Chapter 104: Marriage Application

The three of them stared at each other in surprise, eyes wide, until Zhong Xiao was the first to react, still a little dazed.

“What’s the matter?” she asked, then seemed to realize something and turned to Song Tingshen. “Did you tell Aunt Zuo?”

“I did.”

Only now did Zuo Lan truly believe it, her face instantly lighting up with joy, her eyes sparkling as she came over to take Zhong Xiao’s hand. Her smile was so wide that the fine lines at the corners of her eyes deepened.

“Xiaoxiao, are you really willing to marry our Shen?”

For some reason, Zhong Xiao blushed suddenly. Smiling shyly, she bit her lip and replied, “Yes, Aunt Zuo, I’m willing.”

Zuo Lan’s smile grew even broader.

“Good, good, good! I’ll go tell Old Song in a moment. Such a wonderful thing— we have to seize the moment! Tomorrow, let Shen go and submit the application first. Xiaoxiao, don’t worry, our family will never treat you unfairly.”

“After the wedding, if you don’t want to live with the whole family, we can apply for a staff apartment for you two— our family has a quota anyway.”

“If Shen ever mistreats you, you just come and tell me. But I know my son— he may be a bit clumsy with words and seem cold, but deep down, he’s warm-hearted and good. Don’t worry, Shen will treat you well.”

Zhong Xiao shot a quick glance at Song Tingshen. Of course, she knew.

She understood his feelings completely.

Every bit of him was already in the palm of her hand.

Zhong Xiao smiled faintly, and just at that moment Jiang Yuan came hurrying down the stairs.

She was beaming, her pregnant belly leading the way as she rushed over, startling Zhong Xiao.

“Sister-in-law, slow down…”

“I knew it!” Jiang Yuan cried joyfully. “From the very first moment I saw you, I just knew we’d end up as family!”

She finished by giving Song Tingshen’s arm a light slap.

“What are you standing around for? Hurry up and fill out the application and give it to Commissar Liu! Standing there like a blockhead, do you not realize how eager Xiaoxiao is to marry you?”

Song Tingshen’s Adam’s apple bobbed. Only then did he say:

“All right, I’ll go write it now.”

“No need to rush,” Zhong Xiao said quickly. “It’s so late now— Commissar Liu won’t be in his office. It’s fine to write it and hand it in tomorrow.”

“How can it not be urgent? Whether the commissar is there or not is his concern. If he wants to marry you, he needs to show his resolve.”

“Tomorrow, let Tingshen take two days off and go to the city’s department store to shop for furniture. Aren’t you two going to apply for a new staff apartment? You’ll need to decorate it properly— your new home as a newlywed couple.”

A newlywed couple.

A new home.

As Song Tingshen headed upstairs, he heard Jiang Yuan’s words and paused for a moment. Then he climbed the steps again, noticeably quicker than before.

Meanwhile, Zhong Xiao, watching him disappear upstairs, turned to Jiang Yuan and Zuo Lan, a little dazed.

“Aunt Zuo, Sister-in-law, is there anything I need to prepare?”

“You don’t need to prepare anything, sweetheart,” Zuo Lan said gently, stroking Zhong Xiao’s cheek with affection. “As long as you’re willing to join our Song family, you needn’t worry about a thing. We’ll take care of everything for you.”

Looking into their sincere eyes, Zhong Xiao felt her own eyes growing moist.

She lowered her head slightly.

In a soft voice, she said, “I’m the eldest daughter of the Zhong family— my background is…”

“I don’t care about any eldest daughter of the Zhong family,” Zuo Lan said firmly. “All I know is your father is the hero who allowed the soldiers of the entire Taizhou Island Military District to survive. All I know is you saved Old Song’s life—twice. All I know is you’ve had a marriage agreement with our Shen since the day you were both born.”

Her expression was resolute.

“Believe me, Xiaoxiao, in this entire military district, if anyone dares utter a word questioning your background, you don’t need to say a thing— just leave it all to me!”