Chapter 17

Chapter 17

The saleswoman could tell at a glance they weren't just anybody—pulling out two watch coupons at once was no easy thing—so she quickly started showing them the various brands and styles.

"How much is this one?" Ji Yunshu asked, pointing to the Dongfeng watch with the smaller face.

The saleswoman quoted the price right away: "Ninety yuan."

Ji Yunshu quickly calculated in her head, then glanced at the white-faced Shanghai watch next to it, lost in thought.

Pei Yufeng stood behind her, followed her gaze, and pointed to the white-faced one. "Let's take a look at that one."

The saleswoman brought it out, and Pei Yufeng took it. "Xiaoshu, give me your hand."

Ji Yunshu held out her hand without a fuss, and Pei Yufeng fastened the watch around her wrist. Their hands were so close that Ji Yunshu noticed for the first time how their skin tones differed slightly—hers was almost blindingly fair, while his was more of a wheat tan.

The clasp clicked shut softly, and Pei Yufeng quickly pulled his hand away from her wrist. The watch face was just right in size, and the white dial made her wrist look even paler.

Ji Yunshu lightly ran her fingers over the watch face, but her mind kept drifting back to the focused look Pei Yufeng had when he leaned in to put it on her. She gave her wrist a few casual turns, feeling pretty pleased, but all she said was, "Not bad, I guess."

Pei Yufeng glanced at her face, then turned to the saleswoman. "We'll take this one. Do you have the same style for men?"

"Yes, we do. The men's is one hundred and twenty yuan, and the women's is one hundred and ten." The saleswoman quickly brought out the men's one.

It was the same white-and-gold design, with gold hands and markers, just a size smaller than the men's.

Pei Yufeng pulled out his money and watch coupon, motioning for Ji Yunshu to just hand hers over. But Ji Yunshu insisted on paying for her own watch: "This is... from the Mengs' parents. I should buy it myself."

Pei Yufeng knew the Mengs meant well, so he didn't push it, quietly planning to ask a comrade heading to the Soviet Union on business to bring back an imported watch for her.

The saleswoman quickly wrote up the receipt and took the money and coupons. "Do you two want to wear them now, or should I wrap them up?"

"We'll wear them now." Ji Yunshu had been eyeing a watch for ages, and now that she finally had her first one, she couldn't wait to wear it.

"Here, let me put it on for you." Pei Yufeng lowered his head, looping the strap around her wrist, his fingertips accidentally brushing the soft skin on the inside of her wrist.

In that instant, Ji Yunshu felt like an electric shock shot through the spot he touched—a tingle racing up her veins that made her eyes go wide. Her wrist stayed frozen in midair, even after Pei Yufeng had already pulled his hand back.

Then Pei Yufeng held out his own hand.

He didn't say a word, but Ji Yunshu understood he wanted her to put the watch on him.

Ji Yunshu pressed her lips together, pushed down that strange flutter in her chest, and dutifully picked up the men's watch, snapping open the clasp.

Pei Yufeng had long fingers and big palms. As the strap slid over his hand and settled on his wrist, the ticking second hand seemed to match the nervous beat of Ji Yunshu's heart. They were so close she could see, through the open top button of his shirt, a small patch of skin just below his collarbone.

There was a small black mole there—Ji Yunshu had never noticed it before.

Ji Yunshu fastened the clasp, careful not to brush against Pei Yufeng's skin, then straightened the watch.

She could feel her heart thumping loudly, like someone was banging a drum inside her chest. Scared he might hear it, she instinctively took half a step back.

Pei Yufeng noticed Ji Yunshu's sudden withdrawal, and a bitter ache settled in his chest. But he stayed as calm and composed as ever, even lifting his hand and, which was rare for him, joking with her: "Thanks, looks good."

The saleswoman watched them with a knowing smile, like someone who'd seen it all before: "The young lady's just shy. That watch looks lovely on her—makes her wrist look so pale and delicate. When you two pick out things for your wedding, you'll be wearing them for the rest of your lives, so they've got to look good!"

A lifetime.

Those two words made Ji Yunshu's heart skip out of rhythm again. She snuck a glance up through her lashes at Pei Yufeng's face.

He was looking down at his watch, seeming not to have heard what the saleswoman said. But Ji Yunshu noticed the tips of his ears had turned a little red.

Just a little—so subtle you'd miss it if you weren't paying close attention.

Ji Yunshu suddenly felt her heart melt into a warm puddle.

