Shen Qingqing stood alone downstairs.
She was tall and stylishly dressed. Even though half of her face was buried in a scarf, she still looked stunningly beautiful.
Someone who didn't know her relationship with Jiang Zhixun came up to start a conversation with Shen Qingqing.
Awkwardly, he asked, "Comrade, are you looking for someone? Do you need me to pass along a message for you?"
The man speaking, Shen Qingqing had never seen before.
He was tall and broad, with a build similar to Jiang Zhixun's, but he looked much younger, probably just in his early twenties.
Sporting a buzz cut, his skin was slightly tanned, his eyes bright and spirited, but he appeared a little nervous.
Shen Qingqing gave a polite smile. "No need, he should be here soon."
The young man touched the top of his head, looking even more flustered.
After shutting his eyes tightly, he mustered the courage to ask, "Comrade, are you seeing someone? If not, can we get to know each other?"
"No, I'm not seeing anyone."
A cold, cutting voice came from behind, accompanied by footsteps steadily approaching.
Jiang Zhixun was carrying a jar of canned food. "She's just married, that's all."
As soon as he saw Jiang Zhixun, the young man realized what was going on.
The woman in front of him was none other than the Shen Qingqing from the rumors—who had come all the way from Beijing to chase after her husband!
He instantly felt so embarrassed that he wished he could dig a hole and disappear.
He gave an awkward laugh. "Ah, so you're the wife. Captain Jiang, carry on, I'll be on my way."
With that, he made a hasty retreat, as if his feet had been greased.
Jiang Zhixun glanced down at Shen Qingqing, who had once again buried half her face into her scarf.
The cheerful, smiling expression from earlier was nowhere to be seen.
"Didn't I tell you not to talk to other men?"
Shen Qingqing gave him a calm glance. "You did. And so?"
Jiang Zhixun's lips moved, but no words came out.
He didn't know what his problem was. He just felt upset when he saw someone else talking to Shen Qingqing.
His emotions were tugged loose, and the unfamiliar sensation left him feeling unsettled.
"No wonder Old Jiang sped up without waiting for us—turns out he was in a hurry to see Comrade Shen."
Two of Jiang Zhixun's comrades, who had lagged behind carrying supplies, arrived. They, too, had been invited by Lin Zhidong.
"Hello, Comrade Shen, I'm Cheng Jingliang."
"I'm Chen Shaojie."
Shen Qingqing's memory had issues, but her condition was not severe yet.
She remembered seeing them earlier in the cafeteria.
"Hello, I'm Shen Qingqing."
She extended her hand proactively, composed and formal.
Both men hurriedly shook her hand.
As soon as they let go, they felt a chill run down their spines, goosebumps rising all over.
They shot a glance at Jiang Zhixun.
He still wore his usual indifferent expression, as if nothing could bother him.
Cheng Jingliang and Chen Shaojie exchanged looks, a shared hint of amusement flickering in their eyes.
Old Jiang, oh, he's good at putting on an act!
Picking up on their silent teasing, Jiang Zhixun tucked one hand into his pocket.
"Let's go."
With that, he walked ahead, not waiting for Shen Qingqing.
Chen Shaojie, the outgoing type, was usually the one to keep the atmosphere light.
To help Shen Qingqing feel more at ease and not dwell on Jiang Zhixun's unfeeling behavior, he struck up some conversation.
"Comrade Shen, how long are you staying this time?"
Shen Qingqing wasn't sure.
If Jiang Zhixun's application to transfer back to Beijing went smoothly, and Madam Jiang was appeased, she might leave early.
If it didn't, she would wait at most until New Year's.
After that, Jiang Zhixun could deal with the elders on his own.
"It depends."
Chen Shaojie gave another try. "Are you both spending New Year's in the Northwest?"
This time, Shen Qingqing gave him a clear answer. "We're returning to Beijing for New Year's."
"Old Jiang going back with you?"
"Mm."
Walking beside Jiang Zhixun, Cheng Jingliang nudged his shoulder, his gaze playful.
He silently asked, "Made up?"
Jiang Zhixun didn't respond.
He wasn't sure if this counted as making up. Three years was a long time, after all.
Continuing to hold onto his stubbornness seemed pointless now.
But for him to apply to return to Beijing and completely move past the past—he couldn't do that yet.
He could only take it step by step.
When no response came from Jiang Zhixun, Cheng Jingliang didn't bother him further.
He turned instead to chat with Shen Qingqing.
"Comrade Shen, after New Year's, will you return to the Northwest?"
Shen Qingqing and Jiang Zhixun hadn't fully discussed their divorce, so it wasn't convenient to disclose anything at the moment.
"I still have work, so I probably won't come back."
"Then you two would still live apart?"
Noticing Jiang Zhixun pricking up his ears to eavesdrop, Chen Shaojie decided to give him a hand.
Shen Qingqing smiled. "I really enjoy my current job."
It rewarded effort—how much she earned each month depended entirely on her ability.
When things went well, she could earn three or four hundred yuan in manuscript fees in a single month.
There was also holiday bonuses to collect—Shen Qingqing truly loved her work.
Now, she only had one hope: that when her illness acted up, she wouldn't forget how to write.
If that happened, she wouldn't know how to make it through the rest of her life.
Just thinking about it brought Shen Qingqing's spirits involuntarily down.
The smile on her lips slowly disappeared.
Her eyes reflected anxiety and fear.
In the face of life and death, few could remain calm.
Even though her illness didn't involve bleeding, pain, or immediate death.
Shen Qingqing was still afraid.
Cheng Jingliang and Chen Shaojie noticed her sudden downturn in mood, assuming it was because she didn't want to be separated from Jiang Zhixun.
They offered words of comfort. "Get Old Jiang to work harder on his transfer request, and you two can reunite in Beijing."
Jiang Zhixun clapped Cheng Jingliang's shoulder. "You sure know how to make plans."
Cheng Jingliang was serious. "Or just apply for a military residence so Comrade Shen can join you here."
Jiang Zhixun pressed his lips together. "She has her job."
Granted, she could work here, too, but in Beijing, things would certainly be more convenient.
Joining the military unit? Forget it.
Shen Qingqing was lost in thoughts about her illness and didn't catch what Jiang Zhixun and the others were discussing.
She wanted to have an open mind, but as soon as the doctor's words came to mind, she couldn't help but feel heavy-hearted.
If her parents were still alive, she thought she might face her illness with more acceptance.
Because she'd have known that they would unconditionally care for her and fight by her side against the disease.
But the reality was, she had no one by her side.
Shen Qingqing blinked, chasing away the sting in her eyes.
When she returned to Beijing, she planned to see a doctor.
Rather than letting the illness advance unchecked, taking action early might have some effect.
Jiang Zhixun could sense Shen Qingqing's sadness, but he stuck with his decision.
He averted his gaze, choosing not to look at her.
The atmosphere suddenly grew heavy, leaving Cheng Jingliang and the others unsure of what to say.
Thankfully, the couple had seemingly reconciled. Maybe in a few days, Old Jiang would take the initiative to apply for housing so Comrade Shen could join him in the military camp.
No married man willingly stays far from his wife.
As long as the knot in their hearts is untied, Old Jiang would be no exception!
As they neared the Lin Family's residence, the silence was finally broken.
Lin Fengmian stood downstairs holding his nephew, waiting to see if Shen Qingqing would come along.
Seeing that she really had come, Lin Fengmian cursed internally.
She sure had some nerve.
Could she not tell she wasn't welcome here?