Chapter 9 is interesting.

At Xishan Golf Course on the weekend.

In late autumn in Beijing, the sky was a clear, deep blue, and the grass on the sports field remained a vibrant green. Huo Yanli, Ji Yun, Zhou Mubai, and Shen Yu formed a group, a rare sight as they were all together.

Ji Yun took a shot, watching the white ball trace a beautiful arc in the air before landing near the green, and whistled triumphantly. Then he turned around, took the towel from the caddie to dry his hands, and asked casually, "Yanli, your mysterious wife... hasn't returned to the country yet?"

Huo Yanli was adjusting his grip on the club, but upon hearing this, he didn't stop: "No."

"It's been half a month, hasn't it?" Ji Yun leaned closer and lowered his voice. "I have to say, your marriage was... pretty weird. She disappeared the day you got the marriage certificate, and there's been no news for half a month. Not a single penny of the money transferred has been touched—your wife is something else."

Zhou Mubai also came over, pushed up his glasses: "I checked the public information. Song Zhiyi, 26 years old, senior translator of the Translation Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is proficient in multiple languages, and has participated in many major foreign affairs activities and mediation in conflict zones in the Middle East. Her work resume is very impressive, but her personal life is almost blank."

Shen Yu swung his club, his movements precise and fluid, and the ball landed steadily on the green. He put his club back and said casually, "At least it's not just for show."

“She’s more than just a pretty face,” Ji Yun said with interest. “I heard that a few days ago, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an internal notice commending individuals who performed outstandingly in an emergency evacuation operation in the Middle East. Song Zhiyi was on the list. It was said that she was on the battlefield at the time, and not only did she complete her translation duties, but she also assisted the medical team in treating the wounded and was among the last to be evacuated.”

He looked at Huo Yanli with a playful expression: "Your wife is quite bold. She goes into the midst of gunfire without hesitation."

Huo Yanli finally swung his club. The ball flew far, but its direction was off, and it landed in the distant bunker.

He frowned, handed the club to the caddie, took a sip of water, and calmly said, "That's her job."

"Work?" Ji Yun laughed. "How many Ministry of Foreign Affairs translators have you seen who need to go to the front lines? Aren't most of them in conference rooms and banquet halls? Her job is quite different."

Zhou Mubai pondered: "If she really has this kind of personality and ability, then her attitude towards this marriage... might make sense."

"How so?" Ji Yun asked.

“A person who can remain calm in the midst of war and assist in treating the wounded must have an extremely resilient mind. A person who places such high importance on professional ideals may not really care about worldly material possessions and titles,” Zhou Mubai analyzed. “She agreed to marry, perhaps just to fulfill her elders’ last wish. As for what the title of Mrs. Huo can bring—she may not care at all, or even feel it is a burden.”

Shen Yu nodded: "That makes sense. So her not contacting them, not using that money, and not living in the Huo family's house are all ways of showing her attitude: she will not use this marriage to gain any additional benefits."

Ji Yun stroked his chin: "Now that you mention it... it's actually quite interesting. Yanli, he might be even more eager for your five-year agreement to expire than you are."

Huo Yanli remained silent.

He turned and walked toward the next hitting spot, his back looking somewhat stiff in the autumn sunlight.

interesting?

Yes, that's certainly interesting.

A woman whose grandfather threatened suicide, and whose existence has sparked speculation throughout the industry.

A woman who signs a document, rushes to catch a flight, doesn't contact anyone for half a month, and doesn't touch a single penny of the 100,000 yuan.

A woman who navigates the flames of war and values ​​her career aspirations more than marriage.

Huo Yanli suddenly realized that he knew almost nothing about his legal wife except for her name and a few recounts of her resume from others.

She seemed to have no interest in letting him know.

This feeling of being completely out of control and completely deviating from expectations was like a tiny thorn stuck in his life, which he had always been in control of.

It doesn't hurt, but its presence is very noticeable.

The caddie had already placed the ball in the bunker. Huo Yanli gripped his club, aimed, and swung.

This time, the ball soared high and landed precisely near the flagstick on the green, slowly rolling towards the hole.

"Good shot!" Ji Yun clapped.

Huo Yanli felt no joy. He looked at the small white dot resting by the cave and suddenly remembered the day she left the Civil Affairs Bureau, her straight back as she went.

Clean, efficient, and without any lingering attachment.

Who is Mrs. Huo?

The entire industry is asking this question now.

And even he, her husband in name only, couldn't give an answer.

This is fucking... hilarious.