CHAPTER 167: CHAPTER 167 RECOGNIZING SHEN QINGQING

Shen Qingqing returned to the dormitory and first changed into loose, comfortable clothes.

Then she made herself a cup of hot tea, walked to the window, and glanced outside—the conspicuous jeep was still parked downstairs.

Jiang Zhixun hadn’t gotten out of the car.

Through the car window, she could make out the faint outline of his profile.

Shen Qingqing didn’t care to wonder what he was thinking.

If it weren’t for the bond their elders represented, their connection would have been severed long ago.

Her hand tightened on the curtain as she started regretting spending Jiang Zhixun’s money when she was in Britain.

Back then, she had thought too simply.

She believed that she would just pay him back after returning home. After all, wiring the money back would’ve been a hassle.

It seemed better to use it and repay him after earning some money in the country...

She hadn’t expected that Jiang Zhixun had remained distant from other women and was still steadfast in his determination to remarry her.

Shen Qingqing pressed her lips together and, in the end, pulled the curtains shut—out of sight, out of mind.

Even though she hadn’t recovered her memories, she had heard plenty about her and Jiang Zhixun’s past from others during this time.

Those matters, figuring out who was right or wrong, seemed muddled and unclear.

But since they were divorced, it should have been the end of the story.

Downstairs.

Jiang Zhixun sat there distracted for a long time until the building’s security guard came over to ask if he was having some kind of trouble. Only then did he drive away.

Upon returning to the compound, the first thing he did was fix Shen Qingqing’s bicycle.

He didn’t rush to send it to her at the school.

Instead, he told his mother, "Next time she comes back to the compound, you should ask her to take the bike with her."

The school was quite large. Riding the bike to class would make things much more convenient for her.

She could also use it for other outings.

Rather than letting the bike sit and rust at home, it was better to have it sent to her.

Then he took out an envelope of money from his pocket and handed it over as well.

"When she comes back, make her some good food, or go to her school to visit. Bring her some fruit, milk powder, or something, and maybe take her out to eat a few times."

Madam Jiang refused to take the money, saying, "Isn’t this just a case of using her own things to return the favor? That money was originally Qingqing’s."

Jiang Zhixun gave a wry smile. "You know her temper. If you don’t take it, she’ll keep worrying about it. The next time she runs into trouble, she’s sure to bottle it up inside."

"That’s true," Madam Jiang agreed.

But she still wouldn’t accept the money. "You hold onto it for now. When you two remarry, then hand over all the money for Qingqing to manage."

Jiang Zhixun indeed wanted to remarry her.

But for now, it seemed like that goal was still far off, with no idea when it might be realized.

Money, after all, was earned to make life better.

Saving it endlessly didn’t seem to have much significance to him.

He might as well spend it quickly. If his family could eat and drink well, then earning money felt worthwhile.

As long as he kept enough for emergencies, that was enough for him.

He placed the envelope on the table. "In a couple of days, go visit her and accompany her for a meal in the cafeteria. See how the food’s like at her school."

These things hadn’t even crossed Madam Jiang’s mind before.

For a man to care this much, it could only mean that the young woman was extraordinarily important to him.

Madam Jiang consoled him, "Qingqing waited for you for three years before. Let’s not count the years when she was sick. Starting now, you should prepare yourself for another three years of perseverance."

"Mm."

Not just three years—this lifetime, he had already decided he was committed to Shen Qingqing!

Jiang Zhixun had only one day off.

Seeing Shen Qingqing, even for a brief moment, eased his longing slightly. Then he returned to his post on time.

Shen Qingqing’s work at the school continued in an orderly manner.

The leadership had spoken to her about the temporary transfer.

She would be going along with two other colleagues.

There were still a few days left before the departure date. In the meantime, they were expected to continue teaching their classes.

Shen Qingqing was very beautiful and quite well-known around the school. News of her had even spread to other departments.

Her classes were always packed.

Beyond the students who’d officially enrolled in her courses, there were always a number of others sitting in just to audit.

As long as they weren’t disruptive, Shen Qingqing turned a blind eye.

After one particular class, a male student, using the excuse of not understanding the material, stopped Shen Qingqing.

Ever since her recovery, Shen Qingqing’s sharp memory had also returned.

She called roll every class and could match student names to faces effortlessly.

She immediately recognized that the student in front of her wasn’t one of hers.

But she still patiently asked, "What didn’t you understand?"

The boy pulled out a notebook with a line of English text written on it—something not from the syllabus.

Haltingly, he asked, "Teacher Shen, how do you translate this sentence?"

Shen Qingqing glanced at it and softly recited the piece in a flawless British accent, her lips moving slightly. Afterward, she translated the sentence word by word for him.

The entire time, the boy stared at her, unable to hide the admiration in his eyes.

Whatever she was saying, he no longer comprehended.

His head was filled with thoughts: Teacher Shen isn’t just beautiful—her voice is so pleasant to listen to, and when she speaks English, she’s absolutely dazzling.

His heart beat faster and faster. When Shen Qingqing finished translating, he asked shyly, "Teacher Shen, so this is a love poem?"

Shen Qingqing nodded.

"Teacher Shen," the boy said, "then can you possibly rescue my heart?"

His sudden confession brought on a chorus of sharp cheers from those around.

The crowd burst into a commotion.

Some were shocked.

Others found the situation amusing and began clapping, fanning the flames.

Freshmen were still young and unrestrained, full of vitality, and in that moment, they set aside many cares.

Someone cheered, "Bro, impressive!"

Another called out, "Teacher Shen, say yes!"

Standing on the podium, Shen Qingqing’s lips twitched.

She truly hadn’t expected a student to confess to her...

Everything was in chaos!

She cleared her throat. "Sorry, I don’t engage in teacher-student relationships."

The boy’s sparkling eyes instantly dimmed.

Cautiously, he asked, "Then after I graduate, Teacher Shen, would you consider me?"

Shen Qingqing raised an eyebrow. "Once a teacher, always a teacher. In my book, our relationship is fixed. If you honestly enjoy my classes, you’re welcome to attend them. But if you have other thoughts... your university years are precious and wonderful. You should spend your time and energy on meaningful things."

The more she spoke, the more dejected the boy became.

Gathering up the courage to confess, he had prepared for a very long time...

"Teacher Shen, can’t you give it some thought? I’m only a freshman now, but after I graduate, the school will assign me a job. By then, I could also support a family and won’t be any worse off than that military guy you’re rumored to have been pursued by."

Many had seen Jiang Zhixun dropping Shen Qingqing off at the school.

Initially, they assumed he was her boyfriend.

But after asking around, they found out Teacher Shen was still single, which meant the man was only her suitor.

Shen Qingqing felt a headache coming on—how had things gotten tied back to Jiang Zhixun again?

"Like I said, I don’t consider teacher-student relationships, nor younger men," she stated resolutely.

With that one sentence, she completely severed all possibilities.

Holding her textbook, Shen Qingqing left the classroom under the gaze of her students.

It wasn’t until she had walked far away that she let out a sigh of relief.

Thinking back to what had just happened, she almost wanted to laugh.

That day, when Jiang Zhixun dropped her off at school, she had made a fuss and said she was going to find a boyfriend.

Now, however, she felt that relationships were too much trouble—they required time and energy to deal with a partner.

Being single—free and unencumbered—was so much more comfortable!