After sleeping throughout the morning, Shen Qingqing felt refreshed.
Staying cooped up in the guesthouse all the time would be suffocating.
But she didn't have anyone to talk to, and wandering around the compound would only attract unnecessary attention.
Shen Qingqing decided to go out for a while, explore the customs of the Northwest, and buy some daily necessities.
Before coming here, she hadn't expected to stay this long and hadn't prepared many things.
While it's possible to get by with improvisation, some items—like tissue paper—are essential.
It's needed for everyday use.
And when her period arrives, the consumption would increase, so she had to prepare in advance.
Shen Qingqing had traveled from Beijing to the Northwest by train, switching trains twice along the way, so she knew how to get to the county town.
She planned to eat lunch in the canteen first, then set off afterward.
If she couldn't make it back by afternoon, she would stay overnight at a guesthouse in the town.
As soon as she came downstairs, she was stopped by a woman calling out to her.
The woman had short, ear-length hair, similar to the other female comrade she met yesterday.
"Are you Comrade Shen Qingqing?"
Shen Qingqing nodded, "Hello."
In the compound, Zhou Xiaomei knew nearly everyone, but this female comrade was unfamiliar to her. She was strikingly beautiful, the kind of person who would make others stop in their tracks with just a glance.
Her attire was stylish, and her jet-black hair was smooth and neatly groomed.
Her complexion was fair and flawless, and a faint fragrance emanated from her—possibly some brand of snow cream—that was delightful.
She carried a small bag in her hand, walked down the stairs with an unhurried grace, and every move she made was effortlessly captivating.
When Zhou Xiaomei saw her, she immediately guessed her identity.
Upon asking, her guess was confirmed: she was Shen Qingqing.
She thought to herself, Jiang Zhixun sure was lucky to have such a beautiful wife!
With a smile, Zhou Xiaomei explained the reason for her visit.
"I'm Zhou Xiaomei, Lin Zhidong's wife. Tomorrow, our child is celebrating their birthday, and we'd like to invite you and Captain Jiang to our home for a meal."
Afraid Shen Qingqing wouldn't know who Lin Zhidong was, Zhou Xiaomei added, "Lin Zhidong is a comrade of Captain Jiang; you met him yesterday at the canteen."
She pursed her lips apologetically, "Lin Fengmian is my sister-in-law."
With this information, Shen Qingqing quickly understood the connections.
She knew full well Jiang Zhixun's attitude—he certainly wouldn't want her visiting the Lin family or associating with his comrades.
So she politely declined, "I'm heading to the town today, and I'm not sure if I'll be back tomorrow."
Zhou Xiaomei said, "Captain Jiang is on leave. Let him accompany you; you'll definitely make it back in time."
Shen Qingqing was clueless about Jiang Zhixun's situation. Even his leave was news to her.
Since she had promised Madam Jiang not to drag Jiang Zhixun down or affect his transfer back to Beijing,
she felt that the reality of her marriage to Jiang Zhixun shouldn't be revealed.
After hesitating for a moment, Shen Qingqing replied, "I'll do my best to return. If I'm late, don't wait for me."
She didn't mention Jiang Zhixun at all, which left Zhou Xiaomei burning with curiosity.
She was truly eager to know what had happened between Shen Qingqing and Jiang Zhixun.
Why hadn't Jiang Zhixun returned home for three years?
And why did he never speak of Shen Qingqing?
Now that Shen Qingqing had come to the Northwest, the couple's interactions seemed oddly distant.
What kind of married man would let his delicate wife stay alone in a guesthouse?
In her own home, whenever Lin Zhidong returned from a mission, their nights were fiery and passionate.
He couldn't even bear to sleep, spending the entire night indulging in intimacy.
Jiang Zhixun and Shen Qingqing had been apart for three whole years—any normal man would have found it unbearable by now.
It was puzzling!
