After Divorce: Why My Aloof Ex Starts Chasing Me?-Chapter 230 New Year’s Gift

The New Year arrived as expected.

This was Shen Qingqing’s first New Year after returning to the country, and also her first year of reconciliation with Jiang Zhixun.

The Jiang Family placed a lot of importance on it.

The New Year’s Eve dinner was lavish, not to mention they gave Shen Qingqing a thick red envelope. ƒrēenovelkiss.com

The old man brought out his cherished wine. Shen Qingqing forbade Jiang Zhixun from drinking, but she had a little herself.

Being controlled by his wife, this feeling was quite wonderful, Jiang Zhixun really liked it.

While sipping soda, he reminded Shen Qingqing to drink less, as it would give her a headache if she got drunk.

The way he nagged, the elders felt they couldn’t bear to watch.

Madam Jiang said, "She doesn’t have to go to work, being drunk she can just sleep at home. Don’t make a fuss."

As for not letting their son drink, it was because he had been sick before, and everything, including food and drink, needed to be watched carefully.

Soon, he was supposed to have a body assessment; nothing untoward should happen.

Jiang Zhixun had seen Shen Qingqing drunk before.

She would have a headache and feel out of sorts.

He didn’t want her to experience it a second time.

As a result, after Shen Qingqing had just two sips, Jiang Zhixun poured the rest out.

This earned him a glare from the old man, "You only know how to make trouble!"

Jiang Zhixun remained unfazed and moved his homemade Eight Treasures Rice in front of Shen Qingqing.

"See how I did, if it needs improvement, I’ll make it again tomorrow."

Jiang Zhixun followed the steps closely, it looked good, but the taste was yet to be determined.

Shen Qingqing took a bite, it was soft, glutinous, and sweet, with generous ingredients, "Delicious."

"Let me try it too."

Madam Jiang scooped a spoonful for herself and tasted it meticulously, "It’s more to my liking than what we ate in Shanghai."

Jiang Zhixun, looking proud, said, "Qingqing improved it a bit, using more ingredients."

Although Shen Qingqing was born in Shanghai, she had also spent a long time in Beijing, and could accept cuisines from both places.

In order to let the family eat more, she specially improved it a bit.

The old man and Father Jiang also tried some. The father and son didn’t like sweet dishes, but they gave Jiang Zhixun and Shen Qingqing face.

"Not bad!"

Five people, each having a bit, it was just enough to eat without being too greasy.

The Eight Treasures Rice was made by Jiang Zhixun, Shen Qingqing fried a small bowl of meatballs, and all the rest was made by Madam Jiang, fearing they didn’t have enough experience to handle the New Year’s Eve dinner well.

Dumplings, steamed pork with rice flour, braised fish, sweet and sour ribs, meat jelly... all were Shen Qingqing’s favorites.

"The past few years you weren’t home, you probably didn’t get to eat hometown dishes during the New Year, so you’ll have to eat more this year."

Father Jiang gave her a glance, "Let’s not bring up sad things when everything’s going well."

Madam Jiang huffed, "Qingqing studying and advancing abroad was a good thing, what’s sad about that?"

Father Jiang: "During holidays, wouldn’t she have missed us?"

Madam Jiang paused, "That is quite sad indeed."

Shen Qingqing had been back for half a year, having long left the unpleasant things behind.

Just like Madam Jiang said, her going abroad cured her illnesses, furthered her education and improved herself, which was a good thing!

Putting down her chopsticks, she took out the New Year gifts she prepared.

Each of the three elders received a share.

They were handmade crafts and tea sets bought in Shanghai.

Madam Jiang was surprised, "When did you buy these? I didn’t even know."

Shen Qingqing: "Just when I first got to Shanghai, went shopping with colleagues, saw them and liked them."

Jiang Zhixun asked her, "Where’s mine?"

Shen Qingqing, with empty hands, "There’s none."

