Chapter 6: No Need for Sympathy

Shen Qingqing was injured on the train.

Being pulled like that tugged at her wound, and she instinctively tried to pull her hand back.

Jiang Zhixun thought Shen Qingqing was throwing a tantrum at him, so he gripped her hand even tighter.

He walked briskly out of the cafeteria.

Left behind in the original spot, Lin Fengmian finally snapped out of it, her eyes turning red as if she had suffered an immense grievance.

She still found it unbelievable, muttering to herself, "Big Brother Jiang, how could he be married already?"

Not wanting to be made a laughingstock, Lin Zhidong picked up the lunch box and led his sister toward home.

"Even if he wasn't married, there's no possibility for the two of you."

"How is it impossible? He doesn't pay attention to any other female comrades, but when I talk to him, he responds to me! Last time he came to the house, not only did he eat the food I made, but he even bought me malted milk!"

Lin Zhidong's mouth twitched. "He responds to you out of respect for your brother. He ate your food because he was a guest and had no other choice. And as for that malted milk, Old Jiang didn't buy it specifically for you. Don't talk nonsense; if word gets out, people will misunderstand."

Lin Fengmian was already sad enough that the person she liked suddenly had a wife.

She didn't expect her own brother to scold her as well.

With a wail, she burst into tears. "I just like Big Brother Jiang! Can that woman surnamed Shen just go back to wherever she came from and stop being an eyesore in front of us?"

Lin Zhidong was shocked by his sister's words.

He criticized her sternly, "They are a married couple. Whether they stay or go is their business. Don't meddle in it. And you're not allowed to say such things again, nor are you allowed to keep pining for Old Jiang."

It was one thing to think Old Jiang was single, but knowing full well he had a wife and still wanting to like him...

That wouldn't do!

Lin Fengmian sobbed choke-fully, "But... but Big Brother Jiang never mentioned that woman surnamed Shen. That means he doesn't like her. He's not young; maybe he was forced into marriage by his family."

"That still has nothing to do with you."

Lin Zhidong's expression became even more serious. "There are some mistakes you cannot afford to make, otherwise, they will ruin your entire life!"

"Then what am I supposed to do?"

The more Lin Fengmian thought about it, the more heartbroken she became. "I truly like Big Brother Jiang."

Lin Zhidong knew his sister's temperament; she was as stubborn as an ox.

He said bluntly, "Although Old Jiang hasn't spoken about his business with Comrade Shen, he has already clearly rejected you. If you keep acting out, you'll be the one in the wrong."

"Comrade Shen came all the way from Beijing; she must have suffered a lot on such a long journey. You didn't clarify the situation before making things difficult for her in the cafeteria. The next time you see her, you must apologize."

"Are you even my real brother? You're siding with outsiders!"

Lin Fengmian glared at Lin Zhidong.

Her eyes were full of accusation.

Lin Zhidong felt he was being wronged. "If I weren't your real brother, why would I bother advising you?"

When it came to matters of principle, Lin Zhidong could not play the mediator.

He only had this one younger sister; if she caused a major mess, her life truly would be ruined.

He cleared his throat. "If you can't let it go, go back to the countryside for a while. Once you've come to your senses, we'll start looking for male comrades for you to meet."

Upon hearing this, Lin Fengmian could no longer cry.

Their hometown was in the countryside, where conditions were harsh. How could it be as easy as looking after a child in the residential compound?

Wiping her tears, she asked irritably, "If I leave, who will help you guys look after Xiaobao?"

Lin Zhidong thought seriously for a moment. "We'll hire a sister-in-law in the residential compound to help look after him for a few years."

"You're just wasting money!"

"We can't just take advantage of people."

Lin Zhidong felt that compared to letting his sister cause a catastrophe, this was a much better solution!

"Don't even think about it, I'm not going back to the countryside!"

...

On the other side, Jiang Zhixun led Shen Qingqing to a deserted place.

As soon as he let go, Shen Qingqing instinctively covered her arm; because of the pain, her right hand was somewhat stiff.

