Received A Wife From The Civil Affairs Bureau Ch.9

Jiang Ziquan quickly scanned over the contract. There were only three clauses, but all three were in her favor. It seems that Shen Yumo was feeling sorry for her. 

“One: The two parties will maintain cordial relations, and neither shall interfere in the other’s relationships. If Party B (Jiang Ziquan) needs Party A (Shen Yumo) to prove to others that they are only friends then, because this marriage was agreed upon only to help Party A through difficulties, Party A will cooperate unconditionally.

Two: A year later when the two parties agree to divocre, Party A shall compensate Party B with a fee of 100,000 yuan. 

Three: The two parties shall manage their own finances, neither shall interfere with the other.”

The contract contained only a few words, but Jiang Ziquan reread over and over again, and after thinking a bit, said, “Teacher Shen, I want to revise one part.”

“Tell me.” Shen Yumo nodded. Since everything was her fault, naturally no matter what Jiang Ziquan requested of her, she will agree to it.

“The first clause is useless to me, I want to delete it.”

Jiang Ziquan had thought about it. In this short time period of one year, she will be trying her best to convince Shen Yumo to stay in this marriage, she didn’t want to waste her time finding another person. Why would she? She already found the one she loved. “And this second clause, although I’m not some rich tycoon, I don’t need any compensation to live efficiently. Instead I will actually feel disgusted if you try to give me any compensation at all. 

In less than a minute, two clauses out of three have already been nulled. Shen Yumo couldn’t understand what was going through this girl’s mind and glanced at her in confusion: “Then what does Miss Jiang want to replace them with then?”

Jiang Ziquan shook his head and thought for a moment: “First of all, you can’t fall in love with someone other than me during this one year period. Although this entire marriage is considered absurd, it still was approved legally by the state. Plus, with my looks, I don’t think a green hat looks good on me.” [1] Saying so she pointed to her own head.

Shen Yumo thought for a while before she realized what Jiang Ziquan was trying to say. Looking helplessly at the person next to her she said: “Ok.”

To tell the truth, this clause was useless to her too. She never went out, and combined with how busy she was with her work, naturally Shen Yumo didn’t have anyone special in her heart, nor did she care to look for one.

Seeing Shen Yumo agree, Jiang Ziquan felt pleased with herself. She would not believe that within this one year, she couldn’t capture this fairy’s heart! 

“Second, this compensation fee, I do not need it, but I ask that you instead give it to me as a congratulatory wedding gift. Of course, most of the other wedding costs will be paid by my family.” [2]

Jiang Ziquan was slowly shifting the topic, patiently guiding Shen Yumo to what she really wanted to talk about. After all, a wedding would make this marriage seem even more official. 

Shen Yumo felt confused at Jiang Ziquan seemingly random proposals but didn’t refuse as she asked: “A wedding? Won’t a wedding cost a lot of money, are you sure about this?”

“Of course! Furthermore, you’ll be cutting off my chance to make a lot of money! It’s common sense that I would get more gifts for the first marriage then the second. Also, don’t you know the saying ‘unfamiliar at first, but well accustomed soon enough’? This wedding can act as an example for what to do the next time around, so it won’t be in vain!” Jiang Ziquan finished urgently. [3] Of course, she was only planning on having one wedding in this lifetime, but saying it like this might cause Shen Yumo to agree. So Jiang Ziquan added on emphasis by putting her hands together and begged: “Please agree, Teacher Shen!”

Shen Yumo stayed silent. Although she didn’t put much importance on weddings, in her heart, she was somewhat longing for it. Which little girl hasn’t dreamed about their wedding? Jiang Ziquan’s way of putting it made it sound like a business transaction, and so Shen Yumo didn’t want to hinder Jiang Ziquan’s ‘money making’ and although she felt something was off, she reluctantly said: “Ok.”

Inwardly, Jiang Ziquan gave herself a thumbs up, however she still had one more thing to say: “Teacher Shen, will you move in with me?”

“What?!”

