Posters encouraging late marriage covered the office walls, but Fang Muyang felt no shame about not heeding this call. His eyes were fixed on the marriage certificate being issued, which showed Fei Ni’s birth date.

The marriage certificate opened like an award certificate, with Fei Ni and Fang Muyang’s names written before the words “voluntarily marry.”

They were indeed marrying voluntarily, without any coercion.

Fei Ni closed the marriage certificate, took out a prepared large envelope from her bag, carefully placed the certificate inside, and put the envelope back in her bag. She cautioned Fang Muyang, “You absolutely must not lose yours.”

“How could I possibly lose this?”

“Should I keep it safe for you?”

Fang Muyang smiled, “Don’t worry, I definitely won’t lose it.”

Fei Ni handed Fang Muyang an envelope for him to store his certificate as well.

“We’re officially married now.”

Seeing Fang Muyang so happy, Fei Ni nodded, “Soon we’ll have our own house.”

She jumped onto the bicycle’s back seat, asking Fang Muyang to take her to the Educated Youth Office.

At the office, Fei Ni helped process her brother’s hardship withdrawal notice. She sent the notice by registered mail and, to prevent any mishaps also sent her brother a telegram.

The week had been exceptionally stuffy. After finishing everything, Fei Ni bought two old-style popsicles, giving one to Fang Muyang – ice cream was too expensive, and they had many other expenses ahead.

Eating their popsicles, they browsed the department store, selecting gifts for Fei Ni’s parents. Fei Ni chose a piece of fabric for each of her parents, but before she could pay, Fang Muyang had already taken out money.

Fei Ni said, “These are for my parents, I should pay.”

“Aren’t they being given in my name? Lying wouldn’t be good, would it?”

“There’s nothing wrong with it.”

“I don’t like lying.”

Fang Muyang spoke seriously, and Fei Ni, not wanting to argue at the counter, had to let him have his way.

Outside the department store, Fei Ni told Fang Muyang, “Sometimes kind lies are necessary. Didn’t you say earlier we should save money? Your funds are limited – spend a bit, and there’s less left.”

“Aren’t we both saving money to decorate our new home? Whether you save or I save, it’s all the same.”

Fang Muyang’s words seemed reasonable at first, but Fei Ni sensed something wrong – they weren’t husband and wife, so they couldn’t be so casual about money.

“It’s different. If you buy a chair later, I can sit on it, but you’re its owner. Similarly, if I buy something, you have the right to use it, but I own it.”

Fang Muyang smiled and countered, “No, what’s yours is yours, but what’s mine belongs to both of us.”

His response made Fei Ni seem petty by comparison.

Fei Ni insisted on giving him the money, so Fang Muyang suggested, “If that’s the case, for fairness, Fei Ni, why don’t you give me a gift too?”

Fei Ni didn’t immediately understand – was he asking for a gift? Usually, people wouldn’t be so direct about wanting gifts, they’d only hint at it. They’d spent all their money; they might end up sleeping on the floor. But on a day like this, she couldn’t refuse him. After all, her brother could return to the city and she could get an apartment because she was marrying him.

“What would you like?”

Fang Muyang cycled with Fei Ni to the trust store and selected a violin.

Fei Ni hadn’t expected Fang Muyang to choose such an expensive gift. Because of her relationship with Ye Feng, his parents had refused to accept her board money, considering her dating expenses, leaving her with some savings. But this money wasn’t nearly enough to buy a violin, even second-hand. The two pieces of fabric together cost only half as much as a violin.

She decided to refuse Fang Muyang’s request, but before she could voice her refusal, she heard him ask the clerk, “Could I try the violin in the back?” Fang Muyang said he wanted to play “Shajiabang,” and since the clerk wasn’t busy and could enjoy a free live performance, they were led to the back room.

Fei Ni’s lips twitched slightly – what misunderstanding did he have about her, thinking she could afford such a violin?

In the room full of old furniture, Fang Muyang ignored everything around him and played the violin, again “Shajiabang.” She didn’t dislike it, but anything gets tiresome with repeated listening.

Fei Ni noticed when Fang Muyang changed tunes midway, the violin’s sound immediately became more gentle. She stood by the window, not looking at Fang Muyang but focusing on the sun hanging between the trees. The leaves were motionless, and she no longer blamed Fang Muyang for being inconsiderate, but rather herself for not having extra money. Just considering size, a violin was much better than a piano – at least they wouldn’t have to worry about where to put it.

By the time the piece ended, Fei Ni had prepared her words of refusal.

The clerk asked Fang Muyang what the latter piece was.

Fang Muyang said it was an Albanian homesickness tune.

Fei Ni knew he was making this up, and as she was thinking about how to persuade him, Fang Muyang said the violin’s tone was too ordinary and he didn’t want it after all.

Fei Ni’s heart settled with relief.

Having successfully delivered the tune he wanted to play to Fei Ni’s ears, Fang Muyang no longer lingered over the violin. Instead, he chose a record and asked Fei Ni to give it to him as a gift.

Fei Ni readily paid for it.

“You didn’t dislike the piece I played, did you?”

“It was very good.” If she had money, even if her savings hadn’t been completely spent on taking care of him, she would have bought him one.

“Do you not remember anything from before?” Because of Fang Muyang’s memory loss, Fei Ni had specifically looked up related books in bookstores and libraries. She had read that some people who lose their memories still retain their previous life skills, though they don’t remember specific events. She wasn’t sure if Fang Muyang was one of these cases.

“I always feel there’s something else between us that you haven’t told me. Did I like you very much before?”

Fei Ni said expressionlessly, “No. We were just ordinary classmates.”

“You’re lying to me, aren’t you? You’re so lovely, how could I not have liked you then?”

Fei Ni didn’t want to continue this discussion and urged him to pedal faster.