Chapter 21: Flashy and Gaudy

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Sister-in-law Wang had just finished kneading the dough and was about to make dumplings with them when the commander suddenly called out from inside.

“Old Wang, I can’t find something. Come help me look—I need it urgently.”

“What is it?”

“Come here first. I’ll tell you then.”

His tone was stern, with a hint of urgency.

Sister-in-law Wang hurriedly wiped her hands. “Xiao Shen, you two start without us. I’ll be right back.”

The husband and wife understood each other perfectly. Once Sister-in-law Wang entered the room, she even closed the door behind her.

“That trick of yours is terribly old-fashioned. They’re not fools. They’ll know you did it on purpose.”

“So what if it’s old-fashioned? It’ll do as long as it works.”

“What good could it possibly do? You saw them yourself. Neither of those two is speaking to the other. If I weren’t here trying to smooth things over, they’d probably be keeping even farther apart.”

The commander sighed helplessly. “Whether it’s old-fashioned or not, we have to try. Jiang is hopelessly dense, like some clueless young pup. Believe it or not, once dinner is over, he’ll go straight back to the dormitory.”

Sister-in-law Wang was only half-convinced. “But I think Jiang is quite taken with Xiao Shen.”

“Not taken enough. Give them some time alone and let them develop their feelings.”

Sister-in-law Wang felt a little embarrassed. “So we’re just going to sit here and wait to be served? Is this a dinner invitation, or are we making them do all the work?”

“Young people have plenty of energy. There’s no harm in letting them cook a meal. Don’t stand on ceremony.”

“I think you’re just being thick-skinned!”

“There’s nothing else we can do. It’s all because he’s too dense. I’m nearly worried sick.”

Sister-in-law Wang leaned against the door and listened for movement outside.

She heard nothing at all.

Unable to help sighing, she said, “Those two really know how to hold their breath. They’ve been inside for ages, and not a word has passed between them.”

“That’s exactly why they need to spend more time together. Otherwise, one will stay in the dormitory and the other at the guesthouse. Jiang is returning to his unit tomorrow—how long will it take before they make any progress?”

Sister-in-law Wang thought he had a point.

A marriage had to be managed by both people together.

Outsiders could give them a push, but whether the final result was good or bad would depend on the two of them.

She simply took out some yarn and began knitting a scarf, planning to go out once enough time had passed.

Shen Qingqing glanced at the tightly closed door and thought that the couple’s intentions were far too obvious.

With no one watching her, she was happy to take things easy.

Jiang Zhixun silently rolled out the dumpling wrappers while Shen Qingqing filled and folded them.

When she lived alone in Beijing, she had a kitchen in her home. Whenever the mood struck her, she would make dumplings to treat herself.

Her movements were practiced, and the dumplings she made were plump and round.

Jiang Zhixun knew that Shen Qingqing was good at housework. After three years apart, she had become even quicker and more efficient.

For some inexplicable reason, he felt a little stifled inside.

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“During the New Year holiday in Beijing, I’ll help you move.”

Shen Qingqing was absorbed in her own thoughts when Jiang Zhixun suddenly interrupted her.

“Move?”

“Living outside alone isn’t safe. It would be better for you to move back to the family compound.”

Shen Qingqing refused without the slightest hesitation.

“I’m not moving.”

Jiang Zhixun’s Adam’s apple bobbed once. In a patient tone, he said, “I’ll speak with the elders on your behalf.”

Apart from her safety, Jiang Zhixun had other considerations as well.

If she really became pregnant, she would have to work and care for the child at the same time. She certainly would not be able to manage everything.

Life in the family compound would be much easier. The elders could help look after the child.

Shen Qingqing spoke bluntly. “You’re the source of my pressure. Don’t try to shift the blame.”

Jiang Zhixun’s expression darkened.

“Whatever it is you want, I’ll cooperate during the New Year leave.”

By then, he would be home for at least half a month. If they worked hard enough, she ought to become pregnant.

If she did not conceive… Jiang Zhixun frowned. Then he would have to wait until his next home leave and devote more time and effort to it.

