Didn’t Expect That, Did You?

Edit* – 5/28 Finished editing this chapter!

Hello! Did you miss me? Sorry I’ve been super busy with a lot of things and haven’t been able to edit any of the chapters. Some of the Chinese flew over my head and I didn’t put any translator notes, so feel free to comment if you know what they mean.

Equivalent substitution

“You rich people having marriages of convenience, it’s really tough…” Rong Ya sighed with pity.

Shao Cixin, thick-skinned^[1], was unfazed at this point. She even continued nonchalantly, “Indeed, it’s tough. Family meetings are not easy to hold.”

She picked up her long scarf and flicked it, “Because it’s so tough, General Wen^[2] gave me a scarf when I left the house. I’ve decided not to take off this scarf today.”

“?”

Rong Ya: “Why not take it off?”

——Of course, because there are hickeys that can’t be taken off!

This was what Shao Cixin thought to herself.

But she couldn’t be so blunt. So she took her usual path of spouting nonsense with a straight face.

“It shows my affection for her, and it can further promote friendly exchanges.”

“…She’s not here.”

“No, she is here.”

“???”

Rong Ya looked shocked: “Where, where is she?”

Don’t tell me this girl is still on the phone with Wen Zhihan, wouldn’t everything they’ve said have been heard? Luckily she didn’t say anything she shouldn’t!

Shao Cixin just flicked the white scarf again.

“Her sentiment is here, so she is here.”

“…”

Unable to help herself, Rong Ya applauded, “Mrs. Wen, you really have a way with words.”

Shao Cixin: “I’m flattered, truly flattered.”

In the front row, Lin Mumu was trying to suppress her laughter listening to the conversation between the two.

During their time together, she found Shao Cixin more and more interesting. 

When it was time to be playful, she was playful. When it was time to be serious, she was serious. She was never one to delay things, was kind to those around her, and was exceptionally pretty. She was a combination of a fun personality and good looks.

She finally understood why so many people liked her.

“Mumu,” Rong Ya began, “what are you giggling at?”

Shao Cixin also turned to look at the front seat.

Lin Mumu immediately sat up straight: “Nothing, I just find our superstar to be quite amusing.”

Shao Cixin humbly replied, “You’re too kind, too kind. I think your name is also quite interesting. Did your parents name you based on the Five Elements^[3]?”

When she first heard this name, she felt that this child was seriously lacking the ‘wood’ element.

Lin Mumu laughed, “According to my mom, actually they didn’t know what name to give me, so they just split my surname. After splitting, they thought ‘Mm, Mumu is quite a cute name,’ so I ended up with this name.”

Rong Ya: “…”

Is that even possible?

Shao Cixin asked curiously, “And according to your dad?”

Lin Mumu: “My dad…”

She suddenly remembered that afternoon.

One day, on a whim, she asked her dad about the meaning behind her name, why they chose it for her.

Her dad then solemnly told her, “Because your mom and dad hope that you can grow up like four trees tied together.”

She, who was just in junior high school, couldn’t understand the meaning and immediately asked, “Why should I grow up like four trees tied together?”

“Because…” Her dad pondered for a while, then looked up and said, “Sturdiness.”

Snapping back to reality, Lin Mumu said, “So that’s it.”

Shao Cixin: “…”

In the face of such a simple wish, she was speechless for a moment.

Lin Mumu laughed again, “Haha, afterwards my mom scolded him for spouting nonsense and fooling children.”

Shao Cixin silently gave a thumbs up.

This father is indeed a kindred spirit in the world of nonsense.

During her work hours today, Shao Cixin unexpectedly ran into Lin Han.

Ever since the official announcement last time, she hadn’t seen Lin Han. She didn’t know how he had reacted to this matter and whether he would continue to pester her like Wen Yu, not knowing when to give up.

As it turned out, Lin Han was someone who knew when to step back.

This time when he saw her, he wasn’t holding flowers or flaunting his wealth, which paled in comparison to hers, in front of her.

