After Divorce: Why My Aloof Ex Starts Chasing Me?-Chapter 45: Let’s See How You Perform

When the divorce application is approved, Shen Qingqing still needs to complete the formalities with Jiang Zhixun.

He was leaving right after New Year’s Eve, but the civil affairs office staff hadn’t even returned from their holiday break by then.

Beijing and the Northwest were so far apart—if she missed this chance, would she have to wait another year?

How could that be acceptable!

As for the "suppressions" Jiang Zhixun mentioned, Shen Qingqing instinctively assumed he meant that after the divorce, the elders would pressure him.

That had nothing to do with her.

Once the paperwork was done, he could go wherever he pleased.

Getting scolded by the family elders would also be his own problem.

"You said before you could take a month off,"

Shen Qingqing’s gaze finally fell on Jiang Zhixun.

Her expression was serious, and in her eyes lingered a trace of barely concealed urgency.

Being stared at so intently by her sent ripples spreading through Jiang Zhixun’s heart.

But thinking about how she wanted a divorce, and that even now she hadn’t clearly indicated she had changed her mind or decided not to go through with it—

The ripples gradually stilled.

Jiang Zhixun let out a faint snort.

With a blank expression, he said, "Depends on your behavior. Don’t piss me off, and I might stay home a few extra days."

Shen Qingqing clenched her teeth, suppressing the anger rising within her. "Just submit the application first."

Chen Shaojie, ever the blabbermouth, chimed in, "What application? Old Jiang, are you applying to transfer back to Beijing?"

Right after he said it, the man across from him visibly darkened.

No reply came; Jiang Zhixun continued eating in silence.

He chewed fiercely, as if venting his frustrations with every bite.

Cheng Jingliang sensed something was off, so he picked up his lunchbox. "You two discuss your business first."

He shot Chen Shaojie a look, and the latter quickly caught on and hurried after him.

Inwardly, Chen Shaojie broke into a cold sweat for Jiang Zhixun.

If this guy didn’t straighten up and fly right, he’d end up losing his wife...

Shen Qingqing turned slightly to the side, mimicking Jiang Zhixun’s posture, her face equally devoid of emotion as she stared at him.

Two minutes passed, and the man still showed no sign of speaking.

Shen Qingqing asked, "Have you made up your mind?"

"I disagree."

Without lifting his gaze, Jiang Zhixun returned the words icily.

Shen Qingqing’s chest rose and fell rapidly, her breathing heavy—it was clear she was livid.

Considering the public setting, she forced herself to keep her temper in check, speaking in a low voice.

"What exactly is it that you want? You weren’t happy getting married, and now you’re not happy divorcing either. Do you have to make everyone suffer for you to feel satisfied?"

"Suffer?"

Jiang Zhixun repeated the word, chewing on it.

His piercing gaze locked onto Shen Qingqing, capturing every nuance of her expression.

He saw her tightly pressed pink lips and her stubbornly determined face.

Jiang Zhixun smirked mockingly. "That’s what you think, huh? But wasn’t marrying me *your* idea?"

Bitterness swelled within Shen Qingqing—she hadn’t set out to scheme against Jiang Zhixun.

Old Jiang really had been sick.

And her intention to fulfill the old man’s dying wish had been genuine too.

Her mistake lay in the fact that she truly liked Jiang Zhixun. Their wedding... did involve a bit of going with the flow.

This had given Jiang Zhixun the wrong impression, making him believe it was all some kind of manipulation. freewebnoveℓ.com

If time could turn back, she’d never have brought up marriage in that hospital room, in front of so many people.

Avoiding eye contact with Jiang Zhixun, Shen Qingqing lowered her lashes to hide the dampness spreading in her eyes.

"If you think all of this was my fault, then I owe you an apology."

Jiang Zhixun felt a burning sensation in his chest. That incident—who was right and who was wrong—was beyond untangling.

Shen Qingqing seemed delicate on the surface, but at her core, she was very proud.

When she believed in something, she was incredibly persistent.

Yet now, just to obtain a divorce, she was taking all the blame upon herself.

