After the divorce, Shen Qingchen's world seemed to fall into endless darkness. The life that was once full of vitality and color has now become dull and dull. Every night is a torment for him.
He lay alone on the large bed he had once shared with Jiang Zhi, the silence around him seeming to engulf him. Every corner of the room seemed to still hold the scent of Jiang Zhi, a memory that brought him both warmth and immense pain. Jiang Zhi's face involuntarily surfaced in his mind: those beautiful eyes, that sweet smile, once the brightest sunshine in his life.
He recalled every moment they had spent together, and those sweet moments now felt like sharp thorns, piercing his heart. They'd strolled along the beach, the breeze gently caressing his face, Jiang Zhi's laughter echoing in the wind. It was one of the best times in his life. They'd cooked together in the kitchen, Jiang Zhi's frantic yet enthusiastic manner making him laugh. The two of them filled the small kitchen with laughter. Those simple, happy moments had now become the most precious, yet painful, memories in his heart.
He knew his decision had hurt Jiang Zhi, and to protect her, he had to file for divorce against his will. It was the hardest decision of his life. He thought he could endure it, that time would slowly heal his pain, but he was wrong. This painful longing followed him like a shadow, keeping him awake at night. Every night, he tossed and turned, his heart filled with longing for Jiang Zhi and guilt.
He often sat alone by the window late at night, looking at the starry sky outside, crying silently. He missed Jiang Zhi's gentleness, kindness and strength, and the sense of security she felt when she was by his side. He regretted his decision, regretted not protecting Jiang Zhi better, and regretted that she had suffered so much harm.
During the day, he tried to numb himself with work. He threw himself into the company's affairs, working furiously, hoping that the busyness would temporarily make him forget the pain in his heart. However, whenever he had a break from work, Jiang Zhi's figure would once again appear in his mind. He would recall the scenes when they discussed work together. Jiang Zhi always gave him some unique insights and advice, and he admired her intelligence and keen insight.
He became withdrawn, no longer as cheerful and cheerful with his colleagues as before. A heavy weight seemed to weigh on his heart, suffocating him. His friends noticed the change and expressed concern for him, but he simply smiled faintly and said nothing. He knew no one could truly understand the pain he felt, and he bore it silently alone.
During a company meeting, he lost his focus. His gaze involuntarily fell to a corner of the conference room, where Jiang Zhi used to sit. He seemed to see Jiang Zhi sitting there, smiling at him, offering encouragement and support. When his colleagues called his name, he came to his senses and realized he had lost his composure. He quickly apologized and tried to focus on the meeting, but the pain in his heart only grew stronger.
Returning home, he looked at the empty room, his heart filled with loneliness and solitude. He began to recall the time they had spent together decorating this home, every detail vividly in his mind. They had chosen furniture together, decorated the room together, and every corner was filled with their love and memories. Now, this home had become so deserted. Without Jiang Zhi, everything had lost its meaning.
He walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator, which still contained Jiang Zhi's favorite drinks and favorite foods. He used to always prepare these for her, and seeing her happily enjoying them filled his heart with happiness. Now, these foods made him feel a pang of sadness. He picked up a bottle of Jiang Zhi's favorite drink, gently unscrewed the cap, and took a sip. The familiar taste spread in his mouth, but it no longer had the sweetness it once had.
He walked into the living room, sat on the sofa, picked up the remote, and turned on the TV. A romantic love movie was playing. They used to cuddle on the sofa together, watching movies and sharing their feelings and thoughts. Now, he watched the movie alone, his heart filled with bitterness. The hero and heroine in the movie finally got together after overcoming many difficulties. Their happiness made Shen Qingchen miss Jiang Zhi even more. He wished so much that he could be with Jiang Zhi again and find the happiness they once had.
He picked up his phone and flipped through their old photos and chat logs. In the photos, Jiang Zhi's smile was brilliant and beautiful. Every moment they spent together was captured, becoming the most precious memory in his heart. The chat logs were filled with their love and care, but those warm words now tore at his heart. As he read, tears welled up in his eyes again. He wanted so badly to call Jiang Zhi, to hear her voice, to tell her how much he missed her and loved her. But he knew he couldn't do that. He couldn't bring Jiang Zhi any more harm.
Days passed, but Shen Qingchen's pain didn't ease at all. He began to try to go to some of the places they had been together before, hoping to find some comfort there. He went to the restaurant where they had their first date, sat in the same seat they had sat in before, and ordered a dinner they had eaten together before. The restaurant's environment hadn't changed, and the taste of the food hadn't changed, but Jiang Zhi was no longer by his side. As he ate, tears flowed down his face. Everyone around him looked at him strangely, but he didn't care. He was immersed in his own memories and pain, unable to extricate himself.
He went back to the park they had once visited together, walking along the path they had once walked. The flowers in the park were in full bloom, the sun was shining brightly, but his heart was filled with a haze. He remembered how they had once walked hand in hand here, admiring the beautiful scenery together and talking about their dreams for the future. Now, everything had changed, and his dreams had been shattered by the loss of Jiang Zhi.
He sat down on a park bench, quietly observing everything around him. Children played and laughed on the grass, elderly people strolled leisurely, and couples strolled hand in hand among the flowers. These scenes, which once filled him with warmth and happiness, now made him feel extremely lonely and lost. He wished he could be like them, enjoying this wonderful time with Jiang Zhi.
At night, he returned home again, lay on the bed, and stared at the ceiling, his heart filled with helplessness and pain. He knew that he had to face reality and find a way to ease the pain in his heart. He decided to start secretly paying attention to Jiang Zhi's life. He wanted to know if she was doing well and whether she missed him as much as he did.
The author has something to say:
This chapter focuses on Shen Qingchen's post-divorce pain and his longing for Jiang Zhi. Through descriptions of his inner world, life details, and memories, the author reveals the loneliness and pain he feels after losing Jiang Zhi. I hope readers will be able to sense Shen Qingchen's emotional transformation through these descriptions, laying the foundation for the subsequent story. I also hope that through this chapter, readers will gain a deeper understanding of the character Shen Qingchen and the deep bond between him and Jiang Zhi.
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