Volume One, Chapter 8: I'll Divorce You Once I Find a Job

When she finally picked up the pen, Shen Qingran froze.

She had written countless medical records and prescriptions before, but how exactly was one supposed to write a letter of guarantee?

At that moment, Shen Qingran found herself somewhat longing for the assistance of Baidu.

After pondering for a long while, she began to write in her notebook.

Time ticked by, second after second.

After a while, a sudden pattering sound came from outside, raining against the car window.

Only then did Shen Qingran set down her pen.

She looked up at the unexpected downpour outside the window.

Lost in thought, she didn’t know what she was contemplating.

Soon, a layer of mist formed on the glass.

Shen Qingran stood up and stretched her stiff neck.

She reached out and drew a smiley face on the fogged window.

There was nothing she couldn’t get through.

Turning back to the letter of guarantee on the bed, Shen Qingran searched for Huo Tingxiao’s figure.

At the end of the corridor outside the private room, she spotted him immediately—Huo Tingxiao stood out strikingly.

His sharp features, upright posture, and commanding presence made him impossible to ignore.

By coincidence—or fate—Huo Tingxiao happened to glance in her direction.

Their gazes met from a distance; not surprisingly, Shen Qingran locked eyes with his deep, unfathomable ones.

She let out a long breath of relief.

The strands of hair at her temples fluttered gently.

She quickened her pace toward him.

Several bystanders instinctively followed her with their eyes as the beautiful woman approached.

Shen Qingran remained unmoved and stood directly before Huo Tingxiao.

“Huo Tingxiao, we need to talk.”

She calmly stated her purpose, though he refused to look at her.

“I have something to discuss with you; it won’t take long.”

The man’s long fingers tapped quietly on the windowsill, as if lost in thought.

Seeing he remained unmoved, Shen Qingran lowered her voice.

“If you want to talk here, that’s fine too.”

Finally, he turned his head, his eyes scanning her face deeply.

He said simply, “We’ll talk back at the house.”

Shen Qingran’s tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly.

She turned and headed toward the sleeping compartment.

Inside, Huo Tingxiao stood rigidly at the doorway, his shirt buttoned up to the very top.

His expression was stern, unmistakably cold and unyielding.

As she studied him, Huo Tingxiao appraised her in return.

Shen Qingran stood backlit, her delicate features radiant, her fair skin glowing with a rosy hue.

Her light-colored dress accentuated her graceful figure.

Though slender, she was shapely in all the right places.

Their eyes met; his gaze was imposing.

Instinctively, she averted her eyes and lowered her head.

Under the soft lighting, their shadows stretched long.

Their silhouettes intertwined with a strange and subtle intimacy.

“What do you want to say?”

She heard his cold voice and took out the letter of guarantee.

With both hands, she offered it to him.

Huo Tingxiao looked down at the document, uncertain of its contents before accepting it.

Reading the bold title “Letter of Guarantee,” a flicker of surprise crossed his face.

The letter was brief, only a few hundred words.

Her handwriting was as refined and delicate as her appearance.

Each stroke carried a gentle tenderness.

Unexpectedly, this woman could write such exquisite characters.

Huo Tingxiao’s expression remained impassive, his sharp eyes scanning the general content.

As he said nothing, Shen Qingran felt uncertain.

“Say something,” she thought.

Finally, she chose to speak.

“Huo Tingxiao, everything I wrote is true. I’m not lying.”

She looked at him, sensing his disbelief.

She continued, “I know you didn’t marry me willingly. I accept what’s happened in the past and won’t argue.”

“I’m grateful you married me, but I won’t hold onto you. Once I reach the military district, I’ll find a job as soon as possible. When I can support myself, I’ll initiate the divorce. You can rest assured.”

Huo Tingxiao regarded her coldly. If she truly had that kind of integrity, why would she have resorted to poisoning him in the first place?

Words from a morally corrupt person held little weight.

He supposed that because he threatened her yesterday, she was afraid.

Afraid that he would send her back and ruin her plans for a better life.

But regrettably, he would never let her schemes succeed.

He only married her because he had touched her body and had to take responsibility. Beyond that, he was incapable.

Huo Tingxiao met her bright eyes, the mocking curl at his brow impossible to hide.

Yet he was too weary to argue, coldly saying, “Noted.”

Shen Qingran watched his icy demeanor and stiff tone.

She said, “Keep this. If I fail to fulfill it, you can publish it in the newspaper.”

Huo Tingxiao didn’t expect her to say that.

She glanced at him once more, then turned and left.

In the sleeping compartment, Shen Qingran sat quietly.

Raising her eyes, she watched the raindrops slip down the window one by one, disappearing.

She knew Huo Tingxiao still didn’t believe her.

But she had spoken and acted; now, all she could do was prove herself through her actions.

Sometimes, no matter how many times you insist, those who don’t believe you never will.

So be it. First, she would arrive in Ningshi and take it from there.

Bored and restless, Shen Qingran began to plan her future.

Her best skill from her past life was her medical expertise; this life, she would rely on that craft to survive.

Fortunately, her late grandfather was a village doctor, so she could manage somehow.

Western medicine, however, she would have to keep under wraps.

As she thought this, night fell again.

Xiao Sun mentioned they would arrive at Ningshi’s train station early the next morning.

Shen Qingran felt a pang of worry—would she sleepwalk again tonight?

In the end, she steeled herself and went to find Xiao Sun, finally locating him near the crew’s lounge.

“Sister-in-law, what brings you here?”

She waved quietly, whispering, “Comrade Xiao Sun, I need a favor. Can you find me some ropes?”

“Why? What for?”

Feeling embarrassed, she admitted, “I’m afraid I’ll wander off again tonight.”

Xiao Sun understood immediately. “No problem. I’ll get them for you.”

Before bedtime, Xiao Sun reliably delivered the ropes.

“Sister-in-law, here you go.”

Looking at the lengths of rope, Shen Qingran bit her lip.

“Comrade Xiao Sun, could you please tie my hands?”

Xiao Sun hesitated, conflicted.

“Sister-in-law, isn’t that a bit extreme?”

“There’s nothing wrong with it. Please, I’m counting on you.”

She pressed the ropes into his hands.

As they fumbled between them, a cold voice suddenly sounded.

“What are you doing?”