After Escaping Marriage - Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Bang!
The door flew open.
Silence fell over the office.
The woman was gripping Yu Qingtang's arm, trying to reach the girl behind her, while Yu Qingtang firmly shielded her student.
Another female teacher was trying to intervene, but the woman was a formidable opponent, and the teacher had also been scratched in the process.
Everyone stopped and looked towards the doorway.
A tall figure stood silhouetted against the light, her features obscured.
Cheng Zhanxi strode into the office.
Yu Qingtang opened her mouth to speak, but Cheng Zhanxi cut her off, turning to glare at the woman. Despite wearing flat white sneakers, she projected an aura of towering height and power, her gaze condescending as she surveyed the woman from head to toe. "Who are you?" she demanded, her voice dripping with disdain. "Causing a scene at school? Have you no manners?"
Yu Qingtang: "..."
She mouthed something to the other teacher, who quietly slipped out of the office to inform the head of the year level.
The woman, still gripping Yu Qingtang's arm, looked at the hostile Cheng Zhanxi with confusion.
"Who are you?" she asked.
Cheng Zhanxi positioned herself protectively in front of both Yu Qingtang and Yu Zhou, her 173cm height giving her a clear advantage as she looked down at the woman. "I'm Yu Zhou's older sister," she said coldly. "You think you can bully my little sister and get away with it?!"
The woman: "Weren't her parents supposed to be unavailable?"
"So you take advantage of a young girl?" Cheng Zhanxi turned to Yu Zhou, her voice softening. "Don't worry, Zhouzhou. Jiejie is here."
She exchanged a look with Yu Qingtang.
Cheng Zhanxi: I'll handle this.
Yu Qingtang frowned: But...
Cheng Zhanxi's gaze was firm and unwavering: No buts. Leave it to me.
Their silent communication ended.
Yu Qingtang put an arm around Yu Zhou's shoulders and stepped back.
Cheng Zhanxi glared at the woman. "What did you just call my sister?" she demanded, her voice dark.
The woman instinctively flinched, but seeing that Cheng Zhanxi was just a young woman, she relied on her age and seniority, scoffing. "Your sister seduced my son," she repeated.
Cheng Zhanxi: "Huh?" as if she hadn't heard clearly.
The woman repeated herself.
Cheng Zhanxi's expression turned to mock understanding. "Oh, you were speaking. I thought I just heard a dog barking. Would you mind repeating that?"
Yu Zhou almost burst out laughing.
She looked up and saw the corners of Yu Qingtang's eyes crinkle slightly.
The woman's face darkened.
"Are you calling me a dog?"
"If you bark in public, you should be prepared to be called a dog. Consider yourself lucky I'm not hitting you with a stick," Cheng Zhanxi said sweetly. "Consider this a free lesson. Next time, I'll charge you."
She glanced at the boy standing behind his mother. Whether it was his mother berating Yu Zhou or Cheng Zhanxi insulting her, the boy remained silent, his head bowed, hiding behind his mother.
"You—" The woman, enraged, swung her handbag at Cheng Zhanxi.
Cheng Zhanxi, prepared for this, knew how to deal with this kind of shrew – be even more aggressive.
She snatched the handbag and tossed it onto a nearby desk.
The woman flew into a rage. "Your sister learned how to seduce people at such a young age! You're no better! Dressed like a floozy! A homewrecking hussy!"
Cheng Zhanxi raised an eyebrow. "Oh, so your husband is cheating on you?"
This struck a nerve. The woman shrieked and lunged at Cheng Zhanxi, seemingly intent on fighting her to the death.
Seeing the situation escalating, Yu Qingtang started to intervene, but Cheng Zhanxi quickly dodged and ran, circling around the office.
The office wasn't divided into cubicles; instead, it was furnished with large wooden desks. Young and athletic, Cheng Zhanxi easily evaded the woman while calling out to the boy, "Hey, you! This whole thing started because of you! Why don't you step up and explain yourself?!"
Cheng Zhanxi, having grown up in a privileged environment surrounded by elegant and refined people, had never encountered such a shrew. But not having witnessed it firsthand didn't mean she was unaware of such behavior.
