Received A Wife From The Civil Affairs Bureau Ch.13

Director Yuan was the head of all third-year humanities teachers. In addition to his regular teaching duties, he was also responsible for the 17 or so humanities teachers. 

Shen Yumo knocked on the door, and Director Yuan called her in. The wooden door creaked as it opened.

Shen Yumo felt slightly nervous. 

“Do you need something from me, Director?” Shen Yumo said as calmly as possible.

Director Yuan handed her a glass of hot water. Although he wasn’t a lecherous person, he still had a gentlemanly character that was fairly considerate towards the feelings of beautiful women. And even though Ms. Shen had married another woman, he didn’t know why, but he didn’t feel uncomfortable about it at all.

Shen Yumo accepted the water and thanked him. 

“The thing is, you don’t have to be so nervous.” Director Yuan smiled, trying to make himself look more gentlemanly, except his little beady eyes gave off a scary feeling instead. “I heard you married another woman. Teacher Shen, is this correct?”

Shen yumo’s hands tightened. Maybe because of Zhou Kairu’s words from earlier, she couldn’t help but think that maybe something has happened. Did some conservative parents want her to be fired because she married a woman? She bit her lip lightly, and with some stubbornness in her eyes, she answered, 

“Yes.” She looked up at him, her eyes clear. 

Director Yuan clapped his hands once, looked at the closed door, and whispered, “Then, when are you and your wife going to have children?”

“What?” Shen Yumo frowned, she didn’t know just what he wanted. She and Jiang Ziquan were friends at best right now, they weren’t that familiar yet. 

“Teacher Shen, you probably already know that I will be transferred to another place soon. Therefore the direct position will be vacant. The board wanted me to offer up a person I can recommend for the position.” Director Yuan felt a little embarrassed when talking about this. In this teaching profession, there were some hidden rules one needed to follow. To be frank, Shen Yumo didn’t have enough experience for the job, but this can be regarded as a gift from him before he leaves. “Teacher Shen, your skills are quite excellent, so I wanted to ask if Teacher Shen has the energy and time to take on this position?” 

His words were not difficult to understand. With his previous question about children, Shen Yumo can already guess most of it.

In reality, Director Yuan’s job wasn’t too hard, but it paid a lot more. She asked, “What about Teacher Zhou?” 

Director Yuan’s expression changed, maybe he did not expect to suddenly bring up Zhou Kairui at this time or maybe he did not expect Shen Yumo to ask so directly, and his face was a little awkward as he said, “Mrs. Zhou has the experience, but you should know that she hasn’t…given birth yet.”

Just three words, but the director said them with difficulty. 

Shen Yumo sighed inaudibly. Now she knew why Teacher Zhou had treated her like that. Teacher Zhou was a woman with extensive experience, she probably knew why the school still hasn’t given her a promotion. Based on her stubborn and strong personality, she would definitely take out her frustration on Shen Yumo. In the workforce, women always had to face this situation of balancing their family and their career. 

“I…let me think about it first.” 

Director Yuan nodded and waved his hand: “Alright, you should go back to your class.”

Shen Yumo walked out, her heart feeling stuffy. If she had gotten this position any other time, she would naturally be happy that she got the director position based on her own skills. It wasn’t about the money, but about the validation of her teaching skills.

However, it was because she had married a wife that she was offered a job. Without the possibility of maternity leave, she was considered for the job. In that case, she felt a bit unwilling. 

Entering her office, she caught Teacher Zhou glancing at her again. She didn’t know how to respond and could only sigh. 

“Girls should drink sweet things, so they can feel happy all day.”

Suddenly remembering Jiang Ziquan’s words, Shen Yumo picked up the unopened milk tea and sipped it. She stopped. The milk tea has become a bit cold. However, she still took another sip, “Still as unpleasant to drink as ever.”

Meanwhile, Jiang Ziquan was completely unaware of what happened. She was so busy that her smooth skin suddenly had a pimple appear on it after all these years. 

These past few days she’s been busy doing three things. One, helping Shen Yumo find a place. Two, help her brother prepare his wedding. Three, since it’s winter, business was booming at her restaurant and she was busy managing it. As the boss, she had no reason to skip out on work during this time. 

She was so busy that she hadn’t even drawn up an interior design in a month. So much money she had missed out on. 

Speaking of interior design, let’s go back to a week ago. At that time Jiang Ziquan was calculating the income earned from the restaurant when Lin Cuo called her on the phone. 

Quickly putting on her earphones, she picked up the call while looking at her computer. Her eyes were still staring at the long column of numbers for she had to carefully confirm the numbers were correct. 

It was during work, but Lin Cuo was not a workaholic like her. She had a job as the design director for a real estate company. A regular 9 to 5 job. 