So Brother Pei could get nervous too. So he wasn't as calm and collected as he seemed.

This discovery made Ji Yunshu feel a little better about her own racing emotions. She gave her wrist a little turn, letting the watch catch the light and sparkle, then said softly, "It really does look nice."

Pei Yufeng looked at her with mild surprise. Before he could react, Ji Yunshu had already grabbed his left hand—the one with the watch—and said, "Brother Pei, let's hurry and get the pastries!"

He Qiuxia had said that on the day they got their marriage certificate, they absolutely had to eat the red bean wedding pastries and jujube cakes, for good luck and an early arrival of kids. Ji Yunshu didn't really care about that stuff, but since He Qiuxia insisted she buy them and bring them home, she'd listen to her mom.

Meanwhile, as her soft hand touched his fingers and palm, Pei Yufeng felt his breath hitch. He couldn't hear a single word anymore.

But at the sight of Ji Yunshu's bright, peach-blossom smile, he nodded at once and let her pull him along.

After picking up the pastries and stepping out of the department store, the two walked side by side. Pei Yufeng carried the bags while Ji Yunshu walked with empty hands, unable to stop sneaking looks at the new watch on her wrist every few steps. Every time she looked, she quickly dropped her hand, like she was scared Pei Yufeng would catch her showing off.

Pei Yufeng walked on her left, his pace always matching Ji Yunshu's rhythm, his gaze seemingly fixed straight ahead. But every time Ji Yunshu looked down at her watch, his peripheral vision followed; when she lowered her hand, his gaze returned.

"What else do we need?" Pei Yufeng asked.

Ji Yunshu thought for a moment. "We still need to buy wedding candies. There are so many neighbors in the compound—we need to deliver to every household. My parents don't have many relatives, but we should still save some for the ones we're close to... The main thing is I don't know what the customs are on the Meng side. Oh right, should we also bring some to the island to share with your comrades and leaders?"

As Ji Yunshu talked, her brow furrowed. Back in the compound, these matters of social obligations had always been handled by He Qiuxia—she had never thought about how much preparation a wedding required. Who got how much, what kind of candy at what price—she had no idea at all. Ji Yunshu tilted her head and thought for a while, couldn't come up with an answer, and simply stopped thinking about it, kicking a small pebble at her feet.

Pei Yufeng glanced at her, taking in her little gesture, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

"I'll handle the wedding candies," Pei Yufeng said. "For the cadres and family members in the compound, one box of assorted fruit candies each will do. For Uncle Ji and Aunt He's relatives, we'll add some dragon-and-phoenix wedding candies. And for the Meng family's relatives, I'll buy some red shrimp crispy candy—I've heard people in the south prefer that, so it shouldn't go wrong. As for my leaders and comrades... we'll have a lot to carry when we go to the island, so I'll just buy some for them at the supply cooperative there. No need to bring it all the way."

Ji Yunshu was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at him. Pei Yufeng's gaze was still fixed on her, his face expressionless, as if he were talking about something very ordinary.

"When did you think all this through?" Ji Yunshu asked.

Pei Yufeng didn't want to admit that he had actually been thinking about it for a long time, so he only said: "I received wedding candies when my comrades got married, so I have a bit of experience. Should we also buy a box of the White Rabbit creamy candies you like?"

"Yes, yes!" Ji Yunshu nodded, feeling a sense of relief settle in her heart. She realized that everything Pei Yufeng said hit the mark perfectly, arranging one by one all the things she hadn't thought of.

The two immediately went to the food store. Pei Yufeng told the saleswoman the varieties and quantities, and she brought out a large cardboard box, weighing and wrapping each package of candy neatly before stacking them inside. Ji Yunshu wanted to help but couldn't find a way to pitch in, so she sat there propping her chin on her hand, watching Pei Yufeng.

Pei Yufeng's fingers were long, and he moved quickly when wrapping the candy papers—nothing like the cold, hard demeanor he had when standing still.

She stared at his fingers for a while, then suddenly felt her face grow warm and quickly looked away.

Pei Yufeng paid, then picked up the cardboard box. It was a sizable box, but he held it steady with one hand supporting the bottom and the other bracing the side. Ji Yunshu offered to carry the box or two of pastries they'd just bought, but he said it wasn't heavy. She offered again, and he still refused, so she stopped insisting and simply walked beside him, occasionally glancing at the way he held the box.

