Chapter 28: Sneaky

This is a major issue, and a difficult one at that. Even in 2025, this topic remains as hotly debated as ever. Shen Qingyao used to watch such things as a mere bystander, never imagining that she would one day find herself in this exact situation.

Just as Shen Qingyao was struggling with her thoughts, Jiang Yan stood up.

"Give me the bowl."

"Huh?"

Shen Qingyao was still dazed, but she handed over the bowl nonetheless. Jiang Yan took it smoothly and went to wash it. Shen Qingyao glanced at Xie Meiyi's reaction, but she seemed completely indifferent.

Shen Qingyao was thoroughly confused. When she was in the orphanage, the caretakers used to say that if a woman couldn't cook or do housework, her mother-in-law would despise her. Having grown up in the age of social media, she had been exposed to all sorts of stories. She had even spent 9.9 yuan online to buy a "secret guide" on how to deal with in-laws. She had expected to use it, but it turned out Xie Meiyi seemed to be a very easy person to get along with.

Moreover, Jiang Feng was a good man, too. Although Shen Qingyao had been startled by his deliberate smile when they first met, she had come to understand him after spending more time together. As for Jiang Yan, that went without saying. His actions today...

Shen Qingyao felt herself blushing again, but she quickly used a cough to avert her gaze. Yet, a second later, her eyes drifted back to him. Neither the sound of the running tap nor the clatter of the bowls could pull her attention away. As she watched, she couldn't help but marvel inwardly, "How is Jiang Yan's waist even slimmer than mine?"

She took a closer look. It really did seem a bit slimmer. And, well, his hips also seemed... What was that word again? Shen Qingyao really wanted to label him with it. She rested her chin in her hands, lost in thought.

"I’m going to—" Jiang Yan turned his head, caught her expression, and immediately laughed.

"Ah, what is it...?" Shen Qingyao looked away, subconsciously touching the corner of her mouth. Phew, no drool.

"I’m going to the steel mill in a bit. What about you?" Jiang Yan walked closer, deliberately wiping the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief. Shen Qingyao knew he was teasing her, but she didn't intend to make an issue of it. "I'm going too."

Shen Qingyao stood up and pushed his hand away with a bit of force. "You're going to the factory today—has there been any progress?"

"Yes." Jiang Yan nodded solemnly.

Shen Qingyao didn't press for details; instead, she sought out Xie Meiyi. "Auntie Xie, I’m going to the shop a bit later today. Is that alright?"

Xie Meiyi didn't ask any questions. "That's fine, go ahead." There wasn't much to do at the shop anyway, so it didn't matter if she came late. They weren't exactly counting on the shop to make a fortune.

Everything had been going smoothly all morning, and Shen Qingyao’s mood improved significantly. Xie Meiyi went to water the flowers, leaving only Jiang Yan and Shen Qingyao in the living room.

"Your family seems very wealthy."

Jiang Yan replied nonchalantly, "Not exactly, but whatever I have is yours now."

Although she knew Jiang Yan wasn't one for jokes, Shen Qingyao still took it as one. There were only a few truly wealthy households in Qingtan Village, with homes filled with items that had been in their families for ages. The villagers only recognized those few as the truly rich. Most people in the village didn't care much about someone like Jiang Feng, who came from a military background. The Jiang family had all been transferred from Beijing; coming to Qingtan Village had only earned them a bit of fame. Looking at their house, it was public property, not really their own.

The topic passed with a smile from Shen Qingyao, just as Chen Zheng ran in. "Commander, the car is ready."

Jiang Yan remained expressionless, simply taking Shen Qingyao’s hand as they walked outside. Shen Qingyao hadn't reacted at first, but she finally processed Chen Zheng’s words.

"Commander?"

"Yaoyao, I’ll tell you everything in the car." Jiang Yan remained calm and unhurried, as if this weren't a big deal at all.

"You're a commander?" Shen Qingyao confirmed again.

"Yes."

"I married a commander?" Shen Qingyao found it unbelievable. She had picked up a commander downstairs at the military housing compound? And the most important part—this commander hadn't been willing to pay a single cent of a bride price? "Were you all in on this to trick me?"

She questioned him, but she didn't let go of his hand. Once in the car, Jiang Yan covered her with his coat.

"Tell me, you're driving me crazy..." Shen Qingyao unconsciously drew out the end of her sentence. It sounded like she was acting spoiled, which made Jiang Yan feel as if his heart had been lightly scratched.

"No, I didn't want to trick you. I was just afraid you wouldn't accept this identity of mine."

Shen Qingyao muttered, "You talk better than you sing." She couldn't handle him—she really couldn't. Jiang Yan’s greatest trait was his ability to say things that shouldn't be said in a serious tone with a perfectly straight face. At the very least, he excelled at that.

"Why didn't you ask why you're living at my house?"

Shen Qingyao didn't think much about it, answering calmly, "If you weren't afraid of Wang Guihua and Shen Dongsheng, you would have sent me home naturally."

Jiang Yan’s expression suddenly turned serious. "I don't look down on your family."

"Well, you should, because I look down on them too." Shen Qingyao shrugged.

Jiang Yan had asked around about the miserable life she had led at the Shen household, which had only solidified his resolve to marry her off quickly. She had said she didn't want to live with his parents, so he had decided to apply for his own housing from his superiors. It wouldn't be a large place, but it would be enough for the two of them. Besides, his goal wasn't to stay in Qingtan Village. He had long planned to return to Beijing, but the plan had been shelved due to certain circumstances. Since Shen Qingyao had brought it up, he wouldn't pretend to be ignorant. She had previously said she only married him to get a chance to go to Beijing. Now, she wouldn't get that opportunity—but fortunately, Lu Shaojun wouldn't either.

As the car arrived at the gates of the steel mill, Shen Qingyao saw Shen Mengyi and Wang Guihua in the distance.

"What are they doing here?" Her expression changed instantly. The two were lurking at the entrance, looking at something, and she knew that nothing good ever happened when they appeared—especially when they were together.

Shen Qingyao jumped out of the car, trotted over, and grabbed them both by the collar. "What are you two lurking around here for?"

The sudden voice from behind made both Wang Guihua and Shen Mengyi jump in fright.

"You scared the life out of us!"

"What do you mean 'lurking'? Can't you speak properly?"

They each retorted, but Shen Qingyao merely stared at them, wondering what kind of mischief they were up to.