Shen Qingqing didn’t like listening to apologies.
"I understand your decision, and I’m grateful for what you’ve done before..."
"I don’t want your gratitude!"
Zhou Hansheng interrupted Shen Qingqing.
After speaking, guilt appeared in his eyes.
If he didn’t want Qingqing’s gratitude, why would he have used this matter to force her to compromise before?
Zhou Hansheng’s face burned with embarrassnt; he didn’t dare to et Shen Qingqing’s gaze.
Afraid he might see ridicule in her eyes.
But what he feared didn’t happen.
Shen Qingqing could throw tantrums at Jiang Zhixun, even hit or curse him.
But with Zhou Hansheng, she couldn’t do that.
Even when breaking up, she only sought to part on good terms, unable to say a harsh word.
She glanced at the ti and raised her hand. "I have things to do. Doctor Zhou, feel free to stay."
She turned and left, without a hint of hesitation.
Zhou Hansheng watched her figure fade into the distance, stunned and lost.
In the past, he had hoped Shen Qingqing would be ruthless to Jiang Zhixun, refusing to give him hope. He had even rejoiced in it.
Now that he beca the one left hopeless, he wished Qingqing could show him a bit of rcy.
Staring at Shen Qingqing’s retreating figure, he wished she would look back just once.
But unfortunately, not even once.
She left just like that. Zhou Hansheng let out a bitter laugh.
Years ago, she treated Jiang Zhixun with the sa indifference. He should’ve known.
People always said she had a good temper, but nobody ever ntioned how stubborn she was.
Even the elders of the Jiang Family couldn’t make her change her mind. How could he possibly win Qingqing back?
Zhou Hansheng took out a small box.
Inside were a pair of plain rings that he had asked a colleague to help pick out. He had planned to give them to Shen Qingqing when they married.
Could they still get married?
Zhou Hansheng was uncertain.
All he knew was that the Shen Qingqing who had returned ho seed like a fish back in water, no longer reliant on him as she had been before.
Jiang Zhixun was eyeing her like a tiger stalking its prey, and he—the emotional card he banked on—was no longer effective.
Those words were useful once.
Saying them a second ti would only provoke her disgust. Qingqing would thoroughly cut ties with him.
Shen Qingqing’s dormitory was near the side gate; it took less than two minutes to leave the campus.
Jiang Zhixun hadn’t left yet; he was standing by the bus station sign.
The bus he was supposed to take had already left, yet he hadn’t boarded.
His posture was no longer upright; he leaned against the sign lazily, holding the key to Shen Qingqing’s dormitory door in his hand, lost in thought.
Seeing Shen Qingqing step out alone, his eyelids lifted slightly. His gaze darted behind her, then relaxed upon seeing no one he didn’t want to see. His expression eased a bit.
He didn’t ask anything else. "Still moving out?"
Shen Qingqing raised her eyes to scrutinize his expression. When she saw Zhou Hansheng earlier, he had looked deflated and defeated.
But now, he had already returned to his usual state.
Neither provoking her deliberately nor saying cryptic things.
He maintained a polite but distanced deanor, showing a gentlemanly air.
Much like the impression he gave during their first eting after his return.
Shen Qingqing cleared her throat. "Yes, I’m moving."
"Alright."
...
Shen Qingqing had left quite a lot at the rental house. Jiang Zhixun had moved everything back to the family estate.
Including a bottle of ink she’d half-used, which he had carefully stored.
The bottle had been wiped clean, not a speck of dust on it.
There were also used notebooks and handwritten manuscripts... all neatly stacked in another room on the second floor.
Clothes, blankets, and similar items were placed in the matrimonial room.
Madam Jiang spoke on behalf of her son. "Zhixun takes these things out every ti he’s on leave—launders what needs washing, airs out what needs airing. He’s afraid your books might get damaged, so he even sealed them. Check to see if there’s anything that’s ruined. If there is, have him accompany you to buy replacents."
Anyone could see that the items had been preserved well.
