Shen Qingqing hadn’t received any message, yet she ran into Jiang Zhixun unexpectedly at the cafeteria.
He was accompanied by several comrades-in-arms, travel-worn and exhausted, looking as though they had just returned from a mission.
At first, Jiang Zhixun didn’t see Shen Qingqing.
Shen Qingqing didn’t see him either.
She simply sat in the corner, her slender, fair hand holding a steamed bun, eating quietly.
Although she kept a low profile, she still drew attention.
His comrades teased, “That female comrade over there—I’ve never seen her before. Whose family member has come to visit?”
“She’s really pretty, but I wonder if she has a sweetheart. If not, Old Jiang, you should go for it.”
“You’re twenty-eight already. If you stay single any longer, you’ll end up alone for the rest of your life!”
“Don’t say that—she and Old Jiang make a fine match. How does that saying go… a handsome man and a beautiful woman!”
Jiang Zhixun lifted his eyelids, about to warn them not to play matchmaker so recklessly.
His gaze swept past his comrades, and his peripheral vision landed on Shen Qingqing.
The young woman wore a black wool coat, her hair tied up entirely and gathered into a slightly irregular bun at the back of her head.
It looked like a casual grab before heading out—not messy, but carrying a carefree, languid charm.
Around her neck was a gray scarf, leaving only her fair, clean face fully exposed to the air.
The weather was fine, and sunlight fell upon her.
She looked warm and cozy.
Her attire was completely different from everyone else’s here.
It was as if she had wandered by mistake into a world that didn’t belong to her.
Out of place.
For Jiang Zhixun, that was indeed the case.
The words at the tip of his tongue went unspoken, and the expression on his face turned extremely grave.
His gaze was too sharp. Shen Qingqing, immersed in her own world, looked up and instinctively followed the source of it.
Their eyes met, and she saw the man she hadn’t seen in a long time.
Her heart rippled uncontrollably.
Compared to three years ago, he was much darker.
Perhaps it was because he had lost weight, but his facial features were more sharply defined, radiating an unstoppable keenness.
It made his temperament seem even colder and harder.
Jiang Zhixun was five years older than Shen Qingqing.
By the time she arrived at the Jiang family, Jiang Zhixun had already enlisted.
Their paths rarely crossed, but when he came home on leave, his expression was gentle.
He would ask about her studies.
He would also buy her supplements.
Sometimes, when he didn’t know what to get, he would simply give her money and ration tickets, telling her to buy whatever she liked.
Even if he was reserved and seldom smiled, the aura around him wasn’t icy.
It was completely different from now.
Shen Qingqing tightened her grip on her chopsticks. Thinking of her illness, the ripples of what she called heartache gradually settled.
Jiang Zhixun had family, friends, and countless admirers lining up one after another.
He was healthy, his career was thriving, and his future was boundless.
It was more fitting for her to feel sorry for herself.
Shen Qingqing’s mood returned to calm. She loosened her grip on the chopsticks, and the corners of her lips curved into a perfect smile.
Seeing her smile so happily and even wave at him, Jiang Zhixun’s gaze grew even colder.
He stepped forward, walking toward the corner where Shen Qingqing sat.
His comrades were bewildered and shocked. “What’s going on? The female comrade is an acquaintance of Old Jiang’s?”
“Maybe she’s our little sister-in-law. Come on, come on, let’s go say hello.”
“Old Jiang’s expression looks pretty intimidating. Don’t let him scare the female comrade into tears.”
“…”
Shen Qingqing stayed in her seat without moving.
She watched Jiang Zhixun calmly. The closer he got, the more obvious the coldness on his face became.
Even though she had prepared herself, Shen Qingqing’s heart still felt as if it had been pricked by a needle.
Only when he stood before her did she rise to her feet.
She called out, “Brother Zhixun.”
When under great mental stress, the body tends to develop problems.
