The 1960s: The Story of a Country Girl's Journey to the City

"After we get our marriage certificate, we'll go to the city and buy you a watch, and other things we can buy with the marriage certificate, like a washbasin. We'll buy them all today."

"Okay, sure."

Bao Ya nodded. After getting the marriage certificate, it would probably be around 8:30. Going back too early would mean nothing to do, so she might as well go for a stroll around the city.

Bao Ya touched the fifty yuan in her pocket. She had brought money with her, but no tickets. She would pick out some tickets that didn't require tickets later.

After breakfast, the two of them went to wait at the entrance of the marriage registration office.

Bao Ya finally had time to look around the place. It was a large courtyard with several rows of bungalows, a row of trees in front of the bungalows, and a playground further ahead.

The commune police station, household registration department, and militia team were all located in this compound. The compound next to this one was the commune's government compound, which would later become the township government.

After a short wait, the registration office opened, and Jiang Yuan took Bao Ya inside to get their marriage certificate. The two of them handed their letters of introduction and household registration books to the staff.

The person handling the paperwork was a middle-aged woman in her forties. She took the documents from their hands and handed them a form to fill out.

Jiang Yuan took the form and started writing, while Bao Ya looked around the office with a bored expression.

"Jiang Yuan, Lin Qiao, did you two willingly become husband and wife?"

The woman took their materials and looked them over. Suddenly, she blurted out this question. Jiang Yuan was writing in his materials when he heard the question and said, "Yes."

Then, the older woman turned around and looked at Bao Ya, who was staring straight at her without saying a word.

"Lin Qiao, did you do this willingly?"

At this moment, Bao Ya heard what she said clearly and was completely dumbfounded. How did she know she was Lin Qiao? Was she a fortune teller?

I never would have guessed. No wonder they say the lesser hermit lives in the wilderness, the greater hermit lives in the court; even this fortune teller has made it into the civil service. I've met my match today.

As she thought about it, Bao Ya's face gradually lost its color, and she remained stunned for a long time. She wondered if Bao Ya had reported her, since she even knew she was Lin Qiao. Where was Bao Ya then? Would she be branded a spy?

The older woman noticed that the girl in front of her was silent and sensed something was amiss, so she immediately took it seriously.

"What's your name?"

"My name is Lin Baoya."

Bao Ya wanted to struggle a little more. She couldn't just sit and wait to die. Being treated as a spy would definitely lead to a terrible fate. She didn't want that, absolutely not.

Jiang Yuan noticed the situation after filling out the form. He had also noticed that Bao Ya hadn't responded when they asked if she was willing. Could it be that the girl was having second thoughts? Thinking this, he came over to check on her.

"Who is Lin Qiao?"

The older woman looked at Bao Ya with suspicion, her tone not very friendly, as if she thought the girl had gotten married using someone else's household registration.

"I……"

Bao Ya wanted to say she didn't know, but her throat tightened and she couldn't say anything. She was extremely anxious and felt like crying. What should she do?

"Could you please show me your household registration booklet?"

Jiang Yuan also sensed something was wrong. He had never heard of this Lin Qiao, but seeing the woman holding a household registration booklet, he figured there might be a problem with her household registration. So he decided to come and take a look.

The woman didn't say much and handed the household registration book to Jiang Yuan.

Jiang Yuan took the household registration booklet and looked at it. It listed Lin Qiao. Flipping back, the first two pages listed Lin Dahai and Su Ruyi, and the last page listed Lin Weiheng. There was no Lin Baoya, only Lin Qiao.

He didn't think it was a big deal. People in the village were given nicknames when they were young, thinking that it would make them easier to raise. They might never have a formal name in their entire lives.

There's nothing wrong with Lin Baoya's real name being Lin Qiao. But judging from the little girl's expression, she probably doesn't know her real name.

Bao Ya followed his gaze to the household registration book and also noticed the problem. She had been stunned when that person called her "Lin Qiao" earlier.

He snatched the household registration booklet and started flipping through it.

"Damn it, who changed my name?"

The original owner didn't really know her real name. Everyone called her Bao Ya. The original owner only went to junior high school. She registered using a letter of introduction and didn't need a household registration book at all. How would she know what was written on the household registration book?

Bao Ya was stunned when she saw the name on the household registration book. The original owner's full name was Lin Qiao. No wonder she could transmigrate. It was indeed a case of the same name.

Bao Ya sighed deeply. She had completely accepted her fate. She had indeed transmigrated, and it wasn't the game she had imagined.

Just as things were at a stalemate, someone peeked in from the side.

"Bao Ya, what are you doing here? I just saw you. Haha."

Who is this? Bao Ya carefully examined the person who came. He was not tall, with a round head and a big forehead. This was Chen Jianguo, her third uncle's old comrade-in-arms and the head of the commune's household registration department.

"Uncle Chen."

Bao Ya, who had just come to her senses, quickly greeted the newcomer.

"I'm here to get my marriage certificate. This is my husband, Jiang Yuan. Third brother, this is Uncle Chen, my uncle's old comrade-in-arms."

"Hello, Uncle Chen!"

"Wow, you're married already! Hello, Xiao Jiang. Have you gotten your marriage certificate yet?"

Chen Jianguo walked over and asked with a cheerful smile.

"this……"

Bao Ya looked troubled and handed him her household registration booklet.

The older woman inside spoke for them:

"Section Chief Chen, the name on her household registration is not hers."

"Huh? Let me see."

As he spoke, Chen Jianguo took the household registration booklet, looked at it, and laughed.

"That's right, this is her family's household registration book. Look, I even wrote it down. I also named you and your brother. Isn't it great?"

At that time, the contents of the household registration book were all handwritten, and the handwriting on it was Chen Jianguo's.

This time, Bao Ya was dumbfounded. He wrote it and even named someone else's child, but no one knew about it except himself.

Bao Ya breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that someone had seen through her, but it turned out that someone had given her a name.

"When did you get this name? I've never heard of it before."

"Uh... well, when your third uncle asked me to register your family's household registration, I gave you and your sister that name, but I think I forgot to tell him?"

Chen Jianguo also realized that he had delivered the household registration to Su's home after it was completed, handing it over to the old lady of the Su family, who was illiterate.

With him as their witness, the registration office staff didn't hesitate and issued them their marriage certificate directly. Chen Jianguo thought for a moment, then took a pen and quickly wrote the three characters "Lin Baoya" on her former name on her household registration book.

Bao Ya's lips twitched as she watched. Was it really that casual?

Seeing her expression, Chen Jianguo knew what she was thinking and added a comment.

"It's okay, I'll just change it in your file later."

Upon hearing this, Bao Ya forced a smile and said loudly:

"Thank you, Uncle Er Gou!"

The shout drew the attention of everyone inside, causing those outside to peer inside.

"What nonsense is this girl spouting?"

Chen Jianguo blushed. He was over forty years old, and people still called him "Second Dog"—it was unbelievable. He secretly glanced at the office staff; each of them was biting their lower lip, their faces twitching.

After Bao Ya finished shouting, she pulled Jiang Yuan outside, still talking non-stop.

"Uncle Er Gou, remember to give me a wedding gift!"

This will make the sound even louder.