Chapter 7: Is This Marriage Truly Inevitable?

On the first day her fiancé left, Lu Youyou missed him dearly.

She couldn’t help it; without him, she felt unsafe, as if danger lurked everywhere.

Her work remained the same—cutting pigweed—but how much longer could she slack off? Gu Shuchen’s father was the brigade leader; making life difficult for a young educated youth sent to the countryside was child’s play.

Yet, on the second day, still cutting pigweed; the third day, the same. The brigade leader treated her as if she were invisible. Aside from clocking in at work, not a single word was exchanged.

Recalling Gu Qingye’s parting words, “Don’t worry,” Lu Youyou smiled—she had never expected him to be so considerate.

The June sun wasn’t too harsh, but how could Lu Youyou bear to be scorched? Cutting pigweed wasn’t tiring, but it was rough on the hands!

Where there’s demand, there’s a market. Lu Youyou held a handful of fruit candies in her left hand and a handful of White Rabbits in her right. Her youthful “colleagues” eagerly helped.

Cutting pigweed was always a child’s task. At first, they dared not approach Lu Youyou, but none could resist the assault of sugary treats.

“Erwa, you run so fast—you’re truly a model worker of Hongqi Commune!”

“Gangdan, you’re so capable; you’ll be the backbone of the motherland!”

“Niuniu, I admire you so much; having you here makes me feel at ease!”

Amidst the endless flattery, the little colleagues lost themselves.

For rural children raised under strict discipline, this impossibly beautiful educated youth was like an angel from heaven.

Thus, Lu Youyou spent seven peaceful days. When the telegram was due, the postman never appeared once on the road at the village entrance.

***

In a certain military district in the south,

Gu Qingye, back in uniform, resumed his usual aloof demeanor. Having just finished a field exercise, he headed straight to the regimental commander’s office.

Seeing Gu Qingye had not even changed clothes, Jiang Tong knew his purpose.

“You’re back. Take a seat first. How was the exercise?”

Gu Qingye stood at attention and saluted: “Report, everything is normal.”

Even seated, his back remained perfectly straight.

Jiang Tong looked at his prized subordinate, whom he had personally promoted, feeling pleased, yet a shadow darkened his joy.

“Commander, have you approved my marriage report?”

Jiang Tong sighed inwardly. Though Gu Qingye’s voice was steady, his eyes revealed his anticipation.

“Qingye, marriage is a serious matter. Arranged marriages aren’t in fashion anymore. If you’re not satisfied with your family’s arrangement, you can speak up. There’s no need to rush.”

Honestly, Jiang Tong was quite surprised when he first received Gu Qingye’s marriage report.

His subordinate’s marital issues had long troubled him. At twenty-four, still no partner; an unstable home front hindered his front-line efforts.

Nurses, performing troupes, relatives from the housing compound—countless female relatives and acquaintances had made subtle advances, but Gu Qingye seemed deaf to them all.

Whenever asked, his answer was always the same: establish your career before starting a family.

Who would have thought a single trip home would bring a new girlfriend, and upon returning, he immediately submitted a marriage report, revealing his urgency.

At first, Jiang Tong didn’t mind. Educated youths were good comrades aiding national development, cultured and educated, a good match for Gu Qingye.

But after the political screening, he realized just how complicated the woman’s background was.

Lu Youyou’s father was a professor who had returned from studying abroad, and her mother was a traditional Chinese medicine doctor. Both had been sent down to work at a northwest farm.

The situation was uncertain; no one knew what the future held.

Though the military wasn’t as chaotic as the outside world, such backgrounds inevitably had repercussions.

Jiang Tong wondered if Gu Qingye’s family had unwittingly caused trouble by not fully understanding her lineage.

“Commander, Comrade Lu Youyou and I are entering this marriage voluntarily, with no coercion from anyone.”

Once Gu Qingye was determined, nothing could make him waver.

Jiang Tong grew more anxious: “Do you understand her background? Do you know this merit award you’re about to receive could…”

Gu Qingye suddenly stood up, saluted, and with firm eyes declared his stance.

“Wearing the uniform and defending the homeland is my honor and duty. I am willing to give my life for it, but I will not sacrifice my future through marriage.”

Jiang Tong admired his resolve but still wished he could be more flexible. How could he not understand that sometimes compromise was necessary?

He hadn’t realized before that Gu Qingye was such a hopeless romantic—just two days home and already deeply attached.

Jiang Tong opened a drawer, took out Gu Qingye’s marriage report, noting it was exactly as before.

He sighed: “You think I won’t approve? The leadership asked me to talk to you. You know how highly they regard you!”

Gu Qingye remained steadfast: “Then I will speak to the leadership myself.”

Jiang Tong twitched his eye, realizing his words were wasted.

He slammed the marriage report on the desk, glaring at Gu Qingye.

“Fine, go then. As long as the leadership agrees, I will sign and seal it right now.”

Gu Qingye picked up the report and started to leave.

“You’re back!” Jiang Tong fumed. “You leave just because I told you to?”

“All actions obey orders.”

“Ha! Why didn’t you obey just now?”

Gu Qingye said nothing but clenched the report tightly, fingers unmoving.

Jiang Tong stared at him for a long while, then sighed helplessly.

“Is this marriage really non-negotiable?”

“Yes!”

“No matter the outcome?”

“Yes!”

“Even if you can’t be promoted to deputy regiment commander?”

“Yes!”

Ah, really...

Jiang Tong had expected this. If Gu Qingye’s resolve wasn’t so firm, he wouldn’t be the youngest battalion commander in the military district.

Decisive, brave, unwavering, refusing to rest until his goal was reached—his admirable qualities brought both joy and headaches.

“All right, I’ll inform the leadership. You go back and wait for news.”

Jiang Tong didn’t want to see the source of his frustration anymore and waved Gu Qingye out.

“Yes, sir!”

Gu Qingye saluted, a barely noticeable smile tugging at the corner of his eyes.

***

Lu Youyou had no idea how tumultuous her plan to accompany the military would be.

At first, she thought Gu Qingye must be busy with urgent tasks.

Days passed, and she found herself studying the treasured marriage certificate word by word, not even overlooking punctuation marks.

Was that stroke too weak? Was he hesitant at the time?

Was this period left open? Did he leave a loophole?

Was the little red book useless?

Only idealism won’t work!

The old saying about slow horses and distant letters, about a lifetime loving only one person, was nonsense. In an era when long-distance calls had to be transferred, even time-management experts had no tools.

Lu Youyou didn’t know what mess was swirling in her mind, but she was certainly annoyed—very annoyed.

The young lady wanted to lash out, but someone really came at her head-on.

Seeing Gu Shuchen, Lu Youyou immediately perked up.

This was a genuine scoundrel; she was unafraid to vent on him.