Zhou Xiaomei didn't dwell further on these thoughts. Since Shen Qingqing was in the compound, she figured there would be plenty of opportunities to uncover the truth about her relationship with Jiang Zhixun.
"It's already lunchtime. Comrade Shen, you should head to the canteen for a meal first. The trip to town will take time, and skipping meals isn't an option."
Shen Qingqing smiled, "That's what I planned to do."
Zhou Xiaomei went home for lunch and didn't eat at the canteen.
After agreeing on the time for the next day's meal, she headed home.
Having been to the canteen before, Shen Qingqing navigated it easily and got her food.
While eating, she reflected on the dishes served the previous day and where each dish was located.
She could recall every detail clearly—something that used to be second nature for her.
But now that she was unwell, being able to remember such small details made her happy for a long time.
This time, there were no hiccups, and Shen Qingqing successfully filled her stomach.
She washed her lunchbox but didn't return it to the guesthouse, instead storing it in her bag.
If she went to the town, she might find it useful.
...
If it weren't for Lin Zhidong visiting the dormitory and mentioning it in passing, Jiang Zhixun wouldn't have known Shen Qingqing had left the compound.
"At this hour, Comrade Shen must have already taken a ride. Why didn't you accompany her?"
Jiang Zhixun's expression hardened, and he muttered, "Her legs are her own; going anywhere is her choice."
Lin Zhidong snorted, displaying a know-it-all look.
"Could it be Comrade Shen didn't tell you she was heading to town?"
Indeed, Shen Qingqing hadn't told him.
Jiang Zhixun's face turned even colder.
Feigning a shiver, Lin Zhidong rubbed his arms theatrically, "You're always so icy. If I were Comrade Shen, I wouldn't bother talking to you either."
Jiang Zhixun clenched his jaw, "That'd be perfect."
Unable to suppress his curiosity, Lin Zhidong asked, "You and Comrade Shen aren't enemies, are you? Otherwise, who treats their wife like this?"
Being met with a frosty glare, Lin Zhidong realized he had overstepped.
Running a hand through his hair, he sighed, "You young folks are impossible to figure out."
Though they were the same age, to Jiang Zhixun's ears, it sounded like Lin Zhidong was mocking him.
"Comrade Shen agreed to come to my house tomorrow for the meal. You both should come together. If there are any conflicts, it's better to sit down and clear them up. Avoiding each other will only complicate things."
Lin Zhidong had the opinion that once two people were married, they needed to be honest with each other.
Discuss the issues openly.
Keeping things hidden would only lead to misunderstandings.
Jiang Zhixun replied emotionlessly, "I'm not avoiding her."
Lin Zhidong laughed, "If you're not avoiding her, then what are you doing sitting here in the dorm, instead of accompanying your wife?"
"She doesn't need me to accompany her."
This was Jiang Zhixun's honest view; after all, the past three years had been this way.
Shen Qingqing was very independent—she even dared to move out and live alone.
Seeing Jiang Zhixun's oblivious demeanor, Lin Zhidong couldn't help but feel impatient.
"A wife needs to be coaxed. If you keep giving her attitude, watch out—she might decide she's had enough and leave you for good."
After making this stark comment, Lin Zhidong realized he might have been too frank and quickly changed the subject.
"Anyway, make sure to bring Comrade Shen to my house tomorrow. Don't let her feel abandoned—she's in an unfamiliar place without a single confidant. It's not easy for her."
After wrapping up the conversation, Lin Zhidong left.
Since he was hosting the meal, he knew he needed to prepare plenty of meat dishes.
Jiang Zhixun didn't want to concern himself with Shen Qingqing.
But considering she was a woman alone in a foreign place, the risks were high.
Especially since she was still recovering from her illness. Even though her fever had subsided, her shoulder injury wasn't fully healed.
Instead of quietly staying in the guesthouse, she insisted on meddling!
With a stiff expression, Jiang Zhixun put on his military coat and left the dormitory.