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Shao Cixin was surprised that Chen Suling was Wen Zhihan’s admirer, but she also felt that it was totally reasonable.

This was Wen Zhihan they were talking about. Of course it was normal for such a good person to be liked by many others.

But if Wen Zhihan was so kind to everyone, then more people would fall for her…

Shao Cixin said, “So this was the real reason why Chen Suling agreed to interview me.”

Wen Zhihan asked, “How did you know?”

Shao Cixin replied, “Sister Rong told me.”

Wen Zhihan felt the need to clarify: “Shao Cixin, there is nothing going on between me and Chen Suling.”

When Shao Cixin heard these words, her heart couldn’t help but start itching. She didn’t want to waste such a good opportunity to ask more questions.

“Really? Nothing?” she probed, feeling like a gossipy onlooker.

“Really, there’s nothing going on,” Wen Zhihan replied, her voice gentle and firm.

When Shao Cixin heard this, the corner of her lips unconsciously formed into a smile. She felt that if there was really something going on between Wen Zhihan and Chen Suling, then the photo on the marriage certificate wouldn’t be of her and Wen Zhihan, but of Chen Suling and Wen Zhihan.

She believed in Wen Zhihan’s sincerity and started gossiping freely.

Shao Cixin asked, “How long has Chen Suling been chasing you?”

Wen Zhihan said, “I don’t know.”

“Then won’t she be mad if she finds out you suddenly got married?”

“I don’t know.”

“How come you don’t know anything…”

This melon^[1] was unpleasant to eat…It was not fun at all.

Wen Zhihan couldn’t help but laugh when she heard Shao Cixin’s grumbling. She said, “Cixin, I don’t like her, and I don’t want to give her a chance. We shouldn’t be discussing her either.

“Besides, we’re already married. If I knew everything about another woman, wouldn’t you be mad?”

“Of course I would be mad…” Shao Cixin replied without thinking.

Her mind drifted back to Wen Yu, the source of all her problems.

Look, look! Her fake wife (WZH) knew how to keep her distance from other women after getting married, but her once real wife (WY) dared to hold hands with her lover while telling her (SCX) that they were the ones in love!

The difference between normal people and scum was huge.

Suddenly, Shao Cixin realized what she was doing.

“No, no, no,” Shao Cixin said. She clarified to Wen Zhihan, “If you knew everything about another woman, that would be your business, not mine.”

She continued, “Wen Zhihan, don’t get the wrong idea. I was just following your lead and putting myself in that hypothetical situation. I’m not thinking anything bad about you!”

Wen Zhihan was silent for a moment on the phone. A few seconds later, she lowered her eyes and smiled.

“I’m also speaking hypothetically. You don’t need to take it to heart.”

At nine o’clock in the evening, Shao Cixin finished her acting class and returned home.

After taking the elevator, she opened the door to their shared house. As she took off her scarf and changed into her slippers, she called, “I’m home!”

Hearing the sound, Wen Zhihan, who was sitting in the living room, turned her head and looked in the direction of the entrance. Seeing that Shao Cixin was back, she curled her lips and said, “You’ve worked hard.”

Shao Cixin had taken her coat off halfway when she stood and took a look at Wen Zhihan.

Wen Zhihan’s slender fingers were holding a tall and slender wine glass. Inside, red wine swayed gently around the cup.

Her long hair was casually fastened with a red clip, revealing the white and tender back of her neck, and a few strands of black hair hung down the side of her face, giving her a charming and cold appearance.

Wen Zhihan’s blue eyes, which were as deep and moving as ever, attracted Shao Cixin’s footsteps like magic.

Shao Cixin walked towards Wen Zhihan and inexplicably bent down to kiss her on her red lips.

She had always been moved by Wen Zhihan’s appearance.

“Wen Zhihan, you are so beautiful,” Shao Cixin said.

They stared at each other.

Shao Cixin saw a gentle smile spread on Wen Zhihan’s lips. Then she watched as Wen Zhihan put her wine glass on the table and turned to take her hand.

Under Wen Zhihan’s guidance, Shao Cixin walked around the sofa and sat on her lap. They were so close she could feel Wen Zhihan’s breaths on her nape.

