After Divorce: Why My Aloof Ex Starts Chasing Me?-Chapter 60 You’re Hiding Something From Me

Shen Qingqing’s luggage was all at the hospital; Jiang Zhixun, being a man, didn’t have much to pack either.

Without wasting time, the same day Shen Qingqing was discharged, the two drove to the county train station.

To make sure Shen Qingqing could rest well, they bought sleeper tickets.

As the New Year approached, the station was bustling with people traveling north and south.

Shen Qingqing’s arm was fixed in place, suspended with a sling around her neck. She walked ahead, empty-handed.

Jiang Zhixun followed close behind, carrying the luggage.

Afraid someone might bump into Shen Qingqing, Jiang Zhixun kept her protected in front of him the entire way.

Using his own body, he managed to shield Shen Qingqing from the crowd.

Jiang Zhixun, dressed in a military green overcoat, stood tall with striking features. He stood out conspicuously in the crowd.

Passersby would glance at him, naturally noticing the woman beside him with her arm immobilized, clearly gravely injured.

Those who observed the situation naturally gave them space.

No one wanted to risk bumping into the injured and causing trouble.

Even so, Jiang Zhixun remained vigilant and kept Shen Qingqing safely within his range.

It was only once they entered the train car that Jiang Zhixun finally let out a breath of relief.

The train tickets Jiang Zhixun bought were for two spots in a set of upper and lower bunks.

With Shen Qingqing injured and unable to climb the ladder, it was clear she would take the lower bunk.

Each small compartment had six berths. With New Year’s travel underway, all the bunks were occupied.

Jiang Zhixun, being adaptable, didn’t mind sleeping in the upper bunk. Even sitting through days in a hard seat wouldn’t faze him.

But this arrangement meant he couldn’t keep Shen Qingqing in his direct line of sight at all times.

The train was full of all sorts of people, and Shen Qingqing had run into trouble with a troublemaker the last time she traveled to the Northwest.

Jiang Zhixun had already made up his mind—this time, he would keep Shen Qingqing firmly under his watch.

Even if she went to the restroom, he planned to stand guard at the door so she wouldn’t risk being harassed.

To better care for Shen Qingqing, Jiang Zhixun decided to swap places with the man occupying the lower bunk opposite her.

The lower bunk was more convenient; one could sit when not sleeping.

The middle and upper bunks, being cramped, were inconvenient for movement, let alone relaxation.

Initially, the man was unwilling. Only after Jiang Zhixun presented him with a food coupon did he cheerfully agree to exchange their spots.

After settling their luggage, Jiang Zhixun took out the book Shen Qingqing wanted to read and laid out some snacks for her.

"Sit tight. I’m going to fetch some water."

In the past, Shen Qingqing might have been moved by Jiang Zhixun’s thoughtfulness.

But now, she only found it irritating.

Whatever he wanted to do was his own business. He didn’t need to report everything to her.

Similarly, whatever she needed she would get herself—there was no need for Jiang Zhixun to arrange everything for her.

Noticing Shen Qingqing’s impatience, Jiang Zhixun refrained from saying anything further, mindful of the other passengers present. Still, a pang of pain struck his heart.

Shen Qingqing had come to the compound at the age of fifteen, and in the years that followed, they had gotten along reasonably well.

Even if they were about to divorce, there wasn’t any need for her to treat him like a stranger, was there?

Jiang Zhixun felt wronged but knew this was all his own doing.

He didn’t even have the right to blame Shen Qingqing.

Jiang Zhixun wasn’t the type to beg or grovel, nor could he resort to pestering Shen Qingqing endlessly.

Even though deep down, he truly didn’t want the divorce.

Biting his thin lips, he ultimately said nothing, taking the cup and kettle out of the cabin.

Without Jiang Zhixun’s commanding presence, Shen Qingqing finally relaxed.

She adjusted the sling supporting her left arm and stared blankly out the window at the retreating landscape.

After a while, she absentmindedly reached into her coat pocket but couldn’t find her small notebook.

It was only then she remembered that it had gone missing ever since she was brought out of the operating room.

She wasn’t sure whether she had lost it at the car accident scene.

Or whether Jiang Zhixun had found it while washing her clothes and taken it out.

If it was the former, then so be it. Losing it wasn’t a big deal.

While the notes inside contained various minor things, their most important purpose was to remind herself to go through with the divorce.

Now the divorce application had already been approved; all that remained was to return to Beijing and finalize the divorce certificate.

