Shen Qingqing knew that Lin Fengmian didn't like her, so she had no plans to go to the Lin Family early.
She might as well go back and translate a few more pages to earn extra manuscript fees—it felt more practical.
"Where are you going?"
Shen Qingqing didn't even turn her head. "Back to the guesthouse."
If it were before, Jiang Zhixun wouldn't have had any objections.
But Sister-in-law Wang's words had left a trace in his heart.
Imagining Shen Qingqing staying alone in her room, looking lonely, he felt an unexplainable pity for her.
She had endured so much hardship just to make it to the Northwest.
She wouldn't be here for long anyway; he might as well treat her a bit better for now.
His hand remained in his coat pocket, his expression indifferent. "Come with me to the dorm to pick up something."
Shen Qingqing refused. "I can't even get into the dorm. Why not just wait here for you?"
Jiang Zhixun's expression turned stern. "Is this your attitude?"
"What attitude is that?"
Shen Qingqing thought he was being unreasonable.
If he was intent on drawing a clear line between them, shouldn't he be happy right now?
She glanced at Jiang Zhixun nervously. Could it be that he actually took Sister-in-law Wang's words seriously?
She quickly asked, "When are you going to submit the application?"
Inside his coat pocket, his hand stiffened slightly.
Jiang Zhixun replied, "If you keep acting like this, don't blame me for not cooperating with you. After all, you haven't properly cooperated with me either, and now Sister-in-law has scolded me because of you."
Shen Qingqing let out a sigh of relief.
Seeing Sister-in-law Wang standing at the door of the house, watching them depart, she forced a laugh. "Just stay happy, then."
Jiang Zhixun's lips twitched into a slight smile.
But it quickly flattened.
He couldn't shake the feeling that Shen Qingqing was different now compared to before, now that she was in the Northwest.
Thinking that three years had already passed—people naturally don't stay the same—Jiang Zhixun felt a sense of acceptance.
Taking long strides, he walked ahead of Shen Qingqing. "Keep up."
Shen Qingqing waved to Sister-in-law Wang, signaling her to go inside, and then turned to follow Jiang Zhixun.
Just like before, the two of them walked, one ahead and the other behind.
But anyone who knew Jiang Zhixun could see that he was deliberately slowing his pace.
Shen Qingqing's arrival at the compound on her first day had caused quite a stir.
After two days of rumors building up, everyone now knew Jiang Zhixun was married, and his wife was a great beauty.
As they walked along the road now, Shen Qingqing noticed people covertly glancing at her.
Some women, in small groups of two or three, hurried over but didn't approach. They simply stood awkwardly in the distance, watching her and Jiang Zhixun.
Shen Qingqing suspected they were admirers of Jiang Zhixun.
Outstanding men naturally attract admiration from women; it was only normal.
Even though decorum between men and women was strictly enforced, and she hadn't visited in three years, Shen Qingqing never doubted that Jiang Zhixun wouldn't do anything improper.
He simply didn't like her and resented being manipulated by her and Grandpa Jiang into this marriage.
He wasn't the kind of scumbag who'd juggle multiple women at once.
The man ahead suddenly stopped, so Shen Qingqing stopped as well.
There was a distance of at least three meters between them.
Jiang Zhixun turned back to look at her. "Are you a turtle? Why are you walking so slowly?"
Shen Qingqing had a temper as well. "Then go pick it up yourself. Why insist on dragging me along?"
The icy expression on her face didn't look like she was throwing a tantrum.
The curious stares directed toward them increased.
Jiang Zhixun pursed his lips and walked back toward Shen Qingqing.
When someone suddenly draped their arm around her shoulder, Shen Qingqing's mind went blank.
Back at the county guesthouse, he had held her like this too, but that situation had been unique and somewhat excusable.
But now—why was he suddenly putting his arm around her?
"Don't move."
Shen Qingqing took a deep breath. "It's broad daylight; be mindful of appearances."
