Uncle Shazhu, a simple-minded man in a courtyard house, persuades people with reason.

After leaving the courtyard, He Ping'an gently flicked the little girl's forehead. "Satisfied?"

"Ouch... Xiao Su, that hurts!" The little girl covered her forehead and pretended to be stupid.

"It's good to have pain points; pain points help you learn from them!" He Ping'an gently touched the spot he had just flicked, his tone mild: "Tell your uncle why you don't like that Li Ze'an?"

The little girl slumped against He Ping'an's shoulder, blinked her big eyes nervously, and asked, "He stole Daddy and Brother, I just don't like him. Uncle, will you dislike Yushui too?"

"Me..." He Ping'an drawled, just as the little girl was about to cry, "Our Yushui has been smart since she was little, of course your uncle likes Yushui!"

"That's right!" The little girl's emotions came and went quickly, and she jumped around in He Ping'an's arms with a grin.

He Ping'an teased the child with a mischievous grin, "Well, just look at how smart our Yushui is, she'll be in elementary school in a couple of years, otherwise it'll be a waste of all the talent God gave her!"

"Xiao Su, what is going to school?" The little girl blinked her big eyes, full of curiosity.

He Ping'an, with a straight face, lied, "Going to school... going to school is just a bunch of smart people playing together!"

"I'm going! I've always been smart! Time to go to school!"

That evening, at the Public Security Bureau, Bai Ling's dormitory...

The room was filled with the warmth of spring; the heavy winter coats had been reduced to thin shirts, askew and disheveled. Bai Ling's eyes were brimming with spring-like tears, but at the last moment she pressed down on He Ping'an's mischievous hand.

"Ping An, my parents have been transferred back to Beijing for work, and they want to meet you! And..." Bai Ling's voice trailed off, "And they asked when we're getting married?"

He Ping'an knew that the young lady wanted to get married, so he readily agreed: "I'm free recently. You pick a time and I'll visit your parents. Then we'll choose a good day and get our marriage certificate!"

"Ugh, who said I was going to marry you?" Women are always saying one thing and meaning another; even though she's grinning from ear to ear, she still has to put on a tough front.

"Hmm...? I won't marry you..." He Ping'an's hands started to wander again, teasing Bai Ling until she begged for mercy.

In the revolutionary era, dating and marriage were all about speed and efficiency. If someone fell in love, they would get together, and it usually took two or three weeks to register their marriage and get married. Two or three months was considered a long time; He Ping'an and Bai Ling had been together for four years since 1946.

Even in the 21st century, a long-term relationship would be considered a given, with meeting the parents and getting married all taking it for granted.

At that time, the main force had just entered the city and there were no courtyards or mansions yet. At the entrance of a two-courtyard siheyuan, Bai Ling was holding He Ping'an's arm, which was quite bold for that era.

"Ping An, don't be nervous. My parents already know about us. In their words, I've wasted four years of your life."

"Nervous?" He Ping'an looked himself up and down, then curiously looked at Bai Ling. "What makes you think I'm nervous? I'm educated, capable, have military achievements, and I'm good-looking. Your parents should be worried that I don't approve of you!"

"Ugh... I'm ignoring you!" Bai Ling rolled her eyes, then pouted and left He Ping'an to knock on the door.

Bai's father valued He Ping'an very much, but he was also quite unserious... well, very unserious!

Grabbing He Ping'an's hands, he shook them vigorously, showering him with praise. "This is Comrade He Ping'an, a man of both literary and martial talents, who has repeatedly performed extraordinary feats. Very good, and quite dashing!"

Everyone carried the sedan chair, and He Ping'an responded with a half-bow: "You are an old revolutionary who persevered in seeking hope, and you are a role model for us younger generations to learn from!"

"Okay, well said! Let me tell you..."

Before Bai's father could finish speaking, Bai's mother pushed aside the crowd, looked the young man over from left to right, and examined him with satisfaction. "What a spirited young man!"

"Hey, comrade, I haven't finished speaking yet!" Mr. Bai stepped forward again, trying to push Mrs. Bai aside.

"Dad, Mom..." Bai Ling blushed and didn't dare to look at He Ping'an.

"Your uncle and aunt have such a good relationship!" He Ping'an said at the right moment, and it was also his true feelings.

Soldiers during wartime fighting and drinking...

"Let me tell you, bro, back in the day, so many white dogs were all around me. I...I..."

"Bang!" Before he could finish speaking, Mr. Bai collapsed onto the table, drunk.

He Ping'an has three fathers-in-law. The first one died indirectly at his hands; the second one and the third one...?

Bai's mother seemed to sense He Ping'an's embarrassment and explained, "Don't mind this drunkard. He can't hold his liquor but always likes to have a few drinks. When he's drunk, he makes a scene and insists on becoming sworn brothers with people. It's alright!"

He Ping'an secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had just been thinking about whether to pretend to be drunk too, but now all three of his fathers-in-law had fallen out, which was really his problem!

He Ping'an stayed with the Bai family mother and daughter until Bai's father sobered up, as he had come with a mission.

"Hey... Xiao He hasn't left yet, perfect timing for another drink tonight! Sigh, as you get older, your alcohol tolerance decreases." Mr. Bai rubbed his temples as he entered the living room, trying to save face when he saw that He Ping'an hadn't left.

"Uncle is right, this is a scientific law that cannot be avoided!"

As it turns out, if He Ping'an really goes all out to flatter someone, he can really make that person lose all sense of direction.

At dinner, seeing that Bai's parents were in a good mood, He Ping'an put down his wine glass and solemnly said, "Uncle, Aunt, Bai Ling and I have known each other for four years, so I have come to ask for your approval for our marriage!"

Mr. and Mrs. Bai exchanged a smile and nodded in agreement to He Ping'an's request. The result was not unexpected; after all, He Ping'an was, in every respect, a standout among the younger generation. He was even subtly being categorized as an older generation!

As for the wedding and banquet that were to be widely publicized... He Ping'an postponed it until June of next year, citing the reason of commemorating his four-year love affair with Bai Ling.

A scumbag's love is boundless; he gives himself to everyone! Since Bai Ling got her marriage certificate first, it's best to give the first wedding to the Lou family's little beauty!

At that time, the "258th Regiment" within the Party had just been abolished. The "258th Regiment" meant that one had to be at least 25 years old, have 8 years of Party membership, and be a cadre at or above the regimental level. Only those who met these three conditions could get married.

He Ping'an was lucky to catch the right time; any earlier, and he'd be dreaming of getting married. He's only 20 years old this year, and aside from being a regimental-level cadre who meets the requirements, as for the others… well, we'll just have to wait and see!

Having appeased Bai's parents, He Ping'an took Bai Ling back to the courtyard house the next day. He told He Daqing about his marriage and casually reminisced about his sister-in-law's portrait.

Although the 258th Regiment's requirements were no longer in effect, the final report still needed organizational approval. Bai Ling's case was easy; she could simply get Lao Luo to approve the report. But He Ping'an's case was truly troublesome.

He was on temporary assignment, and his direct superiors were not in Beiping. He could only apply for a marriage certificate from the head of his unit. After receiving permission, he would then need to get the signature from a high-ranking official in the military control commission.

After a flurry of activity, the two finally obtained their legal license. Since they weren't holding a banquet, He Ping'an only invited two families and some very close friends to a simple celebration on the day they registered their marriage.