Chapter Twenty: Affairs of the Martial World

Having received their marriage certificate and completed a major milestone in life, Chen Liang took Teacher Xiaoyu out for sightseeing. In the bleak winter of the capital, there weren’t many places worth visiting; the only bustling spots were Dong’an Market and the Department Store.

The Department Store was off limits, at least for now. Chen Liang’s eldest sister-in-law, who had previously tried to arrange a match for Chen Erlengzi, had even introduced her best friend to him, only for Erlengzi to reject her outright. It was like stirring up a hornet’s nest—after all, Chen Liang’s sister-in-law and her friend were known as the “Twin Flowers” of the Department Store, renowned for their beauty. For such a delicate beauty to be rebuffed by Chen Erlengzi, he became a spectacle, attracting the attention of everyone like a big monkey in the park. Eventually, the entire Department Store knew that Liu Huiji’s brother-in-law was no ordinary man, and Chen Erlengzi became famous—there wasn’t a soul there who didn’t know him.

Leading Teacher Xiaoyu to Dong’an Market, they arrived amid a sea of people, with vendors’ cries and the din of the crowd filling the air. After parking the car, they strolled along, sampling snacks as they went. By the time they made a full circuit, they were thoroughly satiated and had experienced the famed “Thirteen Delicacies of Beijing.” Pea cakes, rolling donkey, sugar figurines, dough figurines, malted candy—all were delightful, though the mung bean soup was lacking compared to what was sold in the alleyway by Chen’s house.

After their feast at Dong’an Market, Chen Liang took Teacher Xiaoyu for another stroll to aid digestion before escorting her home. He politely declined the Zhao family’s invitation to stay for dinner and finally departed, leaving Teacher Xiaoyu gazing after him with reluctant affection.

After this day, Teacher Xiaoyu was utterly smitten with Chen Liang, unable to part from him. For a modern master of romantic mischief to handle such a naïve and innocent young woman, to not make quick work of it would be embarrassing beyond measure. If only the timing were right, he’d have tricked her eight times in a single night!

Marriage in these times moved swiftly: families arranged meetings, and if the couple took a liking to each other, they obtained the certificate, then both families met to discuss the wedding arrangements. Once agreed, the ceremony was held. It wasn’t like those television dramas with free romance—if it were, Xu Zushi wouldn’t have caused such a stir with an affair back in the Republic era. Even the great leader once said, “Dating without the intention of marriage is just playing around.” Thus, getting the certificate first was the hallmark of this era.

So, with the marriage certificate in hand and a day spent strolling with his beloved, evening found Chen Liang returning home, only to be met by Chen Hong’s murderous glare.

“Uncle, you’re going to lose all your friends if you act like this. You can’t just forget your niece after marrying!”

He had spent all day with his girlfriend and completely forgotten this little troublemaker—but thankfully, there was a way to make amends. He turned and fetched an apple from his room, instantly brightening Chen Hong’s mood as she clung to his leg.

“Uncle, let’s be best friends for life!”

As if! This little foodie, always loyal to whoever feeds her, calling it friendship was an insult to the word.

“I don’t care! I’m going to rely on you for food forever! Nyah-nyah!”

Just as Chen Hong was about to eat the apple, a hand reached out from behind and snatched it away. “Little brother-in-law, you can’t spoil Chen Hong like this; look at how unruly she’s become.”

“Ah! My apple! Uncle, now’s your chance to show your manly spirit!”

“Nonsense, that’s your mother—my eldest sister-in-law. I’d have to be tired of living to provoke her!”

“So what about my apple?”

“Tough luck! It’s not for me anyway.”

“Ah! Ah! Ah! Why does heaven treat me this way? My poor life, why is it so full of hardship!”

After confiscating the apple, the sister-in-law ignored the silent exchange of glances between uncle and niece, instead urging them to eat.

At the dinner table, Chen Liang glanced at his father, Chen Dashan, who was focused on his meal. “Dad! Now that the marriage certificate is done, when will we get together to discuss the wedding arrangements?”

“Alright, let’s do it tomorrow evening. We’ll invite their family and have a meal at Bai Guo Li’s place.” Chen Dashan took the certificate from Chen Liang, gave it a cursory glance, then handed it back.

For ordinary folks, the certificate alone didn’t signify marriage; only after the banquet, when all friends and relatives were informed, did they become a true family.

While the family was deep in conversation, Cao Kui, known as Big Five, rushed in.

“Have you eaten, Big Five? Join us,” Chen’s mother invited.

“No, no, Auntie, you eat. I need to talk to Liang.” Cao Kui quickly refused. In these times, every household’s rationed food was never enough. If you ate an extra meal, someone else would go without—such simple logic needed no explanation.

After stuffing their cornbread into their mouths and gulping down cold rice porridge, Chen Liang said, “Mom and Dad, take your time eating. I’m leaving with Big Five now!”

“Go ahead, but don’t get into trouble!” his mother said, unconcerned. After all, Big Five was a child she had watched grow up, and his character was good.

“Alright! Got it!” Chen Liang replied, pulling Cao Kui out the door. Once outside, Cao Kui’s expres