He even wisely chose to take a detour.

If the Wen and Shao families found out he was pursuing Shao Cixin… Even without mentioning the Shao family, a single Wen Zhihan was enough to make him suffer!

There was a world of difference between the “Han”^[4] in Lin Han and Wen Zhihan.

Shao Cixin felt at ease seeing that he was no longer pestering her.

If only Wen Yu could be so sensible.

Speaking of Wen Yu, she hadn’t paid attention to her for some time now.

On WeChat^[5], it was the usual—she blocked her messages daily. Whenever her and Wen Zhihan had a moment of affection, she’d show off in her WeChat Moments^[6], flaunting their love in front of her.

During her regular work hours, Wen Yu wouldn’t come looking for her. Perhaps she didn’t know where she was, or maybe because Wen Zhihan was helping out, so Wen Yu didn’t dare to disturb her work recklessly.

Regardless of the reason, as long as she didn’t bother her at work, it was fine.

She didn’t want to be accused of engaging in some affair, it was too troublesome.

Thinking about Wen Yu, she took advantage of a break from work, lifted her phone, pulled half her face into her scarf, and took a beautiful selfie. Then, she posted it in her Moments.

The caption read: My wife’s scarf matches me perfectly today~

[Dad] liked it.

[Mom] liked it.

[Wen Dad] liked it.

[Rong Na’s Mom] liked it.

[Scum Girl] …………

A series of ellipses filled with explosive damage.

Shao Cixin closed her phone, content. Another fulfilling and joyful day!

Wen Yu felt that she shouldn’t have opened her Moments at this time; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been hit by so much fresh dog food!

Isn’t it just a scarf? She could give one too!

—Wait.

She suddenly calmed down, thought carefully, and realized that this scarf might not necessarily be from Wen Zhihan. It could be that Shao Cixin purposefully lied to provoke her using a random scarf.

In that case, Shao Cixin was “well-intentioned” towards her.

Recently, she was worrying about what she should give to Shao Cixin to express her feelings. If that was the case, she would give a scarf.

She still believed there was hope between them, especially since Shao Cixin unblocked her on WeChat Moments.

Although she didn’t know what she had said or done with Shao Cixin on the night she was drunk, the fact that Shao Cixin unblocked her means that something that happened while she was drunk touched Shao Cixin.

Even if it touched her just a bit, it was still something.

Since there was hope, she had to grasp it properly.

She had to win Shao Cixin over, awaken Shao Cixin’s liking for her, and seize a chance at a still salvageable relationship.

As for why Shao Cixin’s Moments were filled with public displays of affection…

Perhaps this was Shao Cixin’s complaint towards her, signifying that her anger towards her hadn’t dissipated yet. She needed to make more and more efforts to appease her anger.

Yes, it must be like this!

Thinking about this, she immediately went out to pick a scarf.

Shao Cixin said she wouldn’t take off the scarf for the whole day, and she really didn’t take it off all day. She finally wore it home just like that.

Walking into her residential complex, she dialed Wen Zhihan while heading towards her own building, “Thank you for the scarf, President Wen. I’ll wash it and return it to you.”

A gentle laugh came from the other end of the call.

“Just keep it. I already said it was a gift for you before we left.”

Shao Cixin tucked her hands into her pockets, “No need, I don’t take undeserved gains^[7]. I don’t want to take things for free. Besides, you’ve helped me so many times, I should be the one giving you gifts.”

Upon hearing this, Wen Zhihan casually asked, “So what would Cixin give me?”

Shao Cixin paused, “You caught me off guard with your question, I can’t think of anything right now.”

When she gives gifts, she habitually thinks about what the other person lacks.

However, Wen Zhihan, as an economically independent and wealthy adult, can buy anything she wants with her own money. She is materially affluent and lacks nothing.

As for other gifts, what should she give…

“Wait for a while, Wen Zhihan,” said Shao Cixin, “I’ll send it once I’ve thought about it.”

