Received A Wife From The Civil Affairs Bureau Ch.19

Jiang Ziquan and Lin Cuo were dragged to a restaurant for dinner. It was down the mountain and quite a distance away. Brother Biao and Zhang Wen were big drinkers and even Jiang Ziquan, who claimed to be a good drinker, trembled in front of the amount they were drinking. 

Fortunately, the couple thought that the two couldn’t drink and didn’t force them to. 

After dinner, Jiang Ziquan and Lin Cuo went back to a hotel. 

The hotel was booked for them by Brother Biao and Jiang Ziquan specifically asked for a double room. This caused Lin Cuo to feel somewhat sad. In the past, when they went to the hot springs they would take baths together and even shared a bed. Now apparently that’s taboo….

Jiang Ziquan wanted to go back as early as possible to her Shen Yumo, so she contacted Little Mu as soon as they entered the hotel. 

While Lin Cuo took a shower, Jiang Ziquan looked through some of Little Mu’s designs while wiping her hair with a towel. Little Mu was a classmate of theirs and had a good relationship with Jiang Ziquan. 

Jiang Ziquan had called her and asked what things she needed to avoid in the design. 

After the consultation, she twirled her pen, thinking. Since her fingers were long and flexible, no matter which way she spun it, the pen wouldn’t fall. It was quite a dazzling performance. 

As Lin Cuo watched her, she thought about when the last time Jiang Ziquan stayed up all night. That was almost over a year ago, the last time they worked together. Although many people thought that Jiang Ziquan was unreliable because of her easy-going personality, Lin Cuo knew better than anybody that when Jiang Ziquan takes up a design job, she devotes her entire being into it. 

And because of that obsessive personality, she would lock herself up in her room for a week or two and wouldn’t even wash her hair for weeks sometimes. If a person wanted the perfect example of a workaholic, then they needn’t look any farther, there was one right in front of her. 

Lin Cuo shook her head once and started her own work.

For the next half of the month, Jiang Ziquan did not take a single step outside unless it was to take a look at the construction progress. For several days, she would stay up until three in the morning and woke up early around seven or eight to discuss her plans with Brother Biao. 

Even during meals, although she yawned and was clearly exhausted, she would check in with Tang Jiu to make sure the restaurant was running smoothly during this hectic holiday season. And as for Shen Yumo, she would occasionally call her and say a few words, but it was only during those times that Jiang Ziquan acted like her usual unrestrained self. 

Lin Cuo was in a similar situation, but at least she could catch some sleep during the car ride up the mountain. However, Jiang Ziquan was quite picky with several unrealistic requirements for where and when she could sleep. If the car shakes even a little bit, Jiang Ziquan would wake up immediately. Plus, after staying up late for many nights in a row, her body had become familiar with this new sleep schedule. 

Seeing Jiang Ziquan with dark circles underneath her eyes and her noticeably thinner body, Lin Cuo tried to persuade her not to work so hard, but she wouldn’t listen. Therefore, Lin Cuo could only order more of Jiang Ziquan’s favorite food in hopes that she would eat more, otherwise, Jiang Ziquan’s body would give out at any moment. 

In the end, they finished their project in that half of a month. Brother Biao was extremely grateful and rewarded them with a lot of extra money, their pockets loaded as they returned home. 

Ever since they got on the bullet train, Jiang Ziquan’s only thoughts were about what Shen Yumo had wanted from her before she left. So a silly smile hung across her face as she stared out the window. 

Lin Cuo, on the other hand, felt worried and frowned, “Ziquan, you’ve worked hard, but you must take a rest when we get home.” According to her memories, during this time of the year, Jiang Ziquan’s restaurant was reeling in money but the amount of work would be unimaginable. In Jiang Ziquan’s current state, her body wouldn’t be able to take on that burden. 

Jiang Ziquan waved her hand indifferently and replied, “How do I look?” 

She planned to go find Shen Yumo the minute she stepped off the train. As the saying goes, ‘a woman makes herself look beautiful for the person she loves’ [1] Even the always confident Jiang Ziquan had begun to worry about her appearance. 

“Do you think my face looks too pale?”

After hearing her friend’s question, Lin Cuo leaned in. Jiang Ziquan’s makeup was thicker than usual because she tried to cover up her dark circles. Seeing her good friend suddenly become such an insecure person, she felt her heart ache and reassured her, “You look great, Shen Yumo will definitely like it.” 