The next day was the day of registration.

Early in the morning, He Qiuxia woke Ji Yunshu up, cooked her a bowl of brown sugar eggs, watched her finish eating, and then helped comb her hair. Ji Yunshu changed into a clean white shirt, tied her hair into two braids, and looked at herself in the mirror again and again. She smoothed the ends of her braids, tugged at the hem of her shirt, felt like she looked good enough, and yet felt like something was still missing.

He Qiuxia stood behind her, looking at her through the mirror, and smiled: "Alright, you look beautiful. Eat the wedding pastry and then go."

Ji Yunshu's face flushed slightly. She quickly finished the red bean wedding pastry in a few bites, picked up her bag, and walked out the door.

Pei Yufeng was already waiting at the entrance. He was dressed in his formal navy uniform, standing tall and straight. In his lowered hand, he held a brown paper envelope containing both of their documents.

When Ji Yunshu came out, Pei Yufeng's eyes visibly brightened. "Let's go."

"Brother Pei, did you eat the celebration pastries we bought yesterday this morning?" Ji Yunshu asked.

"Yeah, I did." Though it was a simple, ordinary exchange, Pei Yufeng felt as if he were being roasted by fire, his back damp with sweat.

The two left the compound and took the bus to the civil affairs office. The bus wasn't crowded—Ji Yunshu sat by the window, Pei Yufeng beside her. The window was open, and the breeze blew loose strands of her hair across her face. She reached up to brush them away, and as her fingers touched her cheek, she caught Pei Yufeng stealing a glance at her from the corner of his eye.

Throughout the ride, Pei Yufeng said little. Ji Yunshu followed his gaze and noticed his lips pressed tightly together, his hand gripping the kraft paper envelope, knuckles white with tension. His knees were pressed together, his posture even straighter than usual—he was wound up tight as a bowstring.

Ji Yunshu couldn't help but smile. "Brother Pei, are you nervous?"

Pei Yufeng's gaze fixed on the seatback ahead, his voice a little dry. "Not nervous."

He said he wasn't, but Ji Yunshu saw his Adam's apple bob. She didn't press further, turning to look out the window, the smile lingering at the corners of her mouth.

At the civil affairs office, a few couples were already lined up at the entrance. Ji Yunshu and Pei Yufeng quickly joined the line.

Ji Yunshu stood properly, a smile on her face, greeting the people around her with easy grace. A woman beside them looked at her, then at Pei Yufeng, and chuckled. "You two here to register? What a handsome pair—a handsome man and a beautiful woman, a perfect match."

Ji Yunshu smiled and thanked her, catching a glimpse of Pei Yufeng's ears turning red at the tips.

She stole a glance at him. His stance was even straighter than usual, chin slightly lifted, his expression still cold and stern—but the corners of his mouth were curved just a little more than usual, barely perceptible unless you looked closely.

The staff at the civil affairs office moved quickly, and their turn came soon. The clerk, a woman in her forties wearing glasses, took the documents Pei Yufeng handed her and flipped through them one by one.

"Everything's in order," the clerk said, looking up at them. "Ji Yunshu and Pei Yufeng, right? Please have a seat."

"Yes," Pei Yufeng said, his voice a little louder than usual, as if he were reporting to a commanding officer.

The clerk asked again, "Are you both marrying voluntarily?"

Pei Yufeng blurted out, "Yes."

Ji Yunshu nodded too. "Yes, voluntarily."

The instant the words were out, Pei Yufeng's hand reached over and gently clasped hers where it rested on her knee. His palm was large, knuckles defined, but his hold was gentle, as if he feared hurting her. Ji Yunshu felt his hand tremble slightly—barely noticeable unless you were paying attention.

She glanced down at their joined hands. Pei Yufeng's was a light wheat color; hers was fair. Side by side, they looked surprisingly well-matched.

Ji Yunshu's face flushed instantly, from her cheeks to the tips of her ears, as if she'd been roasted by the sun.

But she didn't pull away, didn't move—just let Pei Yufeng hold her hand.

The clerk watched them, a knowing smile on her face, and asked another question: "How did you two meet and fall in love? You'll need to tell us how you met and fell in love—it's part of the standard procedure. We need to hear it before we can register you. Take your time, no rush."

Author's note:

Thank you for reading. The romance in this story is a bit more restrained in front of others compared to Bao Yi and Qing Shan's—very shy young lovers. After marriage, though, it's full throttle~