However, Beijin was not too big of a place, so the boss of the company was quite familiar with Mr. Jiang. Jiang Ziquan had asked her father to let her work part time there. However, she would only be called into work when there were too many jobs for the other workers to handle and she had no fixed salary. In other words, a freelance kind of job. 

“What’s the matter, Forest Flower? Is there a job for me to do?

She has been short one money lately, so there was a little excitement in her tone.

Lin Cuo had a headache. She was dressed in formal clothes, seeming a little more intellectual, and asked nervously, “ I think you should be the one handing out money.”

“Why? Are you getting married?” Jiang Ziquan teased deliberately. This friend of hers has never been in a relationship, however there was one thing she had forgotten. 

She had completely forgotten that she was single too just a few days ago. 

Listening to the laughter coming from the other side, Lin Cuo forcibly suppressed her temper and said, “ I met your mother-in-law and father-in-law.”

“What?” 

Jiang Ziquan finally stopped what she was doing. It seemed like her mother-in-law and father-in-law wanted to buy a place. She waved her hand at Tang Jiu and walked over to the side room.

“You already know that the old housing area will be demolished in December, so it’s natural to find a temporary place to shelter in. However, they only started looking late November. Isn’t this too unreliable?” Lin Cuo lived close to Shen Yumo’s place, and so if she wanted to, she could go over for a visit. “And seeing how they came over to this company to look for housing and not your dad’s, they probably don’t want to bother your family.”

Jiang Ziquan remembered about the plans to demolish the area. However, she thought that the Shen family already had a backup ready, so she didn’t pay much attention to it: “Flower, block the two of them for me, I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“Fine, but you owe me dinner afterwards.”  Lin Cuo looked at the time, and it seemed that she has to work overtime again today.

Jiang Ziquan rushed out the door and hurried up the steps to God’s prestige real estate company, a very domineering name for such a company.

The two elders were talking to Lin Cuo, smiling from time to time, painting a harmonious picture.

Jiang Ziquan patted her forehead. She forgot that Lin Cuo was always better at making the elderly happy than her. Lin Cup just had that aura that made people feel comfortable. 

Unlike her face that lights up in a sea of faces. 

“Ziquan, why are you here?” Shen Shizhong was shocked to see Jiang Ziquan and abruptly stood up.

“Uncle, aunt, please sit down. Pay attention to your health.” Lin Cuo glanced at Jiang Ziquan. Just like the saying, a mother-in-law is even more important than one’s best friend: “Ziquan and I are friends. I thought to invite her over because I thought she would be better at explaining everything.”

“No wonder.” Shen Shizhong originally wanted to find an agent to help them look for a place, but the agent was replaced by the design director, Lin Cuo. She then brought the two of them to this lounge to look through the properties. However, it turned out she was Jiang Ziquan’s friend. 

“Father-in-law, mother-in-law, why did you only just start looking for a property now?” Jiang Zi pulled a chair and sat down, asking worriedly.

The two elders glanced at each other, unwilling to say anything.

Naturally Jiang Ziquan understood that it was probably Shen Yumo who was unwilling to tell her. She sighed: “I am also part of the Shen family now. How can I not participate in such a big thing as buying a house?”

“That’s right. Uncle, aunt, as a member of the Shen family, Ziquan has to do her duty too.” Lin Cuo helpfully added.

Mrs. Shen looked at Jiang Ziquan’s expectant gaze and tugged on Mr. Shen’s sleeve, “What Ziquan said is correct.”

Mr. Shen could not face an attack from three sides and could only tell the truth: “Actually, we’re not buying a house, just renting a place until the demolition is finished in March. A few months ago, Yumo and I talked about buying a place on Zhanglong street, because we wanted to be closer to Yumo when she moved into her partner’s house. However, I didn’t have enough money so I had borrowed 200,000 yuan from Chen Ruoguang. Originally I wanted to pay him back after March, but who would have thought-” Mrs. Shen pinched his arm at this point, “But Ziquan, you don’t have to worry, this is our problem not yours.”

Jiang Ziquan nodded. With Shen Yumo’s temperament, she naturally wouldn’t willingly ask to borrow money. So it turns out the 200,000 yuan was on the behalf of her parents. However, since it was a loan and the place would eventually be bought by the two elders, the place wouldn’t belong to Chen Ruoguang. He was simply doing business, how dare that scumbag have the face to say that he had directly bought Shen Yumo. His head must’ve been filled with water, just thinking about it caused Jiang Ziquan to grit her teeth.

“Alright, so what’s this about renting a place?”

“One of Chen Ruoguang’s relatives had a free property open and we intended to rent that place before moving into the house in March.” 

Jiang Ziquan nodded: “So that’s how it is.”

In the end, all these problems were caused by her recklessness in marrying Shen Yumo. She blamed herself that she didn’t tidy up these problems earlier. 

