Chapter 192 They got their marriage certificate
In the following days, life seemed to return to normal.
Lu Zhanming went to his new unit during the day to report for duty, familiarize himself with the work, and deploy the security network.
Gu Baobao then began to decorate their new home little by little, especially her research room.
She sorted out the medical books and notes she brought from the island, labeled the drawers of the medicine cabinet, and purchased a batch of commonly used medicinal materials and basic laboratory equipment.
In the Merit Mall, she redeemed the basic hybrid vigor screening auxiliary module worth 8000 points.
This does not directly provide high-yield seeds, but rather a set of theoretical methods and data analysis models that combine the breeding technologies of this era to significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of screening.
She reorganized and transcribed this advanced technical material using language and methods that align with current understanding, intending to contribute it to the nation as one of her academic ideas at a suitable time in the future.
She also took some time to visit the military medical college where she was about to take up her post, and met with the college's leaders and some professors.
Everyone was curious about her, this young visiting professor, and had some doubts, but they were all very polite.
Gu Baobao humbly stated that she mainly came to learn and offered her initial teaching ideas:
Combining battlefield first aid and common disease prevention, we are offering short-term, highly practical training courses. This pragmatic approach has been well-received, and specific course arrangements are yet to be determined.
Lu Zhanming's security work has been very effective.
The man in the baseball cap who had been inquiring at the alley entrance never appeared again.
But Lu Zhanming did not let his guard down; instead, he made the protective net even tighter.
Around the courtyard house, among the seemingly ordinary neighbors, there were a few more pairs of wary eyes.
The bicycle repairman and the vendor selling goods while shaking a rattle drum in the alley might also be one of our own.
That afternoon, Gu Baobao was organizing medicinal herbs in the east wing pharmacy when Lu Zhanming returned early, carrying a file folder.
"Baby, look."
He handed her the file folder with a smile on his face.
Gu Baobao took it and opened it. Inside were two marriage application certificates stamped with a bright red seal. Their marriage application had been approved!
"So fast?"
Gu Baobao was pleasantly surprised.
"Special cases are handled specially."
Lu Zhanming smiled and put his arm around her waist.
"The boss said to settle your personal matters as soon as possible so you can focus on your work and I can concentrate on my security duties. We'll go to the Civil Affairs Bureau to register tomorrow!"
Gu Baobao held the thin yet incredibly heavy piece of paper, her heart pounding like a drum.
Tomorrow, she will become Lu Zhanming's wife under the witness of law and the organization.
"Oh, right,"
Lu Zhanming then took out a small red velvet box from his pocket, opened it, and inside were two extremely simple gold rings.
There are no patterns, only the battle inscription, the baby's name, and the date are engraved on the inside of the smooth surface.
“It’s not fashionable to wear this now, but I thought I should at least have something to remember it by.”
Lu Zhanming picked up the slightly larger one, took Gu Baobao's left hand, and carefully placed it on her ring finger. The size was just right.
"I'll make it up to you when things get better."
The gold ring felt slightly cool, but was quickly warmed by body heat.
Gu Baobao looked at the simple yet profound gold ring on her finger, and then at the almost overwhelming tenderness in Lu Zhanming's eyes, and tears welled up unexpectedly.
"Silly girl, why are you crying?"
Lu Zhanming wiped away her tears with his thumb, his voice low and hoarse, and he couldn't help but feel his own eyes welling up with tears.
He picked up another ring and placed it in Gu Baobao's palm.
"Put it on me."
With trembling hands, Gu Baobao slipped the ring onto his well-defined finger.
From then on, a promise and a bond were added to the ring finger.
The two embraced silently, needing no words; the sound of their heartbeats was the best vow.
The next day, a typical winter day in November 1965, the sky was azure and the sunlight was cool.
Gu Baobao put on the moon-white soft satin cheongsam and the black cashmere coat, and then put on a military overcoat.
Lu Zhanming, on the other hand, was dressed in a brand-new military uniform, looking tall and handsome.
There were no relatives or friends surrounding them, no lively ceremony.
There was only one jeep that took them to the district civil affairs bureau.
The procedures were simple yet solemn.
The application was read aloud, the supporting documents were reviewed, and the documents were signed and stamped. The marriage certificate was handed to them like an award certificate.
"Congratulations to the two comrades on becoming revolutionary partners."
The staff member smiled and offered their blessings.
"Thanks."
Lu Zhanming and Gu Baobao thanked each other in unison, exchanged a smile, and their deepest feelings were unspoken.
After leaving the Civil Affairs Bureau, Lu Zhanming held Gu Baobao's hand tightly and walked towards the waiting jeep.
The sunlight shone on them, casting long shadows of the two of them, who nestled closely together.
"Comrade Lu Zhanming, please guide me for the rest of my life."
Gu Baobao looked up and smiled at him.
"Comrade Gu Baobao, it is my honor."
Lu Zhanming lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
The car started and drove towards their shared home, towards an unknown yet hopeful future.
Unseen by them, an encrypted telegram was being sent across the ocean to New York via a special channel.
The telegram was brief:
"The target has settled in and is under tight security. Attempts to make contact with Qingzhuan have failed, increasing the risk of exposure. We recommend activating Shadow or postponing it. Also, the target officially registered their marriage today."
In faraway New York, Lavoisier looked at the telegram, his icy blue eyes narrowing into dangerous slits.
get married?
Have you settled down?
Well protected?
He picked up the phone, dialed a rarely used number, and his voice was as cold as the Siberian wind:
"Project Shadow, initiating. I want to give my bride a 'gift' she'll never forget during her happiest moment."
A flat, monotone voice came from the other end of the phone:
"Understood. The gift needs time to be prepared."
"I have plenty of patience."
Lavoisier hung up the phone, walked to the window, looked down at the bustling city below, and a cruel smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
Gu Baobao, Lu Zhanming.
Our game, round two, officially begins.
I hope you... like my "wedding gift".
The pomegranate tree in the courtyard of Houhai stands quietly under the warm winter sun, its bare branches pointing to the sky, as if gathering strength and waiting for its burgeoning growth next spring.
The warmth of the new home under the tree and the chill creeping from the shadows have quietly intertwined in this ancient capital.
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