Chapter 3: Express Approval for Marriage Registration

Lu Feng brought Fu Xiaoxiao to the post office. Fu Xiaoxiao blinked in surprise—why come to the post office to submit an application?

“Wait here for a moment. I need to make a call to the army,” Lu Feng said, asking Fu Xiaoxiao to wait for him. He presented his officer’s ID, and the post office staff immediately ushered him into a private phone booth.

Lu Feng dialed the army’s number. After the operator transferred the call and the ringing tone sounded, a stern voice came through on the other end.

“Hello, this is Qin Xiangjun,” Qin Xiangjun said, holding the phone in one hand and glancing over a report with the other.

“Commander Qin, this is Lu Feng.” Lu Feng’s voice came through the receiver, and Qin Xiangjun paused, putting down the report.

“What brings you to call me? Is there something important? Have you sorted out your personal affairs?” Qin Xiangjun allowed a rare smile to touch his lips, surprised to receive a call from Lu Feng.

“I’m working on it now, but I’ve run into a problem and need your help, sir,” Lu Feng said earnestly.

“Oh? Tell me about it.” It was rare for Lu Feng to ask him for assistance, and Qin Xiangjun’s curiosity was piqued.

“I’ve met a suitable marriage candidate. Her parents are working-class… I’d like to apply for marriage, and I hope you can expedite the approval.” Lu Feng relayed Fu Xiaoxiao’s details to Qin Xiangjun, hoping for an urgent process.

“Why the rush?” Qin Xiangjun raised an eyebrow. With her background, the standard procedure would only take a few days. Could he not wait even that long?

“You know my situation. My family truly needs someone there. I’d like to bring her back to the unit tomorrow, and she’s willing to accompany me in the army,” Lu Feng explained, taking all the responsibility upon himself and deliberately not mentioning that Fu Xiaoxiao was about to be sent to the countryside.

Qin Xiangjun fell silent for a moment. Lu Feng’s case was indeed unusual: two children at home with no one to look after them, and he was about to undertake a special assignment—time was tight.

The reasoning was solid, and there was no cause for refusal.

“Alright, I’ll have the organization conduct an investigation right away. You bring her back to the unit tomorrow!” Qin Xiangjun agreed.

“Thank you, sir.” Lu Feng’s lips curved in satisfaction as he hung up the phone, eager to share the news with Fu Xiaoxiao.

After hearing what Lu Feng said, Fu Xiaoxiao gave him a searching look—just one phone call and it was settled? It seemed Lu Feng held quite a rank in the army.

“Alright, I’ll go home and pack a few things. Shall we meet up again later?” Fu Xiaoxiao asked.

“Just rest at home. I’ll buy your ticket and then visit your house shortly,” Lu Feng replied after a moment’s thought, realizing he should quickly buy some gifts for his future in-laws as a gesture.

Understanding his intentions, Fu Xiaoxiao nodded. She appreciated his thoughtfulness and had no intention to refuse.

After escorting Fu Xiaoxiao back to the communal building, Lu Feng departed in haste.

In front of the building, a number of neighborhood women were sitting and picking vegetables. When they saw Lu Feng leave in such a hurry, they assumed Fu Xiaoxiao had been rejected.

“Xiaoxiao, was that your blind date for today? Why did he run off so quickly?”

“Yes, today’s your last day, isn’t it? You’re supposed to go to the countryside tomorrow.”

“Getting married in just seven days—what a rush. They didn’t give you any time to prepare at all. Poor child, what bad luck you have…”

“When you get to the countryside, do be careful. Don’t let the local bumpkins bully you.”

The aunts and old ladies all chimed in, some mocking, some pitying, some just watching the fun—their words made it clear they didn’t think much of Fu Xiaoxiao’s prospects.

After all, finding a marriage partner in just seven days was unbelievable—impossible, even.

“Thank you for your concern,” Fu Xiaoxiao replied, uninterested in explaining herself to these gossips. She hurried upstairs.

“Tch, what good is being pretty? She still has to go to the countryside,” someone sneered as Fu Xiaoxiao’s back disappeared from view.