Shao Cixin sat obediently, neither taking the initiative to further their interaction nor choosing to escape.

She suddenly felt an indescribable feeling in her heart, unconsciously waiting for Wen Zhihan.

Shao Cixin didn’t examine her feelings too carefully, only thinking she wanted it.

But Wen Zhihan didn’t have any intention of taking her.

Instead, Wen Zhihan held Shao Cixin’s hands and rubbed them, as if she wanted to warm up Shao Cixin’s body.

“Is it cold outside?” she asked.

“Yeah,” Shao Cixin replied softly. She tilted her face up. “My face is also cold. If you don’t believe me, just touch it.”

Wen Zhihan reached out and gently touched Shao Cixin’s face.

Shao Cixin’s face was as cold as frost and snow, and the tip of her nose had turned red, giving her a pitiful appearance.

A look of distress suddenly appeared on Wen Zhihan’s face. “Go take a hot bath and warm up.”

Shao Cixin looked down at Wen Zhihan.

Wen Zhihan seemed a little drunk. Her eyes were lazy and gentle.

Shao Cixin’s heartbeat accelerated inexplicably. Desire suddenly broke out, taking root and germinating in her heart, wrapping it with thin and long roots, making her feel itchy and unbearable.

She couldn’t help but whisper, “Senior Sister, I want to…”

“Go take a shower,” Wen Zhihan responded. She kissed Shao Cixin’s lips and smiled. “I’ll wait for you in my room.”

Shao Cixin immediately jumped off Wen Zhihan’s lap and happily went to find her pajamas.

No one could refuse contact with a beautiful sister, and her debt must be paid without delay.

Wen Zhihan gazed at Shao Cixin’s retreating back with drunken eyes that were as gentle as water. Her appearance seemed inexplicably lonely.

Cixin, I want you too.

I’ve always wanted you.

Shao Cixin sat astride Wen Zhihan’s left leg, intimately hugging her and grinding against her.

Her ears moved against Wen Zhihan’s temples, and her red lips touched the snowy shoulders.

The two merged into one, inseparable and lingering.

Shao Cixin’s breaths blew on Wen Zhihan’s ear, messy, hurried, and no longer peaceful.

She grabbed Wen Zhihan’s wrist and led her.

She wanted more from her, wanted Wen Zhihan to fill the gap in her heart.

Her last life was not happy, and her marriage was a failure.

In this life, she wanted to be more unrestrained, to do what she wanted, and to enjoy her life.

Everything else fell to the wayside.

No, that wasn’t right. She also couldn’t bring herself to ignore Wen Zhihan.

“Wen Zhihan…” Shao Cixin hugged the other woman tightly as if she didn’t want to be separated from her. She whispered, “Are you unhappy?”

Wen Zhihan kissed Shao Cixin passionately. Her long, slender fingers touched Shao Cixin’s warmth. “Why do you ask?”

She was answered by a soft moan, and then she heard Shao Cixin say, “I rarely see you drinking…Did you encounter something unpleasant?”

Wen Zhihan didn’t speak.

Shao Cixin held Wen Zhihan’s face and pulled her into a passionate kiss.

Then she stared into Wen Zhihan’s eyes and said, “Wen Zhihan, we are friends. Friends should confide in each other, so if you’re unhappy, just let me know. I’m willing to share the burden with you, no matter what it is.”

“Cixin…”

“Wen Zhihan, I really hope you can be happy. Happy forever.”

Shao Cixin kissed Wen Zhihan again and, as if she was afraid that Wen Zhihan wouldn’t believe her, repeated the word “Really.”

Wen Zhihan’s beautiful eyes couldn’t help but curl, and she smiled sincerely.

“I’m already happy to know you. Thank you, Cixin.”

Then she proved her gratitude to Shao Cixin with action. After they finished exchanging words, spring followed, surging endlessly and without boundaries.

Shao Cixin came to a high point like she was surfing on the top of a wave in the summer, and her mood suddenly and inexplicably rose.

After this moment came to pass, she was so tired that she could only lie in bed. Her neck exuded a thin layer of fine sweat, and her chest heaved up and down.