Was this marriage really so unbearable?

Jiang Zhixun’s expression turned ice-cold as he echoed her word back. "Apology?"

Shen Qingqing took a deep breath. "I knew you didn’t have feelings for me. I shouldn’t have entertained the thought of getting married, much less propose to you in front of everyone, putting you in a difficult position."

"I’m sorry. That was my fault."

"We’ve wasted three years of each other’s lives. Can’t we at least part ways amicably?"

These three years had not been kind to her.

Though no one had openly gossiped in front of her, those loaded glances always seemed to silently remind her.

Jiang Zhixun didn’t love her. He had even relocated to the Northwest just to avoid her.

He’d left for three whole years.

If she hadn’t made the trip herself this time, perhaps this year, he still wouldn’t have returned to Beijing to visit his family.

Even though the Jiang elders hadn’t outright criticized her, she still felt terrible inside.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d let the Jiang Family down, chasing away their only son and heir.

That was why she’d moved out of their family compound in the first place.

She wanted to end this marriage—to take a breather—or else she felt like she’d suffocate from the pressure!

Shen Qingqing’s voice trembled, already tinged with the threat of tears, though she worked hard to suppress them, making her tone quaver.

With Jiang Zhixun’s personality, he should have decisively agreed to the divorce.

Yet for some reason, he just wouldn’t say yes.

Even though he’d stayed away for three years and had never mentioned Shen Qingqing to anyone,

He’d always been keenly aware of the fact that he was married.

He’d never crossed any lines with Shen Qingqing or violated his principles.

Just as Shen Qingqing had said—they’d wasted three years. Jiang Zhixun didn’t want to remain stuck in a deadlock either.

He wanted to improve their relationship.

He wanted them to live a proper life as a normal couple.

They still shared a marriage certificate—they could work through their issues little by little.

If they got divorced, there would truly be nothing left between them.

Avoiding Shen Qingqing’s pleading gaze, Jiang Zhixun stuck to his line. "Convince the elders in our family first, then I’ll consider it."

Same answer as always.

If he truly cared about the elders’ opinions, he would never have gone to the Northwest three years ago.

This was just his way of making things difficult for her.

Shen Qingqing silently observed Jiang Zhixun, neither losing her temper nor yelling.

After a few seconds, she stood and left.

From start to finish, she remained calm and composed.

Jiang Zhixun frowned. Back at the guest house, when she’d woken up and suddenly brought up divorce,

He’d outright refused, and Shen Qingqing had even cursed at him.

But now, why was she so collected?

Jiang Zhixun often told Shen Qingqing not to make a fuss, yet when she truly stopped "making a fuss," it unsettled him even more.

He decided to call home again.

If he didn’t act soon to talk some sense into Shen Qingqing, she might really go through with the divorce!

It was only at this moment that Jiang Zhixun realized—regardless of whether he had romantic feelings for Shen Qingqing—over these three years, he had already accepted the reality.

He had already come to see Shen Qingqing as his wife.

Each time he heard the word "partner" or "spouse," the first image that came to mind was Shen Qingqing.

So, there was no way he would agree to divorce!

Their issues hadn’t yet reached an irreconcilable stage.

If they casually dissolved their marriage, that would truly be irresponsible.

Feeling the stares of those around him, though their gazes weren’t malicious, Jiang Zhixun still felt uncomfortable.

Then he thought of how, when Shen Qingqing had lived in the Jiang Family compound,

she must have endured those judgmental stares every single day.

Suddenly, Jiang Zhixun felt like he couldn’t breathe.

She had always been sensitive—who knew how many times she might have silently wept in private?

Still waiting on a reply from his friend, Jiang Zhixun couldn’t sit still any longer.

He decided to pick up the phone for an update.

Only by sorting out Shen Qingqing’s affairs in Beijing could he figure out how to start,

to make her give up entirely on the idea of divorce.

Three years of avoidance had been his fault.

Jiang Zhixun owned up to it.

But if Shen Qingqing thought she could just walk away scot-free, she was dreaming!