After Divorce: Why My Aloof Ex Starts Chasing Me?
Chapter 124 That’s Your Business

Chapter 124: Chapter 124 That’s Your Business

After dinner, it was Jiang Zhixun who washed the dishes.

He dragged his feet, and Shen Qingqing grew impatient, "Give me the letter."

Jiang Zhixun: "My hands are wet, I can’t grab it. Why don’t you take it yourself?"

As he spoke, he turned the pocket containing the envelope toward Shen Qingqing, his expression mischievous, looking as if he needed a good beating.

In his mind, after what happened at the hospital, Shen Qingqing would definitely avoid reaching into his pocket again.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he finished speaking, Shen Qingqing actually made a move.

She didn’t hold back at all!

Her slender, fair fingers reached right in.

Jiang Zhixun’s body instantly tensed up, his mind a little hazy.

Did she not fear touching things she shouldn’t touch again?

The wave of emotions was too strong, making it hard to control certain reactions.

Shen Qingqing was fully focused on leaving and paid no attention to Jiang Zhixun’s reactions.

Her delicate fingers reached in bit by bit and successfully pulled out the envelope.

A quick glance at the handwriting confirmed it was Shi Yu’s.

Shen Qingqing glanced at Jiang Zhixun.

The man’s expression was taut, his breathing heavy, and the rise and fall of his chest was conspicuous. It was unclear what kind of "episode" he was having.

Since he hadn’t tricked her, Shen Qingqing’s attitude softened slightly, "I’m heading back now."

Jiang Zhixun nodded blankly, then reconsidered, "Wait."

He didn’t want them to part so quickly.

Shen Qingqing shot him a questioning look with her eyes.

The man snapped back to his senses with a fake cough, "Shi Yu left some stuff behind when she went to the Northwest. Could you help look for it and see if it’s still around?"

He didn’t want Shen Qingqing to do chores, but he wanted her to stay within his line of sight.

Shen Qingqing rolled her eyes at him.

"Do you think I’m stupid?"

Shi Yu had been in the Northwest for so long; if she really needed something, she would have already called to ask.

It was clear he was just making up excuses!

Shen Qingqing left with the envelope, and Jiang Zhixun hurriedly said, "Leave the door open for me."

The request was odd.

But since he did need to deliver something later, Shen Qingqing didn’t lock the door after all.

She returned to her room to read the letter.

Opening the envelope, there were two sheets of paper inside, each with entirely different handwriting.

One was indeed written by Shi Yu.

The other... The bold, powerful strokes carried an intense sharpness.

Shen Qingqing instantly thought of Jiang Zhixun.

Without reading the contents, she reflexively balled up the paper and tossed it onto the bed.

She stood up and headed out, planning to confront Jiang Zhixun and ask what he was up to!

But standing at his door, she stopped.

Instead of confronting Jiang Zhixun, perhaps it was better to pretend she hadn’t seen the note.

That would avoid him playing games and doing things that would cause her headaches.

With Shen Qingqing gone, Jiang Zhixun stopped dragging his feet and quickly finished washing the dishes.

He didn’t want to arrive at the train station too early and hoped to kill some time, all while sneaking in a few extra glances at Shen Qingqing.

So, he carried the groceries he had bought at the co-op and headed to her place first.

Take a look at her, then head back to deal with the leftover ribs.

When that was done, he’d have a perfect excuse to visit her again...

Though shameless, Jiang Zhixun was willing to do such self-deprecating things if it meant he could see Shen Qingqing more.

As soon as he stepped out, he spotted Shen Qingqing standing at her door.

Jiang Zhixun quickly asked, "What’s wrong? Is there something going on at home?"

As he spoke, he was about to check for her.

Shen Qingqing merely gave him a look, said nothing, and turned back into her room.

Jiang Zhixun was baffled.

After half a year, he entered this small rental house once more.

The furnishings were essentially as he remembered.