When Fu Xiaoxiao arrived home, only her younger sister, Fu Xiaocui, was there. Seeing her sister return, Fu Xiaocui didn’t even look up.

“Sis, I’ve packed your things for you. I heard the countryside is dirty and smelly, full of hooligans. You’d better be careful. From now on, you’ll have to rely on yourself,” Fu Xiaocui said with a hint of pride.

She had always benefited from their parents’ favoritism. At the mere mention of the countryside, before Fu Xiaocui could shed a tear, their mother had already decided to give Fu Xiaoxiao’s job to her younger daughter.

“So where am I sleeping tonight?” Fu Xiaoxiao looked at the bed, already occupied by Fu Xiaocui, then at her own luggage. Over the years, all her clothes combined could barely fill a suitcase.

In contrast, her sister’s clothes couldn’t even fit in a full wardrobe. As the elder, she always had to wear her sister’s castoffs.

Sometimes she really wondered if she was truly part of the Fu family—why was she always treated so differently?

Fu Xiaocui, feeling a bit guilty, rubbed her nose and took out three yuan, handing it to Fu Xiaoxiao. “Sis, why don’t you stay at the guesthouse for the night? You’re leaving tomorrow anyway.”

Fu Xiaocui had long since grown tired of sharing a bed with her sister.

Just then, their parents returned. Seeing Fu Xiaocui stuffing money into Fu Xiaoxiao’s hand, their brows furrowed in disapproval, as if blaming Fu Xiaoxiao for taking her sister’s money.

Fu Xiaoxiao pressed her lips together. “My sister suggested I stay at the guesthouse tonight.”

“One night at the guesthouse costs a whole yuan. What’s the point? You’re leaving for the countryside tomorrow—just find a bench at the train station and make do,” their mother retorted, immediately snatching back the three yuan and returning it to Fu Xiaocui.

Fu Xiaoxiao’s mouth twitched. Was this really the original owner’s mother? She must have been adopted.

“Once you’re in the countryside, you’ll have to fend for yourself. Don’t even think about coming back to the city. There’s no place for you here. You’d best find a man there and settle down,” Fu Minghua said, glancing at Fu Xiaoxiao with a tone that sounded resigned.

The meaning was clear: don’t contact the family again, they wouldn’t count on her for anything, and even if she could come home, she shouldn’t.

The whole family had accepted that Fu Xiaoxiao couldn’t possibly find a marriage partner within seven days and would inevitably have to go to the countryside.

“You can’t blame us for being heartless. You’ve seen how cramped it is here. We’ve raised you for twenty years and don’t expect anything in return. Just don’t make trouble for the family,” her mother said coldly, barely looking at her.

Since childhood, her mother had always kept her at a distance.

“Mom, I’m about to go to the countryside. Aren’t you going to prepare anything for me? How am I supposed to get by once I’m out there?” Apart from a few old clothes, she had nothing. Was her mother really going to send her off empty-handed?

At Fu Xiaoxiao’s words, her mother’s eyes flashed with anger. She jabbed a finger at Fu Xiaoxiao’s forehead. “What do you want? Everyone else goes to the countryside with just a bag. You’re going to serve the country, not live in luxury! Besides, where do you think we have extra money? What about the wages you earned from your job?”

“Mom, didn’t I turn over all my salary to you? If you won’t prepare anything for me, then give me back my wages,” Fu Xiaoxiao said, holding out her hand.

At the mention of money, her mother’s face darkened. She pointed at Fu Xiaoxiao and began to scold her. “You’ve eaten our food and worn our clothes all these years. Turning in your wages is only right. How dare you even say such a thing!”

“But our eldest brother also works—why doesn’t he have to hand over his wages? And why am I being sent to the countryside? Because you gave my job to Xiaocui. If you won’t compensate me, at least give me back my pay. How am I supposed to survive out there with nothing? Why do you treat me so differently from your other children? Am I really your own daughter?” Fu Xiaoxiao looked at her mother with hurt in her eyes, her gaze full of accusation.