After sleeping the entire morning, Shen Qingqing regained her energy.
Staying cooped up in the guest house gets really stuffy.
But she didn't have anyone to talk to, and wandering around the compound easily attracted others' attention.
Shen Qingqing decided to go out and see the customs and local culture of the Northwest, while also buying some essential items.
Before she came, she hadn't expected to stay here this long, so she didn't prepare many things.
Although she could improvise a bit, tissues were absolutely indispensable.
She needed them for daily use.
Once her period arrived, the consumption would be even greater, and she needed to prepare in advance.
Shen Qingqing came to the Northwest on a train from Beijing by herself, even transferring trains twice along the way, so she knew how to get to the county town.
She planned to grab lunch at the cafeteria and then head off.
If she couldn't make it back in the afternoon, she'd stay overnight at the guest house downtown.
As soon as she went downstairs, a female comrade called out to her.
This person had chin-length short hair, just like the female comrade she saw yesterday.
"Are you Comrade Shen Qingqing?"
Shen Qingqing nodded, "Hello."
In the compound, Zhou Xiaomei knew everyone, yet this female comrade had an unfamiliar face, quite beautiful, making it hard for people to just walk past her.
Her attire was stylish too, with hair black and smooth, clearly carefully groomed.
Her entire presence was clean and neat, also carrying a faint fragrance, presumably some brand of snow cream, very pleasant.
She held a small bag in her hand and leisurely walked down the stairs, every move was extremely graceful.
As soon as Zhou Xiaomei saw her, she guessed her identity.
Upon asking, indeed, she was Shen Qingqing.
Thinking to herself, Jiang Zhixun has such a beautiful wife, he truly is blessed!
Zhou Xiaomei smiled and explained her purpose.
"I'm Zhou Xiaomei, wife of Lin Zhidong. Tomorrow, our child will celebrate a birthday, and we invite you and Captain Jiang to our home for a meal."
Afraid that Shen Qingqing wouldn't know who Lin Zhidong was, Zhou Xiaomei added, "Lin Zhidong is Captain Jiang's comrade-in-arms, whom you met in the cafeteria yesterday."
She apologized with a pursed lip, "Lin Fengmian is my sister-in-law."
With this, Shen Qingqing quickly clarified the relationships.
She knew Jiang Zhixun's stance very well; he certainly didn't want her visiting the Lin Family or mingling with his comrades.
Thus, she politely declined, "I need to go to the city today and might not make it back by tomorrow."
Zhou Xiaomei said, "Captain Jiang is on leave; let him accompany you and you'll surely make it back."
Shen Qingqing knew nothing about Jiang Zhixun's matters, nor about the fact that he was on leave.
Since she promised Madam Jiang not to hold Jiang Zhixun back or affect his return to Beijing.
So, the reality of her marriage situation with Jiang Zhixun was inconvenient to reveal.
Hesitating for a moment, Shen Qingqing said, "I will try to return on time; if I can't make it, don't wait for me."
She didn't mention Jiang Zhixun, which made Zhou Xiaomei extremely curious.
She was genuinely curious about what had transpired between Shen Qingqing and Jiang Zhixun.
Why Jiang Zhixun hadn't returned home for three years.
Moreover, he didn't even mention Shen Qingqing.
Now Shen Qingqing had come to the Northwest, yet their married state seemed unfamiliar.
Which married man would let his spoiling wife stay alone in a guest house?
Anyway, whenever Lin Zhidong returned from assignments, he was ardent all night.
Desiring not to sleep the entire night, just engaging in *that* kind of thing.
Jiang Zhixun and Shen Qingqing had been apart for three whole years, a normal man could not have been able to hold back.
How odd!
Zhou Xiaomei didn't think further about unnecessary things; after all, with Shen Qingqing in the compound, there would be plenty of opportunities to understand her and Jiang Zhixun's matters in the future.
"It's lunchtime now, Comrade Shen, eat at the cafeteria first; then go to the city. The journey will be delayed, so you must eat first."
Shen Qingqing smiled, "That's exactly what I planned."
Zhou Xiaomei returned home to eat and didn't go to the cafeteria.
After setting a time with Shen Qingqing for the next day's meal, she went home.
Having gone to the cafeteria before, Shen Qingqing easily found the food this time.
As she ate, she recalled what dishes were offered in the cafeteria and where they were located.
All the details could be recalled; this was routine for the old Shen Qingqing.
But now, with her illness, being able to recall these small details clearly was enough to delight her for a long time.
Without any mishaps this time, Shen Qingqing successfully filled her stomach.
She washed the meal box, didn't return it to the guest house, but stuffed it into her bag.
When she reached the city, she might need it again.
...
If it weren't for Lin Zhidong coming to the dormitory and casually mentioning it, Jiang Zhixun wouldn't know Shen Qingqing had left the compound.
"By this hour, Comrade Shen should've long taken a vehicle. Why didn't you go with her?"
Jiang Zhixun's expression was tense, dryly saying, "Her legs are part of her, where she goes is her own freedom."
Lin Zhidong snorted, assuming a knowing-look expression.
"Could it be that Comrade Shen didn't tell you she was heading to the city?"
Indeed, Shen Qingqing didn't tell him.
Jiang Zhixun's expression turned even colder.
Lin Zhidong pretended to rub his arms, "You always have such a cold face. If I were Comrade Shen, I wouldn't bother with you."
Jiang Zhixun gritted his teeth, "Can't wish for better."
Lin Zhidong couldn't suppress his curiosity, "You and Comrade Shen aren't enemies, are you? Otherwise, who would treat their own wife like this?"
Getting a chilly stare, Lin Zhidong knew he was overthinking again.
Patting his hair, "Your young people's affairs, really puzzling."
To Jiang Zhixun, their age being the same, Lin Zhidong's words felt like teasing him.
"Comrade Shen agreed to come to my house tomorrow for a meal. You two should come together. Any disagreements should be discussed openly, avoiding her only makes things more complicated."
Lin Zhidong felt that, being married, both parties should be honest.
Speak openly.
Hiding things was not good, prone to misunderstandings.
Jiang Zhixun said expressionlessly, "I'm not avoiding her."
Lin Zhidong laughed, "Then why aren't you with your wife, just sitting around in the dormitory?"
"She doesn't require my company."
This was Jiang Zhixun's honest thought; after all, this was how things had been for three years.
Shen Qingqing was very independent; she even dared to move out by herself.
Seeing Jiang Zhixun's cluelessness, Lin Zhidong was anxious for him.
"A wife needs coaxing. Creating trouble and showing attitude, be careful Comrade Shen won't serve you, but will divorce you."
After speaking, finding himself a bit pessimistic, Lin Zhidong quickly changed the subject.
"Anyway, bring Comrade Shen to my house tomorrow, don't leave her behind. She's all alone here, with nobody to talk to; it's pretty tough."
After finishing his words, Lin Zhidong left.
As they were inviting people for dinner, meat dishes couldn't be sparse, so he had to prepare in advance.
Jiang Zhixun didn't want to mind Shen Qingqing.
But being a female comrade, in an unfamiliar place, it was easy for accidents to happen.
Moreover, she was unwell; even though the fever was gone, the shoulder injury hadn't healed yet.
Not staying put at the guest house, only causing trouble!
With a stoic face, Jiang Zhixun put on his military coat and left the dormitory.