“Ziquan, we didn’t tell you earlier because we didn’t want to worry you. Your brother’s wedding is coming up, you should pay attention to that instead. Let us handle this.” Mr.Shen didn’t want to bother Jiang Ziquan so he had chosen to come to this real estate company. However, he never knew that she would show up here. 

“You’re too kind. I’m still young, I can handle multiple things at once.” Jiang Ziquan smiled mischievously and glanced at the Lin Cuo drinking water next to him.

Receiving the signal, Lin Cuo grabbed the two brochures they were looking at earlier, “These two properties aren’t bad.” 

Jiang Ziquan took a closer look at the interior decoration, environment, etc. There were no major problems but one: “Why live in Longhu District? Is that a bit inconvenient?”

Lin Cuo nodded and explained: Uncle and aunt said they wanted a place that overlooked the Longze lake over there. Rest assured, the place they chose is close to the station, so there are no problems with transportation. 

“Yes, Mrs. Shen and I just wanted a place with a nice atmosphere overlooking the Longze lake.” 

Having said that, Jiang Ziquan could only wholeheartedly accept the matter.

Next, Jiang Ziquan personally drove over herself to look at the property.

Longhu District can be considered a relatively remote area. Jiang Ziquan rarely comes here, only occasionally to help some clients design houses.

However, the scenery here is nice and peaceful, and the air is refreshing. It was indeed a good place for the elderly to live in. Having her doubts settled, Jiang Ziquan paid half of the portion. 

The few involved decided to not tell Shen Yumo about Jiang Ziquan’s involvement, lest they invoke her wrath. 

Later, when Shen Yumo and her family moved over, Jiang Ziquan didn’t personally go over to help, but she had a moving company she had good relationships with to go over and help.She didn’t have much muscle strength anyways, so she wouldn’t have been able to help. Instead, she was kidnapped by her brother to help with his wedding.

Jiang Zitao’s wedding was set for Christmas, with only two weeks until the promised date. Her brother and her sister-in-law already invited their friends from overseas and many other guests for the pre-dinner. As for where they would host the dinner, Jiang Ziquan’s place was naturally their first choice. 

However, since these were her brother and his wife’s friends, Jiang Ziquan as the boss, was quite generous. After her brother had bought the ring for her, Jiang Ziquan had no face to ask him to pay for his guests, and as for her sister-in-law, she gave them a 30% discount. Remembering how she used their marriage gifts from last time, this could be considered paying back her debts.

Anyhow, not only was she worked to the bone, her face had become stiff from smiling so much.

“Sister, it’s been so long since I’ve seen you and you’re as beautiful as ever. Did you manage to find a partner yet?” Xie Mingtan was a little drunk, his face turned red, and he looked at Jiang Ziquan with a smile.

“Right, right, if you don’t have one, might as well get with this brother.” Chen Guangqi answered with a smile.

These people are Jiang Zitao’s college classmates. During those days, Jiang Ziquan would often visit, so naturally they knew her face. 

“Old Tan, my sister is already married.” Jiang Zitao waved his hand and explained with a smile: “Ah, and it was the same day as me.”

“Really?” Xie Mingtan shook his head and then fiercely hit Jiang Zitao’s shoulder and then said, pretending to be angry, “You scoundrel, how can you let someone swindle our little Quan so easily?” 

Jiang Zitao returned the punch, stumbling over his words, “My sister was the one who swindled a beautiful girl.”

Jiang Ziquan smiled, glanced at Jiang Zitao, then thinking about Shen Yumo’s face, said proudly, “That’s correct, I married a gorgeous beauty!”

Several people looked at each other, and Chen Guangqi said, “No wonder you turned down this handsome guy. I thought you couldn’t choose, turns out that you like girls.” 

“Hahahaha.” 

“Pft-”

As soon as these words came out, everyone couldn’t help but laugh. With Chen Guangqi’s bean sprout eyes and square face, he couldn’t be considered as handsome. 

“Wait that’s not right, then how come little Quan didn’t fancy me.” Zhang Zixin seemed to have drank too much as she played with her hair.

Jiang Ziquan teased: “It’s because Sister Zixin disliked my skinny body.”

Everyone knows that Zhang Zixin’s boyfriend is a fitness instructor. His buff and muscled body was incomparable to Jiang Ziquan’s.

“Go fu*k yourself.” Zhang Zixin cursed a little, and said, “Since you’ve gotten the certificate, when’s the wedding? Now I have to fly back here again!”

“That’s right!”

“Tell us how it happened!”

Everyone pestered Jiang Ziquan, and so she hurriedly grabbed another glass, laughing as she said, “Shen Yumo is a shy girl, so the wedding won’t be until next year. Meanwhile, this little sister will drink a cup in apology.”

“Not enough! Make it three cups!”

