It was obviously a serious matter, but Sister-in-law Wang couldn't help but laugh out loud.
A couple without feelings doesn't act like this.
There must be a real misunderstanding.
It just needs some mediation.
The leader glanced at Jiang Zhixun with a teasing look and shook his head helplessly.
If someone can't express themselves well, they deserve a scolding from their wife!
Jiang Zhixun felt so embarrassed that his scalp tingled, yet he didn't know how to refute Shen Qingqing.
In conclusion, his good intentions were completely misinterpreted.
Shen Qingqing lowered her eyes, embarrassed to look at the expressions of Sister-in-law Wang and the others.
"Did Xiao Shen hurt her hand? We heard you went to the hospital for an IV and thought it was due to acclimatization, with the cold weather making you catch a chill."
Sister-in-law Wang invited Shen Qingqing to sit and rest in the living room, "Injuries to muscles and bones take 100 days to heal; you should take good care."
Coming over empty-handed to visit, Shen Qingqing already felt very apologetic.
How could she just sit and wait for food?
Besides, after applying the ointment and resting for two days, it wasn't that painful anymore.
"We took X-rays at the hospital that day, it didn't hurt the bone, and it doesn't affect daily life. Don't listen to his nonsense."
Jiang Zhixun was displeased again, "I'm talking nonsense?"
Shen Qingqing ignored him, leaving him with the back of her head, which had a full and healthy bone structure.
The man's face turned dark again.
If there weren't outsiders present, he would definitely have criticized Shen Qingqing.
Jiang Zhixun turned around and continued chopping meat filling, ignoring Shen Qingqing.
Sister-in-law Wang found it curious.
Xiao Jiang, usually so steady, actually had this childish side!
Shen Qingqing said, "Sister-in-law, I know how to make dumplings, just leave the task to me."
As she spoke, she was already going to wash her hands.
Sister-in-law Wang quickly followed, "How could we let a guest cook?"
While in Beijing, Shen Qingqing and her colleagues had also dined at the leader's home.
Back then, everyone made dumplings together, chatted about work, and reminisced about student days... it was quite interesting.
"Sister-in-law, if you don't let me do anything, I won't dare come to eat next time."
Sister-in-law Wang realized her words seemed a bit distant.
She changed her tone, "Then I'll handle the dough, which requires strength, and you can help wrap the dumplings when the skins are done."
Shen Qingqing nodded, "Should lamb be paired with any vegetables? I'll wash them."
Just using lamb for stuffing makes the flavor less rich and the texture not as good, and it's quite a waste of meat.
Sister-in-law Wang took out a head of cabbage, "Pair it with this."
Then she handed a ceramic bowl to Shen Qingqing, asking her to put the prepared vegetables in it.
"Inviting you to eat, but making you work, sorry for not being a good host, please excuse me, Xiao Shen."
Rather than sitting idly in the living room, Shen Qingqing preferred to keep busy, at least that way it wouldn't be awkward.
"It's all little things, not tiring, moving around warms you up a bit."
Sister-in-law Wang's house was a single-floor dwelling with a small yard at the entrance and a connected water pipe.
Shen Qingqing carried the bowl and vegetables outside to wash.
Firstly, she wanted to be a bit away from Jiang Zhixun.
Secondly, the kitchen had no dedicated vegetable washing sink, and the outside was spacious, preventing the kitchen floor from getting dirty.
Carrying the bowl, Shen Qingqing walked out without looking back.
Sister-in-law Wang criticized Jiang Zhixun, "You're clearly concerned for your wife; why can't you speak nicely? Now you've annoyed her, she won't even look at you, and you're happy about it?"
From where Jiang Zhixun stood, he could lift his head and see the scene in the yard.
All he saw was Shen Qingqing pulling up the hem of her coat, pinching it with her knee to prevent it from dragging on the ground.
Then she rolled up her sleeves and turned on the faucet.
She efficiently collected water and picked vegetables at the same time.
Jiang Zhixun withdrew his gaze, "Her eyes are on her body, it's up to her whether she wants to look or not."
"We thought before, that you weren't home, making Xiao Shen unhappy inside, and wanted to counsel her. Now, sister-in-law can see, Xiao Shen is fine, you're the one with the problem."
Jiang Zhixun remained silent again.
Sister-in-law Wang sighed, disappointed, "Do you want to have a good life with Xiao Shen or not?"
"It's pretty good this way."
Jiang Zhixun's expression was indifferent, not like he was being stubborn.
He really thought so.
Sister-in-law Wang wondered aloud, "You're not young anymore, don't you want a child?"
The topic of having children was something Jiang Zhixun had heard countless times, to the point where his ears were calloused.
The hand chopping the meat paused for a moment.
"No rush."
Since he didn't outright reject it, he must have the idea.
Having a plan means he wants to live well.
Sister-in-law Wang sighed, "It's not necessary for your wife to follow the army, but you two need to change the way you interact; a couple can't keep bickering all the time. You're not enemies."
Jiang Zhixun responded absentmindedly, and Sister-in-law Wang wasn't sure if he took her words to heart.
"No matter what misunderstanding you two have, your wife came from so far, that's the first step taken. The girl is shy and can't be expected to take the initiative in everything. You need to adjust your attitude, accommodate her a bit, and those knots will naturally untangle."
"Sister-in-law, I know what I'm doing."
Sister-in-law Wang sighed, "If you really know what you're doing, you should spend more time with Xiao Shen. You let her live in the guesthouse alone, don't even accompany her for meals. She has nowhere to go, no one to talk to, she's just cooped up in that small room. I don't know how you feel, but when I went to the guesthouse and saw her all alone, it didn't feel right in my heart."
Being a woman, Sister-in-law Wang empathized.
If she traveled far to find her man, and he barely paid attention to her, she would surely feel very wronged.
Jiang Zhixun looked out the window again.
In the time they spent talking, Shen Qingqing had already finished preparing the vegetables and was washing them.
Perhaps the water was too cold, or maybe her skin was just very fair, her hands appeared flushed red.
Jiang Zhixun put down the kitchen knife and turned to go outside while Sister-in-law Wang was still mid-sentence.
"Is it possible that kid got upset because of what I said?"
The leader knew Jiang Zhixun's character, but when it came to the couple's marriage, he couldn't say for certain.
The snacks prepared for guests were arranged: peanuts, sunflower seeds, candy, apples.
And two cups of hot tea.
"I'll go check. If that kid dares to leave silently, just watch how I'll criticize him..."
Before he could move his feet, Jiang Zhixun came walking in briskly with the bowl of vegetables.
Miss Shen was left behind by him.
Jiang Zhixun brought the vegetables into the kitchen, "Once I'm done chopping the meat filling, I'll do the slicing."
Sister-in-law Wang came back to herself, invited Shen Qingqing to sit in the living room, "The dough's not ready yet, you can sit and have a cup of hot tea first."
Shen Qingqing rubbed her stiff hands, "Then I'll slack off for a bit."
Sitting where Jiang Zhixun previously sat, following the leader's indication, she picked up the cup of hot tea meant for her to warm her hands.
Sister-in-law Wang truly liked Shen Qingqing.
She had a good sense of timing in her actions, and her speech was comfortable, neither too distant nor too enthusiastic.
What a wonderful young woman!
"Xiao Jiang, you better seize this opportunity."
Jiang Zhixun was feeling annoyed at being told this, he also realized Shen Qingqing didn't belong here.
She belonged in Beijing.
That's where her career and friends were.
Not here, focusing all her thoughts on him.