After Divorce: Why My Aloof Ex Starts Chasing Me?
Chapter 152 Qingqing, Forgive Me

Chapter 152: Chapter 152 Qingqing, Forgive Me

Jiang Zhixun carried Shen Qingqing out of the room and headed downstairs.

Shen Qingqing thought he had lost his mind.

If anyone saw them, even if she jumped into the Yellow River, she wouldn’t be able to clear her name!

Kicking her legs and hitting his shoulder, she shouted, "Put me down!"

His response was the sound of the door shutting.

Jiang Zhixun walked neither fast nor slow, keeping one arm tightly around Shen Qingqing’s waist so she couldn’t jump down.

Her high heels fell to the floor. He bent down to pick them up, then stood up with hardly any effort.

Carrying Shen Qingqing was no different to him than carrying a sandbag.

She was light.

It didn’t affect his movements at all.

Like this, with one arm carrying Shen Qingqing and the other holding her heels, he made his way downstairs.

His tone was teasing, "Even if you scream at the top of your lungs, no one will come to save you."

"Jiang Zhixun! Are you out of your mind?!"

Thinking about the money she had given him earlier, Jiang Zhixun let out a mischievous laugh, "I’m not tired. Or you could give me some extra tips, just saying."

"Are you insane?"

Shen Qingqing wasn’t good at cursing, and her repertoire was limited to the same few words Jiang Zhixun had already gotten used to.

For men, it was essential to have thick skin.

"You wouldn’t walk on your own, so I’m helping you. Why are you scolding me for that?"

Shen Qingqing’s face turned bright red. Was this his idea of helping her?

The bag in her hand landed straight on Jiang Zhixun’s back.

The leather bag had hard corners, but Jiang Zhixun acted as if nothing had happened.

Tough skin, thick flesh!

He didn’t cry out in pain.

He didn’t complain about being worn out.

Jiang Zhixun really carried Shen Qingqing all the way downstairs. Luckily, they didn’t run into anyone.

Otherwise, it definitely would’ve caused a misunderstanding.

Jiang Zhixun only wanted to scare Shen Qingqing; he didn’t plan to become famous at Beijing University.

At the bottom of the stairs, he finally set her down.

"Qingqing?"

A man’s voice called out, and Jiang Zhixun’s nerves instantly tightened.

It was the voice he least wanted to hear!

Even after all these years, as soon as he heard it, he recognized who it belonged to.

Zhou Hansheng appeared in front of them, his luggage in hand, looking travel-worn.

He wore silver-framed glasses, a suit, and his hair slicked back neatly. He was gentlemanly and refined.

Compared to four years ago, nothing seemed to have changed, but his gaze had taken on a different quality.

The lenses softened his sharpness, giving him an enigmatic sense of mystery.

Shen Qingqing’s expression froze for a moment. She nudged Jiang Zhixun’s shoulder.

This time, Jiang Zhixun didn’t give her any trouble.

He placed her heels on the ground, and Shen Qingqing stepped into them, landing steadily.

Adjusting the collar of her coat, she quickly recovered her composure.

Looking at Zhou Hansheng, her gaze no longer held surprise. She asked him in an even tone, "At this hour... shouldn’t you be at the research institute? Why did you come back?"

God knows how much effort Zhou Hansheng had to exert to suppress his urge to explode.

He stepped closer to Shen Qingqing, the corners of his mouth curving into a pleasant smile. "If I didn’t come back, how would we get married?"

Shen Qingqing frowned, "I think I’ve made myself very clear. There was no need for you to make this trip."

The pleasant curve of Zhou Hansheng’s lips faltered slightly. "Made yourself clear about what? Back then, we agreed to take some time, to cool down and think carefully."

Shen Qingqing replied, "I don’t act on impulse. Every decision I make is well-thought-out. You should know that. So, there’s no need to waste time."

Zhou Hansheng opened his mouth, about to explain, but noticed Jiang Zhixun hadn’t left yet.

He said cordially, "Mr. Jiang, I need to speak with my fiancée. Could you give us some privacy?"