If it was the latter, and Jiang Zhixun had seen what he wasn’t supposed to see, things could become troublesome.

Shen Qingqing didn’t want Jiang Zhixun to know about her illness. Although paper couldn’t wrap up fire, she wanted to delay the revelation as much as possible.

At least until the proceedings were finished.

She still held to the same thought—she didn’t want Jiang Zhixun’s pity.

Nor did she want to use her illness to trap Jiang Zhixun by her side.

That would be a form of "oppression" toward him.

And an unbearable torment for herself.

In three years, she had seen clearly just how laughable this marriage was.

No matter how exceptional Jiang Zhixun was, he wasn’t the partner she wanted.

As the New Year approached, the train was crowded, and Jiang Zhixun spent a long time in line just to fetch hot water.

These past three years, he had steeped himself in the military camp.

Constantly training or out on missions, he hardly had any personal time and rarely thought about Shen Qingqing.

But now, barely ten minutes away from her, he felt an inexplicable panic—an urgency to return to her side.

Only seeing her would make him feel at ease.

Weaving through the crowded train car, he made his way back to their compartment.

He spotted Shen Qingqing opening the suitcase single-handedly, searching for something inside.

Placing the water on the small table, Jiang Zhixun asked, "What are you looking for? Let me help you get it."

Shen Qingqing didn’t mince words. "My notebook—did you see it?"

Jiang Zhixun took a notebook out of his coat pocket and asked, "Is this it?"

Out of respect, he hadn’t opened it to check its contents.

For her to carry it closely, it must contain something important.

It might even be her journal.

Prying into someone else’s personal journal was something Jiang Zhixun would never do.

He was certain that if he had crossed that line, Shen Qingqing would be very upset.

Possibly even furious.

Worried about losing it, he had tucked it away after washing Shen Qingqing’s clothes that day.

Shen Qingqing snatched it from him, her eyes showing suspicion toward Jiang Zhixun.

"You didn’t peek, did you?"

Caught off guard by her accusation, Jiang Zhixun chuckled bitterly.

Gritting his teeth, he retorted, "Is that really what you think of me?"

Shen Qingqing didn’t respond, simply placing the notebook into her coat pocket.

She sat back on the bed, idly flipping through the book on the table, though her mind wasn’t on it.

Looking down at her from above, Jiang Zhixun stared. "Are you hiding something from me?"

Shen Qingqing replied casually, "You’re overthinking it."

For some reason, Jiang Zhixun couldn’t shake a gut feeling—Shen Qingqing was definitely hiding something from him.

Her life during the three years in Beijing had been simple.

She either visited the publishing house or stayed home, with the occasional trip to the department store.

State-run restaurants, cinemas, parks... She would go alone, though her visits were infrequent.

Most of her time was spent at home.

Her routine was consistent, and her social circle was small.

Aside from colleagues and people from the compound, she had few new acquaintances.

The only thing that carried an unclear undertone was her hospital visits.

That day, when she came out of surgery, she was dazed and confused.

When he asked if it hurt, she said it didn’t.

But when he pressed for other details, her answers became vague.

Qin Wenqiang later called him back.

He said he could only find out that Shen Qingqing had seen a specialist for psychological issues.

When he attempted to dig deeper, he was told it involved patient confidentiality, and the hospital refused to disclose anything further.

Even Qin Wenqiang thought it wouldn’t be appropriate to delve into the matter.

Mental health issues weren’t like physical ailments.

If sensitive information were uncovered, it would be unfair to Shen Qingqing.

In the end, he advised Jiang Zhixun to investigate on his own or confront Shen Qingqing directly.

Mental illness...

Ordinary people might dismiss it, thinking that as long as the body isn’t physically ill, it shouldn’t be considered sickness.

But given Jiang Zhixun’s broad experiences, he couldn’t ignore its importance.

Privately, he’d speculated whether his three years of absence had placed undue stress on Shen Qingqing, causing her to feel mentally drained and seek medical guidance.

Her parents had died in a car accident, leaving her with deep psychological scars.

If she faced additional mental pressure... Despite her appearance of self-reliance, it might easily have overwhelmed her.

Shen Qingqing kept her eyes on the book, yet she could feel Jiang Zhixun’s gaze resting on her.

Time passed, but his stare didn’t waver.

Eventually, Shen Qingqing instinctively lifted her eyes and met his gaze.

In those eyes, she saw guilt.

And an unclear, indescribable trace of tenderness.