Wen Zhihan was taken aback momentarily on the other end of the phone, then slowly smiled.

She was only asking what she would give, not actually expecting her to give anything. How did it turn into this?

But since Cixin wanted to give… she wouldn’t be polite.

“Okay, I’ll be waiting for Miss Shao’s gift then.”

“Mm! I don’t know when I’ll give it to you, but I will definitely give it to you. I’ll try to surprise you, don’t worry.”

“Okay, I trust you.”

“Well, that’s it then. Rest early and have sweet dreams.”

“Good night, sweet dreams.”

The call ended.

As Shao Cixin was walking, she tried to recall Wen Zhihan’s birthday, but couldn’t remember when it was.

Giving gifts should have a reason, and a birthday is the best reason. Given her current relationship with Wen Zhihan, she should remember her birthday.

After thinking for a while and unable to recall, she simply opened a webpage and searched for Wen Zhihan’s biography.

During high school, she and Wen Zhihan weren’t even friends. She had neither the opportunity nor the interest to know when her birthday was.

Later, when they became family, this period only lasted for over a year, with not even two birthdays to celebrate. Subtracting the time they didn’t see each other, they weren’t close enough to remember each other’s birthdays.

Fortunately, as a well-known CEO, Wen Zhihan’s biography was extensive, and naturally included her birth date.

Shao Cixin saw it as soon as she opened the page: January 7th.

Shao Cixin calculated and found out that she would be filming on that day and couldn’t return to Feng City to celebrate her birthday in person.

She could only ask someone to deliver a gift and call to wish her a happy birthday.

Thinking about this, Shao Cixin set an alarm on her calendar for January 6th of the following year,

This would remind her that the next day was Wen Zhihan’s birthday, allowing her to send birthday wishes right at midnight and surprise Wen Zhihan.

After preparing everything, she put away her phone and continued towards home.

Just as she reached the bottom of her building, she looked up and saw the last person she wanted to see—Wen Yu.

Shao Cixin raised an eyebrow, her expression cold.

She couldn’t believe that the shameless woman dared to come to her house to find her.

This kind of behavior, to her, was equivalent to itching for a beating.

When Wen Yu turned around and saw Shao Cixin who had just returned, joy leapt into her eyes, and her previously desolate heart was instantly filled with surprise.

—She was indeed still living here!

Holding a gift box, she walked happily towards Shao Cixin, her tone was unprecedentedly gentle, “Cixin, you’re back.”

Hearing this, Shao Cixin merely stepped back leisurely, both hands tucked into her pockets, obviously wanting to keep her distance.

She might as well hang a sign on her saying, “Wen Yu, stay away from me.”

“Little auntie^[8], why are you here so late at night?”

Little auntie.

Hearing this title, Wen Yu’s forward steps abruptly halted.

She really disliked this title, especially when it came out of Shao Cixin’s mouth, it was like a thorn continuously pricking at her heart, causing her pain.

The more Wen Yu disliked it, the more Shao Cixin used it, emphasizing “little auntie” and “sister-in-law” in her speech.

“Little auntie? Little auntie, why aren’t you speaking? If little auntie has nothing to say, your sister-in-law is about to head home.

“It’s cold outside. It’s fine if you, little auntie, get frozen, but I can’t afford to. Otherwise, your sister will be heartbroken.”

Wen Yu: “…”

Quite a chatterbox and quite the type to give one a headache.

Wen Yu composed herself, lifted the corners of her lips, restored her smile, and handed the gift box in her hand to Shao Cixin: “Cixin, this is for you.”

Shao Cixin glanced at the elegantly black gift box, then looked back at her warily: “What’s this? Don’t tell me it’s a —— bomb? You’re trying to harm your own sister-in-law?!”

Wen Yu: “…”

Her train of thought really does jump around.

“It’s a scarf, I picked it out especially for you.”