Shen Qingqing calculated the dates in her mind. The Civil Affairs Bureau would be closed for the New Year holiday as well.

“How long can you take off?”

Jiang Zhixun’s ears turned red as if they might drip blood. Fidgeting awkwardly, he said, “A month.”

The Civil Affairs Bureau would not be closed for that long. A month would be more than enough for them to complete all the formalities of their separation.

Shen Qingqing let out a quiet breath of relief.

Seeing that her mood had improved considerably, the corners of Jiang Zhixun’s mouth lifted.

The moment he realized it, he hurriedly straightened his face again.

“Whatever the state of our relationship, the family compound is still your home. It isn’t appropriate for a woman to live outside alone.”

Shen Qingqing did not think there was anything inappropriate about it.

“I’ll go home once a month to visit the elders.”

Unless she became seriously ill, or Jiang Zhixun remarried. In that case, things would be different.

She had to put her health first.

Those social obligations and so-called appearances were worthless compared with her health.

Once this matter was settled, she would no longer force herself to do things she did not want to do.

Besides, if Jiang Zhixun remarried, it would be better for her, as his former wife, to disappear from sight.

Knowing how stubborn Shen Qingqing was, Jiang Zhixun did not continue the subject.

Once they returned to Beijing, he would simply go and move her belongings himself.

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He had heard that she had moved everything out of their marital home. Although they had married in haste, they had still bought quite a lot of things.

Jiang Zhixun thought that he would have to drive over to help her move them. Otherwise, they might not be able to carry everything in one trip…

Neither of them spoke again, but the atmosphere was clearly much better than before.

Sister-in-law Wang stayed in the room for more than ten minutes. In the end, she could not stand it any longer and put down the work in her hands.

“When people get older, their eyesight deteriorates. The thing was right there on the table, yet he still had to search for it forever.”

Shen Qingqing smiled. “Everyone has moments when their minds go blank. It’s normal.”

She worked quickly. In that short while, she had already made enough dumplings for four people.

There was still plenty of dough and filling left.

Sister-in-law Wang went to cook the dumplings, leaving Shen Qingqing and Jiang Zhixun to continue making them.

The weather was cold, so whatever they could not finish could be frozen and eaten gradually later.

In a good mood, Shen Qingqing was full of enthusiasm for the task.

She folded the dumplings into several different shapes, each one prettier than the last.

Sister-in-law Wang exclaimed, “Your hands are so skillful! Jiang is truly blessed to have married you.”

Jiang Zhixun glanced sideways at the dumplings Shen Qingqing had made.

Some resembled willow leaves, some ingots, and others crescent moons. Every one of them had a round, plump belly and looked exceptionally attractive.

Catching the teasing look in Sister-in-law Wang’s peripheral vision, Jiang Zhixun immediately looked away.

“They’ll all look the same once they’re in your stomach. There’s no need to make them so fancy.”

The moment those words left his mouth, Sister-in-law Wang’s heart gave a jolt.

This was bad!

He was a fine young man—tall, handsome, and an excellent pilot. How was it that he simply could not say anything pleasant?

Shen Qingqing’s expression did not change. He had said much worse things before.

That day in the cafeteria, he had even said that there was nothing for them to talk about.

Compared with that, criticizing her dumplings was nothing.

Her tone was indifferent. “Then don’t eat them.”

Jiang Zhixun gave a faint snort. “I chopped the filling and rolled the wrappers. Why shouldn’t I eat them?”

“After eating something so unnecessarily fancy, aren’t you afraid your intestines will rot?”

The corner of Jiang Zhixun’s mouth twitched. He turned toward Sister-in-law Wang.

“Don’t single me out and scold me. Criticize her a little too.”

Sister-in-law Wang glared at him playfully. “You’re the one who provoked Xiao Shen. The fact that she doesn’t scold you more just proves how good-tempered she is.”

Jiang Zhixun had once thought Shen Qingqing was good-tempered too.

He no longer thought so.

She had only been here a few days, and she had already scolded him so many times!

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