“That’s good.” After getting an answer, Jiang Ziquan’s heart eased up and she smiled. Then she looked at herself in the handheld mirror once more. 

The train stopped and as the two stepped down, they quickly wrapped their clothes closer. Bejin’s weather was getting colder and colder every day. 

“Jiang Ziquan. Lin Cuo.”

Hearing that nostalgically familiar voice, Jiang Zhi Quan looked towards the exit. When she saw the slightly smiling Shen Yumo waving at them, she felt somewhat shocked and then she burst out into a bright smile. She tightened her grip on her suitcase and quickly walked over.

Lin Cuo had only seen Shen Yumo a few times and was much calmer as she dragged her suitcase over. In terms of appearance, she had to admit that Shen Yumo was indeed qualified to be Jiang Ziquan’s wife, but she still felt it was a little strange. Ziquan likes the cold, stoic type? 

“Teacher Shen, why are you here?” Jiang Ziquan’s eyes were full of smiles and her complexion was already looking better. She fidgeted with her clothes, which was a nervous habit of hers. 

Shen Yumo smiled: “Aunt Jiang told me that you were coming back today, so I thought I’ll pick you up since I don’t have any classes today.”

Jiang Ziquan felt like she was drowning in honey as her smile grew bigger and there was a slight blush on her face. She silently thanked her mother in her heart.

Lin Cuo ignored the lovestruck expression on Jiang Ziquan’s face and glanced over one more time at Shen Yumo. Biting her lip, she decided she didn’t want to be the awkward third wheel and said, “Miss Shen, I live in the other direction, so I will not be troubling you to send me off.”

“Miss Lin, it’s fine, I don’t mind. I don’t have anything today, so it won’t be any trouble.” Shen Yumo had a good impression of Lin Cuo. In her mind, Lin Cuo was the perfect model of a female white-collar worker, in other words, a smart and reliable person. 

Jiang Zioquan also added: “Yeah, we can send you back.”

Lin Cuo shook her head. She felt that Jiang Ziquan’s IQ goes down every time Shen Yumo shows up, “I have to buy something along the way, so it would be inconvenient. I truly don’t want to bother anyone, sorry.”

Saying this much, the other two couldn’t keep persuading her. 

“Alright, you take your time and rest for a few days. I’ll go visit you again in a few days. Take care.”

“Bye.” Jiang Ziquan nodded, feeling that Lin Cuo can be quite a talkative sometimes. 

Jiang Ziquan stepped in Shen Yumo’s car and the moment she got on, she wanted to ask what happened that day. However, perhaps because she hadn’t seen her in a long time, Jiang Ziquan suddenly felt nervous and froze. She fidgeted restlessly in her seat. 

Now that Lin Cuo was no longer here,  they were alone. The car was also filled with Shen Yumo’s scent, causing her heartbeat to accelerate and her face to burn. 

She secretly glanced at Shen Yumo and saw Shen Yumo’s serious expression and she drove, her back straightened, her black eyes looking straight ahead. After some time, she slowly became bolder and looked directly at Shen Yumo, not breaking her stare. 

Shen Yumo felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up and moved around uncomfortably, trying to subtly hint her awkwardness to Jiang Ziquan. 

But Jiang Ziquan continued to stare. 

Helplessly, Shen Yumo coughed a few times, pulling Jiang Ziquan out of her daze. 

“How was your business trip?”

“It went well.” Jiang Ziquan felt delighted that Shen Yumo actively initiated a conversation with her and nodded, “ I made a lot of money this time. When we return, I’ll treat you out for some dinner.”

“Oh, but Teacher Shen doesn’t like to eat out.” Jiang Ziquan’s bright expression suddenly crumbled. She remembered that Shen Yumo liked to stay home and eat. What should she do? A cooking idiot like her can’t make anything.

Shen Yumo smiled, “That’s not exactly true. There are a few places I like to eat. Next time I’ll take you to one of them.”

“Really?” Jiang Ziquan blinked, feeling her excitement buildup and taking advantage of the good atmosphere she mustered up her courage, “Teacher Shen, what did you want from me that day?”

“I wanted to give you something. It’s in the compartment in front of you. It’s my late Christmas gift to you.”

“Really? What is it?” Jiang Ziquan asked curiously and opened the car’s compartment in front of her. She pulled out her gift. It was a doll with long pink hair and bright big eyes. “Wow, it looks a lot like me.” 

