005: Knew She Was a Scheming One
Shen Jichuan had initially felt some pity for Wen Qiao's illness.
But upon hearing that even while sick, Wen Qiao couldn't stop talking about marrying him,
Shen Jichuan suddenly thought that Wen Qiao might be pretending to be ill on purpose, trying to win his sympathy and stir his compassion.
What a deep scheme indeed.
Shen Jichuan pushed Wen Qiao away and immediately went downstairs.
Wen Qiao was completely disregarded in the Shen household. Shen Haiyang couldn't wait for her to die sooner, and even Li Ling wouldn't take the initiative to go upstairs and ask if she was hungry.
Wen Qiao lay in her room for an entire day.
When she couldn't bear the thirst any longer, she propped up her dizzy head, went downstairs, and drank some water.
Seeing there was food in the kitchen, she ate a few bites casually.
Her head was throbbing terribly, so she simply lay down in her room, waiting until dusk in the afternoon when she gradually started feeling better.
Shen Jichuan didn't return that night, and Wen Qiao, still unwell, didn't bother whether he came back or not.
After this bout of illness, she suddenly realized:
If she really died from sickness, what would be the point of her lingering in the nightmare of her past life?
She thought, she might as well have made demands sooner.
Leave the Shen family and strive for a better self.
Three days later, Wen Qiao's health returned to normal.
She asked Shen Haiyang and Li Ling when Shen Jichuan would be back.
Shen Haiyang bluntly said he didn't know, didn't even spare Wen Qiao a glance, and turned to leave the house.
Seeing that Shen Haiyang disliked Wen Qiao, Li Ling didn't say a word either, scowled, went back to her room, and deliberately avoided Wen Qiao.
They were intentionally making things difficult for Wen Qiao, hoping she would back down and hurry back to her hometown sooner.
To save herself from being an eyesore here.
Wen Qiao had no choice but to turn and leave the house, asking others in the family residential compound.
Coincidentally, the person she asked happened to be the wife of Director Zhou from the Political Department, who worked closely with Shen Jichuan.
Director Zhou's wife was a teacher at a school and had previously introduced several matches to Shen Jichuan, but he wasn't interested.
Suddenly pulled aside by a young girl asking where Shen Jichuan's workplace was,
Director Zhou's wife immediately sized up Wen Qiao from head to toe.
Curious about the girl's identity.
She then asked, "Young lady, what is your relationship with Deputy Division Commander Shen?"
Wen Qiao replied softly, "I'm his distant cousin's daughter."
Director Zhou's wife chuckled cheerfully.
This young girl was truly lovely; even her tattered clothes couldn't hide her delicate charm.
Learning that Wen Qiao was Deputy Division Commander Shen's cousin's daughter,
Director Zhou's wife thought, this girl is pretty and even has ties to Deputy Division Commander Shen's family.
It just so happened that her youngest son had recently been transferred back to the city from the countryside—this could work out nicely.
Li Meilan grew more and more satisfied the longer she looked at Wen Qiao.
She even specifically asked for Wen Qiao's name, age, and hometown.
Wen Qiao felt that this aunt was quite nice, but her questions seemed a bit too many.
She only gave her name and age, leaving out the rest.
After the questions, Wen Qiao headed toward Shen Jichuan's workplace.
When Shen Jichuan learned that someone was looking for him at the guard post, the orderly had already brought the person to his office.
Seeing that it was Wen Qiao, Shen Jichuan's face darkened instantly.
"Wen Qiao, you're really bold, causing trouble all the way to my workplace."
He sat sternly in his chair, expression unchanged, but his tone was cold and detached.
Wen Qiao instinctively felt that this man before her was overwhelmingly intimidating, and she was quite afraid in her heart.
Wen Qiao opened her mouth to explain, "Deputy Division Commander Shen, I really wasn't making a scene. I just wanted to find you. You haven't been home these past few days, so I had no choice but to come here to look for you. What I was thinking was…"
"The marriage report has already been approved. Did you bring your household registration? We can register the marriage anytime."
"After we get the certificate, I hope you'll maintain an appropriate distance from me. Don't tell anyone outside that you're my family member."
Without giving Wen Qiao a chance or time to speak, Shen Jichuan said coldly.
Wen Qiao hesitated for a moment, her tone also carrying a hint of urgency.
"Could this marriage report…"
She didn't finish the rest of her sentence.
Shen Jichuan shot her a sharp glare.
"Don't make any conditions with me."
"Wen Qiao, I just don't want to target a young girl like you. If I wanted to deal with you, I have plenty of ways."
"Get out."
"I'm very busy right now. I don't have time to chat with you."
