from Sheng Zexi that in the Northwest Military District, when winter came, the mountains would be sealed off by heavy snow, making travel difficult and supplies scarce.

Although they hadn’t set a specific wedding date yet, Gu Yunnan figured it would be within the next two weeks at the latest. After all, as a soldier, Sheng Zexi rarely got time off, and he couldn’t stay home for long.

In half a month, Sheng Zexi would take his little sister to the Northwest Military District, and soon it would be the coldest time of year there. They needed to prepare for her in advance.

In another room of the west wing lived the third Gu brother, Gu Yunzhou, who was still unmarried.

He was sitting cross-legged on his bed, counting his money. He planned to visit the county’s black market when he had time in the coming days. His little sister liked shiny jewelry, so he intended to quietly collect some to give her as a wedding gift.

Meanwhile, the one everyone was thinking about—Gu Jianing—was wrapped up in her blanket, sleeping soundly on this cold night, not feeling chilly at all.

She’d jumped into the river in the middle of winter, and though she hadn’t fully recovered her strength, she needed to sleep early to get well soon.

There was someone else whose heart was just as warm: Sheng Zexi, who was in a hotel room, pen flying across the paper as he wrote his marriage application.

After leaving Huaihua Village today and returning to the county, he’d started shopping for the engagement gifts and the bride price.

The “three rounds and one sound” (a bicycle, a sewing machine, a watch, and a radio) were a must, and for the bride price, Sheng Zexi had prepared five hundred yuan.

Of course, that was just the official amount. Privately, he planned to find time to give Ningning his bankbook and all the wages he’d saved up over the years since joining the army.

He knew that little girl—she had a bit of a fondness for money.

After a good night’s sleep, Sheng Zexi first went to the post office to mail his marriage application, then called Commander Zheng, his superior at the military district, to inform him about it.

“You brat, you finally decided to get married, huh? Alright, once your application arrives, as long as there’s no big issue, I’ll approve it for you.”

Far away in his office at the Northwest Military District, Commander Zheng hung up the phone, feeling emotional.

He clenched his right fist and smacked it into his left palm, his face full of delight.

Sheng Zexi was the most capable soldier under his command, having won the “King of Soldiers” title several times. He’d already accumulated quite a few military merits at a young age and was now a battalion commander. Commander Zheng knew that if it weren’t for Sheng Zexi’s father holding him back, Sheng Zexi might already be a regimental commander.

Commander Zheng more or less knew about the conflict between Sheng Zexi and his father, which explained Sheng Zexi’s rebellious streak.

Though he was rebellious and sharp-tongued—often making Commander Zheng so mad he could spit blood—Commander Zheng knew Sheng Zexi was a good man.

When Sheng Zexi was injured and had health issues, Commander Zheng had really worried that the kid would stay single forever. He’d tried setting him up several times, but Sheng Zexi had refused without hesitation.

It wasn’t like there weren’t girls in the military district who liked him. Some were relatives of other military wives, others were girls from the art troupe. Quite a few had even confessed to him, but Sheng Zexi’s sharp tongue had driven them all away.

Commander Zheng had thought the kid would never get married. Who would’ve thought that as soon as he took leave, he’d meet someone and immediately file a marriage report? Judging by his tone, Sheng Zexi was clearly serious about this girl.

“Hope that girl and Sheng Zexi can have a happy life together.”

After hanging up with Commander Zheng, Sheng Zexi dialed another number—his grandparents’ home in Beijing.

“Hello, who is this?” A gentle, elderly voice came from the other end. As soon as Sheng Zexi heard it, his mind conjured up the loving face of his grandmother.

“Grandma, it’s me, Xiaoxi.” For once, the usually brash Sheng Zexi spoke gently, his voice full of joy. “I’m planning to get married.”

“What? Xiaoxi, you’re getting married?!” Grandma Sang exclaimed. Grandpa Sang, who’d been wearing glasses and jotting down data, froze when he heard his grandson’s voice. He perked up his ears, and when he heard the news, he stood up and hurried over to his wife, eager to listen in.

Sheng Zexi quickly explained how he’d met Gu Jianing, filed the marriage application, and planned to get married soon.

“That’s wonderful, wonderful!” Grandma Sang kept repeating, tears streaming down her face, though a gratified smile tugged at her lips.

Even Grandpa Sang’s eyes turned red. Their poor, unlucky grandson was finally getting married.

From now on, he’d have someone to share his life with—no more loneliness.

Whether she was from the city or the countryside didn’t matter to them at all.

Hearing his grandmother’s choked voice, Sheng Zexi felt a pang in his heart. Ever since his mother passed away and his father remarried, his father had become like a stranger. The only people who’d truly cared for him were his maternal grandparents.

He knew they’d worried for years about him not settling down.

“Xiaoxi, does the girl and her family know about your health?” Grandma Sang hesitated before asking.

They knew about Sheng Zexi’s infertility, and it made them ache for him even more.

“They know. I’ve told them everything. Grandpa, Grandma, they may be from the countryside, but they’re really good people. Ningning is beautiful, lively, and clever. I’m sure you’ll like her when you meet her.”

Was Gu Jianing beautiful? Without a doubt—she was stunning and charming.

As for her “difficult” personality? In Sheng Zexi’s eyes, she was just clever and adorable.

Love really is blind—Sheng Zexi saw her through rose-colored glasses.

“Alright, then we’re relieved.”

“Grandpa, Grandma, are you planning to come for the wedding?” Sheng Zexi hesitated for a long time before asking.

He was mainly concerned about the long journey, and the fact that his grandparents were getting on in years. Plus, while Grandma was retired, Grandpa was still a professor at the national weapons research institute and very busy.

“Of course we’re coming!” Grandma Sang had barely replied before Grandpa Sang took the phone.

“Xiaoxi, your wedding is such a big deal—of course your grandma and I will be there. Don’t worry, just tell us the date. We’re still in good health and can travel. I’ve got plenty of vacation days saved up, so I’ll use them this time.”

But…

“Are you going to tell your father?”

At the mention of his father, Sheng Zexi’s expression turned cold. Without hesitation, he replied stiffly, “No. This is my business.”

There was a moment of silence on the other end, then a sigh. “Alright, we won’t tell him. That man’s a fool, can’t see things clearly. It’s better not to tell him.”

If they did, he might try to stop it. Though he’d been led astray by his new wife when it came to his children, he was still sharp at work—otherwise he wouldn’t have risen so high.

If he found out, he might really try to throw a wrench in Xiaoxi’s wedding.

So, better not to tell him.

“Just wait for your grandma and me to come.” Their grandson was getting married—how could they not be there?

As his grandparents, they had to be there to show their support and to show respect to the bride’s family."