Wen Zhihan leaned closer to Shao Cixin, and Shao Cixin embraced and kissed her. Shao Cixin’s naughty hands began to tease Wen Zhihan, escalating her desire.

“Cixin…” Her voice was full of impatience.

Shao Cixin smiled. She suddenly turned over and pressed the other person below her, biting her ear and asking, “Does Senior Sister really have no worries?”

Wen Zhihan stroked Shao Cixin’s hair gently, “No, I just wanted to drink…”

Shao Cixin was pacified and didn’t feel the need to question Wen Zhihan any further. “Okay, that’s good. You can let me know next time, and I’ll drink with you.”

Maintaining the balance of every relationship depended on the efforts of both parties.

Shao Cixin didn’t want to bear Wen Zhihan’s kindness in vain. After all, there was no one-way friendship in this world. Even if she couldn’t solve Wen Zhihan’s problems, she could at least accompany her.

Wen Zhihan looked into Shao Cixin’s determined eyes and said with a smile, “I understand.”

The two of them successfully eliminated another day of debt.

Shao Cixin felt both physically and mentally happy. No matter how many debts she still owed, as long as they could continue to be together the way they were, it was good.

She couldn’t deny that being with Wen Zhihan was good, no matter what.

“Good night,” Shao Cixin said. Then she remembered something else she wanted to say and turned to Wen Zhihan again. “Wen Zhihan, I’m very happy that I got to know you.”

The other person couldn’t help but look at Shao Cixin tenderly. She reached out and patted the top of her head.

“Good night.”

The next day was bright and sunny.

Shao Cixin left home early for her acting class.

Wen Zhihan woke up according to her biological clock. She got up and ate breakfast. Afterward, she dealt with her work emails and began chatting with Xu Zhouzhou and the others in their friends’ group chat.

As they talked, she received a message from Chen Suling.

Some time ago, Wen Zhihan was invited to The Watcher for an interview. In order to help facilitate the interview, she and Chen Suling exchanged their contact information. But after the collaboration ended, Wen Zhihan never took the initiative to send any new messages.

Especially after Chen Suling confessed to her.

Wen Zhihan’s way of rejecting someone was to keep her distance.

[Chen Suling]: Are you free? Is it convenient for us to meet up?

At first, Wen Zhihan wasn’t going to accept the invitation, but then she remembered Shao Cixin’s comments. She changed her mind and agreed to Chen Suling’s request.

For Shao Cixin, she must go to this appointment.

[Wen Zhihan]: Okay. Location.

Chen Suling sent the address to a café.

Wen Zhihan got up and left to change her clothes.

Chen Suling sat in an inconspicuous corner of the café, quietly drinking her coffee.

With the gentle ringing of the wind chime, the café door was pushed open.

Chen Suling raised her eyes and saw the person who was capable of moving her heart in her memories.

She hadn’t seen Wen Zhihan in a long time, but Wen Zhihan’s appearance was still the same—it was just that her complexion had become even better.

Another difference was the ring and bracelet on her hand.

Chen Suling had never seen Wen Zhihan wear a bracelet or a ring, and she never expected that Wen Zhihan would get married so soon…

“Long time no see.” Chen Suling put down her coffee and smiled at Wen Zhihan, who was now walking over. There was a slight bitterness to her expression. “If you have time to come out and meet, is it because Ms. Shao is not home? Or…is it for another reason?”

Wen Zhihan was not in a hurry to answer Chen Suling’s question. She decided to correct Chen Suling first, “Ms. Chen, you should call my wife Mrs. Wen.”

The corner of Chen Suling’s lips twitched. Her smile was not genuine. “What if I don’t?”

Wen Zhihan’s face remained unchanged, and she said softly, “There is no point in insisting when the dust has already settled.”

“…” Chen Suling bit her lip.

The person before her still looked gentle and friendly, without any fuss or aggression.

But she knew that Wen Zhihan was like a floating mist, someone who could never be caught or seen through. It felt especially true at this moment.

Chen Suling still didn’t understand how Wen Zhihan could get married so suddenly.

“Wen Zhihan, what on Earth are you thinking?” Chen Suling stopped holding herself back. “When the Shao family was in trouble, you took the initiative to propose marriage. What’s your angle? People say that you and Shao Cixin are in love, but I don’t believe it.”

