Chapter 24: Pretending

Shen Qingqing stood alone downstairs. She was tall and dressed with a refined, cosmopolitan flair. Although half her face was buried in a scarf, she remained strikingly beautiful.

Someone who was unaware of her relationship with Jiang Zhixun approached her. He asked awkwardly, "Comrade, are you looking for someone? Do I need to pass a message along for you?"

Shen Qingqing had never seen this man before. He was tall and broad-shouldered, similar in build to Jiang Zhixun, but he appeared young, likely in his early twenties. He had a buzz cut, tanned skin, and bright, spirited eyes that currently held a hint of unease.

Shen Qingqing offered a polite smile. "No thank you, he should be here soon."

The man touched the top of his head, looking even more nervous. He closed his eyes for a moment, summoned his courage, and asked, "Comrade, are you seeing anyone? If not, could we perhaps get to know each other?"

"She isn't seeing anyone." A cold voice came from behind, followed by approaching footsteps. Jiang Zhixun arrived, holding a can. "She's just married."

The moment the man saw Jiang Zhixun, he realized who she was. The woman before him was the very Comrade Shen rumored to have traveled thousands of miles from Beijing to pursue her husband! He was instantly so embarrassed he wished he could crawl into a hole. He chuckled sheepishly, "Oh, it's the sister-in-law. Captain Jiang, carry on then, I'll be off." With that, he turned on his heels and hurried away.

Jiang Zhixun looked down at Shen Qingqing. She had tucked her face back into her scarf, her previous smile gone. "Did I not tell you earlier not to talk to other men?"

Shen Qingqing glanced at him coolly. "You did. And so what?"

The man’s lips parted, but no words came out. He didn't know what was wrong with him; seeing someone else talking to Shen Qingqing made him feel irritated. Being emotionally swayed like this left him feeling flustered.

"No wonder Old Jiang walked so fast without waiting for us; he was in a hurry to see Comrade Shen." Two of Jiang Zhixun's comrades-in-arms trailed a step behind, carrying supplies. They had also been invited by Lin Zhidong.

"Hello, Comrade Shen, my name is Cheng Jingliang."

"And I'm Chen Shaojie."

Shen Qingqing’s memory had been failing her, though it wasn't yet severe. She remembered seeing them at the cafeteria earlier. "Hello, I am Shen Qingqing." She offered her hand, her demeanor poised and formal.

The two men shook her hand, but as soon as they finished, they felt a chill down their spines, goosebumps rising on their arms. They glanced at Jiang Zhixun, who maintained his usual indifferent, aloof expression.

Cheng Jingliang and Chen Shaojie exchanged a look, a glint of amusement passing between them. *Old Jiang is quite the actor!*

Catching their silent mockery, Jiang Zhixun shoved one hand into his pocket. "Let's go." He walked ahead, not waiting for Shen Qingqing.

Chen Shaojie, who had an outgoing personality, was often the one to lighten the mood. To make Shen Qingqing feel more at ease and not take Jiang Zhixun's oblivious behavior to heart, he started a conversation. "Comrade Shen, how long can you stay this time?"

Shen Qingqing wasn't sure. If Jiang Zhixun’s application to return to Beijing went smoothly and she could provide an explanation to his mother, she might leave early. Even if it didn't go well, she would wait until the Lunar New Year at the latest, at which point she would leave Jiang Zhixun to handle his elders on his own. "It depends on the situation."

Chen Shaojie asked again, "Are you two spending the New Year in the Northwest?"

This time, Shen Qingqing gave him a definitive answer. "We're going back to Beijing for the New Year."

"Is Old Jiang going back with you?"

"Yes."

Walking beside Jiang Zhixun, Cheng Jingliang nudged his shoulder, his eyes teasing, silently asking: *Have you made up?*

Jiang Zhixun didn't answer. He wasn't sure if this counted as making up, but three years was certainly long enough. Continuing to hold a grudge didn't seem to serve much purpose anymore. Yet, he still couldn't bring himself to apply for a transfer to Beijing and completely turn the page on the past. He could only take it one step at a time.

Getting no response from Jiang Zhixun, Cheng Jingliang ignored him and turned back to Shen Qingqing. "Comrade Shen, will you come back to the Northwest after the New Year?"

Shen Qingqing and Jiang Zhixun hadn't settled their divorce yet, so it wasn't convenient to disclose that. "I have work, so I probably won't be back."

"So you'll continue living apart?" Sensing Jiang Zhixun pricking up his ears to listen, Chen Shaojie decided to give him a nudge.

Shen Qingqing smiled. "I really love my current job." It was a merit-based profession where her income depended entirely on her own ability. On a good month, she could earn three or four hundred yuan in royalties. With the additional holiday subsidies, she truly loved the work. Her only wish now was that when her illness flared up, she wouldn't lose the skills she relied on to make a living. Otherwise, she didn't know what she would do for the rest of her life.

Just thinking about it made her mood sink involuntarily. Her lips, which had been curled up, slowly flattened. Her eyes held anxiety and fear. Few people could remain calm in the face of illness, aging, and death. Even though her condition didn't involve bloodshed, pain, or immediate death, she was still terrified.

Noticing her change in mood, Cheng Jingliang and Chen Shaojie assumed she was upset because she didn't want to be separated from Jiang Zhixun. They consoled her, "Have Old Jiang put in some effort to get transferred back to Beijing, and you two can be reunited."

Jiang Zhixun patted Cheng Jingliang on the shoulder. "You're quite the planner, aren't you?"

Cheng Jingliang was serious. "Or you could hurry up and apply for housing so Comrade Shen can come and join you at the military post."

Jiang Zhixun pursed his lips. "She has her own work." While she could work here, it would always be more convenient in Beijing. As for joining the military post, that was out of the question.

Shen Qingqing was lost in thoughts of her illness and hadn't been paying attention to their conversation. She wanted to let it go, but she couldn't dismiss the things her doctor had said. If her parents were still alive, she might have accepted her condition with greater serenity, knowing they would love and support her unconditionally. But the reality was that she was all alone.

Shen Qingqing blinked to clear the sting from her eyes. Once she returned to Beijing, she would see a doctor. Perhaps taking proactive measures rather than letting the illness take its course would yield results.

Jiang Zhixun could sense her melancholy, but he didn't change his mind. He averted his gaze, no longer looking at her.

The atmosphere grew heavy, and the others didn't know what else to say. Fortunately, the couple had already made up; maybe in a few days, Old Jiang would take the initiative to apply for housing and have Comrade Shen join him. A married man wouldn't want to be separated from his wife. Once the knot was untied, Old Jiang would be no exception.

The silence was only broken as they neared the Lin residence. Lin Fengmian was waiting downstairs, holding her nephew, curious to see if Shen Qingqing would actually show up. Seeing her there, Lin Fengmian cursed inwardly. *What a thick-skinned person. Can't she tell she's not welcome?*