Jiang Ziquan felt somewhat embarrassed. She had only given Shen Yumo a little frog keychain as a Christmas gift and knowing Shen Yumo’s personality, she probably hadn’t guessed the meaning of the gift. However, Shen Yumo’s gift seemed even more sincere than hers. 

It was her who was supposed to do the chasing, yet somehow she felt like she had failed. 

“What’s the matter?” Shen Yumo asked. She clearly saw that Jiang Ziquan liked the gift, but her expression suddenly changed. 

“It’s nothing, I’m just thinking that Teacher Shen treats me really well.” Jiang Ziquan’s tone was a little sullen and she absentmindedly tapped the doll’s face and said, “This…. is my first time pursuing someone, so my plans may not work…you must remember to give me a few extra chances to win your heart.”

Shen Yumo glanced at her. In her mind, Jiang Ziquan was always very confident, and other than when it came to pursuing her, she was good at everything else and everyone around her liked her. However, Jiang Ziquan was always so cautious around her, when she was the one who was indebted to her. Maybe she could’ve gone along and said that she also liked Jiang Ziquan, but she wasn’t going to lie, that would be too cruel to Jiang Ziquan. 

“Ziquan….I will try my best to fall in love with you.” 

She had whispered those words softly, but Jiang Ziquan had heard her. Jiang Ziquan looked at her again. Shen Yumo’s always had a calm expression, with a slight smile, but this time, her face was serious. Her eyebrows were furrowed together tightly and she looked like a student who got scolded, causing Jiang Ziquan to couldn’t help but laugh. 

Hearing the sudden laughter, Shen Yumo gave her a puzzled look. 

Of course, Jiang Ziquan would never admit that right now Shen Yumo looked like a little kid and she took out the thing in her pocket as she changed the subject, “This is a small gift I bought for you from when I was up north.”

In the north, the handmade little trinkets were very well made and so on the last day, Jiang Ziquan brought along Lin Cuo to help her pick out something. She finally settled on a blue bracelet that had a small piece of jade embedded in it. “An expert made this, so if you wore it, it’ll definitely look pretty on you.”

Shen Yumo was busy driving, so Jiang Ziquan placed it back into the tiny box and into the compartment. 

Shen Yumo pursed her lips: “Did it cost a lot of money?”

Last time, she felt overwhelmed when Jiang Ziquan had given her a ring and because she couldn’t argue against Jiang Ziquan’s logic, she had accepted it reluctantly. 

“Ah, no, not at all.” Jiang Ziquan had brought Lin Cuo with her for a reason. Lin Cuo said that the price was reasonable. 

“Then remember not to buy me anything valuable in the future.” Shen Yumo said solemnly. 

Jiang Ziquan felt somewhat discouraged. She knew that Shen Yumo didn’t like accepting gifts from others, “Teacher Shen, there’s not much I can do, but I am proud of my ability to work hard and earn money. If I can’t buy gifts for you, how else am I supposed to pursue you? I don’t know how to cook or how to write love poems and you don’t seem like a person who chases after beauties, so this face of mine is useless as well.”

Shen Yumo felt speechless. After all, she also had no experience when it came to love and other things. Chen Ruoguang was often too busy and would only come to visit her once in a while, but he didn’t actively pursue her. 

Jiang Ziquan sighed, “Then in the future when I invite you to come out, you have to accept or else I don’t know what else to do.”

Shen Yumo glanced at the melancholic Jiang Ziquan and said, “As long as I don’t have any classes, I will come out when you call me.”

“En.”

Jiang Ziquan tried to remember how her brother pursued her sister-in-law. When Jiang Zitao fell in love with Chen Lanyi, he had begged his parents to spend a lot of money to change classes. At the time, girls liked the cold, silent type so her usually sharp-tongued brother didn’t say a word for a week. He was good looking and smart, so he quickly attracted Chen Lanyi’s attention. 

Later, the heroic and cool image Jiang Zitao had when he played basketball was like an arrow that pierced Chen Lanyi’s heart and in the end, it was his sister-in-law who confessed first. From then on they became a lovey-dovey couple for ten years. 

To sum it up, her brother relied on his good looks to trick the young and innocent Chen Lanyi into loving him. 

Jiang Ziquan looked at Shen Yumo. However, how come she felt that it won’t be as easy to trick this woman besides her like her brother tricked Chen Lanyi?

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T/N notes:

[1]a woman makes herself look beautiful for the person she loves (女为悦己者容): Usually means a woman dresses up for her man, but obviously, in this case, it’s for her wifey, so I went with the gender-neutral ‘person’. 

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