After watching a movie and returning to the supply and marketing cooperative, those two were indeed gone.
Shen Qingqing didn’t think Jiang Zhixun had come looking for her, so she quickly put the matter out of her mind.
Standing at the counter, she carefully examined what goods were available.
The clothes she wore were clearly high-end, and her bearing was exceptionally refined.
Her small face was fair and flawless—not a single pore visible, meticulously cared for.
She looked like someone from a big city.
The sales clerk enthusiastically asked Shen Qingqing, “Comrade, what do you need? I’ll help you find it.”
Shen Qingqing smiled. “I’ll just look around first.”
“Alright, take your time then.”
There was no rush, and the cooperative was nearly empty at this hour. Shen Qingqing leisurely picked out what she needed.
She bought a stack of pink toilet paper and a bar of soap—these were for her own use.
Then she bought two jars of canned goods and two packs of candy, planning to bring them to the Lin family.
Shen Qingqing wasn’t sure whether Jiang Zhixun would approve of her visiting the Lins, but it was better to be prepared.
Worst case, she could eat them herself.
Shen Qingqing had bought quite a few things and paid with cash and ration tickets without hesitation, earning a beaming smile from the sales clerk.
“Comrade, next time you come shopping, just ask for me directly. When new supplies arrive, I’ll recommend them to you.”
Shen Qingqing nodded. “Sure, I’ll come find you next time.”
She would be staying here for a month. If she ran out of things or got bored staying in the compound, she’d definitely come to the county town for a stroll.
Even though the movie playing at the cinema was one she’d already seen in the capital,
and the goods at the cooperative weren’t things she urgently needed,
getting out and about was still better than moping in the guesthouse with her thoughts spiraling.
That wouldn’t do her condition any good.
After shopping, Shen Qingqing went to the state-run restaurant to eat.
It was too cold, so she ordered a bowl of beef noodles. The steaming hot food filled her stomach, and her body warmed up.
Shen Qingqing’s mood improved again.
She felt that being alone wasn’t so bad—at least she didn’t have to read anyone’s expressions or worry about anyone’s feelings.
She could do whatever she wanted and only needed to take care of herself.
If moving to the county town to live wouldn’t cause unnecessary trouble for Jiang Zhixun, she would have rented a place here just to stay far away from him.
Shen Qingqing had only one thought now: get Jiang Zhixun to hurry up and apply for a transfer back to the capital, fulfill his dear mother’s wish, and then they could go their separate ways!
It was cold out, and Shen Qingqing didn’t want to wander around outside.
After leaving the state-run restaurant, she went straight to the nearest guesthouse.
Checking in required an introduction letter. Shen Qingqing had brought all her documents, so she checked in without any trouble.
For peace and quiet, she deliberately chose a room on a higher floor.
The room didn’t have a private bathroom, but since Shen Qingqing was only staying one night, she could make do.
At that moment, she began to miss her little rented room in the capital.
Small as a sparrow, but complete in every way.
It had a private bathroom, a small kitchen, and only one bedroom, but it connected to a small balcony.
There was a department store and restaurants nearby—life was very convenient.
It was also close to the publishing house, just a ten-minute walk away.
Although she hadn’t suffered during her years in the Jiang family, living under someone’s roof was completely different from renting your own place.
When she thought of going home now, what came to mind was only that tiny little room she rented for ten yuan.
There was only her in that place, but it made her feel at ease.
In winter, it got dark early.
Not long after checking into the guesthouse, night fell.
The books she’d brought from the capital were left at the compound, so Shen Qingqing simply gave herself the night off.
After a quick wash, she lay down on the bed to rest.
In a new place, she had trouble falling asleep, so she simply closed her eyes and rested, going over important matters in her mind again and again.
She used this method to reinforce her memory, so that if her condition worsened, she wouldn’t suddenly forget the important things.
Shen Qingqing was twenty-three this year—not too old, not too young.
Other things she could handle on her own.
But being sick was the one thing that truly frightened her.
Yet what could she do about it?
Was she supposed to cling desperately to this hopeless marriage and demand that Jiang Zhixun take responsibility for her?