Wen Qiao hesitated again and again, still wanting to say more, but before she could open her mouth, Shen Jichuan once again coldly snapped, "Out!"
Wen Qiao had no choice but to turn and leave Shen Jichuan's office.
Actually, what she wanted to say was, can the marriage report be withdrawn?
She now felt that it would be better to focus on work and earning money.
Wen Qiao stood at the door for a while. From Shen Jichuan's words, it seemed the marriage report had already been submitted.
His absence from home these past few days was probably intentional, meant to keep her waiting.
If Wen Qiao hadn't suddenly decided to come to the military unit to find him, Shen Jichuan would likely have planned to return home even later.
Wen Qiao thought to herself, since that's the case, she could only proceed as previously discussed—marry Shen Jichuan first. If she couldn't have a good life, she wouldn't let Shen Haiyang have one either.
Hearing Shen Jichuan say that she could register the marriage as long as she brought her household registration booklet didn't worry her.
Because when she came to Beicheng, it was with the intention of marrying Shen Haiyang. Her mother had given her the household registration booklet early on.
When Wen Qiao returned from the military unit to the family residential compound, she bought some food along the way.
She wasn't in a hurry to return to the Shen household. Instead, she wandered around outside, thinking she should find something to do to earn a little money.
Shen Jichuan was a ruthless character. If he said he wouldn't give her money, he definitely wouldn't give her a single cent.
She didn't have much money on her.
After her mother remarried, her stepfather treated her poorly. Even having enough to eat was a problem, so there was no way he would give her pocket money.
Her mother managed the household chores at home, usually spending her free time embroidering patterns or digging up medicinal herbs.
The money she earned from work was all spent on the family. Only these quietly done tasks allowed her to save a little private money.
On top of that, Wen Qiao still had to study. From elementary school to junior high, there were tuition and miscellaneous fees to pay.
Her stepfather was very particular about food and drink for her and her mother. Wen Qiao, afraid of causing trouble for her mother, never dared to eat too much or ask for more.
When she left, her mother gave her fifty yuan.
Wen Qiao even worried that if her mother had taken the money from her stepfather to give to her, she would surely suffer a severe beating.
The more Wen Qiao thought about it, the more she regretted it. She had been too impulsive back then. Seeing Shen Haiyang again in this life, after he had caused her death in her previous life, she couldn't suppress the hatred in her heart and wanted revenge.
She wanted nothing else, only to ruin Shen Haiyang's reputation and leave him with nothing…
Now, having calmed down, Wen Qiao realized just how difficult her and her mother's situation was.
After wandering around outside for a long time, Wen Qiao still couldn't find any suitable work.
She had no choice but to return to the Shen household first.
During dinner, Shen Jichuan returned. As usual, he washed his hands and sat down to eat. Li Ling busied herself serving dishes, while Shen Haiyang, seeing his adoptive father return, also came out from inside the house.
Once dinner was ready, none of them called Wen Qiao.
Wen Qiao truly had no intention of being polite with them. The key issue was that she had very little money left and could only rely on the Shen family for food and shelter.
She fetched her own bowl and chopsticks. Knowing they all disliked her, Wen Qiao had no desire to eat while facing their cold expressions.
Seeing Wen Qiao serve herself food, Li Ling immediately scolded, "How can you be like this? Mr. Shen and Haiyang haven't even picked up their chopsticks, yet you've already started eating?"
"I'll take a portion and eat in the kitchen."
Wen Qiao only took some vegetables and scrambled eggs.
She didn’t touch the fish, instead reaching for two steamed buns.
Witnessing Wen Qiao’s actions, Shen Haiyang couldn’t sit still any longer.
"Wen Qiao, you have no manners at all, serving yourself right in front of us. No wonder—someone from the countryside just wants to come to the city and take advantage, right?"
Shen Haiyang sneered, his face full of disdain.
Wen Qiao paused, then chuckled softly as she set down her bowl and chopsticks. Calmly, she pulled out a chair and sat down.
"Originally, I thought since you all find me an eyesore, I could avoid you. But now, since you seem to enjoy watching me, I’ll sit down and eat with you."
"Shen Haiyang, I am your mother. Stop shouting at me—it’s you who lacks upbringing. But it’s fine. From now on, I’ll make sure to discipline you properly."
Hearing Wen Qiao’s words, Shen Haiyang’s face flushed red with anger.
Shen Jichuan had changed his clothes and washed his hands before coming downstairs from the second floor.
Looking at Wen Qiao already seated at the dining table, her posture and gaze showed none of the timidity and fear she displayed in front of him.
Instead, she carried herself like the rightful lady of the Shen household.
Indeed, everything she had shown him earlier was nothing but an act put on for his benefit.