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◎Day 41 of the King of Scrolls◎
The next day, Jiang Renzhou took Zhou Qingyu there.
"Officer Wang, I, Zhou Qingyu, would never dare to cause trouble for the military or the island. Every step I've taken on this island has been in accordance with the rules."
Zhou Qingyu reached into her inner pocket with her free hand, pulled out an envelope stamped with a red seal, and handed it to Officer Wang.
"These are my letter of introduction and proof of identity. The radar debugging project I participated in has been completed, and this is a normal leave and family visit permit. As for proposing marriage..."
He paused, looked at Jiang Renzhou, and his tone became respectful but unquestionable, "Comrade Wanzhou and I met and got to know each other in the Hongxing Brigade. Our feelings are genuine and in accordance with discipline. I have reported to the organization and expressed my determination to my family. Everything is reasonable, legal and compliant."
Wang, the clerk, took the letter with some skepticism, but his expression gradually softened as he carefully examined the official seal and contents.
Zhou Qingyu then turned to Jiang Renzhou, her tone sincere: "Brother, I know you're worried about Wanzhou and afraid she'll be wronged. I, Zhou Qingyu, hereby swear that if I have wronged Wanzhou in the slightest, you may punish me as you see fit."
He held up the red cloth bag again. "This is what my mother left behind before she passed away. She said it was for her future daughter-in-law. My father didn't understand at first, but I told him how good Wanzhou was and how we supported each other in the Hongxing Brigade. He nodded. This dowry money was handed to me by him personally, and he asked me to bring it."
Jiang Wanzhou, who had quietly arrived, overheard these words, which struck her heart like a heavy blow.
It turned out he had resolved everything—family, organization… He silently shouldered the pressure and cleared away all obstacles, all so that he could marry her openly and honestly.
Jiang Renzhou's tense expression relaxed a bit. He looked at the red cloth bag in Zhou Qingyu's hand, and remembered his younger sister with red eyes but a smile on her lips when she first arrived. Finally, he sighed and his tone softened.
"Alright, let's talk at home. Don't keep bothering other comrades here."
After reading the letter, Officer Wang coughed awkwardly, "Ahem, I see. The paperwork was complete; I just didn't understand the situation at the time. Comrade Zhou, I'm so sorry, I was just listening to some rumors..."
Zhou Qingyu nodded slightly: "Officer Wang is only doing his job, I understand."
But as he swept his gaze across the crowd, he raised his voice and said clearly, "I also ask everyone to bear witness that I, Zhou Qingyu, have returned openly and honestly to propose marriage to Comrade Jiang Wanzhou! I was not kicked out, much less engaged in speculation! Those who spread rumors and tarnish the reputation of this female comrade are the ones who deserve to be condemned!"
The crowd buzzed, their eyes glancing, seemingly casually, at Zhao Xiulan, who had rushed over upon hearing the news and was now hiding behind the crowd, her face pale.
Jiang Wanzhou stood outside and finally found her voice again.
She stepped forward and stood beside Zhou Qingyu. Although her face was still streaked with tears, her voice was unusually clear and firm: "Brother, Zhou Qingyu, let's go home."
She reached out and gently touched the red cloth bag, then looked up at Zhou Qingyu, her eyes seemingly filled with stars.
"Let's go home."
Even Zhou Qingyu's cold gaze softened when he saw her.
Jiang Renzhou was going to training, and the two walked side by side toward home, leaving behind the various and conflicting gazes.
Wang, the clerk, awkwardly stepped aside.
Jiang Renzhou watched the two figures as they walked away and shook his head.
The sand was still rough on his feet, but Jiang Wanzhou felt that every step he took was incredibly solid.
The faint scent of soap on the person next to her reassured her.
As they approached their doorstep, Shen Xinglian was anxiously looking around with Mingyuan in tow.
Seeing them return, Shen Xinglian breathed a long sigh of relief. Mingyuan cheered and broke free from his mother's hand, rushing over like a little cannonball to hug Zhou Qingyu's leg: "Brother Zhou! Sugar figurine!"
