Clearly, it was a very serious matter, but Sister-in-law Wang couldn't help but burst out laughing.
A couple with no feelings wouldn't act like this.
It must be a real misunderstanding.
As long as it's resolved, it'll be fine.
The leader looked at Jiang Zhixun with a teasing expression, shaking his head helplessly.
This guy doesn't speak well, and deserves to be scolded by his wife!
Jiang Zhixun felt so awkward that his scalp tingled, but he didn't know how to refute Shen Qingqing.
In the end, he concluded that his good intentions were taken as ill intent.
Shen Qingqing lowered her eyes, too embarrassed to look at Sister-in-law Wang and the others' expressions.
"Xiao Shen's hand got injured? I heard earlier you were getting an IV at the hospital. We thought it was because of a climate change or a cold due to the weather."
Sister-in-law Wang let Shen Qingqing rest in the living room, "A sprain needs a hundred days to heal properly. It's important to have a good rest."
Shen Qingqing felt awkward for arriving empty-handed as a guest.
How could she sit and wait to be served?
Plus, with medicine on and two days of rest, it wasn't really that painful anymore.
"We took an X-ray at the hospital that day. No bone was injured. It doesn't interfere with normal life. Don't listen to his nonsense."
Jiang Zhixun was displeased, "I'm talking nonsense?"
Shen Qingqing ignored him, only leaving him with the view of the back of her head.
The man's face darkened again.
If it weren't for others being around, he would certainly have criticized Shen Qingqing a few times.
Jiang Zhixun turned the other way and continued chopping meat, not looking at Shen Qingqing.
Sister-in-law Wang found it fascinating.
Xiao Jiang, usually so composed, also had such a childish side!
Shen Qingqing said, "Sister-in-law, I can make dumplings. Just leave the task to me."
Saying that, she already went to wash her hands.
Sister-in-law Wang quickly followed, "How could we let a guest cook?"
In Beijing, Shen Qingqing and her colleagues had also eaten at a leader's house.
At that time, everyone made dumplings together, chatting about work and old school days... It was a lot of fun.
"Sister-in-law, if you don't let me do anything, I won't dare come for a meal next time."
Sister-in-law Wang felt her own words seemed a bit distant.
She corrected herself, "Then I'll handle the dough, it requires strength. Once the dumpling skins are ready, you can help wrap them."
Shen Qingqing nodded, "What vegetables go with the lamb? I'll wash them."
Using only lamb as filling doesn't provide a rich flavor, and it consumes a lot of meat.
Sister-in-law Wang took out a large cabbage, "Pair it with this."
Then she got a ceramic bowl for Shen Qingqing to put the washed vegetables in.
"Inviting you over for a meal and still making you work, please forgive the lack of hospitality, Xiao Shen."
Rather than sitting idle in the living room, Shen Qingqing preferred to keep busy, at least it wouldn't feel awkward.
"It's just some little tasks, not exhausting, and moving a bit warms you up."
Sister-in-law Wang lived in a single-story house with a small courtyard, where they also had a water pipe.
Shen Qingqing carried the bowl and vegetables outside to wash.
Firstly, to get farther from Jiang Zhixun.
Secondly, there was no dedicated vegetable sink in the kitchen, and outside was spacious, preventing the kitchen floor from getting dirty.
Carrying the bowl, Shen Qingqing left without looking back.
Sister-in-law Wang criticized Jiang Zhixun, "You were clearly concerned about your wife, why couldn't you say it in a nicer way? Now she's upset, not even looking at you. Happy now?"
Where Jiang Zhixun stood, he could see the courtyard when he looked up.
He saw Shen Qingqing lifting the hem of her coat, clamping it with her knees to prevent it from dragging the ground.
She rolled up her sleeves before turning on the tap.
She filled the bowl with water while sorting the vegetables, working quickly.
Jiang Zhixun retracted his gaze, "Her eyes are on her own face, whether she looks or not is her business."
"We initially thought it was because you weren't home and it made Xiao Shen unhappy, and even considered talking to her. But now I see, Xiao Shen isn't the problem, you are."
Jiang Zhixun said nothing again.
Sister-in-law Wang felt exasperated, "Do you want to have a good life with Xiao Shen or not?"
"Things are fine as they are now."
Jiang Zhixun's expression was calm, not like he was being stubborn.
That's really how he felt.
Sister-in-law Wang was puzzled, "You're not young anymore, don't you want a child?"
Regarding having kids, Jiang Zhixun had heard it so many times, his ears were calloused.
He paused in his meat chopping.
"No rush."
Not outright rejecting it meant he had considered it.
Since he had plans, it showed he wanted to live well with her.
Sister-in-law Wang sighed, "It's not necessary for your wife to join the military with you, but your way of getting along needs to change. How can a couple keep squabbling? They're not enemies."
Jiang Zhixun answered absent-mindedly, and Sister-in-law Wang didn't know if he really took it to heart.
"No matter what misunderstandings you have, your wife came all the way here, which is the first step. She's a shy girl, she can't always take the initiative. You need to adjust your mindset and meet her halfway, and those issues will naturally disappear."
"Sister-in-law, I have it under control."
Sister-in-law Wang sighed, "If you truly do, you should spend more time with Xiao Shen. You let her stay at the guesthouse by herself, not even accompanying her for meals. With nowhere to go and no one to talk to, she's just cooped up in that small room. I don't know how you feel, but when I saw her alone in the guesthouse, it didn't sit well with me."
As a woman, Sister-in-law Wang empathized.
If she traveled a long distance to find her man and he ignored her, she'd definitely feel aggrieved.
Jiang Zhixun looked out the window again.
During their conversation, Shen Qingqing had finished sorting the vegetables and was washing them.
Maybe the water was too cold, or perhaps her skin was so white it made her hands look red.
Jiang Zhixun put down the knife and headed outside, while Sister-in-law Wang hadn't finished speaking.
"Is this kid upset because of what I said?"
The leader knew Jiang Zhixun's character, but with matters concerning a young couple's marriage, he wasn't sure.
Arranged the food for the guests, there were peanuts, seeds, candy, and apples.
And two cups of hot tea.
"I'll go check it out. If he storms off without a word, see how I'll reprimand him..."
Before moving a step, they saw Jiang Zhixun striding in with a bowl of vegetables.
Mister Shen was left lagging behind.
Jiang Zhixun brought the vegetables into the kitchen, "After I finish chopping the meat, I'll do the slicing."
Sister-in-law Wang returned to her senses and invited Shen Qingqing to the living room, "I haven't kneaded the dough, have some hot tea while you wait."
Shen Qingqing rubbed her stiff hands, "Then I'll take a little break."
She sat in the seat Jiang Zhixun had previously occupied, and at the leader's suggestion, picked up her cup of hot tea to warm her hands.
Sister-in-law Wang genuinely liked Shen Qingqing.
She was just the right mix -- not too distant nor overly enthusiastic, making people feel comfortable.
What a wonderful young lady!
"Xiao Jiang, you need to seize the opportunity."
Jiang Zhixun was irritated by the words. He knew Shen Qingqing didn't belong here.
She should be in Beijing.
That's where her career and friends were.
Not here, putting all her energy on him.