Chapter 191: Li Ping'an

The second weekend after Zhu Yeqing was caught, the weeping willows in Beihai Park were dazzlingly green.

Li Ping'an, rarely free, walked side by side with Lin Xueqing along the lakeshore. Li Ping'an stared at the young men rowing, lost in thought: Finally I can catch a breath.

Look how happily they play. Lin Xueqing tightened her grip on Li Ping'an's arm, sometimes truly envying ordinary people who don't have to be on edge all day.

They sat on the bench, and Li Ping'an suddenly produced a velvet box.

Xueqing, we've known each other this long...... Li Ping'an's voice tightened a bit.

Lin Xueqing saw the shape of the box, and a blush immediately rose on her cheeks.

The box opened, and a king‑green jade bracelet lay quietly on the velvet, its emerald hue dripping with desire.

It's far too precious...... Lin Xueqing's fingertip lightly brushed the cool jade bracelet.

Li Ping'an helped her put it on: I spotted it at the Trust Store at a glance, thought it would suit you. Actually it was an old item carefully selected from the storage.

Lin Xueqing raised her wrist, the jade glimmering with a warm luster in the sunlight. She suddenly shed tears: When I was at the Korean warfield hospital, I already decided on you.

Then shall we settle it? Li Ping'an brushed away her tears, and distributed Wedding Candy in the courtyard, inviting a few factory leaders to a meal.

As you say. Lin Xueqing leaned on Li Ping'an's shoulder, I have a few friends at the Yi Yuan in Beijing.

On my side I'll invite Zhou Zhengwei, Yang Changzhang and the others. Li Ping'an paused, as for the courtyard neighbors......

Just handing out Wedding Candy is enough. Lin Xueqing responded knowingly.

Three days later, the siblings arranged for Lin Xueqing to go to the Zhongguo zhaoxianguan. Li Pingle, excited, helped Lin Xueqing adjust the qipao collar: My brother really hit the jackpot.

The photographer laughed and directed: Groom, don't stiffen! Come closer!

When the flash fired, Li Ping'an quietly squeezed Lin Xueqing's hand. On the day the photos were taken, the three of them couldn't take their eyes off the finished pictures.

Brother, this shot is really good! Li Pingle pointed at the jade on Lin Xueqing's wrist in the photo, even the bracelet shines so transparently.

Li Ping'an carefully stored the photos: to hang in the New House.

The wedding preparations proceeded quietly. Xi Kua Yuan was thoroughly cleaned, and Li Pingle brought in crabapple branches for vases, pink‑white petals covering the windowsill.

That day Li Ping'an deliberately visited the military compound. Political Commissar Zhou Zhengwei was watering flowers in the courtyard, and upon seeing him, set down his water jug: Hey! Rare guest!

Old leader. Li Ping'an saluted, I'm getting married.

Political Commissar Zhou Zhengwei gave Li Ping'an a hearty pat on the shoulder: Good kid! Finally awakened! Have the date been set?

Next month on the sixth, I'd like to ask you to be the officiant.

You must come! Political Commissar Zhou Zhengwei laughed loudly, back in Dongbei he once said you were a sealed gourd that needed someone to tap, and I was right!

After returning from the troops, Li Ping'an stopped by the street office. Director Wang was sorting paperwork, looked up at him and laughed: I was just looking for you!

What a coincidence. Li Ping'an handed over the marriage application, and also invited you to the wedding banquet.

Director Wang put on his reading glasses and filled it out carefully, then lowered his voice: "No banquet in the courtyard."

Just handing out Wedding Candy will do. Li Ping'an's expression was calm.

The news spread quickly through the Steel Factory. Yang Changzhang went specially to the Security Section to convey congratulations, and Li Huaide even issued a note to specially supply two peony cigarettes. Only Siheyuan remained in the dark, and Jia Zhangshi one evening blocked Li Ping'an and asked: You've been dressing so sprightly lately, what's the counterpart?

There's business at the factory. Li Ping'an stepped aside.

In the Central Courtyard, Jia Dongxu was fixing his bicycle, sarcastically: I'm now a director, very busy!

On the eve of the wedding, Li Ping'an hung the double‑happiness character in the West Wing Room. Li Pingle, while cutting window decorations, muttered: Tomorrow when Jia Zhangshi sees the sister‑in‑law, his eyes will have to bulge out.

She glared at hers. Li Ping'an affixed the double‑happiness correctly, we'll do our own thing.

At dawn on June sixth, Li Ping'an wore a red silk boutonnière and stood at the courtyard gate. Wang Dahu brought brothers from the Security Section and carried a basket of candy, the Wedding Candy wrapped in red paper piled into a small hill.