Her slender eyebrows furrowed slightly, and a flash of pain crossed her eyes.

Jiang Zhixun's deep eyes narrowed.

He took a step closer to Shen Qingqing. "What happened to your hand?"

"It's nothing."

Perhaps because they had been apart for too long, or perhaps because she had decided to give up on this marriage, Shen Qingqing began to resist Jiang Zhixun's approach.

Seeing her take a step back, Jiang Zhixun's jaw tightened further.

"Shen Qingqing, this is no time to be throwing a tantrum."

Shen Qingqing was moved to laughter by his words.

"In your eyes, is everything I do just throwing a tantrum?"

Every decision she made was very calm.

The only time she had lost her head was when she knew Jiang Zhixun didn't like her, yet under the matchmaking of their elders, she had gone with the flow and registered the marriage certificate with him.

Three years had passed, and she already regretted it.

Every time she received a remittance from Jiang Zhixun, besides regret, she also felt great guilt.

Being bound to someone who doesn't love you must be very suffocating, right?

Since neither of them was happy, they might as well part ways as soon as possible!

Looking directly into Jiang Zhixun's eyes, Shen Qingqing said word by word, "I won't throw tantrums at you anymore. Once the procedures are finished, I will never see you again in this lifetime."

In Jiang Zhixun's memory, Shen Qingqing was a well-behaved and obedient girl.

This was the first time she had looked at him with such a cold gaze and spoken to him in such an icy tone.

Jiang Zhixun felt inexplicably uncomfortable and even a bit panicked.

But he didn't think deeply about it; he assumed Shen Qingqing meant she would be returning to Beijing soon.

That they would once again be living apart like before, no longer meeting.

His hand hanging at his side rubbed against itself.

Finally, he asked dryly, "Are you injured? Let me see."

As he spoke, he used his body to block the cold wind and moved to untie Shen Qingqing's scarf and coat.

Shen Qingqing turned her body away. "It has nothing to do with you."

The man's well-defined hand paused, and his expression, which had finally softened, froze once again.

"Fine, you won't let me look."

Before Shen Qingqing could speak, her left hand was grabbed.

"Then we'll go to the hospital and let the doctor examine you."

Shen Qingqing was slender; although she was wearing a coat, the man could tightly grip her forearm with just one hand.

His strength was quite great; no matter how she struggled, she couldn't pull her hand free.

Being pulled forward, Shen Qingqing's pretty face turned red with anger.

Just a moment ago, he wanted to stay as far away from her as possible, and now he was pulling her and not letting go.

"Jiang Zhixun, are you sick?!"

The man turned back and gave her a cold look. "Even if you don't want to go back to Beijing, there's no need to mess with your own body."

Shen Qingqing's expression became even uglier. "Do you think I'm doing this on purpose?"

Jiang Zhixun sneered. "I didn't say that. Don't try to pin this on me; if you cry later, don't blame me."

Shen Qingqing didn't know what was wrong with her; ever since she saw Jiang Zhixun, she felt an intense sense of grievance in her heart.

She wasn't the type of person to cry at everything, but right now, the moment Jiang Zhixun's tone turned slightly harsh, she couldn't control the urge to shed tears.

Shen Qingqing wanted to tell Jiang Zhixun that she was sick.

Her memory would get worse and worse; she might forget him at any moment.

The time they had left together was only a few short days.

Once the divorce certificate was obtained, they would have no relationship left.

It was only a few days; could they not get along peacefully?

The words reached the tip of her tongue but were swallowed back down.

She didn't need Jiang Zhixun's sympathy.

Given his character, if he knew she was sick, he might not agree to the divorce.

That was not the result she wanted.

Her chest felt as if it were stuffed with cotton, the sensation spreading to her throat.

Shen Qingqing felt terribly uncomfortable.

She wanted to get away from Jiang Zhixun to calm her emotions.

Sensing that Shen Qingqing was still struggling, Jiang Zhixun threatened in a cold voice, "If you don't listen, I'll send you to the train station right now."

(End of Chapter)