Sister-in-law Wang was kneading dough, preparing to make dumplings together, when the leader suddenly called from inside the room.
"Old Wang, I can't find something I need urgently, come help me look for it."
"What is it?"
"Just come first, I'll tell you when you get here."
The leader's tone was serious, with a hint of urgency.
Sister-in-law Wang quickly wiped her hands. "Xiao Shen, you two keep making dumplings, I'll be back shortly."
The couple understood each other intuitively; Sister-in-law Wang closed the door behind her after entering the room.
"Your method is way too old-fashioned. They're not fools; of course, they'll know you're being deliberate."
"What's wrong with being old-fashioned? As long as it works."
"What use could it possibly have? Haven't you noticed? That young couple doesn't even talk to each other. If I weren't smoothing things over, they'd probably avoid each other even more."
The leader sighed helplessly. "Whether it's old-fashioned or not, we'll try first and see. Xiao Jiang is so clueless, like an impulsive kid. Don't you believe me? After the meal, he'll just head straight back to the dormitory."
Sister-in-law Wang was skeptical. "But I think Xiao Jiang does care about Xiao Shen."
"Not enough. Let them spend some time alone together and build some feelings."
Sister-in-law Wang felt a bit embarrassed. "So we just sit back and let them cook for us? Is this hosting guests for dinner or ordering people to work?"
"Young people are energetic. Letting them make a meal isn't a big deal; don't be too formal."
"You sure are carefree!"
"This is out of desperation. What can I do if he doesn't get it? I'm at my wit's end."
Sister-in-law Wang pressed her ear to the door, listening for any movements outside.
She didn't hear a thing.
Unable to help but remark, "This young couple sure knows how to hold it in. They've been inside for so long and haven't said a single word."
"That's why they need to interact more. Otherwise, one stays in the dorm, and the other in the guesthouse. By tomorrow, Xiao Jiang will be back on duty, and who knows how long it'll be before they make any progress?"
Sister-in-law Wang thought that sounded reasonable.
Marriage requires effort from both parties.
Outsiders can give a push, but the ultimate outcome—good or bad—depends on them.
She decided to take out her yarn and started knitting a scarf, planning to step out only when the timing was right.
Shen Qingqing glanced at the tightly shut door and thought to herself, These two are way too obvious.
No one watching her gave her some peace of mind.
Jiang Zhixun silently rolled dumpling wrappers while Shen Qingqing focused on wrapping them.
Living alone in Beijing, she had her own kitchen. Whenever she felt like it, she'd make dumplings to treat herself.
Her technique was practiced, producing plump, round dumplings.
Jiang Zhixun knew Shen Qingqing had always been good at housework. After three years apart, she worked even more efficiently now.
For some reason, his chest felt tight.
"When you return to Beijing for the New Year, I'll help you move."
Shen Qingqing was immersed in her thoughts when Jiang Zhixun suddenly interrupted.
"Move?"
"Living alone outside isn't safe; it's better to move back to the compound."
Shen Qingqing refused without hesitation.
"I'm not moving."
Jiang Zhixun's Adam's apple moved, and he softened his tone. "I'll handle communicating with the elders."
Beyond safety, Jiang Zhixun had other considerations.
If they did have a child, she'd have to juggle work and parenting, which would be overwhelming.
If she lived in the compound, elders could help take care of the child, making things much more manageable.
Shen Qingqing spoke directly. "You are my main source of pressure, don't redirect the issue."
Jiang Zhixun's face turned sour.
"Whatever you want, I'll cooperate over the New Year holiday."
Then, he'd be home for at least half a month. If they tried diligently enough, there should be results.
If not… Jiang Zhixun frowned slightly, then he'd wait until his next home visit and spend more time and effort.
Shen Qingqing calculated the dates; the civil affairs bureau would also be closed during New Year.
"How long can you take off?"
Jiang Zhixun's ears turned red, and he stammered. "A month."
The civil affairs bureau wouldn't close for that long; a month was more than enough for them to finalize all divisions.
Shen Qingqing breathed a sigh of relief.
Her mood visibly improved, and Jiang Zhixun's lips curved slightly.
Realizing it, he quickly tightened his expression.
"No matter what happens between us, the compound is still your home. It's not a good idea for a woman to live alone outside."
Shen Qingqing didn't think it was bad.
"I visit the elders once a month."
Unless her illness worsens or Jiang Zhixun remarries, then circumstances would shift.
She had to prioritize her own health.
Social ties and supposed dignity are trivial compared to well-being.
Once everything is settled, she wouldn't force herself into doing things against her will anymore.
Moreover, if Jiang Zhixun remarried, as the ex-wife, it would be best to vanish from sight.
Knowing Shen Qingqing's stubbornness, Jiang Zhixun didn't continue the discussion.
When they returned to Beijing, he'd move her belongings directly.
He'd heard that she'd already moved everything out of the wedding house. Despite how quickly the marriage was arranged, quite a bit of stuff had been bought.
Jiang Zhixun thought he'd need to drive a car over to move it all—otherwise, it might not fit…
Neither of them spoke again, but the atmosphere was noticeably warmer than before.
Sister-in-law Wang stayed in the room for over ten minutes. Finally, unable to sit still, she put down her knitting.
"When you get older, your eyesight gets worse. The thing was clearly on the table, yet he spends half the day looking for it."
Shen Qingqing smiled faintly. "Everyone has forgetful moments; it's normal."
She worked efficiently and had already wrapped enough dumplings for four people in no time.
There was still plenty of dough and filling left.
Sister-in-law Wang began boiling batches of dumplings, leaving Shen Qingqing and Jiang Zhixun to continue wrapping.
In cold weather, leftovers could be frozen and enjoyed later.
With her good mood, Shen Qingqing found the work enjoyable.
The dumplings she wrapped became increasingly ornate, each more beautiful than the last.
Sister-in-law Wang exclaimed, "You're so skilled! Xiao Jiang is lucky to have married you."
Jiang Zhixun tilted his head slightly, staring at the dumplings Shen Qingqing made.
They resembled willow leaves, ingots, and crescent moons, each with plump, round bellies—very appealing.
Catching a glimpse of Sister-in-law Wang's teasing look out of the corner of his eye, Jiang Zhixun quickly looked away.
"They all look the same once you eat them; there's no need to make them so fancy."
As soon as he said this, Sister-in-law Wang froze in alarm.
This was bad!
A perfectly good young man—tall, handsome, and a skilled pilot—how could he lack the ability to say something nice?
Shen Qingqing's expression remained unchanged; she'd heard far worse from him.
That day in the cafeteria, he even said they had nothing to talk about.
Compared to that, commenting on dumplings was trivial.
She replied indifferently, "Then don't eat them."
Jiang Zhixun snorted. "I chopped the filling, rolled the wrappers, why shouldn't I eat them?"
"Fancy ones won't kill your guts either."
Jiang Zhixun's mouth twitched as he turned to Sister-in-law Wang. "Don't just scold me, you should rebuke her a little too."
Sister-in-law Wang teased him. "Why did you provoke Xiao Shen? The fact she didn't scold you was already her being polite."
Jiang Zhixun used to think Shen Qingqing was mild-mannered, but not anymore.
She'd only been here a few days, yet she'd scolded him so many times!