Just as she was drifting off to sleep, she heard a car pull up downstairs.
She didn’t pay it any mind and closed her eyes, falling asleep.
The moment the car came to a stop, Jiang Zhixun got out of the driver’s seat and strode quickly toward the guesthouse.
The man was tall with long legs, his coat unbuttoned, stirring up a gust of cold air as he moved.
The front desk staff couldn’t disclose guest information, so Jiang Zhixun produced his and Shen Qingqing’s marriage certificate before he was allowed upstairs.
Finding Jiang Zhixun at her door again, Shen Qingqing was stunned.
Gripping the door handle, she blocked him outside.
Her pretty lips moved, but her tone lacked conviction. “Are you insane?”
Jiang Zhixun was furious.
She ran off on her own, stayed out all night, and still had the nerve to curse at him!
He braced his hand against the door panel to stop her from slamming it shut.
Coldly, he said, “Come back with me.”
“No.”
Jiang Zhixun’s tone grew even colder. “What are you throwing a tantrum about now?”
A crack appeared in Shen Qingqing’s calm expression. Without further explanation, she said, “Even if I am making a fuss, it’s none of your business.”
“Shen Qingqing!”
The man’s expression was cold, his tone growing increasingly stern.
Shen Qingqing truly couldn’t understand Jiang Zhixun. He clearly avoided her at every turn, so why was he suddenly showing up now?
Not wanting to waste words with him, she put her strength into slamming the door shut.
That single action ignited the fury Jiang Zhixun had been barely suppressing.
The large palm bracing the door showed bulging veins on the back of his hand.
“Shen Qingqing, try making another scene and see what happens.”
Having been given the cold shoulder by him time and again, Shen Qingqing was now in the worst of moods.
“Get lost!”
She pushed with both hands, trying to close the door.
In Jiang Zhixun’s memory, Shen Qingqing was gentle and soft-spoken, never using harsh words.
The word “get lost” coming from her lips made Jiang Zhixun’s expression freeze for a moment.
Much of the force holding the door open drained away.
Had he not reacted quickly, Shen Qingqing really would have shut the door on him.
“Come back with me.”
“No.”
Unable to close the door, Shen Qingqing resorted to shoving Jiang Zhixun. “Can you just stop bothering me?”
Whether it was his imagination or not, Jiang Zhixun thought he detected a hint of tears in her voice.
He gripped Shen Qingqing’s wrist, let out a heavy breath, and ultimately held back the scolding words on the tip of his tongue.
Neighbors nearby opened their doors one by one. “If you two are going to fight, go home and do it. Don’t you let people get any rest?”
“The walls here are thin. If you want to argue, just go downstairs.”
“Couples fight in bed and make up at the foot of it. Talk things out properly—otherwise, you won’t solve anything…”
This was the first time Jiang Zhixun had experienced something like this, and his expression was awkward.
He apologized to the neighbors, then grabbed Shen Qingqing by the wrist and pulled her into the room together.
The moment the door closed, he began packing up her belongings.
Jiang Zhixun’s presumptuous actions set Shen Qingqing off again.
Clenching her teeth, she asked, “Jiang Zhixun, what exactly are you trying to do?”
“Take you back.”
“Can you just stop interfering in my affairs?”
Jiang Zhixun turned his head, his expression unreadable. “If you really didn’t want me to interfere, you shouldn’t have come to the Northwest.”
Shen Qingqing suppressed her temper. “I don’t meddle in your business, so don’t meddle in mine. Once we’re back in the capital, we’ll go our separate ways.”
Jiang Zhixun kept packing without pause, letting out a cold snort.
“I think you’re doing this on purpose—so you can go back to the capital and tattle to the old man.”
Giving Shen Qingqing no chance to refuse, Jiang Zhixun grabbed his coat and wrapped it around her.
With one arm firmly locking her body against his and the other carrying their things, he forcefully escorted her downstairs.
Only after being shoved into the back seat of the car did Shen Qingqing realize something crucial.
“You touched my things?”
When he’d come to the Northwest, he hadn’t brought their marriage certificate!
Jiang Zhixun’s tone was low and deliberate. “That’s mine too.”