Whether it was due to the cold weather or not acclimating to the new environment, Shen Qingqing had come down with a high fever on her very first day in the Northwest.
Her temperature had dropped by now, but her voice was still a little hoarse.
It sounded innocent and pitiful.
Jiang Zhixun’s brow furrowed even deeper as he asked coldly, “Why are you here?”
Shen Qingqing wanted to get it over with quickly and state her purpose directly.
She had come to get a divorce.
But Jiang Zhixun’s comrades followed over, cutting off Shen Qingqing’s chance to speak.
One comrade patted Jiang Zhixun on the shoulder, looking disapproving.
“Old Jiang, whatever it is, say it nicely. Don’t scare the female comrade.”
Another apologized to Shen Qingqing, “Old Jiang’s just got that temper. Comrade, don’t take it to heart.”
Shen Qingqing nodded. “It was sudden of me to come. Sorry.”
Jiang Zhixun’s comrade, Lin Zhidong, looked as if he understood. “Comrade, you’re here to see Old Jiang, right?”
“Yes.”
So the two of them really did know each other.
The comrades exchanged knowing glances, excitement appearing on their faces in unison.
Lin Zhidong winked and asked Jiang Zhixun, “You’re an only child in your family—we all know that. So this female comrade is…”
The implication was clear to everyone present.
Shen Qingqing also confirmed one thing.
Jiang Zhixun had never revealed his married status to anyone, not even to his closest comrades.
Perhaps only his superiors knew about his marital situation.
The curve of her lips stiffened for a moment.
But only for a moment.
Shen Qingqing smiled and said, “My name is Shen Qingqing, I’m Zhixun’s…”
Her words were cut off by Jiang Zhixun. “Who said a sister has to be a biological one?”
His expression was cold and distant.
It didn’t look like he had a close relationship with Shen Qingqing at all.
In fact, it even carried an indescribable sense of resistance and rejection.
Everyone present was sharp enough to pick up on the tension between the two and refrained from teasing or joking further.
Lin Zhidong awkwardly rubbed his hands together, mulling over what to say in his head, worried that Shen Qingqing might be left in an awkward position.
But Shen Qingqing had been through worse.
Back when Jiang Zhixun had left for the northwest without a word and hadn’t come home for three years, she’d been mocked relentlessly by her rivals.
They said she had drawn water with a bamboo basket—all in vain.
Though she had married into the Jiang family, she hadn’t won Jiang Zhixun’s heart, and it was only a matter of time before she was cast out.
Living under the strange looks of others, Shen Qingqing had endured three years.
By now, she could face it all with equanimity.
She didn’t feel embarrassed at all.
She smiled and said, “I came to find Zhixun because I have something important to discuss. Once it’s settled, I’ll head back to the capital.”
So she really was from the capital. No wonder the comrade was dressed so fashionably and had such fair, clean skin.
Compared to them—people who had been weathered by wind and sun year after year—she was practically refined beyond measure.
Lin Zhidong scratched the back of his head. “You two go ahead and talk. We won’t disturb you.”
Just as he was about to leave, Jiang Zhixun called him back.
“Aren’t you staying for a meal?”
Lin Zhidong was a married man.
By now, he had caught on that something was off between Jiang Zhixun and Shen Qingqing.
He didn’t want to get involved, afraid that his good intentions might backfire.
“We’ll sit over there.”
He pointed to the farthest corner, clearly intending to give Shen Qingqing and Jiang Zhixun some space to talk.
Shen Qingqing said nothing.
Divorce was a private matter. She didn’t like airing her personal affairs in front of others.
Nor did she enjoy chaotic, messy scenes.
A dignified, peaceful parting was what she wanted.
Jiang Zhixun was usually calm and composed, but the moment he saw Shen Qingqing, all his coolness and reason seemed to abandon him.
She wanted others to leave? Then he would insist they stay!
“There’s nothing for me to say to her. You two stay, so the female comrade doesn’t feel awkward.”