There was a certain type of woman in this world, blind to male oppression, who directed all their anger at other women, especially those more vulnerable. Their husbands cheated on them, and instead of confronting their husbands, they fought with the mistresses, tearing each other apart. And if they had sons, it was even worse. As if their sons had inherited the throne, they were the best, the most exceptional, no one was good enough for them, and if their sons liked someone, it was the other person's fault for seducing them!
They should take a good look in the mirror. What made their sons so special? Did they even deserve such adoration?
Under normal circumstances, Cheng Zhanxi would have ripped into both mother and son.
But as a teacher, an educator, she had to be mindful of the student's feelings and protect his mental well-being, so she refrained from being too harsh.
The woman, panting, chased after Cheng Zhanxi, hurling insults at her.
Hussy, slut, and every other derogatory term she could think of.
The scene was chaotic.
Cheng Zhanxi ignored her, continuing to address the boy. "Are you just going to let your mother make a fool of herself? Have you considered Yu Zhou's feelings? What did she do to deserve this? Is this what you call liking someone?"
"Are you at school only to learn academic knowledge? You should also learn how to be a responsible person! This whole thing started because of you. Listen to how your mother is insulting Yu Zhou, insulting me! Don't you feel any guilt? Doesn't your conscience bother you?!"
With every word she spoke, the boy's head lowered further.
"How many times has this happened before? It's not too late to step up and do the right thing!"
The boy clenched his fists, the veins in his hands bulging. He suddenly looked up and yelled, "Enough!" His voice softening, he pleaded with his mother, "Mom, please, just stop."
The woman snapped, "Shut up!"
Tears streaming down his face, the boy walked towards Yu Qingtang. "I'm sorry, Ms. Yu," he said. He looked at Yu Zhou, not addressing her by name, but choking back a sob, he apologized again.
"Ms. Yu, I was the one who wrote Yu Zhou the love letter. She did nothing wrong. I told my mom, but she wouldn't listen. She came to the school to confront you." Wiping his eyes, he bowed. "I'm sorry. I'll try to persuade her to leave."
The woman, almost hysterical, grabbed her son's arm.
"What are you saying?! You ungrateful wretch! I came here to defend you, and you're siding with outsiders! I raised you for nothing!"
"Your father sided with that mistress, and now you—"
"Why did I have to give birth to such a useless son?!"
Her face contorted with rage, she pinched his arm hard.
The boy didn't flinch or speak, his brows furrowed in pain.
Overbearing mothers often raised weak sons. Growing up under the constant pressure of a dominant mother could negatively impact a child's mental health and hinder their personal development. Watching the boy endure his mother's abuse without resistance, Cheng Zhanxi felt a pang of sympathy for him.
Just then, the teacher who had left earlier returned with the head of the year level, putting an end to the absurd drama.
The woman left with her son, her scolding voice echoing down the hallway.
With the matter resolved, Yu Qingtang looked at Cheng Zhanxi, who had played a crucial role in diffusing the situation. Cheng Zhanxi, her mood still slightly somber from witnessing the boy's plight, met Yu Qingtang's gaze, the dark clouds instantly dissipating as a bright smile bloomed on her face. She even made a heart shape with her fingers, pressing it to her chest.
Her composed and dignified image instantly crumbled.
Yu Qingtang: "..."
She turned away, suppressing a smile.
A warmth spread across her shoulder. Yu Qingtang looked down to see Yu Zhou, her face buried in Yu Qingtang's shoulder, crying uncontrollably, still shaken from the ordeal.
Yu Zhou wasn't in any state to return to class.
Cheng Zhanxi suggested, "Why don't I take her out for something to eat?"
Yu Qingtang: "I'll come with you."
"No," Cheng Zhanxi said, pointing to Yu Qingtang's arm. "You need to go to the infirmary first and get those scratches treated."
Yu Qingtang glanced down at her arm, pulling her sleeve down. "It's fine. It'll heal on its own in a few days," she said dismissively.
"It'll leave scars."
"I don't mind."
Yu Qingtang took a sip of water from her thermos and walked towards the door. After a few steps, noticing neither Cheng Zhanxi nor Yu Zhou had followed, she turned around to see them standing still, Cheng Zhanxi's expression displeased. "Are you going to the infirmary or not?" Cheng Zhanxi asked.
