usenovelgroup Chapter 34 Obtaining the Divorce Certificate
Chapter 34 Obtaining the Divorce Certificate
Su Wanwan felt inexplicably happy when Bai Rongbei said that she wasn't stupid.
As soon as the bowls and chopsticks were put down, Bai Si'an stood up and began to clean up.
The movements were so natural, as if it were a matter of course.
Lin Weiwei and Su Wanwan exchanged a glance and quickly stood up to help.
"You guys take a break," Bai Rongbei said calmly, already carrying two empty bowls towards the kitchen. "I'm tired today."
"We can wash them." Bai Si'an pushed up his glasses and stacked the remaining plates together. "There aren't many bowls."
Lin Weiwei wanted to say something, but Su Wanwan gently tugged at her.
The two men stood there, watching the two brothers, one washing the dishes and the other wiping the table, working together seamlessly and with movements as swift as if they had rehearsed countless times.
The kitchen was a makeshift earthen stove set up in the corner of the room, very rudimentary. Bai Si'an fetched water to wash the dishes, while Bai Rongbei wiped the table clean and then picked up a broom to sweep up the food scraps on the floor.
Under the dim light of a kerosene lamp, two men in military uniforms were doing housework. The scene was somewhat incongruous, yet it exuded an indescribable sense of peace and security.
Lin Weiwei leaned close to Su Wanwan's ear and whispered, "They're quite good at working."
Su Wanwan nodded, her eyes fixed on Bai Rongbei's back as he bent over sweeping the floor.
He was tall, so he had to bend over very low when doing these tasks, but he was very efficient and even swept out the dust from the cracks in the wall.
In no time, the room was tidied up.
The dishes and chopsticks were washed and hung to dry on the rack next to the stove. The table was wiped clean, and the floor was swept.
Bai Si'an then picked up the kettle and poured a bowl of hot water for everyone.
"Sit down," Bai Rongbei said.
The four of them sat down around the table.
As night falls in the Gobi Desert, the occasional bark of a dog can be heard in the distance.
"Oh, right, the political commissar told me today that our divorce papers have been approved," Bai Rongbei said. "We're going to pick up our marriage certificate tomorrow morning."
Bai Si'an nodded: "We need to complete all the formalities. There's also the registration for the family compound."
"Hmm." Bai Rongbei took a sip of water. "Also, about the restrooms."
When the toilet was mentioned, both Lin Weiwei and Su Wanwan looked up.
"My brother and I have discussed it and plan to start repairs the day after tomorrow. We'll go into town tomorrow afternoon to buy some supplies and try to get it done in one go."
"Great idea! Let's go to town! Neither of us has been before!"
Upon hearing that they were going to the city, Lin Weiwei and Su Wanwan were extremely excited.
The two of them went to sleep happily, both looking forward to going to the city.
The two sisters didn't care at all about getting their marriage certificate.
Bai Si'an and Bai Rongbei, however, could not sleep.
The two stood outside smoking, one cigarette after another.
……
The next day, just as dawn was breaking, the shouts from the drills outside woke everyone up.
Lin Weiwei rubbed her eyes and sat up, seeing that Su Wanwan was already up and combing her hair in front of the broken mirror on the windowsill.
"What time is it?" Lin Weiwei muttered.
"It's almost six o'clock." Su Wanwan braided her hair into a plait and let it hang down in front of her chest. "Bai Rongbei just said that we should go to the regimental headquarters at seven-thirty."
Lin Weiwei suddenly snapped out of her daze: "We're getting our marriage certificate today?"
"Mm." Su Wanwan nodded, her face expressionless.
The two quickly got up and washed up.
After getting ready and stepping out of the inner room, Bai Rongbei and Bai Si'an were already waiting outside.
Both brothers were dressed in neat military uniforms, their hair combed meticulously, making them look even more upright than usual.
"Eat breakfast." Bai Rongbei pointed to the table.
It was cornbread, pickled vegetables, and millet porridge again.
The four finished eating in silence. As usual, Bai Si'an cleared away the dishes, and Bai Rongbei went to return the lunchbox.
At 7:15, the four set off for the regimental headquarters.
The morning wind in the Gobi Desert is still cool, but it invigorates the spirit.
The four walked in silence on their way to the political office.
The morning sun in the Gobi Desert was already quite scorching, and the wind whipped up fine sand that lashed against my legs.
Bai Rongbei walked at the very front, taking steady and large steps.
Su Wanwan followed behind him, watching his long shadow cast by the sunlight, her heart pounding a little wildly.
As they approached the camp headquarters building, Bai Rongbei suddenly stopped and turned to look at Su Wanwan: "Come with me for a moment."
After saying that, he walked behind a row of jujube trees.
Su Wanwan paused for a moment and glanced at Lin Weiwei.
Lin Wei winked at her, signaling her to hurry up.
Su Wanwan pursed her lips and followed.
The oleaster trees were sparse and offered little shade, but at least they were spaced a few steps apart.
Bai Rongbei stopped, turned around, and faced Su Wanwan.
He was more than a head taller than her, and the brim of his military cap cast a small shadow on his face, making his eyes look even more unfathomable.
"Comrade Su Wanwan," he began, his voice low but each word clear, "I'm asking you one last time, are you sure you want to marry me?"
Su Wanwan didn't expect him to be so direct. She curled her fingers and looked up at him.
"You know my situation."
Bai Rongbei continued, his face expressionless, as if stating a task, "I can't have children. Besides, I'm the regimental commander, with heavy duties, spending a lot of time at the regimental headquarters and in the companies, so I might not be able to take care of my family often, let alone... take care of you."
He paused, his gaze falling on her slightly tense face: "It's not too late to back out now. Once you have the divorce certificate, you can apply to return to your place of origin, or... make other plans. The organization will explain what happened before, it won't affect you."
The wind rustled through the bare, stiff branches of the jujube tree, making a soft, whistling sound.
The shouts of soldiers training could be heard from the distant parade ground, making this place seem exceptionally quiet.
Su Wanwan listened quietly as he finished speaking.
He had hinted at these points before, but this was the first time he had laid them out so formally and directly in front of her.
She looked into his deep eyes, which held no probing, no coercion, only a calm composure and an almost cold sense of responsibility, presenting the worst possible scenario for her to choose from.
She suddenly felt less nervous.
"Commander Bai," she spoke softly, her voice slightly swayed by the wind but clear, "I married you initially because my family needed protection, I won't hide that from you. As for what you said... about not being able to have children..."
She paused, her face slightly flushed, but forced herself to continue, "I don't think this is a huge deal. Life goes on whether I have children or not."
Bai Rongbei's eyes flickered slightly, but he remained silent.
"It's understandable that you're busy with your career. I can take care of myself; you don't need to...take care of me," Su Wanwan continued, her tone gradually becoming firmer.
"Let's... live together in a respectful manner, okay? Like... like roommates, respecting each other and helping each other out."
She thought for a moment, then added in an even softer voice, "And... about our sex life, I... I don't really want to... Can we just be roommates?"
After saying that, she seemed to find her words a little strange, yet also relieved. Subconsciously, she gently patted Bai Rongbei's arm, as if to confirm the "roommate agreement".
Bai Rongbei: "..."