Shen Qingqing was injured on the train.
Being pulled like that again tugged at the wound, and she instinctively wanted to withdraw her hand.
Jiang Zhixun thought Shen Qingqing was throwing a tantrum at him and gripped her hand even tighter.
He quickly walked out of the cafeteria.
Left behind, Lin Fengmian finally came to his senses, his eyes turning red as if he had suffered great grievance.
Still finding it unbelievable, he murmured to himself, "Brother Jiang, how did he get married?"
Not wanting to be a laughingstock, Lin Zhidong picked up the lunchbox and headed home with his sister.
"Even if he wasn't married, there's no chance for you two."
"Why not? He ignores other women, but when I talk to him, he responds. Last time he came to our house, he not only ate the food I cooked but also bought me malt milk!"
Lin Zhidong's mouth twitched, "He acknowledges you because of your brother, eats your food because he had no choice as a guest, and Old Jiang didn't specifically buy that malt milk for you. Don't make things up, or it might cause misunderstandings."
Finding out that the person she liked suddenly had a wife, Lin Fengmian was already very upset.
She didn't expect her brother to scold her as well.
She burst into tears, "I just like Brother Jiang, can that Shen woman go back to wherever she came from and stop being an eyesore?"
Lin Zhidong was startled by his sister's words.
He criticized seriously, "They are a couple; whether they stay is their business. You shouldn't interfere blindly, and don't speak this way again, or think about Old Jiang."
Thinking Old Jiang was single before was one thing, but knowing he has a wife and still liking him is another.
This won't do!
Lin Fengmian sobbed, "But... but Brother Jiang never mentioned that Shen woman, which means he doesn't like her. He's not young; maybe he was forced to marry her by his family."
"That's none of your business either."
Lin Zhidong's expression grew more serious, "Some mistakes can't be made, or they'll ruin your life!"
"Then what should I do?"
Lin Fengmian became increasingly saddened, "I truly like Brother Jiang."
Lin Zhidong knew his sister's stubbornness, as obstinate as a bull.
He said bluntly, "Old Jiang might not have mentioned his matters with Miss Shen, but he's already clearly rejected you. If you keep acting up, you're the one in the wrong."
"Miss Shen came from Beijing, such a long way, and who knows how much hardship she endured. Without knowing the situation, you made it difficult for her in the cafeteria. You should apologize to her next time you meet."
"Are you still my real brother? You're siding with outsiders!"
Lin Fengmian glared at Lin Zhidong.
Her eyes were full of accusations.
Lin Zhidong felt very wronged, "If I weren't your real brother, why would I advise you?"
When it comes to matters of principle, Lin Zhidong couldn't be lenient.
He only had one sister, and if she caused big trouble, her life would truly be ruined.
Clearing his throat, "If you really can't let go, go back to our hometown first. When you've figured it out, we'll find you a proper man."
Upon hearing this, Lin Fengmian couldn't cry anymore.
Their hometown was in the countryside, where the conditions were harsh. How could it compare to the ease of looking after a child in the family quarters?
Wiping her tears, she asked irritably, "If I leave, who will help you take care of Xiao Bao?"
Lin Zhidong thought seriously, "We'll hire a lady in the family quarters to help for a few years."
"You're just wasting money!"
"Better than taking advantage of someone."
Lin Zhidong thought, compared to letting his sister cause big trouble, this was a much better solution!
"Don't even think about it. I'm not going back to the hometown!"
...
On the other side, Jiang Zhixun took Shen Qingqing to a desolate place.
When he let go, Shen Qingqing instinctively covered her arm, her right hand stiff from the pain.
Her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, and a flash of pain crossed her eyes.
Jiang Zhixun narrowed his deep-set eyes.
He stepped closer to Shen Qingqing, "What's wrong with your hand?"
"Nothing."
Perhaps it was the long separation, or maybe she had decided to give up this marriage, but Shen Qingqing began to resist Jiang Zhixun's proximity.
Seeing her take a step back, Jiang Zhixun's jaw tightened even more.
"Shen Qingqing, this is not the time to throw a tantrum."
Shen Qingqing was amused by his words out of anger.
"Do you think whatever I do is just throwing a tantrum?"
Every decision she made was very calm.
The only time she was impulsive was when she knew Jiang Zhixun didn't love her, yet she went along with the elders' matchmaking and married him.
Three years have passed, and she regrets it.
Every time she received money from Jiang Zhixun, aside from regret, she also felt guilty.
Being bound by someone you don't love must be suffocating, right?
If neither of them is happy, it's best to part ways early!
Staring into Jiang Zhixun's eyes, Shen Qingqing stated word by word, "I won't throw any more tantrums at you in the future. Once the procedures are completed, I won't see you for the rest of my life."
In Jiang Zhixun's memory, Shen Qingqing was a well-behaved and obedient girl.
It was the first time she looked at him with such a cold gaze and spoke to him in such an icy tone.
Jiang Zhixun inexplicably felt uneasy and somewhat panicked.
But he didn't think deeply, assuming Shen Qingqing meant she would soon return to Beijing.
They would be separated in different places again, no longer meeting like before.
His hand by his side rubbed slightly.
Finally, he asked dryly, "Did you get hurt? Let me see."
Saying that, he shielded her from the cold wind and was about to unwrap Shen Qingqing's scarf and coat.
Shen Qingqing turned her body, "It has nothing to do with you."
The man's bony fingers paused, his expression, which had barely softened, froze once again.
"Fine, you won't let me see."
Before Shen Qingqing could speak, she was grabbed by the left hand.
"Then let's go to the hospital and let the doctor examine you."
Shen Qingqing's limbs were slender, and though she wore a coat, the man could tightly grip her forearm with one hand.
His strength was still great, and no matter how she struggled, she couldn't pull her hand away.
Being pulled forward, Shen Qingqing's pretty face turned red with anger.
Moments ago, he couldn't wait to stay away from her, yet now he wouldn't let her go.
"Jiang Zhixun, are you insane!"
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 torment your body."
Shen Qingqing's expression worsened, "Do you think I did it on purpose?"
Jiang Zhixun sneered, "I never said that. Don't throw accusations at me, or you'll cry and blame me later."
Shen Qingqing didn't know what was wrong with her. Ever since she saw Jiang Zhixun, she felt very aggrieved inside.
She wasn't the type to cry easily, but now, with just a slight change in Jiang Zhixun's tone, she couldn't control the urge to cry.
Shen Qingqing wanted to tell Jiang Zhixun that she was sick.
Her memory would gradually deteriorate, and she might forget him anytime.
Their final time together would only be a few days.
Once they received the divorce certificate, they'd no longer have any connection.
For just a few days, couldn't they get along peacefully?
But just as she was about to speak, she swallowed the words back.
She didn't need Jiang Zhixun's sympathy.
Knowing him, if he found out she was ill, he might not agree to the divorce.
That's not the outcome she wanted.
The feeling was like a wad of cotton stuffed in her chest, spreading to her throat.
Shen Qingqing felt incredibly uncomfortable.
She wanted to distance herself from Jiang Zhixun and calm her emotions.
Noticing Shen Qingqing's continued struggle, Jiang Zhixun coldly threatened, "If you don't behave, I'll take you to the train station right now."