After glancing at her several times, confirming she wasn’t lying, Jiang Zhixun felt a bit sour in his heart.

Either don’t give gifts at all or give to everyone.

Leaving him out deliberately, wasn’t this bullying?

The more he thought, the sadder he felt.

He pondered over how he could be compensated to heal his wounded heart.

The man’s eyes were calm, yet carried an indescribable nuance.

Shen Qingqing touched her neck, feeling that Jiang Zhixun’s gaze was too resentful, making her a little uneasy.

Could it be that he was up to some mischief?

Madam Jiang chided her son, "Qingqing is your partner, you should be the one giving her gifts."

"Hmm."

Jiang Zhixun retracted his gaze, eating silently.

His expression was calm, as if nothing had happened.

Shen Qingqing was puzzled, not knowing what he meant.

She looked to Madam Jiang.

Madam Jiang shrugged, there’s a saying, knowing your child best is the mother.

But often, she truly didn’t know what the rascal was thinking.

This small interlude was soon forgotten.

The meal ended only when night fell.

The sound of firecrackers was heard everywhere, the new year had arrived!

Jiang Zhixun handed Shen Qingqing a small box, "New Year gift."

"What’s this?" Shen Qingqing was a little curious, a bit expectant.

She didn’t expect Jiang Zhixun to prepare this.

Jiang Zhixun smiled, sitting next to Shen Qingqing on the sofa, his arm resting on the back, enclosing her within an easy reach.

"Open it and you’ll see."

Shen Qingqing shook it gently, feeling there was a notebook inside, "Can I open it?"

"Yeah."

Opening the box, the first thing that caught her eye was an old, yellowing photo.

A young woman was holding a child about a year old in her arms, standing next to a slightly shy young girl.

It was Shu Xian.

It was clear who the pair in the photo were, without need for words.

Shen Qingqing retracted the smile on her face, her red lips pursed slightly, eyelashes lowered, hiding her emotions.

Jiang Zhixun became tense in an instant, withdrawing his casual demeanor, and wrapped his long arms around Shen Qingqing.

"Not happy?"

Shen Qingqing shook her head, "Just a bit surprised."

No need to ask, she knew where this came from.

She didn’t want to be threatened, so she said she didn’t want the photos, leaving them to Shu Xian to deal with as she pleased.

She hadn’t expected Jiang Zhixun to retrieve them.

There were two photos, the other one had more people, many relatives were there, with Shen Qingqing’s family of three in the center being surrounded.

She was about three or four years old, being held by her father, with her small hand gently held by her mother, two little pigtail tops on her head, smiling adorably.

Everyone was smiling.

What a harmonious and joyful scene.

Besides the photos, there was an old-looking notebook, the pages had yellowed over time.

This should be the diary Shu Xian had mentioned.

There was also a passbook, which Shen Qingqing had left behind originally.

Back then, she didn’t want to spend Jiang Zhixun’s money, not a penny.

Jiang Zhixun thought that one day he’d give the passbook back to Shen Qingqing.

Today, another thing he wanted to do was achieved.

Shen Qingqing accepted the passbook.

Looking at the photos closely, her face devoid of any smile.

Jiang Zhixun said, "If you don’t like them, just cut them out."

Saying that, he was about to get a pair of scissors for Shen Qingqing.

Shen Qingqing’s melancholy swiftly dissipated, she held Jiang Zhixun’s hand, feeling amused yet helpless.

"If I cut it, the photo would be ruined too."

Jiang Zhixun: "Then I’ll get you some markers, you can paint over them or draw something fun."

Then he said, "You’re great at painting, why don’t you draw a new one? Just add me in too."

Shen Qingqing: "I’ve never seen you as a child."

"Shall I get the album for you?"

Jiang Zhixun recalled having photos taken when he was a child, there should be an album at home with all those pictures.

Shen Qingqing was intrigued, "I’ll wait for you."

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