Chapter 2: Meeting

Shen Qingqing didn't receive any news, but instead had an unexpected encounter with Jiang Zhixun in the canteen.

He was accompanied by several comrades-in-arms, looking dusty and exhausted, appearing as though they had just returned from a mission.

At first, Jiang Zhixun didn't notice Shen Qingqing.

Shen Qingqing didn't notice him either.

She was simply sitting in a corner, her slender, fair hands holding a steamed bun, eating quietly.

Although she was being very low-key, she still drew attention.

A comrade began to tease, "I haven't seen that female comrade before. Whose family member is here visiting?"

"She's really beautiful. I wonder if she's seeing someone. If not, Old Jiang, you should go for it."

"You're already twenty-eight. If you stay single any longer, you'll end up alone for the rest of your life!"

"Don't say that, she and Old Jiang actually look quite well-matched. What's that saying... a talented man and a beautiful woman!"

Jiang Zhixun's eyelids flickered as he wanted to warn them not to play matchmaker recklessly.

His gaze passed over his comrades, and his peripheral vision landed on Shen Qingqing.

The young girl was wearing a black wool coat, her hair all pulled up and gathered into an irregular bun at the back of her head.

It looked like a casual updo done before leaving the house—not messy, but possessing a certain nonchalant, lazy charm.

A gray scarf was wrapped around her neck, leaving only her clean, fair face fully exposed to the air.

The weather was good, and sunlight fell upon her.

She looked warm and soft.

Her style of dress was different from everyone else here.

It was as if she had accidentally wandered into a world that did not belong to her.

Out of place.

To Jiang Zhixun, it truly was like that as well.

The words at the tip of his tongue went unsaid, and the expression on his face became incredibly solemn.

His gaze was too sharp; Shen Qingqing, who was immersed in her own world, looked up and instinctively followed the source of the stare.

As their eyes met, she saw the man she hadn't seen for a long time.

Her heart involuntarily rippled.

Compared to three years ago, he had become much darker.

Perhaps because he had lost weight, his facial features were more defined, exuding an unstoppable sharpness.

It made his temperament appear even colder and harder.

Jiang Zhixun was five years older than Shen Qingqing.

By the time she arrived at the Jiang family, Jiang Zhixun had already joined the army.

They didn't have much interaction, but when he came home to visit, Jiang Zhixun's expression was gentle.

He would ask about her studies.

He would even buy her supplements.

Sometimes, when he didn't know what to buy, he would simply give her money and coupons so she could buy what she liked.

Even if he was a man of few words, the aura about him wasn't icy.

It was completely different from now.

Shen Qingqing's grip on her chopsticks tightened. Thinking of her own illness, the ripples of heartache gradually calmed down.

Jiang Zhixun had family, friends, and countless suitors following in succession.

He was healthy, his career was successful, and his future was limitless.

It was more appropriate for her to feel sorry for herself.

Shen Qingqing's mood returned to calm. The hand gripping the chopsticks loosened, and the corners of her mouth curled into a perfect arc.

Seeing her smile happily and even wave at him, Jiang Zhixun's gaze grew even more indifferent.

He stepped toward the corner where Shen Qingqing was sitting.

His comrades were bewildered and shocked. "What's the situation? Is that female comrade an acquaintance of Old Jiang?"

"Maybe she's the little sister-in-law. Come on, let's go say hello."

"Old Jiang's expression looks quite intimidating; don't let him scare the lady to tears."

"..."

Shen Qingqing remained in her seat, unmoved.

She watched Jiang Zhixun calmly. The closer he got, the more obvious the coldness on his face became.

Even though she had prepared herself, Shen Qingqing's heart still felt a sharp sting.

Only when he reached her did she stand up.

She called out, "Brother Zhixun."

When mental pressure is high, the body easily develops problems.

Whether it was due to the cold weather or the change in environment, Shen Qingqing had developed a high fever on her first day in the Great Northwest.

Her temperature had come down now, but her voice was still a bit hoarse.

It sounded somewhat innocent and pitiful.

Jiang Zhixun's brow furrowed even deeper as he asked coldly, "Why are you here?"

Shen Qingqing wanted to settle this quickly and state her purpose directly.

She was here to divorce him.

But Jiang Zhixun's comrades followed over, interrupting her chance to speak.

A comrade patted Jiang Zhixun on the shoulder with a look of disapproval.

"Old Jiang, speak nicely. Don't scare the lady."

Someone else apologized to Shen Qingqing, "Old Jiang just has this kind of temper; comrade, don't take it personally."

Shen Qingqing nodded. "It was sudden of me to come. My apologies."

Lin Zhidong, one of Jiang Zhixun's comrades, looked knowingly at her. "Comrade, you're here to see Old Jiang, right?"

"Mhm."

These two truly knew each other.

The comrades exchanged knowing glances, their faces simultaneously lighting up with excitement.

Lin Zhidong winked and asked Jiang Zhixun, "You're the only son of your family, we all know that. So, this female comrade is..."

The implication was understood by everyone present.

Shen Qingqing also confirmed one thing.

Jiang Zhixun had not revealed his married status to anyone; even his close comrades were unaware.

Perhaps only his superiors knew about his marriage.

The curve of her lips stiffened for a moment.

But it was only for an instant.

Shen Qingqing said with a smile, "My name is Shen Qingqing, I am Brother Zhixun's..."

Her words were interrupted by Jiang Zhixun. "Who says a sister must be a biological one?"

His expression was cold and distant.

He did not look like someone in an intimate relationship with Shen Qingqing.

In fact, he even radiated an indescribable sense of resistance and rejection.

Everyone present was sharp; seeing that the relationship between the two was not good, they stopped teasing.

Lin Zhidong rubbed his hands awkwardly, mentally preparing his words for fear that Shen Qingqing would be put in an embarrassing position.

Shen Qingqing had experienced much more difficult situations.

Back when Jiang Zhixun had run off to the Great Northwest without a word and didn't come home for three years, she had been mocked by her rivals quite often.

They said she was "drawing water with a bamboo basket"—all for nothing.

That although she had married into the Jiang family, she hadn't won Jiang Zhixun's heart and would eventually be kicked out.

Shen Qingqing had lived for three years under the strange gazes of others.

Now, she could face it calmly.

She didn't feel embarrassed.

She said with a smile, "I have urgent business with Brother Zhixun. Once it's handled, I'll be returning to Beijing."

So she really was from Beijing; no wonder the lady was dressed fashionably and looked so fair and clean.

Compared to her, they who were weathered by the wind and sun all year round were simply incredibly rough.

Lin Zhidong rubbed the back of his head. "You two talk business, we won't disturb you."

Just as he was about to leave, Jiang Zhixun called out to him.

"Aren't you eating?"

Lin Zhidong was a married man.

He finally caught on now, feeling that the atmosphere between Jiang Zhixun and Shen Qingqing was off.

He didn't want to get involved, fearing his good intentions might cause trouble.

"We'll sit over there."

He pointed to the farthest corner, clearly intending to leave space for Shen Qingqing and Jiang Zhixun to talk.

Shen Qingqing said nothing.

Divorce was a private matter; she didn't like to lay her private affairs out for others to see.

Nor did she like chaotic scenes.

A dignified and peaceful breakup was the result she wanted.

Jiang Zhixun was usually emotionally stable, but upon seeing Shen Qingqing, all his calmness and rationality seemed to have gone on vacation.

She wanted the others to leave, but he insisted on keeping them there!

"I have nothing to say to her. You guys stay, so the lady doesn't feel awkward."

(End of Chapter)