Zhou Qingyu released Jiang Wanzhou, bent down and picked Mingyuan up in her arms, laughing as she weighed him in her hands: "Buy it! Tomorrow we'll go to the department store and buy you the biggest one!"
He looked at Shen Xinglian and nodded solemnly: "Sister-in-law, I'm back."
Shen Xinglian's eyes were a little red, but she smiled and said, "It's good that you're back! Come in and rest. You must be exhausted from the journey."
Once inside the courtyard, Zhou Qingyu carefully placed the red cloth bag she had been clutching on the stone table and opened it with utmost care.
Then he took out a small wooden box.
He first picked up the wooden box, opened it, and inside was a jade bracelet.
Shen Xinglian immediately picked it up and handed it to Jiang Wanzhou.
"Wanzhou, you can put it away first."
"Wanzhou, are you... willing?"
Jiang Wanzhou's tears welled up again, and she nodded vigorously.
When Jiang Renzhou came back for dinner that evening, he saw Zhou Qingyu there, and he still felt uneasy.
Shen Xinglian watched from the side and couldn't help but clap her hands and laugh: "So good, they're a perfect match!"
She nudged Jiang Renzhou, who was still standing next to her with a stern face, "Hey, say something!"
Jiang Renzhou cleared his throat and glanced between Zhou Qingyu and Jiang Wanzhou.
"Are all the paperwork... complete? Is everything at home really alright?" He asked again, his tone much softer than at the dock.
“Everything is ready. I also brought the letter from home, written by Dad himself. He said he wouldn’t be able to come to the wedding, and asked for their understanding.”
"However, my family situation is special. Since my stepmother came into the family, my father has never cared about me. Brother and sister-in-law, don't worry, I won't let Wanzhou suffer any injustice."
Zhou Qingyu took out another letter from his pocket and handed it to Jiang Renzhou.
Jiang Renzhou took it, glanced at it briefly, and finally felt completely relieved when he saw the familiar signature and tone at the end.
He folded the letter and handed it back: "Alright, since it's all settled, let's get along well. From now on, we're family. Let's skip the formalities and just live our lives practically."
"Yes!" Zhou Qingyu responded loudly, her face beaming with undisguised joy.
Jiang Wanzhou looked up at the man beside her, whom she had met only after traveling through time and space, who had cleared away all the difficulties for her. She also looked at her best friend and sister-in-law, who were happy for her and treated her like a sister, as well as her brother, who was serious but genuinely cared for her, and her innocent and adorable little nephew.
All the fear and anxiety were dispelled by this real warmth.
"Sister-in-law," Jiang Wanzhou said, her voice slightly hoarse from crying, but full of happiness and determination, "Shall we buy groceries and make dumplings tomorrow?"
“Okay! Let’s make dumplings!” Mingyuan was the first to jump up and respond.
Shen Xinglian smiled and agreed, "Okay! We'll go knead the dough tonight and let it rise. We can prepare the filling tomorrow and then we can start making the dumplings."
"What kind of filling does Comrade Zhou like to eat? Wanzhou likes sauerkraut and pork."
Zhou Qingyu looked at Jiang Wanzhou with tender and affectionate eyes: "Yes, I love to eat."
Shen Xinglian looked at Jiang Wanzhou and smiled, and Jiang Wanzhou also smiled and shook her head.
Jiang Wanzhou's cheeks flushed slightly, but her heart felt as sweet as if she were soaking in a honey pot.
She gently nudged him: "Your sister-in-law asked what kind of filling you like."
Jiang Renzhou ate in silence.
Zhou Qingyu quickly replied.
The courtyard was filled with laughter and joy.
The next day, Shen Xinglian woke up, washed up, and then planned to start preparing the dishes.
As she spoke, she deftly rolled up her sleeves and headed towards the kitchen, not forgetting to call out to her husband.
"Renzhou, stop standing there, go to the plot of land and get a cabbage. I already told Wanzhou that we don't need to buy any more vegetables since we have them at home!"
