Chapter 9: Let Him Have This One
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After being lectured by Sister Li, Jiang Zhixun awkwardly scratched the tip of his nose, trying to explain himself, “She doesn’t listen.”
The tone of blaming a child made Sister Li twitch the corner of her mouth. She thought to herself, those who know the whole story understand that they’re a married couple; those who don’t might think it’s an elder scolding a child.
Clearing her throat, she said, “If you use a gentler tone, your wife will naturally listen.”
Jiang Zhixun felt even more uncomfortable being called “wife” repeatedly. With outsiders present, he didn’t dare press further about what happened on the train. He just stood by the bedside, curious to see how long Shen Qingqing could stay stubborn.
Shen Qingqing was running a fever, and it came in waves. She felt cold and instinctively curled up.
Initially, she had planned to speak to Jiang Zhixun about divorce after Sister Li left the ward once the IV was done. But unexpectedly, she dozed off in a daze.
Jiang Zhixun glanced at his watch several times. Sister Li had already left the adjacent room, but Shen Qingqing still hadn’t emerged from under the blanket.
He tapped the bedside table gently. “Shen Qingqing, we haven’t finished talking. Running away won’t help!”
The room was silent, no response.
Frowning deeply, Jiang Zhixun’s hand hesitated before pulling back the blanket.
Seeing her clearly beneath the covers, the words on his lips caught in his throat.
Shen Qingqing’s cheeks were flushed with a sickly red, her breathing uneven. Due to their earlier struggle, a few strands of hair had fallen loose, sticking messily to her face and neck.
Jiang Zhixun instinctively checked her IV arm — no swelling, no backflow of blood — a strange relief washed over him.
He secured her IV line to prevent accidental bumps, then covered her up again, leaving only her small face exposed while the rest of her was bundled tightly.
Though lacking caregiving experience, Jiang Zhixun’s strong self-discipline ensured he didn’t disturb Shen Qingqing during the entire process.
Only after finishing did he sit back down, his gaze aimless until it landed again on the hospital bed.
He had never seen Shen Qingqing so fragile before.
He guessed she must have been frightened on the train, hadn’t rested well, and then suffered from the change in environment, which explained her serious condition.
The emotions stirred by Shen Qingqing slowly subsided.
Jiang Zhixun pinched the bridge of his nose.
He shouldn’t have lost his temper with her.
As long as he reduced their contact, she would lose hope and naturally return to Jing City.
Suddenly, he recalled what his mother had said over the phone.
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Divorce…
If Shen Qingqing wanted a divorce, he agreed.
If not, they would continue as before; he would send her allowances on time.
Whether their marriage was a calculated contract or not, Jiang Zhixun no longer cared to ponder.
He had no intention of marrying again, nor was there anyone he liked, so there was no question of being held back.
As long as Shen Qingqing didn’t feel she was being held back, their relationship… would remain as it was.
He stayed by the bedside for a long time until the IV finished and the needle was removed. Jiang Zhixun then patted Shen Qingqing’s shoulder.
“Wake up, go back to the guesthouse and get some rest.”
Perhaps weakened by illness or under the influence of medication, Shen Qingqing slept deeply.
The sound of his voice reached her ears, and she slowly woke.
Before her was a cold, handsome face — the man she had thought about and dreamed of countless times now stood right in front of her. Shen Qingqing blinked.
“Jiang Zhixun?”
He looked at her expressionlessly. “Still groggy from sleep?”
Her eyes cleared gradually, and she hurriedly sat up, instinctively reaching for her coat pocket.
Inside was a small notebook and a pen for jotting down important things anytime, in case she suddenly forgot and caused more trouble.
Jiang Zhixun gave her a suspicious look. “I didn’t realize you could be so forgetful. Still dizzy?”
Without looking up, Shen Qingqing bent over putting on her shoes and said, “Then just think I’m dizzy.”
Though her tone was calm, Jiang Zhixun felt as if her words were laced with sharp barbs, which stabbed at him painfully.
He tilted his head, took a deep breath, and reminded himself not to quarrel with a patient.
Shen Qingqing finished putting on her shoes and was wrapping her scarf.
She remained silent, which made Jiang Zhixun feel something was off.
Rubbing his fingers nervously, he suddenly spoke, “Mom wants you to call her back.”
Shen Qingqing’s hands paused mid-wrap.
She hadn’t told Jiang’s family about the divorce, fearing their disapproval.
After all, divorce was rare among the people around her, and elders found it hard to accept.
But now that she had come to the northwest, the matter couldn’t be hidden any longer; it was better to be upfront.
Grabbing her things, Shen Qingqing left the ward first.
She went to the nurse’s station to borrow a phone and dialed the number she had memorized.
Jiang Zhixun stood not too close, not too far, holding a cold lunchbox. The steamed buns inside remained untouched by Shen Qingqing.
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Jiang Zhixun suddenly felt like laughing.
He must be crazy to worry about Shen Qingqing going hungry and go out of his way to buy food for her.
She didn’t appreciate it at all!
A chilly breeze blew from behind, and Shen Qingqing knew Jiang Zhixun was watching her.
But she didn’t look back, nor cared to probe his mood.
Holding the phone receiver, she waited for the call from Jing City.
Jiang’s mother had been worrying over the young couple’s marriage and was eagerly awaiting Shen Qingqing’s return call.
When the phone rang, she answered immediately.
Hearing Shen Qingqing’s voice, a weight lifted from her heart.
“Why didn’t you tell us in advance that you were coming to see Zhixun? If I’d known, I’d have gone to the train station to see you off and brought some local specialties for Zhixun.”
Shen Qingqing had brought only her daily essentials to the northwest, nothing more.
She didn’t intend to stay long; once things were settled, she would leave.
Since divorce was imminent, she naturally wouldn’t bother with thankless efforts.
She was certain Jiang Zhixun wouldn’t touch any of the specialties she brought.
“It was a last-minute decision, so I didn’t tell you.”
Jiang’s mother didn’t dwell on it. “Zhixun hasn’t been home in three years. You should persuade him to come back for the New Year this year.”
Shen Qingqing gave a brief affirmative sound.
Whether Jiang Zhixun returned home for the holidays was none of her business, nor did she have the energy to persuade him.
While carefully choosing her words, she gave a noncommittal reply to Jiang’s mother.
On the other end, Jiang’s mother cursed inwardly at their personalities.
They were both so indifferent!
No wonder their marriage hadn’t improved in three years.
Unlike others who could argue at night and make up by morning!
“Zhixun’s worried you won’t adapt to the environment there, so he’s decided to apply for a transfer back to Jing City. Be careful what you say and do there, don’t cause any trouble that might affect his job.”
Shen Qingqing was about to speak but was cut off.
Not hearing her respond, Jiang’s mother continued, “Three years is long enough. The old man is getting on in years. Though he doesn’t say it, he wants Zhixun to come home.”
“Qingqing, for the sake of how our family has cared for you these years, please give Zhixun a break this time, alright?”