007: Chief Shen, Acting a Bit Unusual Today
Wen Qiao knew that Shen Jichuan was not naturally kind-hearted, nor would he treat her well out of pity.
For someone like Shen Jichuan, Wen Qiao dared to threaten him only once—there was absolutely no chance of a second attempt.
As long as she could get the marriage certificate, she would go along with whatever Shen Jichuan said.
If he disliked her shabby clothes and wanted to buy her new ones, Wen Qiao would be more than happy.
How many years had it been since she last bought new clothes? She didn’t care about quality.
As long as they were new clothes, that was good enough.
Shen Jichuan did not personally take Wen Qiao to buy clothes.
He had his driver, Xiao Sun, take her in his car.
Last night, Shen Jichuan had specifically mentioned having someone take her to buy clothes.
Wen Qiao woke up very early, even earlier than Li Ling.
Hearing movement outside the door, Wen Qiao opened it.
The first thing she saw was Shen Jichuan wearing a black silk pajama set.
A man approaching forty, yet he looked nothing like his age.
His complexion wasn’t fair, but it was clean—a refreshing kind of clean. His features were sharp, his profile handsome.
He had the look of a city-born young master.
Completely different from the rough, rustic men of the countryside.
It could only be said that unmarried men and women, even if older, often looked much younger than their actual age.
"Good morning, sir."
Wen Qiao greeted him politely.
Shen Jichuan only frowned and didn’t pay her much attention.
After a moment of silence, he said, "Go buy clothes this morning. After changing, wait for me at the Civil Affairs Bureau this afternoon."
Wen Qiao nodded. "Alright!"
Shen Jichuan stared at Wen Qiao, puzzled, and after a long while asked:
"Wen Qiao, what exactly are you trying to do? It’s rare to see someone your age with such deep scheming."
This was clearly not a compliment—more like an insult.
In front of him, she was assertive and purposeful, yet also obedient and gentle.
Shen Jichuan felt as though he had wasted his thirty-some years of life.
He couldn’t even see through the mind of a young girl.
Or was Wen Qiao just a deeply scheming person?
Wen Qiao didn’t know how to answer him either.
She replied calmly, "As you said, after marriage, we won’t interfere with each other, nor will we integrate into each other’s lives. As for what kind of person I am, do you care? Since we won’t have much contact in the future, there’s no need for you to understand me better."
A cold smile tugged at Shen Jichuan’s lips.
"Then why go to such lengths to marry me?"
Wen Qiao raised an eyebrow. "Of course, it’s because of Shen Haiyang. Otherwise, did you think I married you because I fell in love with you?"
She chuckled lightly as she spoke.
Turning back into her room, she paid no further attention to Shen Jichuan outside the door.
All she could do was marry Shen Jichuan and coexist peacefully with him.
As for anything else, she wouldn’t overthink it.
Shen Jichuan was fine, but he wasn’t her type.
An older man with deep thoughts—she couldn’t handle that.
If she couldn’t even handle Shen Haiyang, how could she handle someone as cunning and fox-like as Shen Jichuan?
After a quick wash, Wen Qiao left the Shen residence, only to find Shen Jichuan already in the car.
The driver didn’t speak, just glanced at Shen Jichuan in the back seat.
Wen Qiao had originally opened the back door, but upon seeing Shen Jichuan, she closed it and took the passenger seat instead.
"Take me back to the military unit first. Then drive her to the mall to buy two sets of clothes."
Shen Jichuan said from the back seat.
Xiao Sun immediately nodded. "Yes, Chief."
After Wen Qiao settled in the car, they finally set off.
Shen Jichuan got out at the entrance of the military unit. Wen Qiao thought she didn’t need to get out, so she stayed put.
The driver, Xiao Sun, stepped out to open the door. Only after Shen Jichuan had left did he return to the car.
Sitting beside a beautiful female comrade, the young driver had felt uneasy the whole time.
While the senior officer was present, he had been too nervous to think straight.
Now, he dared to glance at Wen Qiao.
Then, with a tense expression, he said, “I’ll take you to the shopping mall now.”
Wen Qiao could tell he was nervous and chuckled softly. “No need to be nervous. I’m not some kind of monster or ghost.”
The driver didn’t reply and started the car.
By the time they reached the mall, the two had exchanged a few words along the way and were somewhat familiar with each other.
The young driver asked who she was.
Wen Qiao initially thought of saying she was Shen Jichuan’s wife.
But she knew that Shen Jichuan least wanted to mention his private marriage.
So Wen Qiao simply said, “I’m a distant relative of Mr. Shen’s family. I’ve just arrived in the city and plan to look for a job.”
After learning Wen Qiao’s identity, the driver relaxed considerably.
Wen Qiao browsed around the mall and bought two pairs of trousers and two Dacron half-sleeved shirts.
The young driver added, “The senior officer said he’ll reimburse the cost.”
Meaning Wen Qiao didn’t have to worry about the price and could buy two nicer outfits.
Wen Qiao still chose trousers and shirts.
Dresses were beautiful, but they weren’t practical for going out and working.
She preferred wearing trousers.
The key was that trousers could be worn for three seasons—spring, summer, and autumn.
Summer dresses could only be worn in summer.
For Wen Qiao, that wasn’t cost-effective.
After selecting her clothes, Wen Qiao also bought two ice creams and gave one to Xiao Sun.
“Brother Jianjun, have an ice cream. Later, if you could trouble yourself to take me back to Deputy Division Commander Shen’s place, you can then go back and report your duty done.”
Sun Jianjun chuckled. “It’s no trouble at all. I’m just a driver, here to drive.”
“If there’s anything you need me for, just let me know.”
In the afternoon, Wen Qiao took her household register and the letter of introduction issued by her hometown and went to the civil affairs bureau early.
Around 2:30 p.m., she finally saw Shen Jichuan arrive.
The two took a simple photo and received their marriage certificate.
But Shen Jichuan took both marriage certificates away.
He said calmly to Xiao Sun, “Drive, back to the military unit.”
Sun Jianjun looked at Wen Qiao standing nearby. “Senior Officer, is Comrade Wen Qiao coming with us?”
“She doesn’t need to.”
“Take a bus back yourself.”
The latter remark was directed at Wen Qiao.
Wen Qiao didn’t mind.
After all, they were already married, and she was now Shen Haiyang’s legitimate stepmother.
Thinking about Shen Haiyang having to call her “Mom,” Wen Qiao couldn’t help but feel delighted inside.
“I’ll go back by myself. Brother Jianjun, thank you for today.”
Sun Jianjun, addressed as “brother” repeatedly, nearly lost himself in the flattery.
After returning home and changing into her new clothes, Wen Qiao undid her braids and tied her hair into a high ponytail.
She looked fresh, youthful, and full of energy.
The young woman already had fair skin.
With her round oval face, smooth forehead, dark almond-shaped eyes, fan-like eyelashes, and cherry-red lips, no one could dislike a beautiful female comrade.
Shen Jichuan glanced coldly at his driver.
Once in the car, he said, “Go back and copy the duty regulations three times.”
Xiao Sun was taken aback but could only nod and agree.
What had he done wrong this time?
Deputy Division Commander Shen was a leader who rarely gave people a hard time. Today’s behavior was somewhat unusual.