Books and the like were orderly and pristine.
The clothes were clean too, slling faintly of soap, ready to wear whenever needed.
In a corner of the wardrobe, Shen Qingqing found a box for storing undergarnts.
Without exception, they were spotless, neatly folded inside the box.
She didn’t know if Madam Jiang had washed them or if Jiang Zhixun had...
And she wouldn’t dare to ask.
She rely reminded herself that she and Jiang Zhixun had been married before—even if they hadn’t been in love at the ti, there must’ve been monts of intimacy.
Otherwise, Jiang Zhixun wouldn’t seem so natural when approaching her.
Letting out a quiet sigh, she still couldn’t shake the blush creeping across her face.
Jiang Zhixun stood at the doorway, looking at her with curiosity.
"Where does it hurt?"
Shen Qingqing glared at him fiercely, and Jiang Zhixun felt a bit aggrieved.
This frustration fueled him—as if it lent him strength—and he walked into the matrimonial room to pick up a single-seater sofa.
The dormitory was far too small. If they put a long sofa in there, there might not even be space to move.
A single-seater sofa would fit perfectly.
Shen Qingqing could use it for reading or to pile up her worn clothes.
Though she knew Jiang Zhixun was physically strong from years of training...
She was still taken aback.
The single-seater sofa was large and heavy. Moving it slightly would be a challenge.
Yet Jiang Zhixun carried it effortlessly—not even out of breath, let alone overwheld.
No wonder she’d been unable to break free when he carried her before...
Madam Jiang glanced briefly at him and shook her head.
She silently muttered under her breath that her son was bullheaded, caring little for his image.
"Ignore him. He just has brute strength. If he doesn’t burn it off, he’ll be running drills all night again—morning and evening—thirty-sothing years old, I still don’t know where he gets all that energy."
Shen Qingqing nodded in agreent.
Jiang Zhixun caught her response. "If a man has no strength, all he earns is ridicule."
Just like Zhou Hansheng—polished outwardly, but completely lacking in raw capability.
Would he even be able to help Qingqing move?
Thinking of his rival, Jiang Zhixun felt a deep resentnt.
He cast a aningful glance at Shen Qingqing before heading downstairs.
Shen Qingqing felt a chill when caught under Jiang Zhixun’s gaze—an unnerving sensation spread through her.
She quickened the pace at which she packed her belongings.
Madam Jiang, observing this, assud she was pressed for ti. "Do you still have unfinished work at the office? Why don’t you focus on that first? Zhixun and I can handle moving your things. When you’re done, co ho for dinner and sleep here tonight. Give the dorm a couple of days to air out; long periods of vacancy always leave the air stale."
Shen Qingqing reined in her thoughts. "Everything’s already handled. I just want to get everything done today while I have ti. There’s a eting at school tomorrow."
Madam Jiang was eager to reunite Shen Qingqing and Jiang Zhixun.
Her eyes twinkled with a plan. "In that case, let’s eat at a restaurant and call it a housewarming celebration for you."
Shen Qingqing wanted to keep her distance from Jiang Zhixun. But seeing how they went out of their way to help her move and even took such good care of her belongings...
If she entirely refused to express her gratitude, she’d feel guilty.
After hesitating for a bit, she nodded lightly.
"Alright, as you wish."
Madam Jiang bead with joy and picked up the pace while packing.
She carried a stack of books first. "Since you’ve had fractures before, don’t carry heavy items like this yourself. You might end up aggravating your bones. Pack up your clothes instead and let Zhixun co up to move the rest."
Even after all these years, the areas Shen Qingqing had injured hadn’t fully healed.
During her years abroad, the frequent rainy days had only made the flare-ups more frequent.
The concern she received from others ward Shen Qingqing’s heart.
A hint of lancholy surfaced too.
Truthfully, she wasn’t as pitiable as she’d imagined.
If she could let go of so resentnt, the care she received from elders far surpassed the pressure they brought
Reviews
All reviews (0)