The first to arrive was Political Commissar Zhou Zhengwei, his uniform crisp. He held Lin Xueqing's hand, said three words in a row, and slipped a red envelope into Li Ping'an's hand: The celebratory money saved from the troops, no refusing!

Yang Changzhang and Li Huaide came together, followed by workers carrying a mirror frame. On the glass, the four gold characters for revolutionary partners glittered in the morning light.

Lin Xueqing's hospital colleague arrived at the courtyard gate and was stopped by the Third Elder: Is this courtyard holding a wedding?

We're here to find Comrade Li Ping'an.

In the moment Yan Bu Gui was stunned, guests had already poured into Xi Kua Yuan. Jia Zhangshi peered through the doorway, counting heads: Incredible! Even a small car has arrived!

A simple ceremony was held beneath the crabapple tree. Political Commissar Zhou Zhengwei's voice rang: Comrade Li Ping'an and Comrade Lin Xueqing, bound in the flames of war, now stand together in construction! May you always keep the revolutionary camaraderie!

Amid applause, Li Ping'an gently tapped the jade bracelet on Lin Xueqing's wrist. She smiled, the jade reflecting the double‑happiness with extra warmth.

When the Wedding Candy was handed out, the whole courtyard erupted. Jia Zhangshi grabbed a candy piece and asked: So you're married now? When did you meet?

Everything fell into place. Li Ping'an handed over the candy basket.

Yan Bu Gui pushed up his glasses and examined Lin Xueqing: Li Chief, what good fortune! This girl......

My beloved, Lin Xueqing. Li Ping'an introduced solemnly. Lin Xueqing nodded graciously, the jade on her wrist swirling with blue light as she moved.

Liu Haizhong stared at the bracelet, clicking his tongue: Li Ping'an, you get married without inviting the three elders, do you still have the three leaders in your eyes?

We're just neighbors, who I invite or not is my freedom, why do you force me to invite you for Wedding Candy? Li Ping'an laughed, leading Lin Xueqing toward the next house.

Yi Zhonghai: Li Chief, Old Liu means you got married without telling us, we could help a bit; our courtyard should help each other, neighbors be harmonious, on such festive days everyone should be happy together!

Li Ping'an: No need then, the banquet isn't in the courtyard; I've invited some leaders from the Steel Factory.

The wedding banquet was set in a private room of Fengze Garden. Political Commissar Zhou Zhengwei's eyes glistened as he raised his glass: Back then on Changbai Mountain, this kid braved the snow to bring me intel, his fingers froze so they wouldn't bend. Now at last someone knows both cold and heat!

Yang Changzhang laughed and replied: Our Steel Factory's diamond drill finally got settled!

Lin Xueqing stood to toast: Li Ping'an's stomach isn't good, I'll toast on his behalf to everyone.

Look! It's all set! Amid the uproarious laughter, Li Ping'an tightly grasped her hand under the table.

When seeing guests off, dusk had settled. Political Commissar Zhou Zhengwei, about to board, suddenly turned: I forgot to mention, the pair of red double‑happiness warm pots in your New House, I had someone bring them from Shanghai!

Back at Xi Kua Yuan, Li Pingle had already arranged the New House. The mandarin‑duck quilt was sprinkled with red dates and peanuts, and the pair of big red warm pots glowed on the five‑drawer chest.

Li Pingle put in a lot of effort. Lin Xueqing brushed the quilt.

She's happier than us. Li Ping'an opened the window, and the evening breeze brought in the scent of crabapple.

During the three‑day wedding leave, the young couple lived ordinary days. Li Ping'an tied an apron and learned to stir‑fry, Lin Xueqing hung a white coat in the courtyard. One dusk she laughed lightly: Now when I go to the hospital, the junior nurses call me Mrs. Li.

Not used to it?

She was even happier than hearing Doctor Lin. She shook her wrist, and the jade bracelet tinkled lightly.

On the morning of the fourth day, Li Ping'an clipped on his fountain pen, preparing to go to work. Lin Xueqing was adjusting his collar when suddenly Jia Zhangshi's shouting came from outside the window: "Just a few days and you're already wearing new leather shoes!"

The two exchanged a smile.

In the evening, wanting to eat grilled belt fish, Li Ping'an said while pushing his bicycle.

I'll make it for you. Lin Xueqing stood under the crabapple tree, the jade-green on her wrist reflecting the morning sun.

Amid the jingling of the bicycle bell, a brand-new life was spreading over the blue‑brick gray tiles with the morning light.