Chapter 149: From Temporary Spouses to a Lifetime Vow

"Qing Shan, what are your plans for the future?" Lin Yue'e's voice was as light as a feather, yet as heavy as lead.

Lu Qingshan was about to answer when he saw a complex gleam in his wife's eyes—expectation, restraint, and a thing he didn't want to see—preparation.

"Yue E, what do you mean?" Lu Qingshan retorted, a foreboding feeling rising in his heart.

Lin Yue'e lowered her head, her fingers absent‑mindedly fiddling with the hem of her robe: "Back then we were mutually enamored, and we married to earn double work points, to live a little better. We didn't even get a marriage certificate; many of the educated youths did the same. Didn't we agree that if we could return to the city, we'd see how things go?"

Lu Qingshan's heart felt like it was being pricked; memories from his past life surged like a tide. Indeed, at that time he had struck such an understanding with Lin Yue'e to gain more work points and have someone to look after him in the village. But now…

"Now your father has been rehabilitated, you can return to the Capital City," Lin Yue'e's voice grew softer, "Your future is limitless; I must not hold you back."

Lu Qingshan heard the retreat and inferiority in her words. This woman would endure pain herself just to consider his future. In his past life he had been a scoundrel, truly abandoning them, letting mother and daughter die early.

"I've thought it over, Xiao Xue is still young; she can have a better future if she follows you back to the city. I'm just a rural woman, unworthy of your current status." Lin Yue'e's voice grew fainter, almost inaudible at the end.

"What a load of crap!" Lu Qingshan sprang up, his voice a little agitated.

Lin Yue'e startled and instinctively drew back. The movement tore Lu Qingshan's heart like a knife; how deep the shadow his past self had left on her.

"Yue E, listen." Lu Qingshan stepped in front of his wife, squatted to meet her eyes, "I, Lu Qingshan, have done many reckless things in this life, the biggest being that I once hurt you. But now I tell you, Lin Yue'e is the wife I will keep for this whole life, never abandoning, never leaving."

"Qing Shan, don't say that…" Lin Yue'e's eyes reddened.

"All this talk about status is nonsense! What does my father's ridiculous status matter? He's been rehabilitated, so what?" Lu Qingshan's eyes flashed with resolve, "My roots are in Shanwan Village, my heart is in this home! If I leave you all, what would I do in the city? Live as a recluse?"

He took Lin Yue'e's hand: "Yue E, tomorrow we'll go get the certificate, marry properly. Anyone who dares to gossip, I, Lu Qingshan, will be the first to punish them!"

Lin Yue'e was stunned for a long moment before she reacted: "Qing Shan, you… what did you say?"

"I said I'm going to marry you! Clearly and plainly marry you!" Lu Qingshan stood, his voice booming like an oath, "I'll let the whole world know that Lin Yue'e is my properly married wife!"

Hearing this, Lin Yue'e could no longer hold back, tears streaming down. All the years of grievance, worry, and Fear turned into tears at this moment.

"Why are you crying? It's not a disgraceful matter." Lu Qingshan gently wiped her tears, "If anyone dares to bully my wife, I'll cut them to death."

At that moment, Xiao Xue sat up from the bed, rubbing her eyes: "Dad, Mom, are you fighting?"

Lu Qingshan hurried over and lifted his daughter: "Xiao Xue, dad and mom aren't fighting; mom is crying from happiness."

"Why cry when happy?" Xiao Xue tilted her head, puzzled.

"Because dad is officially marrying mom, we'll have a banquet and set off firecrackers!" Lu Qingshan teased her.

"Really set off firecrackers?" Xiao Xue instantly perked up, all sleep gone.

"Of course! We'll also make dumplings and buy candy!" Lu Qingshan grew more excited as he spoke.

Watching the father‑daughter exchange, Lin Yue'e broke into a smile. This man had truly changed, becoming someone she could hardly believe.

Early the next morning, Lu Qingshan dragged Lin Yue'e to the village office. Xiao Xue followed, hopping along the way.

"Qing Shan, what are you two heading to?" Zhao Yongnian was sweeping the courtyard when he saw the hurried family of three.

"Uncle Yongnian, we're going to get a marriage certificate!" Lu Qingshan announced loudly.

"What?" Zhao Yongnian dropped his broom, "Didn't you…?"

"The previous one doesn't count; there was no certificate. Today we need a proper marriage certificate!" Lu Qingshan said confidently.

Zhao Yongnian was stunned for a while before he laughed, patting his thigh: "Ah, that's good! But our village office can't handle this; we have to go to the town civil affairs bureau."

"Then let's go now!" Lu Qingshan replied without hesitation.

Upon reaching the town, Lu Qingshan realized his plan was too simple. The civil affairs staff required various documents—household register, unit certificate, Introduction Letter—none could be missing.

"Comrade, your documents are incomplete; we can't process the certificate," the staff said bureaucratically.

"Then tell me what documents you need, I'll get them right away!" Lu Qingshan urged.

"First the household register, then a marriage‑status certificate issued by the unit, and also an Introduction Letter from the village…" the staff counted on his fingers.

"Alright, alright, you wait!" Lu Qingshan pulled Lin Yue'e and ran outside.

All morning, Lu Qingshan hired Liu Hua Qiang's carriage, shuttled between the village office, town government, and police station several times, finally gathering all the required papers.

At two p. m., they returned to the civil affairs bureau. This time the staff carefully inspected everything and finally nodded: "All set, fill out the form."

When the bright red marriage certificate was handed over, Lin Yue'e's hands trembled.

"Yue E, from today you are my properly married wife." Lu Qingshan said solemnly.

"Qing Shan, I… I don't know what to say." Lin Yue'e clutched the marriage certificate tightly.

"Then say nothing, let's go home and make dumplings to celebrate!" Lu Qingshan laughed heartily.

That night, Lin Yue'e personally cooked dumplings. Xiao Xue helped beside her; the dumplings were oddly shaped, but the family was joyous.

"Dad, this dumpling is mine!" Xiao Xue held up a dumpling that looked more like a bun, showing it off.

"Xiao Xue's dumplings look the best!" Lu Qingshan praised.

"Of course, I'm amazing!" Xiao Xue said proudly.

Watching the father‑daughter interaction, Lin Yue'e felt warm inside, as if she'd drunk honey.

The dumplings boiled, steaming fragrant aroma filling the house. Lu Qingshan watched his busy wife, his heart full of appreciation.

"Yue E, when I return from the Capital City, you should also learn some culture." Lu Qingshan said.

"Me? Learn culture?" Lin Yue'e could hardly believe it.

"Of course, my clever wife, not learning culture would be a waste. The factory will keep expanding; we'll need you to manage the accounts." Lu Qingshan said seriously.

Lin Yue'e nodded, excitement flashing in her eyes.

The dumplings were ready, and the three of them sat around the table. Lu Qingshan raised his cup: "To our new marriage, to our future, cheers!"

"Cheers!" Lin Yue'e also lifted her teacup.

"I'll toast too!" Xiao Xue lifted her small bowl, mimicking the adults.

At that warm moment, a rapid knock sounded at the courtyard door.

"Who could be coming this late?" Lu Qingshan frowned.

"Could something have happened at the factory?" Lin Yue'e asked worriedly.

"I'll go check." Lu Qingshan stood up: "I'll go see."

The knocking grew more urgent, and Lu Qingshan felt a vague uneasy premonition.