Chapter 15

Chapter 15

"Xiaoshu, how..." Pei Yufeng stared into Ji Yunshu's eyes in disbelief, but could only read determination and seriousness in her playful gaze.

Pei Yufeng had thought that even if Ji Yunshu agreed, she would choose to stay in the compound. His suggestion that she help look after his grandmother was just an excuse he'd come up with for the marriage. He'd only hoped she wouldn't flat-out reject his proposal, but he never expected her to voluntarily offer to marry him and follow him to the military post.

"You've thought this through?" Pei Yufeng's voice lowered, with a heavy, solemn undertone of reluctance. "The island is really tough. It's hot all year round, and when a typhoon hits, you're stuck inside for ten days to two weeks. Winters are damp—when the humid season rolls in, the floors are soaking wet. Summers are full of mosquitoes, and the food is basic—nothing like the variety you get in the capital."

Ji Yunshu looked at him and nodded. "I've thought it through. Since I've decided to marry you, I'll share the good times and the bad with you. Wherever you go, I'll go."

In Ji Yunshu's dream, Pei Yufeng died young precisely because he was alone, with no one depending on him. That day, he'd gone out to sea in place of a comrade whose wife was pregnant, and later ran into rough seas and gave his life to save his teammates.

Ji Yunshu kept wondering—if she married Pei Yufeng and followed him to the island, could she be like an invisible thread keeping him anchored? If so, maybe he wouldn't have to sacrifice himself.

Pei Yufeng's Adam's apple bobbed. He pressed his lips together, and the fire in his eyes burned even hotter. He opened his mouth like he wanted to say something, then swallowed the words back down. In the end, all he asked was, "You truly mean it?"

"Truly." Ji Yunshu nodded. "Once I, Ji Yunshu, make up my mind, I never back out."

"Thank you, Xiaoshu." Pei Yufeng suddenly stepped forward, wanting to pull her into his arms and hold her tight, but he only reached out and took her by the wrist. "Let's go tell Grandma this good news together."

His calloused fingertips brushed against Ji Yunshu's smooth, delicate skin, and they both froze. Ji Yunshu rarely had this kind of intimate contact with a man, and it was hot out. Soon she felt sweat prickling where Pei Yufeng was holding her.

She knew Pei Yufeng was level-headed and restrained—he might've wanted to hold her hand, but in the end, he only settled for her wrist. She shifted her wrist a little, like she was uncomfortable, and Pei Yufeng immediately let go.

But the next moment, Ji Yunshu's slender fingers slipped through the gaps between Pei Yufeng's, gently lacing with his. Palm to palm, her fingertips resting lightly on the back of his hand.

Pei Yufeng seemed not to react for a moment, even forgetting to interlace their fingers, his five fingers still stiffly splayed open.

Ji Yunshu looked at the slightly dazed Pei Yufeng and couldn't help but laugh. "Brother Pei, let's go tell Grandma the good news!"

Hearing Ji Yunshu's bell-like laughter, Pei Yufeng finally snapped out of it. He tightened his grip, firmly wrapping her hand in his.

Where Ji Yunshu couldn't see, Pei Yufeng's ears were bright red.

She followed him into the small building. Grandma was sitting outside the kitchen trimming vegetables. When she saw Ji Yunshu come in, she smiled and waved. "Xiaoshu's here? Come sit."

Pei Yufeng walked up to Grandma and held up their clasped hands. "Grandma, I proposed to Xiaoshu, and she said yes."

The vegetables Grandma was holding dropped to the ground.

She looked up, first at Pei Yufeng, then at Ji Yunshu, eyes wide. "What did you say?"

"I said, I'm going to marry Xiaoshu." Pei Yufeng said it again, louder this time.

Just a few days ago, Grandma had been worrying that Pei Yufeng was too much of a quiet type to pursue Xiaoshu, and now he had already succeeded in proposing. A huge wave of joy washed over her. She grabbed Ji Yunshu's hand, voice trembling. "Really? Xiaoshu, you're willing to marry our Feng?"

Ji Yunshu nodded, her face flushing slightly. "Grandma, I'm willing."

