Chapter 13: A Polite Refusal

After sleeping through the entire morning, Shen Qingqing felt rejuvenated.

Staying cooped up in the guesthouse was stifling.

But since she had no one to talk to, wandering around the compound risked attracting unwanted attention.

Shen Qingqing decided to venture out, to experience the local customs of the Northwest, and to buy some daily necessities.

She hadn’t anticipated such a long stay before coming here, and many things were unprepared.

Though she could manage somehow, tissues were indispensable.

She needed them daily, and once her period arrived, consumption would increase significantly—so she had to be prepared in advance.

Shen Qingqing had taken the train from Jing City to the Northwest, transferring twice along the way, so she knew how to get to the county seat.

Her plan was to have lunch at the canteen before setting off.

If she couldn't return by afternoon, she would stay overnight at a guesthouse in the city.

Just as she stepped downstairs, a female comrade called out to her.

The woman had short hair cut to ear length, much like the comrade Shen had met yesterday.

“Are you Comrade Shen Qingqing?”

Shen Qingqing nodded. “Hello.”

Everyone in the compound knew Zhou Xiaomei, but this woman was unfamiliar—strikingly beautiful, the kind who held your gaze the moment you saw her.

Her style was fashionable, her hair black and silky, evidently well cared for.

Her skin was fair and flawless, and she carried a faint fragrance—some kind of snow cream, it smelled delightful.

She carried a small bag and descended the stairs with unhurried grace; every movement was exquisite.

Upon seeing her, Zhou Xiaomei immediately guessed her identity.

Sure enough, she was Shen Qingqing.

Thinking to herself, Jiang Zhixun was truly fortunate to have such a beautiful wife.

Zhou Xiaomei smiled and explained her purpose.

“My name is Zhou Xiaomei. I’m Lin Zhidong’s wife. Tomorrow is our child’s birthday, and we’d like to invite you and Captain Jiang to dinner at our home.”

Thinking Shen Qingqing might not know who Lin Zhidong was, Zhou added, “Lin Zhidong and Captain Jiang are comrades; you saw each other in the canteen yesterday.”

She bit her lip shyly. "Lin Fengmian is my sister-in-law."

With that, Shen Qingqing pieced together the relationships.

She understood Jiang Zhixun's attitude clearly—he certainly didn’t want her visiting the Lin family or mingling with his comrades.

So she declined politely, “I’m heading to the city today, and I’m not sure if I’ll be back by tomorrow.”

Zhou Xiaomei said, “Captain Jiang is on leave. If he accompanies you, you’ll definitely make it back in time.”

Shen Qingqing knew nothing about Jiang Zhixun’s leave status.

Since she had promised Jiang’s mother not to be a burden that might jeopardize Jiang’s transfer back to Jing City, she refrained from revealing the true state of their marriage.

After a moment’s hesitation, Shen Qingqing said, “I’ll try to get back in time. If I don’t arrive as scheduled, don’t wait for me.”

She didn’t mention Jiang Zhixun at all, which left Zhou Xiaomei feeling as if a cat was scratching at her heart.

She was genuinely curious about what had happened between Shen Qingqing and Jiang Zhixun.

Why hadn’t Jiang returned home in three years?

And why didn’t he mention Shen Qingqing?

Now that Shen Qingqing had come all the way to the Northwest, the couple’s relationship seemed distant and unfamiliar.

Which married man would let his delicate wife live alone in a guesthouse?

Take her husband Lin Zhidong, for example—every time he returned from a mission, the nights were fiery and restless.

Jiang Zhixun and Shen Qingqing had been apart for three whole years; any normal man would have long been unable to resist.

It was all so strange!

Zhou Xiaomei stopped speculating. Since Shen Qingqing was here at the compound, there would be plenty of opportunities to find out what was really going on between her and Jiang Zhixun.

“It’s about mealtime now, Comrade Shen. You should go eat in the canteen first. There might be delays on the way to the city, so you must eat.”

Shen Qingqing smiled. “That’s what I was planning.”

Zhou Xiaomei went home for her meal instead of the canteen.

After arranging a time for the dinner the next day, she left.

Having been to the canteen before, Shen Qingqing navigated the meal lineup with ease this time.

As she ate, she recalled the dishes served the previous day and where they had been arranged.

She could remember every detail clearly, which would have been ordinary for her before.

But now, despite her illness, being able to recall such small details so vividly made her happy for quite some time.

Without any mishaps, Shen Qingqing finished her meal and filled her stomach.

She washed the lunchbox and, instead of returning it to the guesthouse, packed it in her bag.

It might come in handy later in the city.

...

If Lin Zhidong hadn’t come to the dormitory and mentioned it, Jiang Zhixun wouldn’t have known that Shen Qingqing had left the compound.

“At this time, Comrade Shen would have already taken the bus. Why didn’t you accompany her?”

Jiang Zhixun’s expression tightened as he said dryly, “Her legs belong to her. Where she goes is her freedom.”

Lin Zhidong snorted, wearing a look of having seen through everything.

“Could it be that Comrade Shen didn’t tell you she was going to the city?”

Indeed, Shen Qingqing hadn’t said a word.

Jiang Zhixun’s expression grew even colder.

Lin Zhidong rubbed his arm mockingly. “You’re always scowling. If I were Comrade Shen, I wouldn’t bother with you either.”

Jiang Zhixun pushed his jaw. “I’d be glad to.”

Lin Zhidong couldn’t restrain his curiosity. “You and Comrade Shen don’t actually have some grudge, do you? Otherwise, who treats their own wife this way?”

Jiang Zhixun shot him a chilling glance, and Lin Zhidong knew he had overstepped.

He scratched his head. “You young people’s affairs really are hard to figure out.”

Being the same age, Lin’s words sounded like a jab to Jiang Zhixun.

“Comrade Shen promised to come to my house for dinner tomorrow. You should both come together. If there are conflicts, it’s better to sit down and talk them out. Avoiding her will only complicate things.”

Lin Zhidong believed that, since they were married, the couple should be more open with each other.

Speak plainly when there are issues.

Keeping secrets only breeds misunderstanding.

Jiang Zhixun said expressionlessly, “I’m not avoiding her.”

Lin Zhidong laughed. “Then why aren’t you accompanying your wife? Why are you holed up in the dorm?”

“She doesn’t need me.”

That was Jiang Zhixun’s honest feeling; after all, that’s how they had lived for the past three years.

Shen Qingqing was very independent—she had even dared to live alone outside.

Seeing Jiang Zhixun so clueless, Lin Zhidong felt sorry for him.

“A wife needs to be coaxed. If you keep acting difficult and showing her a bad attitude, be careful she won’t put up with it and divorce you.”

After saying that, he realized he might have spoken jinxed words and quickly changed the subject.

“Anyway, tomorrow you bring Comrade Shen to my home. Don’t leave her out. She has no relatives here, no one to talk to. It’s not easy for her.”

Having said his piece, Lin Zhidong left.

Since he was hosting a dinner, there had to be meat and vegetables; he needed to prepare in advance.

Jiang Zhixun didn’t want to bother with Shen Qingqing.

But as a woman in a strange place, she was vulnerable.

Besides, she was still sick. Even if her fever was gone, the strain on her shoulder hadn’t healed.

If she didn’t stay quietly in the guesthouse, she’d only cause trouble.

With a sullen face, Jiang Zhixun put on his military coat and left the dormitory.