The shocked Shen Yumo suddenly stepped on the brakes, causing them both to be violently thrown forward for a moment. 

“Are you ok?” Jiang Ziquan frowned. This one was on her. She knew that Shen Yumo wasn’t great at driving and was already in a state of anxiety. For her to suddenly throw out this sentence, of course it would shock Shen Yumo.

Shen Yumo shook her head: “I’m fine, I was just a bit surprised.”

Seeing that she was alright, Jiang Ziquan turned her gaze towards the road. Fortunately, they had just entered an area with less traffic and so no major accident occured. 

“Hey, you! The car in front! Do you even know how to drive!!” A big, muscular uncle leaned out of his window and cursed. If he wasn’t driving slowly today, then he would have hit the car in front of him and so naturally he was not in a good mood.

Jiang Ziquan opened the window and hurriedly smiled while waving, “I’m sorry, big brother, it won’t happen again!”

The driver, seeing that it was a beautiful girl, suppressed his temper and only replied back with a darkened expression: “Drive more carefully next time.”

“I understand, thank you big brother!”

Jiang Ziquan withdrew her hand and then looked over at the nervous Shen Yumo. “Are you ok? Do you need me to find someone else to drive instead?”

“It’s fine, I can do it.” Shen Yumo let out a breath, her pale face easing up a little as she calmed down and started the car again. 

Afraid that Shen Yumo would be distracted again, Jiang Ziquan didn’t dare to continue the topic. Instead, she sat there quietly, tilting her head from time to time to see the occasional death glares from Teacher Shen. 

And like this, the two of them slowly drove until they arrived at Shen Yumo’s place.

Shen Yumo brought Jiang Ziquan with her, but learning her lesson, Jiang Ziquan was quiet as the elevator opened up and they walked to her door. 

“Yumo, why did you come back so late today?” Hearing sounds coming from outside, Mrs. Shen stopped cooking and came out of the kitchen. Then laughing, she said: “Ah, little Jiang is here too. Have you eaten yet?”

Jiang Ziquan took off her scarf and cheerily replied, “Hello auntie, I’m here to freeload again.”

According to her calculations, Shen Yumo most likely hasn’t eaten yet, so this meant they could eat together. 

“What great timing, Shen Yumo can eat with you too.”

Seeing the two ‘get along’ Mrs. Shen was in a much better mood as she hurried off into the kitchen.

“You were just drinking earlier, and you didn’t eat at all?” Shen Yumo frowned, her eyes full of doubt.

Jiang Ziquan: “…..”

Whaaaa, Teacher Shen is so smart.

“Little Jiang, Yumo, come in and eat.”

Fortunately, Mrs. Shen had finished preparing lunch, or else Jiang Ziquan wouldn’t have been able to answer Shen Yumo properly.

Although Shen Yumo is gentle and kind, she isn’t stupid.

“I didn’t know you were coming, so I only made a few dishes.” Mrs. Shen felt a little embarrassed.

“No, this is great! I’m actually in the mood to eat some home cooked meals.” Jiang Ziquan politely replied, then she went over to sit by Shen Yumo before adding: “I’ve gotten sick of eating hot pot.”

“That’s no good, eating too much hot pot will harm the body.” Mrs. Shen lightly scolded with a smile.

Tasting the dishes, Jiang Ziquan felt they were quite good. Although it wasn’t as good as her mother’s, it was better than Lin Cuo’s. However, she continued to praise the dishes, causing Mrs. Shen’s smile to widen. 

At first, Mrs. Shen thought that Jiang Ziquan was only being polite, but who knew that Jiang Ziquan would end up eating 3 bowls of rice. Shen Yumo only ate a few mouthfuls, but seeing Jiang Ziquan gobble everything up, she felt somewhat happy.

After the meal, Jiang Ziquan learned that Mr. Shen was taking an afternoon nap, so she wouldn’t be seeing him. 

“Little Jiang, you can just put that down. Let me do it.” Seeing Jiang Ziquan stand up to go wash the dishes, she hurriedly stopped Jiang Ziquan and said, “Yumo, why don’t you show little Jiang your room while I clean up?”

