When She Stops Being Dramatic

Chapter 50: Chapter 38: The Scorned Wife of the 1950s

This was the first time the factory had ever held a collective wedding. Previously, the workload had been immense ever since the entire unit had transitioned from a military one into a machinery factory. Tasks like coordinating departments, setting goals, establishing sales channels, and securing technical support were all-consuming.

Now that everything was on the right track and the factory was aiming for higher goals, the workers’ spiritual and mental well-being was finally receiving attention.

The higher-ups had issued a strict directive: since they were going to hold a collective wedding, it had to be a resounding success. After all, the leadership was already hoping to organize a second and a third.

On her wedding day, Zhu Yun woke up bright and early, just as she did for any other workday in the cafeteria. She had to make a nine-layer cake—or rather, two of them, because good things come in pairs. Many people were attending the wedding, and every family was bringing a whole gaggle of children.

She methodically baked the cake sponges in three separate batches. To compensate for any textural shortcomings from the available ingredients, Zhu Yun used a water bath method. The resulting cake melted in your mouth, its pillowy softness enough to make your heart flutter with delight.

The cake also featured several kinds of filling between its layers: one of sweet-and-sour fresh peach, one of raisin and soybean powder, one of refreshing cherry, and one of crunchy crushed peanuts, walnuts, and almonds. Each bite promised a cascade of sweet, sour, fragrant, and crispy textures, enough to make your palate surrender in utter delight.

To create a magnificent, beautiful, and exquisite cake, she prepared frosting in several colors: cherry red, mulberry purple, watermelon pink, honeydew yellow, spinach green, and sesame black.

The cake’s frosting faded from deep red at the bottom to progressively lighter shades toward the top. White frosting, piped into beautiful lace patterns, also transitioned, shifting to purple as it moved up the cake.

Large, vibrant crimson and pale-yellow frosting flowers, complete with emerald-green leaves, were crowded together, blooming with all the boisterous energy of summer.

Each tier was decorated on one half with sliced watermelon, cherries, mulberries, honeydew, and peaches. The other half was studded with variously shaped cookies and candies that she had baked the day before. To finish, she used melted chocolate to write words of blessing and good fortune.

Although her handwriting wasn’t the best, the calligraphic script she drew had a charm all its own.

After placing the finished cakes one by one into the refrigerator to chill, she finally took off her white work uniform and changed into an olive-green suit.

She rummaged through her bag and pulled out a small mirror, lipstick, and an eyebrow pencil. After a bit of primping, her already pretty and delicate features became even more defined and striking—as if a hazy, half-opened bud had suddenly burst into full, dazzling bloom.

Because she had to wear a cap adorned with a red star, Zhu Yun styled her hair into a French braid starting from the crown of her head, pinning the rest up in the back. The hairstyle gave her a crisp, energetic look, while also softening her powerfully striking features with a gentle grace.

Chu Shenyu knocked lightly on the door. His clear voice, tinged with a smile, drifted in. ”Director Yun, are you ready? The comrades from the Internal Affairs Department are here. Everyone is lining up to get their certificates.”

Zhu Yun answered with a smile, gave herself one last look in the mirror, and then opened the door.

Chu Shenyu’s light chuckle faltered. He stared at her, momentarily stunned. A blush crept up his face as he averted his eyes, murmuring, ”You look... really beautiful today...”

Zhu Yun replied with an unabashed smile, ”Comrade Chu Shenyu, you look especially dashing and handsome today yourself!”

’He was also dressed in an olive-green uniform with a leather belt cinched at his waist. His chest was broad and straight, and those long legs and firm rear... She could barely keep her composure just looking at him.’

’Above his perfectly neat collar, his Adam’s apple bobbed. Higher still were his clean-shaven, resolute jaw, his thin lips, a high-bridged nose, and his long, narrow eyes, as dark and deep as ink. She didn’t know where to rest her gaze, yet couldn’t bear to look away.’

Chu Shenyu stepped forward, took her hand, and started pulling her away.

Zhu Yun was startled. His hand was broad and strong, his palm slightly damp.

She only had enough time to shout instructions to a few of her apprentices to watch the cakes before he whisked her all the way to the administration building’s lobby.

The other couples participating in the collective wedding were already waiting in line. They stole shy glances at one another before looking away, their faces blushing as red as ripe fruit. It felt as if the very air was shimmering with pink bubbles.

There were seventeen couples in total. Since their household registrations were all filed with the factory, the staff already had their documents on hand. The couples only needed to confirm their information and say ”I do” to receive two festive certificates that looked more like awards.

Chu Shenyu’s expression was much softer than usual, the corners of his lips holding the faint trace of a smile. After giving the staff member two large handfuls of candy, he took the certificates from Zhu Yun’s hands and said matter-of-factly, ”I’ll have someone frame these later. We’ll hang them above our headboard.”

It was still early, and their friends and family were waiting at home. When they arrived, relatives of the Chu family had already packed the entire house.

Mrs. Chu, wearing a wine-red, short-sleeved dress, looked every bit the part of the proud mother of the groom. The moment she saw the young couple enter, she pushed her son aside, took Zhu Yun by the hand, and began introducing her to the relatives one by one.