Except on the balcony, there was now an easel with a half-finished painting.

It looked like a sun, but also somewhat like a sunflower—bright, vivid colors, extraordinarily lively.

It didn’t quite match Shen Qingqing’s gentle, serene aura.

Jiang Zhixun was intelligent when it came to academics, but he was clueless about art.

Yet, Shen Qingqing’s paintings always struck him as beautiful.

He had heard that she could play instruments as well, particularly the violin, but he had never listened to her play.

Since joining the Jiang Family, it seemed her talents had been buried.

Suddenly, Jiang Zhixun felt a pang of guilt.

They should have done better...

"If you still want to play the violin, you could apply for the cultural troupe."

Jiang Zhixun’s eyes lit up slightly, "We’d be in the same military district, making it convenient to see each other."

Shen Qingqing’s face was full of confusion.

"Why would we need to see each other? I’m fine just as I am now."

Jiang Zhixun replied in a muffled voice, "If you joined the cultural troupe, you’d have opportunities to showcase your skills."

As he spoke, a thought emerged in Jiang Zhixun’s mind.

Why had she never considered joining a cultural troupe before?

"It’s just a hobby, something to enrich my life. I enjoy learning languages. My goal is to become a translator or teach foreign languages at a school, following in my mother’s footsteps."

A few years ago, she had been somewhat delayed.

Shen Qingqing didn’t even know why she had lost her ambition and stayed holed up in her little world.

Now that she was ill, her energy wasn’t what it used to be.

Perhaps... she’d never be able to achieve her goals.

Shen Qingqing’s mood visibly dampened, and Jiang Zhixun wanted to comfort her but didn’t know where to start.

Due to her illness, her publishing house job had also been suspended.

But now, she seemed to be in decent health.

Jiang Zhixun firmly believed Shen Qingqing could excel at teaching.

All the comforting words in the world couldn’t solve the problem.

Jiang Zhixun: "If you want to be a teacher, I could..."

Shen Qingqing cut him off, "That’s my business, I don’t need you to meddle."

She reverted to her cold, distant demeanor.

Jiang Zhixun was left speechless.

Awkwardly, he pointed at the items on the table, "It’s hot, you should finish the eggs soon. Same with everything else—don’t be frugal. I left my account book with Mom; if you need funds, just ask her."

With her work paused, it meant Shen Qingqing would lose some of her subsidies.

Even if she had enough savings, her lifestyle would inevitably face challenges.

After all, food, clothing, and everyday necessities all required ration tickets—money alone wasn’t enough.

Shen Qingqing refused, "Take these back to the compound."

Jiang Zhixun: "They don’t need these things. Grandpa’s money and ration tickets don’t have much use. To keep him from being scammed, how about you come back once a month to collect Grandpa’s stipend and help him spend it?"

Shen Qingqing was genuinely curious, "How do you have the nerve to say something like that?"

Jiang Zhixun: "If you help spend it, Grandpa will only be happy."

It was precisely because Grandpa didn’t have a use for his money and tickets that he ended up inviting Zhou Hansheng out for meals.

Jiang Zhixun carried a deep resentment in his heart.

That man was his rival.

His rival!

Why was Grandpa siding with an outsider?

Shen Qingqing didn’t want to argue with him over this, "Take them with you."

Jiang Zhixun: "The train is crowded, it’s inconvenient."

Shen Qingqing: "That’s your problem. Handle it yourself."

The man sighed helplessly, "Qingqing, there’s no need to draw such a firm line between us."

Even though they were divorced, she was still his ex-wife.

Given her illness, it was only right for him to provide material support.

Saying nothing further, Jiang Zhixun took it upon himself to place the items in their respective spots.

He moved with purpose, clearly familiar with the home’s layout.

Once again, Shen Qingqing confirmed that her ties with Jiang Zhixun ran deep.

Which begged the question: how had she completely erased him from her mind?