CHAPTER 264: CHAPTER 264 NARROW-MINDED

After breaking up, Shen Qingqing stopped paying attention to the Zhou family affairs.

Every meeting with Mother Zhou eventually ended on a sour note.

She never inquired about the Zhou family matters.

Clearly both in Beijing, yet she heard nothing at all.

Li Xue: "His fiancée, I heard, was chosen personally by Mother Zhou. She’s educated but didn’t get into college."

"However, Mother Zhou seems to like her a lot, praising her for being virtuous, family-oriented, and quick in chores—a good daughter-in-law who can take care of her son well."

Li Xue’s last sentence had a slightly peculiar tone.

The expression on her face was indescribable.

"Those who know say she’s selecting a daughter-in-law; those who don’t might think she’s looking for a maid for her son. These sort of mothers-in-law are the hardest to please, always nitpicking and finding fault."

Shen Qingqing had already experienced whether or not Mother Zhou was easy to deal with.

"Everyone has their own way of living, as long as others are willing."

Li Xue nodded, "Doctor Zhou is promising, and the Zhou family’s conditions are not bad. The woman should be quite willing. Heard she often visits the Zhou family, spending time with Mother Zhou shopping."

Shen Qingqing wasn’t interested in any of this.

She just listened as Li Xue spoke.

Seeing her indifferent face, Li Xue teased, "No wonder he looked so lost, quite unlike how I remembered. He must have been heartbroken."

Shen Qingqing: "Having emotions is normal—as long as you don’t get stuck in a dead end."

Li Xue: "If he agreed to marry, he must have sorted it out himself."

But him personally coming to find Shen Qingqing, still showing signs of longing, this was something Li Xue found inappropriate.

If his fiancée found out, she would definitely have thoughts.

But other people’s business, she couldn’t meddle in.

Could only ponder it in her mind.

"If Mr. Jiang from your family knew, he would probably get jealous again."

Shen Qingqing smiled, "Let him be sour by himself, he’s the one who feels bad."

The gift Zhou Hansheng sent earlier was taken away by Jiang Zhixun, who knows where he put it.

Shen Qingqing didn’t see it at home.

And didn’t ask.

She was very satisfied with the current state and didn’t want past people and things to affect her life with Jiang Zhixun.

Jiang Zhixun was jealous but had a big heart, never really taking Zhou Hansheng as an enemy.

Shen Qingqing loved teasing him but wouldn’t use Zhou Hansheng as a pretext.

That would be disrespectful to Zhou Hansheng and Jiang Zhixun.

Also disrespectful to herself.

On the other hand, Jiang Zhixun had already heard about Zhou Hansheng’s impending marriage.

It was told by Qin Wenqiang.

Qin Wenqiang worked at the court, not exactly in the same place as Father Zhou, but got to know him because of Shen Qingqing.

Thus, he also came to know about Zhou Hansheng’s wedding.

Jiang Zhixun had long given up on competing with Zhou Hansheng.

He had already brought his wife home, and if he kept blabbering, his wife would find him annoying.

Or might recall the goodness of Zhou Hansheng.

By that time, he wouldn’t even have time to cry.

Giving away his wife to someone else—he wouldn’t do such a foolish thing!

"If he’s getting married, he’s getting married, why tell me? Am I supposed to give a gift?"

Although Jiang Zhixun’s face couldn’t be seen, Qin Wenqiang knew this man was definitely sneaking a laugh.

"Qingqing might have to chip in."

Jiang Zhixun paused, "What do you mean?"

"Zhou Hansheng is back in the country. Do you think he’ll go see Qingqing?"

Breakup couples have no reason to meet.

But with Zhou Hansheng getting married, sending her an invite gives him an excuse, doesn’t it?

Qin Wenqiang said it offhandedly, not entirely sure.

Earlier, Zhixun complained to him, saying Zhou Hansheng "never gives up," sending gifts to Qingqing.

Now that he’s back, Qin Wenqiang thought, Zhou Hansheng very likely would go to see Shen Qingqing.

