After Escaping Marriage - Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Yu Jianxing didn't answer, and Cheng Zhanxi refuted her own question. "No."
Although she had many admirers, not everyone could possibly like her. It was important not to be delusional.
If Yu Qingtang liked her, why would she have acted that way that night? And how did she know Cheng Zhanxi would be at that bar? If she knew, why waste three months? Was it all a charade to make Cheng Zhanxi investigate and discover her feelings?
Even thinking about it made Cheng Zhanxi feel ridiculously narcissistic. Who was she, some kind of deity, to warrant such elaborate machinations? Most importantly, apart from that one encounter at the convenience store, they had never met.
But if Yu Qingtang didn't like her, how could she explain the fact that she chose Cheng Zhanxi out of everyone?
A mysterious appearance, a fleeting encounter, then a mysterious disappearance, leaving an indelible mark on her heart.
Was that meeting at the convenience store a coincidence, or was it premeditated?
A carefully orchestrated plan, or destiny?
Yu Jianxing could tell from Cheng Zhanxi's expression that her mind was racing, but she never would have guessed how complex her thoughts were.
Yu Jianxing scoffed. "Why not? She fell for you at first sight at the convenience store, then secretly investigated you, and waited for you every day at the bar closest to your house, hoping to run into you again. It's perfectly logical."
"I left her my number last night, but she ignored it."
"What if she memorized it secretly?"
"..."
"You don't believe me?"
"It's not that I don't believe you." Cheng Zhanxi smiled. "I just don't think she's that kind of person."
"You've only met her twice. You can't judge a book by its cover."
Cheng Zhanxi just smiled and didn't reply.
Although she'd only met Yu Qingtang twice, she trusted her instincts.
"Playing hard to get, definitely playing hard to get," Yu Jianxing declared confidently. "Just wait. She'll call you soon."
Cheng Zhanxi would normally have dismissed such a notion, but she couldn't help but entertain a flicker of hope.
What if?
If Yu Qingtang did call her, what should she say?
Although not entirely inexperienced in relationships, she couldn't anticipate how Yu Qingtang might behave. Well, she'd cross that bridge when she came to it.
Half a month later, a call from an unknown number was met with indifference. "Hello."
"Luxury apartments, special offer..."
Cheng Zhanxi: "Not interested, thank you." She hung up.
She had indeed been delusional.
She gave a portrait of Yu Qingtang to Yu Jianxing, along with her real name, asking her well-connected friend to keep an eye out.
In mid-August, the Sicheng Art Museum announced a two-month exhibition of Cheng Mo's paintings, causing a stir in the local art scene. Many people came to admire her work.
While not as bustling as the capital or Haishi, Sicheng had a vibrant arts scene, frequently hosting operas, concerts, and exhibitions, which was one of the reasons Cheng Zhanxi had chosen to come there.
News of Cheng Mo's arrival in Sicheng spread through the museum director.
One evening, there was a small dinner gathering for people in the art circle. After some consideration, Cheng Zhanxi accepted the museum director's invitation.
Due to her privileged background, Cheng Zhanxi rarely attended social events for networking purposes, leaving such matters to her assistant. She focused solely on her art, unconcerned with whether her paintings sold, how much they earned, or if anyone criticized her work.
"I'd only heard that Cheng Mo was a talented young artist. I never imagined she was so beautiful," said the vice president of the Sicheng Arts Association, only daring to connect the strikingly beautiful young woman before her with the mysterious artist Cheng Mo after a prompt from the museum director.
Cheng Zhanxi smiled and complimented the vice president on her recent nomination for an art award.
The vice president beamed and welcomed her inside.
Cheng Zhanxi didn't use her real name, a common practice in the art world.
"Cheng Mo, I'd like to propose a toast to you."
Cheng Zhanxi raised her glass, clinking it against the other person's with a smile, and took a small sip.
After the dinner, Cheng Zhanxi declined the association president's offer for further entertainment. Leaving the hotel, she got into Yu Jianxing's car, taking the passenger seat.
"Had too much to drink?"
"No," Cheng Zhanxi replied. "They didn't dare to pressure me."
Yu Jianxing chuckled. "Impressive."
Cheng Zhanxi lowered the window, letting the cool evening breeze into the car.
Yu Jianxing, unable to resist teasing her, asked with a mischievous grin, "So, did Yu Qingtang call you?"