Jiang Renzhou shook his head helplessly, but the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.
"Okay. You don't have to make what that kid wants to eat."
Despite saying that, he immediately turned around and walked outside.
Jiang Wanzhou and Zhou Qingyu also returned.
The courtyard quickly became lively.
Shen Xinglian was clattering around in the kitchen, looking for a bowl to get noodles.
Mingyuan followed Zhou Qingyu around like a little tail, chattering away about the capital and the big ship.
Zhou Qingyu answered patiently, but her gaze kept following Jiang Wanzhou as she washed her face by the water vat in the yard and then quickly walked into the kitchen.
Jiang Wanzhou went into the kitchen, tied on an apron, took out the fermented dough from the earthenware pot on the windowsill, skillfully mixed it with alkaline water and new flour, and began kneading the dough.
Shen Xinglian was washing vegetables and meat, and preparing scallions and ginger.
“Stars,” Jiang Wanzhou said softly as she kneaded the dough, a smile she couldn’t suppress on her lips, “I feel like I’m dreaming.”
Shen Xinglian shook the water droplets off her hands and laughed, "Your dream has come true, hasn't it? I told you he was reliable. Look, not only did he come back, but you even managed to trick your mother-in-law into giving you her bracelet."
She winked mischievously.
"What lie... But don't talk about that stuff, it wouldn't be good if someone overheard." Jiang Wanzhou gave her a reproachful look, her kneading of the dough becoming even gentler, as if the dough were her tender thoughts at that moment.
"Alright, alright, I got it. The 1980s are just a few years away."
"If I can hold on a little longer, I'll be able to buy it for myself."
"Yes, yes, Mr. Xing, we look forward to your shining moment."
Not long after, Jiang Renzhou returned carrying a piece of pork belly and a head of cabbage.
Zhou Qingyu immediately stepped forward, took the meat, and washed it by the well.
As Jiang Renzhou watched the young man, who was about to become his brother-in-law, roll up his sleeves and get to work with remarkable efficiency, the last trace of scrutiny in his eyes turned into approval.
Zhou Qingyu chopped the meat, and he chopped it with great force.
Jiang Wanzhou squeezed the water out of the cabbage, mixed it with the minced meat, added chopped green onions and ginger, salt, a little precious soy sauce and sesame oil, and skillfully stirred it.
The unique fragrance quickly filled the air.
Once the dough had risen, Jiang Renzhou was in charge of rolling out the dough, while Jiang Wanzhou and Zhou Qingyu were in charge of wrapping it.
Shen Xinglian sat on the stool, holding Shen Mingyuan, and looked at them.
Zhou Qingyu's technique was a bit clumsy, and the dumplings she made were all rather clumsy and could barely stand up, which made Mingyuan giggle.
"Brother Zhou, your dumplings are like you—big, but crooked!"
The child spoke without restraint, and in his childish voice, which made Zhou Qingyu's ears turn red, but she smiled good-naturedly and said, "Then I have to learn from Teacher Wanzhou."
Shen Xinglian instructed Shen Mingyuan: "I just realized that Mingyuan calls you 'Big Brother,' isn't that messing up the generational hierarchy? You should call him 'Uncle' from now on."
"But that's what my aunt calls me too."
"Look at your aunt now, does she even care?"
“I don’t care,” Jiang Wanzhou said.
Zhou Qingyu paused for a moment: "Then can I mind?"
"My first concern is whether your dumplings look good."
Jiang Wanzhou smiled, picked up a dumpling wrapper, put on the filling, and with a deft pinch and squeeze of her fingers, a round, plump, crescent-shaped dumpling with even pleats appeared in her palm.
“Look, like this…” she slowed down her movements to teach him.
Zhou Qingyu studied diligently, and although she still couldn't match her dexterity, her next attempt was indeed much more accurate.
The two stood head to head, one teaching and the other learning. Occasionally their fingers would touch, and they would exchange a smile, as if the air itself was filled with a sweet atmosphere.
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