Jiang Zhixun snorted, "If he’s already getting married and still entangles with others, that only shows Zhou Hansheng’s not great. Qingqing doesn’t like him, meeting is futile."

Qin Wenqiang: "I never said Qingqing likes him."

Jiang Zhixun firmly stated, "Qingqing just doesn’t like him."

As Shen Qingqing’s partner, Jiang Zhixun clearly knew who occupied her heart now.

The tension in him eased a bit, "If he truly invited her, then we’ll contribute as well. After all, those years Qingqing worked at the publisher, the boss really took care of her."

Qin Wenqiang was surprised, "You’re this broad-minded?"

Jiang Zhixun: "I have an expansive heart."

On the other end, someone softly laughed, "Not being jealous, not like you."

Jiang Zhixun felt embarrassed.

He does get jealous, but that doesn’t mean he’d lose his mind over it.

He said, "I’ll have my mom represent Qingqing at the banquet. She’s busy with work; calling her, I’d still have to time it right. She definitely wouldn’t have time to attend the wedding."

Qin Wenqiang couldn’t help but laugh, "I overestimated you; you’re still as petty as always!"

Petty is petty.

Knowing others covet his wife and still handing her to love rivals—

Isn’t that just dumb?

Jiang Zhixun said seriously, "If he’s inviting Qingqing, isn’t it just to get a gift? Let my mom go, and I’ll send one too."

Qin Wenqiang was speechless, "You really are lacking."

"If he sends my wife an invite, isn’t he lacking?"

Qin Wenqiang: "That’s just speculation."

Jiang Zhixun sneered, "If he doesn’t invite, we can save on the gift."

Qin Wenqiang couldn’t help but laugh.

Whenever it concerns Qingqing, this guy becomes quite childish.

After talking about a few other things, they hung up the phone.

Jiang Zhixun called home.

Just as Shen Qingqing finished her dinner gathering and returned to the compound.

Upon hearing Jiang Zhixun’s voice, Madam Jiang called out, "Qingqing, come answer the call, Zhixun’s looking for you."

Shen Qingqing, in her slippers, came down from upstairs.

She walked a bit fast, making her footsteps heavy, yet Jiang Zhixun’s ears were good enough to hear it.

Just as Shen Qingqing spoke a word, the man on the other end of the line criticized, "Be careful on the stairs, don’t walk so fast."

Shen Qingqing felt embarrassed for a moment.

Anyone unaware might think she’s a child, needing reminders even for such things.

She softly said, "Wasn’t it because I was eager to take the call? I’ll slow down next time."

This instantly pleased Jiang Zhixun.

The man, half-smiling, said, "Miss me that much?"

Madam Jiang was sitting not far away, so Shen Qingqing couldn’t speak straightforwardly: "Mm."

"I miss you too."

His deep voice fell into her ears.

Perhaps it was because they hadn’t spoken for days, but Shen Qingqing actually felt a bit shy.

She fake-coughed, "Anything else to say, or I’ll hang up?"

Jiang Zhixun understood Shen Qingqing’s temperament.

If she acted like this, it meant elders were nearby, making her shy about speaking or hearing sweet words.

He didn’t purposely tease Shen Qingqing but brought up Zhou Hansheng’s marriage.

Upon hearing that Shen Qingqing did receive an invitation, Jiang Zhixun was furious, "He’s already getting married, and still sees someone else’s wife... Wife, don’t you think he’s shameless?"

Shen Qingqing didn’t take the bait, "I have a meeting that day."

Jiang Zhixun snorted, "Let mom represent us at the banquet."

Shen Qingqing: "He only invited me."

Jiang Zhixun: "We’re one, inviting you is inviting me. Have you ever been to a banquet where guests can’t bring their family?"

Shen Qingqing didn’t argue, "Alright, we’ll do as you say."

Jiang Zhixun: "Give double gifts. Since I already know about it, I should make a gesture."

Shen Qingqing scoffed, "Seeking trouble out of nowhere."

Madam Jiang overheard and teased, "Now you’re not one anymore?"

Jiang Zhixun: "..."