After Divorce: Why My Aloof Ex Starts Chasing Me?
Chapter 161: Just Right Here

Chapter 161: Chapter 161: Just Right Here

Here is the translation of the provided text:

Zhou Hansheng’s sudden return to the country still had an impact on Shen Qingqing.

Her mind filled with thoughts of this, along with the scenes of meeting Mrs. Zhou, left her emotionally unstable and unable to sleep well all night.

In the morning, the hotel staff still delivered breakfast on time.

It was different from the previous ones.

This time, they brought steamed buns, fried dough sticks, and soy milk.

Shen Qingqing didn’t know when Jiang Zhixun had contacted the staff, since he hadn’t gotten out of the car last night.

With Zhixun not coming, Shen Qingqing had no chance to return his money and could only temporarily put the matter aside.

After breakfast, she tidied herself up and went to school.

Shen Qingqing was very busy that day.

Her lunch was settled in the school cafeteria.

Beautiful people attract attention no matter where they go.

Shen Qingqing, now 28 years old, had flawless facial features and a perfect figure. Her skin was radiant, her temperament exceptional, and her youthful vibrancy made her look indistinguishable from girls in their early twenties.

At school, quite a few students were older than her.

As a result, many naturally assumed she was also a student.

Some male students even approached her to strike up conversations.

"Which major are you in?"

"Which class?"

"Do you have time to join us for club activities?"

Many male colleagues in the past had also wanted to get to know Shen Qingqing, but as a teacher, Shen Qingqing still wasn’t fully comfortable with it.

She politely told them that she was the new teacher in the Foreign Language Department and wouldn’t be participating in club activities.

Universities have a lot of people.

But when a stunningly beautiful female teacher joins the Foreign Language Department, word spreads quickly through various circles.

The rumors were exaggerated, describing her as an ethereal beauty with no equal on earth, akin to a fairy.

Many people wanted to attend her lectures just for a glimpse of her.

After asking around about her timetable, they discovered she was currently teaching only freshmen courses.

Once they figured out the time and location, many people were already planning to sneak into her classes.

Shen Qingqing was unaware of all this.

She had initially planned to stay in the hotel for a few days and then move into the dormitory.

However, with so much work right after starting, it became inconvenient for her to return to the hotel.

After staying another night, Shen Qingqing decisively checked out.

That day, after a meeting, she returned to the dormitory and saw Zhou Hansheng downstairs.

He was dressed casually, with neatly trimmed hair that wasn’t slicked back this time, allowing a few stray strands to fall over his forehead.

He still appeared refined, but the rigid and formal air around him had softened significantly.

"Qingqing, can we talk?"

Facing Zhou Hansheng, Shen Qingqing always found it hard to say harsh words.

It was true before.

And it was still true now.

After hesitating for a few seconds, she said, "Shall we take a walk by the lake?"

"Okay," Zhou Hansheng replied quickly.

Shen Qingqing led the way, while Zhou Hansheng followed behind.

Despite being apart for only a short time, there was an inexplicable sense of alienation between them.

Looking up, Zhou Hansheng could only see Shen Qingqing’s profile.

She was dressed stylishly and impeccably, standing out among passersby. Ever since he had known her, she had always been a woman who loved to dress up.

Suddenly, Zhou Hansheng recalled that difficult period.

After being harassed and moving to a new apartment, she barely stepped outside, let alone dressed herself up.

At that time, her whole demeanor was dim and lifeless.

And he hadn’t properly supported her during that time...

Quickening his pace, Zhou Hansheng walked alongside Shen Qingqing and wanted to say something but feared speaking too soon would ruin their meeting.

His mind was in turmoil, unsure of where to start.

Stopping by the lake, Zhou Hansheng finally broke the silence. "It was my fault for neglecting your feelings during that time."

Shen Qingqing shook her head. "You were busy; I can understand."

The more understanding she was, the worse Zhou Hansheng felt inside.

"Qingqing, being together isn’t easy. Whether it’s dating or marriage, it’s a process of mutual adaptation. Can we try again?"

Shen Qingqing’s expression froze for a moment. "Being together does require adaptation, but the outcome is already clear. Hansheng, you should look forward."

Dragging out unresolved matters wasn’t her style.

Moreover, considering Mrs. Zhou’s attitude, she no longer wanted to bang her head against a brick wall.

Though Zhou Hansheng excelled in every aspect and surpassed many men, he wasn’t right for her.

"If it’s about work, I can make adjustments."

Shen Qingqing curved her lips into a smile and looked at Zhou Hansheng. "Would you stay for me?"

Her tone was normal, but Zhou Hansheng felt uneasy, suddenly experiencing an illusion of suffocating.

"This is my own choice; it’s unrelated to you."

Shen Qingqing chuckled. "How is it unrelated? Do you believe that, or do you think others will believe it?"

Zhou Hansheng tasted the bitter fruit of his own making.

With a tone of anguish, he said, "Those words weren’t my true intention. I don’t expect anything from you in return."

Shen Qingqing understood Zhou Hansheng’s character, but words spoken unintentionally often reveal the most genuine feelings.

Their relationship hadn’t lasted long. When conflicts arose, they could be swept under the rug with affection.

But in ten or twenty years, would this method still work?

Shen Qingqing didn’t have the time or energy to find out.

Since their directions didn’t align, ending was the better choice.

"You’re excellent, and you’ll surely become a remarkable doctor in the future. That’s your dream, and I hope you stick to your original aspirations and keep moving forward."

It wasn’t what Zhou Hansheng wanted to hear.

But he understood Shen Qingqing’s personality; if she wasn’t willing to reconcile, clinging to her wouldn’t work.

And he no longer dared to use his sacrifices to guilt her.

His brows furrowed deeply, as if facing an insurmountable challenge.

Yet he was powerless.

The ripples on the lake mirrored Zhou Hansheng’s feelings at that moment.

Since breaking up with Shen Qingqing, it felt like his soul had been drained.

Only seeing her or hearing her voice could stir even the faintest emotions in him.

His mind was muddled, his heart hollow—it was an unbearable feeling.

More agonizing than when he hadn’t managed to pursue Shen Qingqing initially.

Staring at the lake’s surface, Zhou Hansheng suddenly asked, "Would you reconcile with Jiang Zhixun?"

Shen Qingqing shook her head. "I don’t have that thought right now."

The man chuckled bitterly. "Previously, you would’ve refused very definitively."

Shen Qingqing wanted to say that previously, she’d also believed she and Zhou Hansheng would grow old together.

After all, he was gentle, attentive, and successful in his career—the epitome of the ideal partner in everyone’s eyes.

But the reality was, feelings are personal, like drinking water—the temperature is experienced firsthand.

Talking about it served no purpose, so Shen Qingqing swallowed her words back.

"Life is unpredictable; taking it one step at a time might be an easier, more worry-free way to go about things."

People cannot remain unchanged.

As perspectives shift, so do the paths one chooses.

Instead of exhausting oneself over what hasn’t happened, it’s better to focus on living well in the moment.

Zhou Hansheng was unwilling to give up.

Persistently, he asked Shen Qingqing, "Can’t we really reconcile? We even drafted the guest list for the wedding. Just getting the certificate would complete everything."

Shen Qingqing’s gaze softened, and her smile deepened.

"Dating and marriage aren’t like taking an exam; they don’t necessarily need a perfect ending. Hansheng, I think we’ve reached exactly where we should be."