The word "fiancée" pulled Jiang Zhixun back to reality.

For a moment, his expression looked crestfallen.

Last night at home, he overheard his parents talking, saying Qingqing wasn’t getting married anymore and Zhou Hansheng wouldn’t return to the country. They were likely broken up.

Yet now, just one night later, the man who was supposed to be abroad was standing here.

He hadn’t even gone home to put away his luggage but had come straight to Beijing University. Clearly, his reason for returning was obvious.

Jiang Zhixun’s gaze shifted to Shen Qingqing.

His eyes held a trace of hope.

If Qingqing wanted him to stay, he wouldn’t leave, no matter how much Zhou Hansheng mocked him.

But Shen Qingqing said, "Brother Zhixun, you should head home first. I have something to take care of."

Jiang Zhixun’s throat moved as though he wanted to ask if she still planned to pick up her things from the compound.

What he wanted to ask even more was whether she had truly broken up with Zhou Hansheng.

But what good would asking do?

Jiang Zhixun left without saying a word.

Zhou Hansheng still remembered four years ago when Jiang Zhixun had returned from the Northwest to Beijing, knowing he was pursuing Qingqing, constantly provoking him with words.

This time, Jiang Zhixun said nothing at all.

Compared to before, he was truly different now.

Not wasting any more thought on Jiang Zhixun, Zhou Hansheng stepped forward, attempting to hug Shen Qingqing.

But she stepped back half a pace, making her rejection clear.

A flicker of hurt passed through Zhou Hansheng’s eyes.

His expression turned bitter, "Am I really that unforgivable?"

Shen Qingqing took a deep breath, "It’s not about forgiveness. You wanted to stay abroad; I wanted to come back home. It was just a matter of different choices."

Zhou Hansheng countered, "That’s not an irreconcilable issue. Why must it lead to breaking up?"

Shen Qingqing replied, "If we can’t move forward together, I don’t believe forcing this relationship will lead to a good outcome."

Her calmness stung Zhou Hansheng.

He dropped his luggage and pressed closer to Shen Qingqing.

He demanded, "Is it really about not forcing things, or did you finally have an excuse to come back and see him?"

Shen Qingqing’s face showed incredulity, "That’s what you think?"

"I don’t want to think so, but he was carrying you and even putting your shoes on. How do you expect me to think otherwise?" Zhou Hansheng’s tone was calm, but his expression betrayed a hint of losing control.

Closing his eyes briefly, the scene of Jiang Zhixun carrying Shen Qingqing replayed vividly in his mind.

Their intimacy made it impossible for him to stay composed!

Humiliation washed over him, and Shen Qingqing’s eyes turned red instantly. "We’re already broken up. Whatever happens between me and Jiang Zhixun is none of your concern."

"I haven’t agreed to it."

Once again, Zhou Hansheng reiterated, "I haven’t agreed to the breakup. You’re still my fiancée!"

Shen Qingqing had already seen Zhou Hansheng’s stubbornness firsthand during her time abroad.

"A breakup doesn’t require both parties to agree."

Zhou Hansheng gripped Shen Qingqing’s shoulders, his gaze pleading, "You want to stay in the country? Fine. I agree. I’ll come back. We’ll get married. From now on, we’ll stay in Beijing."

Shen Qingqing pushed his hands away, "Mr. Zhou, we’re already broken up. We won’t get married. You don’t need to do anything for me. I can’t repay it, nor can I bear the weight of your life."

Mr. Zhou... Zhou Hansheng silently repeated those three words.

Suddenly, he understood why Jiang Zhixun had been devastated because of her.

She truly knew how to stab people in the heart.

When breaking up, she was decisively ruthless.

Why was it so easy for her to detach herself from relationships? Zhou Hansheng didn’t know.

All he knew was that he loved Shen Qingqing, and no matter how thorny she might be, he couldn’t bring himself to let go.

Lowering his head, Zhou Hansheng apologized softly to Shen Qingqing.

"What happened was my fault. I shouldn’t have forced you to cut ties with the Jiang Family. I shouldn’t have discarded the letters they sent you. Qingqing, please forgive me."