Chapter 8: Divorce It Is

Upon receiving Jiang Zhixun’s call, his mother finally learned that Shen Qingqing had gone to the far northwest.

She was overjoyed, thinking that Qingqing had finally come to her senses and decided to prioritize marriage and family.

“Since she’s gone to your side, you should apply for a house quickly. It’ll be more convenient for you two young people to live together.”

Jiang Zhixun never considered keeping Shen Qingqing here.

Not to mention their awkward marriage, the conditions here could not compare to those in the capital city.

Shen Qingqing also had a translation job; relocating here would be inconvenient in every way.

“Did you see her before she went to the northwest?” he asked.

“Yes,” Jiang’s mother said calmly. “If I calculate the timing, it was probably the day before she left. She came home to give your grandfather some supplements, and brought eggs and meat. She stayed less than half an hour before leaving again.”

Jiang’s mother knew she was asking a lot of Shen Qingqing by having her give up her job.

But given the circumstances, someone had to compromise, right?

The couple couldn’t live apart forever—that wouldn’t do.

Later, seeing that Shen Qingqing was stubborn, she relented somewhat and only insisted that they have a child.

When Shen Qingqing remained unresponsive, Jiang’s mother felt half disheartened, thinking she would refuse again.

Unexpectedly, without a word, she actually went to Jiang Zhixun’s side.

After all, she had watched the girl grow up. If Jiang hadn’t been away for three years, she wouldn’t have harbored resentment toward Shen Qingqing, allowing her to move out and rent a place alone.

Now that Shen Qingqing had made a concession, much of her grievance melted away.

Hearing her son’s voice on the other end of the call, she listened as he asked, “Was she hurt when she came home?”

She was puzzled but tried to recall the scene carefully.

“She cleaned your marital home and took her things when she left. It didn’t look like she was injured.”

At the time, she thought Shen Qingqing was drawing a clear boundary, refusing even to live in the courtyard.

She was annoyed again.

But knowing she had gone to the northwest explained everything.

Jiang’s mother earnestly advised, “Qingqing is educated, beautiful, and good-natured. I can see she cares about you. Don’t be stubborn. No matter why you married, since you’re legally wed, you should live well together.”

“The girl chased after you all the way to the northwest. If you don’t soften your stance, you might as well get a divorce and stop wasting each other’s time.”

Divorce?

Jiang Zhixun had never considered it.

He even thought it might be fine to continue living apart as before.

“If you want us to divorce, you’d better persuade Shen Qingqing. If she wants a divorce, I won’t oppose it.”

Jiang’s mother snapped, “If she wanted a divorce, would she have waited three years? Now that she’s lowered herself, don’t go too far.”

“Mm.”

Jiang Zhixun leaned against the wall, wearing a casual expression, clearly not taking his mother’s words to heart.

---

His mind still lingered on the thought of Shen Qingqing being injured.

Since she was fine when she returned to the courtyard, the injury likely happened on the way there.

There are all kinds of people on trains, and Shen Qingqing, a delicate young woman, could very well have been harassed.

Jiang Zhixun straightened up. “I’m hanging up.”

“I haven’t finished speaking yet,” his mother hurriedly said. “Tell Qingqing to call me back. I have something to say.”

“Say it when she’s back in the capital.”

Hearing this, Jiang’s mother instantly exploded. “She’s already taken the first step, and you’re pushing her back. Why won’t you come to your senses!”

“She’s not suited for here.”

“Then find a way to transfer back to the capital!”

Though Shen Qingqing was an only daughter, both her parents were intellectuals, and she had been carefully nurtured from childhood.

She spoke more than one foreign language, had neat handwriting, and excelled at writing.

Professor Shen was good friends with Jiang’s father; Jiang’s mother had seen Shen Qingqing since she was little.

Back then, Qingqing could sing, play the violin, and paint.

She was truly a talented young woman.

That was also why, three years ago, Jiang’s mother agreed to Shen Qingqing marrying Jiang Zhixun.

Setting aside personal feelings, such a fine young woman would be a great daughter-in-law to any family.

Fearing her son might really send Shen Qingqing back, Jiang’s mother softened her tone.

“She rarely goes to the northwest, and train travel is exhausting. She’s not like you, tough as leather, able to endure back and forth. Let her stay there a while longer. Come home together for the New Year.”

No answer came from the other end, and Jiang’s mother grew anxious.

“She’s just a little girl—what if something happens to her on the way?”

Jiang Zhixun lifted his eyelids slightly and grunted, but she didn’t know which question he was answering.

“I can’t reason with you. Have Qingqing call me back; I’ll speak with her.”

“Mm.”

This time he really hung up.

Jiang Zhixun returned to the hospital ward. Shen Qingqing hadn’t finished her IV, but her mood had stabilized.

With the woman in the next bed absent, he seized the opportunity to ask Shen Qingqing:

“How did you get hurt?”

Shen Qingqing didn’t hide it.

“Someone harassed me on the train.”

Her trip had indeed brought considerable trouble.

Swallowing grievances was not her style.

Perhaps, seeing her suffer, Jiang Zhixun would decisively agree to a divorce.

And she would never come to the northwest again.

---

The man’s cold and indifferent expression finally stirred some ripples.

“Why didn’t you say anything before?”

The tone was impatient, tinged with anger.

If this had happened earlier, Shen Qingqing might have cried.

But now, her heart was calm, not a ripple to be seen.

Looking at Jiang Zhixun, she retorted, “Did you ever give me a chance to speak properly?”

From their encounter in the cafeteria, he had acted as if he wanted to send her straight to the train station.

Then at the hospital.

It was only when Sister Li went to the restroom that they had a moment alone.

Jiang Zhixun’s deep eyes stared unblinkingly at Shen Qingqing.

She met his gaze without flinching.

Half reclining on the hospital bed with a pillow behind her, her scarf around her neck was undone.

Tall as he was, he had to tilt his chin up to meet her eyes.

Her graceful neck was exposed to the air, slender and fair.

Clearly fragile, yet she bore an arrogant posture.

Jiang Zhixun thought to himself: who said she had a good temper? She’s quite defiant now.

“This isn’t the time to sulk. Tell me what happened. Did you find a conductor? Where is the harasser now? Did you report it to the police?”

He asked several questions in quick succession.

He was calm and rational.

Suddenly, Shen Qingqing felt a bit deflated, her raised chin slowly lowering.

Just then, Sister Li returned with the IV stand.

Shen Qingqing gave Jiang Zhixun a deep look, then lay back down, turning her back to him.

This refusal to converse infuriated Jiang Zhixun.

Though he prided himself on emotional control, Shen Qingqing’s presence stirred his feelings repeatedly.

In just a few hours, he had lost count of how many times he’d been provoked.

Jiang Zhixun moved to stand in front of her.

“I’m asking you a question—did you hear me?”

Shen Qingqing pulled the blanket over her head.

Jiang Zhixun’s chest rose and fell twice as he stared intently at the blanket, as if willing it to tear.

His handsome face darkened, looking quite intimidating.

Seeing this, Sister Li shook her head repeatedly.

“You can’t be so harsh talking to your wife, Captain Jiang. This won’t do.”