Jiang Ziquan glanced at Zhang Zixin who increased the number, “Alright, I’ll do it for you Sister Zixin.” Saying so, she drank another two cups. Only after this, did they let it go.

The meal was over when everyone was red faced and drunk. Employed by her brother, Jiang Ziquan’s house turned into a hotel, and she sent two girls back to her place. 

Tang Jiu helped her carry the dead drunk girls. Jiang Ziquan’s tolerance was quite high, at least to the point where she could still tell humans and animals apart. 

“Alright boss, I’m heading home now.”

Jiang Ziquan waved her hand and walked inside. She splashed some water onto her face, causing her to sober up quite a bit. Walking into the living room, she originally thought to drag Zhang Zixin into the guest room, but didn’t want to waste her energy.

“Is there any wine left?” The other girl, Chen Chen, called out, lying lazily on the sofa. 

This one obviously held in her alcohol even better than Jiang Ziquan, and as Jiang Ziquan lied down on the other sofa she replied, “No.”

“I don’t believe you.” Chen Chen cursed with a smile, turned over and turned her back to her.

“The young lady you were talking about earlier. Her previous ex was Chen Ruoguang, right?” It was more of an affirmation than a question. 

Jiang Ziquan glanced at her, and she was right, this sister had investigated her affairs again, and she said, “Sister, you have really not changed this habit at all.”

Chen Chen laughed twice: “You haven’t changed either. Still as cute as ever. Alright, whatever, the things inside that sack over there can be considered my wedding gift to you.”

Jiang Ziquan heard the words and didn’t waste her time on decorum, and opened it. Inside the sack was a limited edition Louis vulton. 

Jiang Ziquan’s eyes narrowed a little, inside the bag were several pieces of paper with extensive information on Chen Ruoguang and Shen Yumo. 

“Thanks.”

In reply, she only heard a faint breathing, meaning the person in question was asleep. 

Chen Chen’s relationship with Jiang Ziquan could be said to be a friend, but it is better to say they were a teacher-student relationship. Chen Chen tuiaght Jiang Ziquan everything she knew about design.

Chen Chen is a second generation, from a wealthy family. For her, digging up information was a piece of cake to her. When she heard that Jiang Ziquan got married, she had thoroughly investigated Shen Yumo’s history and even her family line, the last 18 generations to be exact. She also did the same with Chen Ruoguang. 

Close to Christmas, as the young sister of the groom, she was going to be the bridesmaid. However, as a married woman, she technically wasn’t supposed to, but neither side cared. 

However, she did want to invite Shen Yumo to be her date. So she sent a text message with the question.

“I have classes on Christmas Day, so I won’t be able to go.” Shen Yumo replied, looking at her calendar.

She had texted back quickly, so Jiang Ziquan guessed she wasn’t in class right now. Jiang Ziquan quickly dialed the number. 

Shen Yumo felt a little helpless, but picked up the call and said in a quiet voice: “Hey”

“Ms. Shen, don’t you be so ruthless, okay?” Jiang Ziquan begged.

Shen Yumo tilted her head and explained, “I really do have classes that day.”

“Emmmm, but you should be aware you still are my wife,” Jiang Ziquan continued to say shamelessly: “So this is your brother getting married too, technically.”

Shen Yumo: “….”

Shen Yumo thought for a moment, and continued to frown, “You should consider my thoughts in this matter.”

Hearing this, Jiang Ziquan paused. This was the first time she heard Shen Yumo speak in such a tone, and thinking that she had gone too far, she quickly sat up and said, “Don’t be angry, it’s all my fault. If you really don’t have the time, then you don’t need to do it.”

“En, I’m not angry.” 

The relationship between them had developed a bit and because Shen Yumo felt sorry towards Jiang Ziquan, she would generally agree to most of Jiang Ziquan’s requests. Just like the milk tea. Although she didn’t like it, she tried her best. However, as a teacher, her classes were the most important to her. In this respect, she wouldn’t delay her classes, even when it came to Jiang Ziquan. 

“Then work hard, but remember to eat well, pay attention to your health.” Jiang Ziquan said shyly, then added, “As for my brother’s banquet, I’ll eat it all on your behalf.”

“Ok.” The corners of Shen Yumo’s mouth twitched.

Hanging up, Jiang Ziquan helplessly threw her phone down and laid on her bed looking up at the ceiling, “My wife is so hard to pursue.”

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T/N notes: 

Bruh, this chapter was 5,600 Chinese characters and 3577 English words long. Put in perspective, a regular chapter length is around 3,000 characters which is around 2000 English words. My hands hurt so much because I typed all this out in one go in less than an hour. My typing speed is only around 78 words per minute, but taking into account spelling errors and whatnot, it’s so much slower…

Also in China, people don’t get off of work just because it’s Christmas, cause they celebrate Chinese New Year and other holidays that people in America don’t. 

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