Shen Qingjun didn’t know what Shen Xinwei, Shen Hanyang, and Bai Yue had talked about last night. After a night had passed, the three of them were unusually close, with no effort to avoid showing it.
“Weiwei, have you really decided to go to the countryside?” When Bai Yue learned that Shen Xinwei was going to be a sent-down youth to take care of them, her eyes reddened with emotion.
Shen Hanyang stood nearby, his expression gentle.
The atmosphere was warm and cozy.
“Mom, give me money. I want to buy some things.” A calm voice broke the tranquility.
Bai Yue frowned. “Didn’t I give you a hundred yuan yesterday?”
Growing up away from someone really makes a difference. Weiwei was so considerate, clearly caring for her.
Shen Qingjun seemed oblivious to Bai Yue’s displeasure, counting on her fingers. “I spent it all. Clothes cost sixty, shoes and hat together fifty, so exactly a hundred.”
“I’ve seen my little sister’s wardrobe. My wardrobe still needs sixteen pieces of clothing, five pairs of shoes, and various accessories. Just for minor things, Mom, you should give me 1,500 yuan.”
Shen Xinwei shouted to interrupt. “Are you crazy? Why do you need so much money?”
Shen Qingjun looked at her curiously. “Are your ears broken? Didn’t I say it’s for buying clothes?”
“That still doesn’t require so much money. If you don’t have new clothes, you can just pick from mine.”
Seeing Shen Xinwei make a self-sacrificial expression, Shen Qingjun laughed. “Do you think I can fit your clothes?”
Ignoring weight differences, Shen Xinwei was 1.56 meters tall, and Shen Qingjun was barefoot at 1.68 meters. With shoes, she’d easily reach 1.70 meters. There was no way she could wear Shen Xinwei’s clothes.
Shen Xinwei realized the implication and her round, dark face flushed red, a mix of embarrassment and anger.
Bai Yue frowned. “Weiwei means well, Qingjun, you’re going too far.”
Shen Qingjun merely said “oh” and continued asking for money.
Bai Yue, slightly dissatisfied with Shen Qingjun’s casual attitude, pursed her lips. “Another hundred, but spend it wisely.”
Shen Qingjun shook her head. “No, I saw several items yesterday; a hundred won’t be enough.”
“Our family doesn’t have that much money. Even if we did, you can’t just spend it recklessly.” Shen Hanyang’s face darkened, his tone stern. Shen Xinwei couldn’t help a gleeful smirk.
Shen Hanyang’s voice was loud, but Shen Qingjun’s was louder.
“Why can you go out early and spend money on things, but when I buy a few clothes for myself, it’s not allowed? I’m going to find the neighbor’s aunt to settle this. Favoritism shouldn’t be like this!”
She was about to rush out. Shen Hanyang and Bai Yue’s faces changed dramatically. Over the past few days, they had indeed bought many things, which were temporarily stored in the house. They hadn’t even thought to hide them from Shen Qingjun.
If this got out, not only would their purchases be in trouble, but it could also lead to other problems. Shen Hanyang’s face changed repeatedly as he gritted his teeth. “Give her the money.”
When Bai Yue handed a thick stack of bills to Shen Qingjun, Shen Xinwei’s eyes reddened. In her mind, all these things were hers—why should they go to Shen Qingjun?
She didn’t dare say this out loud but silently added another point of resentment toward Shen Qingjun.
That morning, after a fruitful night, Shen Qingjun didn’t even glance at the barely edible breakfast and left without hesitation.
At the door, a jeep was parked, the front resting against a tall man with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. He wore a military uniform; his side profile showed a high, straight nose and long, thick eyelashes, looking like a stunning portrait of a handsome man.
The man heard the noise and turned. Shen Qingjun immediately saw his full face.
His features were sculpted, his eye sockets deep, and when his dark, sharp eyes looked at her, a commanding presence pressed against her. But when Zou Zhanyang saw her, his fierce gaze softened like spring water, gentle and almost unbelievable. Shen Qingjun instinctively sank onto her toes.
Could this be the legendary look of a man who gazes at his beloved as if the world didn’t exist?
Confirming she didn’t recognize him, Shen Qingjun started to leave.
“Qingjun.”
Wait… that voice sounded just like Zou Zhanyang’s.
Shen Qingjun stared at the man in shock. “You’re Zou Zhanyang?”
Zou Zhanyang nodded, feeling a bit frustrated. He had shaved his beard, and now she didn’t recognize him. He felt a little wronged.
He had recognized her at first sight yesterday—well, except at the start on Lindong Street.
Meeting his slightly pitiful gaze, Shen Qingjun felt a bit guilty. It wasn’t her fault—yesterday he had been scruffy, with a stubbly beard and a sickly look. Even if the emperor himself appeared, she wouldn’t have recognized him as the striking man before her.
Seeing Zou Zhanyang’s smooth, bare chin, she couldn’t resist reaching out to touch it.
Zou Zhanyang, originally a little annoyed, felt his ears warm when he realized her touch. He subtly adjusted his posture so she could touch him more easily.
As they closed the distance, Zou Zhanyang clearly saw the awe in Shen Qingjun’s eyes. The realization made him happy, though he regretted not tidying himself up yesterday before leaving.
After touching his chin a couple of times, Shen Qingjun stopped. Zou Zhanyang was reluctant but didn’t forget the main point. “The marriage report has been approved; we can get the certificate anytime.”
Shen Qingjun was eager. “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go!”
“Don’t rush. The registry isn’t open yet. Let’s have breakfast first.” Zou Zhanyang pulled her gently.
“All right.”
…
At the state-run restaurant:
The waiter saw Shen Qingjun and his eyes lit up. His fair face flushed as his view was blocked by a tall figure. “This… is—”
“I’m her fiancé,” Zou Zhanyang said in a low voice.
“Ah, you have a fiancé?” The waiter was stunned, clearly disappointed.
“I’m not her brother. I’m her fiancé. We’re getting married soon.”
“This guy really has an interesting way of speaking. Why would I lie? We’re going to get the marriage certificate today. Are you trying to sabotage a military marriage?”
The man who had tried to approach her before was rejected again. Zou Zhanyang’s face darkened further than the bottom of a pot. Shen Qingjun giggled, then met his slightly pitiful gaze.
She stopped laughing and casually fed him a peeled boiled egg, blinking. “Eat quickly. Later, we’ll make this ‘rumor’ official.”
Zou Zhanyang pursed his lips and murmured his approval, taking the egg with her hand. His lips brushed her soft fingers, and his heart skipped a beat.
Shen Qingjun was about to warn him to be careful not to choke but saw him chew and swallow smoothly, without even needing water.
Well, maybe men’s throats are just thicker.
Shen Qingjun took a bite of her bun.