Chapter 16: A Night Away from Home
After watching a movie, she returned to the supply and marketing cooperative, but the two people were indeed gone.
Shen Qingqing didn’t think Jiang Zhixun had come looking for her, so she quickly dismissed the matter.
Standing in front of the counter, she carefully examined the items on offer.
Her clothes were clearly high-end, and her demeanor was exceptionally refined.
Her small face was fair and flawless, not a single pore visible, well maintained.
She looked like she had come from a big city.
The shop assistant greeted her warmly, “Comrade, what do you need? I’ll help you find it.”
Shen Qingqing smiled, “I’ll take a look first.”
“All right, feel free to browse.”
There was no rush, and at this hour, the cooperative was nearly empty. Shen Qingqing leisurely chose what she needed.
She bought a bundle of pink toilet paper and a bar of soap for herself.
Then she picked up two jars of canned goods and two packs of candy, intending to give them to the Lin family.
Shen Qingqing wasn’t sure if Jiang Zhixun would want her to visit the Lin family, but it was better to be prepared.
At worst, she could eat them herself.
She bought quite a few items and paid promptly with the receipt, making the shop assistant beam with delight.
“Comrade, next time you come, just ask for me. If there’s anything new and good in stock, I’ll recommend it to you.”
Shen Qingqing nodded, “Okay, I’ll look for you next time.”
She was going to stay here for a month; if she ran out of anything or felt bored in the compound, she would definitely come to the county town again.
Although she had already seen the movie playing at the cinema back in Jing City.
The cooperative’s goods weren’t urgently needed either.
But going out for a walk was always better than sitting in the guesthouse and overthinking.
That wouldn’t do her any good.
After shopping, Shen Qingqing headed to the state-run restaurant for a meal.
The weather was too cold; she ordered a bowl of beef noodles. The hot food filled her stomach and warmed her body.
Her mood lifted again.
She felt that being alone was quite fine — at least she didn’t have to watch anyone’s face or worry about their feelings.
She could do whatever she wanted, just take care of herself.
If she hadn’t moved to the county town, she might have caused Jiang Zhixun unnecessary trouble; she even considered renting a place far away from him.
Now, she had only one thought: Jiang Zhixun should hurry and apply to transfer back to Jing City. If he fulfilled his mother’s wish, they could part ways cleanly!
The cold made her not want to wander outside.
After leaving the state-run restaurant, she went straight to the nearest guesthouse.
Checking in required an introduction letter, but Shen Qingqing had all her documents ready, so it was a smooth process.
To ensure peace and quiet, she deliberately chose a room on a high floor.
The room had no private bathroom, but since she was only staying one night, it wasn’t a problem.
At that moment, she began to miss her small rented apartment in Jing City.
Though tiny, it was fully equipped.
There was a private bathroom and a small kitchen; only one bedroom, but it connected to a small balcony.
Nearby was a department store and restaurants, making life very convenient.
The publisher’s office was also close, just a ten-minute walk.
Though she hadn’t suffered hardship at the Jiang family in recent years, living as a dependent and renting on her own were two completely different things.
Now, when she thought of home, all she could recall was that small apartment she rented for ten yuan.
She was alone there, but it gave her a sense of security.
Winter nights fell quickly.
Shortly after checking into the guesthouse, darkness enveloped the surroundings.
She had left her books from Jing City in the compound, so she decided to give herself a break.
After a simple wash, she lay down to rest.
Changing locations made it difficult to sleep; she closed her eyes and let her mind wander over important matters repeatedly.
This helped deepen her memory so that if her condition worsened, she wouldn’t forget crucial things all at once.
Shen Qingqing was twenty-three this year — neither very old nor very young.
She could handle everything else on her own.
Only her illness frightened her.
But what could she do?
Should she cling desperately to this hopeless marriage and demand Jiang Zhixun take responsibility?
Just as she was drifting off, she heard a car stop downstairs.
She paid it no mind and closed her eyes again.
As soon as the car stopped, Jiang Zhixun stepped out of the driver’s seat and hurried into the guesthouse.
Tall and long-legged, his coat unbuttoned, a cold breeze followed him as he moved.
The front desk staff couldn’t reveal guest information, so Jiang Zhixun showed their marriage certificate before being allowed upstairs.
Once again found by Jiang Zhixun, Shen Qingqing was stunned.
She gripped the door handle, blocking him outside.
Her beautiful lips moved weakly, lacking conviction, “Are you sick or something?”
Jiang Zhixun’s anger flared.
This woman ran around at night without returning home, yet dared to insult him!
He braced himself against the door to prevent her from slamming it shut.
His voice was cold, “Come back with me.”
“No.”
His tone grew colder, “What are you making a fuss about this time?”
The calm expression on Shen Qingqing’s face cracked; without further explanation, she said, “Even if I’m making a fuss, it’s none of your business.”
“Shen Qingqing!”
His face was icy, and his tone even more severe.
She truly didn’t understand Jiang Zhixun. He clearly avoided her at every turn, so why was he suddenly coming over?
Not wanting to talk more, she pushed hard to close the door.
This move ignited the fury Jiang Zhixun had been suppressing.
His large hand pressed firmly against the door, veins bulging on the back.
“Shen Qingqing, try making a fuss again and see what happens.”
Having been repeatedly treated coldly by him, her mood was at its lowest.
“Get lost!”
She used both hands to force the door closed.
In Jiang Zhixun’s memory, Shen Qingqing was gentle and never spoke harshly.
Hearing “get lost” from her stunned him for a moment.
The pressure on the door lessened considerably.
If he hadn’t reacted swiftly, she might have slammed the door.
“Come back with me.”
“No.”
Unable to close the door, Shen Qingqing pushed Jiang Zhixun instead, “Can you stop bothering me?”
Whether it was her imagination or not, Jiang Zhixun caught a hint of crying in her voice.
Gripping her wrist tightly, he exhaled deeply but didn’t scold her.
Nearby residents began opening their doors.
“Couples arguing, go home to argue! Can’t people rest?”
“The walls don’t soundproof well. If you want to fight, take it downstairs.”
“Married couples fight at the head of the bed, make up at the foot. Talk it out nicely, or the problem won’t be solved...”
Jiang Zhixun was embarrassed; this was the first time he’d experienced such a scene.
He apologized, then pulled Shen Qingqing by the wrist into the room.
Once inside, he started packing her things.
His self-willed actions infuriated Shen Qingqing.
Through gritted teeth, she asked, “Jiang Zhixun, what exactly do you want?”
“To take you back.”
“Can you stop interfering in my affairs?”
He tilted his head, expression unreadable, “If you really didn’t want me to care, you wouldn’t have come to the Northwest.”
Shen Qingqing restrained her temper, “I’m not meddling in your affairs, so don’t meddle in mine. Once we’re back in Jing City, we’ll part ways for good.”
Jiang Zhixun kept packing, snorting coldly.
“I think you’re doing this on purpose, so you can complain to the old man when we return.”
Not giving Shen Qingqing a chance to refuse, Jiang Zhixun wrapped his coat around her.
One hand tightly held her body, the other carried the belongings, and with this commanding manner, he led her downstairs.
Once shoved into the back seat of the car, Shen Qingqing suddenly realized something urgent.
“You went through my things?”
He hadn’t brought their marriage certificate when he came to the Northwest!
Jiang Zhixun’s tone was faint, “That’s mine too.”