Grandma's tears fell fast and heavy. She let go of Ji Yunshu's hand, turned, and headed upstairs to her bedroom, muttering as she went, "Wait, wait, I'll get something for you."

Ji Yunshu and Pei Yufeng exchanged a glance, neither knowing what Grandma was going to fetch.

A moment later, Grandma came downstairs holding a red cloth bundle and a few colorful ration tickets. She opened the bundle to reveal a pair of gold bangles. The style was a bit old-fashioned, but the gold gleamed—clearly something valuable.

"These were my dowry when I got married. I've kept them for decades, saving them for my grandson's wife." Grandma pressed the gold bangles into Ji Yunshu's hands and handed her the tickets. "These are bicycle tickets, watch tickets, and some grain and cloth tickets. I've been saving them up, waiting for Feng's wedding. Take them—a wedding must have a watch and a bicycle. A sewing machine... I'll figure out the sewing machine ticket. I know Political Commissar Qiu has one for sure. I'll call him right away—no, I'll call him now..."

Grandma was like an ant on a hot skillet, pacing around the house as she talked, worried that if the sewing machine ticket was missing, Ji Yunshu might not agree to marry.

"Grandma, Grandma, we don't need these. Don't rush." Ji Yunshu quickly grabbed Grandma, who was about to reach for the phone book. "Brother Pei and I are going to the island. If we buy these now, they'll be hard to bring along."

"Then hold onto the tickets and buy them once you're on the island," Grandma insisted. "Take the cloth tickets and go pick out some new fabric in the next few days—red, for the wedding. I'll sew them for you. It'll be festive!"

Ji Yunshu held the gold bangles and tickets, hands trembling. She knew how precious these things were in this day and age. Grandma wouldn't even treat herself to new clothes, yet she'd given away things she'd saved for who knows how many years.

"Grandma, these bangles are too valuable. I can't take them..." Ji Yunshu tried to push them back.

Grandma pressed her hand down, insistent. "You must take them. If you don't, I won't be able to sleep."

Ji Yunshu's eyes reddened. She glanced at Pei Yufeng, who nodded at her, signaling for her to keep them.

Grandma wiped her tears, then suddenly remembered something and smacked her thigh. "Oh, I got so caught up in my joy that I forgot the important thing. Feng, you should first go to Xiaoshu's house to meet her parents. You can't marry her without telling them. That won't do—you have to get Uncle Ji and Aunt He's approval. That's the proper way; we can't skip that."

Pei Yufeng nodded. "I was just about to say that."

Grandma turned to leave, then said, "You're such a quiet one. I can't rest easy. Forget it—come on, I'll go with you."

After saying that, Grandma felt it wouldn't be right to go empty-handed. Seeing the big watermelon Pei Yufeng had just brought home that hadn't been cut yet, she had him pack it up. Then she carefully picked out twenty eggs, wrapped them in a mesh bag, and carried them along as gifts.

Ji Yunshu kept saying it wasn't needed, but Grandma insisted it was a must, so Ji Yunshu could only obediently support Grandma's arm and accompany her.

The three of them headed out together, making their way to the Ji family home.

He Qiuxia was tidying up in the kitchen when she heard a knock at the door. She came out to see Grandma in the lead, Pei Yufeng behind her, and Ji Yunshu supporting Grandma. The three stood in the courtyard—Grandma beaming, Pei Yufeng solemn-faced.

"He Qiuxia," Grandma called out, "I've come to discuss something with you. Our Yufeng wants to marry your Xiaoshu, and Xiaoshu has agreed. I felt I had to come see you in person so we could talk this over."

"Grandma, you could have just called Old Ji and me over. You didn't need to make the trip yourself." Even though He Qiuxia had already heard from Ji Yunshu, she was still caught off guard by Grandma showing up in person. She quickly invited Grandma inside and sent someone to fetch Ji Haiguo, also letting Meng Guangze and Wang Wanru know—they were at the guest house.

"It's only right. My grandson wants to marry Xiaoshu—it should be our family that comes calling." Grandma sat down with He Qiuxia's help.