Jiang Zhixun suddenly felt like teasing her.
Then would it be fine at night?
But the words shifted just as they hovered at the edge of his lips. "Too many people are watching. Don't let them speculate needlessly."
Shen Qingqing turned her head to look at him.
It just so happened that Jiang Zhixun had his head lowered, allowing her to see his deep and piercing gaze.
She let out a soft chuckle. "Since when do you care about things like this?"
Jiang Zhixun answered matter-of-factly, "Starting now."
He reached for Shen Qingqing's hand and led her away quickly.
Witnessing this, someone muttered, "Weren't there rumors that their marriage was bad? Why does Captain Jiang seem so proactive? It doesn't match the rumor."
"Shen Qingqing looks beautiful, and she's Captain Jiang's legitimate wife. She must have her ways to reconcile with him."
"I never thought Captain Jiang would take the initiative. He's as cold as ice, always avoiding women. I thought he'd never figure it out and stay single forever."
"Now that he has a wife, of course, he doesn't care about other women..."
Upon hearing this, someone covered her face and ran away.
They had come, hoping to see what kind of woman could have gotten Jiang Zhixun to agree to marriage.
Now they saw.
Shen Qingqing was indeed beautiful, and standing next to Jiang Zhixun, the man and woman were a striking pair: he was tall and handsome, she was delicate and lovely.
They had an air about them, refined and worldly, clearly educated and knowledgeable.
How could ordinary women compete with someone like her?
Plus, they were already married. There was no room to compete, unless one wanted to lose all dignity by ruining someone else's marriage.
That would be digging one's own grave, and the consequences would be devastating.
Anyone with a clear mind wouldn't do something so foolish!
One woman shook her head. "So many women admired Captain Jiang—it must hurt for them to see him married."
"There are plenty of excellent men out there. Jiang Zhixun is taken, so just pick someone else. It's not a big deal."
"Affairs of the heart aren't that simple."
"But what can you do? They're married now. Immoral actions can't be justified."
"Unless one day Captain Jiang and Shen Qingqing get divorced, other women won't have a chance."
"..."
Jiang Zhixun's fiery disposition warmed Shen Qingqing's hand, and the heat began to climb.
It gradually spread, creeping up to her face.
Meanwhile, Jiang Zhixun's mind was slightly foggy—this was the first time he had held Shen Qingqing's hand.
Three years ago, when they went to the civil affairs office for the marriage certificate, it had been Shen Qingqing who had taken his arm.
Compared to the way they were now, holding hands felt significantly more intimate.
He wondered for a moment what she had applied to her skin—her hand was soft and smooth, almost as though it lacked bones.
Out of impulse, Jiang Zhixun gave her hand a slight squeeze. The tactile sensation was so pleasing that he couldn't help but grip tighter.
The faint calluses on his fingertips brushed over the back of her hand, triggering Shen Qingqing's cheeks to burn bright red.
Out of the corner of her eye, Jiang Zhixun still wore his usual cold expression, looking a bit distracted, his thoughts seemingly elsewhere.
It felt like being doused with a bucket of cold water—her flushed cheeks instantly cooled.
Shen Qingqing snapped back to reality. "We've come a long way."
Just as she tried to withdraw her hand, the man tightened his grip. "There are twenty more meters. Wait for me downstairs."
Jiang Zhixun turned toward her, giving a stern reminder. "Do not speak to other men."
Shen Qingqing shot him a glare and turned away irritably.
She didn't resist anymore.
The weather was icy cold.
But Jiang Zhixun's ears were red-hot, the simmering heat refusing to dissipate.
In the end, he told himself—
Shen Qingqing was his wife on the household registration, and soon they would have to start a family.
Maybe it was better to start with hand-holding and ease into things.
So that when the time came for more intimate acts, neither of them would feel too awkward.
Maybe… he might even find himself chickening out again.