Cheng Zhanxi gave her a helpless look.
Yu Jianxing burst out laughing.
"To think, even our genius artist can be struck down by Cupid's arrow."
Cheng Zhanxi didn't bother arguing, considering it was Yu Jianxing who had insisted Yu Qingtang had a crush on her.
"Any news about her?" Cheng Zhanxi changed the subject.
Yu Jianxing: "Nothing."
Cheng Zhanxi tapped her fingers lightly on the window frame and hummed in response.
A month ago, Cheng Zhanxi had asked Yu Jianxing to have her friends discreetly look for Yu Qingtang. She didn't want to seem like a stalker, so she hadn't used her own connections or resorted to any drastic measures. It was perfectly normal to have no news.
Thinking Cheng Zhanxi was feeling down, Yu Jianxing offered some comfort. "Fate will bring you together if it's meant to be."
Cheng Zhanxi smiled, looking out at the city bathed in silver moonlight.
At the Wei family residence.
"Who's that? Oh, it's the mute coming home."
Wei Shier, still young and having rarely seen Yu Qingtang, asked innocently, "Ninth Sister, is Seventh Sister mute?"
Wei Jiu frowned. "Why do you call every random person 'sister'?"
Wei Shier blinked her large, innocent eyes.
Wei Jiu chuckled. "Yes, she's mute. See, you can call her, but she won't hear you." She looked up and shouted at Yu Qingtang's back, "Hey, little mute!"
Yu Qingtang continued walking, disappearing through the ornate entrance without pausing.
Wei Jiu scoffed, finding it utterly boring. She had even bothered getting out of the car at the entrance for this.
Yu Qingtang had always been like this, quiet and reserved, never speaking, never smiling, never showing anger or joy, always alone in a corner like an emotionless doll. Coupled with her supposed deaf-muteness and the lack of attention she received, the other Wei children often mocked her, knowing she couldn't hear them.
Later, she somehow regained her hearing, but her personality remained unchanged, just as quiet as when everyone thought she was mute.
Wei Jiu got back in the car with Wei Shier, and the black Maybach drove through the gates, speeding past Yu Qingtang.
Wei Jiu looked down at her with disdain from the lowered window.
As expected, she received no reaction. Wei Jiu pursed her lips and rolled up the window.
Wei Shier's small hand pressed against the glass, peering through the tinted window at the unfamiliar Seventh Sister, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"Don't stare," Wei Jiu said, pulling her closer. "I brought you some delicious chocolate from Italy."
Wei Shier clapped her hands. "I want some!"
The car was faster than Yu Qingtang on foot, so she naturally trailed behind Wei Jiu. However, as she neared the main entrance of the house, a figure emerged, pale and gaunt, swaying slightly as if about to collapse.
The man held a handkerchief to his colorless lips.
Yu Qingtang's pupils constricted slightly.
Wei Jiu, holding Wei Shier, greeted the frail man with a smile. "Third Uncle."
The man, Third Uncle, was Yu Qingtang's father, Wei Tingyu. Despite his sickly appearance, his smile remained warm and gentle, like a spring breeze.
He patted Wei Shier's head and nodded with a smile. "Xiao Jiu and Shier are back."
Yu Qingtang, standing nearby, lowered her gaze.
As if sensing something, Wei Tingyu looked towards Yu Qingtang. Seeing her standing in the sunlight, his eyes filled with a heavy sadness, his smile fading. He looked away expressionlessly.
Wei Jiu: "Third Uncle, we'll go in now."
Wei Tingyu forced a smile back onto his face. "Go ahead."
Yu Qingtang raised her head and walked towards the Wei residence without a glance. She stopped a few steps away from Wei Tingyu and said quietly, "Third Master Wei."
Wei Tingyu gave a barely audible acknowledgement and walked past her with his hands behind his back, without turning around.
Yu Qingtang stood there for a moment, sweat trickling down her forehead under the scorching sun, before finally moving her hand and, as if waking from a dream, entering the Wei residence.
Wei Tingyu had been deeply in love with Yu Qingtang's mother, Yu Ci. He, a romantic poet and calligrapher, and she, a gifted painter, were both talented and beautiful artists, their union a celebrated love story at the time. Tragically, their happiness was short-lived. Yu Ci died due to complications during Yu Qingtang's birth. Grief-stricken by the loss of his beloved wife, Wei Tingyu fell ill, never to pick up a brush or write poetry again. He locked away Yu Ci's paintings in his studio, keeping them as his constant companions.