Within half an hour, both families were all seated.

The main room was full. Ji Haiguo sat beside Grandma, pouring her tea, with He Qiuxia beside him. Meng Guangze and Wang Wanru sat across from them. Meng Yunzhen had also come and was sitting beside Wang Wanru. Ji Yunting leaned against the doorframe, not sitting, hands in his pockets, just listening. Meng Li sat in the corner, head down, lost in her own thoughts.

Pei Yufeng stood behind Grandma, while Ji Yunshu sat between He Qiuxia and Grandma, squeezed between the elders on both sides, feeling a bit awkward.

Grandma spoke first, laying out why they'd come. Pei Yufeng wanted to marry Ji Yunshu, and the two families were gathered to discuss the wedding.

After hearing that, He Qiuxia spoke up right away. "Xiao Pei is someone Old Ji and I watched grow up. We know exactly what kind of person he is. He's got good character and is reliable. I'm at ease entrusting Xiaoshu to him."

She paused, still wanting to try to convince Grandma to keep Xiaoshu here. "But Xiaoshu says she wants to follow him to the military post. That place is so far away, hot and humid, with typhoons. Xiaoshu's health isn't great. I'm really worried."

Wang Wanru also chimed in, eyes red and voice choked up. "Sister He is right. Xiaoshu is frail—she's been anemic since she was a kid and has a weak stomach. The medical care on Qiongzhou Island isn't up to par. What if she gets sick? Could... could Xiaoshu stay in the compound? If Yufeng misses her, he can come back on leave to visit—it's the same thing."

Pei Yufeng didn't speak first—he just turned to Ji Yunshu.

Ji Yunshu stood up, looking He Qiuxia and Wang Wanru in the eyes, her tone very firm. "Mom, Mom, I know you're worried. But since I've decided to marry Brother Pei, I can't let him suffer alone on the island. I'll go with him. When two people are together, even the hardest days are sweet."

What Ji Yunshu didn't say was that since she'd decided to marry Pei Yufeng, she naturally wouldn't stand by and watch him sacrifice himself. By following him to the military post, she could keep an eye on him. Maybe... just maybe, she could dodge Pei Yufeng's fatal fate and keep him from dying young.

He Qiuxia's tears finally fell. She wiped them with the back of her hand and didn't say anything more.

Wang Wanru cried too, but she looked at Ji Yunshu, then at Pei Yufeng, and finally gave a nod.

Grandma had been listening without interrupting. When both mothers fell quiet, she spoke up. "He Qiuxia, Wang Wanru, rest assured. Yufeng won't let Xiaoshu suffer. If he dares to make her feel wronged, I'll be the first to say something."

At that, Pei Yufeng stepped forward, fingers pressed together in a vow. "Aunt He, Aunt Meng, rest assured. I'll take good care of Xiaoshu and won't let her suffer any grievance."

With things said to that extent, neither side's parents objected any further.

That afternoon, Pei Yufeng went to send a telegram to the island and submitted a marriage application. Meng Guangze didn't sit idle either; he got a letter of introduction from Ji Haiguo and sent a telegram to Su City, telling his eldest son, Meng Chongwen, and his girlfriend, Gan Tang, to come to the capital as soon as possible to attend Ji Yunshu's wedding.

"Bring more of those nationwide grain and cloth coupons," Meng Guangze added specifically in the telegram. "To buy things for your sister—whatever the Ji family can provide, we shouldn't do any less."

Ji Yunshu had no idea about any of this. Early the next morning, Meng Yunzhen came to find her, saying she wanted to take her to the bank to open an account.

"Open an account?" Ji Yunshu was taken aback. "What kind of account?"

Meng Yunzhen just smiled, didn't explain much, and tugged her along.

At the bank, Meng Yunzhen helped her fill out the forms and opened a passbook. Ji Yunshu stared at her name written in the passbook, still not fully comprehending, when Meng Yunzhen pulled out a remittance slip from her pocket and handed it to the clerk at the counter.

In no time, a line of numbers appeared in the passbook.

Ji Yunshu took it and looked—completely stunned.

—A whole two thousand yuan!