Wen Zhihan suddenly smiled and asked in a warm voice, “Why don’t you believe it?”

Chen Suling frowned and said stubbornly, “Because I don’t believe you like her, and you are a businesswoman.”

Such a sudden marriage with no signs. This so-called love at first sight…

Years of experience in the industry made Chen Suling feel that Wen Zhihan’s motives couldn’t be so simple. Furthermore, she didn’t believe that Wen Zhihan was really some type of goddess who would save everyone she saw.

Wen Zhihan was a businesswoman—a cunning fox—not a philanthropist, and she would never willingly put herself at a disadvantage.

Chen Suling was self-aware enough to know that it was her own feelings that made her even more convinced that Wen Zhihan was marrying for a reason other than love. Instead of something like ‘love at first sight,’ she would much rather hear that Wen Zhihan was trying to invade the Shao family group.

She couldn’t accept the fact that Wen Zhihan had a lover. It was all too sudden.

Chen Suling suddenly had an idea. “Is it possible that Shao Cixin holds a weakness of yours in her hand?”

Wen Zhihan did not become angry or annoyed after hearing this. Instead, she found Chen Suling’s thought process amusing.

She slowly stroked the wedding ring on her hand. Then she smiled and said, “If you think that liking someone is a weakness, then Shao Cixin does indeed hold a weakness of mine in her hand.”

Chen Suling was shocked. “What did you say?”

Wen Zhihan caught her eyes. “I said: I like her.”

Chen Suling’s face was full of disbelief.

Wen Zhihan remained unmoved. It was true. She hadn’t proposed the marriage for the sake of any nefarious interests, but because she truly loved Shao Cixin.

This love began in her youth, and it had continued into the present. It was a simple liking, but it was also carefully kept.

Her Junior Sister, who was always full of spirit, had long ago become an indelible light in her life.

Wen Zhihan wasn’t concerned about whether Chen Suling would tell Shao Cixin about her true feelings. This was because even if she told Shao Cixin, Wen Zhihan had already thought of a way out of it.

At this moment, she just wanted Chen Suling to understand her love for Shao Cixin and quit pursuing her.

“Didn’t you want to hear the truth of why I got married? I’ll tell you now. It’s because I like Shao Cixin. I like her very much, much more than you think. Everything I did was for the sake of marrying her, and everything I do is for her.

“This is the weakness that I willingly handed over to her, which I let her grasp in her hands.”

After speaking, Wen Zhihan smiled faintly and asked, “So, Ms. Chen, do you have any more questions?”

The author (Re Dao Hun Jue^[2]) has something to say:

Our Senior Sister in this chapter deserves everyone’s praise!

The translator (AmEricaNo) has something to say:

Hello and thank you to everyone for reading!! I will be uploading a new chapter every week on Saturday 8 a.m. EST. I have ~15 chapters already translated and ready to go, and I’m adding more every day, so I don’t anticipate scrambling for updates in the near (or far) future (that is, unless you guys speed through the bonus updates, which I also don’t anticipate happening anytime soon😅).

I must give special thanks to Anchii at the Kon Kafe for handing me the reigns to the English translation of Didn’t Expect That, Did You? and providing me with her drafts to cross-reference. You can find her excellent translations of the first 48 chapters here.

Finally, I hope to build up my reliability in the following weeks and demonstrate my commitment to finishing this translation. If you want to receive notifications about the translation, please consider joining my email list below.

Feel free to discuss the novel or provide feedback on the translation in the comments. If you just want to discuss some more Baihe, I couldn’t recommend Nyehhh’s meticulously curated Discord for her site JLL Translations enough, which you can find here (and you should also check out her translations!).

Thank you again!!

^[1]“吃瓜“ or eating melons is Chinese slang for gossiping/discussing things that have nothing to do with you. So Shao Cixin is making a pun about Wen Zhihan not giving her any gossip.

^[2]Re Dao Hun Jue’s pen name “热到昏厥” (rè dào hūnjué) could be literally translated into something like “so hot that I fainted.” She is also the author of She is the Protagonist and Outrageous.

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