As for Yu Qingtang, the daughter who had indirectly taken his wife's life, he neither had the energy nor the desire to care for her. Seeing her only reminded him of the wife who would never again smile at him tenderly.
He could only ignore her. When Yu Qingtang was four or five, Wei Tingyu noticed she was growing to resemble her deceased mother, intensifying his pain. He sent her to the countryside to be raised, out of sight, out of mind.
After a year or two in the countryside, Yu Qingtang's maternal grandparents brought her back to Sicheng to be raised.
...
Yu Qingtang emerged from her eldest uncle's study after only twenty minutes.
The Wei family informed her that the man she was supposed to marry was ill and couldn't meet her yet. They assured her that as soon as he recovered, they would arrange the wedding. They then presented several alternative candidates, praising each one extravagantly, all seemingly deeply interested in her, giving her the illusion of choice.
For reasons unknown, the Wei family was incredibly eager for her to get married. All her uncles, except Wei Tingyu, were present. Yu Qingtang sat quietly, her mind elsewhere, agreeing to everything. Whether it was Mr. Zhong or Mr. Wang, it didn't matter who she married.
Her life was already like this. Could it get any worse?
Standing at the study door, a deep weariness flickered in Yu Qingtang's eyes as she headed downstairs.
Hearing voices ahead, she schooled her features into an impassive expression and emerged from the stairwell.
At the same time, the chatter abruptly ceased, as if someone had pressed pause.
Several Wei daughters sat on the sofas, some cuddling cats, others engrossed in their phones. They collectively ignored Yu Qingtang. Only after she had left did someone mutter, looking at her retreating figure.
"What's the mute doing back here?"
"What else?" Wei Jiu scoffed, stroking her cat. "Desperate to get married, I suppose."
"I heard that Cheng Yuanxi didn't agree to the marriage, and the Cheng family offered the younger sister instead. Do you think the mute knows?"
"How would she know?" Wei Ba put a finger to her lips, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Wouldn't it be hilarious if she only found out the groom had changed on her wedding day? I can't wait to see her expression."
Wei Jiu rolled her eyes. "Please. That deadpan face of hers is incapable of expression."
Wei Shi, who had just turned sixteen and was rather quiet, spoke up softly, "Is the Cheng sister you're talking about Cheng Zhanxi?"
Wei Jiu paused in petting her cat. "You know her?"
A faint blush colored Wei Shi's cheeks, and her voice dropped even lower. "I met Cheng Zhanxi at a banquet with Father. She's... very beautiful and elegant." She seemed to glow, drawing all eyes in the crowd.
Wei Jiu blurted out, "Isn't that a lucky break for the mute?" She stopped petting her cat, clasped her hands together, and said, "Please, let Cheng Zhanxi back out of the marriage immediately. I hope Father and my uncles find her some ugly, deformed replacement!"
Merry laughter filled the living room.
Yu Jianxing had casually said that Cheng Zhanxi and Yu Qingtang would meet again "if fate willed it." Cheng Zhanxi believed in fate too, but she didn't expect it to arrive so soon.
One day in early September, Cheng Zhanxi left an exhibition of stone sculptures and strolled leisurely towards home.
Suddenly, a panicked, shrill female voice cried out from behind her—
"Stop, thief!"
Then, Cheng Zhanxi was forcefully shoved aside. Reacting quickly, she grabbed a lamppost to steady herself. Turning around, she saw a middle-aged woman, bent over and gasping for breath, and a man in a Hawaiian shirt sprinting away.
Without hesitation, Cheng Zhanxi took off after him.
"Stop!"
Athletically gifted, tall, and long-legged, Cheng Zhanxi quickly gained ground. The man in the Hawaiian shirt, like a fleeing chick, was no match for her speed.
He glanced back nervously, his heart pounding as she drew closer. A slender figure appeared in front of him, and without thinking, he shoved her aside.
"Get out of the way!"
The world spun around Yu Qingtang as she stumbled sideways.
The next moment, she fell into a pair of soft, fragrant arms.
Wei Jiu: I hope Cheng Zhanxi backs out of the marriage immediately!
Cheng Zhanxi: Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not only going to marry her, I'm going to spoil her rotten!
Face-slapping is charging up...
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