Pei Zhengnian’s face finally cooled down a little after stepping out of the photo studio.
The instigator, Shen Nanchu, walked ahead as if nothing had happened.
By the time they reached the government office to register their marriage, Pei Zhengnian had regained his usual stern demeanor.
Today seemed to be an auspicious day, as quite a few couples were waiting to register their marriages.
Shen Nanchu and Pei Zhengnian had arrived early, so they were first in line.
Soon, the clerk in charge arrived and began work.
Pei Zhengnian handed over both his and Shen Nanchu’s documents.
The clerk worked efficiently, and in no time, handed them two marriage certificates.
The bright red covers were emblazoned with a red flag and golden wheat ears. Inside, the neatly printed vertical text listed Pei Zhengnian and Shen Nanchu’s information, interspersed with revolutionary slogans—a clear mark of the times.
Now, only one final step remained to complete their marriage registration.
The clerk said solemnly, "Comrades, please recite your revolutionary marriage vows to express your commitment to working together for the cause of socialist construction!"
Pei Zhengnian: "…"
Shen Nanchu: "…"
Since when did marriage registration require this?
Pei Zhengnian and Shen Nanchu exchanged a glance, then simultaneously took a step back—Pei Zhengnian one step, Shen Nanchu several small steps.
The clerk waved his hand. "The male comrade first."
Cornered, Pei Zhengnian stood stiffly, his expression grave.
He was used to giving reports in front of superiors, but standing here, forced to recite marriage vows to Shen Nanchu, his mind went completely blank.
Finally, he steeled himself and improvised, borrowing from military oaths.
"I swear! From today onward, Comrade Shen Nanchu shall be my closest comrade-in-arms on the revolutionary path! We shall support each other in life, advance together in ideology, and never betray the trust of the Party!"
After finishing, he quickly yielded the spotlight to Shen Nanchu.
Unhurried, she leisurely added, "I’ll supplement that—Comrade Pei Zhengnian shall hand over his salary, handle all household chores, write self-criticisms after arguments, and preferably let our children take my surname."
Caw, caw, caw—
A flock of crows seemed to fly overhead.
The room erupted in laughter, the crowd roaring so loudly it nearly lifted the roof. The clerk stifled his laughter so hard his pen clattered to the floor.
Pei Zhengnian’s ears burned red. He gritted his teeth and muttered, "…This is revisionist marital ideology!"
Shen Nanchu blinked innocently. "No, this is called ‘Women hold up half the sky.’ The Great Leader said so—do you disagree?"
Her quick retort was flawless.
This time, Pei Zhengnian flushed all the way to his neck.
"Comrade, now that the vows are done, is the marriage registration complete?"
"It’s done."
The clerk’s eyes gleamed as he looked at Pei Zhengnian.
Thanks to this male comrade, he’d have plenty of gossip to share with the neighbors tonight.
"Thank you."
Pei Zhengnian swiftly grabbed Shen Nanchu’s hand and bolted out of the government office.
He had never been so embarrassed in his life.
As Pei Zhengnian dragged her along, Shen Nanchu wore a puzzled expression.
"System, did you disconnect?"
"Host, your system is fully operational!" Of course, the system wouldn’t miss such a crucial moment.
Shen Nanchu: "Then why didn’t the male lead add any disgust points?"
System: "The male lead’s heart is as fathomless as the ocean."
A sinking feeling settled in Shen Nanchu’s chest. "Does this mean he might never give me disgust points from now on?"
After a pause, the system replied, "Based on data calculations, there’s currently a 30% probability of that happening."
So marrying Pei Zhengnian was a total loss?
If she’d known, she wouldn’t have gone through with it—let him remain the "uncle" forever!
What a miscalculation.
Shen Nanchu felt her heart bleeding.
The sorrow was immense!
(╥﹏╥)
Pei Zhengnian pulled Shen Nanchu along for a while, noticing how soft and unresisting her hand was, like fine silk.
Normally, wouldn’t this woman have jabbed at him by now?
He turned back just in time to see Shen Nanchu looking utterly dejected.
His temples throbbed again.
Pregnant women really were moody.
One moment, she’d been gleefully mocking him; the next, her face was long with gloom.
The military doctor had told him that a mother’s unhappiness could affect the baby.
Keeping the mother’s mood stable was crucial.
Spotting a supply and marketing cooperative ahead, Pei Zhengnian brightened.
He remembered his grandfather buying things to cheer up his grandmother when she was upset.
Maybe he could try that?
Shen Nanchu only snapped out of her daze when Pei Zhengnian pulled her into the cooperative.
"See anything you’d like to buy?"
"I want a bicycle."
She blurted out her demand without thinking.
"They don’t have them here. I’ll get you one from the county another day."
Miraculously, Pei Zhengnian’s reply lifted her spirits a little.
"Then I also want butterfly pastries and cream rolls from Zhongdexuan."
Shen Nanchu pushed her luck.
Zhongdexuan was a famous pastry shop in the capital.
"Fine. But you’ll have to wait half a month."
Pei Zhengnian figured he could manage that.
"And I want you to cook sweet and sour fish, three-cup chicken, braised pork knuckle, and scallion dumplings!"
She shamelessly listed all the dishes she’d eaten at lunch.
This time, Pei Zhengnian fell silent.
Maybe he could learn from the kitchen staff…?
"I’ll make them for you during my next leave."
He wasn’t even angry?
He actually agreed?
Was this still the aloof, handsome male lead?
Shen Nanchu felt like his character had completely collapsed.
He hadn’t been like this before.
Everything changed after the baby.
She couldn’t help feeling a little envious of the little one in her belly.
Not even born yet, and already had a doting father.
It seemed that as long as the baby was inside her, Pei Zhengnian wouldn’t give her any disgust points.
At this moment, Shen Nanchu missed the days when the female lead, Jiang Shuyi, was around.
How was she doing now?
After being sent to the police station last time, why hadn’t there been any follow-up?
Jiang Shuyi was a nine-lived cat demon—Shen Nanchu refused to believe she’d been taken down so easily.
"Pei Zhengnian, what’s going on with Jiang Shuyi?"
At the mention of Jiang Shuyi, his expression turned serious.
"That woman is no simple matter."
"She pinned everything on Song Qingyang, and he took the blame without resistance."
"She’ll be returning to Wang Family Village in a couple of days."
After a pause, he added sternly,
"Stay out of trouble in the village."
"Don’t lay a hand on Jiang Shuyi—leave her to me."
"Okay."
Shen Nanchu agreed readily.
Because—
She wouldn’t use her hands.
She’d use her words!
…
