Chapter 5: The Couple

Lin Fengmian’s gaze flickered between the two of them.

With a carefree tone, she said, “Is there anything I’m not allowed to hear?”

As she spoke, she nudged Jiang Zhixun with her arm. “Brother Jiang, don’t you agree?”

Jiang Zhixun took a step aside.

His face was expressionless, and his voice calm. “Men and women should keep their distance. Consider the impression it leaves.”

Lin Fengmian clicked her tongue. “When you came to my place before and ate the meals I cooked, why didn’t you talk about keeping distance between men and women then?”

Jiang Zhixun and Lin Zhidong were friends, and indeed, Jiang had been to their house for dinner twice before.

A teasing smile appeared on Lin Fengmian’s face, but her hands clenched nervously.

“Brother Jiang, you wouldn’t happen to have taken a liking to this lady here, and that’s why you’re keeping your distance from me, would you?”

Jiang Zhixun frowned. “Stop guessing nonsense.”

Lin Fengmian pressed on, “Then why have you suddenly turned so cold toward me? Could it be you’re afraid she’d misunderstand?”

Jiang Zhixun ignored her and turned to Shen Qingqing. “What are you two talking about?”

Jiang Zhixun’s temper was well known to Shen Qingqing.

He had never been so close or so familiar in speech with any other woman.

Shen Qingqing did not doubt Jiang Zhixun’s character, but they had been apart for three years. She knew nothing of what had happened to him during that time.

She simply could not understand why this woman spoke to him with such closeness.

She pressed her lips together.

Quietly, she told herself that none of this concerned her.

All she wanted was a divorce certificate.

From Jiang Zhixun’s demeanor, it was clear he would neither go to a guesthouse with her nor to any secluded place.

Perhaps he was intentionally keeping his distance, afraid she really wanted the child.

If he was unwilling to cooperate, then she had no need to hold back.

After all, once divorced, the news would spread anyway.

By then, she would have returned to Beijing, and the turmoil here would no longer affect her.

Brushing away her embarrassment, Shen Qingqing looked at Lin Fengmian, who stood between them.

In a gentle voice, she said, “Miss, please give us some space to talk.”

Lin Fengmian’s temper was entirely different from Shen Qingqing’s.

In the residential compound, she was nicknamed “Little Chili.”

Though barely twenty, her fiery spirit was well known, and even the toughest women had to concede when faced with her.

Already harboring hostility towards Shen Qingqing, she was displeased at this request.

Crossing her arms and lifting her chin, she said, “This is the cafeteria, a public place. Why should I leave?”

Shen Qingqing frowned and fixed her gaze on Jiang Zhixun. “Are you sure you want me to speak here, in front of everyone?”

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Jiang Zhixun wasn’t sure what came over him, but before he realized it, he had already sat back down.

He rubbed the tip of his nose.

Holding back the impulse to stand and take Shen Qingqing away from the cafeteria, he looked at her leisurely.

“Speak then. It’s not like it’s something shameful.”

“Exactly. Say whatever you need to here. That way, we can all witness it!” Lin Fengmian quickly slid into the seat beside Jiang Zhixun, a smile playing on her lips.

But in her eyes, Shen Qingqing saw a hint of boasting.

A long rectangular table divided them into two camps.

Under the scrutiny of onlookers, Shen Qingqing felt both embarrassed and bitter, as though she were under interrogation.

She was Jiang Zhixun’s wife, yet she didn’t even have the chance to speak with him alone.

This marriage had long lost its meaning.

Though Lin Zhidong and the others sat on the opposite side, they kept a close watch on Jiang Zhixun and Shen Qingqing.

The moment his sister appeared, Lin Zhidong felt a bad premonition.

They had just learned Jiang Zhixun was married, but judging by Lin Fengmian’s attitude, she probably didn’t know a thing.

Seeing her sit next to Jiang Zhixun, acting all smug toward Shen Qingqing, Lin Zhidong was mortified.

He wished he could just disappear.

Why was she butting into a couple’s conversation?

Ignoring his meal, he hurried over and grabbed Lin Fengmian.

“Your sister-in-law is sick today. The performing arts troupe let her off work. You’d better go home and help watch the child. I’ll bring the lunch box back.”

After finishing his errands, Lin Zhidong had gone home for a moment.

His wife was in pain from her menstrual cramps and had to rest in bed.

His sister was struggling to manage both the child and the housework.

To give them both a break, he had picked up some food from the cafeteria to bring home.

He had planned to eat with them, but was suddenly called to the leader’s office.

That delay brought him back here just now.

Lin Fengmian, having the rare chance to see Jiang Zhixun, was naturally reluctant to leave.

She clung to the table leg with her toes.

“I’m here helping with the child, not sold to you. Can’t I have a little private time?”

In the midst of everyone, Lin Zhidong couldn’t forcibly pull her away.

Sighing, he said, “You’re so clueless. Don’t you see Shen is trying to talk with old Jiang?”

Lin Fengmian pouted unhappily. “How am I clueless? I didn’t cover her mouth, nor did I stop her from talking to Brother Jiang.”

Her eyes flicked toward Shen Qingqing.

The more she looked, the more annoyed she became.

Delicate and stylishly dressed, she looked every inch the type who only knew how to enjoy life.

Her eyes were reddened; anyone unaware might think she and Brother Jiang were bullying someone.

Inwardly, Lin Fengmian cursed her acting skills.

Lin Zhidong’s scalp went numb; if this went on, she’d definitely make a scene.

He tugged at her arm again.

Still, she wouldn’t budge.

He asked, exasperated, “It’s their conversation. Since when do you get to stop them?”

Lin Fengmian instinctively wanted to retort but was halted by the phrase “their conversation.”

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

Relaxing her grip on the table leg, Lin Zhidong gave a gentle pull, and she stumbled a step.

Her mind was a tangled mess.

Mumbling to herself, she said, “How could Brother Jiang be married? He never mentioned a partner. He’s never been home in three years. How can they be a couple…”

Lin Zhidong felt even more embarrassed.

“These are private matters. Why pry so much?”

Turning to Shen Qingqing, he apologized, “Miss Shen, my sister is just careless and blunt. If she offended you, please forgive her this once.”

Shen Qingqing didn’t want to stir up more trouble or dwell on it.

After all, once divorced, none of this would concern her anymore.

She nodded toward Jiang Zhixun with her chin. “He didn’t explain clearly, which caused the misunderstanding.”

“Is that my fault?” Jiang Zhixun asked, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

“Isn’t it?” Shen Qingqing pursed her lips.

Jiang Zhixun looked at her with a half-smile. “Do you expect me to walk around with a name tag saying ‘Shen Qingqing’ on my forehead everywhere I go?”

The sarcasm in his words was unmistakable to Shen Qingqing.

Having been embarrassed by him several times now, she refused to endure it any longer.

“As a married man, isn’t it your responsibility to make it known you have a family?”

Jiang Zhixun snorted lightly.

He seemed at a loss for words, yet also appeared indifferent to Shen Qingqing’s words.

None of this looked like the behavior of a normal married couple.

Jiang Zhixun glanced around, noticing everyone nearby was straining to listen to their side of the conversation.

Shen Qingqing’s face remained calm, but her eyes brimmed with humiliation.

A wave of irritation surged inside her once more.

As he rose, Jiang Zhixun grasped Shen Qingqing’s wrist. “Come with me.”