Jiang Ziquan wanted to politely decline, but then heard Shen Yumo say, “Miss Jiang, come with me.”

“Alright then, auntie, I’ll be leaving first.” Jiang Ziquan was quite curious about Shen Yumo’s room, so now that she got permission, she immediately followed after Shen Yumo.

In reality, Shen Yumo’s bedroom was nothing special.

The walls were plain white, with some yellowing in the corners due to the old architectural integrity of the building.

. 

However, the scent of Shen Yumo permeated slowly through the air, causing her to feel light and fluffy.

She took a deep breath while Shen Yumo’s back was turned. Then she cursed herself for being such a pervert.

There was not much space as there were shelves of books arranged around the room, the books labeled and neatly stacked like the ones in a bookstore. Feeling curious, she asked, “Has Teacher Shen read all of these books before?”

“Most of them.”

Jiang Ziquan carelessly picked one, only wanting to see the title, but immediately felt like putting it down after reading the title. 《A Study of Literature》,《Western History》and another titled《The Course of Beauty》. Seeing these scholarly titles, Jiang Ziquan could only put them down and smile. These books were not something an ‘ordinary’ person like her could understand. 

Shen Yumo’s other furniture were very sparse. Her double bed did not have any extras decoration, quilts, pillows.

There is a small desk next to the bed, a desktop computer, and several reference workbooks on it. The most interesting thing to her was the photo on the desk.

The girl in it was about seven or eight years old. Wearing a white dress with her little hands behind her back, and a smile with closed eyes, she looked like a celestial fairy.

Then looking at the slightly embarrassed person beside her, she said: “Other than losing your Kawaii baby fat, you haven’t changed much.” (T/N note: Author actually wrote the word Kawaii)

“It’s been twenty years, of course there are some differences.”  

Shen Yumo refuted, but was still embarrassed.

“I haven’t changed at all.” Jiang Ziquan shamelessly bragged.

Shen Yumo gave her a look, but didn’t say anything.

Taking the opportunity as Shen Yumo turned away, Jiang Ziquan took out her phone and snapped a quick picture. Although she knew she was being overzealous, she felt that since this was the first photo she’s seen of Shen Yumo, she needed to take a picture of this monumental event. 

Fumbling with the phone a few times, Jiang Ziquan made sure the photo wasn’t blurry before dropping her phone back into her pocket. 

“Your third condition…can you explain it a little bit?” Shen Yumo looked back, still feeling slightly concerned. Although the previous two conditions seemed to be random, they were actually thoroughly thought up by Jiang Ziquan. 

So this third condition must be full of calculations as well. 

Jiang Ziquan’s eyes seemed to shine, her glittering eyes filled with joy: “So you agree to it?”

“No, I only want you to clarify it.” Shen Yumo hurriedly waved her hands.

“Oh, I see. Well, here’s the thing. I’ve noticed that your place is pretty far away from the school, but mine is much closer. Not to mention, I’ve recently been looking for a roommate so it’s better if my wife is my roommate instead of someone else.” Jiang Ziquan had carefully analyzed everything and cautiously said: “And the two of us can take care of each other.”

Although this wife of hers was highly refined and intelligent, she became shy at Jiang Ziquan’s words and fiddled with her sleeves. 

Ignoring Jiang Ziquan’s cheesy words, she thought for a moment, “Let’s drop this for now. I’ll just apply to live on campus instead.”

Jiang Ziquan felt a little disappointed, but she knew she couldn’t push too hard, and so had no choice but to say, “That’s fine.”

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T/N notes: 

[1] green hat: When someone cheats on another party, they make them wear a ‘green hat’ Usually used for a man whose wife or girlfriend cheated on him. 

[2] congratulatory wedding gift: technically the translation is ‘red envelope’ like the kind you give to kids on Chinese New Year, but are also given to newlyweds during weddings to congratulate their union. 

[3] unfamiliar at first, but well accustomed soon enough: Means after you do something once, you get used to it, or familiar with it the second time.

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