Yu Qingtang felt a surge of annoyance. She wanted to retort, "What's it to you?" but with Yu Zhou present, she held back, her displeasure evident only in her eyes.
Cheng Zhanxi immediately changed tactics, her voice tinged with mock distress. "If you don't go, I'm going to cry."
Yu Qingtang: "???"
"I'm serious. I'm going to cry." Cheng Zhanxi started counting down. "Three, two..."
She had a friend who was an actress. Cheng Zhanxi, always interested in learning new things, had once asked her how to cry on cue. While she couldn't manage it in one second, she could bring tears to her eyes within three.
Yu Qingtang: "...I'll go later."
Cheng Zhanxi wasn't satisfied. "Go now. I'll go with you." She had changed her mind. She didn't think Yu Qingtang would actually go to the infirmary otherwise.
Yu Qingtang: "No!"
They engaged in another silent conversation with their eyes.
Cheng Zhanxi: Why not?
Yu Qingtang glanced at Yu Zhou: The student comes first.
Cheng Zhanxi: I don't care! You still need to go to the infirmary!
Yu Qingtang: ...
Yu Zhou, watching the silent exchange between her teachers, their eyes locked in a battle of wills, forgot her earlier distress, now completely engrossed in the unfolding drama.
Finally, Yu Qingtang relented. "Let's take Yu Zhou for something to eat first. Then you can accompany me to the infirmary."
Cheng Zhanxi beamed.
There was a dessert shop near the school. Young girls usually liked sweet treats.
Cheng Zhanxi held Yu Zhou's hand as they walked towards the shop, gently asking what she liked to eat, promising to buy it for her. Yu Qingtang, dressed in her usual black attire, walked on Yu Zhou's other side. Yu Zhou, looking from one to the other, felt like she was a child again, back when her father was still alive, and they would happily go out shopping together as a family.
She lowered her head, blinking back tears.
The dessert shop was empty during school hours. Yu Zhou and Yu Qingtang found a table and sat down while Cheng Zhanxi went to the counter to order.
She ordered a coconut sago pudding for Yu Zhou and a ginger milk curd for herself. Turning around, she called out to Yu Qingtang, "Ms. Yu, what would you like?"
Yu Qingtang: "I'm not hungry."
Cheng Zhanxi thought for a moment, then said to the cashier, "One more ginger milk curd, please."
The cashier repeated the order. "Okay, two ginger milk curds and one coconut sago pudding. Please wait a moment."
Cheng Zhanxi took the receipt and returned to the table, waiting with them.
Yu Zhou's pudding arrived first. She picked up a spoon but hesitated, wanting to wait for the teachers. After Cheng Zhanxi urged her several times, she finally took a small bite.
"Two ginger milk curds," the server said, placing the desserts in front of Cheng Zhanxi and Yu Qingtang.
Cheng Zhanxi took two small porcelain spoons and handed one to Yu Qingtang. "You treated me to a donkey meat sandwich last time, so I'm treating you to dessert today. This is really good. Try it," she said with a smile.
Yu Qingtang took the spoon. Cheng Zhanxi had already taken a bite, closing her eyes in enjoyment.
Yu Qingtang: "..."
Why did watching her eat make her suddenly feel hungry?
Yu Qingtang rolled up her sleeves and carefully scooped up half a spoonful of the ginger-infused milk curd, slowly bringing it to her mouth.
The texture was smooth and velvety, melting instantly on her tongue. The rich aroma of ginger and milk exploded on her taste buds, refreshing and flavorful.
She rarely ate desserts, so the taste was both unfamiliar and strangely nostalgic, triggering a long-forgotten memory.
A scorching summer day, the sun blazing overhead, cicadas buzzing incessantly in the trees, dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves.
Two girls stood facing each other under a tree. One of them carefully took out a white porcelain bowl she had been protecting all the way and handed it to the other, thinner girl. "This is ginger milk curd," she said in a sweet, childish voice. "My grandma made it. She said it prevents heatstroke. Here, have some."
Short skit:
Yu Qingtang: What do you want to eat?
Cheng Zhanxi: Ginger milk curd.
Yu Qingtang: Remove the first two words.
Cheng Zhanxi: ...Milk?
Yu Qingtang (undressing): Here, have some.
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