Hearing this, Shao Cixin knew she had seen her post on her friend’s circle.

Good that she saw it, she wanted this despicable woman to know she could live better and brighter without her.

However, she didn’t refuse this gift and took it.

Wen Yu felt hopeful about her journey of winning her wife back.

Then she heard Shao Cixin say: “Thank you, I’ll give this to your sister later.”

After saying that, she walked past her without hesitation.

Wen Yu: “?”

She stopped Shao Cixin in confusion: “What are you doing giving this to Wen Zhihan? This is for you!”

Shao Cixin turned around and looked at her as if looking at a clueless child.

“We’re married, what’s mine is hers and what’s hers is mine. So if you’re giving me a gift, aren’t you also giving her a gift?

“You’re really dull, can’t even comprehend such a simple substitution.”

Wen Yu: “???”

Wait, can it be calculated like that???

Watching Shao Cixin’s unloving back getting ready to leave, Wen Yu decided to play her trump card.

Shao Cixin couldn’t stand to see her cry, every time she shed tears, Shao Cixin would become incredibly soft-hearted and treat her exceptionally well.

In the past, she didn’t make much of it, but now she wanted to use it to awaken Shao Cixin’s love for her — pity first, then love!

So she took out eye drops that she had prepared beforehand and quickly dripped a few drops.

In the pursuit of getting her wife back, special times call for special measures!

“Wait!”

A shout came from behind her.

Shao Cixin once again stopped in her tracks, turning around impatiently to ask: “What is it now?”

Unexpectedly, she turned around to see a beautiful woman shedding tears.

Two clear teardrops were falling just right from Wen Yu’s eyes, along with her slightly furrowed eyebrows, she looked somewhat pitiful.

Shao Cixin raised an eyebrow.

—Oh dear?

“I’m sorry, Cixin…” Wen Yu said sorrowfully, “I was the one at fault in the past, I didn’t know how to cherish you, and made you suffer so much…”

After she finished speaking, she began to pretend to sob.

The tears were fake, but her words and feelings were more genuine than gold.

Right now, she wanted to win Shao Cixin’s heart more than anyone else.

This time, she definitely wouldn’t let her down again, definitely not!

Shao Cixin watched silently.

At this moment, she suddenly remembered a saying she had heard before: when a girl cries in front of you, it’s the best time to show your care and concern for her.

She felt it was time to show a bit of concern and care for her little auntie.

So she spoke: “Crying so quietly, have you not eaten?”

Wen Yu, whose acting was suddenly choked in her throat: “…”

Tonight, she was utterly defeated.

1. ^[1] 脸皮厚 (liǎnpí hòu): This phrase literally translates to “thick-skinned” and is used to describe someone who is shameless or brazen.
2. ^[2] 温总 (Wēn Zǒng): ‘General Wen’, this is a respectful way to address someone with the surname Wen who holds a high position, like CEO or manager, in Chinese.
3. ^[3] 五行 (wǔ xíng): The ‘Five Elements’ in Chinese culture are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. They are often used in various aspects of Chinese philosophy and culture, including traditional Chinese medicine, geomancy, and even naming conventions.
4. ^[4] 寒 (hán): The character for ‘cold’, which is used in both Lin Han and Wen Zhihan’s names. Here, it’s being used to illustrate the difference in status between the two characters despite sharing the same character in their names.
5. ^[5] 微信 (Wēixìn): This is the Chinese name for WeChat, a popular Chinese social media app.
6. ^[6] 朋友圈 (Péngyǒu quān): This is the name for the ‘Moments’ feature on WeChat, where users can share photos, videos, and status updates.
7. ^[7] 无功不受禄 (wú gōng bù shòu lù): This is a Chinese idiom, which means not accepting rewards if one hasn’t done anything to deserve it.
8. ^[8] 小姨子 (xiǎo yízi): This term means “little auntie”, but in this context, it is being used as a term of address for a younger sister-in-law.

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